Dear Neighbors,

As this is my final email before the holidays, I wanted to take a moment to extend my warmest wishes to you and your family. May you enjoy a joyful and peaceful celebration of Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa, filled with love, laughter, and cherished moments.

I also wanted to share a few important updates – further details are available below:

• The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs is conducting a survey to identify the needs of families affected by substance use disorders. If you or a loved one is impacted, please consider participating before the January 6 deadline.
• Thanks to recent legislation, more veterans and retired Pennsylvanians are now eligible for reduced or eliminated vehicle registration fees.
• The deadline for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program is December 31, and the updated eligibility guidelines now allow more residents to qualify for this important assistance.
• I recently had the opportunity to tour the Chalfont-New Britain Sewer Authority facilities to discuss critical infrastructure funding.

Wishing you a wonderful holiday season and a happy new year!

As always, please let me know if you have any questions or concerns regarding state government. You may do so simply by replying to this email, or by calling my office at (215) 323-6997.

In Service,

Brian

The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs is conducting a survey to identify the needs of families with individuals struggling with substance use, receiving treatment for substance use disorder, or recovering from a SUD. The survey will close January 6.

PennDOT announced that, thanks to changes established in Act 60 of 2024, which I proudly voted for, the annual income threshold for retired Pennsylvanians to qualify for a reduced vehicle registration fee has been increased. This adjustment means more people are now eligible for this important benefit. Additionally, certain veterans may now qualify for free vehicle registration and titling fees.

Under the new law, the income threshold for retired individuals to qualify for the reduced $11 registration fee has increased from $19,200 to $29,906, with future adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index.

To qualify for the reduced fee, eligible individuals should complete Form MV-371, "Application for a Retired Person’s Processing Fee of a Vehicle Registration," and submit it to PennDOT along with their renewal invitation. More information on eligibility can be found here.

Act 60 also eliminates registration and title fees for one-passenger vehicle or truck (weighing 9,000 pounds or less) for veterans who meet certain requirements, such as those who were injured in service, captured in conflict, or have received the Congressional Medal of Honor or Purple Heart.

For more details about eligibility, veterans can visit PennDOT's website for Vehicle Services for Military Personnel and Veterans.

Applications for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program close on Tuesday, Dec. 31.

Pennsylvanians 65 and older, widows and widowers 50 and older, and people with disabilities with an income up to $45,000 may qualify for a rebate. Only half of social security income is counted toward the eligibility income limit.

Apply online or call my district office at (267) 580-2660 to set up an appointment if you require assistance.

The 2024 guidelines have been expanded to include more people in our community, thanks to legislation passed into law in 2023. The new law raises the income eligibility limit for both homeowners and renters to $45,000 and raises the maximum rebate to $1,000, allowing more residents to stay in their homes and afford their basic necessities. 

More information and eligibility requirements can be found here.

Earlier this week, I joined John Larson, the executive director of the Chalfont-New Britain Sewer Authority, for a tour of its facilities.

This critical infrastructure is often an afterthought for the public, but something we all depend on.

John and I discussed funding opportunities, but to answer most of your first questions, no, it did not smell like roses.

I was happy to present Warrington resident Dr. Lake Angela with a citation of achievement for being named the 48th annual Bucks County Poet Laureate  by the Bucks County Community College.

Angela is a published poet, translator, dancer, and choreographer, and rose to the top of more than 50 entries in Bucks County Community College's 48th annual contest. She has a Master of Fine Arts in poetry, and her winning poems are from a larger work, "Scivias Choreomaniae," that is informed by psychiatric patients she worked with as a dance therapist. Angela holds a Ph.D. in intersemiotic translations of German Expressionist poetry into dance.

Congratulations Lake! Keep up the great work!

Brianna Rodriguez, a Warminster resident and student at William Tennent High School, is being honored for her leadership in academics and extracurriculars activities, and her sense of duty to her country. We celebrate her enlistment into the United States Army National Guard!

Brianna has demonstrated the highest ideals of a student and a Pennsylvanian. She was a commencement speaker at her eighth-grade graduation, president of the Philanthropy Today Club in 10th grade, a first degree black belt, captain of her karate school's junior demonstration team, a karate instructor, captain and quarterback of William Tennent High School's flag football teams, and captain and quarterback of Southampton Knights flag football teams.

Brianna was also a varsity wrestler for William Tennent High School's wrestling team, class leader at the Middle Bucks Institute of Technology for both her junior and senior years, section leader for William Tennent High School's marching band in her junior year, drum major for William Tennent High School's marching band in her senior year, and member of the National Society of High School Scholars.

Brianna, thank you for all that you do and good luck in your future serving our nation in the Army National Guard.

Pennsylvania State Capitol

104-B East Wing

Harrisburg, PA 17120

(717) 772-1983

District Office

1410A West Street Rd.
Warminster, PA 18974

(215) 323-6997