January 15, 2021
BUCKS COUNTY — January 15, 2021 — State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) announced his appointment as Democratic Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee. In addition to his chairmanship of the Judiciary Committee, Sen. Santarsiero will also serve on the Appropriations, Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure, Environmental Resources & Energy, and Intergovernmental Operations Committees.
“The Judiciary Committee helps shape the legal framework of our state, and I am honored to have been appointed as Democratic Chair of the Committee,” said Sen. Santarsiero. “I look forward to working to enact policies that will improve the safety of our communities, ensure fairness in legal proceedings, and see quality judicial appointments to our courts.”
The Judiciary Committee reviews all legislation relating to aspects of the civil and criminal court systems, law enforcement and corrections, and is responsible for evaluating prison staffing, inmate populations, and housing conditions. The committee also oversees the Attorney General’s Office, Department of Corrections, State Ethics Commission, Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing and the Municipal Police Officers Education and Training Commission, among others.
Sen. Santarsiero has served on the Judiciary Committee since his election to the Senate in 2018. Last year, the committee held a hearing and voted out his legislation, Kayden’s Law, to protect children in especially contentious custody cases.
“I am pleased to be expanding my role on the Judiciary Committee, continuing the important work we began last session and taking on new legislation,” said Sen. Santarsiero. “I want to thank Chairwoman Baker for her leadership of the Committee, and I look forward to serving alongside her in the new session.”
Sen. Steve Santarsiero represents the 10th Senatorial District, which includes: Bedminster Township, Buckingham Township, Chalfont, Doylestown, Doylestown Township, Dublin, East Rockhill Township, Falls Township, Haycock Township, Hilltown Township, Lower Makefield Township, Morrisville, New Britain, New Britain Township, New Hope, Newtown, Newtown Township, Perkasie, Plumstead Township, Sellersville, Silverdale, Solebury Township, Telford, Tullytown, Upper Makefield Township, West Rockhill Township, and Yardley.
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January 4, 2021
BUCKS COUNTY — January 4, 2021 — State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) announced the long-awaited groundbreaking for February 2021 on the $8.7 million project at Washington Crossing Historic Park. The project, which will rehabilitate 11 historic homes and other structures throughout the park, is expected to be completed in Spring 2022.
“Washington Crossing Historic Park is one of the most significant historic sites in our state and its situation along the Delaware River makes it a gem in our state park system,” Sen. Santarsiero said. “The restoration of these buildings will help the Friends of Washington Crossing Park to continue their incredible work highlighting the story of the crossing and lifting up the park as a tourist destination.”
The project, which has faced several delays since originally being funded nearly a decade ago, became the focus of coordinated effort between Sen. Santarsiero and the Friends of Washington Crossing. Sen. Santarsiero has worked with both the state Department of General Services (DGS) and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) to get the project back on track.
“I want to especially thank DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn for working with us to find the additional funds needed to finally make this project a reality,” Sen. Santarsiero added.
“This will prove to be a transformative investment for the Washington Crossing Historic Park” said John Godzieba, the Board President of the Friends of Washington Crossing Park. Godzieba, who portrays George Washington during events at the Park, further stated that, “the timing of this project is fortuitous since it is only 6 years until the country celebrates its Sestercentennial – 250 years from independence in 1776. Finally, I also want to thank Senator Santarsiero as well as fellow Board member, Peter Tucci, who were both instrumental in this capital project coming to fruition.”
“Washington Crossing Historic Park holds a special place in our community and history, particularly their yearly re-enactments of the turning point in the Revolutionary War when General Washington led his troops across the Delaware River into Trenton, achieving a resounding victory over the Hessians,” Sen. Santarsiero said. “This year, due to COVID-19, the reenactment was virtual, but remained a quintessential part of the holiday season in Bucks County.”
“This certainly signals the start of a long-awaited and strongly supported transformation at Washington Crossing Historic Park, one that reflects the work of so many toward a shared, common goal,” said Dunn. “The many park supporters should be heartened that Sen. Santarsiero is championing their cause.”
Contracts were awarded to Jones Masonry Restoration Corp., Chadwick Service Company, QPI Electrical, Wu & Associates, Inc., and Murphy, Quigley Company, Inc., according to DGS.
To learn more about Washington Crossing Historic Park, visit its website.
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December 30, 2020
BUCKS COUNTY – December 30, 2020 – State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) and state Representative Perry Warren (D-31) announced that Bucks County Conservation District will receive $262,558 in Growing Greener grant funds through the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). With a primary goal of improving the water quality of Neshaminy Creek, the funds will be used for a water quality improvement project at an equine facility in Newtown Township.
The project will implement a variety of water quality management best practices, including the design and installation of waterways and diversions, subsurface drainage improvements, stone lined outlets, fencing improvements, animal heavy use area improvements, rain gutter improvements, a roofed manure storage facility, and the creation of vegetated buffer areas.
“Funding for this project highlights the importance of ensuring our local farms and facilities are equipped with the necessary resources to protect our environment, specifically our waterways,” said Sen. Santarsiero. “The improvements that will be made through this project will both protect Neshaminy Creek and help raise awareness within our local equine community about the importance of conservation.”
“This grant award both helps ensure that we have safe, clean water and recognizes the critical role work of the Bucks County Conservation District in managing and directing the county’s soil, water and natural resources,” said Rep. Warren.
“The Bucks County Conservation District is excited for this opportunity to expand upon our previous efforts to improve water quality with in the Neshaminy Creek Watershed, and especially to be working on a high-density equine operation,” said Gretchen Schatschneider, District Manager for the Bucks County Conservation District.
Additionally, The Heritage Conservancy, located in Doylestown, will receive $26,563 for its Bellwood Preserve Riparian Restoration project, outside of the 10th senate district in Newportville.
The Growing Greener grant program through DEP is used to fund watershed restoration and protection, abandoned mine reclamation and abandoned oil and gas well plugging projects. For more information about Growing Greener grants, visit the DEP website.
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December 29, 2020
Senators Will Be Joined by Pa. Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine
WEST CHESTER (December 29, 2020) – State Senator Steve Santarsiero, State Senator-Elect Carolyn Comitta and Senator Tim Kearney will hold a virtual townhall meeting with Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine to answer residents’ questions about the COVID-19 vaccine and discuss the Commonwealth’s vaccination plan.
The meeting, set for Wednesday, January 6 at 3 p.m., is focused on the southeast Pennsylvania region and will likely include additional state lawmakers representing the area. It will be held via Zoom and is free and open to the public. Interested participants should register ahead of time here or at either Senator-Elect Comitta’s (www.pasenatorcomitta.com), Senator Kearney’s (www.senatorkearney.com) or Senator Santarsiero’s website (www.senatorstevesantarsiero.com).
In addition, plans for more virtual townhalls on the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccine are underway and will be announced soon.
The COVID-19 vaccine is currently being distributed in southeast Pennsylvania to front-line healthcare workers as part of a multi-phase plan. More information on the vaccine distribution plan for Chester and Delaware Counties is available at www.chesco.org/4376/Coronavirus-COVID-19. COVID-19 information from the Bucks County Health Depart is available at https://buckscounty.org/government/healthservices/HealthDepartment.
“As the vaccine rollout continues, more residents have more questions about safety, logistics, and distribution,” Senator-Elect Comitta said. “This is an opportunity for you to get answers. We welcome your questions and encourage you to pass along this information and share it publicly.”
“This will be an excellent chance for people to learn more about the vaccine and have their questions answered,” said Senator Kearney. “It’s also important to remember the vaccine will be just one tool in our fight against COVID-19. We can still protect ourselves and others by wearing a mask, keeping our distance, and washing our hands.”
“As the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine rolls out for our essential workers and most vulnerable populations, we are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel,” said Senator Santarsiero. “This town hall will provide information on the variety of vaccines and allow for questions from participants. Together, we will get through this.”
In addition to Dr. Levine, the meeting will include an expert panel of officials from both the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) and the Pennsylvania Department of Health team responsible for overseeing the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Comitta, Kearney, and Santarsiero also cautioned that while the vaccine is very promising, due to limited supply it won’t immediately be widely available to everyone. They urged all Pennsylvanians to continue to diligently follow the guidelines that are scientifically proven to stop the spread of the coronavirus, including mask-wearing, frequent handwashing, social distancing, and avoiding large crowds.
Currently, the FDA has granted emergency use authorization to two COVID-19 vaccines: the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine and the Moderna vaccine. More vaccines are in development and expected to be seeking emergency use authorization soon.
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December 23, 2020
BUCKS COUNTY – December 23, 2020 – State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) and State Representative Perry Warren (D-31) announced $1.5 million in state grant funding for improvements in Morrisville Borough. The Redevelopment Authority of the County of Bucks will receive $1 million for its Manor Park Landfill project and Morrisville Borough will receive $500,000 for a project at Patriots Park at Historic Summerseat.
The Manor Park Landfill project involves remediating and redeveloping a 12.96-acre vacant Brownfield site for new construction of a 70,000 square foot site for commercial use. Once remediation is complete, the redevelopment will include a fully equipped pad site, parking lots, landscaping and a retention basin.
“I want to thank Governor Wolf for prioritizing RACP funds for projects like these, providing important state investments in our local economy,” said Sen. Santarsiero. “I enthusiastically supported all of these applications, advocating for projects across my district that will drive economic development and make continued regional improvements that are especially needed given the challenges of the pandemic.”
“The redevelopment of the Manor Park Landfill for commercial use will drive local job creation and economic growth in Morrisville, while taking necessary steps to protect the local environment,” continued Sen. Santarsiero. “Remediation and redevelopment projects in locations like this allow us to take advantage of our existing real estate, while improving the health of both of environment and local economy.”
Scott Mitchell, Morrisville Borough Manager said, “This project has been a high priority for Morrisville Borough for many, many years. We are thrilled to hear the grant was awarded so this project can get started and this under-utilized property can be redeveloped.”
“This grant is a double win – for the environment and for the economy,” said Rep. Warren. “We’ve been working for quite a while with the Borough Council, Mayor and Manager to address the Manor Park Landfill. This million dollar grant goes a long way toward improving the environment and preparing the property for economic or community use.”
“We are very thankful for Governor Wolf’s support for this project and the local support we receive from Senator Steve Santarsiero, Representative Perry Warren, and Representative John Galloway on this and many other projects in Morrisville,” said Ted Parker, Council President of Morrisville Borough
The Patriots Park at Historic Summerseat project will make improvements to the existing park with new lawn areas for various recreational activities, new asphalt walking paths, a reconstructed access road, numerous new historic statues and other common park features and facilities.
“These improvements to Patriots Park will enable residents and visitors to enjoy the natural beauty and history of Morrisville,” said Sen. Santarsiero. “I am always pleased to see project that highlight our plentiful open space and foster a strong sense of local community in our area.”
“People love Morrisville’s historic small-town America ambience. The preservation and improvement of Patriot’s Park at Historic Summerseat will create a gathering place at a passive park in the heart of residential Morrisville,” said Rep. Warren. “Together, these two grants will help create spaces for residents to enjoy and to welcome visitors to Morrisville.”
RACP projects are authorized in the Redevelopment Assistance section of a Capital Budget Itemization Act, have a regional or multi-jurisdictional impact, and generate substantial increases or maintain current levels of employment, tax revenues, or other measures of economic activity. RACP projects are state-funded projects that cannot obtain primary funding under other state programs.
To learn more about RACP projects and grants, visit the Pennsylvania Office of the Budget website.
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December 23, 2020
BUCKS COUNTY – December 23, 2020 – State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) announced $3.5 million in state grant funds to improve local infrastructure, health and safety, and arts and culture in Bucks County, which will help grow and strengthen businesses, while providing a needed economic boost to the region.
The awards will go to New Hope Borough, Doylestown Hospital, Bucks County Children’s Museum and the Oscar Hammerstein Museum and Theatre Education Center through the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP). RACP is a Commonwealth grant program administered by the Office of the Budget for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational, and historical improvement projects.
“I want to thank Governor Wolf for prioritizing RACP funds for projects like these, providing important state investments in our local economy,” said Sen. Santarsiero. “I enthusiastically supported all of these applications, advocating for projects across my district that will drive economic development and make continued regional improvements that are especially needed given the challenges of the pandemic.”
New Hope Borough will receive $1,750,000 for the construction of a new five-level parking garage on borough-owned land, one block from Main Street. The project will also update road paving between the garage and Main Street and will provide for both pedestrian walkways and a shuttle service.
“New Hope is a thriving borough with many restaurants and retail shops that attract locals and tourists alike,” said Sen. Santarsiero. “The parking garage project will accommodate 350 cars, which will make New Hope more accessible, boosting revenue for many small businesses in our local economy.”
“The Borough welcomes the opportunity to move forward with this grant for a new parking garage,” said Peter Grey, New Hope Borough Manager. “With an off street parking site, the Borough will be able to provide needed relief to visitors of New Hope who come to enjoy the various restaurants and shopping that are offered. We look forward to moving forward in the process and thank State Senator Santarsiero for assisting us in our application and Governor Wolf for authorizing the funding for the Borough.”
“This is a dream come true for Bucks County Playhouse and the 80,000 people a year who come to our performances. Indeed, it will be transformative for every business in New Hope. Definitely the best news to come out of 2020,” said Alexander Fraser, Producing Director of Bucks County Playhouse. “On behalf of the Board and staff of Bucks County Playhouse, we owe a huge debt of gratitude to Steve Santarsiero and Connie Gering for their belief in the dream, and their diligence in this huge first step in making it a reality,” said Fraser referring to New Hope Borough Council President Constance Gering.
The $1 million funds to Doylestown Hospital will be used for the hospital’s new Women’s Diagnostic Center, to relocate, expand, and enhance the current diagnostic area, helping to improve Doylestown Hospital’s commitment to quality care for its patients. The new Center will feature dedicated space for mammography and ultrasound, with upgraded equipment to increase efficiency in screening and diagnostics.
“Doylestown Hospital has a longstanding commitment to providing quality care, and this project highlights that commitment,” said Sen. Santarsiero. “With the completion of the new Women’s Diagnostic Center, the hospital expects to be able to accommodate 10-15% more patients, leading to increases in early detection of cancer in patients and better prognoses with early treatment.”
“The support of Gov. Wolf and Sen. Santarsiero is a tremendous boost to the transformative renovation and expansion of key priorities across Doylestown Health,” said Jim Brexler, President and CEO of Doylestown Health. “We deeply appreciate the Commonwealth’s investment in our community health system. They join a growing list of community, Board and staff donors who recognize the need for state-of-the-art facilities, enhanced services, and program growth to serve our community. This support comes at a pivotal time as we continue to raise critical funding for ONE VISION: The Campaign for Doylestown Health allowing us to safeguard the future of healthcare while remaining independent.”
The Oscar Hammerstein Museum and Theatre Education Center will receive $500,000 to develop a public museum and education center on the preserved Highland Farm site in Doylestown. The project will include restoration of existing home structures, and repurposing of the facility to include exhibition and classroom spaces, as well as a welcome center.
“I have been working with the Oscar Hammerstein Museum and all of our local museums here in Bucks County throughout the pandemic to help ensure they come out on the other side of this stronger than before”, said Sen. Santarsiero. “These state funds to help restore and redevelop this iconic property will allow the public to visit the space that inspired some of the most classic American musicals like Oklahoma, South Pacific and Sound of Music.”
“We are extremely grateful to Senator Santarsiero and Governor Wolf for this grant. Preserving Highland Farm, the homestead and creative epicenter where Oscar Hammerstein II wrote the lyrics to some of the world’s most noted and performed songs, is essential for Bucks County, for Pennsylvania and for our country,” said Greg Roth, President of the Board, Oscar Hammerstein Museum and Theater Education Center. Speaking on behalf of the Board of Directors, Christine Cole, and all of the organization’s supporters and advocates, Roth continued, “Oscar Hammerstein’s themes of inclusion and acceptance are as relevant today as they were 80 years ago when he penned them. The Oscar Hammerstein Museum and Theater Education Center will provide a place for enthusiasts and visitors to be inspired and a place for children from all over the world to have an opportunity to learn about musical theater and pursue their musical theater passions and interests.”
The Bucks County Children’s Museum will receive $250,000 for construction of a new 20,000 sq. ft. facility, that will feature expanded exhibit and gallery areas, expanded indoor and outdoor space, and will incorporate additional health and safety best practices. The project will also increase parking and build new administrative offices.
“The Children’s Museum offers our young people an opportunity to explore their creative side in an interactive environment, while serving both our local community and attracting families from a wider area,” said Sen. Santarsiero. “Our museums have been hit hard by the Coronavirus pandemic, so I am particularly excited that Bucks County Children’s Museum has been awarded funding to build a new facility that will include improvements to meet health and safety guidelines, including larger indoor and outdoor spaces.”
“This support from the Commonwealth is great news for the thousands of families and children who visit The Bucks County Children’s Museum each year,” said Kelly Krumenacker, Executive Director of The Bucks County Children’s Museum We are excited for the opportunity to increase our capacity to serve the community and visitors to the county in an expanded facility filled with unique and engaging educational experiences.”
RACP projects are authorized in the Redevelopment Assistance section of a Capital Budget Itemization Act, have a regional or multi-jurisdictional impact, and generate substantial increases or maintain current levels of employment, tax revenues, or other measures of economic activity. RACP projects are state-funded projects that cannot obtain primary funding under other state programs.
To learn more about RACP projects and grants, visit the Pennsylvania Office of the Budget website.
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December 21, 2020
BUCKS COUNTY – December 21, 2020 – State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) is urging local elected officials to follow the state’s lead and act this month to bring thousands of new jobs to Lower Bucks County.
Sen. Santarsiero said Bucks County, Falls Township and Pennsbury School District all must pass resolutions to reauthorize the Keystone Opportunity and Investment Zone (KOIZ) in Falls Township. A reauthorization of the KOIZ is necessary to move forward on the largest redevelopment project in Bucks County in decades and create thousands of local jobs.
Sen. Santarsiero voiced his support for the reauthorization of the KOIZ at both the December 17th Pennsbury School Board meeting, as well as the December 21st meeting of the Falls Township Board of Supervisors. The reauthorization was approved unanimously at both meetings. “I am requesting that Bucks County follows Pennsbury School Board and Falls Township in voting to support growth and job creation in Falls Township,” said Sen. Santarsiero. “By voting to reauthorize the KOIZ, the County will join Falls Township and Pennsbury School Board in doing its part to bring hundreds of construction jobs, and thousands of permanent jobs to our community over the next few years, helping to ensure economic stimulus and growth in our local economy, at a time when it is most needed.”
Act 114 of 2020 was passed in November to extend the state’s general operating budget through July 1, 2021. Senator Santarsiero drafted a provision that was added to the fiscal code bill, which became Act 114, to allow for the reauthorization of the KOIZ, but the three taxing authorities – Falls Township, Pennsbury School District and Bucks County — all have to pass resolutions before December 31, 2020 for it to take effect.
“I advocated for this provision to be included in the fiscal code, because I understand the importance and urgency in bringing both short-term construction and long-term, permanent jobs to our community,” Sen. Santarsiero continued. “At a time when so many are without work, this project will breathe new life into our local economy and help thousands of residents secure gainful employment.”
The KOIZ in Falls Township is comprised of the former Fairless Works U.S. Steel site which first opened in 1952. The site closed in 2001 and has largely sat empty since. NorthPoint Development has made public plans for the Keystone Trade Center, a $1.5 billion redevelopment of 1,846 acres of the U.S. Steel property. The project would involve construction of 20 or more state-of-the-art industrial warehouse buildings, totaling 10 million square feet, resulting in between 5,000 to 10,000 jobs.
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December 17, 2020
BUCKS COUNTY – December 17, 2020 – State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) is urging local elected officials to follow the state’s lead and act this month to bring thousands of new jobs to Lower Bucks County.
Sen. Santarsiero said Bucks County, Falls Township and Pennsbury School District all must pass resolutions to reauthorize the Keystone Opportunity and Investment Zone (KOIZ) in Falls Township. A reauthorization of the KOIZ is necessary to move forward on the largest redevelopment project in Bucks County in decades and create thousands of local jobs.
“Tonight, I am requesting the Pennsbury School Board to take action because a failure to act this month will mean a missed opportunity for years of job creation,” said Sen. Santarsiero during a Pennsbury School Directors meeting. “By reauthorizing the KOIZ, Pennsbury School District will help move forward a redevelopment project that will bring hundreds of construction jobs and thousands of permanent jobs over the next few years, and it will be a vital catalyst for stimulating our economy during one of the most difficult times in our nation’s history.”
Act 114 of 2020 was passed in November to extend the state’s general operating budget through July 1, 2021. Senator Santarsiero drafted a provision that was added to the fiscal code bill, which became Act 114, to allow for the reauthorization of the KOIZ, but the three taxing authorities – Falls Township, Pennsbury School District and Bucks County — all have to pass resolutions before December 31, 2020 for it to take effect.
“I advocated for this provision to be included in the fiscal code, because I understand the importance and urgency in bringing both short-term construction and long-term, permanent jobs to our community,” Sen. Santarsiero continued. “At a time when so many are without work, this project will breathe new life into our local economy and help thousands of residents secure gainful employment.”
The KOIZ in Falls Township is comprised of the former Fairless Works U.S. Steel site which first opened in 1952. The site closed in 2001 and has largely sat empty since. NorthPoint Development has made public plans for the Keystone Trade Center, a $1.5 billion redevelopment of 1,846 acres of the U.S. Steel property. The project would involve construction of 20 or more state-of-the-art industrial warehouse buildings, totaling 10 million square feet, resulting in between 5,000 to 10,000 jobs.
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December 11, 2020
HARRISBURG – December 10, 2020 – Today the following members of the Pennsylvania State Senate signed a joint statement – set forth below – denouncing the brazen attempt of the attorneys general of Texas and seventeen other states to disenfranchise millions of Pennsylvanians and voters in three other states by asking the United States Supreme Court to prevent electors in Pennsylvania and those other states that voted for Joe Biden from certifying him the winner when they meet in Harrisburg and the other state capitals on Monday, December 14.
The statement reads as follows:
“The lawsuit by the attorneys general of Texas, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah and West Virginia is based on the outright lie that voter fraud prevented Donald Trump from getting re-elected. Since Election Day, the Trump legal team has filed scores of such suits trying to overturn the will of the people. Time and again, the judges in those matters – in many cases conservative, Republican judges, some of whom Donald Trump appointed himself – have found that there was no evidence to support those claims and dismissed the suits accordingly.
The bedrock of our democracy is the right to vote and the right of voters to be sure that their votes will be counted. This lawsuit and others like it are a direct attack on that fundamental principle. It seeks to perpetuate the lie that the presidential election was somehow stolen. While partisan politics – and a desire to appease the president’s restive base – may be the motivation for this latest court challenge, allowing it to go forward in silence is dangerous and, we believe, would constitute a dereliction of our duty as elected representatives of the people to uphold the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
The facts are these: Joe Biden received over 81 million votes, more than any candidate for president in the history of the United States and about 7 million more than Donald Trump. He received 80,555 more votes than the president in Pennsylvania. Mr. Biden received the most votes in 25 states and the District of Columbia, and, therefore, on December 14 when the Electoral College convenes, will be awarded 306 electoral votes, 36 more than the 270 needed to be elected president. Every vote cast for Joe Biden was cast freely and fairly, whether in person or by mail. In each state the vote-counting process was transparent and undertaken pursuant to law. Local and state officials, both Republican and Democratic alike, have attested to those facts, and, as noted, the courts have agreed. Joe Biden won the election.
Donald Trump has lost his bid for re-election; he seems incapable of accepting that fact. For the first time in American History, a sitting president who lost re-election has refused to acknowledge his loss, acting instead like a would-be autocrat who cannot accept any outcome that does not have him staying in power. While that may be a commentary on the character of the man, it cannot be a cause for setting aside the will of the people.
All of us have a responsibility – indeed we would go so far as to say a sacred duty – to ourselves, our fellow Americans and generations to come to prevent the lie that this election was stolen from living on and undermining future elections. For these reasons we have signed this statement and call upon others to likewise speak out and denounce this lawsuit against our state for what it is: an attack on our democracy.”
Signed,
Senator Steve Santarsiero, 10th District
Senator Vincent Hughes, 7th District
Senator Maria Collett, 12th District
Senator Judy Schwank, 11th District
Senator Tim Kearney, 26th District
Senator Christine Tartaglione, 2nd District
Sen.-Elect Amanda M. Cappelletti, 17th District
Sen.-Elect Carolyn Comitta, 19th District
Senator Jay Costa, 43rd District
Senator Anthony H. Williams, 8thDistrict
Senator Katie Muth, 44th District
Senator Art Haywood, 4th District
Senator Sharif Street, 3rdDistrict
Senator Lindsey Williams, 38th District
Sen.-Elect Nikil Saval, 1st District
Sen.-Elect John Kane, 9th District
December 10, 2020
BUCKS COUNTY — December 10, 2020 — State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) announced the award of $3,950,000 in state funding to Bucks County Community College (BCCC) from the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE). The funding award from the state will go toward BCCC’s latest capital undertaking, part of a $7,900,000 project. This project, a new Enterprise Resource Planning System (ERP), is an investment in the college’s technology infrastructure and will allow BCCC to modernize systems for students, faculty, and staff for decades to come.
“Bucks County Community College continues to provide outstanding opportunities to our local students, despite recent challenges in the education field due to the pandemic,” said Sen. Santarsiero. “This funding from the Department of Education will help BCCC continue to provide exemplary community engagement and pathways for personal and professional success for all students.”
The college’s president, Dr. Stephanie Shanblatt, commented “In today and tomorrow’s world, capital projects are not always bricks and mortar. This project will propel the digital transformation of Bucks, allowing us to serve Bucks Countians using new user-friendly and more secure technology systems.”
As per the perimeters of the grant, the funding from PDE represents half of the annual capital expense of the project. The remaining funds will be sourced from local sponsors of BCCC.
To learn more about BCCC, visit their website.
To learn about funding opportunities through PDE, visit their website.
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December 9, 2020
BUCKS COUNTY – December 9, 2020 – State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) announced $2,532,739 in funding from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) that will help county organizations and localities serve victims of crimes, assist with treatment, and improve public safety.
“These state funds will meet critical needs in our community, helping our local organizations and entities continue to serve our vulnerable populations,” said Sen. Santarsiero. “We are fortunate that at the county-level there is a strong commitment to rehabilitation and victim’s services, which is amplified by the work of organizations such as NOVA and A Woman’s Place. Our community is safest when there are adequate resources for our justice system, law enforcement and community organizations.”
Bucks County will receive $125,533 in Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Relief funds. The county will also receive $920,347 through the County Adult Probation and Parole Advisory Committee (CAPPAC) to support the county’s work to improve adult probation services. The Bucks County Commissioners will also receive $387,520 in Children’s Advocacy Center Advisory Committee (CACAC) funds to support a fourth year of its pilot program to prevent child sexual abuse.
Additional CAPPAC funds of $916,121 were awarded in Intermediate Punishment Treatment Funds to the following organizations, to support project work:
- Bucks County Commissioners: $545,570
- Network of Victim Assistance (NOVA): $304,382
- A Woman’s Place: $66,160
NOVA received an additional $125,000 in Victims Services Advisory Committee (VSAC), Federal STOP Violence Against Women Funds, as well as $47,000 from the CACAC for its work as a State Children’s Advocacy Center.
New Hope Borough will receive $11,218 in Criminal Justice Advisory Committee (CJAC) funds that will go toward body-worn cameras for law enforcement.
The Victims’ Services Advisory Committee (VSAC) serves in an advisory capacity to PCCD and to assure that the voices, needs, and perspectives of all crime victims and survivors will be considered in the development of services, services standards, policies, funding priorities, legislation, and outcomes. For more information on VSAC’s role within PCCD, visit the PCCD website.
The County Adult Probation and Parole Advisory Committee (CAPPAC) serves in an advisory capacity to PCCD to ensure reasonable and efficient administration on all matters pertaining to the Pennsylvania County Adult Probation and Parole System. For more information on the CAPPAC’s role within PCCD, visit the PCCD website.
The Children’s Advocacy Center Advisory Committee (CACAC) seeks to promote prevention, treatment, and justice for victims of child sexual abuse and child abuse through children’s advocacy centers and multidisciplinary investigative teams throughout the Commonwealth. To learn more about the CACAC, visit the PCCD website.
The Criminal Justice Advisory Committee (CJAC) seeks to support a comprehensive strategy to reduce crime that prioritizes evidence-based policy and practice at every stage of the Commonwealth’s justice system. For more information on the CJAC, visit the PCCD website.
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December 4, 2020
Pennsylvania − December 4, 2020 − Aiming to stimulate Pennsylvania’s economy by providing direct aid to workers, families, small businesses and other vulnerable populations, the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus announced a bold, innovative $4 billion pandemic relief plan Friday morning.
The Pennsylvania Coronavirus Aid, Relief & Economic Security Act of 2021 (PA CARES 21) Plan would fund previously existing aid programs and establish new programs to help struggling Pennsylvanians and struggling areas of the commonwealth’s economy.
“Folks have not seen pandemic-specific relief from the state or federal government since last spring, yet thousands remain unemployed, underemployed and struggle with their housing and utility bills. This cannot go on any longer,” said Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa. “There are immediate needs in communities across this state that must be addressed immediately. We are in the middle of another surge in COVID cases, hospitalizations and deaths. We need help to recover, personally and financially; the state must play an active role in that recovery and that is what our plan today does.”
“Thousands of Pennsylvanians have been hurt by this pandemic and have received some assistance to get through this generational crisis — however it is time to do more in that space to get people the help they need,” Sen. Hughes said. “Rather than use federal dollars to help people in their time of need, we used the money to plug budget holes, telling people we had to keep state operations running to prevent further crisis. Having averted that crisis, it is now our job to step up and help our communities. They cannot wait any longer for help and the legislature must act now.”
PA CARES 21 authorizes the commonwealth to issue $4 billion in emergency debt to (1) recapitalize programs previously funded with federal CARES funds pursuant to Acts 2A, 24 and 30 of 2020 and (2) establish new programs that provide targeted assistance to struggling Pennsylvanians and struggling sectors of the Pennsylvania economy.
Where appropriate, this proposal utilizes the programs created under Act 24 of 2020 to drive out the funds. If proposed funding does not fit into an existing program (e.g., utility assistance), a new program will be created. Additionally, the caucus supports fixing programs created by Act 24 (e.g., PHFA’s rental assistance program) as requested by stakeholders to maximize program effectiveness.
The PA Senate Democrats propose allocating the funds to the following priorities (a detailed spreadsheet of the spending proposal is attached):
- $800 million in business assistance
- $1 billion in UC benefits
- $594 million in local government assistance
- $135 million in hazard pay
- $318 million in DHS programs
- $250 million in basic education
- $136 million in higher education
- $100 million to hospitals
- $100 million to utility assistance
- $75 million in child care
- $100 million in housing assistance
- $50 million in food security
- $25 million in pre-k education
- $25 million for PPE and vaccines
- $15 million for mental health funding
- $180 million in transportation funding
“There is no overstating the economic toll COVID has taken and continues to take on families and businesses across the Commonwealth,” said Senator Maria Collett (D-Montgomery). “As a former infection control nurse, I promise you that the sacrifices you’ve made have saved lives and prevented long-term health complications associated with this dangerous virus for so many. But I also know these words offer little comfort when you are struggling to pay the mortgage, or juggle your job and the constant changes to your kids’ schooling, or keep your business afloat. Government is supposed to work for you and that is exactly what our PACARES 21 proposal does. It identifies ways to get money into the hands of those who need it most, including those about to lose their COVID unemployment benefits, frontline workers, child care centers, and our main street businesses, especially local restaurants and bars, in the quickest, most efficient way possible. Your families and your businesses can’t afford to wait any longer for relief. So until our communities are safe and our economy is running at full steam again, it is critical that we extend this lifeline and do so now.”
“As the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths in Pennsylvania continues to climb, it is the General Assembly’s duty and obligation to provide relief to all those affected – unemployed folks, front-line workers, small businesses, and especially hospitals that serve high-Medicaid populations as well as our institutions of higher education,” said Senator Tina Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia). “These are the pillars of society that serve us in our times of greatest need and will lead our recovery.”
“There’s no denying that cases of the coronavirus are growing every day,” said Senator-elect Carolyn Comitta (D-Chester). “We need to do more than just say, ‘help is on the way.’ We need a bold, innovative plan to deliver it to Pennsylvanians. PA CARES 21 gives us more tools, more resources, and the flexibility to prepare for the future.”
“We are entering a stage of the pandemic that is, by virtually every measure, worse than the first stage, laying bare and exacerbating inequalities in all our health systems, devastating essential workers, and disproportionately harming Black and brown people,” said Senator-elect Nikil Saval (D-Philadelphia). “We need to keep people in their homes, fight hunger and food insecurity, and give our children every tool they need to learn. We need this stimulus because our communities desperately need support and relief.”
More information on the proposal and the caucus’ work in pandemic relief is available online at pasenate.com/pacares.
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December 2, 2020
BUCKS COUNTY – December 2, 2020 – State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) will host a virtual Caregivers Resource & Support event on Tuesday, December 8th at 12:30 PM. Sen. Santarsiero will be joined by speakers from county and state agencies, organizations, and area hospitals, to discuss the challenges facing caregivers, specifically during the COVID-19 pandemic, and resources available to assist caregivers in providing quality care to loved ones, while also taking care of themselves.
“It is likely that we will all find ourselves in the role of caregiver at some point,” said Sen. Santarsiero. “As Rosalind Carter said, ‘There are only four kinds of people in the world. Those who have been caregivers. Those who are currently caregivers. Those who will be caregivers, and those who will need a caregiver.’ With that in mind, I hope you can join me on December 8th, as it is never too soon to begin learning about the support available for caregivers.”
“In these unprecedented times, it can feel more daunting than ever to care for a loved one, while also taking care of your own needs and health,” continued Sen. Santarsiero. “We are fortunate to have many community resources for caregivers that can help connect them to a local network of support. I encourage anyone who is serving as a caregiver, or expects to in the future, to tune in to this event to learn about these helpful services and connect with other caregivers in our area.”
During the event, the following speakers will share their expertise and valuable information:
- Valda Branison, Volunteer Team Leader, Office of Volunteer Engagement, AARP
- Margaret (Maggie) Devlin, Aging Care Management Supervisor, Bucks County Area Agency on Aging
- Troy Dunston, Caregiver Support Program Coordinator, Pennsylvania Department of Aging
- Kimberly Radago, Oncology Social Worker, Caregiver Support Group, Grandview Hospital
- Bethany Heleniak, Community Liaison, LIFE St. Mary
Additional speakers will be added as the event draws closer.
To receive the link to participate in this event via Zoom, please contact Nancy Adam at Nancy.Adam@pasenate.com or 215-489-5000.
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November 25, 2020
BUCKS COUNTY – November 25, 2020 – The following statement is attributable to Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) in response to the Senate Republican Policy Committee Hearing on November 25, 2020:
“Today, Pennsylvania Senate Republicans will hold a hearing into allegations of voter fraud in this year’s election. One witness at the hearing will be Rudolph Giuliani. There is word that the outgoing president, Donald Trump, might also participate.
Two weeks ago, I called on Pennsylvania Republicans, including my colleagues in the State Senate, to repudiate unfounded claims of voter fraud and improprieties that were designed solely to delegitimize this year’s presidential election. Donald Trump and those closest to him made these claims despite the fact that officials here and in other states had proclaimed this one of the most secure and well-executed elections in our nation’s history. At the time, I described these attacks as part of a ‘big lie’ that undermined our democracy and, in so doing, threatened to move us toward authoritarianism as has happened in recent years in a number of other former democracies such as Poland, Hungary, Russia and Turkey. You can view my speech here.
Rather than heed that call, Senate Republicans are redoubling the efforts of Donald Trump’s most debased allies, such as Giuliani, by using taxpayer resources and, more importantly, the imprimatur of state government to further a political strategy that seeks to undermine our electoral system. I write now not out of fear that this hearing will in any way jeopardize the election of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States; Trump’s own General Services Administration belatedly acknowledged Mr. Biden’s election this week when it allowed the formal transition process to move forward. Yesterday Pennsylvania, following several other so-called swing states that Biden won on November 3, certified the election results, effectively awarding Pennsylvania’s 20 electoral votes to the president-elect. No, I write because the perpetuation of the lie that this election was somehow stolen from Donald Trump – now with the aid of the machinery of state government – has longer-term implications that are not in the interests of any American who wants to see our 244-year experiment in democracy continue for generations to come.
We live in tumultuous times. Most urgently we face the threat of the first global pandemic in a century and the economic disruptions that is has wrought. But there are other, longer-term forces that have been and will continue to cause upheaval even after we overcome Covid-19 and its effects. For over 60 years now the emergence of the global economy has caused dramatic changes here at home as whole sectors of our workforce have been reshaped or completely outsourced to other countries. If that were not challenging enough, we now find ourselves in the midst of a data revolution that promises to be no less disruptive to broad segments of our working population than the industrial and agricultural revolutions were to earlier societies. These changes make all of us feel uncertain about the future and lead some people to embrace more extreme beliefs and ideologies that can threaten the stability of even the world’s oldest democracy.
In such an environment, lies that seek to undermine our electoral system are particularly dangerous. If large numbers of Americans start to question whether we can ever again have a fair election or believe that their preferred candidate for president was somehow robbed of victory, our ability to hold future elections will be compromised. It is one thing for a narcist like Donald Trump to refuse to acknowledge reality and to lack the character to put the interests of his country ahead of his own (contrast his actions to those of Al Gore when he graciously conceded the 2000 election to George W. Bush), but when other elected officials who know better begin to pander to those with authoritarian tendencies we come perilously close to crossing a line as a nation that we dare not cross.
Neither the presidency of Donald Trump, nor the actions of these Republican office holders have diminished my abiding optimism in the future of America and the world. But no generation that has come before us had the luxury of sitting back while problems worked themselves out, and we are no exception. If we want to see a brighter future for ourselves and our children and we want democracy to flourish here and continue its ascendency throughout the world, then we must remain vigilant. Such vigilance demands calling out the big lie when we hear it and holding those who perpetuate it to account.”
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November 20, 2020
BUCKS COUNTY – November 20, 2020 – State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) announced Bucks County Technical High School will receive $50,000, the maximum possible award, through a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE). The Career and Technical Education Competitive Equipment Grant helps schools purchase equipment aligned with the needs of local employers for use in PDE-approved Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, and to provide hands-on training to students in those programs.
“Our career and technical school programs help students prepare for a variety of career areas, by providing hands-on learning and experience,” said Sen. Santarsiero. “These grant funds will help ensure that our students receive targeted training that meets the specific needs of local businesses and industries, which will make them more competitive employment candidates upon graduation and keep talent here in our community.”
Middle Bucks Institute of Technology also received $34,902, which, while located outside of the 10th Senate District, serves students in Sen. Santarsiero’s district.
For more information on the Career and Technical Education Competitive Equipment Grants, visit the PDE website.
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November 16, 2020
BUCKS COUNTY – November 16, 2020 – State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) announced $72,490 in state grant funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) to four schools in his district through the 2020-2021 Safe Schools Targeted Grant program.
The breakdown of grant awards is as follows:
- Abrams Hebrew Academy in Yardley: $24,465
- Plumstead Christian (Lower/Middle/Upper) in Plumsteadville: $12,404
- Saint Andrew Catholic School in Newtown: $23,748
- Upper Bucks Christian School in Sellersville: $11,813
“In these uncertain times, it is more important than ever that students have a safe learning environment and positive learning experiences to ensure a quality education for our children,” said Sen. Santarsiero. “The Safe Schools grants for equipment purchases will help these schools make necessary upgrades, which will allow our students to learn in a productive and safe environment.”
The funding comes from competitive 2020-2021 Safe Schools Targeted Grants, which are awarded to schools to prevent and reduce violent incidents, to purchase safety and security-related equipment, and to provide for the training and compensation of school resource and police officers. All of the awards in the 10th Senate District are equipment grants, for the purchase of safety and security equipment. PDE’s program is separate from the School Safety and Security Grant program administered by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD).
For more information on the 2020-2021 Safe Schools Targeted Grants, visit the PDE website.
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November 13, 2020
HARRISBURG – November 13, 2020 – State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) called on all elected officials – Democrats and Republicans alike – to reject publicly the claim that there was fraud in the process leading up to the November 3rd election and in the counting of ballots since then. During remarks on the floor of the state Senate on Thursday, Sen. Santarsiero touted the accuracy of the vote count in Pennsylvania, while cautioning the public to be wary of baseless accusations that seek to undermine the foundations of our democracy.
“There was nothing illegal about the votes that have elected Joe Biden to be the 46thPresident of the United States,” said Sen. Santarsiero. “There was nothing fraudulent or improper about the process here in Pennsylvania that delivered our 20 electoral votes to Joe Biden to make him the next President of the United States.”
Sen. Santarsiero disputed claims of voter fraud put forth by the Republican party, while drawing parallels from Ann Applebaum’s book Twilight of Democracy: The Seductive Lure of Authoritarianism. He explained the phenomenon of “the big lie”, an untruth that a political movement or party propagates to slowly amass power and undermine democratic institutions to establish an authoritarian state. Citing a lack of evidence and harmful rhetoric that undermines the people’s faith in our electoral system, which is at the core of our democracy, Sen. Santarsiero condemned false claims of voter fraud.
“Not one shred of evidence has been put forth,” said Sen. Santarsiero. “Instead, vague arguments about voter fraud have been made…” He said that by doing so, the Republican party here in Pennsylvania and throughout the United States is “propagating “the big lie.’”
Sen. Santarsiero called on all elected officials to support the outcome of the election, whether they are disappointed in it or not. He called on them to respect the will of the people and, thereby, to protect the foundations of our democracy. In doing so, he noted that in 2000, Democrats were disappointed in the United States Supreme Court’s decision to stop the recount in the State of Florida, effectively handing that election to George W. Bush. Nonetheless, he noted, former Vice President Al Gore respected the decision of the Court and all Americans accepted President Bush’s election.
Returning to this year’s election of Joe Biden as the next president he said, “Some may not be happy about that outcome. In no election is everyone pleased, at least not in a democracy. But at the end of the day, if we intend to pass to the next generation the strong democracy and republic which was passed to us by previous generations, it is time for us to stand up and be counted. It is time for us to make it clear that we stand for the rule of law; we stand for protecting the right of the majority of people when they speak, to have their voices not only heard but ultimately to have that result become effective.”
Sen. Santarsiero continued, “The people have spoken and now it is time for us to come together as Americans. It is time for us to stand for democracy. I believe the people of Pennsylvania, and the people of the United States, will expect no less and accept no less.”
In June 2020, following the primary election, Sen. Santarsiero proposed legislation that would allow for a 21 day pre-canvass of mail-in ballots, which would have resulted in a more timely counting of ballots on Election Day.
Sen. Santarsiero’ s full remarks can be found here.
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November 6, 2020
BUCKS COUNTY – November 6, 2020 – State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) will host a virtual Veterans Expo on Thursday, November 12th at 7:00 PM. Sen. Santarsiero will be joined by speakers from Bucks County Military and Veterans Affairs, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and local groups serving veterans in our community. Experts from these agencies and organizations will discuss resources available to local veterans, including the VetNet program, VA healthcare and benefits, employment, service animals, and support programs.
“Our veterans deserve recognition and respect every day of the year, and it is my honor to host this virtual expo to share resources and information about agencies and organizations serving veterans in our community,” said Sen. Santarsiero. “I have a deep respect for the selflessness and bravery of our veterans, and we are fortunate here in Bucks County to have so many groups providing job opportunities, health benefits, and other support services to those who have given so much for our community and country.”
Presenters for the event are:
- Danelle Danemark, Senior Director of Human Resources – Veterans Network, Comcast
- Brian Jeter, Senior Director of Government and Regulatory Affairs, Comcast
- Karim Nanji, Senior Recruiter, Comcast
- Dan Fraley, Director, Bucks County Military and Veterans Affairs
- Fern Billet, Congressional Liaison and Community Relations, Department of Veterans Affairs
- John J. Miller, Change Management Agent, Public Affairs Office, Department of Veterans Affairs
- Janet Brennan, President & Executive Director, Shamrock Reins
- Jennifer Green, Founder & Director of Training, Alpha Bravo Canine
To receive the link to participate in this event via Zoom, please contact Nancy Adam at Nancy.Adam@pasenate.com or 215-489-5000.
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October 23, 2020
BUCKS COUNTY – October 23, 2020 – State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) and state Representatives Perry Warren (D-31) and John Galloway (D-140), announced today that Morrisville Borough School District will receive $500,000 in supplemental funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE). In 2019, Senator Santarsiero and Representatives Warren and Galloway were able to secure an agreement by the state to provide the District with a total of $1 million in supplemental funding. The supplemental funding was needed to help the District overcome budget shortfalls created, in part, by the fact that for many years Morrisville has not received its fair share in funding from the state under Pennsylvania’s basic education funding formula. The first $500,000 of that money was released in 2019. This payment represents the remainder of the supplemental funding under that agreement.
“This funding for Morrisville School District helps meet a critical need to support the district in providing quality education to all students,” said Sen. Santarsiero. “These funds will ensure the district can continue to meet the needs of its students and faculty, as it works to protect the health and safety of its teachers and students amid the ongoing pandemic. As I have said many times before, I am a strong advocate for increasing funding for Morrisville School District by fixing the state funding formula which unfairly shortchanges the district. I will continue to work with my House colleagues to make those changes, because every student in Morrisville deserves access to a great education.”
“This supplemental funding is critical to maintaining Morrisville School’s staffing and services,” said Rep. Warren. “Superintendent Jason Harris and Board President Damon Miller have worked diligently with us to ensure that Morrisville students continue to receive a great education. This funding is more than a bandage, but we still need a comprehensive adjustment of state funding for the Morrisville School District, and Sen. Santarsiero, Rep. Galloway and I continue to work with the Governor’s office and PDE to achieve appropriate funding for Morrisville schools.”
“This grant money will provide critical aid to the Morrisville School District as it faces increased needs arising from the Covid-19 pandemic,” Galloway said. “At a time when both teachers and students are struggling to adapt to the challenges posed by the pandemic, this funding will provide greater access to the resources needed for both educators and students to succeed. We are all committed to providing Morrisville children with the best education possible.”
Since 2015, Morrisville School District and its elected officials in the Pennsylvania House and Senate, have been working with the administration of Governor Wolf to provide Morrisville’s schools with $1 million in supplemental funding each fiscal year to help close the gap. In May, Sen. Santarsiero and Reps. Warren and Galloway sent a letter to Governor Wolf requesting supplemental funding for Morrisville School District, while requesting a review of the funding formula used to allocate state funds to the district.
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October 16, 2020
BUCKS COUNTY – October 16, 2020 – State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) announced $625,000 in state grants from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) to New Britain Township and Solebury Township for the development of two trails. Under the Community Conservation Partnerships Program grant program, New Britain Township will receive $225,000 for the development of the Neshaminy Greenway Trail, while Solebury Township will receive $400,000 for the development of the Route 202 Parkway Trail in Solebury Township and New Hope Borough.
“The Neshaminy Greenway Trail in New Britain Township will increase the length of the existing trail by more than half a mile, expanding recreational access, while creating a new trail head,” said Sen. Santarsiero. “Similarly, the Route 202 Parkway Trail development project will expand the already existing 8.5 mile trail along route 202 to include a stretch between New Hope and Solebury. Both of these projects will provide additional recreational opportunities for our community, further highlighting the beauty of our local natural resources.”
The DCNR Recreation and Conservation grant program is funded with a variety of state and federal funding sources including, the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund (Key 93) which includes Key-Community and Key-Land Trust; the Environmental Stewardship Fund (ESF); the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF); Pennsylvania Trails fund (PRT – federal source); Pennsylvania Heritage Area Program (HA); and the ATV Restricted Management Account Fund (ATV).
For more information on the Community Conservation Partnerships Program Grants, visit the DCNR website.
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October 9, 2020
BUCKS COUNTY – October 9, 2020 – State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) announced twenty-six area fire, rescue, and EMS will receive $535,425 in funding to offset expenses related to COVID-19, under the COVID-19 Crisis Fire, Rescue and EMS grant from the Office of State Fire Commissioner (OSFC).
“Our fire, rescue, and EMS workers dedicate themselves to serving our communities and have been on the frontlines of keeping us healthy and safe, long before this pandemic started,” said Sen. Santarsiero. “These funding awards are critical to supporting the efforts of these brave men and women, who have continued to respond to the needs of our community, often with diminished resources, during these unprecedented times.”
The funding awards in Senate District 10 are as follows:
- Chalfont Chemical Fire Engine Company: $25,342
- Doylestown Fire Co. No. 1: $25,342
- Dublin Volunteer Fire Company: $24,520
- Fairless Hills Volunteer Fire Co.: $23,973
- Falls Township Fire Company #1: $25,342
- Haycock Fire Company No 1: $23,973
- Hilltown Township Volunteer Fire Company: $25,342
- Levittown Fire Company 1 Falls Township: $25,342
- Morrisville Fire Company: $23,836
- New Hope Eagle Fire Company: $11,094
- Newtown Fire Association: $25,068
- Newtown Township: $11,094
- Ottsville Volunteer Fire Company: $24,931
- Perkasie Fire Company No. 1: $24,931
- Plumsteadville Volunteer Fire Company: $25,342
- Point Pleasant Fire Company: $23,151
- Silverdale Volunteer Fire Company: $23,562
- Tullytown Fire Company: $23,425
- Upper Makefield Fire Company: $25,068
- Levittown-Fairless Hills Rescue Squad: $5,856
- Central Bucks Ambulance and Rescue Unit: $15,048
- Chalfont Emergency Medical Services, Inc. $15,048
- Grand View Hospital: $15,048
- Newtown American Legion Ambulance Squad, Inc.: $15,048
- Point Pleasant Plumsteadville EMS: $14,945
- Yardley Makefield Emergency Unit: $13,754
For more information on the COVID-19 Crisis Fire, Rescue and EMS grants, visit the OSFC website.
October 8, 2020
BUCKS COUNTY – October 8, 2020 – There will be an additional 15 acres of State Game Lands in Haycock Township, thanks to a grant for $81,2000 from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, announced State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) and Representative Wendy Ullman (D-143) today. Natural Lands Trust will receive the funds as payment towards the acquisition of property under DCNR’s Community Conservation Partnerships Program grant program.
“Open space acquisition is an important part of preserving land in our area, which benefits both outdoor enthusiasts and the environment,” said Sen. Santarsiero. “This property in Haycock Township offers outdoor recreation and activities for sportsmen, which will be enjoyed by our community and drive visitors to our area, benefiting our local economy.”
“This 15 acre acquisition of State Game Lands in Haycock Township will be a welcome addition to public space,” said Rep. Ullman. “These public lands are used all year long by hikers as well as by hunters during hunting season.”
The DCNR Recreation and Conservation grant program is funded with a variety of state and federal funding sources including, the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund (Key 93) which includes Key-Community and Key-Land Trust; the Environmental Stewardship Fund (ESF); the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF); Pennsylvania Trails fund (PRT – federal source); Pennsylvania Heritage Area Program (HA); and the ATV Restricted Management Account Fund (ATV).
For more information on the Community Conservation Partnerships Program Grants, visit the DCNR website.
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September 29, 2020
Harrisburg – September 29, 2020 – The Senate Democratic Policy Committee today held a virtual public hearing today at the request of Sen. Steve Santarsiero (D- Bucks) to focus on electricity outages, reliability and preparedness.
“At the end of the day, we need to know that Pennsylvanians will have access to reliable electric service,” Santarsiero said. “Electricity reliability is not a new issue, but one that we have seen consistently worsen, particularly as we’ve seen a rise in the number of storms that pack high winds and hard downpours. Year-round electric reliability and preparedness is vital to the health and safety of all Pennsylvanians, and an issue that must be addressed both by the industry itself and the agencies that regulate it.”
Sen. Lisa Boscola (D-Lehigh/Northampton), chair of the Senate Democratic Policy Committee, added, “It is important that we do all we can to assure that power outages are as limited as possible. We also need to make sure our utility and emergency service providers are ready to respond as quickly and efficiently as possible in times of crisis. Ensuring consumers have adequate and potentially lifesaving access to electricity in their homes is essential.”
The Pennsylvania Utility Commission (PUC) announced in their 2019 Electric Service Reliability Report that a total of 52 “reportable outage events” disrupted electric service to residents and businesses across the state. This is the highest number of recorded incidents in Pennsylvania since the PUC began collecting reliability data in 1993.
Reportable power outage events have mainly been driven by severe thunderstorms during the spring and fall. These events interrupted service to 1,988,188 customers last year according to the PUC’s latest Electric Service Reliability Report. These incidents are different from previous spikes in outage figures that were driven by a small number of high-impact storms, like hurricanes or severe winter storms.
The PUC report said that the increase in severe weather events combined with many electric distribution companies (EDCs) performance metrics being rated as “poor” in 2019, calls into question the reliability performance and resilience of the overall Pennsylvania electrical distribution system.
“Following up on the Electric Service Reliability Report, Commission staff will be meeting with the EDCs in October to discuss overall electric reliability and options for improvement through available regulatory tools,” Gladys Brown Dutrieuille, chairman of the PUC, said.
Dutrieuille said that in instances where extreme weather is known to be heading towards Pennsylvania, the PUC increases their efforts to be ready at all levels and will continue working through regulatory measures to make sure the EDC performance in these areas improve.
“If the impending weather event appears to be of a significant impact to the Commonwealth, the Commission works with PEMA and other state and federal agencies on preparation. Commission Emergency Preparedness Staff also work with the EDCs and other jurisdictional lifeline utilities (water, wastewater, telephone, and natural gas) to understand their preparations and to capture any unmet needs,” Dutrieuille continued.
Electric service provider representatives also all stated that the number one reason for power outages in Pennsylvania is downed trees. Vegetation management is essential in mitigating disruptions in electric services.
“Changing weather patterns in our region has led to an increased growth rate in the vegetation in proximity to our transmission and distribution facilities. To reduce disruptions in service, our Vegetation Management team has consistently minimized on-ROW (Right-of-Way) vegetation,” Kevin Walker, Vice President and Chief Operations Officer of Duquesne Light Company, said. “We are constantly examining these challenges, evaluating strategies, and working to mitigate the off- ROW tree problems in our service territory.”
Stephanie R. Raymond, Vice President of Distribution Operations at PPL also said that it is technological upgrades such as Smart Grids and tracking outages through data rather than reacting to them once they have already occurred, that will continue to allow electric service providers to improve consistent and reliable service.
However, Nicole LeVine, Vice President of Electric Operations at PECO said that just this year, “…we have experienced one of the most challenging storm years ever – including two of the ten most destructive storms in our company’s history two months apart.”
Santarsiero said that due to the serve weather instances this year, his office put out an informal survey within his district and found that anecdotally, “51% of respondents indicated that they lose power any time there is a significant weather event and 77% of respondents indicated that they lose power for more than 4 hours at a time.”
Santarsiero continued, “No one is calling for perfect, as wonderful as perfection would be. Ultimately, we have to make that balance of what is reasonable and what isn’t. Where we are today is a different place than where we were 20 years ago. Redefining what that means in the new context is the challenge that each utility and the PUC will have to grapple with.”
Boscola, who has chaired the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure for almost two decades, said how important utility reliability and access is for Pennsylvania customers, especially in times of severe and unpredictable weather and as we grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tanya McCloskey, Acting Consumer Advocate for the Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate said that ensuring continuous and reliable electric service is necessary to ensuring the safety of consumers and the public, especially this winter as more consumers shelter at home for health reasons and remain at home for work and school as we continue to battle against the spread of COVID-19.
“It is important that the types of investments we heard about to be made and the long term plans we heard about today are put into place to make electricity more reliable. I hope this is a continuation of the conversation, not the end of it, since we have a lot of work that needs to be done,” concluded Santarsiero.
The following testified at today’s hearing:
- Stephen Bennett, Manager, Regulatory/Legislative Affairs, PJM Interconnection – View Testimony
- Terry Fitzpatrick, President & CEO, Energy Association of Pennsylvania – View Testimony
- Nicole LeVine, Vice President, Electric Operations, PECO – View Testimony
- Stephanie R. Raymond, Vice President – Distribution Operations, PPL – View Testimony
- Kevin Walker, Vice President & Chief Operations Officer, Duquesne Light Company – View Testimony
- Scott Wyman, President, Pennsylvania Operations, FirstEnergy – View Testimony
- Gladys Brown Dutrieuille, Chairman, Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission – View Testimony
- Tanya McCloskey, Acting Consumer Advocate, Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate – View Testimony
- John Evans, Small Business Advocate, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania – View Testimony
Senators who attended today’s hearing include: Jay Costa (D- Allegheny), Larry Farnese (D- Philadelphia), Sharif Street (D- Philadelphia), Tim Kearney (D- Chester/Delaware), and Lindsey Williams (D- Allegheny)
The Senate Democratic Policy Committee has already held numerous hearings regarding COVID-19 related issues in Pennsylvania in the past six months, which can all be found on Senator Boscola’s website.
A full recording of this hearing, and links to all previous hearings, is available at senatorboscola.com/policy.
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September 24, 2020
BUCKS COUNTY – September 24, 2020 – State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) and Representatives Perry Warren (D-31) and Wendy Ullman (D-143) announced $320,000 in Community Conservation Partnership Program grants through the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR).
Newtown Borough will receive $70,000 for the development of the Bird-in-Hand property.
“The funds going to Newtown Borough to develop the Bird-in-Hand property will benefit the community by increasing accessibility to the area through the creation of pedestrian walkways, while also making improvements to the grounds that will highlight the historic home and lot,” said Sen. Santarsiero. “The partnership between the borough and the Commonwealth to preserve this property shows the commitment of both Newtown Borough and the state to developing outdoor community spaces for all to enjoy.”
“This historic property is a Newtown treasure,” said Rep. Warren. “Borough Council creatively structured a plan to purchase, protect and preserve the Bird-in-Hand lot, and this state grant helps the Borough improve this historic property for the benefit and enjoyment of our residents and for generations to come.”
Doylestown Borough will also receive $250,000 for the development of the Broad Street Gateway Park.
“Last week I had the honor of participating in the groundbreaking for the new municipal complex in Doylestown, which includes the Broad Street Gateway Park development across the street,” said Sen. Santarsiero. “These additional state grant funds for the development of the park is a celebration of open space that will create a beautiful community gathering place in the heart of Doylestown Borough.”
“Parks are centers of community-spaces where people from all walks of life can enjoy nature and each other’s company,” Rep. Ullman said. “By supporting the development of the Broad Street Gateway Park, this grant money will help transform an unsightly brownfield – the former PennDOT maintenance yard — into a welcoming, green oasis for generations to come.”
For more information on the Community Conservation Partnerships Program Grants, visit the DCNR website.
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September 22, 2020
HARRISBURG – September 22, 2020 – Earlier today, Senate Bill 868 (Kayden’s Law), a bill that would revamp the state’s child custody laws, was unanimously voted out of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Sponsored by Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10), Kayden’s Law is named for Kayden Mancuso, a seven-year-old from Lower Makefield Township, who was killed in August of 2018 by her biological father during a court-ordered, unsupervised visit granted following a year-long custody dispute.
“Never again. That should be our vow as lawmakers. Never again should one of our children die or be abused because Pennsylvania law does not do enough to protect them. The tragedy of Kayden Mancuso’s death demonstrates that the current child custody law does not in fact do enough,” said Sen. Santarsiero. “For nearly two years now, I have been working with Representatives Tina Davis (D-141) and Perry Warren (D-31), the sponsors of the legislation in the House, as well as with Kayden’s family and experts in the field of child abuse and child custody issues, to craft legislation that would make a fundamental change to Pennsylvania’s child custody law to make it forever clear that the safety of our children is the most important concern. I am grateful to Chairwoman Baker for bringing up the bill in committee and to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for unanimously voting to move it to the floor of the Senate,” Santarsiero added.
“Children should be our number one priority. Their safety should be their number one priority,” said Kathy Sherlock, mother of Kayden Mancuso. “Parental rights supersede children’s rights in our courts, and that’s backwards. We’re hoping that Pennsylvania leads in something we so desperately need.”
The changes proposed in Kayden’s Law will strengthen the current factors that judges consider to decide custody decisions and emphasize which party would ensure the health and safety of the child, and ensure that if there is a finding by the court of a history of abuse or an ongoing risk of abuse, that any custody order includes safety conditions and restrictions necessary to protect the child. The bill would also encourage the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania to implement an annual educational and training program for judges and relevant court personnel on child abuse, adverse childhood experiences, domestic violence, and its impact on children.
In October 2019, the Senate Democratic Policy Committee held a hearing on Kayden’s Law in Lower Makefield Township, during which testimony was heard from advocates and stakeholders on the need for changes to the existing law.
Santarsiero continued, “In the months since that hearing, I have been working with Kayden’s family and advocates from across the Commonwealth to fine-tune the bill’s language. The bill that was voted favorably out of committee today represents feedback from experts who work in our family court system every day, to ensure no family has to experience the same horror as Kayden’s family.”
“The safety of our children is paramount. Kayden’s Law will ensure that the best interest of the child is the top priority in judicial child custody and visitation decisions,” said Rep. Warren. “The Senate Judiciary Committee’s unanimous vote is a critical step forward in making this lifesaving bill become law. Thank you to Kathy Sherlock for her courage and to Sen. Santarsiero. Rep. Tina Davis and I join the Senator in introducing and advocating for Kayden’s Law in the House.”
“I applaud the Senate Judiciary Committee in moving Kayden’s Law forward today,” said Rep. Davis. “This is a great first step towards protecting children by ensuring the courts look at the warning signs of abuse and neglect in child custody cases. My colleagues and I will fight to continue moving this legislation forward and into a law that will save lives and prevent another Kayden Mancuso tragedy.”
“We heard from over 1,400 Pennsylvanians, from all across the Commonwealth, about the importance of the Senate Judiciary Committee considering Kayden’s Law,” said Sen. Santarsiero. “I am pleased to see the committee vote in favor of the bill today. It’s one step in the process, but it’s an important step in changing the law to save children’s lives.”
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