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 17, 2020
DOYLESTOWN – September 17, 2020 – State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) and Representative Wendy Ullman (D-143) announced $37,312 in awards to three Doylestown veterans’ groups through the Veteran Trust Fund Grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA). American Legion Post 210 will receive $12,500, Operation Homefront will receive $10,000 and Bucks County Veterans Affairs will receive $14,812.
“We are fortunate to have several groups in Doylestown who work closely with our veteran community, and these funds will help continue their important work of providing services and support to those who have served our country in the armed services,” said Sen. Santarsiero. “The Veterans Trust Fund is a shining example of the commitment that Pennsylvanians have toward supporting our veterans. As the son of a World War II veteran, I am a strong supporter of our veterans and military families, and I look forward to seeing these funds used to continue the excellent work here in our community.”
“Thank you to everyone who donates to the commonwealth’s Veteran Trust Fund – your impact on your community is felt especially now,” Rep. Ullman said. “Veterans have taken care of us all for generations, and this is an important way we can keep saying thank you.”
Veteran Trust Fund Grants are funded by Pennsylvanians who voluntarily made a $3 donation when applying for or renewing their driver’s license or photo ID, or when renewing a motor vehicle registration. Additional funding for the grant comes from proceeds from the sale of “Honoring Our Veterans” and “Honoring our Women Veterans” license plates, and from private donations.
For more information about the Veterans Trust Fund, visit the DMVA website.
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August 27, 2019
BUCKS COUNTY − August 27, 2019 − In response to requests from legislators, civic and environmental groups and the public at large, the state departments of Environmental Protection and Conservation and Natural Resources agreed to perform further studies on how any changes to Lake Nockamixon Dam could affect Tohickon Creek before changing the waterway’s designation, state Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) and state Representative Wendy Ullman (D-143), announced today.
“While this decision is a step in the right direction, I will continue to call on DEP to properly classify the environment of Tohickon Creek as a Cold Water Fishes stream and to apply Exceptional Value protections to the Creek’s Mainstem,” Sen. Santarsiero said. “In doing so, we can protect and preserve the Tohickon Creek for generations.”
“Thanks to our collective efforts, any DEP reassessment of this treasured waterway must await new findings and up-to-date data,” Rep. Ullman said.
According to Sen. Santarsiero and Rep. Ullman, DEP had earlier proposed downgrading Tohickon Creek as a trout-stock-fishery designation, which would have a serious negative impact on tourism and property values.
Both Sen. Santarsiero and Rep Ullman sent letters during the public comment period outlining the significance of Tohickon as an integral tributary to the Delaware River and a vital Bucks County resource.
Working with the Tinicum Conservancy, Sen. Santarsiero and Rep. Ullman encouraged local residents to submit their comments to DEP supporting the designation of the Tohickon Creek as Exceptional Value in order to protect all existing uses of the stream and safeguard the quality of its water. Over 900 public comments were received.
In the interim, Sen. Santarsiero and Rep. Ullman had conversations with DCNR Secretary Cindy Dunn and DEP Director of Legislative Affairs Gregory Kauffman to push for further evaluation of Lake Nockamixon Dam and Tohickon Creek.
The letter Sen. Santarsiero and Rep. Ullman received from DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell agreeing to this request for further study states:
“The stream evaluation of Tohickon Creek is currently at the draft report stage. Further evaluation of the Lake Nockamixon Dam and publication of an updated draft stream evaluation report will occur prior to DEP submitting any recommendation regarding the designated aquatic life use of the lower mainstem of Tohickon Creek to the Environmental Quality Board.”
According to the DEP, any change in the Tohickon Creek’s water quality designation will have to go through the regulatory review process, which will allow for continued public engagement on this issue.
Santarsiero and Ullman’s offices will remain actively involved in the ongoing developments regarding the waterway’s designation.
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August 1, 2019
DOYLESTOWN − August 1, 2019 − State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) and state Representative Wendy Ullman (D143) announced the award of a $500,000 state grant to the Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center of Bucks County (PABC) through the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP), 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.
The funding from this RACP grant will be used to build new instructional labs, as well as meeting and teaching spaces. It will bring the current facility up-to-date with much needed infrastructure improvements and keep the PABC a modern and competitive high-tech business incubator that attracts the brightest minds developing the most innovative technologies.
“This additional investment will ensure the Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center remains at the forefront of scientific innovation and discovery,” Sen. Santarsiero said. “In terms of job creation and economic development, the regional impact of the PABC cannot be overstated. The new offices and equipment being provided by this generous grant will significantly bolster the groundbreaking work being done in the field of biotechnology right here in Bucks County.”
“I want to thank Governor Wolf releasing these funds to this project,” Rep. Wendy Ullman said. “It’s critical that our state government supports projects like these so that Pennsylvania can develop into a center of innovation in the sciences and industry. This RACP funding is an investment in our future.”
“This is fantastic. With this investment, and I do recognize this as an investment, we will be able to discover even more innovations in science and medicine through entrepreneurship and training, then we had imagined. Expect big things from this place,” said Timothy M. Block, President of the Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center. “The confidence shown in us by our representatives and the Governor, on behalf of the Commonwealth, is motivational to us, in itself.”
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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March 1, 2019
BUCKS COUNTY − March 1, 2019 − State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) and State Representative Wendy Ullman (D-143) announced a $10,000 grant for the regional chapter of Operation Homefront, a charitable organization formed in 2002 to support post-9/11 veterans and military families across the country. The grant was fully funded through the Veterans Trust Fund (VTF).
The grant will provide financial assistance to veterans in need. According to Operation Homefront, 92 percent of expenditures goes directly toward delivering programs and services to the military families who need it most. Services provided by Operation Homefront include but are not limited to helping veterans and their families move into donated homes recovered from bank foreclosures, providing school supplies to the children of veterans, and distributing thousands of dollars into emergency financial funds.
“Each and every day, veterans and their families go out of their way to selflessly serve our community and nation,” Sen. Santarsiero said. “The least we can do is be there for veterans in their time of need. With this funding, organizations like Operation Homefront continue to lead in providing quality support to our veterans.”
“The support provided by Operation Homefront helps countless veterans and military families in our communities,” Representative Ullman said. “These funds will help much needed services and programs reach those service families among us who are experiencing financial insecurity. After all they have done to make our communities secure”, Ullman added, “we must make sure we support worthy organization like Operation Homefront in making military families secure.”
The VTF is administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) and funded by generous Pennsylvanians who voluntarily make a $3 donation when applying for or renewing their driver’s license, photo ID, or a motor vehicle registration.
The 10th Senatorial District 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.
The 143rd Legislative District includes: Bedminster Township, Bridgeton Township, Buckingham Township, Doylestown, Doylestown Township, Durham Township, Haycock Township, Nockamixon Township, Plumstead Township, Riegelsville, and Tinicum Township.
Sen. Santarsiero has district offices in Doylestown and Newtown and can be reached via email at SenatorSantarsiero@pasenate.com. Visit the district website at www.senatorstevesantarsiero.com.
Representative Ullman has a district office in Doylestown and can be reached at www.pahouse.com/Ullman.
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February 1, 2019
BUCKS COUNTY − February 1, 2019 − State Senator Steve Santarsiero (D-10) and State Representative Wendy Ullman (D-143) announced today infrastructure investments for Plumstead Township. The $607,175 in funds will improve essential pedestrian safety such as sidewalks, ADA-compliant features, and signalization at the intersection of Stump Road and Route 611 (Easton Road).
“Infrastructure investments keep communities like Plumstead safe and economically competitive,” Sen. Santarsiero said. “In Harrisburg, I’ll continue to prioritize infrastructure projects that provide the most local benefit.”
“Families and businesses in Plumstead welcome key investments like this,” Rep. Ullman said. “Connecting and improving our communities through investing in infrastructure is one of my top priorities as a legislator.”
The Plumstead project was fully funded through the commonwealth’s Multimodal Transportation Fund. As a State Representative, Sen. Santarsiero voted for act 89, which helped provide remedies revenue for the Multimodal Transportation Fund.
The 10th Senatorial District 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.
The 143rd Legislative District includes: Bedminster Township, Bridgeton Township, Buckingham Township, Doylestown, Doylestown Township, Durham Township, Haycock Township, Nockamixon Township, Plumstead Township, Riegelsville, and Tinicum Township.
Sen. Santarsiero has district offices in Doylestown and Newtown and can be reached via email at SenatorSantarsiero@pasenate.com. Visit the district website at www.senatorstevesantarsiero.com.
Representative Ullman has a district office in Doylestown and can be reached at www.pahouse.com/Ullman.
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