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In this Update:

• Governor’s Voter Registration Move Raises Legal Questions
• Join Me at Our Senior Expo on Oct. 12
• Senate Votes to Streamline and Increase School Safety Measures
• Tax Seminars Held Virtually and Across PA
• Grants Available to Increase Economic Benefits Boaters Offer PA Communities
• Yom Kippur Begins Sunday

Governor’s Voter Registration Move Raises Legal Questions

Gov. Josh Shapiro’s decision this week to enact an automatic voter registration policy raises serious legal questions and undermines confidence in Pennsylvania’s election system.

Under the new policy, eligible Pennsylvanians who obtain a driver license or identification card through the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) automatically will be taken through the voter registration process unless they actively choose to opt out.

The governor unilaterally made this change without working, ironically, with the elected state senators and representatives chosen by Pennsylvania voters to represent them in the General Assembly.

Rather than working with legislators to introduce a bill and change the law, the governor single-handedly enacted this significant election policy change, which may be illegal or unconstitutional.

When one man can tip the scales of the election process through unilateral policy changes, Pennsylvanians have reasons to be concerned about the fairness and integrity of the electoral system.

Join Me at Our Senior Expo on Oct. 12

On Thursday, Oct. 12, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., I will host a Senior Expo at the Upper Bucks County Technical School located at 3115 Ridge Road, Perkasie, 18944.

This event is FREE to attend and will include the following:

• Food and refreshments;
• Door prizes;
• Student led activities including senior games and paraffin hand-dips;
• Safety seminars presented by the Bedminster Township Police Community Relations;
• Information and resources;
• Flu shots, blood pressure checks, balance checks and more!

Register today online or register at the door when you arrive for the event.

For more information, please call 267-551-3764.

Senate Votes to Streamline and Increase School Safety Measures

This week, the Senate passed House Bill 27 to more effectively keep Pennsylvania children safe at school by streamlining and increasing school safety measures.

House Bill 27 would consolidate school safety programs and operations under the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) and create a new Executive Committee under PCCD to review school safety issues and to identify current and emerging trends.

The bill would also ensure schools and counties can develop best practices for emergency response by developing a safe schools collaborative, release $100 million that was included in the 2023-24 state budget for K-12 mental health programs and provide greater flexibility for school districts experiencing shortages of substitute teachers. Read More 

Tax Seminars Held Virtually and Across PA

Tax professionals can learn about changes to state tax laws and policies during one-day seminars offered by the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue held across the state and virtually.

The tax seminars will educate tax professionals on Personal Income Tax, sales tax corporate taxes, compliance initiatives and using the department’s website to establish tax accounts for new businesses, file tax returns and pay state taxes.

Find a local or virtual seminar here.

Grants Available to Increase Economic Benefits Boaters Offer PA Communities

Communities can apply now for grants to enhance the economic and social benefits of providing convenient boating access along their waterways. Townships, boroughs, municipal and county governments, and nonprofit groups may apply. Private businesses and service clubs are not eligible.

Applicants can seek grants for site acquisition, development, expansion, prevention of the spread of aquatic invasive species and rehabilitation of recreational boat access facilities. Eligible construction projects may include boat ramps, courtesy floats, restrooms, access roads, parking areas and signs. Funds may also be used to make facilities ADA compliant.

While the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission will accept applications from anywhere in the commonwealth, special consideration will be given to projects that provide public boating access in the Delaware River watershed. Learn more or apply online by Dec. 30.

Yom Kippur Begins Sunday

Yom Kippur – the holiest day on the Jewish calendar – begins at nightfall on Sunday, Sept. 24. The Day of Atonement, which ends the following day at nightfall, is spent fasting, praying and seeking forgiveness.

I wish everyone who observes this important holiday a meaningful Yom Kippur. May you be sealed in the Book of Life.

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