Legislative Roundup
An endorsement for Libertarian Senate candidate
Bill Cox, who served as the Pennsylvania state coordinator for the Robert F. Kennedy Jr. presidential campaign, endorsed Libertarian John Thomas for U.S. Senate.
"John Thomas will have my vote. He's a principled libertarian and a genuinely good man. I'm lucky to have known and been friends with him for a few years now."
Thomas needed to collect 5,000 signatures to gain a spot on the ballot. His team turned in more than 12,000 signatures.
"We are always involved in a fight for ballot access, and we never know who or if we will be challenged," Thomas said. "The Democratic Party has proven itself to be undemocratic in the way they treated the Kennedy campaign. Tens of thousands of voices across Pennsylvania declared that they wanted to see Kennedy on the ballot, and through court rulings, the Democratic Party silenced those voices. I hope those voters will still show up to vote, despite the attempt to silence them. We have a lot of areas of overlap."
Thomas lives in Armstrong County, in western Pennsylvania. He is married with two children and works for Agora Cyber Charter School. ••
Fitzpatrick gets business award
U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick received the Guardian of Small Business Award from the National Federal of Independent Business for his commitment to pro-growth, commonsense policies to support small businesses.
"The NFIB Guardian of Small Business Award is presented to members of Congress with a demonstrated record of supporting America's small and independent business owners," said NFIB President Brad Close. "This Congress, small businesses faced tough economic headwinds, especially from inflation, burdensome regulations and threats of tax hikes at all levels of the government. We are proud to recognize the lawmakers from the 118th Congress, including Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, who stood up for Main Street by taking pro-small business votes that would reduce taxes, eliminate burdensome government mandates, lower health insurance costs and fuel the Main Street economy." ••
Weddings, vow renewals
Linda Bobrin, Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans' Court, will be holding her annual Vows and Veterans wedding celebration on Wednesday, Nov. 6, from noon to 2 p.m. in the third-floor rotunda of the Bucks County Administration Building in Doylestown.
"This will be our eighth Weddings for Heroes event. These weddings are a wonderful way for the public to have a positive and even joyful interaction with local government. It's so much more fun than paying a ticket," Bobrin said.
In addition to the wedding ceremony, a vow-renewal ceremony will be part of the celebration. Former U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy will officiate the ceremonies.
The free wedding will feature photography by Courtney Kanig Photography, live music by Mervin Toussaint Jazz Band, flowers, videography, cupcakes and a catered lunch. The first five participating couples will receive a gift certificate for a night at 1740 House in Lumberville.
The registration deadline is Oct. 30. Email . Participating couples looking to marry or renew their marriage vows must include at least one veteran or first responder. Couples interested in the wedding ceremony must apply for and obtain their marriage license by Nov. 1. The marriage license application can be found at buckscounty.gov/marriagelicenses
For more information on how to participate or to donate services or funds, call Rachel Landsberg at 215-340-8268. ••
Money for homeless shelter
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick announced that he has secured a $2.9 million Community Project Funding grant for the Family Service Association of Bucks County. The funding, introduced by Fitzpatrick as part of the Fiscal Year 2024 Consolidated Appropriations Act, is a component of the Community Project Funding program — an initiative that enables members of Congress to direct federal resources toward projects and programs within their districts that address the most critical needs of the communities they serve.
Family Service Association of Bucks County will use the funding for construction of an emergency homeless shelter building adjacent to its current shelter, as well as for the renovation of its existing shelter. One story of the shelter expansion will be dedicated solely to programming, including on-site mental health treatment, substance use treatment, Housing-First case management, nursing and wellness. The project will allow FSCBC to double its shelter capacity.
"Family Service is honored and grateful to have been awarded the CPF grant supporting an expansion of our Emergency Homeless Shelter in Levittown. The homelessness crisis in Bucks County is not often publicized, but it nevertheless exists, and continues to worsen. Our shelter provides temporary housing for nearly 400 of our neighbors in need each year, the majority of whom are families and nearly half of whom are children. Sadly there is still a waiting list for admission. This funding will support our plan to double capacity at the shelter, create privacy for our families with children and increase access to community resources and services that are intended to make homelessness rare and brief. Essentially, we ultimately envision a complete campus that will combat homelessness at every level," said Julie Dees, Family Service Association of Bucks County CEO. ••
Farry office hours in Bensalem
State Sen. Frank Farry (R-6th dist.) is offering satellite office hours the first Wednesday of every month, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Bensalem Township Municipal Building, 2400 Byberry Road, Bensalem.
Farry's staff will be on site to assist with state government services; Property Tax/Rent Rebate applications, birth and death certificate applications, SEPTA Senior Key card registrations and renewals; and unemployment issues. ••
Peace and security in Ukraine
Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick, Marcy Kaptur, Joe Wilson and Mike Quigley introduced the Stand With Ukraine Act, which would ensure that the 10-year Bilateral Security Agreement made in June between the United States and Ukraine is upheld and further promotes peace and security in Ukraine. A companion bill was introduced in the Senate by Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Lindsey Graham.
The Stand with Ukraine Act would also enhance the U.S.-Ukraine partnership by establishing a framework to modernize Ukraine's security capabilities and strengthen joint military relationships; prioritize excess U.S. defense transfers to Ukraine; fast-track Foreign Military Financing sales to Ukraine; treat Ukraine as a major non-NATO ally for the purpose of defense transfers; affirm U.S. policy regarding Ukraine's recovery and reconstruction; and reauthorize the Ukraine Democracy Lend-Lease Program.
"The policy of the United States toward Ukraine must be clear and firm: We will always stand with our friend and ally as they fight against Putin's unprovoked assault on Ukraine's sovereignty and liberty," said Fitzpatrick, co-chairman of the Ukraine Caucus. "The bipartisan Stand with Ukraine Act will further bolster the security, diplomatic and economic partnerships the United States already has with Ukraine. Equally important, this legislation lays out a bold path for peace, stability and reconstruction in Ukraine. I am grateful to my House and Senate colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their support, and I strongly encourage every member of Congress to join us in advancing this critical national security mission." ••
Lower South supervisor meeting schedule
The Lower Southampton Township Board of Supervisors meets at 7:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month at the Township Building, 1500 Desire Ave., Feasterville. The next meeting is Oct. 9. ••
Bensalem Council meeting schedule
Bensalem Township Council meetings are generally held on the second and fourth Mondays of each month at 7 p.m. in the Municipal Building at 2400 Byberry Road, Bensalem.
Meetings can be viewed live on Comcast Xfinity Channel 22 in Bensalem and on Verizon Fios Channel 34 throughout Bucks County. They can also be streamed live on the Bensalem Township YouTube channel.
The schedule is Oct. 15 (Tuesday), Oct. 28, Nov. 12 (Tuesday), Nov. 25, Dec. 4 (budget meeting) and Dec. 16. ••
Bensalem school board meeting schedule
The Bensalem Township Board of School Directors holds meetings on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at the Dorothy D. Call Administrative Center, 3000 Donallen Drive, Bensalem.
The next meeting will take place on Oct. 22.
The public is invited to attend.
Future meetings are on Nov. 26 and Dec. 17 (third Tuesday). ••
Commissioners meeting
The Bucks County Commissioners meet on the first and third Wednesdays of the month at 10:30 a.m. at the Bucks County Administration Building, 55 E. Court St., in Doylestown.
The meetings are broadcast on the county's YouTube channel.
The next meeting will be Oct. 2. ••
