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Dear Neighbor,

It’s been a busy couple of weeks, and I thought it would be good to share a few updates and reflections with you!

I announced this week more than $2.3 million in public-project funding coming right here to us, in our district in Chester County. There are 13 exciting new changes coming to our neighborhoods. Please read more below about the local emergency and critical infrastructure projects being funded by state gaming grants.

This month also marks a dark milestone in our nation – 25 years since the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. It’s truly an exercise to measure the time that’s passed since then. We’ve built back incredibly, yet as a nation we still live with the repercussions of that day.

So many people have sacrificed their lives in the pursuit of freedom and justice since that Tuesday morning. I encourage you to read about the people who perished on the four flights and in the towers and Pentagon, second victims from the sites, military servicemembers, fire and police, and so many more whose lives were inextricably tied to the worst terrorist attack in our nation’s history. Their stories remind me what it means to be an American and why we must never forget.

Going back 250 years, meanwhile, a brighter spot in America’s history was celebrated this month, as well. You might have seen on the news that the Pennsylvania House of Representatives held a legislative session day on September 9 in Congress Hall in Philadelphia.

Right beside Independence Hall, we returned to democracy's birthplace for an official voting session to commemorate the 250th anniversary of both the Declaration of Independence and of Pennsylvania’s first Constitution – ratified in that hall on September 28, 1776. Congress Hall later served as the Capitol of the United States until 1800. During that time, the Bill of Rights and the U.S. Constitution were ratified.

I was privileged to be joined by Owen J Roberts senior, Vihaan Putumbaka. Student participation in this celebration was important, because the promise of our nation carries into the future. Just as we look back with gratitude for the foundation of our democracy and for the progress built on top of it, we look forward with hope that this generation and future generations will continue to build on the promise of a more perfect union.

It was both fantastic and humbling to spend the day working in the very same space where America’s Founders created our great nation!

Sincerely,

State Rep. Paul Friel

State gaming grants pay for local projects

I’m happy to report that new state grants totaling more than $2.3 million will fund major municipal, law enforcement and water infrastructure improvements, equipment purchases and more in projects across Chester County.

By securing these state dollars, we are directly investing in our communities’ safety and taking the financial burden off our local taxpayers. These funds also mean that our townships can move forward on critical infrastructure repairs. I am grateful to Governor Josh Shapiro and our local officials for partnering with us to champion these projects.

East Coventry Township ($192,907): Rehabilitates the structurally deficient Ellis Woods Road Bridge by reconstructing steel beam diaphragms, reinforcing beam ends, cleaning, painting, installing a deck drain, filling scour holes, waterproofing and replacing guiderails.
East Coventry Township ($55,000): Replaces a deteriorating 12-year-old utility truck with a new truck, stainless steel dump body, plow and chipper box for road, park and winter maintenance.
Valley Forge Sewer Authority ($500,000): Replaces obsolete, unsupported electrical equipment and installs a new emergency backup generator and electrical switchgear to prevent total power failures at the wastewater treatment plant.
East Coventry Township ($65,045): Replaces an aging patrol vehicle with more than 100,000 miles with a new, fully equipped vehicle.
East Vincent Township ($50,000): Replaces aging municipal vehicles by purchasing a new public works truck equipped for hauling and snow response, along with a cyclone PTO blower to clear debris from roadways and parks.
North Coventry Municipal Authority ($75,000): Relocates 40 linear feet of an 18-inch sanitary sewer gravity pipe and installs a 30-inch steel casing pipe to clear the footprint for the reconstruction of Bridge 311 on West Cedarville Road.
North Coventry Municipal Authority ($530,125): Televises 1,665 linear feet of sewer line and rehabilitates sections of pipe using CIPP lining, while also repairing and sealing 18 structural manholes.
North Coventry Municipal Authority ($100,000): Replaces the 1997 deteriorating roofs on four wastewater treatment plant buildings and repairs concrete cracks and surface coatings on a plant clarifier.
North Coventry Township ($100,000): Purchases a new ambulance for the Good Will Ambulance Co. to replace an aging emergency vehicle.
North Coventry Township ($100,000): Funds the engineering and construction costs to replace the Laurelwood Road Bridge, which has been closed to traffic over Pigeon Creek due to unsafe structural conditions.
North Coventry Water Authority ($300,000): Replaces 1,500 feet of leaking cast iron and leaded pipes with new ductile iron pipes, fittings and a new meter pit across multiple streets to improve water quality and system reliability.
East Pikeland Township ($78,357): Purchases a truck with traffic-enforcement upfitting including sirens, lights and mounting equipment. The vehicle will be used for traffic enforcement activities, especially at vehicular accidents. The vehicle will also be deployed to accidents in neighboring municipalities, maximizing its value and impact.
Chester County ($252,761): Implements flood safety equipment, sensors and signs throughout Chester County as part of the county’s Water Resources Authority’s Flood Safety and Resilience Initiative Pilot Project.

Calling all PA high school students and teachers!

PennDOT’s annual Innovations Challenge is now open. Use your problem-solving, creative and strategic-thinking abilities to develop a solution that helps prevent over-height vehicles from striking bridges and tunnels.

Entries are due Friday, January 29, 2027 at 11:59 p.m.

Read all about it here.

Taking a look with Ocugen

I appreciated the opportunity this month to tour the Ocugen facility in our legislative district and learn about the amazing work that the team is doing here in Chester County to cure disease like degenerative blindness.

Supporting the biomedical research industry helps build a strong economy locally, with high-paying jobs and supporting businesses that are part of the industry!

Calling high school students interested in government: Applications are due September 21st!

Are you a high school junior or senior who is interested in government or politics? You can join me and my team for Year 2 of our Student Legislative Advisory Committee!

Our committee is a great opportunity for students to:

Speak with local and state politicians.
Propose legislation.
And visit our state Capitol, Harrisburg!

Contact Program Coordinators Ben Spiegel & Lilli Acosta for more information: bspiegel@pahouse.net / lacosta@pahouse.net or call (610) 427-8782. Sign up here.

General Election dates in PA

It’s never too early to plan to vote! As we approach the General Election on Tuesday, Nov. 3 here are some key dates to remember:

Monday, Oct. 19 – Last day to register to vote.
Tuesday, Oct. 27– Last day to apply for an absentee or mail-in ballot.
Tuesday, Nov. 3 – Election Day: Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. Voters must be in line by 8 p.m. to cast their ballot. Mail-in and absentee ballots must be received by your county election office by 8 p.m.

To find your polling location, update your voter information or for more voter services, visit vote.pa.gov