2023 Year in Review

When I had the honor to be sworn in as your Senator last year, I promised to continue to work hard for you. Here are some of the highlights of my first year serving you in the 6^th Senatorial district.

Over $12 million in grants awarded in the 6^th district
Introduced 20+ pieces of legislation
4 bills signed into law
Appointed Co-Chair of the Fire and Emergency Services Caucus
Unveiled a package of bills to address crime
Hosted 10 district events engaging thousands of constituents
Our office answered 4,300 constituents requests
Recognized 350 constituents with citations from the Senate of PA

Legislative Update

Signed into Law – Cracking Down on Porch Pirating

My legislation to crack down on “porch pirating” was signed into law on December 14, 2023. Senate Bill 527 – now Act 41 of 2023 – implements specific penalties for theft of mail, which includes a package, bag or letter. In Pennsylvania, theft of mail is currently charged under other theft offenses based solely on the value of the item taken.

The new law focuses on repeat offenders and uses a grading system to increase penalties if the thief had prior mail theft convictions. Those who break the law three or more times can be charged with a felony, as well as anyone who steals mail valued at more than $2,000. The law will go into effect in mid-February.

Passed Senate – Addressing Philadelphia’s City Wage Tax

My first bill to pass the Senate was Senate Bill 671 – to address Philadelphia’s City Wage Tax and make it more equitable for non-residents and keep tax dollars local to help our community.

Philadelphia imposes a tax of 3.44% to those employed in Philadelphia. Non-residents are required to pay this wage tax whether they commute to Philadelphia or work at home, with none being remitted back to the employees’ home municipality as would be the case if they work in any other municipality in the state.

Bucks County municipalities and school districts are losing millions of dollars because of this.

My bill is to return that EIT % to the local governments and place Philadelphia in line with more than 2,500 other local governments.

Passed Senate – Keeping our Public Transportation Workers Safe

After a significant increase of threats and assaults on transit operators in Pennsylvania, Sen. Christine Tartaglione (D-2) and I sponsored legislation to safeguard transit operators. It passed the Senate with overwhelmingly bipartisan support of 47-1 and is now in the House of Representatives for consideration.

Senate Bill 977 would make it a serious crime to interfere with an operator of any public transit vehicle. The offense would be classified as a felony of the third degree if the interference causes bodily injury. The offense would be steepened to a felony of the first degree if the intrusion causes serious bodily injury or death.

This bill would not only provide the necessary protections for our hardworking transit employees who are vital to Pennsylvania, but protect passengers and other commuters on the roadway. The bill is named after U.S. Army veteran Bernard Gribbin – a SEPTA bus operator who was tragically killed while working on Oct. 26.

A Few Photos in the District in 2023

Sen. Farry and the Senate Majority Policy Committee hosted a public hearing at the Middletown Township addressing the inequality of the Philadelphia Wage Tax

Sen. Farry and State Treasurer Garrity at his State Services Day held at Warwick Township Building

Sen. Farry speaking with constituents at his Senior Expo held at Northampton Country Club

Sen. Farry hosted a Senator for A Day Event at Neshaminy High School with 50+ students from 6 local high schools.

We honored many Eagle Scouts in the district this year. I am pictured here with Sophie Dreyzin from Warwick Township and Troop 172G.

Sen. Farry speaking at a press conference introducing legislation to combat crime at the Northampton Township Police Department with law enforcement leaders from across Bucks County.

To best serve you, we will continue to offer our satellite office hours:

Bensalem Township Municipal Building
2400 Byberry Road
Bensalem, PA 19020
First Wednesday of each month, 9 a.m. to 12 noon

Warminster Township Building
401 Gibson Avenue
Warminster, PA 18974
Second Wednesday of each month, 9 a.m. to 12 noon

Warrington Township Building
852 Easton Road
Warrington, PA 18976
Third Wednesday of each month, 9 a.m. to 12 noon

Warwick Township Building
1733 Township Greene
Jamison, PA 18929
Fourth Wednesday of each month, 9 a.m. to 12 noon

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