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In this Update:
2025 Architectural Excellence Government Award
I was honored to receive the AIA 2025 Architectural Excellence Government Award last week. The award recognizes a person or group working in state or local government whose significant contributions to, or particular support of, the profession and business of Architecture and/or the built environment. This recognition follows the passage of Act 144 of 2024, legislation I authored to strengthen practice and title protection for licensed architects, require continuing education for architects and interior designers, and modernize our laws to reflect today’s building standards and technologies. This act also creates a pathway for interior designers to become Certified Interior Designers (C.I.D.) and ensures their representation on the Pennsylvania Board of Architecture. My thanks to the AIA Pennsylvania for this award and to the Interior Design Coalition of Pennsylvania, who worked with AIA to help develop and support this legislation. 21st Annual Blue Light Holiday Tree Lighting
I was proud to join the Lower Southampton community for the 21st Annual Blue Light Holiday Tree Lighting on Wednesday night. Hosted by the Feasterville Business Association and held at the Lower Southampton Police Department, this meaningful tradition honors the memory of our fallen officers. Project Blue Light began in 1989 when Dolly Craig placed two blue lights in her window to honor her late son-in-law, Philadelphia Police Officer Daniel Gleason, who was killed in the line of duty. What started as one family’s tribute has grown into a national program supporting law enforcement and remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice. The tree will remain lit every night throughout the holiday season. LIHEAP Now Open – Apply for Heating Assistance
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is now accepting applications for the 2025–26 season. This program helps eligible households pay heating costs through cash and crisis grants.
Property Tax/Rent Rebate Deadline – Apply by Dec. 31
The Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program provides financial relief to older adults and people with disabilities who paid property taxes or rent in 2024. Our office can assist the application or with any questions about the program.
Senate Votes to Make State Funds Available for Local Bridge Projects
Legislation to make state funding available for local bridge projects was approved by the Senate. Counties receive dollars through the Highway Bridge Improvement Restricted Account within the state Motor License Fund to pay for repair and replacement of county-owned bridges. However, current law does not allow for further practical uses of leftover funds. Senate Bill 1070 would give counties the flexibility they need to improve local, municipal-owned bridges before they become at-risk. Senate Bill 1070 was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. PA 529 is the Gift of Education
Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity recently announced a new, easy way to give the gift of education this holiday season – Gift of College gift cards. Friends and families can buy these digital gift cards, available at pa529.com/gift, for recipients to deposit into their PA 529 College and Career Savings Program account. Anyone, including parents, grandparents, other relatives and family friends, can contribute to a PA 529 account. Savings can be used for qualified education expenses for K-12, higher education, credential programs and apprenticeship programs. The person giving the gift also gets something – a PA state tax deduction for the amount of the PA 529 contribution. In November, PA 529 was ranked one of the best college savings plans in the nation. To learn more about PA 529, visit pa529.com or call 800-440-4000.
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