Government & Politics
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‘Young, Unhoused and Unseen’ Addresses Homelessness in Montgomery County
A recent episode of “Young, Unhoused and Unseen” examines the biggest hurdles to finding solutions to youth homelessness in the Philadelphia region. The podcast is a production from WHYY News and Temple University’s Logan Center for Urban Investigative Reporting. The episode includes interviews with an unhoused young person in Pottstown and a Montgomery County service…
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New Bipartisan Pennsylvania Legislation Clamps Down on Porch Pirating
New legislation passed by Pennsylvania lawmakers aims to crack down on porch pirating or mail theft with increased penalties based on both offenses and the value of stolen property, writes Sean Kitchen for The Keystone. Senate Bill 527 was introduced by State Sen. Frank Farry and signed into law by Gov. Josh Shapiro just ahead…
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Former Norristown Council VP Heather Lewis Committed to a Life of Service
While her tenure as vice president of the Norristown Municipal Council has come to an end, Heather Lewis is planning on continuing a life of service, writes Rachel Ravina for The Mercury. After eight years on the council, the last two as vice president, she is now considering new ways she can make a difference…
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Montgomery County Seeks Funding for Initiatives to Mitigate Homelessness
Last month, Montgomery County applied for $1.5 million in state grant funding to support initiatives to mitigate homelessness, writes Rachel Ravina for The Reporter. The funding from the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Fund could benefit at least 300 households, according to Kayleigh Silver, Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of…
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Adapting with Agility: How Montgomery County Community College Faces State Funding Challenges Head On
As Pennsylvania community colleges are grappling with a financial challenge due to withheld state funding, Montgomery County Community College is getting creative, writes Susan Snyder for The Philadelphia Inquirer. Despite Governor Josh Shapiro signing the budget, the legislature hasn’t passed the required code bills, affecting about 230,000 students statewide. This is causing Montgomery County Community…
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Public Opposition to Homeless Encampment Sweep in Pottstown Continues
As more people in Pottstown learned about the borough’s plan to vacate a homeless encampment on a stretch of land along the Schuylkill River Trail, public opposition against it has increased, writes Rachel Ravina of The Reporter and Evan Brandt of The Pottstown Mercury. The homeless encampment is situated on borough-owned land. The 25 encampment…
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Montgomery County Residents May Be Facing a Property Tax Increase in 2024
Montgomery County CFO Dean Dortone recently presented the proposed 2024 budget for Montgomery County, and it includes a property tax increase, writes Gregory Purcell for WFMZ. He presented both the proposed 2024 budget and a 5-year capital plan to the Montgomery County commissioners. Commission Chair Kenneth Lawrence and Vice-Chair Jamila Winder voted in favor of…
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Radnor Expands Outdoor Dining to Garrett Hill and Other Neighborhoods
Radnor’s Board of Commissioners recently voted four to two to add the commercial area of the Garrett Hill neighborhood and the township’s Planned Laboratory-Office Districts to the township’s outdoor dining areas, writes Richard Ilgenfritz for Main Line Media News. Commissioner Sean Farhy supports the decision saying it will “have a positive effect on the community.”…
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Lower Merion to Launch Township Employee Compensation and Classification Study
More than 30 years after the Lower Merion Township last conducted a study on township employee compensation and classification, officials give approval for a new study, writes Richard Ilgenfritz for Main Line Media News. The non-uniform compensation and classification study will focus on 144 full-time township positions and about 280 employees. HR Compensation Consultants, LLC…
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The Proposed 2024 Lower Merion Budget Doesn’t Include a Tax Increase
Right now, the proposed 2024 budget for Lower Merion doesn’t include a tax hike, writes Max Bennett for Patch. If this budget is approved this will be the 13th year without a property tax increase in the township. Sewer rental fees are not expected to change either, but solid waste fees will be 10% higher…
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Becoming Judge of Elections Helped Downingtown Man Clear His 2020 Election Suspicions
Jay Schneider, a nearly lifelong Chester County resident, harbored some suspicions about the 2020 election, but training to become a judge of elections helped to clear all of them, writes Carter Walker of Votebeat for inForney. “To be honest, when the 2020 election came around I was thinking, ‘This seems a little sketchy, what’s been…
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Updates on Montgomery County Commissioners Race and Other Election Results
Democrats Jamila Winder and Neil Makhija have won the race for the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners, writes Kenny Cooper for WHYY. As of late Tuesday night, there were still votes to count so it is unclear which Republican candidate will take the third spot. Thomas DiBello and Liz Ferry are both vying for that…
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Montgomery County Board of Commissioners: Get to Know the Candidates
All three seats on the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners are up for election, writes Kenny Cooper for WHYY. Democratic Commissioner Jamila Winder is running alongside Neil Makhija on the Democratic ticket against Republican challengers Thomas DiBello and Liz Ferry. Winder is a lifelong East Norriton Township resident and the only current commissioner running. She…
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See Which Local, State Races Are on Ballot in This Year’s General Election
The 2023 general election features a number of local and state races that will have an impact on the Montgomery County area and across the entire state, writes Justin Heinze for Patch. The race for the three seats on Montgomery County Board of Commissioners will include Democrats Jamila Winder and Neil Makhija and Republicans Tom…
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Montgomery County District Attorney Opens Tip Line for Upcoming Election
Ahead of the 2023 general election on November 7, the Montgomery County District Attorney has opened a tip line for any election-related issues such as security concerns, writes Rachel Ravina for The Times Herald. The tip line number is 610-292-2023. “We don’t expect any irregularities with the upcoming election, but I want to reassure Montgomery…
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Chaverim Realty Partners Proposes Nursing Home on Rydal Road Property
The Abington Board of Commissioners is hosting a conditional use hearing next week to consider the construction of a nursing home facility on 1209 Rydal Road in Abington, writes Max Bennett for Patch. Chaverim Realty Partners, LLC, the owners of the property, initially sought to build a residential complex of townhomes and duplexes, but now…
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Montco Commissioner Calls on Neighbors to Support Each Other in Midst of Israel-Hamas War
The Philadelphia Citizen recently published a transcript of the remarks of Ken Lawrence Jr., chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners, as he spoke about the Israel–Hamas war at a meeting on October 19. Here is an excerpt of what he said: “While for some of us, this is a far-off conflict, for many…
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Abington Wants Residents’ Feedback on a Possible Plastic Bag Ban at Meeting October 23
Abington Township is the most recent Montgomery County township to consider passing an ordinance against the use of single-use plastics and polystyrene products, writes Max Bennett for Patch. The ordinance was recommended by the township’s Environmental Advisory Council, but it hasn’t been passed yet. To provide residents information and gather feedback, the township is holding…
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