State/County - Bensalem Township

Governor Josh Shapiro Signs Budget and 7 Other Bills into Law

Published

2 years ago

July 15, 2024

Joanne Ames

Two weeks late but now Pennsylvania has a budget for 2024-2025’s fiscal year.

Thursday, Governor Josh Shapiro signed into law a bipartisan budget for the next fiscal year.

From the government’s newsroom comes word that the budget delivers on his top priorities creates more freedom, and opportunity for all Pennsylvanians. With investments in education, economic development, law enforcement and violence prevention, workforce development, affordable housing, health care, public transit and infrastructure, and much more – this budget invests in the people of Pennsylvania and solves some of the most pressing issues facing the Commonwealth.

“Since my first day in office, I’ve been focused on getting stuff done for the good people of Pennsylvania, solving the most pressing problems we face, and bringing people together in a bipartisan manner to deliver results – and I’m proud to sign this budget into law that makes historic investments in education and economic development, while continuing investments in public safety and violence prevention, all while cutting costs and reducing taxes,” said Shapiro. “Pennsylvania is the only state in the nation with a divided legislature – and I’m proud that we came together with leaders in both Chambers and both parties to show that we can do big things together to make Pennsylvanians’ lives better.

“This budget will deliver real results for the people of Pennsylvania, making our communities safer and creating ladders of opportunity for every Pennsylvanian, no matter what they look like or what zip code they live in,” said Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis. “….This budget demonstrates how we can do big things when we take off our red and blue jerseys and put on our Pennsylvania jerseys.”

Rep. Tina Davis (D-Bucks) was very positive of the budget focusing on education, housing, roads, jobs and calling it a “…huge win for all of us here in the Bristol-Levittown area, starting with investing more than a billion new dollars in our kids and our schools.”

PA Senate Dems: This 2024-2025 #PAbudget includes a number of wins that we fought to have included over months of negotiations.

Rep K.C Tomlinson: The state Legislature officially passed the budget Thursday night and I joined a bipartisan coalition of colleagues to vote in favor of the budget. I will have a more detailed update on what is inside the budget for residents of the 18th District next week.

PA Senate Republicans: The #PASenate approved a fiscally responsible 2024-25 #PAbudget that is honest with taxpayers, creates new job opportunities for state residents, includes no new taxes & addresses the economic & demographic challenges the state faces in the years ahead.

Video Credit: Office of the Governor of Pennsylvania-Facebook

The focus on children’s education within the budget shown in video.

Thursday, Shapiro also signed into law:

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Human Interest - Bensalem Township

Police Seek Info on Missing Teen Believd to be in Lower Bucks Area

Published

22 minutes ago

March 5, 2026

Jeff Bohen

Police from Plumstead Township Police Department with an assist from Tullytown Borough Police are asking for help from the community in attempting to locate a missing 17 year-old .

Ryan Jaatar Age 17 is 5ft 8in Brown eyes and has been since January 3, 2026, police say.

Jaatar was last seen by his father at their residence, in Plumstead Township.

Jaatar’s, according to investigators is believed to be in the Levittown/Bristol/Croydon area.

Anyone with information, please contact Detective Stacie Arnosky at sarnosky@plumstead.gov or 215-766-8741, ext. 120 or Contact the Tullytown Borough Police Department at 215-945-0999. You can also submit a confidential tip at through this link.

State/County - Bensalem Township

Burlington Bristol Bridge to Close Overnight Beginning Friday for Maintenance Work

Published

4 hours ago

March 5, 2026

staff

The Burlington County Bridge Commission announced that the Burlington Bristol Bridge will be closed to all vehicle traffic from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. overnight beginning tomorrow (Friday March 6,) to Tuesday, March 10, weather permitting, for maintenance and repair work.

Human Interest - Bensalem Township

Floral Design Program Wins Again at Philadelphia Flower Show

Published

6 hours ago

March 5, 2026

staff

Dr. Patrick M. Jones (left), President & CEO of Bucks County Community College, and Carol Tyler admire the College’s floral design program’s exhibit at the Philadelphia Flower Show featuring “Joan of Arc at Orleans” by Stella Elkins Tyler. The sculpture, donated to the College by the Tyler family, is the centerpiece of the College’s award-winning “Rooted in Art” exhibit. The College was founded on the Tyler estate in Newtown more than 60 years ago. Credit: BCCC

In only its second year, Bucks County Community College (BCCC) picked up another medal at the prestigious horticultural expo for its ‘Rooted in Art’ tribute to Stella Elkins Tyler.

BCCC’s floral design program has once again taken home a prize in only its second year participating in the Philadelphia Flower Show. Students, alumni, and instructors earned a bronze medal for “Rooted in Art,” reflecting the College’s origins of being founded on the Newtown estate of artist and educational philanthropist Stella Elkins Tyler. The exhibit features Tyler’s sculpture “Joan of Arc at Orleans,” donated to the College by Carol Tyler, who visited the show with College President & CEO Dr. Patrick M. Jones (Feature Pic). The College was founded on the Tyler estate in Newtown more than 60 years ago. The exhibit features seven original floral designs, each interpreting the connection between nature, art, and education, alongside six selected student works from the College’s School of Arts and Communication.

Credit: BCCC

A team of 20 students, alumni, and instructors from BCCC’s floral design program helped install “Rooted in Art” at the Philadelphia Flower Show, which reflects the College’s origins of being founded on the Newtown estate of artist and educational philanthropist Stella Elkins Tyler. The exhibit features one of Tyler’s original bronze sculptures, “Joan of Arc at Orleans,” pictured in the background.

Credit: BCCC

Melanie Poff (left) and her mother Els Poff, both Certified Floral Designers from Doylestown and students in BCCC’s floral design program, helped surround “Joan of Arc at Orleans” by Stella Elkins Tyler with botanical beauty at the Philadelphia Flower Show. The sculpture is part of the “Rooted in Art” exhibit, reflecting the deep connection between art, education, and nature that Stella Elkins Tyler championed throughout her life.

Credit: BCCC

Amparito Arriaga, a Certified Floral Designer from Exton and a student in BCCC’s floral design program, installs part of the “Rooted in Art” exhibit at the Philadelphia Flower Show. The exhibit features seven original floral designs, each interpreting the connection between nature, art, and education, alongside six selected student works from the College’s School of Arts and Communication.