DV Journal

Republican state Rep. Donna Scheuren held a press conference Monday to announce a bill for a constitutional amendment to prevent illegal immigrants from obtaining driver’s licenses.

“The American people sent a message to the legislators in the country last November,” said Scheuren (R-Gilbertsville). “They wanted to see more direct action on the issue of illegal immigration.”

To that end, she’s proposing an amendment to Pennsylvania’s constitution, which is harder to change than passing legislation.

“There are many tragedies happening all around us that make this legislation necessary,” she said. “Over the past year, there have been multiple incidents of illegal immigrant drivers causing accidents killing or severely injuring American citizens.”

“These accidents are causing unnecessary heartbreak to American families,” said Scheuren. “These policies (to allow illegal immigrants to get licenses) not only undermine immigration law, but incentivize illegal immigration and strain state resources by requiring additional work to verify identity.

“We cannot afford to burden our constituents by allowing those who already committed a crime by coming into our country illegally, with the opportunity to freely drive on the public roadways of Pennsylvania,” Scheuren said.

Her proposed amendment to the constitution says, “The Commonwealth may not issue a driver’s license, operator’s license, operating privilege or other similar license, permit or authorization for operation of a motor vehicle to an individual who has not established lawful presence in the United States.”

Rep. Jill Cooper (R-Westmoreland), a cosponsor, said it is “vital” to place that into the state constitution. She cited an incident from Delaware County.

“The statistics from the last four years are not just numbers,” she said. “They represent lives affected and families shattered by a situation that we can no longer ignore. Consider this: In the United States, thousands of illegal aliens have been arrested for DUI: 1,629 in 2021; 1,614 in 2022; 2,493 in 2023; and a staggering 2,844 in 2024.”

Scheuren and Cooper cited tragic accidents called by illegal immigrants from around the country.

“In our own Pennsylvania, in Delaware County, Elifeo Agustin received his third DUI five years after crashing and injuring another driver,” said Cooper.

“So, from 2021 to 2024, a total of 8,580 illegal aliens were arrested for DUI,” said Cooper. “These statistics are not merely figures,” said Cooper. “They are a call to action.”

Republican Caucus Chair Rep. Martina White (R-Philadelphia) offered her support as well.

“According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, three illegal aliens were arrested for murder in 2017,” said White. “Three in 2018 and two in 2019. However, in the four years of the Biden administration, the numbers for arrests of illegal immigrants surged to 60 in 2021, 62 in 2022, 29 in 2023, and 29 again in 2024.”

“By prohibiting the issuance of driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants, we can take a crucial step in preventing crimes on our roadways and enhancing public safety,” said White.

White noted more than a dozen states have laws that allow illegal immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses, including neighboring New York and New Jersey. “That undermines federal immigration enforcement,” she said.

“Recognizing the significance of this issue, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced in February that the Department of Justice is suing New York for issuing driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants and obstructing immigration enforcement by restricting access to vehicle records…It is imperative that Pennsylvania stand on the side of law and order,” said White.

Some Democrats are not on board.

Joe Hohenstein (D-Philadelphia), who co-chairs the Welcoming Pennsylvania Caucus, told DVJournal, “Instead of instilling fear in Pennsylvania’s working-class immigrant communities, we should work together to improve road safety and ensure ALL drivers are properly trained and insured. We urge our colleagues on the other side of the aisle to work with us.”

(From a press release)

State Rep. Donna Scheuren (R-Montgomery) announced that PENNVEST has invested $9.5 million in the Aqua Pennsylvania Superior Main Water Treatment Facility for a major project. Of this, $7,842,004 was awarded as a grant, while $1,650,996 was given as a loan.

PENNVEST funding specifically supports projects in Pennsylvania that focus on sewer, stormwater, and drinking water. It is funded through a combination of state, federal, and recycled loan repayments from previous PENNVEST funding awards.

“This is spectacular news for residents of the 147th District,” said Scheuren. “This funding will allow the Aqua Pennsylvania Superior Main Water Treatment Facility to complete a major project that will help improve drinking water quality throughout the area and help the current system run more efficiently. The people of Pennsylvania have seen significant rate increases in their utility bills over the past few years, and as legislators we need to aggressively work to reduce and reverse that trend. This grant will help alleviate costly projects from falling on the backs of the residents and their township authorities.”

This project will install granular-activated carbon filter vessels for the treatment of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) at the three well treatment sites. It will also replace well pumps and install treatment vessels with heat-traced and insulated piping located separately and adjacent to the existing well facilities. A small enclosure will be placed between the vessels to protect the associated valve tree.

For voters wondering why so many young Americans drifted toward Donald Trump in this year’s election, North Penn High School student Giuseppe Schiano Di Cola has one answer.

Young men didn’t want to go to war.

“I think one of the driving factors to supporting President Trump in this election was because a lot of people thought Kamala Harris was going to get us into World War III,” said Schiano Di Cola, 17, who is chairman of the Pennsylvania High School Republicans.

Young men were worried they’d be drafted, he said.

“I would love to serve my country,” Schiano Di Cola told DVJournal. “I’d like to go [into the military] on my own accord and not be drafted.”

Another major issue for younger voters: prices.

“Under Biden and Harris, inflation rose, and the prices of houses rose, everything went up,” Schiano Di Cola said.

He recounted the story of a young woman he works with who would like to buy a house with her boyfriend, but they can’t afford it. Schiano Di Cola also recounted his own experiences as a new driver and his sticker shock at the gas pump.

“All this stuff starts adding up,” he said.

Schiano Di Cola said he’s a Republican because of “core values.”

“It’s about the American Dream, it’s about putting hard work into what you earn,” he said. “It’s about actually earning something. And today’s Democrat Party doesn’t really resemble those values. You see it all the time with the Democrat Party pushing for handouts to people who don’t have jobs. We need to get more people back in the workforce and less people on their couch eating potato chips.”

Asked about the situation with Sen. Bob Casey Jr. (D-Pa.) and the recount in the Senate race with Republican Dave McCormick, Schiano Di Cola said the tables have turned.

“I think it’s really funny the people that claim to be against election deniers are election deniers….It’s the most ironic story in the country. It’s just hysterical.”

Schiano Di Cola said he likes school and his teachers are “fantastic.” He doesn’t like Critical Race Theory (CRT), but when he talks to his teachers about his objections to it, they understand. Critical Race Theory teaches that White people are inherently racist and participate in race-based societal oppression, regardless of their individual views or actions.

Schiano Di Cola said he will probably go into politics, if not elected office then helping candidates. He plans a double major in political science and public administration and perhaps a minor in theology.

“I feel the only way you can fix the world is to work within the system,” Schiano Di Cola said.

He sometimes gets into arguments with other students who are liberals, he said, more so since Trump won the election.

State Rep. Donna Scheuren (R-Gilbertsville), who just won reelection to her second term by 60 percent, is his mentor.

“She is just amazing,” said Schiano Di Cola.

Scheuren said, “Giuseppe is a dynamic young man that I find to be wise beyond his years. His commitment and thorough understanding of Republican principles that emphasize liberty, economic prosperity, individual rights, smaller government and less regulation are profound. His enthusiasm to educate his peers on the importance of preserving American values and traditions, as well as the American Dream for future generations, is inspiring.

“I’m proud of him for starting the Pennsylvania High School Republicans Club, and I will always support his efforts to reach our youth with a conservative message. I’m lucky to have him on my team, but it won’t be for long. His ambition will take him far in the Republican Party one day. Just wait and see,” Scheuren added.

Some school districts would get more state funding, others less under a plan from the Democratic-controlled state House that was discussed recently by the House Republican Policy Committee.

One of the 126 districts likely to lose some or all state funding under the Democratic is the Souderton School District.

Rep. Donna Scheuren (R-Harleysville), representing the Souderton area, said the district was the first to adopt performance-based budgeting in Fiscal Year 2014. In the Democrats’ 87-page bill that was “pushed through in 24 hours” with no Republican input, “Souderton is being penalized for not taxing enough,” said Scheuren, who called the situation “outrageous.”

She said Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proposals, like a $60,000 minimum salary for teachers, take away local control. The district is 75 percent funded by local residents, 24 percent by the state, and 1 percent by the federal government. Many SASD residents are senior citizens who cannot afford additional property taxes to make up funding that state officials want to send to other districts, she said.

Shapiro is proposing $3 billion in new spending, while Republicans propose giving $3 billion back to taxpayers by reducing the personal income tax (PIT) from 3.07 percent to 2.8 percent and eliminating the gross receipts tax on electricity, the representatives noted.

Andrew Holman, a policy analyst with the Commonwealth Foundation, testified Pennsylvania is losing thousands of residents — many of them younger, working-aged adults — to states like Florida and Texas, where taxes are lower.

According to the Independent Fiscal Office (IFO), Pennsylvania’s working-age population will fall 2.6 percent between 2020 and 2025 and an additional 1.7 percent between 2025 and 2030, resulting in an adverse “dependency ratio” shift from 3.5 working adults per senior to 2.5 by 2030. This shift will have a drastic impact on state finances, he said.

State Reps. John Lawrence, Kristin Marcell, Donna Scheuren, Policy Committee Chair Josh Kail, Torren Ecker, Joe Hogan and David Rowe

Souderton Superintendent Frank Gallagher Ed.D. testified that a state committee report recommended $5.4 billion be used to fund public schools, and $291 million would be paid by 75 school districts, including Souderton.

“This is a penalty on school districts that worked hard to keep their taxes low,” he said. Souderton is “one of 14 districts that will not qualify for (state) adequacy funding. We will be expected to raise local taxes.”

Ironically, if the district had not been careful with its spending and raised taxes over the years to the Act 1 limit, they could continue to get state money.

“If the new formula passes, we would say we’re sorry,” said Gallagher. “We are being forced to raise our taxes. I am asking the General Assembly to provide an allocation for the 7 5 districts that kept taxes low during the Act 1 era.”

“Our taxpayers should not be penalized because we have worked hard to fund schools in a responsible way,” said Gallagher.

Scheuren said, “Instead of being rewarded, the governor has chosen to penalize you.”

Rep. Torren  Ecker (R-Adams) asked Gallagher how he accounts for the success of his district’s students while other districts struggle.

“You’re doing a lot with a little,” he said.

Gallagher said one challenge the district has is “a significant increase” in students who don’t speak English. The biggest industry in the area is meatpacking, with “the largest meat packing plant east of the Mississippi,” and many of the workers are immigrants.

However, they have had success for students learning English with an immersive program. What helps students achieve is “the school and families working together,” he said.

Lower Salford Township Supervisor Chris Canavan, president of W.B. Homes, Wendell Weaver, vice president, Alderfer Glass, and Keith Freed, tax collector for Franconia Township, also testified about the “real world” effects of tax increases.

Weaver said businesses and families are feeling inflation. Healthcare expenses continue to rise, as does the cost of housing. There has also been a “major increase” in the price of electricity.

Canavan said there is a need for skilled labor, and he’s pleased that area school districts are seeing the importance of technical schools. But the area’s housing costs makes it difficult for people to afford homes. Many of his workers commute to the area, he said.

“They need homes, places to raise their children,” said Canavan. “As a township supervisor, I worry about the same thing. We have a wonderful group of volunteer firefighters, most in their 20s. They need homes,” he said. Otherwise, they’ll move to towns with more affordable housing, and Lower Salford will lose those much-needed volunteers.

“If there was ever a time in our lifetime when we needed less government, it is now,” said Kail. “We need lower and fewer taxes. Pennsylvanians deserve control over their own destiny, and both school choice and tax reform can accomplish this.”

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First-term Bucks County Rep. Kristin Marcell (R-Richboro) hit the ground running.

Marcell, a former Council Rock School Board member, is the sponsor of two bills that Gov. Josh Shapiro already signed into law:  one that requires the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) to engage in a public awareness campaign to educate the public about the dangers of human use of xylazine or “tranq,” and the other with Rep. K.C. Tomlinson (R-Bensalem), is the porch pirate bill that Sen. Frank Farry (R-Bucks) sponsored in the Senate, to make mail and package thefts a felony.

In one year, Marcell has sponsored 107 bills and 36 resolutions. She is the prime sponsor of 11 bills. Recently, with other Republican representatives, Marcell sponsored a package of bills to combat antisemitism. Her bill requires curriculum transparency for schools that teach about the Holocaust and genocide.

Rep. Kristin Marcell (R) is sworn in to represent the 178th District.

“It’s always a challenge in a closely divided House,” said Marcell. “But I was able to unite a bipartisan group of legislators to successfully call for one member to resign for sexual harassment and I was able to get legislation to toughen the penalties against porch pirates made into law. It proves we can still accomplish important things if we find consensus, even while staying true to our principles.”

In Chester County, Republican Eric Roe, a former state representative, was elected as a minority member to the county Board of Commissioners, replacing outgoing Commissioner Michelle Kichline in January.

“We live in the best county in America,” said Roe. “Let’s keep it that way for our children and grandchildren. As our county commissioner, I will strive to make our residents even prouder to live here. My goal is to make Chester County the most family-friendly and business-friendly county in the nation one day. We can achieve that by protecting our local economy and preserving our beautiful landscapes.”

“I’m not opposed to business and industry,” said Roe. “I just want it to be in the right places.”

Roe will  reach across party lines to get things done.  With a three-person board, “you only need one other person to agree with you,” he said.

Roe is also a fiscal conservative.

“We’ve got to make sure we’re living within our means,” he said. “Just in the last four years the county budget ballooned by over $200 million.” Much of that money is one-time payment, federal dollars. “I want to make sure we’re spending our money wisely (so) we’re not spending one-time funds on recurring projects.”

In Delaware County, Newtown Township Supervisors Chairman Leonard Altieri, served on the Marple-Newtown School Board before voters elected him as supervisor in 2019. At 30 he is the youngest person ever elected to be a Newtown supervisor.  Altieri was 23 when he was appointed to the school board, then elected to that position at 24.

DVJournal asked Altieri, a lawyer, what he’s done as a supervisor so far, and he immediately said, “Expanding walkability.” The township received a $650,000 state grant through former Rep. Chris Quinn (R-Newtown) for installing sidewalks.

“And we’re putting them in strategic areas in the township to connect different neighborhoods along busy roadways,” said Altieri. Sidewalks are also part of the new town center “that’s happening along West Chester Pike,” he said. “We required the installation of sidewalks there. Again, there were never sidewalks along West Chester Pike.”

“We also have strong fiscal management,” said Altieri. “We received an AAA bond rating from Moody’s, which we never had before. We are one of only two municipalities in the county (with) Radnor being the other one and only a handful in the state with an AAA bond rating. We’ve been very careful with our budget and have strong financial planning. There’s not a lot of people who can say that from a municipality perspective.”

 Incoming Chester County Commissioner Eric Roe

Newtown has the lowest tax rate of any Delaware County municipality with a full-time police department.

And the police department has been recognized and received the “highly coveted and extremely rare Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Accreditation certification along with certification from the Commission on Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies.”

Altieri, who grew up in Newtown, said they are also big on sustainable development.  The previous board approved several new housing developments, and the current supervisors are making sure the developers live up to their commitments, he said.

They also use environmentally friendly practices with copiers and township vehicles, he said.

Altieri said on the school board and now a supervisor, his “number one priority” remains communication with his constituents. He uses a Facebook page, Instagram and emails to keep in touch.

Montgomery County Rep. Donna Scheuren (R-Harleysville) is a former businesswoman who served on the Souderton Area School Board before she was elected to the House in 2022.

“Serving the people of the 147th has been the honor of my life,” said Scheuren. “My legislative duties have allowed me to meet so many great residents, business owners, and non-profit organizations across the district, as well as the local leaders of our schools, churches, police, fire and emergency services housed within our townships and boroughs. All of them have great needs and wants or ideas to help keep their businesses or community’s strong, and advocating for all of it as their voice in Harrisburg is truly a privilege. There is much more to do and hopefully my first year in office is the start of many more to come.”

Scheuren secured funding to build a new bridge on Bergey’s Mill Road in Lower Salford, which was out for 12 years, causing slower emergency response times.

Rep. Donna Scheuren

“I was also proud to stand with my fellow legislators to propose a package of bills that promote transparency in government related settlements,” said Scheuren. “My legislation would amend the PennWATCH Act to include information on each settlement paid to an individual, or to an employee of a commonwealth agency, as a result of an action taken by an employee of a commonwealth agency.

“With no risk of personal or private information being shared on any victims, my legislation would provide an easier way to monitor how taxpayers’ dollars are being spent, as well as greater transparency on taxpayer funded expenditures and investments,” she said.

Scheuren said, “Along with my Republican colleagues, we also successfully fought for $150 million in Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) funding to be included in the final budget, after Democrats took it out at the last second just before a vote before Thanksgiving. I am fighting for education at every level of the process.  Whether its funding win-win programs like EITC helping local businesses and schools simultaneously, or new funding for our technical career centers, or my legislation that would help to fix the school bus driver shortage by providing an income tax-credit to new bus drivers, I’m driving common sense legislation through the chamber.”

Scheuren hopes to make Pennsylvania more business friendly.

“With the governor’s announcement to appeal the court’s verdict that enrolling Pennsylvania into the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) is unconstitutional – knowing full well that enrollment in RGGI will send utility bills for all PA residents through the roof – to the unnecessary attacks and potential mandates on our vital energy resources throughout the state, or to getting our labor force back to work to boost state revenues, there is great need to address all these issues.”

“I am once again ready to take on the challenge of making Pennsylvania a better place for all,” said Scheuren.

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(From a  press release)

State Sen. Tracy Pennycuick (R-Berks/Montgomery) recently hosted her first Veterans Appreciation Breakfast on Saturday, November 4 at Upper Perkiomen High School, as a way to say “thank you” to all our local heroes.

Several hundred were in attendance, which included veterans, veterans’ guests, exhibitors, and guest speakers. Veterans from every American conflict, from the Korean War to Operation Inherent Resolve, were in attendance. Dr. Jim Arcieri of Community Bible Fellowship Church, recited the blessing and benediction and the keynote speaker was state Rep. Timothy J. O’Neal (R-Washington Co.).

“We can never truly thank our veterans enough for their service to our country and community,” said Senator Pennycuick. “This event is a small token of gratitude that carries a big message: we wouldn’t be the nation we are without our veterans. I am pleased so many of our veterans were able to participate and be recognized for their heroic acts.”

Sen. Tracy Pennycuik talks with a veteran.

Veterans also enjoyed patriotic songs performed by the Upper Perkiomen High School Women’s Choir and the National Anthem performed by Upper Perkiomen High School student, Autumn Alderfer. Attendees were also able to obtain veteran identification cards from the Montgomery County Recorder of Deeds.

Various organizations were available to provide veterans with various information and services including: Montgomery County Recorder of Deeds, Montgomery County Veterans Affairs, Norristown Vet Center, PA Department of Military and Veteran Affairs, Tails of Valor, Paws of Honor Program, Inc., The Korean War Memorial America-Korea Alliance Peace Park, Valley Forge Military Academy & College, Veterans Brotherhood, Vets For Vets Healthcare, state Rep. Milou Mackenzie (R-Bethlehem), state Rep. David Maloney (R-Berks), and state Rep. Donna Scheuren (R-Gilbertsville).

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Despite most Montgomery County residents sending Democrats to Harrisburg and Congress, 147th House District voters elected Republican Donna Scheuren in 2022.

“No doubt the 147th House District is unique, as it is a district completely within the confines of Montgomery County that chose a Republican to represent it,” said Scheuren. “I believe the voices of all residents need to be heard, whether those beliefs are from the left, the right, or the center.”

“I feel my responsibility is great,” Scheuren told Delaware Valley Journal. “I am honored to have been elected on the values and principles that I aspire to, and I know those shared values of good schools, low taxes, safe communities, opportunity, and decent paying jobs are held by the majority of the voters in the 147th district.”

Donna and Dave Scheuren

The 147th District consists of part of Montgomery County consisting of the Townships of Douglass, Franconia (part), Lower Frederick, Lower Salford, New Hanover, Upper Frederick, Upper Pottsgrove and Upper Salford.

It was formerly represented by GOP Rep. Tracy Pennycuick, now a state senator.

Scheuren served on the Souderton Area School Board where she chaired the finance committee, and touted her 30 years of business experience in her campaign.

“I have always fought for the best interests of the people,” said Scheuren. “As a small business owner, I’ve created jobs and know the pressures of meeting payroll. As a manufacturer’s rep, I’ve worked every day to grow or save jobs for thousands of employees in factories and manufacturing plants across the country.”

She has worked to “control and cut costs, negotiate contracts, grow revenue, improve processes, invest in people, and deliver quality outcomes in manufactured goods and services, or the total life experience of a student’s education.”

“I’ve been hearing both sides of an issue for most of my adult life and making the tough decisions that are in the best interest of all stakeholders – whether (they are) are business owners, factory workers or the consumer of finished goods, or local tax-paying residents, parents, staff, and students,” she said. “For in these volatile and challenging times, the voters of the 147th need to know they elected a leader with the qualified experience to serve on day one and should feel confident knowing that I will always work to implement the district’s legislative priorities.”

As the legislative session gets underway, Scheuren said she hopes to promote jobs, technical education, voter ID, and reduce taxes and crime.

“We must continue to reduce taxes and burdensome regulations, along with waste, abuse, and fraud, for our state to thrive and be an economic leader,” she said. “Building that trust also includes acknowledging the wishes of more than 70 percent of voters across the country that support Voter ID to restore confidence in our electoral process. Pennsylvania voters deserve to see that question on the May primary ballot.

And, “there is nothing more fundamental than a free and safe society, yet with crime on the rise in our cities and suburbs, residents are finding themselves more at risk. I fully support the law enforcement community and the training, technological advancements, and funding necessary to keep our businesses, schools, and homes safe from violence,” said Scheuren.

Asked why she decided to run, Scheuren said, “I have always been passionate about politics and felt a calling to serve. Once I saw the widespread effects of our state and nation being shut down by COVID, it was clear that common-sense solutions were needed in many aspects of government.”

Scheuren and her husband, Dave Scheuren, live in Lower Salford, where he serves as a township supervisor. In their free time, they enjoy cheering for Penn State.

“With generations of Scheuren family members graduating from Penn State, we are a PSU football family with the tailgating RV to prove it,” Scheuren said. “I enjoy interior design and decorating throughout the year for the change of season. I relish, however, planning and hosting parties, events, community gatherings, and all functions that help to bring family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues together. Life is short and meant to be celebrated.”

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