State Rep. Steven J. Santarsiero (D-31) said $20,625 in federal funding is available to Newtown Township to help pay for a wide range of police department expenses.

Santarsiero said the funding comes from the federal stimulus package authorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and is being made available through the Byrnes/Justice Assistance Grant Program. The stimulus package includes almost $2 billion in critical resources for state and local law enforcement and other criminal justice activities through the Recovery JAG program.

Santarsiero said many eligible municipalities have not applied for grants, and, in many cases, those municipalities don’t even know the JAG program is available. In order to receive the federal stimulus funding allocated to the program, municipalities must apply for it, he said.

"Federal funding through the JAG program will assist local law enforcement in carrying out vital programs and services that keep our communities safe," Santarsiero said. "The program also helps to create and sustain jobs that might otherwise be threatened during the economic downturn."

Santarsiero said the JAG program does not require a local match and can be used for law enforcement, prosecution and court expenses, crime prevention and education, corrections, drug treatment, technology improvement, and crime victim and witness programs.

Applications are due by May 18. More information on the grants is available online at www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA/recoveryJAG/recoveryjag.html.

Santarsiero's main constituent service office is located at 2 N. State St. in Newtown. Office hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and the phone number is 215-968-3975. Additionally, staff is available in the Lower Makefield Township Building, located at 1100 Edgewood Rd.in Yardley. Office hours there are noon to 4:30 p.m. on Fridays, and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. the first Saturday of every month.

The 31st Legislative District includes Newtown Township, Newtown Borough, Lower Makefield Township, Yardley and part of Upper Makefield Township.

Labels: 31st District, Newtown, Steve Santarsiero

State Rep. Steven J. Santarsiero, D-Bucks, is pleased the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission Board voted to include in its request for federal stimulus funding a critical road improvement project in the Newtown-Yardley area.

Over the last month, the Bucks County lawmaker has worked with U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy and Bucks County Planning Commission Executive Director Lynn T. Bush in an effort to convince the board to request $1.7 million in federal stimulus funding needed for improvements to Stoopville Road in Upper Makefield and Newtown townships.

Santarsiero attended the board's meeting Thursday and voiced his support for the project, which will improve slow-moving traffic for area residents and commuters, but also ease congestion for visitors traveling to the Washington Crossing National Cemetery, recently dedicated by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Veterans are expected to be laid to rest there beginning this fall.

"The upgrades to Stoopville Road will improve traffic safety for residents and visitors to the Washington Crossing National Cemetery," Santarsiero said. "I want to thank the efforts of our congressman and Ms. Bush in helping to get this project funded as part of the stimulus package."

The board's decision will allow the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to fund the project. The total project cost is estimated at $2.5 million and is the only project located in Bucks County to be approved by the board.

More information about the Washington Crossing National Cemetery is available online at www.cem.va.gov.

Santarsiero's main constituent service office is located at 2 N. State St. in Newtown. Office hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and the phone number is 215-968-3975. Additionally, staff is available in the Lower Makefield Township Building, located at 1100 Edgewood Rd. in Yardley. Office hours there are noon to 4:30 p.m. on Fridays, and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. the first Saturday of every month.

The 31st Legislative District includes Newtown Township, Newtown Borough, Lower Makefield Township, Yardley and part of Upper Makefield Township.

Labels: 31st District, Lower Makefield, Newtown, Steve Santarsiero, Upper Makefield, Yardley