LANTA Could Face 20% Service Reduction in January

Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority (LANTA) is seeking $701,727 from NorCo in 2026, and Executive Lamont McClure has proposed $701,800. 

Exec. Director Owen O'Neill explained that this money is leveraged to obtain much larger grants from the state and federal government to operate and maintain our region's buses. 

Funding for LANTA is based on the amount of service provided to each county. 57% of LANTA's bus system serves Lehigh County, while only 43% serves NorCo. 

Although funding is uncertain as a result of a state budget impasse, O'Neill noted that SEPTA and Pittsburgh have been approved by PennDOT for flex funding, and LANTA has applied for this as well. If this application fails, O'Neill said there would likely be a 20% reduction in service in January. He also said fare increases have gone into effect. "We have tried to keep them stable as long as we can," he observed, adding that fares had not gone up since 2014. 

LV Planners Want $965,500 From NorCo; Only $625,000 Budgeted

At last night's budget hearing for Northampton County Council, the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission (LVPC) requested $965,500 for next year. But in his proposed budget, Executive Lamont McClure has limited funding for that bi-county venture to $625,000, the same sum approved in this year's budget. 

As explained in the proposed budget, LVPC does the planning for planning for regional land use, transportation, recreation, economic development, storm water management, and environmental impact studies. It reviews subdivision plans and is already over 250 this year alone, just in Northampton County. It also is the body that reviews and regulates stormwater management plans for municipalities. It also provides technical assistance with smaller local governments. But does this justify what is 50% increase in the county contribution next year? According to Executive Director Becky Bradley, Lehigh County thinks so, and was voting last night on a budget that would give thus admittedly busy and worthwhile agency more money. That is, however, a terrible argument to make in Northampton County. It almost guarantees a rejection, if only out of spite. Northampton County has long considered itself the ugly red-headed stepchild when compared to Lehigh.

Council member John Goffredo, easily that body's most conservative voice, surprisingly voiced support for this substantial increase. He noted that the county (and its municipalities) need these services, and they are required under state law. He said head be comfortable matching Lehigh County. 

But Council member Ken Kraft, easily that body's most candid voice, was far less encouraging. "I am totally against that," he said of the proposed 50% increase. "I can't see taking another $300,000 out of our budget, so I'm a No vote on that. .... I'm fiscally conservative so, you know, sorry."

During LVPC's presentation, Bradley warned these funds are needed for salaries, which is close to 90% of its budget. 

If NorCo Council wishes to fund the entire $965,000 requested, it will have to deduct money proposed somewhere else. 

Is Gracedale's Administrator Resigning?

A rumor is circulating that Gracedale Administrator Michelle Morton is stepping down. She was only hired in March.

In August, Morton presented NorCo Council with a "strategic plan" for success to increase census and reduce the nursing home's reliance on agency nursing from 59% to 30% by June 2026. The latest budget proposal for Gracedale involves no county contribution. 

According to her LinkedIn page, Morton has had 23 jobs since 1983. She's moved around a bit over the years. Though she is licensed as a nursing home administrator, her degree is in therapeutic recreation. 

We'll know if the rumor is true tomorrow, when she meets with county administrators. 

A History Primer For America's 250th Birthday

Over the past weekend, numerous No-Kings Rallies were conducted nationwide.  They were aimed mostly at President Donald Trump's constitutionally questionable assertions of executive authority, and this has angered many of his supporters. But if truth be told, Americans have long been very leery of executive overreach.  They also resented people who, once elected, make it a career. 

In the Articles of Confederation that existed before we actually ratified the Constitution, there was no executive branch of government and no federal courts. States' rights, echoes of which can still be heard today, was the guiding principle. Delegates to Congress were limited to three years in office. 

We quickly learned that we did actually need an executive branch but were still suspicious of the tyranny that could result from a strong national government. Hence the Constitution. When George Washington was elected (unanimously) as the first President, he actually highlighted and underlined all mentions of his office. After his inauguration, he made it a point to visit every member of Congress instead of having them come to him and swear their loyalty. He also made it a point to leave his office every day at about 4 pm for a brief walk to demonstrate that he is just like everyone else. 

And so things remained until Andrew Jackson was elected President. He was the first to push the authority of the executive branch, ignoring acts of Congress and the courts when they acted contrary to his agenda. He even called for some of his critics to be "Houstinized" (assaulted). He was a populist who despised effete intellectuals like John Quincy Adams.

After Jackson, the power of the Executive branch continued to grow under different Presidents, especially during times of crisis. 

If you'd like an overview of our history from the beginning to present, I highly recommend a series of lectures from Yale University professors David Blight, Joanne Freeman and Beverly Gage called America at 250.  A course syllabus is included. You can view the lectures online as well. 

NorCo Council to Vote on Dixie TIF on November 6

After a great weekend of cycling fun in Philly, helped by outstanding weather, I finally had the opportunity to watch the public hearing for the tax break (known as a TIF) at the long vacant Dixie Cup factory in Wilson Borough. What I saw was pretty much a rehash of arguments previously made. County Council will vote on the TIF ordinance itself on November 6. 

If it passes, it will be a $20-29 million windfall for the developer of the long vacant Dixie Cup factory in Wilson Borough. It will enable Skyline Investment to float two series of bonds for a proposed 405-unit luxury apartment complex and use the projected increased assessment to pay for the improvements made over a period of 20-25 years. During this time, taxing authorities will continue to receive the taxes on the existing assessment, but they will have to wait a quarter century to see receive the taxes it should receive when improvements are made. 

In addition, Skyline will also use historic tax credits and has already received a state grant for asbestos removal. 

It's nice to be a picked winner

Both Wilson Borough and Wilson Area School District have already agreed to this windfall. 

Unanimously.

Skyline principal Brian Bartee and his bond counsel, Jonathan Cox, monopolized much of the hearing. Obviously, they're all for it. So is Doylestown attorney Richard Groff, who gobbles up distressed properties at tax and Sheriff sales and then flips or rents them out. Obviously, high rentals at Dixie will make it possible for him to charge more rent at his Wilson Borough and Easton properties. 

Support from those who benefit financially is understandable. Unanimous support from Wilson Borough and the school district, however, is either incredibly naive or downright stupid. In Wilson Borough's case, I think it's stupidity. This is the municipality that uses Stan Margle, who is facing multiple drug charges, as their solicitor. He even spoke for the borough at two county meetings where he actually insulted one of the County Council supporters. 

Brilliant. 

In the case of the school district, the rationale offered by superintendent Harrison Bailey III (that's Doctor Bailey to you), was downright mystifying.  He said students would receive an education by watching union contractors as they install drywall during the year or so that it takes. I bet. They would also be able to meet the developer and learn what it means to be an entrepreneur. Is that worth 20m years of tax breaks? 

In response to questions from Council member John Brown, Dr. Harrison Bailey III said it costs about $22,000 a year per student. Brown indicated that some tenants at Dixie will have children who attend school, and the school district will have to pay for their education. Moreover, the school district will miss 20 years of increased property tax revenue Dr. Harrison Bailey III said taxes at Wilson have only gone up 0.66% for the past five years, but his doctorate certainly has nothing to do with math. This year alone, taxes at Wilson have gone up 3.5%. His doctorate has nothing to do with business, either. Dr. Harrison Bailey III conceded he did no analysis or study on exactly how much this TIF will cost the school district. People in the audience apparently shouted out that the school board did a study, but I certainly find it off that Dr. Harrison Bailey III had no knowledge of it. 

This ordinance will be supported by Council members Ken Kraft, Kelly Keegan and Jeff Warren for one and only one reason - trade unions. Skyline Investment's Brain Bartee will use union labor. It matters not that this labor will be used to develop housing that only New Jersey and New York immigrants can afford. It matters not that this will just exacerbate the affordable living crisis. A year of union labor makes it all worth it to them.

I'm less certain about the others. 

NorCo Council Conducts Public Hearing on Dixie's Tax Break Proposal

At last night's meeting of Northampton County Council, a public hearing was conducted on the request to grant a tax break known as a TIF for the conversion of long vacant Dixie Cip factory, located in Wilson Borough, into luxury apartments. Most speakers were pro-development. Most were there at the behest of the developer, Wilson Borough or the Wilson Area School District. No action was taken on the TIF application last night.

I'm in Philly today for an annual cycling event, so I'll post about the hearing on Monday. 

Lehigh County Dems Not Lookin' Good

The primary focus of this blog is Northampton County. I'm a Democrat, but I've been highly critical of just about every NorCo Democrat over the years. And not just county Dems. I've taken shots at Easton Mayor Sal Panto, Bethlehem Mayor Willie Reynolds, State Senator Lisa Boscola, State Rep Steve "Diaper Man" Samuelson and even State Rep. Bob Freeman, who has been in office for about 2,000 years. But I'll let you in on a little secret. Compared to Lehigh County, they;'re saints.

The video you see above, sent to me by my evil Republican brother, explains why. But they will all be elected.