Zrinski Reduces Budget Request For Gracedale from $12 Million to $9.9 Million

Gracedale was one of the topics discussed at last night's NorCo budget hearing. The good news is that county spending for the home has been downgraded from a projected $12 million to $9.9 million next year. Budget Administrator Brandon Dunstane told County Council that he was able to shave $2.1 million by using a more realistic census figure of 445 residents instead of the projected 475.

A $2.1 million reduction in the budget would translate to about 0.2 mills in real estate taxes. 

Unfortunately, most of the rest of the meeting was marked by an inability to answer some pretty basic questions. 

The bulk of the $9.9 million contribution to Gracedale is $7 million for the annual IGT transfer. 

The IGT is basically an accounting gimmick under which county-owned hospitals and nursing homes pool together money and send it off to the state Medicaid agency for matching federal funds. They usually receive more money in return. Council member Dave Holland warned at the end of the meeting that changes in the IGT are on the way.  

The IGT payment that the county must make to kick things off is based on the number of licensed beds, which is 688. But the money htat trickles back is based on the actual census, which is only 445.

Zrinski acknowledged that the county wants to sell 88 bed licenses, but it will take time. 

During the hearing, Council member Dave Holland noted that Gracedale would be entitled to Medicaid bedhold money if it was at 90% of its max 688-census. Budget Administrator Dunstane acknowledged that the last time Gracedale was at 90% was pre-COVID.  

Noting the large number of problems at Gracedale has received since Michelle Morton became Administrator (deficiencies, one-star rating, provisional license, threatened removal of Medicaid reimbursement), Council member Jason Boulette said he is "blown away" by a budget proposal that includes payraises for the home's top administrators and nurses. There was no response.

Boultette wanted to know how many "back office" workers are employed at Gracedale. He noted that in 2016, Gracedale was at near maximum capacity with 670 residents. Now that census has dipped to 445, he asked whether there has been a commensurate drop in the number of back office workers. No one was able to answer immediately.  

In response to a question from Council member Kelly Keegan, Continuum of Care Director Tom Carson said that Gracedale has 339 employees and 401 vacant positions that are budgeted. Budget Administrator quickly clarified Carson to explain that only 40 of those 401 vacant positions have actually been budgeted. 

Keegan also wanted to know how many holidays have been added by Executive Tara Zrinski for career service employees. Zrinski answered, "I think we added five."  When Keegan asked how much these holidays have cost the county, Zrinski 's response was, "What do you mean?" Keegan explained that the county would still have to pay these employees and might need to add in holiday pay for some. 

Zrinski argued that the holidays are a trade off for subsistence pay. She said she is trying to change a "culture" (translation appears to be bad morale) that has been established "over the last eight years,"i.e. under former Exec Lamont McClure. She told Keegan that this "culture" has already shifted among deputy sheriffs and is improving at Gracedale as well. 

Administrator Mark Aurand was unable to answer a simple question posed by Council President Ken Krqaft, asking approximately how many of these employees are career service, i.e. nonunion. He said it should be fairly easy to determine how much money the county spends in salaries for employees with five new holidays.  Aurand said he'd like these questions ahead of the meeting. "I'm hearing all these great things about making people feel fuzzy and warm, but what is the cost? demanded Kraft. 

During the hearing, Carson acknowledged that agency nursing at Gracedale is still very high, at about 65%. This is much more than Morton had stated at the oversight committee meeting a few weeks ago. 

Most amazing of all, the county administration is still unable to answer a question posed first at the oversight committee and again last night by Council member Lori Vargo Heffner. "Based on the census to date, and the employees that you have, where would we have a break even?"

"We've been trying to find that answer, I've been asking, " responded Carson.

NorCo Fails to Post Campaign Finance Reports Online

When he was NorCo Exec, in an effort to increase transparency and accountability, Lamont McClure directed elections officials in 2023 to post online all campaign finance reports filed in that office. This enables members of the public to follow the money and see who exactly is supporting a candidate and how political money is spent. I often write about campaign finance spending, but it always helps to have several sets of eyes looking at these reports. This kind of participatory journalism is very helpful. Unfortunately, the current Executive cares a lot less about what you know 

Lehigh County, Allentown and Bethlehem have all adopted ordinances requiring that at least some campaign finance reports be filed online. There is no such law in NorCo. Though McClure took the initiative of directing elections officials to post reports, NorCo Council probably should have enacted an ordinance making it mandatory because Zrinski apparently prefers to keep you in the dark. 

Since she assumed office in January, no campaign finance reports have been filed in this year's races. No pre or post primary reports have been posted online, and the 2d Friday pre-election report is basically unavailable. Sure, you can go to the courthouse, spend an hour or two looking for a place to park while a new garage is being built, go through an anal cavity search by deputy sheriffs and then try to get your hands on a report while the staff tries to help others who are getting ballots. It's very time-consuming and burdens the staff much more than simply reviewing them online. 

I said nothing when I noticed that no finance reports were posted for the primary. Besides, most of these races are state races and reports must also be filed with the state. But guess what? Though GOP State Rep. Joe Emrick has filed his 2d Friday pre-election report in the race for the 137th legislative district, it has yet to appear on the state website. This often occurs when paper reports are received, but I've been able to look at the copies that state house candidates must also file in their county of residence.  

Until now. 

I've already written about Jeff Warren, who is Emrick's opponent. In fairness, I need to review and discuss Emrick's finances as well. When I noticed on Monday that no reports at all had been uploaded to the county webpage, I emailed Registrar Chris Commini to ask him to explain. He has yet to respond.

On Monday afternoon, I texted Exec Tara Zrinski to ask her about posting these reports. She first responded that the decision to post or not post is "elective" and that the elections office is overwhelmed. I am sure it was far more overwhelmed in 2024 but had no problems posting finance reports. She then said these reports are only posted as a "courtesy" and that other things have taken priority. 

When I accused her of failing to be transparent, she finally said they are "in the list of things to do." 

When? After the election? That totally defeats the purpose of requiring that they be filed. The election now is less than a week away. It is inexcusable that she thinks so poorly of the public that she would fail to provide important information that will help people decide how they vote. That matters as much or more than a pop-up election that gets 4 voters. 

Northampton County Council, the governing body, needs to adopt an ordinance early next year requiring that all finance reports that are filed with the county must be posted online, and within 24 hours of receipt, mot when Chris "Ball of Fire" Commini gets to it. 

Zrinski Needs to Stop Chewing Gum During NorCo Exec Reports

On Monday night, the Dallas Cowboys handed the Philadelphia Eagles their 5th loss in a row during a game in which a usually solid defense appeared to have no desire or intensity. In the post-game presser, head coach Nick Siriani was chewing gum as he gave the usual bullshit nonanswers to questions. His gum chewing made no difference to me, but it was a big deal on WIP's Tuesday morning autopsy by Joe Giglio and Hugh Douglas. The general sentiment was that the optics were disrespectful and it appeared as though Siriani looked as though he had checked out and had no regard for what others might think. 

Given what I read and later read in comments, Northampton County Exec Tara Zrinski needs to stop chewing gum during exec reports because some view it as disrespectful.   

Trump Makes Himself ... and the USA ... Look Petty

He did it again. At a campaign rally over the weekend, President Donald Trump again managed to make himself, and by implication, the United States, look petty. 

Dejected over his failure to get the Nobel Peace Priize, Trump attacked Norway with remarks like these: "“Frankly, Norway sucks. Norway has become a shithouse country, actually. ... "I didn't get the Nobel Prize. So I don't want anybody from Norway. I don't want anything to do with Norway"

Yes, a spoiled little brat is President of the United States."

Nazareth Area School District to Brooks: Stop Using Nazareth Uniforms in Campaign Ads

In the Pa. 07 Congressional race, Democrat Bob Brooks issued what some call a "cease-and-desist" order over an incumbent Republican Ryan Mackenzie attack ad characterized by Brooks as defamatory. The ad claims that Brooks had failed to pay workers compensation for his insurance. Brooks denied the accusation and then dropped out of the only scheduled debate between the candidates. The ad continues to run. 

Brooks has received a "cease and desist" order as well. Nazareth Area School District, through its Solicitor, has complained to rooks about a video in which Brooks is wearing the school district's colors and logo and in which he interacts with people wearing what appears like Nazareth High School uniforms. "This imagery, combined with your comments during the advertisement, strongly implies that District and/or the Board have endorsed your candidacy. ... Your advertisement has created confusion in the community and is misleading."

Nazareth Area School District has demanded Brooks to remove the ad immediately.

He's ignored them. 

NorCo Announces Interim Gracedale Administrator

Late yesterday, Northampton County announced an Interim Administrator at Gracedale, now that Michelle Morton has decided to resign. Assistant Nursing Home Administrator Christina Casey (RN, NHA), will serve as Interim Administrator while the county searches for a new administrator.

As of last year, the average salary of a nursing home administrator was $134k.

Pa. House Dems Pour More Than $1 Million Into Warren's Bid to Unseat Emrick

I live in Nazareth, where NorCo Council member Jeff Warren (a Democrat) is trying very hard to unseat incumbent Joe Emrick (a Republican) in Pennsylvania's 137th state house district. This district includes the townships of Bethlehem, Hanover (5th ward), Palmer, Upper and Lower Nazareth, and the boroughs of Nazareth and Tatamy. It is supposedly a purple district, but in recent years, the townships have become more Democratic. I believe this is the most competitive state house race in Northampton County. The cascade of mailers and social media ads indicates that both parties are pouring money into this contest. So far, I have received over 40 pieces of mail in this race alone. On Friday, the final campaign finance reports were due before the election. I was able to see Warren's report on Sunday. Emrick's report is still unavailable on the state website, but I should be able to get it on the state or county site on Monday. Until then, let me tell you about Warren's campaign finances.

The House Democratic Campaign Committee (HDCC) has poured more than $1 million into Jeff Warren's effort to unseat Republican state Rep. Joe Emrick in Pennsylvania's 137th Legislative District, according to Warren's latest campaign finance report. The extraordinary expenditure suggests that House Democrats have identified this Northampton County contest as an important battleground in the November 3 election.

Warren's 75-page Second Friday Pre-Election Report, covering June 9 through October 19, discloses $1,078,837 in in-kind contributions from HDCC, the political organization devoted to electing Democrats to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. The Pennsylvania Democratic Party provided another $128,324.69 in in-kind assistance. Together, these two Democratic organizations supplied $1,207,161.69 in campaign assistance, accounting for more than 99% of Warren's reported in-kind contributions.

This support dwarfs the $359,078 Warren received in direct monetary contributions during the same reporting period.

Combining cash and in-kind assistance, Warren's campaign reported $1,575,646.77 in contributions between June 9 and October 19. 

That figure does not include a subsequent $11,314.28 contribution from a Massachusetts resident disclosed in an October 20 late-contribution report.

The financial disclosures paint a picture of a legislative race that has attracted resources extending well beyond Northampton County.

### What HDCC's $1 Million Actually Purchased

In-kind contributions are goods or services provided to a political campaign without the campaign itself necessarily paying for them. Here, they are mostly for media. The reported contributions began during the summer with expenditures including $25,000 for media production on July 1 and a series of $8,000 digital media contributions throughout July and August.  They then increased. Individual HDCC entries include $57,500 for media production, $67,385 for linear and digital media, $118,692.50 for media, and three separate contributions of $131,192.50 each for media. 

These in-kind contributions represent approximately 68.5% of Warren's entire $1.576 million in reported monetary and in-kind contributions during this period. For every dollar Warren reported receiving in direct monetary contributions, HDCC supplied approximately $3 in additional campaign assistance. The investment strongly suggests that House Democrats believe Emrick's seat is competitive and worth defending or pursuing with substantial institutional resources.

### Political Committees Dominate Warren's Cash Fundraising

Warren's direct monetary fundraising was also heavily dependent on political organizations. His latest filing identifies $359,078 in monetary contributions, including $241,150 from political committees. That represents approximately 67.2% of all cash contributions received during the reporting period.

The largest disclosed monetary contributor was Philadelphia-based Committee for a Better Tomorrow, which gave Warren $100,000 on August 29. That single contribution represented nearly 28% of his entire monetary fundraising for the reporting period. This committee is made up of Philly-area trial lawyers who oppose attempts to restrict personal injury lawsuits. 

Other major political committee contributors included:

| Contributor | Amount |

|---|---:|

| AFSCME PEOPLE | $25,000 |

| Conservation Voters of PA Action Fund | $25,000 |

| PAC for America's Future | $25,000 |

| PSEA PACE | $15,050 |

| Change PA | $15,000 |

| IBEW Local 375 PAC | $5,000 |

| Climate Cabinet PAC | $5,000 |

| Friends of Matt Bradford | $5,000 |

The contributions reflect substantial support from organized labor, environmental organizations and Democratic political committees. 

AFSCME PEOPLE, PSEA PACE and IBEW Local 375 are among the labor-related political organizations appearing in the filing. 

Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania Action Fund and Climate Cabinet PAC represent another identifiable source of support: organizations interested in environmental and climate-related public policy.

### Out-of-State Contributions Are Substantial

Although Warren wants to represent just one Northampton County legislative district, a significant portion of his campaign contributions comes from outside Pennsylvania. At least $131,889.63 in monetary contributions from individuals and political committees listing addresses outside Pennsylvania.

That represents approximately 36.7% of his $359,078 in monetary receipts. Among the significant out-of-state political contributors are AFSCME PEOPLE and PAC for America's Future, both listing Washington, DC, addresses. Each contributed $25,000. Climate Cabinet PAC, Active Ballot Club General Fund, States Win, Vote Save America and Everytown for Gun Safety are among the other organizations listing addresses outside Pennsylvania. Individual contributions also came from California, Texas, New York, Oregon, Massachusetts, Washington and several other states.

Obviously, this is no longer simply a campaign financed by residents of the legislative district. It has attracted support from organizations and individuals with interests extending beyond Pennsylvania. 

One of many reforms suggested by readers of this blog has been to bar money from outside the area in which candidates are running. 

### Another $11,314 Arrives After Reporting Deadline

Warren's fundraising has continued after the October 19 closing date of his regular pre-election report. 

A separate 24-hour contribution filing identifies an $11,314.28 contribution from Peter Francis of Marion, Massachusetts, received October 20.

### Warren Spends Heavily, Ends Period With $40,539

Despite the extraordinary resources being directed toward his election, Warren's own campaign reported a relatively modest cash balance at the close of the reporting period. 

He began June 9 with $105,285.85. After receiving $359,078 in additional monetary contributions, his campaign had $464,363.85 available. It spent $423,824.58, leaving $40,539.27 on October 19. The campaign reported no outstanding debts. So Warren spent most of the cash available to him during the reporting period.

### A Campaign That Has Changed Dramatically

Warren's previous campaign finance report showed him entering the summer with $105,285.85 in available cash. Emrick, by comparison, had approximately $140,340 available as of June 8, according to the earlier review of his campaign finances. He had a slight edge. Whether this is still true will be determined when I get to his finances.

### Why This Race Matters

The 137th District contest pits Warren, a Democrat, against Emrick, the Republican incumbent.

The House Democratic Campaign Committee's role is especially noteworthy given the importance of individual legislative seats in determining control of the Pennsylvania House. The organization's investment of more than $1 million in a single candidate suggests that Democratic strategists see an opportunity worth pursuing aggressively.

Whether this influx of money translates into sufficient votes to defeat Emrick will be decided November 3. It certainly should help.

UPDATE: Gracedale's Administrator Resigning

On Friday, I shared part of an email or letter that the state Department of Health sent to Gracedale Administrator Michelle Morton as a result of a visit that week. She was informed that the facility has failed to correct several deficiencies and that if this pattern continues, "the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the state Medicaid agency must deny payments for new admissions. A remedy of a civil money penalty and/or directed in-servicing may be imposed. Additionally, we will recommend that your provider agreement be terminated six months from the enforcement cycle start date. Remedies already imposed for this enforcement cycle remain in effect." [Emphasis added by blogger].

This effectively means that Gracedale would have to close. 

So much for moral obligation. 

How has Morton responded? On Friday, she notified NorCo Council that she is resigning, effective November 14. This has also been confirmed by Executive Tara Zrinski. 

Hopefully, this will spur Zrinski to do what she should have done when she assumed office - get an Administrator who actually knows how to run a nursing home. Listen to people on County Council like Dave Holland, who was part of the administration team at Gracedale that turned a failing nursing home around. 

Gracedale is on the agenda for this week's budget hearing. That should be interesting. 

UPDATED 10:10 AM: One Council member tells me he received no notice of the resignation and was unaware of it until a reader posted here anonymously.  But Executive Zrinski has confirmed that Morton has resigned with three weeks notice. 

Gracedale Warned Feds Will Deny Reimbusement Unless Deficiencies Are Corrected

The following is from a 10/22 letter to Gracedale Administrator Michelle Morton from the state DOH. Any plan of correction submitted by the county should include the termination of its administrator. 

Representatives of the Division of Nursing Care Facilities conducted a Revisit and Abbreviated Survey on October 20, 2026 to determine if your facility meets the requirements to participate in the federal certification program. All references to regulatory requirements contained in this letter are found in Title 42 CFR Part 483, Subpart B, Requirements for Long Term Care, and the 28 Pa. Code.

Based on the findings of this revisit, it was determined that your facility failed to correct the identified deficiencies, whereas continuing and/or new areas of noncompliance with the following participating requirements were identified:

F580 42 CFR §483.10(g)(14) Notification of Changes-New

F689 42 CFR §483.25(d) Accidents – Continuing – D

State Tag 1040 Responsibility of Licensee – New

The enforcement cycle start date is 09/10/2026.

If you do not correct the cited deficiencies within 90 days from the enforcement cycle start date, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the state Medicaid agency must deny payments for new admissions. A remedy of a civil money penalty and/or directed in-servicing may be imposed. Additionally, we will recommend that your provider agreement be terminated six months from the enforcement cycle start date. Remedies already imposed for this enforcement cycle remain in effect. [Emphasis added by blogger].

You must submit your plan of correction electronically. The deficiencies will be available for review and development of your plan of correction on October 23, 2026. This plan must be available for our review on the Department of Health Facility Site at https://sais.health.pa.gov/commonpoc/Login/Login.aspx, by November 1, 2026. If the deficiencies are not available on October 23, 2026, please notify the field office. Failure to submit an acceptable plan of correction within the required time frame may result in the recommendation of the imposition of additional remedies.

Your plan of correction must contain the following:

What corrective action(s) will be accomplished for those residents found to have been affected by the deficient practice?

How will you identify other residents having the potential to be affected by the same deficient practice and what corrective action will be taken?

What measures will be put into place or what system changes will you make to ensure that the deficient practice does not recur? How the corrective action will be monitored to ensure that the deficient practice will not recur; i.e., what quality assurance programs will be established?

Dates of when the corrective action will be completed.

If your plan of correction fails to contain these components for each deficiency cited, it will not be accepted. The specific target dates that you identify for your facility to achieve correction should reasonably reflect your facility's concern for the health and safety of your residents in relation to the deficiencies cited. If we conclude that your date of presumed compliance does not meet these criteria, it will not be accepted. The latest date identified for the completion of corrective actions will be accepted as the facility's allegation of compliance.

If we determine that subsequent to the date of presumed compliance identified by your facility that you have failed to achieve and maintain substantial compliance, additional remedies may be imposed.

Please note that this notice does not constitute formal notice of imposition of alternative remedies or termination of your provider agreement. Should the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services determine that termination or any other remedy is warranted, they will provide you with a separate formal notification of that determination.

The remainder of the letter provides informal dispute options. 

Bob Brooks FRAUD Signs Blossom in Pa. 07 Congressional District

Along with chrysanthemums and marigolds, a batch of new political signs are blossoming throughout the Pa. 07 Congressional district. They are "Bob Brooks FRAUD" signs, some of which are planted next to Brooks' own signs. Paid for by the Ryan Mackenzie campaign, the signs contain the web address BobBrooksFraud.com. 

The webpage starts with "Meet the Real Bob Brooks", and asserts he has a "documented history of putting himself and his personal profit before others." It then goes on to list eight verifiable examples, including links

1. "Bob Brooks signed an agreement to pay his family for a property, lied about it in court, was found liable, and ordered to pay back over $130,000.

2. "Despite claiming to stand up for workers, Bob Brooks didn’t carry legally required workers’ compensation insurance for his own employees at the company he owns… for four years. That means Brooks pocketed the savings and his employees got stiffed."

3. "As a union president, Bob Brooks took big extra money for himself at the exact same time he cut the services he was supposed to provide to union members. Once again, more money for Brooks while others got denied."

4. "Bob Brooks lied on official government documents to get himself a $15,000 taxpayer-funded COVID grant. The penalty? Up to 5 years in jail and a $250,000 fine." (Blogger's Note, Brooks actually got $30,000 and appears to have lied twice on two separate applications.)

5. "If you want to know about Bob Brooks’ real character — or lack of it — imagine this: Bob Brooks called volunteer firefighters in our community “shitbags” and “scabs.” That’s people who volunteer to run into burning buildings for all of us."

6. "Bob Brooks has been credibly accused of racism for enforcing a “white-only” membership policy as the Steward (manager) of a local social club."

7. "Bob Brooks says he’ll ban stock trading in Congress. But in his own life Brooks is a millionaire who is getting richer from trading stocks — including in the mega-corporations he says he’s against."

8. "Bob Brooks likes to act like he’s a working-class everyman. The fact is he’s a longtime political insider and registered lobbyist who was hand-picked by the political bosses. Brooks even admits they “called me into a backroom meeting” to be their candidate."