Lehigh Valley's DSA Opposes Tax Break For Luxury Apartments

Lehigh Valley's Democratic Socialists of America oppose this handout because they think they can squeeze more money out of an unproven and nonlocal developer. I oppose it under any circumstances. A real estate tax benefit totaling about $26 million (not just $20 million) is in addition to other tax breaks.

Skyline has already been awarded $1,000,000 from an RACP application in 2024 and this year. It has received $163,257 from a DCED Multimodal Transportation Funding Grant and a $175,000 Greenways, Trails and Recreational Program grant. It is seeking even more grant money from PennDOT, DCED Mixed Use Housing Development, another DCED Greenways grant, another DCED multimodal transportation grant, and Pa Historic tax credits. 

It also wants $28.5 million in federal tax equity credits.

Moreover, this will actually make it more difficult to find affordable housing, especially when other landlords start increasing their rents. 

At a time when it's all but certain that a tax hike is looming, this handout sends the wrong message.

"Ballot-on-Demand" Voting Has Started in NorCo

[From Northampton County Elections, PA] –The Northampton County Elections Office announces that Ballot-on-Demand voting for the Tuesday, May 19 Primary Election started on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at the Northampton County Elections Office (Government Center, 669 Washington Street, Lower Level, Easton, PA 18042).

 

Registered Democratic and Republican Party voters in Northampton County can vote in person on the following dates:

 

o  Wednesday, April 29 – Friday, May 1 (8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.)

o  Saturday, May 2 (9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.)

o  Monday, May 4 – Friday, May 8 (8:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.)

o  Saturday, May 9 (9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.)

o  Monday, May 11 (8:30 a.m.– 6:00 p.m.)

o  The LAST day for Ballot-on-Demand will be Tuesday, May 12 (8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.)

 

During this time, Northampton County residents who are eligible to vote can come to the Elections Office, register if they still need to, fill out a ballot application, which will be processed immediately, and be handed a ballot over the counter. Voters may fill out the ballot in the office and return it the same day, OR they may take it home and mail it back via USPS (postage prepaid), utilize one of the seven secure ballot drop boxes throughout the County, or utilize the drop box at Voter Services Pop-ups.  

 

You must bring a valid ID with you to the Elections Office to receive a ballot. The County’s seven secure ballot drop-off boxes were installed on April 28, 2026.

 

Registered voters who have already applied for a mail-in ballot ARE NOT ELIGIBLE for Ballot-on-Demand and must wait to receive their ballot in the mail.

 

To ensure that your mail-in ballot is accepted:

• Your ballot MUST BE enclosed in the YELLOW secrecy envelope and sealed;
• Do NOT write anywhere on the YELLOW envelope. There can be NO identifying marks or symbols;
•  The  PURPLE return envelope must be signed, dated on the back in the appropriate YELLOW boxes, and sealed;
• The ballot must be returned to the Elections Office or to a County Drop Box NO LATER THAN 8:00 pm on Election night, Tuesday, May 19.  USPS postmarks do NOT count if your ballot is received after this deadline.