NorCo Councils Members Propose Cuts to Zrinski's Proposed 43.5% Tax Hike

I've told you that NorCo Exec Tara Zrinski plans to propose an amendment to her own spending plan next year. Her initial proposal calls for a 43.5% tax hike by raising the millage rate from 10.5 to 15.6 mills. But that budget request was pretty much dead on arrival. No Council member has supported it. Quite the opposite. Yesterday, at least three Council members (Jason Boulette, Tom Giovanni and Lori Vargo Heffner) submitted a laundry list of cuts. 

In individual meetings with Budget Administrator Brandon Dunstane, Council members have made clear they will push back hard against any increase beyond two mills. 

Council member Boulette has probably submitted the most amendments. According to a statement he posted on Facebook, "I submitted over 170 line item amendments that would cut around 22 million dollars in spending. And I know some of my colleagues on Council are also submitting amendments of their own to cut other pieces of spending. All of these spending cuts would have the effect of significantly reducing the proposed property tax increase."

Although I have not seen specifics, I am told that some of the cuts include the elimination of a COLA for retirees next year as well as reductions in the amount of spending to beef up the county's pension funds. There may be a reduction in the amount set aside for "pooled professional services," which is the source for funding agency nurses. 

While County Council did agree to establish a Continuum of Care department, it's pretty clear that is a long way off. A request for proposals issued by the county envisions a plan to be produced late next year. Until that happens, I'd fund that department and its two employees at $1. 

While I'd agree with raises for underpaid career service, it should exclude all department heads and exempt cabinet officials. Moreover, no one in Gracedale's management deserves a raise. That includes the Interim Administrator as well as the Director of Nursing. 

Zrinski is required by the Home Rule Charter to present her budget request 90 days before the end of the year. There is no provision allowing her to amend her plan once she has proposed it. So unless she has a willing Council member who will introduce her amendment, she has no authority to change her spending plan on her own. Council should be able to review her budget without it changing every five minutes. If she were allowed to change it at her whim, there'd be no reason for the 90-day rule.  

NorCo Exec to Propose Her Own Amendment to Next Year's Spending Plan

Northampton County Exec Tara Zrinski will be proposing her own amendment to next year's spending plan at a news conference tomorrow, 1 pm, at Council's meeting room. She initially proposed what amounts to a roughly 43.5% increase in property taxes, increasing the millage rate from 10.5 to about 15.6 mills. It has been deeply unpopular and I'm unaware of any Council member who supports it. 

During the course of budget hearings, administration officials have said they've already made revisions. For example, the $12 million initially slotted for Gracedale had been reduced to $9.9 million. Also, at a recent Retirement Board meeting, Council members Ken Kraft and Lori Vargo Heffner have signaled there is no money for a COLA (it would cost $14 million in addition to $21 million still owed for previous COLAs). It appears doubtful they will agree to add much more to a pension plan that was nearly fully funded (92%) at the beginning of the year. 

As County Council has requested information looking for areas to cut, Administrator Mark Aurand mistakenly sent them an email accusing them of "enjoying the power rush this whole process is giving them way too much. We may need to pick a spot to say no just to reel this in a bit."

At a County Council meeting and on social media, including the county's own Facebook page, the public has expressed considerable opposition. 

Hopefully, Zrinski will propose a tax hike more in line with what the public and Council is willing to accept. 

Proposals For Gracedale Village Are Due Today.

Northampton County maintains a list of open proposals to bid on county work, located here. They include an invitation to bid on a feasibility study and development plan for what has been called Gracedale Village. There was a mandatory pre-bid meeting on October 28, and proposals are due today. 

Basically, the county is looking for a consultant to provide a "clear roadmap for prioritizing capital needs and sequencing improvements over time." The nursing home must be able to continue while redevelopment takes place, from immediate needs to long-term solutions. The consultant must also identify funding sources. 

The county intends to have identified this consultant by December 10, with a final report due and presented within a year. 

I know of no organization capable of doing all the things sought in the county's RFP,  but am prepared to be educated. If the contract for this nursing home wizard exceeds $100,000, County Council must approve it. 

I'd delay consideration of this matter until a management team is in place that can help Gracedale have its regular license restored. That is the more immediate problem.  The RFP, as drafted, is too broad. 

A Veterans Day Proclamation

For over 250 years, the liberties and freedoms of every American have been safeguarded by the heroic men and women who have faithfully served in the United States Armed Forces.  This Veterans Day, we honor our Nation’s cherished veterans and recommit to strengthen the support and resources they have so rightly earned.

From the battle for our independence during the Revolutionary War and the fight for the future of humanity in World War II to the ongoing battles to defend America’s security and protect her people, the countless veterans who have taken up arms have ensured that generations of Americans could enjoy the many blessings of our great Nation.  These selfless men and women have committed their lives to defending our families, our freedom, and our great American values.  We will never forget the price they have paid for our homeland.

As they sacrificed for our freedom, so too must our Nation ensure their welfare.  At my direction, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is restructuring to put veterans at the forefront of every decision.  The VA processed a record 3.1 million disability claims this year.  In my second term, we have also slashed the VA’s claims backlog by more than 70 percent and opened 47 new health care facilities, expanding access to world-class care for veterans in communities across our country.

Every American owes our veterans an eternal debt of gratitude, and no one who has worn our Nation’s uniform should ever be homeless.  That is why I will never stop fighting until every veteran has the housing and mental health support and treatment they need.  Additionally, I established the National Center for Warrior Independence last year with a goal of housing up to 6,000 homeless veterans by 2028.  Last year alone, we housed nearly 52,000 homeless veterans, the most in 7 years, and under my leadership, every veteran who served our Nation in the Armed Forces will have a place to call home.

My Administration is working tirelessly to provide our veterans with the resources and support they so dearly deserve.  As President, I have eliminated burdensome and needless red tape and ensured that every veteran receives the exceptional care they are entitled to.  With an Executive Order I signed in September, we are also accelerating veterans’ access to benefits and employment opportunities through modernized data management and sharing between the VA and the Department of War.  So long as I am President, we will continue to relentlessly expand veterans’ access to health care, education, and job opportunities and aggressively deliver this life-changing support.

Millions of brave men and women have served in the United States Armed Forces with heroic determination and sacrifice, safeguarding our security, prosperity, and sovereignty.  Today, we are united in gratitude for the courage of our Airmen, Coast Guardsmen, Marines, Sailors, Soldiers, and Guardians, and we thank the families who have stood with them in their service to our country.  Through the unmatched prowess and strength of America’s veterans, the freedoms we cherish, our glorious American way of life, and the greatest country the world has ever known will endure for centuries to come.  We will always uphold the legacy of our veterans and ensure our Nation remains safe, strong, and secure in the blessings of liberty.

In respectful recognition of the contributions our service members have made to advance peace and freedom around the world, the Congress has provided (5 U.S.C. 6103(a)) that November 11 of each year shall be set aside as a legal public holiday to honor our Nation’s veterans.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim November 11, 2026, as Veterans Day.  I encourage all Americans to reflect on the fearlessness and sacrifice of our veterans through public ceremonies and private thoughts and prayers of gratitude.  I call upon Federal, State, and local officials to display the flag of the United States and to participate in patriotic activities in their communities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this tenth day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-six, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fifty-first.

                             DONALD J. TRUMP

Blogger's Note: Under the Trump administration, the VA lost 44,000 staff in 2025, 80% of whom were health care providers. Approximately 2,000 contracts for veterans and veteran facilities were canceled, and another 14,000 expired with no replacement. His administration also stopped a program designed to help 26,000 needy veterans pay their mortgages. But hey, he's willing to give them magic mushrooms even though there's no evidence they are safe. 

Gracedale is a Canary in Nursing Home Coalmine

Over the past few years, I've highlighted some of the serious issues facing Gracedale. To be sure, it is objectively the worst long-term care facility in Northampton County and the worst county-owned nursing home. But in many ways, Gracedale has been the canary in the coalmine. What is being publicized at Gracedale is a reflection of a statewide problem. 

According to the 2026 State of Pa Nursing Home Report, 37 nursing homes have closed since 2020 and a whopping 4,318 beds have been decertified. Nearly a third of nursing homes have licensed beds that go unfilled.  

There are three main reasons: 

(1) Inadequate funding - Aside for delay in Medicaid approvals that sometimes can take 36 months, the simple reality is that the reimbursement only amounts to about 70% of the cost of care. The hoime eats the rest. As one nursing home administrator puts it, “The continued lack of government support for aging services is beyond wrong. It is a true demonstration of ageism at its finest." 

(2) Staffing Shortages. - Most nursing homes have at least five open positions. About 10% of Pa. nursing homes have 20 or more open spots. 

(3) People Would Rather Age in Place. - And why not? But it's getting harder to do. As NorCo Exec Tara Zrinski noted in her latest report to NorCo Council, there were over 40 people on a waiting list for meals on wheels. It is just as difficult to find a home health care aide as it is to recruit a CNA. 

Warren's Campaign Spent $73.03 Per Vote in Pa. State House Race

A week ago today, there were a large number of upsets nationwide, with Democrats beating Republicans even in more conservative districts. I nevertheless expected that incumbent Republican Joe Emrick would defeat Democratic challenger Jeff Warren in a close race. I reached this conclusion on the unscientific basis that I saw far more Emrick campaign signs in people's yards than I did for Warren. I was unable to get Emrick's pre-election campaign finance report until yesterday but assumed that both candidates had spent roughly the same amount of money. I had around 50 mailers (yes, 50) from both candidates, and there were only slightly more from Warren. 

Unofficial results show that Warren defeated Emrick with 54.09% of the vote. Aside from general disgust with Trump and the GOP agenda, I'd say that the amount of money raised by Warren certainly helped. 

According to Warren's campaign finance reports, he raised $1,217,911.91 in actual and in-kind contributions. In contrast, Emrick only had $333,904.47 to spend. 

Warren spent $73.03 for each of the 16,677 votes he received. Emrick spent $24.14 for each of his 13,832 votes. 

Either the state Republicans thought Emrick was safe or were willing to lose him. 

An Anti-Semitic Bike Boycott in Philly

Just a few weeks ago, my grandson and I were in Philly for its annual bike ride event, a 20-mile car-free ride through all of the city's neighborhoods. No matter where we went that weekend, it was on two wheels in a very bike-friendly city. We even went to Vietnamese restaurants, Independence Hall, the Philly Art Museum, Penns Landing and an Eagles game.  After dark, we would see entire families on e-bikes or regular bikes packed with groceries and kids. The only time we had an issue was at the Eagles game. Though there are bike racks somewhere, no one knew where they were. We locked our bikes on a fence. Overall, the weekend was a blast. There was another cycling event in Philly yesterday. But unlike the Philly Bike Ride, this was an event designed to tear people apart. 

When we rode the Philly Bike ride, there were all kinds of cyclists, from kids riding alongside their parents to old-time cycles from the 1800s to unicycles. There were also a few people dressed in the striped uniforms of Auschwitz inmates

Yesterday, another kind of cycling event was conducted in the City of Brotherly Love. About 200 supposed cyclists (as opposed to the 7,000 plus who participated in the Philly Bike Ride) decided to "bike boycott six Jewish restaurants at Rittenhouse Square. This group was organized by a shadowy group called Philly Bike On Your Left. Many of those who participated wore masks. Though they claimed the focus was Palestine, these Jewish restaurants play no role in any atrocities against Palestine. They are simply Jewish.

Moreover, this event took place on the eve of the anniversary of Kristallnacht, or "The Night of Broken Glass," when Nazi-led violence devastated Jewish communities and businesses in Germany and Austria in 1938.

Fortunately, there were nearly as many counter-protestors and the event at least was peaceful.

Antisemitism is every real. It is one thing to oppose Israel, but quite another to oppose jews.