Pinsley's So Called Wealth Tax Under Fire

Blogger's Note: Below is an op-ed written by Lehigh County Comm'r Ron Beitler (Independent), Lehigh County Comm'r Antonio Pineda (Republican) and Phil Armstrong, former Lehigh County Exec, Democrat. 

Lehigh County Controller Mark Pinsley has proposed recycling an antiquated county intangible personal property tax by branding it a “wealth tax.” Once levied by counties in Pennsylvania, it disappeared 25 years ago for many reasons: legal challenges, administrative problems and broad acknowledgement that it was bad policy.

Most concerning, the current label of a “wealth tax” is a sales pitch. Political marketing. It makes the proposal sound narrow, targeted and aimed only at billionaires. That is not accurate.

This is not a tax exclusively on the ultra wealthy or the “Elon Musks” of the world. Plain and simple, it's a tax on personal financial assets. It hits common savings tools and certain small business ownership interests. Stocks, bonds, mutual funds and non-retirement brokerage accounts are all specifically named in the Controller’s report. The enabling law also raises unresolved questions about other useful family, retirement and estate planning tools, including custodial brokerage accounts, 529 college accounts and private mortgages held as assets. These are all tools working families, seniors, parents saving for their children and small business owners use to make responsible plans for their futures. As presented, this tax has no minimum income threshold. And adding one later may only deepen the legal problem because the 1913 law does not clearly give the County the authority to create one.

This is all part of the central problem. The public is being sold a narrow tax on extreme wealth, but the actual proposal reaches everyone. Repeating a misleading label does not change what the tax actually does nor does it change who it hurts.

This is not a Republican, Democratic or Independent concern. That is why the three of us, from different political backgrounds, agree on this point: Lehigh County should not revive a legally risky tax on savings, common investment tools and small businesses.

While some might dance around what this really is, others are more direct, describing this kind of saving as “hoarding wealth.” We strongly disagree. For generations of Lehigh Valley families, including people who worked hard their entire lives at places like Mack, Bethlehem Steel and other local employers, saving was not "hoarding wealth". These were not millionaires hiding money. They were working families taking responsibility for their futures, supporting children, driving modest cars, fixing what they could and planning ahead so they would not have to depend on the government later. That is basic financial discipline. We should encourage it, not punish it.

At a time when credit card debt is near record highs, younger folks struggle to save or invest, family sustaining jobs are harder to find, and basic costs keep rising, the answer is not to punish folks who manage to save. We should want people to work, save, invest and build security, not tax the same dollars a second or even third time because they planned responsibly.

The proposal also hits small businesses at exactly the wrong time.

Supporters claim owner-operated small businesses would be excluded, but Mr. Pinsley’s own report admits very common small business structures are actually the source of the majority of revenue. These are not exotic structures used only by the wealthy. They are common ways small businesses, especially family businesses, are organized.

Small business owners routinely work 50, 60 or more hours a week under pressures most never see: payroll, rent, insurance, utilities, supplies, repairs, maintenance, taxes, compliance, permitting, staffing and constant uncertainty.

For most small business “wealth” is not cash sitting in a bank account. It's tied up in equipment, inventory, buildings, debt, invoices and the business itself. On paper, a business owner may look successful. But in reality, many are fighting every month to make payroll, cover bills and keep the doors open, yet still find time and resources to sponsor youth teams, support fundraisers, and donate to fire companies, schools, churches, nonprofits and community events. This is exactly the wrong environment to pile another tax on small business owners and could force them to either cut back on their community support, or not grow their business.

The legal risk is also serious.

If this tax were clearly legal and clean, the county would not need outside tax counsel, as recommended by the Controller in his report, to find a constitutional workaround. This alone should raise alarms. This sounds less like confidence in the law and more like shopping for a legal theory to support the outcome they want. Passing a constitutionally suspect tax does not just invite a lawsuit. It would send taxpayers the bill.

Lehigh County should focus on controlling costs, delivering core services and encouraging economic growth.

This is not a bold new idea. It's a recycled bad idea that every county that once had it walked away from. Taxing savings discourages saving. Taxing investment discourages investment. Taxing small business ownership discourages growth, expansion, and job creation.

Do not be fooled. This proposal is not a so-called wealth tax. It is an asset tax. A broad tax on common savings tools and small businesses that punishes responsible behavior, creates huge legal risk and adds another burden at exactly the wrong time. Lehigh County should reject it clearly, publicly and permanently.

Commissioner Ron W. Beitler, Independent

Commissioner Antonio Pineda, Republican

Phil Armstrong, former Lehigh County Executive, Democrat

Is Lehigh County Controller's Proposed "Wealth" Tax Even Legal?

Lehigh County Controller Mark Pinsley, who's always running for something, always needs to have a cause du jour. In 2024, when he just happened to be running for state auditor general, he was the Pied Piper of dozens of families complaining about the overdiagnosis of medical child abuse. That's why Lehigh County no longer has a child advocacy center. Now he wants the county to impose a "progressive revenue option that he calls a wealth tax. 

His proposal, which you can read for yourself here, claims it is "consistent with the Pennsylvania Constitution." He's proposing a 0.4$ tax on stocks, bonds, mutual funds, exchange traded funds, brokerage investment accounts, partnership owner interests, passive business equity and pretty much everything that's not nailed down or hidden under the mattress. He proposes to exempt primary residences, checking accounts, 401ks, household savings used for normal expenses, small businesses and family-owned farms. 

Before this even gets out of the gate, I believe this will fail because it is likely illegal.

In 1831, an intangible "wealth" tax was imposed in Pennsylvania, under which the state collected tax on ontangible property and turned it over to the counties. But the Pennsylvania Supreme Court invalidated this tax to the extent that it ran afoul of the Commerce Clause. By 1988, no counties were levying this controversial tax. The state legislature has since repealed the intangible personal porperty tax and expressly prohibits counties from imposing it. Ryan Mackenzie, then a State Rep. was one of the sponsors of that legislation. 

So, like everything else that Pinsley proposes, it is much ado about nothing. 

LC Exec Josh Siegel Wants to Expand His Office at Expense of Cedarbrook and Jail

Lehigh County Executive Josh Siegel wants to expansion his office at the expense of Cedarbrook (Lehigh County's nursing home) and the jail. 

He wants to add four positions "to strengthen leadership capacity, enhance communications, and improve intergovernmental coordination while maintaining overall fiscal responsibility." These four positions are a multimedia specialist, a communications manager, a chief of staff and a community and intergovernmental liaison. His supporting memo claims these will cost $386,566, although it's unclear to me whether this figure is just salary or salary plus benefits. 

He will pay for these positions by eliminating eight existing positions at Cedarbrook and the county jail. These are 2 LPNs, 3 CNAs, 2 corrections officers and 1 treatment case manager. who are budgeted at $417,656, including salary and benefits. These positions are currently unfilled. 

This will save taxpayers $31,100, but is it really in the best interests of Lehigh County to eliminate positions that take care of our elderly and who protect us from people the courts have decided to confine behind bars?

Commissioner Ron Beitler noted that the Chief of Staff position was actually eliminated in 2014 because it was considered both an unnecessary cost and too political in nature. 

Beitler opposes Siegel's changes. "In passing former Executive Armstrong's 2026 budget, our Board of Commissioners paid for Nurses, Caseworkers and Corrections Officers, not a Chief of Staff to do the Executive's job or a Multimedia Specialist to create County TikTok videos," he said.

Siegel's proposal requires at least one Commissioner sponsor before it can be considered by the Board. But he's already filled two of the positions at least temporarily. He's hired Hillary Kleinz, his long-time campaign manager, as his $92,000 Chief of Staff. And Dan Sheehan, a former reporter with both The Morning Call and Express Times, is his pick for communications. 

Siegel responded to Beitler's concerns by calling him a "partisan obstructionist" though Beitler is actually registered Independent. He told WFMZ-TV69 that previous Lehigh County administrations (Phil Armstrong, Tom Muller, Don Cunningham) "were caretaker administrations that had no energy, no ideas, no vision for the county."

He hopes all nine Commissioners support his power grab. He'll find out Wednesday.

LC Elections Registrar and Hairy Guy Tim Benyo is Resigning March 20

 In Lehigh County, Tim Benyo is known as the Director of Elections. It's a position he's held for the past 16 years. But in Jim Thorpe, he's better known as an owner of the Hairy Guys Brewery. As his interest in craft beers appears to eclipse those daily commutes to Allentown, Benyo has decided to step down as Lehigh's Elections Registrar, effective March 20.

He won't leave Lehigh County in the lurch and has offered to lend his assistance as needed. I've always found Tim to be an accessible and transparent elections director, and his steady hand guided the county through some drastic changes in our elections process over the past few years. He will be missed. 

I hope to see him on the D&L Trail this summer. 

LC Exec Josh Siegel: Republicans "Maniacally Evil and Cruel"

Recently, both NorCo Exec Tara Zrinski and LehCo Exec Josh Siegel have requested local developers to decline selling any space to the federal government for immigration detention centers. I share the sentiment. But there's a difference in the way these two Execs went about this. Zrinski shared an open letter and asked people to sign on to it. Siegel, on the other hand, stupidly recruited the very elected officials who might need to weigh in on zoning matters and hopelessly compromised them.  And now, another difference. Zrinski has actually opened the County's Facebook page even though it means she will be trolled by partisan Republicans. She recognizes that she represents everyone, even thos  who oppose her. Siegel, on the other hand, has missed that lesson. Just as Donald Trump bashes Democrats as evil in his attempt to ruin democracy, Siegel is doing the same to Republicans.

On his County Exec Facebook page, Siegel posted this: "The Republican Party is an anti-democratic, authoritarian party that relies on racism, zero sum politics and divide and conquer strategies to win power. It thoroughly rejects free and fair elections, corrupts the judicial system and uses the levers of government to enrich the Epstein class at our expense. They’re cutting healthcare, public education, food stamps, funding for seniors and veterans. They’re manically evil and cruel."

I completely disagree with the Trump's brand of Republicanism, and suspect many Republicans are just as tired as I am of him. But to call Republicans "manically evil and cruel" is itself manically evil and cruel. What Siegel fails to see is that he is an anti-democratic authoritarian himself. 

I have Republican neighbors, Republican friends and even a Republican brother. Most of them are actually better persons than I am. Even my brother. He admitted to me last night that he really is "maniacally evil and cruel," and he is, but he's still nicer than me. 

In addition to disparaging Republican, Siegel at Wednesday night's meeting of Lehigh County's Board of Commissioners promoted some goofy resolution that can be boiled down to three words '"We hate Trump." It had nothing to do with county business but eventually passed in a 5-4 vote. 

My evil Republican brother, who has somehow duped Chair Geoff Brace into thinking he is a reincarnation of Bobby Kennedy, offered this argument against the resolution: 

Our county commissioners are all well aware of the core functions of county government - operating the jail, delivering public health initiatives, maintaining county roads and bridges and utilities, record keeping, elections, administration, land use and planning, the 911 center, tax collections, unfortunately, for all of us.

Many or most of these functions are administered by the executive branch, headed right now by Mr. Siegel. 

The recently passed capital plan identifies problems and projects, such as $15 million in needed Cedarbook renovations; $10 million needed for roads and bridges; $9 million for critical maintenance and security upgrades at the county jail ; $12 million needed for parks and trails and much, much more in that plan.

We heard tonight that the county is facing critical staffing shortages in its 911 center and the jail.

I read that the county has an F in air quality and increased pollution going into the Lehigh River, mostly due to, they think, warehousing.

There are over 50 farms on the waiting list for farmland preservation.

Recently, last week, I read the county was sued for a wrongful death at the Leigh County Prison.

Supposedly, as a result of inferior health care delivery.

Somehow, there was an unpaid bill for office space (DHS) that went unnoticed for three years. Amounting to over $100,000. Until the controller very zealously, piously, but mostly politically, brought it to our attention.

I also know that there's a crisis at the seed farm, but I'm not really, I really don't know what that means, but I've heard and read about it.

All this to do, and our executive seems to have time to interfere with other jurisdictions, telling them who and who they should not support and be selling to, seems to have time to gather signatures from other elected officials about ideology.

Recently, two days ago, the Lehigh County Executive Facebook page from February 8th, refers to members of the Republican Party as maniacally evil and cruel, among other things. He calls Republicans, racists, anti-democratic, and other things that seem totally detached from reality.

Yet the one Lehigh platform of candidate Siegel, calls for an "everybody together, no one left out" strategy.

What is it?

Can a leopard change its spots?

It's time for an executive to decide whether he wants to be a candidate for the next office, an activist standing on the streets of downtown, yelling, F the police, or do the job he was elected to do for all the citizens of Lehigh County.

I appreciate all of you.

I'm praying for all of us, and I hope the best for everybody in Leigh County.

Commissioner Ron Beitler, who used to be a maniacally evil Republican but now is an Independent, said the next day that "[e]ach Commissioner can and should use individual platforms to speak on issues outside county government as we see fit. ... But our collective platform? We should focus on the things residents elect us to do. We have 15 elected officials in county government. Some of the more sober roles on the administrative front line. We're service providers. Often for our most vulnerable. We're not playactors staging ideological theater in a distant chamber like so many career politicians. "

We're doing that. Before you go on, your voice for the last 30 seconds struck me like Bobby Kennedy. I don't know why, but you had some kind of Bobby Kennedy cadence going on. Continue! I don't know if that's good or bad.

I was to tell my dad.

All right, our county commissioners are all… they're well aware of the core functions of county government.

Operating the jail, delivering public health initiatives, maintaining county roads and bridges and utilities, record keeping, elections administration, land use and planning, the 911 center.

tax collections, unfortunately, for all of us. Many or most of these are administered by… these functions are administered by the executive branch, headed right now by Mr. Siegel.

We're doing that. Before you go on, your voice for the last 30 seconds struck me like Bobby Kennedy. I don't know why, but you had some kind of Bobby Kennedy cadence going on. Continue! I don't know if that's good or bad.

I was to tell my dad.

All right, our county commissioners are all… they're well aware of the core functions of county government.

Operating the jail, delivering public health initiatives, maintaining county roads and bridges and utilities, record keeping, elections administration, land use and planning, the 911 center.

tax collections, unfortunately, for all of us. Many or most of these are administered by… these functions are administered by the executive branch, headed right now by Mr. Siegel.

We're doing that. Before you go on, your voice for the last 30 seconds struck me like Bobby Kennedy. I don't know why, but you had some kind of Bobby Kennedy cadence going on. Continue! I don't know if that's good or bad.

I was to tell my dad.

All right, our county commissioners are all… they're well aware of the core functions of county government.

Operating the jail, delivering public health initiatives, maintaining county roads and bridges and utilities, record keeping, elections administration, land use and planning, the 911 center.

tax collections, unfortunately, for all of us. Many or most of these are administered by… these functions are administered by the executive branch, headed right now by Mr. Siegel.

We're doing that. Before you go on, your voice for the last 30 seconds struck me like Bobby Kennedy. I don't know why, but you had some kind of Bobby Kennedy cadence going on. Continue! I don't know if that's good or bad.

I was to tell my dad.

All right, our county commissioners are all… they're well aware of the core functions of county government.

Operating the jail, delivering public health initiatives, maintaining county roads and bridges and utilities, record keeping, elections administration, land use and planning, the 911 center.

tax collections, unfortunately, for all of us. Many or most of these are administered by… these functions are administered by the executive branch, headed right now by Mr. Siegel.

Immigration Enforcement at LC Courthouse

Ron Beitler is a Lehigh County Comm'r. He's a Republican, by the way. He recently posted about how Lehigh County handles immigration enforcement. I'm going to share what he has said:

𝗔𝗱𝗱𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝘂𝗺𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻:

First background.

Lehigh County Commissioners do not set immigration policy, including anything involving ICE. That is the Federal government. For Lehigh County residents, that means Congressman Ryan Mackenzie, Senator John Fetterman, and Senator Dave McCormick contribute to those decisions.

Federal immigration policy intersects with Lehigh County in two areas:

• Lehigh County Jail

• Lehigh County Courthouses — Main and Historic

-The Courthouse is a public facility that contains both private and public areas.

This post deals with the Courthouses. Courthouse policies, protocols and operations are set exclusively by the President Judge in consultation with the District Attorney and County Sheriff. This is due to provisions of the State Constitution establishing an independent judiciary.

𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗳𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗲 𝗿𝘂𝗺𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲. 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘀:

• ICE agents CAN legally make arrests in the Courthouse under applicable federal law — but only do so for people in the facility for criminal, not civil, matters.

• ICE agents do NOT wear masks in the Courthouse.

• ICE agents DO show identification.

• The County does NOT provide ICE with holding facilities in the Courthouses.

Court policy is designed to keep the Courthouse safe for hundreds of employees and visitors who use the facility daily. The President Judge and Sheriff are responsible for that safety. Specific security decisions and practices remain confidential for obvious reasons. Safety is the primary concern.

Per federal law, as a law enforcement agency, ICE is permitted to take individuals into custody in a manner laid out by federal law. (That law is NOT our jurisdiction)

**𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲: 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲** The President Judge, DA and Sheriff do not treat law enforcement agencies in the Courthouse differently based on jurisdiction. This means county and out-of-county municipal police, other county law enforcement (such as county detectives), out-of-county sheriffs, State Police, or federal agencies (such as the FBI, U.S. Marshals, Homeland Security, and ICE) are all treated the same.

𝗜𝗻 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗝𝘂𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝗲𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴:

a. What is legal, based on applicable statutes and caselaw?

b. What is safe, with an emphasis on prevention being the best approach to ensure safety?

c. What manages risk most effectively?

I agree with this criteria.

Sheriff Hanna takes his responsibility to protect nearly 1000 employees and visitors each day very seriously. It’s a duty he will not compromise on. I completely agree.

Commissioner Antonio Pineda and I independently met with the President Judge, District Attorney, Sheriff and Court Administration to fact-find — to clearly understand what, if any, role we have, to be abel to dispel any bad information out there and lastly to establish a factual starting point for any conversations other Commissioners may attempt to move forward.

Lehigh County Comm'r Refuses to Stand For Pledge, Encourages People "To Stand in Front and Block Ice"

Jon Irons was elected as one of Lehigh County's nine members of its Board of Commissioners in 2023. He refers to himself on his Facebook page as a "Police Abolitionist, Anti-Capitalist, Anti-Racist, Lehigh County Commissioner."  He and several other Comm'rs participated in the July 9 meeting via Zoom, but when he has been physically present, he has refused to participate in the Pledge of Allegiance that usually kicks off public meetings. He also recently encouraged people in a NBC televised broadcast "to stand in front and block ICE from taking neighbors whenever possible."

This was pointed out by my evil Republican brother, Mike O'Hare, at that meeting. My brother acknowledged that this pledge is voluntary. We are, after all, a free country. I could understand someone who is upset about the direction in which this nation is heading. But the pledge itself is an expression of our unity around the noble principles upon which this country was founded, as the Constitution expresses, "to form a more perfect union."

Attorney Ettore "Ed" Angelo, who also spoke at that meeting, defended Irons. "It's called freedom," he said, and it is. And I think the people who voted to put Irons in office should know he has so little regard for this country that he refuses to participate in the pledge. Even I do that. 

I also think it's dangerous to instruct constituents to physically obstruct law enforcement from doing its job. That is actually criminal. There are legal ways to take law enforcement to task when they act like cowboys. Obstruction is about the most foolish thing an elected official should say to anyone. 

As my brother observes, "An elected official should never encourage anyone to knowingly and willingly put themselves in a position where they may face arrest or violate any law. Such statements are reckless and irresponsible. They carry additional authority when made by an elected official and may put people and the County in needless jeopardy."

Team Trump Tags Lehigh and NorCo as "Sanctuary" Counties

Late yesterday, Homeland Security listed over 500 counties, cities and states it considers "sanctuary" jurisdictions. Among the 11 Pa. counties included are NorCo and Lehigh. Five Pa cities (Gettysburg, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, State College and York) are also included. 

A memo that accompanies this listing includes the following explanation: 

Executive Order 14287: Protecting American Communities from Criminal Aliens requires that a list of states and local jurisdictions that obstruct the enforcement of Federal immigration laws (sanctuary jurisdictions) be published. Sanctuary jurisdictions including cities, counties, and states that are deliberately and shamefully obstructing the enforcement of federal immigration laws endangering American communities. Sanctuary cities protect dangerous criminal aliens from facing consequences and put law enforcement in peril.

The list below was created to identify sanctuary jurisdictions, which are determined by factors like compliance with federal law enforcement, information restrictions, and legal protections for illegal aliens.

Each jurisdiction listed will receive formal notification of its non-compliance with Federal statutes. DHS demands that these jurisdictions immediately review and revise their policies to align with Federal immigration laws and renew their obligation to protect American citizens, not dangerous illegal aliens.

Note that the list can be reviewed and changed at any time and will be updated regularly. No one should act on this information without conducting their own evaluation of the information.

U.S. Rep Ryan Mackenzie (Pa.-7), at a Homeland Security Committee hearing on May 14, said that sanctuary counties, which presumably includes two of the counties he represents, "are more focused on defending these violent criminals from deportation than they are in protecting American citizens in our local communities." He criticized NorCo Executive Lamont McClure's executive order, "which bans ICE from arresting illegal immigrants when they're going through processing for a separate crime. And what this means in practice is that when ICE wants to go arrest a violent member of Tren de Agua or a domestic abuser who is going through the processing in our local community, they cannot go inside that courthouse and actually arrest that person. They have to stake out the courthouse, outside, taking up hours of resources from law enforcement, potentially leaving our community more vulnerable if that person were to go out a different exit of the courthouse and escape into our local community, they would be free to reign terror all across our beautiful Lehigh Valley."

Mackenzie's characterization of Northampton County's policy, enacted after an ICE officer arrested an undocumented immigrant walking out of a courtroom in 2020, is completely disingenuous. (You can read it here). Call this person an illegal alien if that makes you feel better. What happened is that an out-of uniform ICE officer, clad in jeans and a "Pro God Pro Gun Protected" T-shirt, conducted a warrantless arrest of an undocumented immigrant inside the courthouse. It made no difference that this person was married to an American citizen, gainfully employed and a licensed driver who has paid his taxes for the past 10 years. It made no difference that he was just inches away from getting his green card. He was carted away in handcuffs, destination unknown. 

The Executive Order that McClure issued in no way bans ICE from entering the courthouse. That's sheer nonsense. What his order does provide is that, after a judge relinquishes jurisdiction, the county will hold an alleged illegal for up to 48 hours if a detainer has been issued. During that time, ICE can seek a warrant from a federal judge, which is fairly easy to obtain. 

The reason for seeking a warrant is because that's what's Lehigh County found out the hard way. Galzara, a US citizen, was improperly held in Lehigh's jail because of an immigration detainer that ICE had incorrectly lodged. The Third Circuit (one stop below the Supremes) ruled that "immigration detainers do not and cannot compel a state or local law enforcement agency to detain suspected aliens subject to removal." An ICE detainer is nothing more than a "request." Northampton County will honor an ICE detainer by holding a suspected illegal for 48 hours, but wants to see a warrant before handing him over to ICE, 

Mackenzie talks about protecting American citizens but fails to point out that this includes protecting taxpayers from paying out huge settlements. ICE does tend to have a large number of cowboys who have been detaining US citizens simply because they speak Spanish. Why should NorCo or Lehigh County taxpayers pay for ICE stupidity?

Now ICE can refuse to get a warrant and just hang around the jail when an undocumented immigrant is released. But that's because ICE is wasting manpower, not the county. All ICE has to do is obtain a warrant from a neutral judge who will make sure they are actually arresting someone who is here illegally and not because he speaks another language. 

Mackenzie also complains that a defendant released from a jail can slip out a side exit. It's a jail, Ryan. There's only one way out. Sorry. 

Lehigh County denies it is a sanctuary county: 

"Lehigh County respects the dignity and basic humanity of every person within our borders, however, we strongly disagree with the position of some entities that our policies make us a sanctuary county. We do not shelter undocumented immigrants, nor do we interfere with any law enforcement agency or its efforts to identify and remove people who may be here unlawfully.

"Lehigh County cooperates with US Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to the fullest extent legally possible, in compliance with the Third Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision in Galarza v. Szalczyk, 745 F.3d 634 (2014). We notify ICE, if possible, any time an undocumented person is detained in the jail by other authorities, so that ICE may pursue the necessary steps to take the person into custody when the detainer is dissolved."

NorCo Exec Lamont McClure provided this response to seeing his county named as a sanctuary: 

"Northampton County acknowledges the Federal Government’s important responsibility to enforce our Nation’s Immigration laws. That is why we fully cooperate with I.C.E. consistent with the Pennsylvania and United States Constitutions. We cooperate as we agree that undocumented persons who commit crimes should be deported. We honor I.C.E. Immigration detainers for up to 48 hours. (Well in excess of what most jurisdictions do.) 

"While I.C.E. is aware our policy requires a court order to remand an undocumented person into their custody, who has been otherwise freed by a judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Northampton County, they routinely refuse to obtain constitutionally guaranteed process. Even so, we will inform I.C.E. of the date and time of the release of the undocumented person. We will even work with I.C.E. to release the undocumented person at its convenience. We do this even though it is clear that the law does not require local governments to assist the Federal Government in enforcing immigration laws. Northampton County’s inclusion on this list is nothing more than naked MAGA politics."

Lehigh County GOP Exec Candidates to Debate Thursday Night

Brad Osborne is a radio host who formerly served as a Lehigh County Comm'r and was once the GOP standard bearer in the Executive race. So it's safe to say he understands county government. He'll be hosting a debate Thursday night for GOP Exec candidates Roger MacLean and Mike Welsh. The debate is open to the public and will run about an hour, starting at 7 pm. 

It will take place at Lehigh Valley Active Life, 1633 Elm Street, Allentown, Pa. 

The winner of this race will face Josh Siegel, who is running unopposed on the Democratic side. 

Ron Beitler Seeking Re-Election as LC Comm'r

From Ron Beitler's campaign: Lehigh County Commissioner Ron W. Beitler has announced his candidacy for re-election. Beitler represents District 2, which includes Lower & Upper Macungie, Upper & Lower Milford Townships, as well as the Boroughs of Alburtis & Macungie.

Beitler is completing his first term on the County Board of Commissioners after previously serving 2 terms as a Lower Macungie Commissioner, including time as Board President. He also currently serves as Chair of the County Farmland Preservation Board.

Over 12 years of public service, Beitler has prioritized farmland and open space preservation, noting that Lehigh County recently surpassed the milestone of 28,000 acres of preserved farmland across more than 400 farms. "Over the past three years, we've achieved historic success in preserving farmland and open space, and I remain committed to leading this effort for the future," Beitler said. Lehigh County now ranks among the top five counties in Pennsylvania for both the total number of farms and the acreage of preserved farmland.

Beitler applies lessons from successfully building and running multiple businesses to his approach in government. 'Financial solvency is the foundation of long-term prosperity,' Beitler said. 'I’ve built businesses with that principle in mind, and I bring the same approach to decisions in government.'

Additionally, Beitler remains committed to reducing the burden of government on the economy including small businesses that drive the local economy. "I know the challenges entrepreneurs face. Too often, government becomes a barrier rather than a partner in helping businesses grow and thrive" Beitler said.

During his tenure in Lower Macungie, Beitler led an innovative effort to implement a homestead exemption, significantly reducing or eliminating residential property taxes for most homeowners in the township. Today he highlights that Lehigh County has not raised taxes during his time on the board. 'In a time of economic uncertainty, rising costs of living, and surging home prices, keeping government spending in check remains a top priority,' Beitler said." Beitler also co-sponsored a successful countywide tax rebate for volunteer firefighters.

Additional priorities for a 2nd term include re-focusing Lehigh County Government on core, everyday quality of life and kitchen-table issues such as infrastructure, housing costs, parks and public safety including police, firefighters and EMS.

Beitler, 46, is a 4th generation Lehigh County resident, girl dad and small business owner. "If District 2 residents give me the opportunity to continue serving, I'll continue to work to ensure Lehigh County remains a place where families can thrive, businesses can grow, and government is efficient, responsive, and accountable to the people.”

Siegel Definitely Running For LeHi Co Exec

Earlier this month, I told you that State Rep. Josh Siegel intended to run for county exec in Lehigh. He's relying heavily on support (and lots of money) from the trade unions, but you'll see nothing from firefighters or police, whom he alienated during his brief tenure as a member of Allentown City Council. According to Lehigh Valley News, he's now made it official. That's no surprise, but I am disappointed to see that he already has the backing of incumbent Phil Armstrong. He knows better. Siegel is a carbon copy of Controller Mark Pinsley, who stands for partisanship and divisiveness. 

Lehigh County at one time was more Republican than NorCo, but that has changed. Unless a decent Democrat or a viable Republican announces, he's going to win on a platform of walkability and amenities. Translation: build, build, build. 

LC Comm'r Ron Beitler Seeks Good Executive Candidates in Lehigh

Lehigh County Exec Phil "Grandpa'" Armstrong is hanging it up after his term expires at the end of next year. That's unfortunate because he has been a good and bipartisan Exec who has worked with both parties to get things done. What's really sad is that the only announced candidate to succeed him is the opposite. 

That would be Josh Siegel, a former Allentown City Council member now serving as a State Rep. in what should be a Latino district. A New Jersey transplant, Siegel is an opportunist.

As a member of Allentown City Council, Siegel voted No to grants for the Allentown police department. He voted No to filling the depleted ranks of police officers. He participated in marches with felons like Hashann Batts, where "F--- the Police1" was the battle cry. He doxed then Mayor Ray O'Connell by handing out the Mayor's phone number to angry protestors. O'Connell thereafter received threats and calls for days. 

Wait, there's more. He and Controller  Mark Pinsley a fellow opportunist, promoted foisting two new taxes on the already impoverished citizens of Allentown. First, he wanted to enact a 1% increase in Lehigh County's sales tax. Any economist could tell you that a sales tax is regressive tax and is disproportionately felt by those with limited means. 

In addition to this sales tax hike, he and Pinsley wanted to enact a county-wide income tax to create districts that promote the arts. Yes, people who are already struggling in Allentown to put food on the table would have to work harder to help fund the artsy-fartsys.  

Like Pinsley, Josh has a track record of jumping between positions. Pinsley frequently focuses his attention on things that only tangentially if at all had anything to do with the duties of the office of the controller, as he did when he paraded a coterie of parents accused of child abuse before Northampton County Council . He did so to draw attention to himself and an ill-fated bid for State Senate. In some cases things that were outside the scope of what the county is responsible for. Most local politicians do have an interest in serving the common good. But there is also a type of politician constantly thinking about the next jump and looks to garner headlines accordingly. Josh and Pinsley are those types. 

Through the grapevine, I hear Siegel pushed LC Comm'r and Chair Geoff Brace out of the race with threats of leveraging his six-figure campaign war chest. Brace is well liked across the aisle for his ethical leadership, common sense pragmatism and bipartisan cooperation. These are qualities that NorCo Council Pres Lori Vargo Heffner tries to embrace, but she pays a price among more partisan Democrats. 

Siegel’s approach would bring divisiveness, similar to what we've seen out of the Lehigh County Controller’s office.

On the Republican side, there really are no viable candidates. Ss much as I like Glenn Eckhart or Dean Browning, they are retreads at a time when fresh faces are needed. Justin Simmons' name has been mentioned, but I'm unsure his record (or lack thereof) in the state house would help him. 

Sheriff Joe Hanna would be excellent but is committed to his role as Sheriff, where he’s widely respected statewide. Comm'r Ron Betler is another new face but is only in his first term and has a new business demanding his full time attention. 

Interestingly, Beitler has appealed for Exec candidates online, and I thought I'd share what he has to say: 

𝗪𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱: 𝗟𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝘆 𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀

County government is often overlooked. As 1 of 9 Commissioners, we work with the Executive to manage the county. We pass budgets, ordinances and resolutions. We typically deal with non-partisan areas like health and human services, the jail, courts, farmland preservation, Cedarbrook, emergency services and county parks.

Our current group has largely avoided political squabbling and gridlock common in other government levels. In my time on the board, we’ve only had a few fundamentally ideological disagreements. Current Commissioners under the bi-partisan leadership team of Chair Geoff Brace and Vice Chair Jeffrey Dutt and Executive Phil Armstrong have mostly worked together effectively. With Phil term-limited, a new Executive will be elected next year.

The Executive oversees administration of services, drafts a (LARGE) budget, supervises departments, appoints officials, and holds the power to veto.

Currently, there’s only 1 announced candidate with a less than impressive resume. We deserve more options. We need several more qualified folks to step forward so voters have choices.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝗮 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲?

An Executive should excel in budgeting while recognizing taxpayers aren’t an unlimited funding source. They need to make data-driven decisions, oversee diverse departments and be strong communicators. They must collaborate with local, state and federal officials. (Phil excels at this!) Most importantly, they must build consensus while remaining transparent.

Often, the best Executives come with a business background, bringing skills like strategic planning, efficiency and financial planning. Leadership, problem-solving, and negotiation skills are crucial. Career politicians often have not cultivated these real world skillsets.

This role should be largely free from partisanship, as there isn’t a Republican or Democrat way to for example: administer programs or preserve farmland. 𝗔 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗲𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗮 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗿. 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗮 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗻.

𝗡𝘂𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗕𝗼𝗹𝘁𝘀:

This is a full-time, paid position with salary and county benefits. Terms are 4 years. Unlike many political positions, the Executive is expected to be a WORKING administrator.

Want to make a difference? Do you care about people, particularly our most vulnerable? Do you have business experience? It doesn’t matter if you’re a Republican, Democrat or Independent. We need several more qualified candidates for this position.

As Executive, you’ll have the chance to shape policies and manage our community. This is a unique opportunity to lead and work with dedicated professionals and residents. If you’re interested in this challenge, I and others want to hear from you!

You can reach Ron at ronbeitler@gmail.com

Lehigh County To Offer Inmates a State ID on Release

From Lehigh Valley Justice Initiative:  Kudos to the Lehigh County Commissioners and administration who have chosen to initiate an ID program that would ensure recently released individuals and those pending release from incarceration, would successfully be able to obtain a Pennsylvania state ID free of charge! As was demonstrated by LVJI’s recent re-entry simulation, one of the main and major problems upon release for many individuals is the lack of resources needed to obtain a state ID, which is vital for employment, housing, assistance programs, banking, entering many federal buildings, etc. As Executive Director Joe Welsh states, LVJI advocates the critical need for re-entry programming to begin inside jails and prisons BEFORE release. Efforts like this promote tangible changes that will greatly reduce recidivism.

Lehigh County Drop Box Locations

(From Lehigh County's webpage): Drop boxes for mail ballots will be available for residents at five select municipal buildings in Lehigh County. It is unclear to me exactly when they will be available. 

District#1 Whitehall Township Municipal Building 3219 MacArthur Road, Whitehall, PA 18052 610-437-5524 M-F 8:00AM- 4:00PM	District #2 Lehigh County Authority (LCA) Lobby 1053 Spruce Road, Allentown, PA 18106 610-398-2503 M-F 8:15AM- 4:45PM	District #3 Fountain Hill Borough  Building 941 Long Street, Fountain Hill, PA 18015 610-867-0301 M-F 8:30AM- 4:30PM
District #4 Lehigh County Government Center 17 South 7th Street, Allentown, PA 18101 610 782-3194 24/7 Drop Box Main Entrance	District #5 Macungie Borough Building 21 Locust Street, Macungie, PA 18062 610-966-2503 M-F 8AM-4:30PM

All locations will have drop boxes inside the building and will be available for use during normal municipal business hours. Ballots can be dropped off at these locations instead of by mail or by handing them to a Voter Registration Office employee. The drop box available at the Lehigh County Government Center will be available 24/7. 

YOU MAY ONLY DROP OFF YOUR BALLOT. 

Certificate of Designated Agent forms can be found at www.vote.pa.gov  This will allow you to drop off someone else’s ballot if they are physically unable to do so.  Each drop box location will be monitored via electronic surveillance. 

All ballots must be enclosed in the yellow Secrecy mailing envelope before being sealed in the mailing envelope. Yellow Secrecy envelopes cannot have any identifying marks.  Mailing envelope must be SIGNED & DATED.  Any ballots that fail to do this may not be counted.