Meet the New Boss, Same as the Old One

When Northampton County Council reorganizes in early January, they'll be selecting a new President. Courthouse whispers are that current President Ron Angle will remain at the helm, while Rev. Mike Dowd will take over as Vice President.

Mike Dowd has been increasingly mentioned as a possible successor to John Stoffa, although he tells me he's not thinking about an Exec race. Dowd has been attending numerous committee hearings for the last two years. Rich Grucela is not thinking about a run for Executive, either. Like Dowd, he once served as Council President. Rich recently recently retired from the state house and said he wants to "fade into anonymity."

That should last about three weeks.

What abut Angle? He told me he sees no reason why he can't serve as Council President AND Executive. AND Controller. AND judge. And School Board.

Wayne Grube Remembered

"A good friend is hard to find, tough to lose and impossible to forget."

Those are the words of State Rep. Rich Grucela. Former Northampton County Council President Wayne Grube was Rich's colleague and friend for over forty years. When Wayne passed on unexpectedly on November 11, 2008, it hit Rich very hard. Some say that had a lot to do with his decision to step down from the state house.

In February 2009, the state legislature unanimously honored Wayne with a citation that Rich proudly hung on his office wall. But now that he is retiring, he thought it should go to Northampton County Council.

Rich, accompanied by his wife Gina, presented the citation and portrait on December 2. One of the receiving Council members, Bruce Gilbert, was a captain of one of Grube's undefeated football squads from Easton High School

For a moment, Council members forgot about party differences and laughed as they told Wayne Grube stories, remembering a fallen friend.

After leaving Council, Rich was kind enough to say a few words to all of you.

Grucela Bill For Vietnam War Vets Becomes Law in His Final Days as State Rep

Nearly two years ago, I told you about State Rep. Rich Grucela's effort to get high school diplomas for veterans of the Vietnam War who were unable to complete high school because of their military service. It is now law.

Grucela, who did not seek re-election this year, said it was one of the best retirement gifts he could ask for.

"I have worked for many years to see that these veterans receive their high school diplomas," said Grucela, who was first elected in 1998. "It's a high note for me personally to leave on. We talk a lot about the sacrifices members of the military make, and as a former teacher, I understand the significance of a high school diploma, even if a person doesn't need it for their career anymore."

Although the House and Senate passed Grucela's measure back in October s part of an omnibus school code bill. Governor Rendell vetoed the Bill on an unrelated matter, and the legislature voted to override Rendell's veto this week.

"It's been close to 60 years since the Vietnam War began, and the time to give those men and women a high school diploma was well overdue," Grucela said. "A high school diploma is a mile marker in life, and that sense of accomplishment should not be denied because a man or woman served their country."

Grucela explained that some veterans may have felt uncomfortable returning to school at a later age, were injured or ill, or simply needed to work full time to support themselves following the war.

"I thank my colleagues in the House and Senate for supporting our Vietnam veterans and putting Pennsylvania among the ranks of the many other states that already have a similar program," he added.

Grucela's measure authorizes school boards to establish a program known as Operation Recognition for Vietnam veterans. The program has been used in the past for World War II and Korean War veterans.

Any honorably discharged veteran who served in the U.S. military in the Vietnam War between Feb. 28, 1961, and May 7, 1975, is eligible for a diploma. The veteran must have attended high school between 1958 and 1975 and have been a member of a graduation class between the years 1961 and 1975, but did not graduate because of entry into the military.

Additionally, a school board is able to award a diploma posthumously to an eligible veteran.

Grucela Office Will Remain Open Until November 30

NAZARETH, Nov. 9 – State Rep. Rich Grucela, D-Northampton, said his constituent service offices will remain open through Nov. 30 to help residents of the 137th Legislative District with state and local issues.

Grucela, who did not seek re-election this year, has offices at 239 S. Broad St. in Nazareth, 610-614-1312; and 5 Mt. Bethel Plaza in Mt. Bethel, 570-897-0401.

"Our offices are open and ready to assist you with forms, applications, and questions about state programs," Grucela said. "If you have any questions, please just call or stop by through the end of the month – even if it's to say goodbye to my stellar staff who has served you, my constituents, for the past 12 years."

The office offers assistance with state programs like LIHEAP, PACE, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program and with financial aid programs through the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency.

Grucela, who was elected in 1999, said that along with his long tenure of teaching, public service is an honor and privilege.

"Voters entrusted me with their confidence throughout my tenure in office and I hope I met their expectations," Grucela said. "It will be difficult to say goodbye to the many good people my staff and I have met throughout the years as your state representative. It's been a pleasure to represent the 137th District in Harrisburg and I thank every resident for giving me the opportunity to do so."

Rich is a class act who will be missed.

Democrat Grucela Praises Republican Gilbert

"Wayne would be proud of you."

It's about the biggest compliment that State Rep. Rich Grucela could give someone. You see, Wayne Grube was more than a great Easton High School football coach, powerful County Council President, or legislative aide to Rich Grucela. He was also his closest friend, and I think Wayne's sudden passing is the real reason why Rich decided to give up his House seat.

But that's the very first thing Democrat Rich Grucela said to Republican Bruce Gilbert yesterday as he approached the podium at the tail end of a 2 1/2 hour County Council budget hearing. Bruce played football for one of Wayne's championship Easton teams. "He was a good student, too," teacher Rich whispered to me later in the meeting.

Grucela was complimenting Gilbert, not because he shares his ideology, but because he respects and admires the work ethic and civility this freshman Council member brings to Northampton County Council.

In a time when partisanship rules, it's refreshing to see this unexpected display of bipartisanship from my state representative.

Rich, it looks like you're still teaching.

Pa. State Reps Sound Off on NJ Residency Requirement Legislation

New Jersey is considering legislation that will require all current public employees to live within the Garden State. Six thousand out-of-state workers would have 2 1/2 years to pack up and move back to the land of high taxes and sweet corn. But state representatives in what is known as Pennsylvania's Northeast Delegation are asking Jersey legislators to grandfather public workers who already live here.

"We represent many people who are public employees in New Jersey that live in Pennsylvania, and this legislation would have a devastating effect on them and their families," said state Rep. Bob Freeman, D-Northampton. "Those New Jersey employees already living in Pennsylvania should be grandfathered, as this legislation would create an unfair burden."

"These bills would require people to be uprooted from their homes, children being pulled from schools and friends, and a whole host of other issues that would be detrimental to employees and their families when they are required to move," said state Rep. Rich Grucela, D-Northampton.

"This would affect a wide range of public employees like firefighters, police officers and teachers who live in Pennsylvania but work in New Jersey," said state Rep. Joe Brennan, D-Lehigh/Northampton.

In Pennsylvania, civil service employees must maintain in-state residency, but that requirement does not extend to as many employees at so many levels of government as the Jersey proposal.

Other members of the Northeast Delegation who signed the letter include state Reps. Phyllis Mundy, D-Luzerne; Tim Seip, D-Schuylkill/Berks; John Siptroth, D-Monroe/Pike; Ken Smith, D-Lackawanna; Ed Staback, D-Lackawanna/Wayne; Bob Belfanti, D- Northumberland/Montour/Columbia; Mike Carroll, D-Luzerne/Monroe; and delegation chairman state Rep. Neal Goodman, D-Schuylkill.

Grucela Refuses to Anoint His Successor in 137th

State Rep. Rich Grucela has decided to take a break from public life at the end of this year. He's been at it since 1974, serving as a Lower Mount Bethel Township supervisor and chairman, as a Northampton County Council member and President and, most recently, as a member of the state house.

Over the last four years, he's been the subject of 83 posts on this blog. When I guest-hosted Ron Angle's talk radio show on WGPA 1100 AM, he was a regular guest. Rich voted against the midnight legislative payraise, refused to take it, and was rewarded for his troubles by losing his role on several key committees. That may have lost him the confidence of the House leadership in Harrisburg, but he won the hearts of the Lehigh Valley. He was unopposed in 2006 and 2008, when many others had stiff competition.

In 2007, he was rated by readers of this blog as one of the LV's top ten elected leaders. He's a real Democrat. For one thing, he opposes party endorsements in contested primaries. As my state rep., he never refused to duck a call or answer an email. I'll miss him.

Rich's 137th legislative district includes Forks, Lower Mount Bethel, Palmer, Upper Mount Bethel, Upper Nazareth, Washington, Bangor, East Bangor, Nazareth, Portland, Roseto, Stockertown and Tatamy. Unlike most seats, this one could go either Republican or Democrat.

Four candidates - Democrats Frank Scagliotta and Charles Dertinger, and Republicans Donald Albanese and Joe Emrick - are after Rich's seat. Ironically, most of the attacks so far have been inexplicably directed at the person who is stepping down, Rich Grucela.

Grucela has been attacked, anonymously, for his supposed ties to and endorsement of Frank Scagliotta, who is lovingly referred to elsewhere as "Skank." Grucela was apparently spotted in a Scagliotta classroom. "They sat in the back of the room with their heads together."

Today I received an email from Rich that is "for the record." He told me he received calls from 5 of 6 potential candidates for his job and spoke to them all. In fact, Republican Donald Albanese "and his wife came to Harrisburg and visited my office …… I had them introduced from the house gallery and told them where the Republican caucus met … I also introduced him to some very good R friends of mine who got a big kick out of it ….. They said they always knew I was 'nuts'……Don’s son coached our son in little league baseball."

Rich has also tried to be helpful to both Dertinger and Scagliotta. "I have given both Frank and Charles advice and told them events they should attend ….. I also have given them names of people who I believe would support their views."

Did he meet with Scagliotta at Bangor High School? Yes. "For the record I did visit BAHS and Frank’s class …. He called me with a question about how to fill out his ethics form b/c of his referee’s income …. It was a bad weather day…. The students came to school but b/c of the weather (a late storm brewing that day) there was to be an early dismissal…. Frank’s class had very low attendance and he chose to show a video already in progress when I arrived."

Who has Rich endorsed? "I have only endorsed Jack Wagner for Governor and no other candidates."

Grucela has avoided endorsing anyone and has tried to be helpful to everyone. He realizes the voters make this call, not him.

Grucela Gets $ for Upper Mount Bethel, Nazareth Schools

State Rep. Rich Grucela, D-Northampton, may be retiring at the end of this year, but he's not going gentle into that good night. Thanls to his efforts, the Commonwealth Financing Authority has awarded two state grants for projects in the 137th Legislative District.

Upper Mount Bethel Recreation

Upper Mount Bethel Township will receive $375,000 to build a community park on a 90-acre parcel of land donated by Reliant Energy. The project includes paving for parking lots, the construction of athletic courts and fields, playground installation, trail paving and landscaping.

Grucela said the project is expected to help the township meet the needs of the growing soccer, baseball and softball leagues, and add courts for the basketball and volleyball programs. Construction is scheduled to be completed in June.

Solar Panels at Nazareth School

Positive Energy Pennsylvania 3 has also been awarded $966,000 for the purchase and installation of a ground-mounted solar photovoltaic system for the Nazareth Intermediate School in Upper Nazareth Township. The system will supply energy to the Nazareth School District at a rate of $0.0939/kWh, increasing 3 percent annually for 20 years.

Funding for this grant comes from the state's Solar Energy Program, which promotes the use of alternative energy throughout the state.

CFA is an independent agency of Pennsylvania that evaluates and administers funding for projects that create jobs and invest in the state’s financial growth. To find out more about CFA programs, visit http://www.newpa.com/.

Grucela: Auto Insurers Should Give Notice of Revoked Registrations

HARRISBURG, April 13 – State Rep. Rich Grucela, D-Northampton, may be retiring at the end of this term, but he's still working hard. He's just introduced legislation (H.B. 2414) that would require auto insurance companies to notify a consumer in advance if their vehicle registration privileges may be suspended or revoked.

"Some people are not aware that their vehicle registration will be suspended or revoked if they allow their auto insurance to lapse -- for whatever reason," Grucela said. "Having your registration restored can be a time-consuming process accompanied by fees ranging around $50. Giving drivers advance notice would help minimize confusion and additional driving violations."

Grucela said insurance companies are currently only required to send a consumer a notice of cancellation on insurance privileges. The notice required under the bill would be similar to the notice currently required where the insurance coverage lapsed or was terminated by the insurer. The cost to the insurance industry, if any, would be minimal.

Under state law, if a person's motor vehicle insurance coverage is canceled or expired for any reason, they must return their license plate and registration sticker to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. If the required documents are not surrendered, a driver may face a 90-day license suspension if they continue to operate their vehicle without proper insurance, and drivers also can be further penalized.

Grucela said he introduced the bill after hearing from a constituent who voluntarily dropped his insurance because he was out of state for several months. Unaware of the consequences, the constituent's registration was suspended.

House Unanimously Passes Grucela Bill to Grant HS Diplomas to Viet Vets

It's unanimous!

When I first told you about Operation Recognition for Vietnam veterans, proposed by State Rep. Richard Grucela, D-Northampton, one of you snarked that "populist proposals in the run up to one's election are easy to identify." Grucela decided to retire at the end of his term this year, but continued to pursue legislation that would recognize Vietnam War vets who left school early to serve their country. Today, the House unanimously agreed they should be awarded High School diplomas.

Under this bill, school boards may establish a program identical to what has already been used in the past for World War II and Korean War veterans.

"Some veterans may have felt uncomfortable returning to school at a later age or simply needed to work full time to support themselves," Grucela said. "Whatever the reason, a high school diploma is a mile marker in life that provides a sense of accomplishment and should not be denied to them. My legislation would offer a small, but important show of appreciation to all those who sacrificed their education to ensure our freedoms."

Any honorably discharged veteran who served in the Vietnam War between Feb. 28, 1961, and May 7, 1975, would be eligible for a diploma. The veteran would have to have attended high school between 1958 and 1975 and have been a member of a graduation class during the years 1962 through 1975.

School boards would also be able to award a diploma posthumously to an eligible veteran.

Grucela is a former teacher and a member of the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee.

Rich Grucela: Let 17 Year-Olds Vote in Primaries

State Rep. Richard Grucela has long advocated a bill to allow 17-year-olds to register and vote in primary elections in Pennsylvania so long as they are 18 by the time of that year’s general election. His bill (H.B. 259) finally made it through the State Government Committee yesterday.

"Young Americans came out in record numbers to vote in the 2008 presidential election because they care about their country and their future," said Grucela, D-Northampton. "My legislation would encourage a demographic typically expected to sit at home on Election Day to stay informed on the issues and vote. It just doesn’t make any sense to bar someone from fully participating in the election process simply because their birthday is a few months shy of the primary date."

According to Fairvote.com, 17-year-olds already vote in primaries and caucuses in nearly half of U.S. states, including Alaska, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Virginia and Washington.

Grucela is a former teacher at Easton High School and a member of the House Education Committee who will be stepping down this year from a seat he's held since 1999.

Grucela Seat Update

Popular State Rep. Rich Grucela has decided, after ten years, that he's had enough of the land of midnight payraises. He'll be stepping down at the end of the year. His 137th legislative district includes Forks, Lower Mount Bethel, Palmer, Upper Mount Bethel, Upper Nazareth, Washington, Bangor, East Bangor, Nazareth, Portland, Roseto, Stockertown and Tatamy. Unlike most seats, this one could go either Republican or Democrat.

Of the four candidates I know about, Democrat Frank Scagliotta and Republican Donald Albanese seem to be the class acts. Democrat Charles (Don't call me Charlie!) Dertinger and Republican Joe (I hate Peg Ferraro) Emrick? Not so much.

I learned Friday night that Albanese, a former Jersey assemblyman, has enough signatures to get on the Republican ballot. He's originally a slater who defected to the garden state, only later to return to his roots. Emrick, who recently stormed out of a local Republican committee meeting for refusing to go along with his hand-picked nominee for another state house seat, made sure to insult Peg Ferraro a few times on his way out. He thinks his own nomination is in the bag, but I'm told committee members are turned off by his arrogance and pushy style.

Scagliotta, a Bangor High School football coach and NCAA basketball referee, has been teaching for 34 years, and was finally persuaded to get involved, some say by Rich Grucela himself. Of course, Charles Dertinger is already smearing Scags in a whisper campaign for recently switching parties. Just as arrogant and pushy as Emrick, Dertinger recently suffered a humiliating loss in his bid for re-election to Northampton County Council.

This is my district. People here prefer the nonpartisan approach. That's why hardliners like Dertinger and Emrick will have a short shelf life.

Grucela's Seat: Who Will We Send to Harrisburg?

For the past eight years, popular State Rep. Rich Grucela has faithfully served the people of Nazareth and much of the slate belt, who elected him as their voice in Harrisburg. Unfortunately, he's stepping down.

Within hours of that decision, two Democrats and two Republicans have surfaced and are circling.

Republican Joe Emrick, Chairman of Upper Nazareth's Supervisors, is definitely in the race. He will formally kick off on February 4th, at a time and place yet to be determined. Lehigh County Comm'r Glenn Eckhart served with Emrick for two years as a Salisbury Township Commissioner. "Joe was one of the two members on the board that help me push though Salisbury Township's first property tax cut in 2003."

According to The Express Times, New Jersey transplant Donald Albanese is interested as well. This Republican previously served in New Jersey's state assembly about 25 years ago, where he was apparently an avid Ronald Reagan fan.

Democrats Charles Dertinger and Joe Capozzolo, both former members of Northampton County Council, are also eyeing this seat. Capozzolo's terms on Northampton County Council and as Bangor Mayor, recently expired. Dertinger lost a re-election effort in November, even losing in his home town.

Grucela Decides Against Seeking ReElection

Capitol Ideas reports that Rich Grucela, my own state representative, has decided against seeking re-election to the state house. This opens the door to recently defeated Northampton County Council member Charles Dertinger.

Grucela Hopeful State Budget Impasse Has Ended

Rich Grucela is my state representative. Here's his reaction to tonight's news that the state house has passed two critical budget bills for $27.79 billion in spending on the 99th day of the state funding stalemate.

"We approved a plan tonight that funds the most basic services and increases our investment in basic education without any broad-based tax increases," Grucela said. "We spent within our means, and we did not reverse the progress we have made in improving basic education. And, we can finally support the day cares, municipalities and other local organizations that have been struggling to stay afloat and serve Northampton County residents because of the budget delay."

State funding for basic education in Grucela's district is as follows:

Bangor School District: $9.5 million, a more than $638,000 increase.

Easton School District: $19.5 million, a more than a $1 million increase.

Nazareth School District: $8.3 million, a more than a $590,000 increase.

”I hope this is the end, that we can connect the dots in the next day or two and be finished with the entire package so people affected by this impasse can finally be paid," Grucela said. "And as an aside, I think this process over the past 99 days gives impetus to my proposal for a unicameral legislature."

Grucela has introduced legislation (H.B. 260) that would amend the state constitution to return the Pennsylvania General Assembly to a unicameral legislature by eliminating the state Senate. As a proposed amendment to the constitution, his legislation would have to be passed by the General Assembly in two consecutive legislative sessions and then approved by voters in a referendum.

"Next year's budget will prove to be no less contentious, as revenues are expected to continue to decline," Grucela added. "There is no better time to consider all ideas in streamlining government operations, and reducing governments costs, including my proposal. This would be the most logical and economical reform in reducing the cost of the legislative branch."

It is expected that this budget will pass in the state senate.

Should School Districts Be Told About New Residential Development?

Pennsylvania's state house yesterday unanimously passed legislation that will give school districts more time to plan for impending residential development. It requires municipalities to notify them within a month after approving a residential development. The Bill's primary sponsor is Northampton County's very own State Rep. Rich Grucela, himself a retired teacher.

Grucela's education bill now moves on to the state senate.

"The Lehigh Valley has expanded dramatically over the past decade, yet school districts were not able to plan for that substantial growth," Grucela said. "School districts should have advance notice of construction and development that could add significantly to student enrollment, so officials can effectively budget for additional facilities, staff and instructional materials. I believe it will ultimately help schools become more cost-efficient and save taxpayer dollars."

Northampton County has seen its population soar from 267,000 residents in 2000 to a projected 294,787 in 2008.

Grucela has also proposed education impact fees on new residential development, designed to enable schools to develop programs and facilities necessary to accommodate increased student enrollment due to new development in the district.

Rich Grucela: A Nurse in Every School

Imagine a 17 year old high school senior who suffers a rare heart attack at school. Imagine a ten year old who suddenly experiences seizures in class. Now imagine that in both of those instances, there's no school nurse. The ten year old survived, but the high school senior is now dead.

State Rep. Rich Grucela (D-Northampton) has just introduced legislation designed to save lives. It will require every school district to employ full-time nurses. These professionals are often a child's only resource for conditions like asthma and diabetes, or drug and alcohol abuse, school violence and teenage pregnancy.

"School nurses are of fundamental importance to a successful school system," said Grucela, a former teacher who also serves on the House Education Committee. "They help create and maintain a safe school environment through education and outreach, in addition to performing essential health screenings and immunizations. They are also familiar with and can monitor chronic illnesses, which could require immediate attention at any given time."

"Most importantly, if a medical emergency arises, a school nurse is a professional health-care provider who is on hand to immediately assist a student," Grucela added.

The cost for this proposal would be evenly shared by the state and individual school districts.

According to a 2008 National Association of School Nurses report, Pennsylvania schools have one nurse for every 832 students. That's much better than the national average, which is one nurse for every 1,461 students. More than 50% of U.S. public schools have no full-time Registered Nurses.

Grucela Bill To Help Military Families Unanimously Passes State House

A bill (H.B. 592) to help military families, sponsored by State Rep. Rich Grucela, D-Northampton, passed the state House passed unanimously yesterday. It protects members of the Pennsylvania National Guard and other United States reservists, as well as their spouses, from losing college tuition or credit if deployed before the end of a semester. Current law already protects the service member, but Grucela’s legislation extends that privilege to spouses, too.

"Military families make many sacrifices when enrolling in the military, but this is a situation we can easily fix," Grucela said. "When a National Guard member or reservist is called to duty, their spouse's life is uprooted as well. The last thing they should have to worry about is losing credit or tuition. I thank my colleagues for giving their unanimous support to this bill, especially as we come off the Memorial Day holiday."

Grucela hopes the legislation, which the House passed last session but languished in the Senate, would be taken up immediately in the Senate and signed into law.

"This is the second session in a row that the House has passed this bill," Grucela said. "I hope this time the chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee will move this legislation out of committee and allow the full Senate to consider it."

Under the legislation, if a Guard member or reservist was called to active duty, other than active duty for training, the educational institution in which the member is enrolled would grant the member or his or her spouse a military leave of absence from their education without the loss of academic credits earned or forfeiture of scholarships or grants awarded prior to the commencement of the military duty.

Educational institutions also would be required to refund tuition or fees paid, or credit the tuition and fees to the next semester or term when the member returns.

Grucela serves on the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee.

Grucela: Vietnam War Vets Deserve High School Diplomas

Earlier this week, I told you about legislation introduced by State Rep. Richard Grucela, D-Northampton, enabling unpaid surveyors to file mechanic's liens for unpaid bills. To a man, you all pretty much hate the idea and I appreciate your candor, especially since it's directed at Rich and not me.

OK, so how about this - a program known as Operation Recognition for Vietnam veterans. It's similar to what we did for WW II and Korean War vets. That bill was unanimously reported out of the House Education Committee this week, and grants high school diplomas to veterans of the Vietnam War who were unable to complete high school because of their military service.

"There are many men and women who were unable to finish their high school education because they left to serve their country," Grucela said. "They may be leading productive lives now, but I believe we should give to them what they gave up -- a high school diploma. It’s a small, but important show of appreciation to all those who sacrificed their education to ensure our freedoms."

A school board would also be able to award a diploma posthumously to an eligible veteran.

Grucela is a former teacher and a member of the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee.

Is this better than the surveyor bill?

Grucela: Surveyors Should Be Able to File Liens For Unpaid Bills

State Rep. Richard Grucela, D-Northampton, introduced a bill yesterday to protect land surveyors from getting stiffed. It allows them to file a mechanical lien on property when they provide services, just like a contractor.

"Property surveyors typically spend several hours or more taking initial measurements at a site, and larger jobs may require several or more days," Grucela said. "I believe they should be entitled to the same compensation protections afforded to other contractors under Pennsylvania law."

What about title searchers?

Mechanical liens ensure that a contractor gets paid for work performed on a specific construction project. If his bill is unpaid, he can file a lien against the property where the work was done. The lien remains on the property until the contractor who filed the lien is paid.

In 2007, the Mechanic's Lien Law was revised to allow second-level subcontractors and suppliers to file liens, in addition to general contractors and first-level subcontractors.

Grucela notes many other states also allow surveyors to file mechanical liens, and that his bill would update Pennsylvania's Mechanic's Lien Law to reflect current national standards.

What about title searchers?