Rep. Tim Brennan

Last week, the Central Bucks Senior Activity Center welcomed Sen. Steve Santarsiero and I as we hosted our annual Scam Jam event for our senior constituents.

Scams are at an all-time high, and digital tools have allowed them to become more and more sophisticated, more convincing, and more widespread.

From deceptive job postings to malevolent links, false accounts, and phishing emails, scams can feel unavoidable and can easily put people at huge risk of an enormous financial loss.

This critical educational event helped our older adult community members learn how to identify, avoid, and report common frauds and scams.

Special thanks to Katrina Boyer from PA Banking and Securities, Deputy DA Elizabeth Oquendo from the Bucks County District Attorney's Office, Detective Bill Mokoriski from the Doylestown Township Police Department, and Deputy Director Cynthia Townsend from the Bucks County Area Agency on Aging for taking the time out of your busy schedules to spread awareness to our community members.

At the end of last month, I had the honor of receiving the 2026 Keystone Legislative Award from The Pennsylvania Fraternal Alliance , also known as the Keystone of Fraternals.

You might recognize some of the names of their members such as the Polish Falcons of America, Police and Firemen's Insurance Association, Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America, National Slovak Society, GCU (Greek Catholic Union), Ukrainian Catholics in America, RBO (Russian Brotherhood Organization) and the Slovak Catholic Sokol.

Founded in 1901, the Alliance unites Fraternal Benefit Societies across the Commonwealth. Their mission is to provide a platform for grassroots members to participate in community service, leadership conferences and local advocacy. Many of these groups formed in the industrial era to protect fellow neighbors with similar cultural connections when tragedy struck or when workers were injured or killed. My grandmother Flanagan experienced this type of loss when her father died in the mines in the 1930’s and she was immediately displaced from her company home and was taken in by a neighbor.

This award acknowledges a legislator who has demonstrated exceptional support for the fraternal system and the work of the Alliance.

Along with the award, a donation of $1000 was made to a nonprofit organization in my district, we selected the Friends of the Delaware Canal.

Last month, the Bucks members of the the PA House Tourism Recreation, and Economic Development Committee and Visit Bucks County, were excited to host a three-day tour of Bucks County to promote some of our most treasured attractions. We showed off a small sample of places (up and down Bucks County) to our colleagues that make our community a unique and special destination!

We took in the history and artistry at Fonthill Castle, Mercer Museum, and the Michener Art Museum, and saw the fun activities and opportunities for families offered at Washington Crossing Historic Park and Sesame Place. We took a shopping stroll in Peddler's Village, learned about the storied past of the New Hope Railroad, and learned something new at both the Vampa Museum (local folklore!) and Ashlynn Distillery (how to prepare the mash for making spirits!).

We were proud to welcome our colleagues and highlight the attractions and hospitality that make Bucks County a favorite for so many. We truly have something for everyone, and I’m grateful for those who helped make these visits a success!

Did you check out my e-newsletter I sent around on Friday? If not, you can see it on my website -- it's packed with updates on what's been going on in our district, plus news from my work in Harrisburg, including how I'm supporting local Public Works and police departments: https://pahouse.com/brennan/InTheNews/Correspondence/?id=143778