Lehigh Valley Ramblings

Zrinski Discusses County Response to Hampton Hotel Fire and a $400,000 Budget Cut to Area Agency on Aging

2026-03-10T00:00:00.001-04:00

On February 20, around 30 people were displaced by a fire at Hotel Hampton in downtown Easton. This was the permanent home of many of those who were victimized by the conflagration. A Wilson Borough firefighter was injured and had to be hospitalized. Northampton County Executive discussed what actions the county took to help during her presentation to county council last week.

Zrinski stated that officials were able to identify those who lost their homes and provide emergency shelter and services. She added that she was also able to get help from the state but has had difficulty obtaining a long-term housing solution. She thanked Easton City Council member Frank Pintabone for persuading Easton's Methodist Church to provide 30 days of temporary shelter. Some of those displaced lost everything, including birth certificates and social security cards. Human services agencies have worked on getting duplicates.

She also noted a pop-up block party where local businesses and residents provided food, clothing and emotional support. "It's really nice to see everybody coming together to help and support our community," she said. "We realize we have great neighbors. And if you live in Easton, you know your neighbors are pretty awesome."

Nobody lost their life in the blaze except for one cat, whose nine lives expired.

Zrinski also addressed several other topics.

Area Agency on Aging. - "We also received noticed that the area agency on aging budget will be cut by almost $400,000, requiring us to figure out how to remediate the shortfall. We're good now through June 30th, and we're making progress on a strategy that will continue to provide senior centers and meals for our seniors, but we might have some challenges ahead."

Digitalization. - The county is continuing the task of digitalizing records to obviate the need for paper. Zrinski is trying to free up as much space as she can to see if it's possible to avoid an additional building.

Corrections. - Recruitment and professional development remain high priorities. Potential corrections officers are being interviewed, and new recruits are currently shadowing veteran officers to gain hands on experience. The department is proposing a new written exam for corrections, recruitment, that will cover comprehension, language skills, math, and report writing with the goal of selecting candidates who are well prepared for the demands of the jail.

Corrections is also planning a reentry fair to support short-term inmates, those with sentences of approximately 30 to 60 days by connecting them with community resources to ease their transition back into the community, with a date in April still to be finalized.

In February 2026, Corrections placed 16 inmates directly into inpatient treatment facilities. This resulted in 209 bed days saved at the jail.The estimated daily savings of these 16 inmates is $39,613.86 daily. Zrinski observed that inpatient tratment better addresses the needs of those individuals.

So that also allows them to better address the needs of those individuals as well.

ICE DETAINERS. - Director DeeAnn Lawrence personally reviewed and attended a 7 a.m. ICE arrival to take into custody 3 released inmates with detainers in order to observe the current process and ensure it is handled appropriately and transparently.

Sheriffs. - recently conducted a physical agility test at Lafayette University. The Sheriff is currently reviewing the weapons screening process. Boomer, a black lab trained to detect explosive devices, will be retiring soon.

Public Works. - designing a parking plan for county visitors and employees to minimize inconvenience once construction of a new parking deck begins.

UPDATED: Gracedale's Medicare Fines Climb From $80,550 to $154,330

2026-03-09T00:00:00.009-04:00

Medicare may fine a nursing home when there's a serious health or safety violation that remains uncorrected. Gracedale was hit with two such penalties, totaling $80,550, on September 19, 2025. This appears to be related to residents who were just wandering off the premises and then being retrieved by local police. Unfortunately, and for reasons that elude me, that total has increased.

According to Medicare, those penalties now total $154,330, nearly twice what it had been before. It is unclear to me why they have increased. They appear to be based on the same two transgressions for which Gracedale was fined on September 19, 2025. There was no public discussion of this sudden increase or what prompted it at Thursday night's County Council meeting.

According to the Department of Health nursing home facility locator, Gracedale had a provisional license on Sunday, ~~but that has since been upgraded to regular status.~~

During her Executive Report, Tara Zrinski told Council last Thursday that she had visited Gracedale that very day and is grateful for everyone's dedication. "Their team is invaluable as they care for some of the most vulnerable people in that our residents there are just in some of the most challenging conditions," she said.

Zrinski did draw attention to one of the residents, Rodney Schaffer, an accredited firefighter with 23 years at The Bethlehem Steel. "They're not just residents, they had lives before they came to Gracedale, and we want to honor them as well," she observed.

UPDATED 3/9/26, 8:46 AM

and 3:24 PM

Lehigh Tp Police Praise NorCo 911 - "Your Voice Saves Lives"

2026-03-09T00:00:00.007-04:00

On February 19, Lehigh Township police responded to a domestic disturbance involving an armed man who had pointed a gun at his wife and threatened to kill her. The situation was resolved without any violence. The suspect was unarmed, the victim was safe and police were unharmed. Police were quick to praise the NorCo 911 dispatcher who handled that call. The dispatcher, who was placed on speakerphone, spoke to the armed male and persuaded him to disarm and step outside with his hands in the air.

On Facebook, the Lehigh Tp Police Department said this: "This outcome is due in no small part to the professionalism, composure, and life-saving communication of the 911 dispatcher. 911 dispatchers are often the invisible lifeline of emergency response—they gather critical information, guide victims, support officers, and in cases like this, directly prevent violence. Their work happens behind the scenes, but their impact is felt on every call. ... Thank you to our dispatch partners—your voice saves lives."

Executive Tara Zrinski reported to NorCo Council last week that she had visited 911 and gave all dispatchers involved a certificate of appreciation. "I don't think we recognize how important and how difficult the 911 operator's job is," she commented. "They definitely deserve more than a certificate, but they do deserve appreciation."

She also indicated that the county intends to do a "media blitz" to attract more dispatchers. "They do such hard work and we need more of them," she said.

I will have more from Zrinski's detailed report tomorrow concerning the county response to the Hampton Hotel fire in Easton

NorCo Council Introduces Civil Rights Comm'n Ordinance

2026-03-06T00:00:00.001-05:00

At their meeting last night, Northampton County Council members Jason Boulette and Jeff Warren agreed to introduce an ordinance (you can see it here) that establishes a county civil rights commission. Typically, Council members wait to discuss the merits of proposed ordinances until there is a public hearing. That will occur on March 19.

The purpose of the ordinance, as stated in the bill itself, is to "declare [the county's intent] to promote the rights and opportunities of all persons to participate in the social, cultural, recreational, and economic life of the County and to assure equal opportunity for all persons concerning employment, housing, education, health care, and use of public accommodations without regard to actual or perceived race, ethnicity, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, physical marital status, familial status, GED rather than high school diploma, or mental disability, relationship or association with a disabled person, source of income, age, height, weight, veteran status, use of guide or support animals and/or mechanical aids, or domestic or sexual violence victim status."

The Commission envisaged by this ordinance consists of seven members appointed by the Executive, which County Council can confirm or reject. Members will reflect the diversity of protected classes. If the commission finds that a complaint of discrimination is substantiated, it can fine the offender up to $600.

Although Council members themselves will make their arguments two weeks from now, the proposed ordinance had support from several members of the public, including Lehigh Valley Justice Initiative's Joe Welsh. In a previous life, Joe Welsh litigated numerous civil rights discrimination lawsuits. He encouraged the creation of a human relations commission, noting that federal and state agencies that oversee discrimination complaints are completely overwhelmed and can take over a year to investigate and resolve complaints.

Welsh stated that earlier that evening, "I stood here ... and saw every single member of council, put your hand over your heart, and pledge allegiance to the principle of liberty and justice for all. And that is a fundamental goal and cherished aspiration of the United States of America. And this piece of legislation, you can consider the enabling legislation for that lofty goal."

In other business, Northampton County Council voted 5-3, with one abstention, to support a resolution opposing ICE warehouses in Northampton County. The measure was supported by Council members Ken Kraft, Kelly Keegan, Jeff Warren, Nadeem Qayyum and Jason Boulette. It was opposed by Council members Lori Vargo Heffner, Tom Giovanni and Dave Holland, with Theresa Fadem abstaining.

Warren, who is running for State Representative, said that he and Boulette worked on this resolution for several weeks. He noted that Bucks County recently approved a similar resolution and took umbrage with a claim by Upper Mount Bethel's Charles Baltic that the resolution is unconstitutional.

Council Solicitor Matt Deschler assured County Council that the resolution passes constitutional muster.

Baltic made that claim during courtesy of the floor and wondered why County Council is getting involved in a federal matter when they should be paying closer attention to county finances.

Why did Fadem abstain? She is a code enforcement officer in Hellertown. "My role in code enforcement requires that I apply ordinances and applicable state and federal laws fairly, consistently. And without bias. Property owners have established rights under the law. And if a proposed use is permitted under zoning ordinance, and the applicant follows all the required procedures, meets all the safety in building and land development standards, and satisfies all their legal requirements. We don't have the authority to oppose that use based on our personal or our political viewpoints. To do so would be inconsistent with the rule of law and the oath that, at least, I have taken."

Vargo Heffner's problem with the resolution was a passage echoing Executive Tara Zrinski's call "for industry and real estate leaders to decline to sell or lease industrial warehouse facilities to the federal government for the purposes of mass detention." Vargo Heffner added, "We don't have the right to say what people can or cannot sell." Holland shared Vargo Heffner's concern and suggested removing that portion of the resolution, but no one made such a motion.

Kraft supported the resolution because an ICE purchase of a warehouse would remove the property from the tax rolls. In addition, he complained that most warehouses are "tilt ups" set up in a way that may be large, but has little actual living space in terms of restrooms, showers, etc.

Giovanni opposed the resolution. "We're trying to be a zoning body and we're not," he said succinctly.

During this meeting, Executive Tara Zrinski provided yet again an exhaustive report of what is going on in the county, department-by-department. I'll share what she had to say on Monday.

Government by Litigation in NorCo is Never a Good Idea - Part Two

2026-03-05T00:00:00.003-05:00

Yesterday, I told you about a squabble between the Northampton County Council and Executive that spilled over into the courts. Was it about the Executive's failure to follow a county council resolution that provided for retention bonuses at Gracedale? Nah. Did it involve a novel interpretation of the Home Rule Charter or Administrative Code? No. It was instead a petty dispute over audio-visual upgrades to Council's meeting room. They both look silly. Today, I have yet another example of government by litigation. This is a second lawsuit, this time by District Attorney Steve Baratta, concerns the Executive's refusal to allow him to fill a vacant "Senior Deputy" position at a smaller salary than its previous occupant. The Executive advised that only County Council could approve this hire at a smaller salary than the one originally approved. Why Baratta just didn't go to County Council is a mystery to me. Why the Exec insisted on getting Council approval for a position they already established at a higher wage is another puzzler. Instead, they've been more than willing to govern by litigation.

The procedural history of this simple disagreement makes it sound like the case of the century. Baratta starts with a complaint in Mandamus and a Motion for peremptory judgment. The County responded with a Motion to Strike the Motion for peremptory judgment, and Baratta hit back with preliminary objections, to which the county responded with its own set of preliminary objections.

Who's on first?

After shoveling his way through all the legal manure, sustaining this and overruling that, President Judge Craig Dally (who got stuck with this case as well as the County Council spat) does conclude that there's a "reasonable expectation that the County Executive will continue to attempt to manage the District Attorney's Career Exempt Employees [nonunion] in clear violation of the Northampton County Home Rule Charter, unless a resolution is promulgated by this Court."

Judge Dally not only dismissed the Executive's attempt to strike the DA's motion for peremptory judgment but has actually scheduled a hearing on that matter for March 18 in a separate order from what you see below.

The office of District Attorney is a constitutional office and is an independently elected office. In numerous cases filed by former District Attorney (now Judge) John Morganelli, the courts have long recognized that the DA, like the courts, has the right to hire, fire, promote and demote as he sees fit. His only real limitation is the budget approved by County Council. The Executive should never have injected himself into another independently elected office.

DA v. McClure Decision on Preliminary Objections by BernieOHare

NorCo Council to Consider Establishment of a Human Relations Commission

2026-03-05T00:00:00.001-05:00

At tonight's meeting of Northampton County Council, an ordinance establishing a Human Relations Commission will be introduced. The text will be available tomorrow, at which time two sponsors will be identified. Bethlehem, Allentown and Lehigh County have all established Human Relations Commissions. Most human relations commissions were inspired by the Civil Rights movement in the '60s.

In other business, Council will consider an "ICE warehouse resolution."

Government by Litigation in NorCo is Never a Good Idea - Part One

2026-03-04T00:00:00.001-05:00

Government by litigation is always a bad idea. But late last year, a frustrated Northampton County Council sued former Executive Lamont McClure over unfinished or defective audio and visual upgrades to County Council's meeting room.

After several requests went unfulfilled, Northampton County Council actually adopted an Ordinance for these upgrades in late 2023. According to the terms of this Ordinance, the upgrades were to be completed by June 2024. Under the Home Rule Charter, the Executive has a duty to enforce and fulfill County Council ordinances.

Then Exec McClure vetoed the Ordinance, but the only Council member who voted to sustain that veto was then Council member (and now Executive) Tara Zrinski. At that point, the Executive had a duty to enforce and fulfill County Council ordinances. That's what the Home Rule Charter requires.

Ron Heckman, a former Council member, was participating in meetings remotely and routinely complained that he was unable to hear or see what was happening. When he would speak at meetings, his voice would often cut off, and no one could hear him. It was suggested that he might be responsible himself for his technical difficulties, but he insisted that this was a systemic problem that the Executive branch chose to ignore.

I myself have noticed that the sound quality of meetings has deteriorated, although there are still tooo many Council members who forget to use their mikes.

Northampton County Council actually adopted an Ordinance for these upgrades in late 2023. According to the terms of this Ordinance, the upgrades were to be completed by June 2024. Then Exec McClure vetoed the Ordinance, but the only Council member who voted to sustain that veto was then Council member (and now Executive) Tara Zrinski.

After Tara Zrinski was sworn in as Exec, I thought County Council and the Exec would reach some sort of agreement over this matter, especially since she campaigned with two of the new faces. This should have been resolved. Nobody wins when one branch of government sues another. It is a waste of time both for the lawyers involved as well as the courts.

Unfortunately, for reasons that elude me, the case continued The County Exec argued that a complaint for Declaratory Judgment is an improper form of action. I personally thought that a Mandamus action is probably more appropriate but am unsure whether the court wished to exalt procedure over substance.

It did.

In a decision filed Monday, which you can read yourself below, President Judge Craig Dally dismissed the lawsuit brought by County Council against the Executive. Because Council was requesting the Executive to do his job, and not just determine rights and obligations, the proper form of action is Mandamus.

McClure also contended that the County and/or the County Administration should have been named as Defendants. Judge Dally disagreed, noting that the Home Rule Charter specifically provides that it is the Executive's responsibility to enforce County Council ordinances.

To sum it up, County Council's lawsuit is still alive. It can amend its complaint and seek relief in mandamus and without joining any parties aside from the Executive. I would hope that County Council and the Exec can now resolve this matter without wasting everyone's time.

Unfortunately, there is another case between the DA's office and the Exec that is even more wacky than this one. I am still trying to figure out all the goofy pleadings filed. There's even a third action that has been in the appellate courts and back a few times over a former improperly fired employee seeking back pay. I'll tell you about them tomorrow.

Northampton County Council v McClure by BernieOHare

How Do Congressional Candidates Feel About Strike on Iran

2026-03-03T00:00:00.001-05:00

Incumbent Congressman Ryan Mackenzie -". The world will become a safer place in the long run because of President Trump’s actions."

Robert Brooks -"The Iranian people deserve freedom. Our kids deserve a country that learns from its mistakes. And our troops deserve better than another war in the Middle East. Especially without Congress signing off."

Ryan Croswell - "No one doubts the Iranian regime is dangerous and repressive, but starting a war without a clear objective, without a defined end state, and without Congressional authorization, puts our troops at risk and weakens the very rule of law they swear to protect and defend."

Aiden Alexander Gonzales - nothing on Facebook.

Lamont McClure - refers to it in passing as an "undeclared, unauthorized war in Iran."

Carol Obando-Derstine - "Regarding the strikes in Iran today - the American people re-elected Trump in hopes of seeing lower gas prices, lower utility bills, and less inflation. But, what we're seeing is unilateral and unchecked decisions to deploy illegal tariffs, launch foreign wars, and experiment with regime change. We deserve better."

Lewis Shupe - nothing on Facebook.

The Attack On Iran Was Overdue

2026-03-02T00:00:00.003-05:00

Regular readers of this blog know I detest President Donald Trump. But I agree completely with his decision to authorize a joint US-Israeli attack aimed at Iran. It's about time.

We've been at war with Iran since 1979, when that country's militants attacked our embassy in Tehran and took 66 hostages. That war has continued with the murder of American troops in Beirut and with the IED devices it supplied to kill hundreds of Americans in Iraq. It has been a state sponsor of terror, arming Hamas, Hezbollah, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Houthis and Shia militias. While denying nuclear ambition, it had enriched uranium nearly to the point in which it could build a nuclear bomb. This is the country that has referred to the US as "the Great Satan." It has called Israel a "cancerous tumor," using language that would make Hitler proud.

It brutally represses dissent. It has killed thousands just over the past few months. There is no gender equality. Women are inferior and can be beaten or fined if caught without a hijab. If you're gay and caught in a relationship, the punishment is death. Prostitute? Death. Blasphemy? Death.

So yes, this attack is overdue.

Is it legal? Many experts say No and that Trump needs Congressional authoriztion. They are forgetting his Article II powers, which are provided for in the Constituion. I believe it imbues the President with broad authority to use military force as he sees fit. This is also what past Presidents have done.

The Gracedale Resident Who Called Wolf ... 275 Times

2026-03-02T00:00:00.001-05:00

In Aesop's Fables, the little boy who cried "Wolf, Wolf!" only succeeded in fooling villagers twice before they stopped believing him. At Gracedale, resident Tanya Hatch has cried "Wolf!" at least 275 times over an 18-month period. Her incessant 911 calls, which now have come close to 300, has landed her in hot water with Upper Nazareth Tp police. She's been charged with an assortment of misdemeanors and felonies over her penchant for calling 911 to complain of nonexistent medical emergencies as well as an attempt to falsely incriminate a nursing aide.

Hatch is just 29 years old. This strikes me as an unusually young age for someone living in a nursing home. At one time, that may have been true. These days, around 20% of nursing home residents are under age 65.

She's been charged in two separate complaints, filed February 18 and February 21, which you can review yourself below.

In the Complaint filed February 18 by Officer Cory Fluck, Hatch is charged with false alarms to public safety agencies (a first-degree misdemeanor) and misuse of 911 (a second-degree misdemeanor). She had placed 275 calls to the 911 emergency number for nonexistent medical emergencies between July 23, 2024 and January 6, 2026. After being told to stop crying "Wolf!", she placed 22 more calls to 911.

In addition, she's been charged with making a false report with the intention of implicating another (a second-degree misdemeanor). According to an affidavit of probable cause filed by Officer Fluck, a nursing assistant watched her lay on the floor and prop her head up on a tub to make it look as though she had fallen and hit her head. When confronted, Hatch accused the nursing assistant of recording her in her private room.

A second Complaint filed February 21 by Officer Zach Dugan charged her with a third-degree felony for two more false alarms within a 20-minute span despite previous warnings and criminal charges.

First degree misdemeanors carry a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment. Second-degree misdemeanors carry a maximum sentence of two years in jail. A third-degree felony is punishable by up to seven years in jail.

Can a nursing home resident who engages in criminal behavior be evicted? If it's a Medicare and Medicaid nursing home like Gracedale, the answer is generally No. A resident can be evicted "if their welfare, or that of other residents, is endangered by their continued presence, such as when behavior poses a threat to safety or health. Discharge is also permissible if the resident’s needs cannot be met by the facility, meaning the required care exceeds what the nursing home provides. Finally, a nursing home can discharge residents if the facility ceases to operate."

Hatch Criminal Complaint by BernieOHare

Linc Treadwell Replaces Stan Margle as Wilson Borough's Solicitor

2026-02-27T00:00:00.001-05:00

Attorney B. Lincoln Treadwell is Wilson Borough's newest Solicitor. He was appointed by Borough Council during a special meeting on February 18. The vote was 8-0, with one member absent.

Voting to appoint Treadwell were Council members Shaun Gable, Susan Allen, Kendra Cooper, John Burke, Grace Hurd, Jeffrey Bracken, Russell Lipari and Michael Figueroa. Council member Kimberlee Muzac was absent.

Treadwell previously served as Solicitor to Lower Saucon Tp for 23 years. He walked away in 2023, after that Council became fractious.

Treadwell was one of two applicants. The other was Attorney Chris Spadoni, who served as Solicitor to Bethlehem City Council and, most recently, to Northampton County Council.

Treadwell replaces Attorney Stan Margle, who was incarcerated early this month for criminal contempt after he refused to be drug-tested in connection with cocaine-related charges filed against him. Margle has since been paroled for treatment at an inpatient facility.

Seven Employees at Allegheny County's Nursing Homes Suspended, Fired and/or Arrested

2026-02-26T00:00:00.008-05:00

Allegheny County owns and operates four county nursing homes known as the Kane Community Living Centers. According to CBS, two maintenance workers have been arrested and charged with theft by deception for claiming considerably more hours than they actually worked. In addition, the HR director has been charged with fraud and theft after directing that funds be deposited into the account of a niece for a full year after that niece was no longer employed. The HR director allegedly intercepted those checks and deposited them into her own account.

The administrator at one of these homes has been suspended along with one of his top assistants. In addition, the Director of Nursing and two of her deputies have also been suspended.

NorCo Council Member Jason Boulette: Trump Accounts Have Their Pitfalls

2026-02-26T00:00:00.006-05:00

One of my takeaways from President Donald Trump's Tuesday night SOTU was my praise for Trump accounts, a special kind of IRA that can be set up for children. Uncles Sam will contribute $1,000 to accounts for babies born between 2025 and 2028, with the program officially launching on July 4, 2026, to coincide with the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence. The funds must be invested in low-fee index funds that primarily hold U.S. stocks. Now as anyone who has seen my estate knows, I'm no financial expert. But I'm thinking $1,000 is $1,000. Unlike me, NorCo Council member Jason Boulette actually is a financial expert. And while he agrees that those who can take the money should do so, he pretty much thinks that's all you should do. He has given me permission to share his analysis with the "disclaimer that the information is intended for educational purposes and does not constitute investment, legal, or tax advice.

When you choose to invest, there are a lot of different account options under the tax code. You want to choose the one that will yield the greatest benefits for yourself and your child. And in that regard, Trump accounts are simply, mathematically, worse than just about any other option.

First, look at the Trump accounts' treatment in the tax code against IRAs. There are two main types of IRAs, traditional and Roth. Traditional IRAs are tax-deferred, meaning you get a tax deduction for contributing (the pro), but you'll later pay income tax on withdrawals including on all gains (the con). With Roth IRAs, your contributions are with after-tax dollars, meaning you've already paid income tax on the money that goes in and get no deductions for contributing (the con), but on the other hand your earnings grow tax-free and you pay no tax at all on withdrawals (the pro). With Trump accounts, you contribute post-tax dollars like a Roth, but your child will need to pay income tax on all the earnings, like a traditional. It combines the cons of both IRA structures with neither of the pros.

When your child turns 18, it converts into a traditional IRA that you got no deductions for. Note that because it converts into a traditional IRA, there's a 10% penalty for withdrawals pre-retirement from Trump accounts that don't meet special exceptions like education or buying a first-time home.

Now, compare Trump accounts to alternatives you could use to invest for your child:
Coverdell IRAs: these allow you to invest for educational expenses. Coverdells have a $2,000 annual contribution limit vs Trump's $5,000 annual limit; they also have an income restriction of $220,000 for a married couple. Coverdells are not tax deductible, however unlike with Trump accounts, withdrawals (including on gains) are tax-free if used for educational expenses.
529s: on the whole, a MUCH better investment choice. Again, these are primarily to save for educational expenses, but the definition is pretty broad (they can be used for room & board, for example). Contribution limits are much higher for 529s: in 2026, the limit is $19,000, whereas for Trumps, it's $5,000. While 529s don't allow for federal tax deductions, they allow for state income tax deductions in almost every state. Here in Pennsylvania, that'll get you a deduction on our flat 6% income tax. Qualified 529 withdrawals are tax free. If your child is withdrawing from a Trump account for educational expenses, they're paying income tax on all the gains. If they're withdrawing from a 529 for educational expenses, they're paying no tax on any gains. The one edge I'd give to Trump accounts over 529s is that while both can be converted to IRAs, there appears to be no cap on the Trump conversions whereas there's a $35,000 lifetime cap per child for 529 to IRA conversions. However, the 529 can be rolled over to a Roth IRA as opposed to a traditional for a Trump account -- that's $35,000 your child will never pay taxes on.
UGMA/UTMA: these are custodial accounts that are managed by the guardian, but the money invested into them belongs to the child. You can contribute up to $19,000 in these annually without triggering gift taxes. Again, no tax deductions for contributions. Unlike 529s and Coverdells, they do not grow tax-deferred. However, up to $1,350 of interest/dividend growth annually will be tax free (standard deduction), and $1,351-2,700 of growth will be taxed at the child's tax rate of 10%. Your child will be able withdraw the money in the UGMA/UTMA without paying a tax penalty pre-retirement. I've run simulations and have looked at other investors' simulations that show that even though this is a taxable account, your child will end up ahead here, because long-term holdings will be taxed as long term capital gains, and Trump account gains will be taxed as income.
Roth IRA: when your child is old enough to get a job with earned income, help them set up a Roth IRA and contribute the annual maximum to that. The Trump account will, at age 18, convert to a traditional IRA. Your child can roll over money from his traditional to his Roth IRA, but depending on when it's done, it could be subject to Kiddie Tax rules (which means up to age 24, your child could pay YOUR income tax rate for any conversions). If you funded an UGMA/UTMA for your child, once they become an adult and get the money, they can use that to fund their Roth in future working years. With the Trump account (like a traditional IRA), you pay a 10% penalty (on top of the income taxes) for any money withdrawn for a reason other than education/buying a first time home. With a Roth, your child can withdraw any of the contributions (as opposed to the gains) without paying any tax penalty.
Just invest in a traditional taxable brokerage account that your child will inherit when you die. The con here is you'll be dead when your child gets it (or, again, you can give up to $19,000 annually without triggering gift taxes), but they won't get the bulk of the Trump account money until they're retired. The pro is that thanks to stepped up basis, they'll get a massive tax advantage with this money. Again, like with the UGMA/UTMA, run a simulation where you invest the same amount in a taxable brokerage and a Trump account, and the end result is the taxable brokerage account will end up with a lot more money.

The bottom line is that an account where you're contributing after tax money, but the gains are taxed as income and not long term capital gains (or tax free) is much worse than just about every other option. Again, like I said, everyone whose child is eligible should take the $1,000 federal contribution. But when it comes to investing your own money, you should prioritize all these other accounts over a Trump account.

Another plug for 529s: here in Pennsylvania, our former Treasurer, Joe Torsella, started a program, Keystone Scholars, where every child born in the state gets $100 from the state in their 529 (the legislature later made this $100 permanent; with Trump accounts, the free $1,000 goes away at the end of 2028). If you contribute further to the 529, you get a tax deduction. And your child will not pay taxes on any of that money or the growth in the account.

Takeaways From Trump's Longest-Ever SOTU

2026-02-25T00:00:00.001-05:00

I made it through President Donald Trump's SOTU last night. I need more time to consider what he had to say, but I'll share my takeaways and welcome yours.

First, it was too long. Trump shattered the record for longest SOTU, a record that he himself set last year. As a result, it was boring at times.

Second, Democrats who opted to boycott the speech are childish and guilty of the very partisan behavior that Trump himself exhibited during his address. Like it or not, he is the President. I do not respect the person but do respect the office.

Third, most of Trump's partisan rants at Democrats are just as childish. At a time when we need to be talking to each other, we tend to talk at each other.

Fourth, his call to end insider trading was one of the few instances that resulted in bipartisan applause, but it's unclear to me whether Congress will act.

Fifth, the Trump accounts for kids (he claims he did not come up with the name), which will be seeded with $1,000 from the federal government, is an excellent idea and a way to help our children build a nest egg they can collect when they turn 18. He also deserves credit for eliminating taxes on tips (up to a point) and on overtime.

Sixth, his claim that tariffs could result in the elimination of income tax is sheer nonsense and would be regressive, hurting the poor.

Seventh, his claim to have stopped illegal immigration appears to be accurate.

Eighth, his claim that the economy is doing well is one with which most Americans disagree.

Ninth, his foreign policy is simply chaotic, but he avoided addressing many of the problems he himself has created, like alienating most of our allies.

Instead of Sending a Hospital Boat to Greenland, Why Not Here?

2026-02-24T00:00:00.003-05:00

Last week, President Donald Trump announced a hospital ship was "on its way" to Greenland "to take care of the many people who are sick, and not being taken care of there.” In doing so, what Trump actually did is demonstrate yet again that he is completely out of touch with our healthcare system, which is essentially unavailable to all but the very rich or the very poor.

In Greenland, unlike here in the United States, healthcare is free. So is college. So the people who live there have to be amused by Trump's latest Greenland gambit.

By the way, nobody in the federal government has a clue that any hospital ship is on its way anywhere.

If Trump really wanted to help "the many people who are sick and not being taken care of," he could send it here. After all, he likes to chant "America First."

Dixie TIF Makes Housing Less Affordable, Is Not Needed

2026-02-24T00:00:00.001-05:00

Last year, NorCo Council denied a tax break known as a TIF to Skyline Enterprises, the developer of plan to convert the vacant Wilson Borough Dixie Cup factory into 405 luxury apartments. The TIF would enable Skyline to float a bond to pay for the cost of construction, payable from future increases in assessment. But as I told you yesterday, Skyline plans to try again in March.

Skyline was at a NorCo Council committee meeting last week to seek County Council's approval of its application for a $500,000 state RACP grant. "You're doing a fantastic job!" gushed Council member Jeff Warren to Skyline managing partner Brian Bartee. He noted that Bartee has spent his own money to prepare the site. That's a bit misleading. Bartee has or will be receiving at least $1,383,257 from the state alone, to say nothing of the TIF and federal tax credits.

Warren also claimed that the Lehigh Valley needs 10,000 housing units and "This is needed to make housing more attainable." This is the same argument that former Exec Lamont McClure made. They are both wrong. This will actually make housing less attainable. Let me explain why.

If the Lehigh Valley were a bubble into which no one could move and no one could leave, 405 luxury apartment units would make housing more attainable. But as we all know, the Lehigh Valley is no bubble into which no one can move or leave. The addition of 405 luxury apartments will only attract people from outside of the Lehigh Valley who can afford to pay the high rent as they commute to their jobs in NYC or Jersey. And guess what? The Lehigh Valley will still need 10,000 housing units.

If Skyline was building workforce housing, this would probably alleviate the housing crisis. But it's not. It is building luxury apartments and a luxury hotel, not a place for a weary corrections officer to rest between shifts.

In reality, this will exacerbate the housing crisis. When nearby landlords see the rents being charged by Skyline, they will increase their monthly rents as well, making housing less affordable. During the hearings in advance of the TIF that failed last year, a well-known local landlord argued in favor of the TIF for the obvious reason that he could then charge higher monthly rents.

In addition to actually exacerbating our housing crisis, Skyline does not really need a TIF from the county. Council member Jason Boulette queried Bartee on that topic. "It really means a lot to us to have the county support and buy-in as well." answered Bartee. But when pressed he acknowledged that "[t]here are other ways to have the project move forward."

Given that this project will actually worsen the housing crisis and can move ahead without shackling the county taxpayer, there is no need for the county to give this nonlocal developer any tax break. The county is looking down the barrel of a tax hike next year for Gracedale and better wages and should probably think twice before investing taxpayers' hard-earned money into this boondoggle.

Skyline Gets NorCo Council to Support $500,000 State Grant For Luxury Hotel in Wilson Boro, Next to Dixie Cup

2026-02-23T00:00:00.001-05:00

Local governments Wilson Borough and Wilson Area School District have been falling all over themselves to help the for-profit private equity firm (Skyline Investment Group) build both luxury apartments and a high-end hotel in Wilson Borough. In addition to seeking a $29 million tax break to redevelop the vacant Dixie Cup factory, it already has received $838,257 in state grants. At Thursday night's meeting, Northampton County Council endorsed another $500,000 in state RACP grants. Skyline still another $9 million from the state. Without the local tax break known as a TIF, which amounts to about $29 million, it is seeking $124,338.257 in the form of outright grants or tax credits.

Skyline principal Brian Bartee was introduced by DCED Director Tina Smith, who told Council that the Zrinski administration supports this project. But what exactly is the project?

We all know that Skyline wants a $29 million TIF to turn Wilson Borough's vacant Dixie Cup factory, into luxury apartments that few can afford. That proposal failed last year. But with a new County Council, Bartee plans to get the county to join the borough and school district in awarding his project a TIF and apparently plans to seek county approval again sometime next month.

But does County Council even know there's much more? There was little discussion during the meeting as Council members told each other they were merely voting on a "pass through" grant. It's still the public's money, but Council member Lori Vargo Heffner was the sole NO vote.

Here's what County Council does not know but could have discovered if they looked at the actual application. It includes more than the Dixie Cup. It also includes what Skyline calls its "New Life," project, a plan to convert the 3-acre former LA Fitness site into a "premier hotel" known as The Wilson. According to Skyline, "130 hotel suites with 250 multifamily residences are planned that will feature 1920s-inspired art elegantly paired with modern amenities and exceptional service. Along with the introduction of approximately 163 permanent jobs, The Wilson will feature EV charging stations, a high staff-to-room ratio, and a suite of premium services.

Guests will enjoy the personalized attention of a dedicated butler, doorman, concierge, chauffeur, and valet parking, all provided by a team of highly trained professionals committed to the highest standards of hospitality".

Do you think it's wise to spend public tax dollars for luxury apartments and a premier hotel that includes butlers and chauffeurs?

The grant application describes the site as a "brownfield," but that is completely untrue of the LA Fitness site.

Skyline has already been awarded $500,000 from an RACP application in 2024. It also received $163,257 from a DCED Multimodal Transportation Funding Grant and a $175,000 Greenways, Trails and Recreational Program grant. It is seeking even more grant money from PennDOT, DCED Mixed Use Housing Development, another DCED Greenways grant, another DCED multimodal transportation grant, and Pa Historic tax credits

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

Dixie Cup Rcap Application 2025 by BernieOHare

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

2026-02-20T00:00:00.006-05:00

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.

NorCo Council Approves Budget Amendment Allocating $7 Million in County Funds to Gracedale

2026-02-20T00:00:00.005-05:00

At last night's meeting of Northampton County Council, all nine members voted for a Budget Amendment that allocates $7 million from the county to Gracedale.

In a message to Council, Executive Tara Zrinski explained that the county transfer was needed so that the nursing home's 2025 expenditures are covered.

"We carefully reviewed each departmental budget to identify unspent funds, including savings from vacancies, deferred purchases and other unused allocations, and we're able to reallocate approximately 7 million to fully cover Graysdale's 2025 expenditures."

"The remaining deficit reflects timing differences between when expenses are incurred and when reimbursements are received."

"Approving these amendments will allow us to balance the 2025 budget as required by law and fulfill our shared responsibility for sound fiscal management.

NorCo's Former Custody Master Appeals Dismissal of Her Civil Rights Case Against the Court

2026-02-20T00:00:00.001-05:00

Earlier this month, Federal District Court Judge John Gallagher dismissed a civil rights action brought by NorCo's former custody master, Lisa Tresslar, against the Northampton County bench. She claimed she was the victim of retaliation when he objected to changes in custody guidelines promulgated by the court. According to Judge Gallagher, no jury could reasonably conclude that her objections were made in her capacity as a private citizen. She also failed to establish that the court even knew of her more public complaints. Judge Gallagher's dismissal was "with prejudice," meaning that Tresslar was unable to amend her claim.

Tresslar has appealed judge Gallagher's decision to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, which is the second highest court in the nation. Her Notice was filed yesterday.

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

2026-02-19T12:53:00.000-05:00

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.

Keegan Blames Negative Public Perception of Gracedale on Unfounded Complaints and ... Me

2026-02-19T00:00:00.005-05:00

Although I ramble, my favorite topic has always been Northampton County government. That includes the county-owned nursing home, Gracedale. When there's been good news about the home, like a zero-deficiency survey from the state Department of Health (DOH), I've reported it. When it achieved a four-star (above average) rating, as it did at this time just one year ago, I let you know. But when it dropped to just a one-star (much below average) rating, was red-flagged for abuse and was issued a provisional license, I've told you that as well. Moreover, based on an analysis of the DOH surveys for all 14 county-owned nursing homes throughout the state in 10 different counties*, Gracedale has the lowest nursing care rating, It is the only county-owned home with a one-star rating. It had the highest number of deficiencies in 2025. Objectively, it was the worst county-owned home in the state in 2025 and kicked off the new year with yet another deficiency for inadequate staffing.

Unfortunately, there's been more bad than good news, but that's the way it is. If we have a moral obligation to care for those who are unable to care for themselves, and are spending public money for that purpose, then the public should know when we are falling short so we can rectify the situation. That's why the DOH surveys and Medicare star-ratings are public. That's why people can complain anonymously to the state DOH if they feel something is wrong even if it turns out that they are themselves incorrect.

Public scrutiny of a public nursing home is something that NorCo Council member Kelly Keegan dislikes. At last night's human services committee meeting, she actually wanted to know whether the county has a policy against whistleblowers who dare to report perceived violations at the home. Fortunately, Administrator Michelle Morton answered that whistleblowers are actually protected and could very well be sincere when they call in with a complaint.

Keegan was still unsatisfied. "That's cutting your nose off to spite your face," she suggested. "And it's like, their livelihood, so why would they want to do that?"

Maybe because they care about the residents and want the home to improve.

It's true that Gracedale does get complaints of deficiencies that turn out to be unfounded. But based on my analysis of the 14 county-owned nursing homes in 10 different counties, this happens at all nursing homes, not just Gracedale. Employees, families or residents themselves can complain. The state DOH would rather investigate an unfounded complaint than ignore a concern that is real.

Later in the meeting, Keegan objected to bringing in a consultant with recommendations on improving the home, arguing that we should refrain from spending money on a third party only to learn that our "fantastic administration" is telling the truth. "Don't we believe them?"

She added that any poor public perception of Gracedale is due solely to "one person that continues to trash Gracedale on a continuous basis, and I would put a lot of blame on that person. I think we all know who he is. Every single day, constantly writing about Gracedale, and if that one person would stop doing those things, and we could believe the administration, and what they're telling us, why would I pay somebody - a third party - to tell me that they're telling the truth?"

How about because Gracedale is a one-star home, is red-flagged for abuse, has a provisional license and had the lowest nursing care of all county-owned nursing homes in 2025. I believe the administration is trying, but I also believe the DOH.

During last night's meeting, NorCo Council member Dave Holland had two suggestions.

First, he suggested downsizing the home by eliminating a 30-bed unit. Exec Tara Zrinski is not ready to downsize at this point but agrees that reliance on agency nurses needs to be reduced. She worried that downsizing might result in the discharge of some residents, although that's not what Holland intimated.

I believe this topic will be revisited in the near future.

Holland's second suggestion was to bring in a third-party consultant to validate what's right and make suggestions to correct what is wrong. This is apparently also opposed by the administration. Although Council members like Theresa Fadem and Lori Vargo Heffner support this idea, Keegan is opposed, as I noted above. Council member Jeff Warren said we should first give Zrinski a chance. He suggested things might be different by the end of April.

Holland has no problem with waiting but cautioned that Council needs to monitor what is happening because a provisional license can eventually result in a denial of payments.

____

*) NorCo Council member Kelly Keegan and Gracedale Administrator Michelle Morton stated last night that there are only seven county-owned homes in the state. According to the state DOH's nursing home facility locator, there are 14 county-owned nursing homes in 10 different counties.

Wandalowski on NorCo's Human Services Vacancies

2026-02-19T00:00:00.004-05:00

Not all that long ago, Human Services Director Sue Wandalowski said that vacancies in Human Services existed because the county was stuck in a cumbersome state civil service program. Well, the county has been unshackled from state civil service and the vacancy problem should be an unhappy memory of the recent past, right? Wrong. Last night, Wandalowski reported that there are "around" 30 vacancies in Children and Youth. She indicated there are vacancies in the Department of Aging but failed to specify how many. I'll have more about this tomorrow.

Pinsley Drops Out of Congressional Race, Will Seek State Senate Seat Instead

2026-02-18T09:59:00.000-05:00

Lehigh County Controller Mark Pinsley, who was one of seven candidates seeking the Democratic nomination for the Pa 7 Congressional seat, has dropped out of the race. He's now running for the state senate instead. He's claiming he's the strongest possible candidate to take on incumbent Jarrett Coleman.

I'd say he's the weakest and has immeasurably hurt himself by abandoning one race to seek what he perceives to be a lower hanging fruit.

Munich Security Conference: Hillary Clinton Blasts Trump's Chaotic Ukraine Policy

2026-02-18T00:15:00.001-05:00

At a panel discussion during this year's Munich Security Conference, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton blasted President Trump's Ukraine policy: "I think the Trump administration's position toward Ukraine is disgraceful. I think the effort to force Ukraine into a surrender deal with Putin is shameful. I think the effort that Putin and Trump are making to profit off the misery and death of the Ukrainian people is a historic error and corrupt to the nth degree. I believe Ukraine is fighting for our democracy and our values of freedom and civilization on the front lines, losing thousands of people and having their country destroyed by one man's mania to control them. And I think Trump either doesn't understand or could[n't] care less about that suffering. So that's what I think."

When asked whether Trump has destroyed the West, Clinton responded, "He has betrayed the West. He's betrayed human values. He's betrayed the NATO Charter, the Atlantic Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. A lot of what has been done before to try to make sense of how difficult it is to restrain people who want unaccountable power. And none of us in this room, including all of us on this panel, would choose to live under a regime that was so unaccountable that it could act with impunity the way that Putin does. Except that's who Trump is modeling himself after."

A pro-Trump Czech participant joked, "I think you really don't like him."

"You know, that is absolutely true," responded Clinton. "I don't like him because of what he's doing to the United States and the world. And I think you should take a hard look at it if you think that there is something good that will come out of it."