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Capitol Report
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#Listrak\DateStampLong#
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The latest news from the State Capitol
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Please do not reply directly to this email, as it returns to an unmanned account.
You are welcome to contact me through this link.
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New District Video
Our whirlwind tour of the 139th continues. Next up, join me as I tour the historic Forest Hall Studios.
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Energy Development, Public Safety Featured in State Budget Hearings
With rising energy prices and concerns about electric grid stability, this week the House Appropriations Committee focused heavily on energy development and permitting issues during this week’s budget hearing with the departments of Environmental Protection and Conservation and Natural Resources. We emphasized the importance of building baseload energy production from coal, natural gas and nuclear power to decrease energy costs for consumers and meet rising demand.
During hearings with the Office of Attorney General and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, public safety was the focus, with concerns raised about needed support for law enforcement and fire and emergency medical services. We expressed concerns that the governor’s proposal underfunds the Office of the Attorney General for a second year in a row. Attorney General Dave Sunday shared that his office needs more funding to prosecute and combat human trafficking in Pennsylvania, among other functions of his office.
Budget hearings will come to a close next week with testimony from the Pennsylvania departments of Transportation, Revenue, Health and Aging, along with the Pennsylvania State Police and higher education institutions. The governor’s Office of the Budget will also testify.
I hope you are following me on social media where you can view my question-and-answer exchanges with the state agencies, as well as my weekly recaps which post on Fridays.
Budget hearings will stream live at www.PABudget.com and www.PAHouseGOP.com. For a full schedule of hearings and video of prior hearings, click here.
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Celebrate PA History on Charter Day!
Help celebrate the Commonwealth’s 345th birthday this Sunday, March 8, with special programming at several of the state’s museums and historic sites.
Pennsylvania was established when England’s King Charles II granted a charter to William Penn in March 1681. The 345-year-old charter, often referred to as Pennsylvania’s birth certificate, is written on parchment using iron gall ink. The Pennsylvania State Archives preserves the document in a high-security vault, shielding it from strong light and environmental fluctuations.
At the State Museum in Harrisburg this Sunday, guests can visit hands-on stations to learn about William Penn, view a replica of the Penn Charter and explore colonial life. Admission is free at the museum on March 8 from noon to 4:30 p.m. Learn more here.
Several other sites on the state’s Trails of History are offering free admission and/or special programming in honor of the Commonwealth’s birthday. Click here for information!
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Beware of Tax Season Scams
Tax season has arrived, and with it the threat of tax-related scams.
The Internal Revenue Service reminds you to watch out for these warning signs:
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A big payday – If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Bad tax advice on social media may convince you to lie on tax forms or mislead you about credits you can claim.
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Demands or threats – Impersonators want you to pay “now or else.” They threaten arrest or deportation. They don’t let you question or appeal the amount of tax you owe.
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Website links – Odd or misspelled web links can take you to harmful sites instead of IRS.gov.
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Taxpayers should also be aware of IRS impersonators. The IRS will never contact you using social media or text message. The first contact from the IRS usually comes in the mail.
To learn more about tax scams and how to protect yourself, click here.
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PA ABLE Celebrates $200 Million Saved by Pennsylvanians with Disabilities
The PA ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) Savings Program continues to grow, with Treasurer Stacy Garrity announcing recently that the program has surpassed $200 million in assets.
PA ABLE is an important program that provides savings opportunities to Pennsylvanians with disabilities that don’t impact important benefits they rely upon. It also provides significant tax benefits. Money saved with PA ABLE can be used for a wide variety of disability-related expenses to cover day-to-day things like groceries and rent and bigger expenses like assistive technology and vehicle adaptations.
PA ABLE is a powerful program that helps individuals with disabilities improve financial security and live more independently. In January, PA ABLE expanded eligibility to include those whose disabilities began prior to age 46 (previously age 26).
For information about eligibility and how to start saving with PA ABLE, visit www.paable.gov or call 855-529-ABLE (2253).
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Spring Ahead: Turn Clocks Ahead One Hour This Weekend
Daylight saving time will begin on Sunday, March 8, at 2 a.m. Be sure to turn your clocks ahead one hour Saturday night before going to bed.
This is also a good time to check and/or change batteries in both smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms. It is also recommended the alarms be replaced every 10 years.
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PGC Opens Shooting Range Improvement Grant Program
The Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Shooting Range Improvement Program is now accepting applications for shooting range projects.
Eligible applicants include existing shooting ranges, shooting clubs, recreational shooting organizations, archery clubs and education groups. Applicants must demonstrate public use of current facilities, such as public range times, educational outreach/training or organized shooting competitions. Retail ranges are not eligible to apply for this program.
A maximum of $50,000 will be awarded per project. Submissions are due to the Game Commission by Friday, May 8, with project selection by July 1. Click here for more information.
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Upcoming District Events
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