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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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Veterans’ Assistance Hours Available
A representative from the American Legion is available to assist veterans and their dependents on the second Monday of every month in my district office. Services include assistance with compensation, pension and death benefits, education and health care, plus other benefits. Veterans do not need a membership with the American Legion to receive these services.
The upcoming dates are April 13, May 11 and June 8. Appointments are required and available between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Call my office at 570-226-5959 for scheduling.
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Working Toward a Responsible State Budget
The House Appropriations Committee’s annual budget hearings came to an end this week. The hearings gave us the opportunity to ask questions about the governor’s funding proposals for each agency and assess the efficiency and effectiveness of their operations.
During Monday’s hearing with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, we focused our questions on how PennDOT’s various funding streams are used and their long-term sustainability to maintain and improve the Commonwealth’s roadways. We also asked for an update on REAL ID, commercial driver license testing and mass transit funding.
Additional sessions with the departments of Revenue and Aging featured conversations about the governor’s tax proposals and efforts to protect citizens against elder abuse, respectively.
Video of the hearings, along with a short summary of each, is available at www.PABudget.com.
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March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
Colorectal cancer is one of the deadliest cancers in the United States despite it being highly preventable with screening.
Annual estimates by the American Cancer Society predict new cases to increase from 152,000 in 2025 to just shy of 159,000 in 2026. It further estimates that more than 55,000 Americans will lose their lives to the disease. This makes colorectal cancer now the leading cause of cancer-related death among U.S. men and women under age 50.
During Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is reminding people the most effective way to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer is routine screening, beginning at age 45, for people who are at average risk.
You can find more resources about early and regular screenings here. There are various types of screening tests available; talk to your doctor about which test is right for you. To prepare yourself for a conversation with your physician, information supplied by the CDC can be found here.
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PHEAA Hosts Scholarship Sweepstakes
The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) is giving away $2,500 no-essay scholarships through its PA Forward Student Loan program!
The scholarship sweepstakes is for Pennsylvania college students, graduate students and their parents for the 2026-27 academic year who opt in to receive communications from PHEAA between now and May 1. The communications are designed to provide students and families with tips on planning and paying for college.
Twelve people will be selected for the scholarship. Winners will be announced in May. Click here to enter the PA Forward sweepstakes.
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New Tax Credit to Help Working Pennsylvanians
With tax season in full swing, Pennsylvanians should know about a new tax credit adopted as part of the current year’s budget.
The Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) Tax Credit, also known as the Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit, provides income-qualified working Pennsylvanians with a tax credit equal to 10% of their federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). I was proud to support this measure to return hard-earned money back to taxpayers.
Pennsylvanians qualify for credit based on their income and number of dependents. More information, including a tax credit calculator, is available here.
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Plan Your PA Getaway!
The Commonwealth’s 2026 Travel Guide is now available to help you plan your next getaway!
This year’s free guide highlights special events celebrating the nation’s 250th anniversary, as well as major sports attractions such as the FIFA World Cup, NFL Draft, PGA Championship and March Madness, all coming to Pennsylvania this spring and summer.
The guide also highlights an array of must-see attractions in all corners of the state for people of all ages. Sign up to receive a free hard copy of the guide or click here to view it online. Happy travels!
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Another Scam Involving Owed Tolls Making Rounds
A new wave of smishing scam texts is making the rounds. The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) advises that the smishing scam is being sent to random individuals, aiming to deceive them to share their personal financial information to settle outstanding toll amounts.
The texts purport to be from “Traffic Division of Philadelphia Municipal Court” and may include a fake QR code for payment and center on an unpaid toll violation, fine and court costs. An example of part of the scam text is above.
People who receive an unsolicited text, email or similar message suggesting it is from the PA Turnpike or another toll agency should not click on the link. E-ZPass account holders and Toll by Plate customers can use approved safe methods to check their accounts such as the official PA Turnpike E-ZPass website or the PA Toll Pay app available from the Apple App Store, or Google Play store.
Those who receive a fraudulent text can file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov. That is a site dedicated to sharing information on Internet crimes across law enforcement agencies.
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Bringing Property Tax Relief to Residents
I recently introduced legislation that would require any increase in property tax revenue from the construction of new data centers within a school district be used exclusively to fund additional Homestead/Farmstead property tax relief for district residents.
Pennsylvania has become an increasingly attractive location for data centers due to its energy infrastructure, available land and proximity to major markets. While data centers can substantially increase a school district’s tax base, they can place strains on local resources. The measure ensures that while data centers may place increased demands on local infrastructure and land use, the financial benefits are shared directly with the community.
The intent of the legislation is to be revenue-neutral to school districts. It does not reduce existing revenues but rather directs new property tax revenue resulting from data center construction toward property tax relief. Homeowners and farmers would see reduced school property tax bills, while school districts would not experience a loss of current funding.
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District Happenings
Be sure to check out my Facebook page for a recap of district events and celebrations, including:
Enjoying a delicious All-You-Can-Eat Pancake Breakfast at Newfoundland Moravian Church.
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Upcoming District Events
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