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In this Update:
Deadline Extended to Apply for up to $1,000 Property Tax or Rent Rebate
The deadline for older Pennsylvanians and those with disabilities to apply for rebates on rent and property taxes paid in 2023 has been extended from June 30 to Dec. 31. The Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians age 65 and older, widows and widowers age 50 and older, and people with disabilities age 18 and older. The income limit is $45,000 a year for homeowners and renters, and half of Social Security income is excluded. Those who are eligible can apply online at mypath.pa.gov or by contacting one of our district offices to make an appointment for assistance. Under state law, the annual deadline for the program is set as June 30. However, the law requires the Department of Revenue to evaluate the program to determine if funds are available to extend the deadline. Approximately 445,000 rebate applications have already been filed this year, including nearly 80,000 first-time filers. The Department of Revenue has already processed and approved 92% of applications. The remaining claims either have errors or may require more information. Thanks to legislation passed by the Senate, the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program provides more financial relief to low-income seniors as the maximum standard rebate increased from $650 to $1,000. The law also opens the program to more people than ever before because income caps were raised and tied to annual cost-of-living increases. The program is funded with gaming and Pennsylvania Lottery proceeds. Rice Township Satellite Office Hours June 20
In an ongoing effort to make state government programs and services more accessible and convenient, my staff and I offer satellite office hours and locations in communities across our district. We will be hosting office hours Thursday, June 20, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Rice Township Building, 3000 Church Road, Mountain Top. We plan to host these office hours at the Rice Township Building on the third Thursday of each month. Please call our Luzerne County office staff at 570-387-4267 to schedule an appointment during our satellite office hours at the Rice Township Building. My staff provides the same services at these satellite office hours that we provide at our traditional district office locations. World War II Veteran Visits Capitol as Nation Observes D-Day Invasion Anniversary
The Senate was honored to have World War II veteran Benjamin Berry join us this week as a guest. Mr. Berry bravely served the nation and fought at the Battle of the Bulge, which was a pivotal moment in the second world war. It was a privilege to meet the 100-year-old veteran and thank him for his service to our country. As our nation observed this week the 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasion, meeting Mr. Berry serves as an important reminder of all the brave men and women who have sacrificed so much to ensure the nation’s freedoms. Local Boy Scouts Visit Capitol to Earn Merit Badge
Members of Boy Scout Troop 4077 and Troop 247 visited me at the state Capitol in Harrisburg this week to earn their citizenship in the nation merit badge. This merit badge is a requirement to earn the rank of Eagle Scout. I enjoyed meeting with Reagan, Rosalee, Austin and Garrett. Guard Day at the Capitol
Guard Day the Capitol celebrates the past, present and future of the Pennsylvania National Guard. The event took place this week and I had the opportunity to meet several members of the National Guard from across the commonwealth and hear about their operations and the advancements in technology and equipment. Thank you to all the past and present members of the National Guard and the newest group of recruits who were sworn in this week. New Distracted Driving Law Bans Use of Handheld Devices
A new law prohibits the use of handheld cellular and other devices while operating a vehicle on a Pennsylvania highway or traffic way. Drivers may still use their phone if they are using hands-free technology, such as a docking station, Bluetooth or speaker technology. For the first year, only warnings will be issued for violations. After that, there will be a $50 fine. Distracted driving fatalities in Pennsylvania surged to a decade high in 2022, claiming 80 lives. The AAA Traffic Safety Culture Index found that the majority of drivers believe distracted driving has outpaced all other traffic-related issues as a growing safety concern. All of Pennsylvania’s border states and 28 others have enacted hands-free laws. Respecting Taxpayers Remains a Top Priority in State Budget Negotiations
In Pennsylvania, the state budget is to be completed by June 30 of each year. As we work to reach consensus, our main goal will continue to be a budget that respects taxpayers and makes the best use of the state’s resources. In February, the governor proposed a $3.2 billion increase in state spending. Last month, the Senate passed an alternative approach that would reduce taxes by approximately $3 billion annually. Instead of growing government bureaucracy and picking winners and losers, our plan would allow Pennsylvanians to decide how their money should be spent. These historic tax cuts would provide relief to every Pennsylvanian who earns a paycheck by reducing the personal income tax rate from 3.07% to 2.8%, and every person paying an electric bill by eliminating the Gross Receipts Tax on energy. Learn more about the process of enacting the 2024-25 state budget and watch the Senate in session here. Senate Approves Bills to Reverse Nursing Home Worker Shortage
With the number of older Pennsylvanians rising and nursing homes struggling to find qualified workers, the Senate passed two bills this week to reverse the worker shortage. Both bills now head to the House of Representatives for consideration. Senate Bill 1102 would increase the number of nursing home workers by streamlining the training and certification process and removing barriers that prevent people from entering the health care workforce in Pennsylvania. Senate Bill 1104 would further increase the nursing home workforce by enabling high school juniors and seniors to earn up to two elective credits for working or volunteering at a nursing home, personal care home or assisted living facility. Schools would establish program guidelines and procedures to allow students to earn one elective credit for each 250 hours of paid or volunteer work at a qualifying facility. Legislation Giving Disabled Veterans Financial Relief Receives Senate Support
To provide financial relief to more disabled veterans, the Senate passed Senate Bill 194 to exclude U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Attendance benefits as income when calculating eligibility for Pennsylvania’s 100% Disabled Veterans’ Property Tax Exemption. Federal Aid and Attendance benefits provide monthly payments to disabled veterans who are housebound or need help with daily activities. Without the exclusion of this federal benefit, some disabled veterans are prevented from qualifying for property tax reductions. The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration. Senate Acts to Modernize Rules for Electronic Commerce
The Senate passed legislation to modernize the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC), updating rules that govern digital asset transactions to ensure security, consistency and confidence. It now advances to the House of Representatives for consideration. The UCC has provided consistency for commercial law and interstate commerce since 1954, when Pennsylvania led the initiative to adopt it. Since then, it has been adopted by all states and gives Americans legal confidence when transacting business across state lines. The last major revisions to the UCC took effect in 2001. In the two decades since, electronic property, or digital assets, have become much more prevalent in commercial transactions. Senate Bill 1084 would bring the law into the 21st century by establishing guidelines to cover digital asset transactions involving virtual currencies, non-fungible tokens, electronic accounts and other forms of electronic commerce. It would also make other needed technical updates to the UCC. Celebrating the Contributions of PA Dairy Farmers
Agriculture is Pennsylvania’s top industry, and dairy products play a significant role by generating $11.8 billion in economic revenue and supporting 47,000 jobs statewide. Of the nearly 5,000 dairy farms in the state, 99% are family-owned with many being handed down generation after generation. Our dairy farmers work tirelessly each day to provide families everywhere with nutrient-rich foods. Dairy products contain nine essential nutrients that help to manage weight and reduce the risk of high blood pressure, osteoporosis and certain cancers. The nutrient powerhouse also helps build and repair muscle tissue and maintain healthy skin. Celebrate National Dairy Month by raising a glass of milk or enjoying some delicious ice cream. Pennsylvania has an Ice Cream Trail that boasts great creameries all across the state.
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