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In this Update:
Monthly Office Hours in Beaver Springs
My staff will be available to help residents with state government-related programs, services and issues on Thursday, Sept. 7, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Beaver Springs Senior Center, located at 55 Elm St., Beaver Springs. We began hosting regular office hours on the first Thursday of each month in Beaver Springs. We provide the same services at the Beaver Springs Senior Center that are available at our other offices, including assistance with Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program applications, unemployment compensation claims and PennDOT paperwork. Staff also will offer complimentary notary services, provide information about state legislation and make referrals to agencies to resolve state-related matters. Residents should call the Shamokin Dam District Office at 570-743-1918 to reserve time with staff during the Beaver Springs outreach hours. Agricultural Forum Addressed Issues Important to Farmers
Last week I attended an agricultural forum sponsored by my colleagues in the General Assembly, state Rep. Michael Stender (second from left) and Rep. Joanne Stehr. It was great to see and talk with so many farmers and discuss the issues important to them. Columbia County Farm Tour at Rohrbachs Farm Market
I attended a Columbia County Farm Tour this week at Rohrbachs Farm Market in Catawissa. I toured the farm with several members from the Columbia County Farm Bureau and the Luzerne County Farm Bureau, as well as other local farmers. Rohrbach’s is a fourth-generation farm with lots of history and tradition. In addition to a traditional farmer’s market, it also features a winery and barbecue pit. Thank you to Big Dan’s BBQ for providing the food. It was amazing! Senate Approves Critical Budget Implementation Bills
The Senate advanced two bills to implement key parts of the 2023-24 budget and drive out funding to schools, hospitals, EMS providers, higher education, libraries and more. The fiscal code bills take an important step to further finalize portions of the state budget which require implementation language. The critical support authorized by the legislation cannot be finalized until the House of Representatives also returns to session. House Bill 1300 reauthorizes assessments and payments to hospitals, boosts reimbursement rates for EMS providers, and reauthorizes judicial fees that courts rely on for funding. These budget items are important and time-sensitive. In addition, the bill directs funding to many non-controversial and bipartisan budget items related to education, including:
The Senate also voted to advance Senate Bill 757, which addresses other priorities included in the original budget deal Senate Republicans negotiated with the governor in June. This includes the creation of the Pennsylvania Award for Student Success (PASS) program to provide additional educational options for students in failing schools, as well as $150 million in new funding for the state’s popular Educational Improvement Tax Credit program to expand educational opportunities to families throughout the state. Committee Advances Bill to Move Up 2024 Primary Election
Bipartisan legislation to give Pennsylvanians greater say in the 2024 presidential election by moving up the primary election date was approved by a Senate committee this week. The bill advances to the full Senate for consideration. The Senate State Government Committee passed Senate Bill 224 to move up the primary election by five weeks to March 19, 2024. This change will likely place the Pennsylvania primary election on the same day as Arizona, Florida, Illinois and Ohio. In many presidential elections, the outcome is largely decided before Pennsylvania voters have a chance to cast a ballot. Moving up the spring election date gives voters in the fifth-largest state a better chance of weighing in on the presidential primary. Tax Collections Show Effectiveness of Reducing Taxes
Each month, the Senate Appropriations Committee prepares an update about the state’s financial health. The most recent report shows that total General Fund revenues were $185.3 million, or 6.9%, higher than last year at this time. Corporate Net Income Tax (CNIT) collections were $31.3 million, or 20.8%, higher than July 2022 collections. The increased collections demonstrate the effectiveness of reducing Pennsylvania’s CNIT rate, which started with the 2022-23 state budget. This year’s budget continues the phase-down of our CNIT rate, which will take Pennsylvania from one of the highest tax rates in the country to one of the lowest. The full update, including the monthly revenue report, is available here. State Police Remove College Credit Requirement for Cadets
Pennsylvania State Police are removing the college credit requirement for residents who want to serve as state troopers. The previous educational requirement of 60 college credits has been in place since the 1990s. Under the change, cadet applicants must possess a high school diploma or GED certificate and a valid driver’s license from any state. Cadets also undergo 28 weeks of comprehensive training. The number of state police applicants has dropped significantly in recent years. Waiving the college degree requirement on a trial basis for this next period of cadet applications is aimed at helping the PSP attract and retain talent. The change will be re-evaluated pending the results of multiple application cycles. The 2023-24 state budget includes funding for four new state police cadet classes to train 384 new troopers. For information on becoming a Pennsylvania State Police trooper, visit patrooper.com. Selinsgrove Driver License Center to Close for Renovations
The Selinsgrove Driver License Center located at 1015 U.S. Route 522, Selinsgrove, is scheduled to undergo major renovation work and will be closed for approximately three months beginning Monday, Sept. 11, through Monday, Dec. 4. The center has a tentative reopen date of Tuesday, Dec. 5. Customers who normally visit the Selinsgrove center for assistance may still obtain a variety of driver and vehicle products and services online through PennDOT’s Driver and Vehicle Services website, www.DMV.Pa.Gov. Customers also may find an alternate driver license or photo center in the area by visiting PennDOT’s website. Locations near the Selinsgrove Driver License Center and their approximate distance include:
The team of PennDOT employees currently serving customers at the Selinsgrove location will be temporarily reassigned to the Shamokin Driver License Center at 5 Anthra Plaza in Shamokin. The Shamokin Driver License Center will expand its current operations to five days weekly – Tuesday through Saturday from 8:30 AM to 4:15 PM – for all services. Additionally, the Schuylkill Haven Driver License Center will modify hours during this period, adding service on Fridays to its current schedule of Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays from 8:30 AM to 4:15 PM. The Lewisburg Photo Center located at 130 Buffalo Road in Lewisburg – which offers photo services only – will increase operations to Tuesday through Saturday from 8:30 AM to 4:15 PM as an additional service option for photos. More information about PennDOT and its services is available at www.PennDOT.Pa.Gov. Avoid Holiday Traffic With 511PA
You can log onto www.511pa.com to check current traffic impacts from construction, traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to live traffic cameras across Pennsylvania. The service is free and available 24 hours a day. 511PA is also available through a smartphone app, by calling 5-1-1 or by following regional Twitter (X) alerts accessible on the 511PA website. In other PennDOT news, driver license and photo centers will be closed Saturday, Sept. 2, through Monday, Sept. 4, for Labor Day. Customers may still obtain a variety of driver and vehicle products and services online through PennDOT’s website. Happy Labor Day
I hope you have a great holiday weekend and relaxing Labor Day. I’m working with my colleagues to improve opportunities for workers and the families they support. Too many Pennsylvania citizens are fleeing the state for better jobs in other parts of the country. To reverse this troubling trend, the budget bill passed by the Senate and signed into law continues to improve our tax structure to create jobs, prioritize workforce development and support career and technical education. I’ll keep you updated on our efforts throughout the year.
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