PA Budget Helps Provide for an Uncertain Future

In late June, the General Assembly passed, and the governor signed, the 2021-22 state budget into law. Over the next couple weeks, I will share more details about the budget and how it meets today’s needs while also providing for the future.

This year’s budget directed $2.52 billion into the state’s Rainy Day Fund, bringing the account balance to a historic $2.76 billion. The Rainy Day Fund is the state’s equivalent of a family savings account. In economic slowdowns, these funds are used to help meet state obligations, instead of turning to taxpayers to send more of their hard-earned money to Harrisburg. We are facing uncertainty in our economic forecast, which led us to preserve $5 billion in federal relief funds to be used in future budgets. It is important to use this money wisely to protect against higher taxes or drastic cuts in the years to come.

New Law Will Aid in Protecting Children from Abuse

A new law will help stop child abuse by simply improving communication among agencies charged with investigating the crime. Act 42 of 2021 allows law enforcement agencies to share information relevant to an allegation or instance of abuse with entities required by the Child Protective Services Law (CPSL) to investigate such abuse. Previously, law enforcement agencies had been blocked by the Criminal History Record Information Act from sharing investigative or criminal record history information with county children and youth agencies that are responsible for investigating child abuse. This has put some children at risk for greater harm, as well as forcing other abuse victims to be repeatedly interviewed by various authorities about their traumatic experiences. Improved communication will substantially improve the Commonwealth’s ability to live up to its responsibility to protect children.

Deadline Approaching for Students to Repeat Grade Level Due to Pandemic Learning Loss

Recognizing the educational challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent mitigation efforts, the General Assembly has adopted a new law that would allow students to repeat their 2020-21 grade level to make up for lost educational opportunities. Under Act 66, parents and guardians, as well as students at or over the age of 18, have until July 15 to elect to repeat their grade level. The student may do so even if he or she met the requirements to be promoted to the next grade level. The law also permits students with disabilities who were enrolled during the 2020-21 school year and turned age 21 during the 2020-21 school year, or between the end of the 2020-21 school year and the beginning of the 2021-22 school year, to attend a school entity during the 2021-22 school year and receive services as outlined on their most recent Individualized Education Program (IEP) with all the protections under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Supporting Our Farmers

Agriculture remains the state’s top industry, but our farmers continue to face challenges in keeping their operations financially viable. A new law aims to help farmers who choose to diversify through agritourism. Act 27 of 2021 will provide limited civil liability protections to farmers who open their operations to the public for a fee. Agritourism activities may include farm markets, pick-your-own produce, corn mazes, petting zoos, hayrides and farm tours. It is a great way to educate people about where their food comes from and enables our farmers to continue to put food on our tables. The law is intended to protect agritourism businesses from frivolous lawsuits where no party is at fault for injuries or damages. The protections would not apply if the farmer or provider acts in a grossly negligent manner, purposefully causes the participant injury, commits an action or inaction that constitutes criminal conduct and causes the participant injury, or recklessly fails to warn or guard against a dangerous condition that causes injury or damages to a participant.

Do You Have Unclaimed Property?

The Pennsylvania Treasury is working to reunite Pennsylvanians with more than $4 billion in unclaimed property. Property such as uncashed checks and abandoned bank accounts, stocks or safe deposit boxes are turned over to Treasury after three years of dormancy or inactivity, or two years for payroll checks. Treasury recently completed the first major upgrade to the unclaimed property system in more than 15 years, making it easier than ever for Pennsylvanians to claim what is theirs – you do not have to pay anyone for this service! Click here to see if you, your family or your friends are owed unclaimed property. The average claim is worth about $2,000.

In the meantime, here are a few simple steps you can take to make sure your property does not end up at Treasury:

• Keep financial institutions informed of any address changes.
• Communicate with your financial institutions at least once every three years.
• Create and keep up-to-date records of bank accounts, stocks, life insurance policies, safe deposit boxes and all other financial information.
• Let a family member or trusted advisor know where you keep financial records.
• Cash or deposit all checks as you receive them.