(1/2024) Deadline Nears for Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program
Older adults and Pennsylvanians with disabilities have until Dec. 31 to apply for the state’s 2022 Property Tax/Rent Rebate program. Remember, assistance through my office is always free. You need not pay a private firm for assistance. The 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 $35,000 a year for homeowners and $15,000 annually for renters, and half of Social Security income is excluded. For additional information and applications, contact my office for assistance.
Making it Easier for Students of Military Families to Enroll in School
Military personnel and their families make great sacrifices to serve our Commonwealth and our country. I was honored to support a new state law that will help students in military families enroll in school. Every year, an estimated 185,000 military students move between schools, and this change will make the move less stressful and more orderly for children and their parents. Under the prior law, students of military families who were transferring on official military permanent change-of-station orders were not eligible to register in classes, enroll in specialized academic programs, or submit their children’s names in lotteries for charter or magnet schools until they are physically located within the district boundaries.
The delay caused students to miss deadlines, requiring them to shift their planned courses of study and ultimately forced them to take summer classes or even graduate later than expected. Act 24 of 2023 now allows families to establish residency for purposes of enrollment in the school district in which they will be residing by providing the school district with a copy of their military transfer order. This change will enable them to access registration and enrollment at the same time it is open to the general population.
Your Input Can Help Broadband Expansion Program
The Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) is seeking public input about its Digital Equity Plan. Because many Pennsylvania communities lack access to high-speed internet, an unfortunate divide is created that impacts families and businesses. With your input, the PBDA will seek federal funding through the Digital Equity Act, which intends to promote digital inclusion and ensure that all individuals and communities can experience the benefits of our digital economy. Earlier this year, the PBDA approved its multi-year "Connecting the Commonwealth" plan to secure more than $1 billion in federal resources through the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program. Visit www.pahousenews.com to download and review the PBDA’s Digital Equity Plan.
Winners and Losers in State Education Funding
The state budget is finally complete and there are some clear winners and losers. Two of the state’s most successful programs to boost educational choice and opportunity for students will receive a combined funding increase of $150 million under legislation approved by the General Assembly and signed into law by the governor. This is good news for eligible families with children in failing schools as the program will enable them to receive scholarships to go to a school of their choice. Sadly, one of the losers in the Education Code bill was the University of Pennsylvania’s veterinary school, known as PennVet
Need a Gift for an Angler?
Starting today, you can purchase a 2024 fishing license for yourself or someone you know from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. In the new year, an annual license for a Pennsylvania resident will cost $26 and senior resident annual licenses go for $12.50. Please click here to make a purchase and check out the full list of license options. Now is also a good time to mark your 2024 calendars for the statewide opening day of trout season on Saturday, April 6; statewide Mentored Youth Trout Day on Saturday, March 30; and Fish for Free Days on Memorial Day (Monday, May 27) and Thursday, July 4.
Governor to Appeal Decision that Voids PA’s Entry into RGGI
Gov. Josh Shapiro announced he will appeal a Commonwealth Court decision that voided Pennsylvania’s entrance into the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), a multi-state energy tax program that would increase energy costs for Pennsylvania families and businesses. Gov. Tom Wolf unilaterally made the decision to enter Pennsylvania into RGGI, which the court has deemed to be an overstep in executive power. It is the Legislature’s duty to make laws in the Commonwealth. I am hopeful the Pennsylvania Supreme Court will uphold the ruling of Commonwealth Court for the sake of those who work in the energy industry and to hold the line on rising energy costs
Scam Alert!
Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity is warning residents of a new scam involving false promises of a state grant and fraudulent requests to pay taxes using gift cards. In this scam, unsuspecting residents receive a call, an email and/or a letter claiming to be from the Pennsylvania Treasury Department or the Federal Reserve Bank, fraudulently indicating the recipient will be awarded grant money but first must pay taxes. In at least one case, the recipient was told to make the supposed tax payments with gift cards. Treasury does not announce grant awards, and it does not collect taxes. In addition, Treasury will never request a payment be made with a gift card, and neither will any other legitimate government agency.
In one case, an elderly Indiana County resident was initially contacted by telephone and told he would receive a $25,500 grant from the state but had to pay thousands of dollars in taxes first, using gift cards. He purchased the cards, called the scammer back and provided the information needed to access the gift cards. This happened multiple times. Treasury has provided information about this scam to the appropriate law enforcement agencies. Anyone who believes they have been the victim of a scam or attempted scam should immediately report it to the Federal Trade Commission, the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General and their local law enforcement agency. If you or anyone you know has received suspicious correspondence claiming to be from the Pennsylvania Treasury Department, please contact Treasury here or by calling 717-787-2465.
