(2/2024) Expanded Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program Now Open
The application period for the state’s 2023 Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program is now open for eligible Pennsylvanians to begin claiming rebates on property taxes or rent paid last year. Income limits increased this year to $45,000 annually for both homeowners and renters, so if you were earning too much to qualify before, you may be eligible now. Remember to exclude 50% of Social Security when determining your income. The law I supported to increase income limits also increased the maximum rebate to $1,000. The program is open to residents age 65 years and older; widows and widowers 50 years and older; and people with disabilities 18 years and older. Remember – you do not need to pay anyone for assistance to apply for the rebates. Apply online online at mypath.pa.gov, or contact my office for help.
New Funding Supports Emergency Medical Services
The arrival of the New Year also brings a much-needed increase in funding for the state’s ambulance companies via a boost in Medicaid reimbursement rates. Act 15 of 2023 ties the reimbursement rates to federal Medicare rates and pays whichever amount is higher. As a result, the reimbursement for basic life support ambulance trips increases from $325 to $511.35, and for advanced life support ambulance trips from $400 to $607.23 or $878.88, depending on the nature of the call.
The new law also ensures EMS agencies are reimbursed by Medicaid for 100% of the miles they travel with a patient on board receiving care or transport, finally removing the previous exemption for the first 20 miles traveled. The law increases the mileage reimbursement rate from $4 per loaded mile to $13.20 per loaded mile.
This is another important step to support our EMS personnel and their life-saving work. The reimbursement increases went into effect Jan. 1, pending federal approval.
$155 Million in Grants Available for School Safety, Security
The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) has approved a framework to invest more than $155 million in federal and state school safety funding:
- $90 million for noncompetitive school mental health grants.
- $32.2 million for competitive school safety and security grants.
- $18.6 million for formula-based school safety and security meritorious grants.
- $14.5 million for targeted school safety grants for nonpublic schools.
Applications and information about each of these grants, including eligibility criteria and application instructions, can be found PCCD’s School Safety and Security webpage. PCCD staff will also host informational webinars and provide other resources to assist school entities and eligible applicants as they navigate these funding opportunities. The seven-week application period will close on Thursday, Feb. 29.
$155 Million in Grants Available for School Safety, Security
The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) has approved a framework to invest more than $155 million in federal and state school safety funding:
- $90 million for noncompetitive school mental health grants.
- $32.2 million for competitive school safety and security grants.
- $18.6 million for formula-based school safety and security meritorious grants.
- $14.5 million for targeted school safety grants for nonpublic schools.
Applications and information about each of these grants, including eligibility criteria and application instructions, can be found PCCD’s School Safety and Security webpage. PCCD staff will also host informational webinars and provide other resources to assist school entities and eligible applicants as they navigate these funding opportunities. The seven-week application period will close on Thursday, Feb. 29.
Education Funding Recommendations Fail Students, Taxpayers
Presented with an opportunity to make transformational changes to the Commonwealth’s education system, Basic Education Funding Commission last week approved a series of recommendations that simply throw more money at the problem. Early in 2023, Commonwealth Court deemed our education funding system unconstitutional, and directed lawmakers to develop a remedy with attention to adequacy, equity and timeliness. In response, the commission hosted 11 hearings across the state to gather input from public school finance experts, education advocates and others.
The House Appropriations Committee has estimated the Democrat-approved recommendations, if enacted by the Legislature, would require more than $8 billion in recurring revenue each year, leading to a significant tax increase. Alternative recommendations were offered by Republican members of the committee, but they did not earn the support of the commission. Ultimately, it is now up to the full House and Senate to make the necessary changes to ensure all students have access to a quality education. Learn more about the Basic Education Funding Commission, including the final recommendations, at basiceducationfundingcommission.com.
Applications for 2024 Pennsylvania House Scholarship Available
College bound high school seniors interested in receiving financial assistance for college can now apply for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives’ Scholarship. Each year the program awards a four-year scholarship to two students preparing for post-secondary education. It is open to graduating high school seniors who are Pennsylvania residents with plans to attend a Pennsylvania college, university or career school as a full-time student. To qualify, students must have attained a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average in high school. Other factors taken into consideration for the awards are a student’s commitment to community, leadership qualities, extracurricular activities and financial need. The scholarship program is administered through the Foundation for Enhancing Communities. Click here for more information and an application. Application deadline is April 15. The scholarship is privately funded by individual and corporate donors; no tax or other public funds are
used. Scholarships are awarded through an independent panel of judges chosen by the foundation
Are You a College Student Looking for Work?
PennDOT is looking to hire college students to supplement its permanent workforce from May through August. The job typically entails seasonal maintenance work and sign upgrade services, maintenance and custodial services at roadside rest facilities, and laboring and flagging duties in maintenance organizations and highway worksites.
To be considered, candidates must be at least 18 years of age, enrolled in college for the next semester, and have a valid Pennsylvania driver’s license. The hourly wage is $16.67. Interested applicants should apply online at employment.pa.gov. Non-student positions are also available.
Kids, Enter Now for Litter Hawk Youth Award Program
Submissions are now being accepted for the 2024 Litter Hawk Youth Award Program, a recognition program for students in kindergarten through sixth grade to share how they help keep Pennsylvania beautiful. The program coincides with the re-release of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful’s popular Open your Eyes to Litter series of books for grades K-6.
The theme is: Open Your Eyes to Litter – Show Us What You See. Students in grades K-4 are invited to submit a poster, while students in grade 5 are asked to submit an essay and students in grade 6 should submit a video. First and second place winners will receive ribbons and a certificate. All participants will receive a Litter Hawk sticker. Winners will be announced in May in conjunction with a display of winning entries at the Capitol For more information and an application.
Conewago, Carroll Valley Receive State Grants Totaling $509,500
This week, the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) announced two state grants in our legislative district that exceed a half million dollars. The CFA, through the Department of Community and Economic Development’s (DCED) Watershed Restoration Protection Program, approved a $297,500 grant for Conewago Township for restoration and riparian buffer planting in the Plum Creek watershed. The CFA also approved a $212,000 grant for the Carroll Valley Trail Loop. Funding was provided via DCED’s Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program.
