 |
|
|
| [[Opt In Top]] |
|
The Weekly Roundup
|
|
#Listrak\DateStampLong#
|
The latest news from the State Capitol
|
Property Tax Reform Update
As you know, voters approved during the November election an amendment to the Pennsylvania Constitution to further provide for the expansion of the property tax relief program known as the Homestead Exclusion.
This important amendment, which was approved by voters, increased the allowable homestead and farmstead exclusion to 100 percent of the assessed value of all homesteads and farmsteads. If fully funded, it would allow school districts to eliminate the collection of homeowner property taxes in each school district across the state.
There have been many discussions regarding the best way for the General Assembly to craft enabling legislation to allow for the elimination of owner-occupied residential school property taxes through the homestead and farmstead exclusion.
House Bill 2329 would provide this funding by increasing the state Personal Income Tax (PIT). House Bill 1776 would use a combination of PIT and sales tax to cover the amount needed to offset owner-occupied residential school property taxes. I would support either of these solutions and would hope that we get the votes to implement the legislation needed to provide complete property tax relief to seniors and hard-working homeowners throughout the Commonwealth. The bills are now in the House Finance Committee.
The ultimate goal is to eliminate property taxes. That is why I cosponsored and fully support House Bill 76, which is in the House Finance Committee, to do just that. I will continue to advocate on behalf of property owners and push for any legislation that would alleviate the burden of property taxes.
I also discussed property tax reform in my latest Legislative Report. You can watch it by clicking the above image.
|
Fire, EMS Grant Program to Open First Week of September
Fire companies and ambulance services throughout Pennsylvania are encouraged to apply for the 2018-19 Fire Company, Emergency Medical Services Companies Grant Program from the Office of State Fire Commissioner.
The application period will open the first week of September and remain open for 45 days. Exact dates will be listed at www.osfc.pa.gov closer to the grant application period opening.
Grants may be used for construction or renovation of a unit’s station, the purchase or repair of equipment, training or debt reduction. The maximum grant amount is $15,000 for fire companies and $10,000 for volunteer ambulance services.
A total of $30 million will be awarded through the program, which is funded by state gaming proceeds.
For more information about the program, click here.
|
Mark Your Calendars for My Senior Expo
Our 2018 Senior Citizens Expo, co-hosted with Sen. John Yudichak, will be held on Thursday, Sept. 6, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Company, 2440 Fairyland Road in Lehighton. More than 50 vendors and state agencies will be on hand to provide information. Lunch will be provided.
|
Be Smart About Financial Aid
The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) is encouraging college-bound students and their families to visit MySmartBorrowing.org to help make informed choices about student loans.
This free, easy-to-use tool helps users understand how different career, school and financial decisions can influence the cost of an education and their ability to repay student loans, while maintaining a comfortable lifestyle long after graduation.
The site was recently updated with enhanced college and career projection data through 2026. This includes expected college costs for various majors at different schools and future employment opportunities and salary levels for different careers and geographic locations.
This data helps provide a personalized look at a student’s potential cost of attendance at different schools, while highlighting salary expectations for a particular degree and future employment prospects. Students are encouraged to use the site more than once so they can compare different scenarios, using different schools and careers, to see how the choices they make can affect their futures.
For more information about financial aid opportunities, visit PHEAA.org.
|
Continue to Receive My E-news Updates
If you would like to continue receiving my legislative updates from now through the November election, click here and simply enter your email. This will guarantee that you continue to receive my weekly updates.
|
|
| Office Locations |
| 110 North Third Street, 2nd Floor, Lehighton, PA 18235 | (610) 377-6363 |
| 2681 State Route 903, Unit 3, Albrightsville, PA 18210 | (570) 722-8700 |
| Room 403 Irvis Office Building, PO Box 202122, Harrisburg, PA 17120-2122 | (717) 260-6139 |
| Email: dheffley@pahousegop.com |
| TTY: 855-282-0614 |
|
|
.jpg)
