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The Weekly Roundup
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The latest news from the State Capitol
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Coronavirus: What You Need to Know
With Coronavirus having been confirmed in five U.S. states so far, the Pennsylvania Department of Health is urging citizens to learn more about the virus and how to protect yourself.
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are common throughout the world. They can make people and animals, such as camels, cats and bats, sick. These viruses, at times, can evolve and infect people, then spread through human to human contact, just like the flu or a cold.
Symptoms are also similar to flu or cold, including runny nose, headache, cough, sore throat, fever and a general feeling of not being well. The virus can sometimes cause lower-respiratory tract infections as well.
To protect yourself and others, cover any coughs or sneezes with your elbow, do not use your hands; clean surfaces frequently, such as countertops, light switches, cell phones and other frequently touched areas; and contain the spread of any sickness by staying home until you are feeling better.
Learn more here.
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Governor’s Address to Kick Off 2020-21 Budget Process
The House and Senate will convene in a joint session of the General Assembly at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 4, to hear Gov. Tom Wolf outline his spending proposal for the 2020-21 fiscal year. You can watch the budget address live at www.pahousegop.com.
House Republicans have been standing up for taxpayers and will continue to do so, working to ensure your hard-earned money is invested wisely in the core functions of government, such as education and public safety.
We are also committed to building the economy through a better tax and regulatory climate, as well as ensuring our students are trained for the jobs of today and tomorrow.
The governor’s address is just the beginning of the annual budget process. The House Appropriations Committee, of which I am a member, will conduct a series of hearings starting Tuesday, Feb. 18, to delve into the details of the governor’s plan and how state agencies are spending their funding. Click here to view the hearing schedule.
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Tax Reform Rally at the Capitol
On Monday, Feb. 3, I will take part in a rally at the state Capitol in support of property tax reform in Pennsylvania. We’ll be talking about the various proposals now under consideration to reduce or eliminate the crushing school property tax burden many residents are currently experiencing.
You can watch the event live, barring any technical problems, starting at 8 a.m. on my website, www.RepHeffley.com.
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New Law Allows Landowners to Mark Properties with Purple Paint
Pennsylvania has joined several other states in adopting a “purple paint law,” which provides landowners with an alternative to marking their properties as “no trespassing.”
Under the new law, landowners may paint purple stripes on trees or posts to mark their properties. The lines must be vertical and at least 8 inches long and 1 inch wide. They must be 3 to 5 feet off the ground, readily visible to a person approaching the property and no more than 100 feet apart. While the law does not specify a certain shade of purple, a number of paint manufacturers offer a product called “No Hunting Purple.”
Previously, the only way landowners could post their properties was by posting signs that would deteriorate over time.
The law applies everywhere, except in Philadelphia and Allegheny counties.
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Protect Your Tax Identity
With tax-related identity theft on the rise, next week is Tax Identity Theft Awareness Week in Pennsylvania.
According to the Internal Revenue Service, more than 300,000 American taxpayers had their tax return details stolen as a result of a 2015 security breach, and approximately $1.6 billion in fraudulent tax refunds were paid in 2016 related to identity theft.
Additionally, approximately 5,000 victims have paid more than $26.5 million to scammers who pose as IRS agents according to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.
If you believe you may be a victim of identity theft or discover a fraudulent state personal income tax return was filed using your identity, please contact the Fraud Detection and Analysis Unit within the state Department of Revenue at 717-772-9297 or RA-RVPITFRAUD@pa.gov for assistance.
Learn more here.
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| Office Locations |
| 204B Bridge St., Weissport, PA 18235 | (610) 377-6363 |
| 2681 State Route 903, Unit 3, Albrightsville, PA 18210 | (570) 722-8700 |
| Room 420 Irvis Office Building, PO Box 202122, Harrisburg, PA 17120-2122 | (717) 260-6139 |
| Email: dheffley@pahousegop.com |
| TTY: 855-282-0614 |
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