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Capitol Report
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#Listrak\DateStampLong#
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The latest news from the State Capitol
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Please do not reply directly to this email, as it returns to an unmanned account.
You are welcome to contact me through this link.
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Upcoming District Events
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Around the 139th
I recently went on a tour of NJY Camps with Senator Lisa Baker and PA State Police Lieutenant Lori B. Kistle. The “Y Camps” have operated in Pennsylvania for over 90 years and have two properties in Milford and Lakewood. According to their website, NJY Camps nurtures a warm and inclusive environment where everyone develops independent life skills, fosters relationships, and embraces their best selves in the pursuit of strengthening Jewish identity and community.
It was a pleasure to spend the morning supporting the devoted volunteer crew of the Lake Ariel Volunteer Fire Company at their breakfast. Their tireless efforts to keep us safe are truly appreciated.
I had the privilege of attending the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of the newly constructed public Archery Range on State Game Lands 180 in Shohola, Pike County. This is the first event of its kind in PA’s Northeast Region! Many thanks to NE Regional Director Michael Beahm, Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Steve Smith, Pike County State Game Warden AJ Meyer, and all the Game Commission staff that made this a reality for our region. I had the opportunity to try out the new range using a crossbow!
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Opportunities in the 139th
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Tax Credits Encourage Employers to Invest in Education Savings Accounts
Working to make higher education more affordable, the General Assembly recently adopted a new law creating a tax credit for employers that invest in PA 529 College and Career Savings Program accounts held by their employees.
The law allows a 25% tax credit on employer contributions of up to $500 per participating employee per year. This initiative encourages employers to support their employees’ educational savings, facilitating financial planning for future educational expenses.
The credit also would apply to employer contributions to PA ABLE accounts, which help people with disabilities plan for their future expenses without risking benefit eligibility.
More information about the state’s 529 savings programs is available at www.patreasury.gov.
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State-Owned Universities Freeze Tuition
The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) announced earlier this month it would again freeze tuition rates for in-state undergraduate students for the 2024-25 academic year.
The decision came after the Legislature approved a $35.1 million, or 6%, increase in state funding for the universities as part of the 2024-25 state budget.
This is the seventh consecutive year the tuition rate will remain the same at all 10 universities. According to PASSHE, the repeated freezes save students nearly 25% in tuition costs compared to the price if tuition had risen at the inflation rate for the last six years.
More information about state system schools is available here.
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PHEAA Announces Financial Aid Seminars
The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) is hosting free webinars in August aimed at helping students and families understand financial aid and loan repayment.
The webinar titled “Deep Dive into Covering the Gap” will be offered at noon on Tuesday, Aug. 6, and at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 22. This one-hour session aims to help students and their families understand their bill and financial aid package, and determine what, if any, borrowing is needed to cover the difference between aid and actual cost.
The webinar titled “Financial Aid Timeline – Know What to Do When” will be offered at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 8, and again at noon on Tuesday, Aug. 20. This one-hour presentation will provide the starting points and web resources for effective research before, during and after your student makes post-secondary education decisions.
For a full schedule, and to register your participation, visit www.pheaa.org/virtual.
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New Grant Program for Sportsmen’s Clubs Accepting Applications
The Pennsylvania Game Commission is now accepting applications for its Pennsylvania Shooting Range Improvement Program.
Applicants may include existing shooting ranges, shooting clubs, recreational shooting organizations, archery clubs and education groups. Applicants must demonstrate public use of current facilities.
Eligible projects include development and renovation of facilities, construction of backstops and safety berms, addition of permanent target systems, creation of shooting stations and covers, lead remediation, and more.
Applications are due Sept. 1. For more information on the program, including the application, click here.
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National Night Out
This Tuesday, Aug. 6, is National Night Out, a day set aside to promote police-community partnerships and engage all of us in the effort to support the health and safety of our friends and neighbors.
Millions of people across the country will take part in National Night Out events, including block parties, festivals, parades, cookouts and more.
There are two celebrations happening in our communities: Bingham Park from 5 – 8 p.m. and Fawn Hill Park in Hemlock Farms, run by Hemlock Farms Community Association, from 6 – 9 p.m.
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