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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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Bill to Cut Consumer Electric Bills Advances
With utility bills continuing to strain family budgets, I was proud to join in the unanimous support of legislation to eliminate a nearly 6% tax on electricity.
House Bill 2224 would represent the largest tax cut in the history of the Commonwealth, saving Pennsylvania families $1.7 billion.
House Republicans have been leading on affordability measures based in tax cuts that can immediately slash the bills paid by Pennsylvanians and put more money in the pockets of our working families. In addition to eliminating the Gross Receipts Tax on utility bills, we are also advocating for a six-month suspension of the tax on cell phone services and the gas tax, as well as a temporary reduction in the state’s Personal Income Tax. Additional sales tax holidays have been proposed on an array of items, from baby supplies and sports equipment to gardening supplies and tools.
House Bill 2224 passed the House unanimously and is pending consideration in the Senate.
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District Happenings
Be sure to check out my Facebook page for a recap of District happenings, including:
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Attending Camp Freedom’s annual banquet. |
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Celebrating the grand opening of Lakelyn Lodge. |
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Keeping Data Center Decisions Local
I was a proud YES vote on House Bill 2496 - legislation that would allow municipalities to temporarily pause zoning decisions for large-scale data centers so that communities have an opportunity to fully understand the impacts. It simply provides a temporary pause so communities can gather information, ask questions, and make informed decisions before irreversible changes occur. Innovation and economic growth are important, but so are transparency, local input, and responsible planning.
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Fighting Back Against ‘Gas Station Heroin’
I recently voted in support of legislation that would make tianeptine, also known as “gas station heroin,” illegal in the Commonwealth.
Tianeptine is an antidepressant that can produce feelings of euphoria that mimic the effects of heroin and other opioids, making it highly addictive. Tianeptine is a prescription drug in Europe but often sold as an ingredient in products sold in gas stations and online in the United States. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved it for use, but businesses here are selling it by labeling it as “not for human consumption” or adding it to dietary supplements.
House Bill 377 would prevent the manufacture, delivery or possession of tianeptine, commonly sold by the names Zaza, Coaxil, Tianna or Stablon. Individuals convicted of violating the law could face penalties of up to five years imprisonment and a fine of up to $15,000.
The bill is pending consideration in the Senate.
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Bill to Limit Benefits Fraud Passes House
Continuing our work to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse in the state’s benefits programs, I recently voted for legislation that would help prevent theft of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
House Bill 2540 would protect the money many families rely upon to put food on their tables by upgrading the current electronic benefits transfer (EBT) cards to include chip-enabled technology. Chip cards are encrypted and more difficult for fraudsters to copy or hack into than standard cards.
The bill passed the House unanimously and is pending consideration in the Senate.
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Honoring, Supporting Cancer Survivors
June is National Cancer Survivors Month, a time to recognize the challenges and honor the determination of the more than 18.6 million cancer survivors in the United States.
If you are a cancer survivor or caregiver, you can find resources from the National Cancer Institute here that may help you enhance your health and well-being after a cancer diagnosis. They address emotional concerns, nutrition and physical activity, support services, follow-up medical care and testing for cancer.
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Celebrating PA Dairy
June is Dairy Month in Pennsylvania, the perfect time to enjoy an extra dish of ice cream or yogurt, another piece of cheese, or a tall glass of milk!
The dairy industry is a major part of our state’s agriculture economy, providing economic value to the tune of $14.7 billion annually and over 52,000 jobs.
If you’d like to support Pennsylvania dairy, be sure to check the milk you purchase at the grocery store and look for the PA Preferred logo or milk with a plant code beginning with “42.” Plant codes are usually printed near the top of the container or on the lid, or sometimes they’re printed right on the label. The first, and most important, part of the code will always be two numbers (between 01 and 56). This identifies the state where the milk was processed. Pennsylvania’s magic number is 42!
Learn more about the state’s dairy industry here.
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Fish for Free on Independence Day!
Next Saturday, July 4, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) will host a Fish for Free day to allow anyone (resident or non-resident) to legally fish on all Pennsylvania waterways. No license is required, but all other fishing regulations apply. This is a great way to expose the next generation of anglers to the outdoors! More information about fishing in Pennsylvania is available here.
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Office Closures for Independence Day
As we are preparing to celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday next week, please note my legislative offices will be closed on Friday, July 3, in observance of the holiday.
Additionally, PennDOT driver license and photo centers will be closed on Saturday, July 4. Anyone planning to do business at PennDOT’s Riverfront Office Center in Harrisburg or the Pittsburgh Driver License Center should be aware they are closed on Friday, July 3.
PennDOT customers may still obtain a variety of driver and vehicle products and services, including all forms, publications and driver training manuals, online through PennDOT's Driver and Vehicle Services website, www.dmv.pa.gov.
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