Property Tax Reform Update

Aug. 30, 2019 /

Voters overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment to increase the allowable homestead and farmstead exclusion to 100% of the assessed value of all homesteads and farmsteads. If fully funded, this change would allow each school district to eliminate the collection of property taxes.

House Committees to Visit Ben Franklin Technology Partners’ TechVentures

Aug. 30, 2019 /

WHAT: The House Majority Policy Committee, chaired by Rep. Donna Oberlander (R-Clarion/Armstrong/Forest), and House Appropriations Committee will travel to the Lehigh Valley to tour and hold a roundtable discussion at Ben Franklin TechVentures, a business-technology incubator owned and operated by the Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania (BFTP/NEP). BFTP/NEP invests in and supports early-stage, technology-based companies and established manufacturers to create and retain jobs, and advance technologies that improve the human condition. BFTP/NEP provides technical and business expertise, referrals and resources, and networking opportunities in addition to funding.

House Members to Tour Lehigh Valley Cement Manufacturer

Aug. 30, 2019 /

WHAT: The House Manufacturing Caucus, chaired by Rep. Donna Oberlander (R-Clarion/Armstrong/Forest), and the House Cement Caucus, chaired by Rep. Marcia Hahn (R-Northampton), will host a factory tour as a way to educate their colleagues about the cement and concrete industry.

Quinn Responds to Fine Levied Against Sunoco

Aug. 29, 2019 /

MEDIA – Rep. Chris Quinn (R-Delaware) commended the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for fining Sunoco Pipeline, LP more than $300,000 for unauthorized discharges of drilling fluids throughout the state including into Chester Creek and other wetlands in Middletown Township.

Irvin Announces Fall Veterans Assistance Hours

Aug. 29, 2019 /

HARRISBURG – State Rep. Rich Irvin (R-Huntingdon/Centre/Mifflin) today announced that his district office in Huntingdon will be hosting veterans’ assistance hours this fall on the following Wednesdays: Sept. 11, Oct. 9 and Nov. 13, between the hours of 9 a.m. to noon.

Pickett Announces September Outreach Schedule

Aug. 29, 2019 /

TOWANDA – To help constituents better access state government-related services, Rep. Tina Pickett (R-Bradford/Sullivan/Susquehanna) will hold satellite office hours in Sullivan County during the month of September.

Kauffman Announces Senior Fair Sept. 20 in Fayetteville

Aug. 29, 2019 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Rob Kauffman (R-Franklin) will host his 2019 Senior Fair on Friday, Sept. 20, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Fayetteville Volunteer Fire Department social hall, 101 W. Main St., Fayetteville.

Struzzi to Host Hearing on First Responder Tuition Assistance Bill

Aug. 29, 2019 /

HARRISBURG – Rep. Jim Struzzi (R-Indiana) will be hosting a testimonial hearing of the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee to discuss his upcoming bill, House Bill 1773, which would create the Tuition Assistance for Active Volunteers Program in Pennsylvania. The hearing will be held on Thursday, Sept. 5, at 10 a.m. at the Indiana Area Fire Association White Township Station (IFA West), located at 1555 Indian Springs Road in Indiana.

Causer to Hold Satellite Office Hours

Aug. 29, 2019 /

BRADFORD – State Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint) or one of his representatives will hold office hours on Thursday, Sept. 5, at the following locations:

Ecker Announces Funding for Carlisle Airport

Aug. 28, 2019 /

SOUTH MIDDLETON TOWNSHIP – The Carlisle Airport was awarded $90,000 in funding to improve runway approach lighting, Rep. Torren Ecker (R-Adams/Cumberland) announced today.

Special Education Funding Commission Reconstituted

Aug. 28, 2019 /

HARRISBURG – The Special Education Funding Commission, which was originally established in Act 3 of 2012 to review and make recommendations regarding special education funding, is being reconstituted to review the current formula that determines special education payments to school districts in Pennsylvania, according to Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Pat Browne (R-Lehigh), House Education Committee Chairman Curt Sonney (R-Erie) and Education Secretary Pedro Rivera.