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The Weekly Roundup
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The latest news from the State Capitol
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House Returns to Session to Finish Budget Business
Members of the House will return to voting session at the state Capitol on Monday, Sept. 11, with the goal of finishing up the 2017-18 state budget process.
Among the outstanding items to be resolved is identifying the revenue necessary to fill last year’s budget shortfall. Lawmakers have been standing up for taxpayers by pursuing alternatives to a Senate-approved proposal that seeks to increase taxes on a variety of consumer utility bills, among others.
Earlier this week, a group of more than a dozen House members outlined their proposal to make use of taxpayer dollars that appear to be sitting idle in a variety of special government accounts.
The plan is designed to prevent any impacts on jobs, services or agencies while making use of money already collected from taxpayers. The measure also aims to improve transparency regarding how tax dollars are spent.
Other ideas being advanced by the House include further privatization of liquor sales and an expansion of gaming opportunities.
Talks will continue until an agreement is reached.
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Bonus Available to Persian Gulf Conflict Veterans
Veterans who served on active duty in the Persian Gulf Theater of Operations, including Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, are reminded to apply for the Persian Gulf Conflict Veterans’ Bonus.
The bonus pays $75 per month for qualifying, active-duty service members, up to a $525 maximum. For personnel whose death was related to illness or injury received in the line of duty in Operations Desert Shield or Desert Storm, there is an additional $5,000 available to the surviving family. Service members who were declared prisoners of war may also be eligible for an additional $5,000.
To qualify, the service member must have:
• Served with the U.S. Armed Forces, a reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces or the Pennsylvania National Guard.
• Served on active duty in the Persian Gulf Theater of Operations during the period from Aug. 2, 1990, to Aug. 31, 1991, and received the Southwest Asia Service Medal.
• Been a legal resident of Pennsylvania at the time of active duty service.
• Been discharged from active duty under honorable conditions, if not currently on active duty.
• Since 2008, more than 9,000 Persian Gulf Conflict veterans have applied for and received a bonus for their war efforts. Individuals who received a bonus or similar compensation from any other state are not eligible for the Pennsylvania program.
• The deadline to apply for this one-time payment is Aug. 31, 2018.
Click here for more information about how to apply.
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Don’t Be Scammed by Skimmers
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is warning consumers to be on the lookout for credit or debit card skimmers that steal your information when the card is swiped or inserted.
Often combined with a concealed camera, thieves can also record your Personal Identification Number (PIN). With this information, thieves can withdraw money from your bank account and make unauthorized purchases. Additionally, the thieves may sell this information to others.
To help protect yourself, take the following steps:
• Use ATMs in well-lit, secure locations and avoid using ATMs that are stand-alone units in corners of stores or other out-of-the-way locations.
• Look at the card reader slot and surrounding areas to see if anything looks out of place, mismatched or loose.
• Consider using your credit card instead of your debit card to avoid compromising your PIN and to gain other consumer protections.
• Choose gas pumps that are closer to and within the line of vision of the cashiers.
• Check your bank and credit card statements frequently to watch for fraudulent activity and report any unfamiliar activity immediately.
Read more here.
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Never Forget the Victims of Sept. 11, 2001
This Monday will mark the 16th anniversary of one of the worst days in our nation’s history. On Sept. 11, 2001, nearly 3,000 men and women were killed in devastating terrorist attacks in New York, Virginia and Pennsylvania.
The loved ones lost will be honored and remembered in observances across the country, including one at Pennsylvania’s own Flight 93 Memorial, near the site where one of the three planes hijacked that day crashed.
More information about the Flight 93 Memorial and planned observances is available here.
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Town Hall Meeting on Referendum Set for Sept. 21
A referendum on the November ballot will ask voters whether the homestead exclusion should be increased to 100 percent for primary residences. Currently, the state Constitution only permits local governments – counties, municipalities and school districts – to exclude up to 50 percent of the median assessed home value from a homeowner’s tax bill.
On Thursday, Sept. 21, from 6:30-7:30 p.m., I will hold a town hall to discuss the referendum (House Bill 1285) and answer questions. The event will be held at the Diligent Fire Company No. 3, 330 Center Ave., Jim Thorpe.
If the referendum is approved, your entire home value could be excluded from your tax bill. Local governments would still be responsible for establishing exclusion amounts for homesteads within each district. However, they would no longer be required to cap the property tax relief that is offered. As a result, homeowners would only be responsible for paying taxes on the value of their homes that exceeds the exclusion amount chosen by their local governing body.
A successful referendum would give school districts the option to offer more substantial property tax relief. It does not, however, require school districts to reduce property taxes or dictate how it’s to be done.
While this vote alone would not eliminate everyone’s property taxes, it is an important step as we move in that direction.
I hope to see you at the town hall meeting.
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PA Turnpike Closure Scheduled for Bridge Replacement
Pennsylvania Turnpike will be closed from Friday, Sept. 29, at 9 p.m., until Monday, Oct. 2, at 4 a.m., between the Lehigh Valley Interchange and the Pocono Interchange in both directions. The authorized detour route will direct motorists to State Route 22, State Route 33 and Interstate 80.
The closure is due to a bridge replacement carrying Interstate 476 over Crackersport Road in South Whitehall Township, Lehigh County.
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is encouraging motorists to avoid this sections of the turnpike during the construction weekend or adjust travel plans to account for the detours. For more information on accelerated bridge construction projects, please visit PATurnpike.com/ABC.
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Around the Capitol
Earlier this week, I helped kickoff Pennsylvania’s observance of National Recovery Month. Joining me at the Capitol for the event (from left) were Michael Welding, Karalyn Dietrich, Desha Utsick and Kevin O’Brien. Anyone interested in sharing their personal story of recovery can do so here.
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Around the District
Earlier this week Leadership Carbon held its kickoff event for its 2017-18 class. I was pleased to participate in this event. Leadership Carbon is an adult leadership development program designed to cultivate knowledgeable, skilled, committed and action-oriented community leaders for the benefit of Carbon County’s future.
Yesterday, I held my annual senior expo with Sen. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne/Carbon) at Jim Thorpe Memorial Hall. It was great to see such a large crowd gaining information for themselves and their loved ones on programs and services available.
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| 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 |
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