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The Weekly Roundup
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The latest news from the State Capitol
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REAL ID Grace Period Now Through January 2018
Pennsylvania residents who need REAL ID to access certain federal facilities now have a grace period through Jan. 22, 2018, according to an announcement this week by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
This grace period went into effect Oct. 11. PennDOT submitted an extension request to the federal agency in early September and is currently awaiting its response. The enforcement grace period applies only to entrance to federal facilities. There is no enforcement on commercial air travel until Jan. 22, 2018.
PennDOT has begun work on the implementation of REAL ID, and estimates REAL ID-compliant driver licenses and identification cards will be available at the customer’s option in March 2019. This will allow ample time for customers who want a REAL ID product to get one before the final DHS effective date of Oct. 1, 2020.
Information on REAL ID in Pennsylvania, including frequently asked questions, is available at dmv.pa.gov.
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Work Requirements for Welfare Recipients
To help contain escalating costs for the state’s Medical Assistance (MA) program, the House recently approved legislation that would allow for work or work-search requirements for able-bodied individuals receiving MA benefits. Work requirements are already in place for food stamp and cash assistance programs.
As part of House Bill 59, the Department of Human Services would be required to design work or work-search requirements for those who do not have a qualifying disability, are not pregnant and are not elderly. The federal government would have to approve such requirements.
Another provision in the bill would require the department to see additional cost savings before seeking any more from the state’s General Fund.
Medical Assistance is one of the largest cost-drivers in the $32 billion state budget, accounting for 29 percent.
The bill, which is headed for the governor’s desk, faces an uncertain future. The governor has vowed to veto the bill.
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Preventing Fires in Your Home
To help prevent residential fires, October has been designated across the nation as a time to remind people of fire dangers in their homes and communities, as well as to educate the public about simple fire prevention steps to make everyone safer.
House Resolution 546 designates October as Pennsylvania Fire Prevention Month, and also marks Oct. 8-14 as National Fire Prevention Week.
This year’s Fire Prevention Week theme -- “Every Second Counts: Plan Two Ways Out!” -- seeks to remind people to have an escape plan that includes at least two exits in the event one of those exits is blocked by fire.
The National Fire Prevention Association also encourages families to practice their home fire drill twice a year, once at night and once during the day, and to practice using different ways out.
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All Veterans Can Get New Photo ID Cards
Under a federal law passed in 2015, all honorably discharged veterans of every era will be able to receive a photo ID card from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), starting in November. This will allow veterans to prove their service without showing a copy of their official DD 214 discharge documents.
The law, known as the Veterans Identification Card Act 2015, orders the VA to issue a hard-copy photo ID to any honorably discharged veteran who applies. The card must contain the veteran’s name, photo and a non-Social Security identification number.
Veterans may apply for the free card online, but a timeline for how long it will take to receive a card after application has not been finalized. Other details are not yet available.
In Pennsylvania, veterans can apply for a specially designated driver’s license under Act 176 of 2012. More information is available here.
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Drug and Alcohol Expo Set for Oct. 26
Join me for our annual Drug and Alcohol Awareness Expo, set for Thursday, Oct. 26, from 6-8 p.m. at Palmerton High School, located at 3525 Fireline Road, Palmerton.
The expo will feature dozens of resources with information about preventing drug and alcohol use and promoting healthy habits. Information about Narcan, the heroin overdose antidote, will be available, as well as tips for parents, including a mock teen bedroom. A private room will be set up for discreet discussions with a physician.
This event is open to all ages, and children are invited to wear Halloween costumes to trick-or-treat with vendors at the expo. A prescription drug-drop box will be on site for the safe disposal of unwanted or expired prescription drugs.
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Around Our Community
This week, I attended the Carbon County Chamber’s 2018 Economic Outlook Breakfast at Mahoning Valley Country Club.
On Thursday, I traveled to Washington, D.C., with a bipartisan group of members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to tour the White House and participate in the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives’ Conference. We met with a variety of people from the administration and discussed issues of importance to Pennsylvanians, including the economy and job creation. In addition, we were given contacts to help constituents when they run into federal problems. It was a great day!
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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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