Next Steps for Property Tax Reform
On Tuesday, voters had the opportunity weigh in on the important issue of property tax reform. Statewide, 54 percent of voters approved the referendum to allow for greater homestead and farmstead exclusions, and 46 percent opposed it.
The referendum allows local governments to exclude up to the full value of primary residences in the Commonwealth, as opposed to up to 50 percent of the median assessed home value in a school district as was previously the limit, from a homeowner’s tax bill.
With the passage of the referendum, the next step is for the General Assembly to propose additional revenue to offset property taxes and also provide local options for revenue streams.
Helping Our Veterans
While we honor our veterans annually on Veterans Day, it is important to support these brave men and women all year. This session, the House is working on several initiatives to help our veterans, including one that is now law.
Known as the Stolen Valor Law, Act 9 of 2017 makes it a crime for someone to misrepresent military service or honors for the purpose of fraudulently attempting to obtain money, property or other benefits.
House Bill 1878 seeks to assist members of the National Guard with employment protection, as the bill would extend current employment protections to Pennsylvania citizens who are members of another state’s National Guard. Currently, the employment protection only applies to members of the Pennsylvania National Guard. The bill is currently in the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee and is expected to advance.
To recognize the meritorious service of military members, House Bill 165 would create and add the Pennsylvania Medal of Achievement and the Pennsylvania Veterans Service Award to the list of existing medals, badges and awards that are authorized and presented by the governor in the name of the Commonwealth, while House Bill 1762 would add the Honor and Remember Flag to the list of flags authorized to be flown on any public grounds or buildings in the Commonwealth. House Bill 165 passed the House earlier this year, and House Bill 1762 is in the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee.
On Wednesday, I presented certificates to area veterans at the Heritage Hills Veterans Day Appreciation Luncheon. It was an honor to visit with these wonderful men and women who bravely served our country. Pictured with me is Tom Keener.
New Travel Tool Helps with Winter Preparedness
This winter, Pennsylvania motorists can check online to see when a state-maintained roadway was last plowed. The information will be posted on the “plow trucks” section of www.511pa.com. PennDOT operates 2,200 plow trucks each winter.
More information about PennDOT’s winter services and winter-driving resources are available at www.penndot.gov/winter. The site also has a complete winter guide with detailed information about winter services in each of PennDOT’s 11 engineering districts.
PennDOT is responsible for maintaining 40,000 miles of roadways, which translates into 96,000 snow-lane miles, enough miles to circle the globe nearly four times. In doing so, the department deploys about 4,800 on-the-road workers, has more than 652,000 tons of salt on hand across the state and will take salt deliveries throughout the winter.
Hunters Can Share Their Harvest
For more than 25 years, the Hunters Sharing the Harvest (HSH) program has encouraged hunters from across the Commonwealth to share their deer harvest and provide thousands of pounds of venison to Pennsylvania families in need.
The program partners with the Pennsylvania Game Commission, Department of Agriculture and many other sportsmen and charitable organizations. Since 1991, HSH has distributed 1.2 million pounds of donated venison.
Hunters can donate all or part of a harvested deer by taking it to a participating processor, which will then distribute the ground venison to food banks and pantries.
In an average hunting season, the HSH program’s goal is to channel about 100,000 pounds of processed venison through the state’s 20 regional food banks, which then redistribute to more than 5,000 local provider charities such as food pantries, missions, homeless shelters and churches, as well as individual families.
To find a list of local processors or for more information, visit www.ShareDeer.org.
Avoid Student Loan Scams
To help students and their families from falling victim to student loan scams, the National Council of Higher Education Resources offers the following advice through an easy-to-understand infographic.
Borrowers should remember four points to help keep them safe.
o Notice fake government seals and logos.
o Never pay for help.
o Keep your Federal Student Aid ID private.
o Fast student loan forgiveness does not exist.
The infographic also includes phone numbers and websites for legitimate student loan assistance and urges borrowers to contact the Federal Trade Commission with information about scams.
Offices Closed on Friday, Nov. 10
Please note: all offices will be closed on Friday, Nov. 10, in ?observance of Veterans Day.
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