Thanksgiving Wishes to All!
Pennsylvania can claim to be the home of the first recognition of Thanksgiving, when Gov. Simon Snyder was the first to recognize it as an official holiday on the third Thursday of November in 1817.
Philadelphia’s Gimbels Department Store was also the first to host a Thanksgiving Day parade in 1920.
In honor of the Thanksgiving holiday on Nov. 23, state offices will be closed on Thursday, and my offices will also be closed on Friday, Nov. 24.
From my family to yours, may you all have a safe, healthy and happy Thanksgiving.
Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorized
The House this week approved legislation designed to ensure the continuation of the state’s Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which is set to expire on Dec. 31 of this year.
The bill will specifically extend CHIP to Dec. 31, 2019.
CHIP is designed to provide insurance coverage to uninsured children and teens (up to age 19) whose families earn too much to qualify for Medical Assistance, but who cannot afford to purchase private insurance. CHIP is supported by both state and federal funds and provides payment for health care coverage for eligible children who meet income and other criteria.
Shop Local This Season
To spotlight the role that small businesses play, Small Business Saturday will be held Saturday, Nov. 25, to encourage residents to shop small this holiday season. Nearly 1 million small businesses in Pennsylvania employ about 2.4 million workers, as of 2014, and make up more than 98 percent of the state’s employers.
The House Majority Policy Committee, as part of its fall agenda to “Strengthen Pennsylvania’s Middle Class,” recently held a legislative hearing to discuss how state government can help small businesses succeed and the challenges small businesses face when dealing with state agencies and complex regulations.
For state resources on starting a small business, click here.
Carbon County Pride on Display this Christmas
This year’s Capitol Christmas tree is a 22-foot Douglas Fir grown by Crystal Spring Tree Farm in Lehighton. The tree will be lit during a ceremony at noon on Friday, Dec. 8.
Next Steps for Property Tax Relief
On Tuesday, Nov. 7, Pennsylvanians voted on a statewide referendum which would enable the Legislature to take substantial steps toward property tax elimination. Over 75 percent of voters in the 122nd Legislative District approved the measure.
Statewide, with 99 percent of precincts reporting, 948,225 votes were cast in favor of the referendum, and 808,371 votes were cast in opposition. Of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties, 11 voted “no” and 56 voted “yes.”
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 provide local governments with additional revenue in combination with local options to replace the funding currently supplied from property taxes.
Despite the governor’s best efforts to thwart this measure, Pennsylvanians have provided a loud and clear mandate in favor of property tax elimination. With 54 percent of voters supporting the property tax referendum, I believe we now have the momentum to move to a more equitable tax structure instead of taxing people out of their homes.
Around Our Community
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I was honored to present an American flag, which flew over the Pennsylvania Capitol, to Dylan Bresnak last weekend. Dylan is a senior at Weatherly High School and completed Army basic training this past summer.
Over the weekend, I spoke with a group of Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts from Troop 187 about citizenship and state government. Thank you to the troop leaders for volunteering.
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