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Capitol Report
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#Listrak\DateStampLong#
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The latest news from the State Capitol
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Please do not reply directly to this email, as it returns to an unmanned account.
You are welcome to contact me through this link.
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In The Fifth
Announcing the Law Enforcement Caucus
Last week, I joined my colleagues in announcing the creation of the House Law Enforcement Caucus.
This caucus will serve as a bipartisan effort to support law enforcement officers in the Commonwealth. I am proud to serve as the Republican chair of the caucus, and look forward to working with the Democrat chair, Rep. Brian Munroe.
Together, we will work with law enforcement officers to put forward meaningful legislation to create safer urban, rural and suburban communities across Pennsylvania, and equip our officers with the tools they need to serve and protect.
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Visting Pennsylvania Treasury
Last week, I was happy to join some of my fellow Representatives on a tour of the Pennsylvania Treasury’s vault and share ideas on ways to return unclaimed property to hardworking Pennsylvanians. It was an amazing experience to learn more about the vault and the Treasury.
Thanks to Treasurer Garrity for the insightful tour and to my fellow Representatives for joining me!
Anyone can search for unclaimed property online at patreasury.gov/unclaimed-property. My office is also always glad to help you with your claim or to answer any of your questions.
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Free Electronics Recycling Event
I hope to see you at my free electronics recycling event later this month!
If you have any questions about the event, give my office a call at 610-378-4407.
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Get Ready for REAL ID
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The deadline for enforcement of the federal REAL ID Act is less than a month away.
As of May 7, federal law will require you to present a federally accepted form of identification to board a commercial domestic flight or visit a secure federal building that requires ID at the door. Federally accepted forms of identification include a Pennsylvania REAL ID driver’s license or ID card, a U.S. passport or passport card, or a military ID.
While all Pennsylvanians must comply with the new law, obtaining a state-issued REAL ID is not mandatory. PennDOT will continue to offer standard-issue driver’s licenses and photo IDs for those residents who do not want or need one. If you’re not sure, PennDOT is offering the REAL ID online wizard to help you decide.
In light of growing reports of long lines and limited hours at the state’s driver license centers, House Republican leaders have called on the Shapiro administration to expand evening and weekend hours to ensure those who choose to obtain a REAL ID are served more efficiently. PennDOT is currently offering a series of dedicated REAL ID Days on Mondays at many driver license facilities. Check the schedule here.
To learn more about REAL ID and how to obtain one, visit www.penndot.gov/REALID.
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Expanded Call Center Hours for Late-Season Tax Filers
As the deadline for filing 2024 Pennsylvania personal income tax returns nears, the Department of Revenue is extending customer service hours in its call center to provide additional phone assistance to taxpayers. The deadline is April 15.
Taxpayers can call 717-787-8201 to connect with the Department of Revenue's Customer Experience Center (CEC).
Extended hours will be:
• Through Friday, April 11: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Saturday, April 12: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Monday and Tuesday, April 14-15: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Assistance is also available through the department's Online Customer Service Center and through the department’s district offices.
The department is also reminding taxpayers of free filing resources, including myPATH and Direct File.
For more information, visit the Department of Revenue online.
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Help Limit Spread of Spotted Lanternfly
With the state’s spotted lanternfly quarantine now expanded to 56 counties, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is encouraging everyone to destroy lanternfly eggs in the coming weeks to help protect valuable food and ornamental crops.
Adult insects die off over the winter after laying tiny rows of eggs, covering them with a putty-colored protective coating. The egg masses, which can be on any outdoor surface, from trees and rocks to equipment and lawn furniture, each contain 30-50 eggs approximately the size of a pinhead and have survived winters in sub-zero temperatures. Scraping and smashing them is easy and requires no special tools.
To learn how to recognize and report spotted lanternflies, control them on your property and keep from taking them to new homes when you travel, visit www.agriculture.pa.gov/spottedlanternfly.
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Heating Assistance Program Extended Through April 18
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While the cold weather is finally waning, residents who are struggling with their home heating bills are reminded they can still apply for assistance from the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) through next Friday, April 18.
LIHEAP is a federally funded program that helps individuals and families pay their heating bills through home heating energy assistance grants. It also provides crisis grants to help in the event of an emergency or if a resident is in danger of losing his or her heat due to broken equipment, lack of fuel or termination of utility service.
The income eligibility guidelines for LIHEAP are set at 150% of the federal poverty income level. For example, the gross income limit for an individual is $22,590 and for a family of four it is $46,800.
Residents may apply for LIHEAP online at www.compass.state.pa.us, by phone at 1-866-550-4355 or by contacting the County Assistance Office in their county of residence.
Click here for additional information.
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PennDOT Invites Pennsylvanians to Share Feedback on Winter Services
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is seeking the public’s feedback on winter services through an online survey.
The survey is available now through April 28 and should take about five minutes to complete. All responses are anonymous.
The 16-question survey asks respondents about their timeline expectations for safe and passable roadways, how they rank snow-removal priorities and how they rate PennDOT’s winter services.
Click here to take the survey.
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Let's Get Connected
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Our District
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Web Site
rep .com
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| Office Locations |
| District Office: Reading Regional Airport - Main Terminal, 2501 Bernville Road, Box 4, Reading, PA, 19605 | Phone: (610) 378-4407, FAX: (610) 378-4412 | Open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. |
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| Capitol Office: 432 Irvis Office Building, Harrisburg, Pa 17020-2005 | PO Box 202005 | Phone: 717-772-9940 |
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