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Facebook Website Bio Latest News State Forms Photo Gallery Contact Capitol Update Friday, December 9, 2022 The latest news from the State Capitol   You are welcome to contact me through this link.   REAL ID Deadline Now Extended to 2025 Earlier this week, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced it is extending the REAL ID enforcement date by 24 months, from May 3, 2023, to May 7, 2025. As of May 7, 2025, you will need 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. REAL ID is not mandatory. PennDOT continues to offer standard-issue driver’s licenses and photo IDs. Full enforcement of the law has been delayed, in part, due to the lingering impacts of the pandemic, which was hindering efforts to process REAL ID applications across the country. DHS said it will also use this time to implement innovations to make the process of obtaining a REAL ID more efficient and accessible. To learn more about REAL ID, the cost and how to obtain one, visit www.penndot.gov/REALID.      Tis the Season…for Holiday Scams It is everyone’s favorite time of the year, especially scammers who seek to capitalize on people’s general goodwill and the influx of online shopping during this time. The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General is warning consumers to be on the lookout for the following holiday scams:   •   The Bait and Switch: Take retailers’ advertisements to the store with you. Unscrupulous retailers may advertise goods at low prices, but when you get to the store the price may be higher than advertised or the product might not be there at all.   •   Skimming Devices: During the holidays last year, police were called to a retailer at the King of Prussia mall to remove a skimming device from one store’s register. Sometimes skimming devices are placed on gas pumps or ATMs to capture data from the magnetic stripe on the back of credit and debit cards. If something looks out of place or easily wiggles, use a different ATM, gas pump or register.   •   “Cybersquatting” Sites: Crooks try to impersonate well-known websites by inverting characters or slightly altering the name of a well-known website. The copycat sites may look similar to the real website – and they can steal your credit information. Carefully read website addresses to ensure you are shopping on a legitimate website.   •   Copycat and Fraudulent Websites: Fake websites set up by scammers target online shoppers during the holiday season. Sometimes appearing as ad results in online searches, these sites may contain malware or steal inputted credit card data. Avoid making purchases from untrustworthy sites.   •   Security Certificates: To ensure you are shopping on a secure website, make sure the website begins with “https” and has a small padlock icon next to the webpage address. Keep your computer, tablet or smartphone up-to-date and install security software.   •   Retailers Who Request Payment through Wire Transfer: Legitimate online businesses will not use wire transfer to collect payment for purchases. This is a sure sign of a scam. Consumers should also be aware that although gift cards can be a versatile and practical holiday gift, they are also often used by scammers. Remember, no government agency will ever ask you to pay a fine, fee or penalty with a gift card. If you receive a call telling you to pay a debt or some other cost via gift card, that is a red flag of a scam. Hang up immediately. Once a scammer has the codes and pins from a gift card, it is extremely difficult to recover any funds. Pennsylvanians who believe they have been victims of a holiday scam can file a complaint with the Office of Attorney General Bureau of Consumer Protection at 800-441-2555, or scams@attorneygeneral.gov. To receive scam alerts from the Office of Attorney General, click here.     2023 PA Fishing Licenses, Permits, Gift Vouchers on Sale Looking for the perfect gift or stocking stuffer for the angler in your life? Fishing licenses, permits and vouchers for the 2023 season are on sale now through the HuntFishPA online portal, on the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission website, on your smartphone using the FishBoatPA mobile app, or by visiting one of nearly 700 retail license issuing agents. All 2023 licenses, permits, a unique collectible license button, and vouchers purchased now are valid immediately for up to 13 months, from Dec. 1, 2022, through Dec. 31, 2023. As a reminder, the 2023 Statewide Mentored Youth Trout Day is March 25, and the 2023 Opening Day of Trout Season is April 1. To learn more, click here.       O Christmas Tree!

A Christmas tree with all the trimmings is once again gracing the Capitol Rotunda in Harrisburg!

The 20-foot Douglas fir was donated by Crystal Spring Tree Farm in Lehighton, Carbon County, and is decorated with handmade ornaments from Pennsylvania senior citizens and preschoolers and lit with nearly 1,000 LED lights. A metal-fabricated star made by employees at the state Department of General Services is placed on top.

To watch the tree lighting ceremony, which took place Dec. 5, click here.