Capitol Update by Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint)
 FacebookWebsiteBioLatest NewsState FormsPhoto GalleryContactCapitol Update Friday, July 7, 2023 The latest news from the State Capitol You are welcome to contact me through this link. Causer Honors Smethport Couple’s 60th Wedding Anniversary  It was an honor to present Emery and Arlie Gallup of Smethport with a citation from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in honor of their 60th wedding anniversary. The couple was married on June 15, 1963, at the United Methodist Church in Port Allegany and has been blessed by eight children and 16 grandchildren. Congratulations! State Budget Update Click here to view video. A week into the new fiscal year, and we are still without a finalized state budget. The House and Senate have approved a General Appropriations bill, which dictates how much money goes to each program and agency, but the associated bills (commonly referred to as “code bills”) have yet to be brought forward for a vote. Those bills are necessary to guide how and where the money appropriated in the budget is spent. I voted against the $45.5 billion plan because it spends $1 billion more than we anticipate bringing in, and in these uncertain economic times, I don’t believe that is in the best interest of the Commonwealth. My focus continues to be on adopting a fiscally responsible budget that supports the core functions of government, including rural schools, health care and public safety. I will keep you posted on any new developments. Save on Summer Energy Bills  The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) is highlighting opportunities to help millions of consumers manage summer energy usage and utility bills, with some having the potential to save as much as 20% to 40% every month. According to a recent sampling of supplier offers posted on the PUC’s electricity shopping website, PAPowerSwitch.com, there are substantial benefits for consumer energy costs, particularly in service territories for PPL, PECO and Duquesne Light. In each of these areas, potential savings are large enough to make a very noticeable impact on monthly electric bills – with estimated savings ranging from $18 to $32 per month for the average customer. Even outside of those utility service areas, saving opportunities are available. Simply visit PAPowerSwitch.com and check the price to compare (PTC), be mindful of any sign-up or early termination fees, and pay attention to whether offers are fixed or variable rates. To learn more about shopping for electricity, click here. To learn more about how to cut your energy usage, click here. Read more from the PUC here. Attention College-Bound Students: Complete the FAFSA  With a key Aug. 1 financial aid deadline approaching, the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) is holding a statewide webinar later this month to guide college-bound students and their families in completing the 2023-24 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process. The “FAFSA Line by Line Overview Presentation,” hosted by PHEAA’s Higher Education Access Partners, will guide attendees through each step in filing the 2023-24 FAFSA and the Pennsylvania State Grant application to assist them in meeting the Aug. 1 deadline. This is the filing deadline for students planning to enroll in a community college; a designated Pennsylvania Open-Admission institution; a business, trade or technical school; a hospital school of nursing; or a two-year program that is not transferable to another institution. The webinar will be held on Monday, July 24, from 6-7 p.m. Click here to register. Attention Veterans: DMVA Helps Locate Lost Military Documents  The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) is reminding veterans it can help locate their lost DD Form 214 (DD-214) and other military documents so they can get credit for time served and receive important benefits they have earned. The DD-214 contains information needed to verify military service for benefits, retirement, employment and membership in veterans’ organizations. Without this key document, there could be significant delays when a veteran seeks benefits earned through their service to our nation. The DMVA can also assist with locating the DD-215, which is used to correct errors or make additions to a DD-214, helping to assure that veterans have accurate discharge documentation. Anyone needing assistance from the DMVA to locate their DD-214/215, or other military documentation, can call toll-free 1-800-547-2838 or e-mail RA-REQ@pa.gov. More information about locating military documents can be found by visiting the Records Request Program. Another way to stay in touch is for veterans, family members and people who work with veterans to sign up for the DMVA’s Veterans Registry by visiting www.register.dmva.pa.gov. PGC Seeks Help Counting Turkeys  The Pennsylvania Game Commission again is seeking input from the public in surveying wild turkeys this summer. The Pennsylvania Wild Turkey Sighting Survey is open now through Aug. 31. Participation is important for turkey population management. Survey data allow the agency to determine total wild turkey productivity and compare long-term reproductive success within Pennsylvania and across states, as this is a standard methodology used across the country. Data also are used in the turkey population model to track population trends. Turkey sightings can be reported through the Game Commission’s website. . The mobile app is no longer available. The agency recommends saving this link to your favorites for quick access to report turkey sightings. On the website, participants are requested to record the number of wild turkeys they see, along with the county, township, wildlife management unit (WMU), date and contact information if agency biologists have any questions. Participants may also simply drop a “pin” on the map for the location data to automatically populate. Location data are used only for the survey, not for law enforcement and are not shared. |