Facebook Website Bio Latest News State Forms Photo Gallery Contact Capitol Update Friday, January 13, 2023 The latest news from the State Capitol   You are welcome to contact me through this link.   House GOP Ready to Work Lawmakers traveled to Harrisburg this week in response to the governor’s call for a special session to address a proposed constitutional amendment to help provide justice to victims of child sexual abuse. But thanks to the members of his own party, we didn’t get anywhere. This proposal has been passed by the General Assembly multiple times but never made it to the voters as a ballot question because the Wolf administration failed to properly advertise it. The governor called us into this special session to clean up his mess, only to have his fellow Democrats obstruct action. After repeated delays, no votes were taken Monday and newly elected Speaker Mark Rozzi canceled the remaining session days for the week. We cannot proceed with regular session or special session without operating rules. House Republicans have a draft set of rules that incorporate feedback from both parties. We have at least 101 votes to pass those rules, but we were never given the opportunity to hold the vote. We have important work to do, not only to help victims of child sexual abuse but also to boost our economy, address the causes and impacts of inflation, advance better job opportunities, and educate our students for the jobs of the future, among other things.     Call for Projects! The North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission is inviting organizations across its six-county service area – including Cameron, McKean and Potter counties – to submit projects that may benefit from assistance. Completing North Central’s online Project Intake form is the first step for local officials to pursue project funding and assistance from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and other state and federal partners. This effort is part of the commission’s New Community Capacity Program designed to support local communities with free grant writing and other technical assistance. Click here to submit your project idea. For more information, contact Elise Grovanz at egrovanz@ncentral.com or 814-773-3162.     Enter Now for Litter Hawk Youth Award Program

Submissions are now being accepted for the Litter Hawk Youth Award Program, a recognition program for students in kindergarten through sixth grade. Kids can participate individually or as part of a lesson initiated by schools, home-schools, Scout troops, 4-H clubs, environmental clubs or other organized groups. In response to Pennsylvania’s new anti-littering education campaign, PA Fights Dirty: Every Litter Bit Matters, the theme this year is: Show Us How Every Litter Bit Matters to You. Projects include:   •   Kindergarten through fourth grade – submission of a poster.   •   Fifth and sixth grades – submission of an essay or video. Two entries will be selected as winners in each grade level. First place will receive a $50 gift card. First runner-up will receive a $25 gift card. All participants will be recognized with certificates. The deadline to participate is Jan. 31. Winners will be announced in April in time for Earth Day celebrations. The Litter Hawk Youth Award program was created with funding provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. Find more information and an online entry form here.

Better Tax Benefits for PA 529, PA ABLE Savings Programs The tax benefits for contributing to PA 529 and PA ABLE accounts are getting better in 2023, as higher Pennsylvania state Personal Income Tax deductions are now in place for both programs. PA 529 account owners may deduct up to $17,000 (previously $16,000) of contributions to their accounts, or $34,000 (previously $32,000) for couples filing jointly, provided both spouses have at least $17,000 of income. The PA state income tax deduction for 529 contributions is available to any PA taxpayer, making gift contributions an attractive benefit for family members or friends. PA ABLE account owners will also be able to deduct up to $17,000 (previously $16,000) for contributions to their accounts. The PA 529 College and Career Savings Program is designed to help PA families steadily and strategically save for future educational expenses, while the PA ABLE Savings Program is a tax-free way for Pennsylvanians to save for a wide range of disability-related expenses while maintaining government disability benefits. To learn more about PA 529, visit www.pa529.com or call 800-440-4000. To learn more about PA ABLE, visit www.paable.gov or call 855-529-2253.

PennDOT Driver License, Photo Centers Closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday

All PennDOT driver license and photo centers, including its full-service center in Harrisburg, will be closed Saturday, Jan. 14, through Monday, Jan. 16, in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.

Customers may still obtain a variety of driver and vehicle products and services, including all forms, publications and driver training manuals, online through PennDOT’s Driver and Vehicle Services website, www.dmv.pa.gov.