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In this Update:
- Stefano Hosts Working Animal Appreciation Day
- Declining Revenue Projections Highlight the Risk of Gov. Wolf’s Budget Plan
- Bill Establishing Pennsylvania Chief Nursing Officer Approved by Senate
- Senate Acts to Improve Access to Property Tax and Rent Rebates
- Stefano Bill to Reduce Red Tape and Help Economy Passes Senate
- PUC Offers Tips for Dealing with June Electric Rate Hikes
- Further Extension of the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program to June 17
- Motorcycle Rally at the Capitol
- Paying for College and Career Training with 529 Accounts
- Memorial Day: Our Duty to Remember
Stefano Hosts Working Animal Appreciation Day
As chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, I hosted a Working Animal Appreciation Day on Tuesday, May 24, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the intersection of Commonwealth Avenue and Soldiers Grove at the Capitol Complex.
The Senate of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania State Working Animal Foundation spent the day recognizing the police and military K-9s, search and rescue dogs and horses, service dogs and therapy animals that work for people.
A press conference was held at noon in Soldiers Grove. The event also included demonstrations every half hour:
- 9:30 a.m.: Summit Search and Rescue
- 10 a.m.: PA Department of Corrections
- 10:30 a.m.: The Capitol Police
- 11 a.m.: Canine Partners for Life
- 11:30 a.m.: York County Sheriff’s Office
- Noon: press conference
- 12:45 p.m.: Pennsylvania Canine Search and Rescue
- 1:15 p.m.: Middle Creek Search and Rescue
There was a special appearance by K-9 Detective Briggs, who has worked with the Pennsylvania Game Commission, local police departments, the U.S. Marshal and Secret Service agencies and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The K-9 is credited with assisting in the apprehension of arson and armed robbery suspects.
Exhibits and demonstrations included the following organizations from around the Commonwealth: Alpha Bravo Canine, Caring Hearts Pet Therapy, Carlisle Police Department, Crisis Response Canines, Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, Harrisburg Police K-9 Unit, KPETS-Keystone Pet Enhanced Therapy Services, Leg Up Farm, Life Changing Service Dogs for Veterans, Loving Eyes Seeing Eye Puppy Club, Pennsylvania Canine Search and Rescue, Pennsylvania State Animal Response Team, Pennsylvania State Police Mounted Section, Pennsylvania State Working Animal Foundation, Penn Vet Working Dog Center, Special Unit 66 Search and Rescue, Summit Search and Rescue and Tails of Valor.
Additional support for the event was provided by the Fraternal Order of Police, Pennsylvania Lodge, Pittsburgh Firefighters and the Pennsylvania State Troopers Association.
The PA Dairyman’s Association’s Milkshake “On The Moove” truck was also present to serve its famous milkshakes. Proceeds from the milkshake sales benefit agricultural scholarships, youth programs and educational programs across the state.
Thank you all for coming to the event and for the hard work you and your animals do for all of Pennsylvania.
Declining Revenue Projections Highlight the Risk of Gov. Wolf’s Budget Plan
The state Independent Fiscal Office (IFO) released its initial revenue estimate for 2022-23 and warns that tax revenue is likely to fall in the coming fiscal year. The IFO’s projection for General Fund revenue next year is $42.26 billion – about an 11.5% drop from 2021-22.
The new numbers further highlight the risk of Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposed state budget and emphasize what Senate Republicans have been saying all along: the governor’s bloated spending plan is unrealistic and unsustainable. His plan to increase spending by more than $4.5 billion next year would come at the expense of Pennsylvania’s long-term financial security.
The new figures from the IFO build on previous analysis that shows the potential for Gov. Wolf’s $45.7 billion budget to create multi-billion-dollar deficits for years to come.
As the June 30 deadline for enacting a state budget approaches, Senate Republicans will work to draft a more responsible plan that protects taxpayers already struggling with staggering inflation and an uncertain financial future.
Bill Establishing Pennsylvania Chief Nursing Officer Approved by Senate
Legislation establishing the position of Pennsylvania Chief Nursing Officer was approved by the Senate, recognizing the crucial role that registered nurses play in the delivery of health care.
Senate Bill 848 would establish the Office of Chief Nursing Officer, modeled after the role and confirmation process of the Physician General. The duties of the Pennsylvania Chief Nursing Officer would include:
- Advising the governor and Secretary of Health.
- Participating in the decision-making process of the Department of Health (DOH) on policies related to nursing and public health issues.
- Reviewing professional standards and practices in nursing and public health.
- Consulting with recognized experts on nursing and public health matters which are within the jurisdiction of the DOH.
- Providing advice on nursing and public health issues to the secretary and to other executive branch agencies.
- Coordinating educational, informational and other programming for the promotion of wellness, public health and nursing issues.
Senate Bill 848 will be sent to the House of Representatives for consideration.
Senate Acts to Improve Access to Property Tax and Rent Rebates
The Senate acted to close a loophole that made many senior citizens ineligible for the state Property Tax/Rent Rebate program. The bill moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.
The problem arose when senior citizens transferred retirement funds into other retirement accounts, which would show up as available income on an application and make the individual ineligible for help lowering their property taxes.
Senate Bill 230 would allow retirees to transfer those retirement account investments between accounts within 60 days without counting toward income when applying for property tax or rent relief. If those funds are not invested into another qualified retirement plan within 60 days, the funds will be considered income.
Stefano Bill to Reduce Red Tape and Help Economy Passes Senate
My legislation to cut bureaucratic red tape by reducing the paperwork required by the Steel Products Procurement Act received unanimous support from the Senate today.
Senate Bill 1043 would streamline business practices, as well as save time and money for taxpayers and industries striving to restart the economy.
As so many people and companies in Pennsylvania are struggling, we have to help. We can do that by reducing some of Pennsylvania’s cumbersome laws and regulations that impede success.
One burden is within the Steel Products Procurement Act. As currently enacted, “unidentifiable” steel products, melted and manufactured in the United States, carry with them an inordinate amount of paperwork to comply with the act.
The bill would ease the extensive paperwork required as steel leaves the mill while maintaining an auditable record of the product.
By allowing contractors to submit the necessary documentation electronically, they will have more time to focus on their job of installing steel products instead of doing administrative work. My bill would enable these contractors to work more efficiently.
Senate Bill 1043 now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.
PUC Offers Tips for Dealing with June Electric Rate Hikes
With costs for electric generation increasing on June 1 for many utility customers, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) is reminding consumers they have options to manage anticipated higher bills.
According to the PUC, the best response for those struggling to pay energy bills is to call utilities and ask about assistance programs, manage energy use and shop for competitive electric generation suppliers. You can find more from the PUC about consumer options here.
The rate increase will occur even before Gov. Tom Wolf’s carbon tax kicks in, which could nearly quadruple new electricity costs for consumers. The carbon tax is part of Pennsylvania’s entry into the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, which was enacted by the governor without legislative approval.
Further Extension of the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program to June 17
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) has been extended a second time to June 17, allowing additional households to apply for help.
LIHEAP is a federally funded program administered by the state that provides assistance for home heating bills. Assistance is available for renters and homeowners.
You can apply for benefits online using COMPASS, or download a paper application, print it, fill it out and return it to your local county assistance office.
Motorcycle Rally at the Capitol
This week, I had the honor of attending ABATE of Pennsylvania’s Rally here at the PA Capitol.
It was great to see so many A.B.A.T.E members, from all across the Commonwealth, rallying for Motorcyclists Rights.
Since 1983, A.B.A.T.E. of PA has represented the interests of motorcyclists riding Pennsylvania’s roads. Through a variety of programs, A.B.A.T.E. is working to protect and preserve the rights of over 800,000 licensed motorcyclists and the untold tens of thousands of riders who enjoy the variety of off-road recreational opportunities available.
Paying for College and Career Training with 529 Accounts
Sunday is College and Career Savings Day to promote the savings opportunities offered by 529 accounts, such as the PA 529 College and Career Savings Program.
The PA 529 College and Career Savings Program offers two plans, the PA 529 Guaranteed Savings Plan (GSP) and the PA 529 Investment Plan (IP). PA 529 GSP account earnings are based on college tuition inflation rates, while PA 529 IP account earnings are tied to investment choice and financial market performance.
PA 529 accounts can be used to pay for tuition, fees, books, equipment and room and board at technical schools, apprenticeship programs, community colleges and four-year colleges nationwide. Through Tuesday, May 31, families can take advantage of special PA 529 promotions at pa529.com/529day.
Memorial Day: Our Duty to Remember
I hope you have a great Memorial Day Weekend with friends and family and take some time to remember the profound sacrifice of those who died fighting for our nation.
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