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| Weekly Roundup |
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The latest news from the State Capitol |
Shredding Event Scheduled for Sept. 23
As a free service to the community, I am co-hosting with Sen. Pat Browne (R-Lehigh) a shredding event to give residents of the 183rd Legislative District a chance to safeguard themselves against identity theft by having their personal documents securely destroyed. The event will be held on Saturday, Sept. 23, from 10 a.m. to noon, at Robert “Bob” LaBold Maintenance Building, 550 W. Church St., Slatington. Acceptable items include all paper and manila folders. No more than four bags or boxes per household are permitted, and no businesses, please. Staples or paper clips do not need to be removed. For more information, please call one of my district offices at (610) 502-2701 or (610) 760-9805.
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A Budget That Puts People First
In working to complete the 2017-18 budget package, the state House this week approved legislation to generate enough revenue to close the projected budget gap. The “Putting People First” revenue package stands up for taxpayers by providing a fiscally responsible plan which contains no new or increased taxes or borrowing.
The revenues to fund the $1.5 billion deficit from 2016-17, as well as the anticipated revenue needed for the current budget of approximately $600 million, would come from legislative reserves; transfers from special accounts with excess or dormant funding; other fund transfers; multi-year agency lapsed funds; gaming reform proceeds; liquor transfers; and the sale of a portion of the Tobacco Settlement money.
The various transfers are not expected to negatively impact any current or future program or service to state residents.
The measure now goes to the Senate for concurrence. For more information, visit PAHouseGOP.com.
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Helping Our Veterans
Legislation to help veterans and their spouses by enhancing their eligibility for state programs and services passed the House this week.
House Bill 980 would exempt 100 percent of a veteran’s federal disability compensation or pension from income calculations for any state program or benefit, such as the PACE and PACENET prescription drug programs or Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). (Under current law, the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program already excludes this income.)
In addition, the legislation would extend the exclusion of the compensation benefits to the veteran’s unmarried surviving spouse.
The bill now goes to the state Senate.
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Keeping Your Personal Info Safe
In light of recent news about a data breach at Equifax, a national credit-reporting agency, residents are encouraged to learn more about identity theft and how to protect their information from being used fraudulently.
It is unknown how many Pennsylvanian consumers the breach has affected; however, the Office of Pennsylvania Attorney General is leading a national investigation into the data breach.
In the meantime, consumers are urged to be proactive in monitoring their credit reports and financial account statements, such as credit cards and utilities, and in reporting any suspicious activity to the attorney general office’s hotline at 1-800-441-2555 or atscams@attorneygeneral.gov.
The Federal Trade Commission has also provided identitytheft.gov, an identity theft prevention website.
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What Do You Think about Highway Safety?
Motorists are encouraged to submit their input on a number of highway issues, such as highway safety, traffic safety enforcement and driving behaviors, as part of PennDOT’s annual online survey.
The brief survey is available until Sept. 27, and focuses on seat belts, impaired driving, speeding, motorcycles and distracted driving. People completing the survey may remain anonymous, but are asked to provide their gender, age and county of residence.
Last year, 6,619 people responded to the survey. As a result of this feedback and recent trends in crash data, PennDOT has further increased its usage of social media to share highway safety information and is highlighting personal responsibility in future media campaigns.
To complete the survey, click here.
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| Office Locations |
2030 Center Street, Northampton, PA 18067 | Phone: 610-502-2701
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Slatington Borough Hall, 125 S. Walnut Street, First Floor, Slatington, PA 18080 | Phone: 610-760-9805
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402A Irvis Office, PO Box 202183. Harrisburg, PA 17120-2183 | (717) 772-5398
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| Email Address: ZMako@pahousegop.com |
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