Senator Phillips-Hill E-Newsletter

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In this update:

  • Bill Requiring Prosecutors to Notify ICE of Illegal Migrants Passes Senate
  • Property Tax Rent Rebate Assistance in Penn Twp. Next Week
  • Supporting Small Businesses All Across PA
  • Senate Approves Bill Prioritizing Community Safety
  • Coming Up: License Plate Replacement Event
  • York Tech Spartans Participate in Technical School Education Day at Capitol
  • Beware of E-ZPass Scam
  • Increasing Student Safety, Eliminating Vehicle Owner Fee
  • April is National Financial Literacy Month
  • Sitting down with York College of PA’s New President Next Week on the Podcast
  • Upcoming PennDOT Maintenance Projects

Bill Requiring Prosecutors to Notify ICE of Illegal Migrants Passes Senate

The Senate approved legislation that would require prosecutors across the state to notify U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) whenever illegal migrants are charged with violating state law. It now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Currently in Pennsylvania, violations of state law by illegal migrants are not required to be reported to ICE, but Senate Bill 1127 would ensure illegal migrants who violate our laws are held accountable. The change will better safeguard our communities and protect Pennsylvania’s law-abiding citizens.

Earlier this year, two NYPD officers were assaulted in broad daylight by illegal migrants. Several of the offenders had been previously arrested but not reported to ICE and were released back on the streets. The shocking crime prompted New York City Mayor Eric Adams to call for ICE to be informed when illegal migrants have been charged with violations of state law. 

Property Tax Rent Rebate Assistance in Penn Twp. Next Week 

My team will be stationed at the Penn Township Municipal Building on Thursday, April 18, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., to provide assistance with the Property Tax Rent Rebate (PTRR) Program. I was proud to support significant income changes to the Pennsylvania Property Tax Rent Rebate Program. These changes are expected to open doors for nearly 175,000 additional Pennsylvania seniors, making the program more accessible and beneficial than ever before.

Check your eligibility here, note that only half of your social security income counts towards your income. Our team will be on hand to provide assistance across a range of state services, including specialized support for PTRR.

For more information and updates, feel free to visit us during these mobile office hours or reach out to the district office. My team and I are here to serve you!

Supporting Small Businesses All Across PA 

This week marked a significant step forward in supporting small businesses across Pennsylvania, as leaders gathered to advocate for key reforms. I spoke alongside Greg Moreland, NFIB PA State Director, and fellow Senate colleagues, including Senators Greg Rothman, Judy Ward, Ryan P. Aument, and Tracy Pennycuick, focusing on how we can make Pennsylvania open for small business.

Watch my remarks here.

I emphasized my mission to cut the red tape and roll out the red carpet for small businesses through my legislation. Senate Bill 350 aims to streamline processes and foster a thriving state economy for all professions.

You can find the full event here.

Senate Approves Bill Prioritizing Community Safety 

The Senate passed legislation this week to strengthen the bail determination process for dangerous individuals: repeat violent offenders, drug dealers trafficking fentanyl and those who assault law enforcement officers or evade arrest on foot.

Senate Bill 1120 would only allow cash bail to be used and ban release on own recognizance or unsecured bail from being issued to those who pose a threat to public safety while they await trial. The bill is part of the Senate Republican effort to improve community safety across Pennsylvania as an average of 14 Pennsylvanians die every day from a drug overdose. It now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.

According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, fentanyl is 100 times more potent than morphine and approximately 50 times more potent than heroin. Two milligrams of fentanyl – the amount that fits on the tip of a pencil – is enough to kill an average person.

Coming Up: License Plate Replacement Event 

Last year, we successfully replaced illegible license plates for more than 100 York Countians, ensuring safer roads for everyone. Now, I am excited to announce that my team and I are bringing this FREE license plate replacement event to the western side of our community!

Here is what you need to know:

When: April 25, from 5 – 7 p.m.

Where: Northern York Area Regional Police Department, Officer David Tome Substation, 6115 Thoman Drive, Spring Grove, PA 17362

When is your license planet deemed illegible? Here’s the criteria:

  • If one or more numbers or letters cannot be recognized from 50 feet.
  • If your plate shows any signs of blistering, peeling, discoloration, or loss of reflectivity.

Don’t worry if you’re uncertain about whether your plate qualified for replacement. Law enforcement officials will be onsite to inspect your plate and determine its eligibility. The best part is getting your replacement plate is absolutely FREE!

My team and I will be available to assist you with filling out the necessary forms and ensure they are hand-delivered to PennDOT. Plus, your brand-new license plate will be conveniently mailed directly to your doorstep.

 Additional Information:

  • If you have a personalized license plate, you’ll get a replacement with the same letters and numbers for free. My team and I will make sure to mention it’s personalized on the form and take the needed photo for PennDOT.
  • If your vehicle has a special plate, like Wildlife Resource or alumni plate, you’ll get the same type of plate for free. Please note, if your plate type is not available anymore, you’ll receive a standard plate at no cost. In addition, if your plate has an owl on it, the replacement won’t since they are not available anymore.
  • If you have a standard plate but want to keep the same number, you’ll need to apple and pay for a personalized plate. This is the only time you’ll need to pay a fee.

 Mark your calendars and join us on April 25 at the NYCRPD Officer David Tome Substation for this opportunity! Let’s all ensure our community stays safe on the roads, I look forward to seeing you there!

York Tech Spartans Showcase Innovation at Capitol 

This week, students from York County School of Technology made their mark at the Capitol as part of Technical School Education Day in Harrisburg. The event provided a platform for these budding innovators to showcase their talents and highlight the importance of technical education.

I had the pleasure of engaging with the students, taking the opportunity to catch up with them, have my blood pressure checked, and explore their impressive advancements in robotics. The enthusiasm and dedication of the students were palpable, showcasing their passion for innovation and excellence.

The event served as a testament to the invaluable role of technical education in nurturing talent and preparing students for success in today’s rapidly evolving workforce.

Congratulations to the students of York Tech for their outstanding exhibit, and kudos to all those involved in organizing Technical School Education Day for providing a platform to celebrate and elevate the achievements of our youth.

You can find more photos from their visit here.

Beware of E-ZPass Scam

A new phishing scam is targeting E-ZPass account holders requesting information to settle outstanding toll amounts. The texts claim to be from “Pa Turnpike Toll Services” and center around urgent requests with your account that would result in a late fee if the balance does not get settled. Similar scams have been reported by toll agencies across the country in the past several days.

Customers who receive an unsolicited text, email or similar message suggesting it is from E-ZPass or another toll agency should not click the link. E-ZPass account holders can use approved safe methods to check their accounts such as the PA Turnpike E-ZPass website or the PA Toll Pay app available from the Apple App Store or Google Play store.

Those who receive a fraudulent text can file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov. The site is dedicated to sharing information on internet crimes across law enforcement agencies.

Increasing Student Safety, Eliminating Vehicle Owner Fee

As a result of action taken by Senate Republicans, students will be safer on their journey to and from school. Because of legislation now in effect, school districts may install and operate automated camera systems on school buses to capture violations committed by motorists.

Violations identified by the camera system will be reviewed by police under agreement with the school district. After that review, the school district may issue a violation and a $300 fine to the vehicle owner. These violations are civil penalties only and no points will be assessed to driver’s licenses.

Vehicle owners may request a hearing before a PennDOT hearing office, at no cost to the vehicle owner, if they feel they are innocent. Before the passage of the legislation, the vehicle owner was responsible for paying applicable civil filing fees.

April is National Financial Literacy Month

In April, we recognize National Financial Literacy Month, a time to celebrate work being done to improve the knowledge that helps people achieve their money-focused goals.

Senate Republicans recognized that young adults face financial decisions that can come with long-term consequences and passed legislation to arm high school students with money management skills. The new law requires completion of a half-credit personal finance course to graduate high school.

The course will give high school students the understanding they need about topics like credit and credit scores; savings and investments; college, home and auto loans; and planning for postsecondary education and retirement.

Sitting down with York College of PA’s New President Next Week on the Podcast

This weekend is the formal inauguration of Dr. Thomas Burns, who will serve as York College of Pennsylvania’s fifth president. Given the college’s impact on Southern York County and how it continues to evolve to meet the needs of the greater York community, I am sitting down with Dr. Burns on Monday to talk about his background and his vision for the college.

Subscribe to my podcast on Apple and Spotify to catch our conversation on Monday, April 14.

Upcoming PennDOT Maintenance Projects   

Most weeks, PennDOT shares with me its maintenance schedule for the week ahead. When it becomes available, you can view the full list here to see if it will impact you and your family.

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