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In this update:
Latest podcast episode features newly hired Broadband Authority Executive Director
My latest episode of “Kristin’s Corner” features a conversation with Brandon Carson, the executive director of the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority. Brandon was recently hired to run this statewide authority to ensure taxpayer dollars that are aimed at closing the digital divide are spent with great respect to the taxpayers. I hear a lot of concerns from our community about these challenges and we are fervently working to address this matter. As the Senate Republican Caucus’ nominee on this authority, I take this role and responsibility very seriously. You can listen to our discussion on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and several other platforms. Learn more here. Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program application deadline extended to Dec. 31The deadline for older and disabled Pennsylvanians to apply for rebates on rent and property taxes paid in 2021 has been extended from June 30 to Dec. 31, 2022. The Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians age 65 and older, widows and widowers age 50 and older, and people with disabilities age 18 and older. The income limit is $35,000 a year for homeowners and $15,000 annually for renters, and half of Social Security income is excluded. You can apply online at mypath.pa.gov. Under state law, the annual deadline for the program is set as June 30. However, the law requires the Department of Revenue to evaluate the program to determine if funds are available to extend the deadline. To date, funding has been available to allow all who qualify, meaning the deadline can be extended to Dec. 31 for the current year. Miss Pennsylvania Scholarship Competition this week in YorkThis week, York County’s Debbie Butcher and Bryan Tate brought the contestants competing in the 2022 Miss Pennsylvania Scholarship Competition to the state Capitol. This event is held each year at the Appell Center. It was an honor to host and meet with the young women who took the time to share their social impact initiatives. Best of luck to these young women, and especially Miss York County and Miss First Capital! You can view more photos here. Buyer Beware Act going after demand of human trafficking victimsABC27 News highlighted a human trafficking initiative just north in Cumberland County. The initiative resulted in six arrests. The impetus for the effort is due to a law I wrote with Rep. Seth Grove called the “Buyer Beware Act.” The goal of this law is to target the demand side of human trafficking putting an end to this heinous crime. I am glad to see our law enforcement partners utilizing this new law (Act 1 of 2020) to end human trafficking in Pennsylvania. You can learn more here. College aid webinars in June and JulyThe Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) is holding free webinars covering the two most requested topics during this time of year as families look to achieve an affordable postsecondary education. Deep Dive into Covering the Gap
This one-hour webinar answers questions that might arise after students receive their first semester bill, such as additional costs to plan for and available loan programs. Borrowing for Education: Which Loan is Right for Me?
This one-hour webinar covers available loan programs and advantages and disadvantages of each. You can find more information on these sessions and register here. Boy Scouts present annual report to state SenateThe General Assembly continued its tradition of hosting Boy Scouts from all over the Commonwealth this month. As part of their visit, Scouts open the Senate in a word of prayer, recite the Pledge of Allegiance and present the legislature with their annual report. Spencer Nace of Shrewsbury offered the Pledge of Allegiance during session. I also had the fortune of meeting Noah Koller of Red Lion during the Scouts’ visit to the state Capitol. The two clips below highlight the Scouts’ visit to the Senate of Pennsylvania. Welcoming Isaiah Morales to the Senate of PennsylvaniaThis week, I hosted Red Lion Area High School graduate and Penn State York public policy student Isaiah Morales. Isaiah is interested in pursuing a career in public service and may someday run for office. He shadowed me for committee meetings, Senate votes, and several meetings on legislation I am sponsoring. Isaiah will intern with the York County Economic Alliance this summer. I wish him the best of luck and know he has a bright future ahead of him! Look out for texting scams about unclaimed propertyThe Pennsylvania Treasury Department is warning Pennsylvanians that scammers are using text messages to target potential unclaimed property claimants. About one in 10 Pennsylvanians is owed some of the more than $4 billion in unclaimed property held by the department, making the subject ripe for exploiting by scammers. The Treasury Department never reaches out to people about any program, including unclaimed property, via unsolicited text messages. You can search the online database at patreasury.gov/unclaimed-property to see if you have property waiting and start the claim process. If you need further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact our office. On deckThe Senate of Pennsylvania will convene on Monday, June 20, at 1 p.m. You can watch all of the Senate votes and view our agenda here. Happy Father’s Day!Wishing all of the dads across the 28th Senatorial District a happy and relaxing Father’s Day this Sunday! Thank you for what you do to shape the lives of our next generation! Juneteenth Freedom DayThis Sunday is also Juneteenth National Freedom Day. On June 19, 1865, Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger led Union soldiers to Galveston, Texas to share the news of the Emancipation Proclamation and freed the last of the enslaved people. |
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