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Capitol Report
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Please do not reply directly to this email, as it returns to an unmanned account.
You are welcome to contact me through this link.
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Kutz Announces Local Law Enforcement Grant
I’m pleased to share with you that Lower Allen Township will receive more than $83,000 for its police department to assist with emerging technologies and essential staffing needs through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency Local Law Enforcement Grant program. Public safety is an essential service of government, and I’m proud to advocate for our men and women in blue as your State Representative.
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Rep. Kutz Joins PCN for Interview
I sat down with Pennsylvania Cable Network (PCN) Thursday to discuss my background and my priorities for the upcoming legislative session. My thanks for the invitation and the opportunity to share my thoughts. Check back soon for information on when to watch the interview!
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Amelia Givin Library in Mt. Holly Hosts Holiday Open House
The Amelia Givin Library in Mt. Holly is a beautiful place for residents and visitors year-round. I enjoyed spending the day in Mt. Holly this past weekend, meeting constituents, supporting local businesses and stopping by the Amelia Givin Library’s Holiday Open House. The library was built in 1889 and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2004. I found myself in the non-fiction section reading about local history and the Appalachian Trail. You can also check out some historic photos and albums that tell Mt. Holly’s story.
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Kutz Congratulates Two Eagle Scouts
Congratulations to Cumberland County’s two newest Eagle Scouts! It was an honor to join Owen Rynex of Upper Allen Township and Carson Fahnestock of Monroe Township as they were both awarded the rank of Eagle in a Court of Honor. Owen and Carson exemplify leadership and service as evidenced through their projects and years in Scouts. I’m thankful for their commitment to our community at such a young age and congratulations to the families and mentors of both of these impressive young men.
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Silver Spring Awarded Grant for Traffic Signal Improvements
Traffic signals in Silver Spring Township will receive an upgrade thanks to a $203,750 PennDOT Traffic Signal Technologies grant. The grant will be used to connect traffic signals through PennDOT’s synchronization software program.
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Clock Tower Installed in Upper Allen
The clock tower has arrived in Upper Allen! Crews installed a clock tower bearing the name “Upper Allen Township” at the intersection of Market Street and Gettysburg Pike this week. What a great way to welcome residents and motorists in Upper Allen Township!
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Kutz Meets with Community Stakeholders
Every day, I am meeting with constituents, local officials, and community stakeholders to advocate for constituents of the 87th District. This week, I met with county and local elected officials, a school superintendent, advocates for elder services, and advocates for individuals with intellectual disabilities. I’m pictured here with Junior Achievement of South Central PA’s Becky, with whom I sat down this week to discuss the awesome programs JA offers for students in all areas of the 87th District. My favorite is Biz Town! In 2006, I travelled with my classmates to Biz Town as the city attorney. I am encouraged to hear all the ways that JA still impacts students today. As I continue to meet new people every day, know this: I will work tirelessly to serve our community at home and in Harrisburg. It is a tremendous honor to serve as your State Representative, and I hope you’ll check back next week for my next legislative update.
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New Law Allows for Faster Receipt of Childcare Background Clearances
Pennsylvanians applying for childcare clearances can now receive most results electronically, instead of through the U.S. mail, thanks to a new law passed earlier this session.
Act 12 of 2022 allows certain employers to conditionally hire an individual for up to 45 days before all required childcare clearances are obtained. The goal is to address the delay that employees who required childcare clearances were experiencing in receiving their paperwork via the U.S. mail. Because this process often took weeks, this prevented the timely hiring of employees and caused businesses and nonprofits to limit work and programs due to the inability to staff them.
However, in addition to this legislation, businesses also asked for help in obtaining FBI clearances electronically to reduce another logjam in the hiring process.
Legislators from both sides of the aisle worked for 18 months with state agencies and the Pennsylvania State Police to work this option out with the FBI.
As a result, FBI background checks can now be applied for online and an electronic result received in as quickly as one day. Prior to this fix, it could take anywhere from 3-13 weeks for an applicant to receive FBI results. The shortened time to receive results will further safeguard children, aid applicants in obtaining positions of employment, and will aid employers in filling vacancies of positions that serve children. In addition to any email notification, all applicants will still receive results transmitted by U.S. mail.
Here’s an overview of how to obtain childcare clearances online:
Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Certification – apply online at Pennsylvania Child Welfare Information Solution.
Criminal background check performed by the Pennsylvania State Police – apply online at the ePATCH website.
FBI fingerprint background check – register online for fingerprint submission at identogo.com.
At this time, the National Sex Offender background check is not available to complete online.
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Final Reminder for 2021 Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program Applications
Older adults and Pennsylvanians with disabilities have until Dec. 31 to apply for the state’s 2021 Property Tax/Rent Rebate program. Remember, assistance through my offices is always free.
The 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.
For additional information and applications, click here.
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