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Capitol Report
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The latest news from the State Capitol
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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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Honoring Local Vets at Willow Mill Park
It was an honor and a privilege to join the Veterans Day ceremony at the Silver Spring Township Veterans Memorial at Willow Mill Park. We expressed our heartfelt gratitude to our veterans for their service to our nation.
America shines as a beacon of freedom to the world thanks to these special few who answered the call to put America and her ideals above their own well-being. As the next generation of veterans concludes their service, it will be our solemn pride and duty to always say, “Welcome home.” God bless our veterans, and may God bless America.
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Congratulations, West Shore Marching Band!
It was an absolute pleasure to host the West Shore Marching Band in Harrisburg this week!
This was a special treat for me to welcome the program from both my wife and I’s alma maters where I played trumpet, and where my wife played flute and marched before Cedar Cliff and Red Land’s marching bands merged to become West Shore.
After winning state and regional championships, the band recently clinched second place at the USBands National Championship. This talented group of young musicians has so much to be proud of and it was great to come together to celebrate their victory!
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Thanks for Having Me, Cedar Cliff!
On Thursday, I had the privilege of joining Mrs. Frey’s class to discuss the importance of voting! It was a great morning spent in the classroom, back at my alma mater to inspire our future leaders to participate in the Democratic process.
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Standing Up Against Human Trafficking
On Wednesday, the Zonta Club of Harrisburg-Hershey held its annual rally to raise awareness about human trafficking.
Earlier this session, I co-sponsored House Bill 1241 to impose licensing requirements on bodywork facilities to prevent illicit massage and sex trafficking in the Commonwealth. In addition to sponsoring this legislation, I also hosted a roundtable discussion and workshop to educate our community on how to protect themselves from falling victim to this horrible crime. Together, we can make an impact and work to end a $150 billion criminal industry.
It was also great to catch up with the incredible team at Greenlight Operation, who I partnered with for my human trafficking community workshop in September.
Learn more about House Bill 1241 here.
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Raising Awareness About Teen Mental Health
I was honored to welcome Niharika (Rikki) Shulka to the Capitol this week. She is a student at Cumberland Valley High School who had the opportunity to speak at a press conference on teen mental health.
It was a pleasure to meet with her and have a conversation about the problems today’s middle and high school students are facing.
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Boiling Springs Student Serves as Guest Page
It’s always great to host our future leaders in Harrisburg! Ben Snyder is a student at Boiling Springs High School who this week served as a guest page on the floor of the House chamber. I hope he enjoyed the experience and learned a lot about our state government!
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You’re Invited to My Upcoming Events
Pancake Breakfast
RSVPs are encouraged. Please call my office at 717-975-2235 or click here to let us know you’re coming to the Pancake Breakfast.
Holiday Open House
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PA Insurance Marketplace Now Open
Pennsylvania’s official health insurance marketplace, Pennie, is now open for Pennsylvanians to enroll in health coverage for 2024. This annual open enrollment period is the time when Pennsylvanians can compare quality health plans at the lowest costs through Pennie.
The deadline to enroll in coverage that starts New Year’s Day is Dec. 15. Plans and prices change every year, so anyone who needs coverage should review their options even if they have looked before. Anyone currently enrolled in Pennie should make sure their family size, income and contact information are up to date.
Pennie is the only place where Pennsylvanians can get financial savings to reduce the cost of health coverage and care. Currently, nine in 10 enrollees qualify and save more than $500 a month on average.
Pennie coordinates with Pennsylvania’s Medicaid program and picks up where Medicaid leaves off. Pennsylvanians who no longer qualify for Medicaid because of changes in income can see large savings on private health plans through Pennie. For anyone who is no longer eligible for Medicaid and still needs coverage, the open enrollment period is the last chance to enroll for 2024. Learn more here.
Pennsylvanians interested in shopping for and purchasing health coverage through Pennie can visit pennie.com or call Pennie customer service at 1-844-844-8040. Individuals in need of assistance navigating coverage options, can go to pennie.com/connect to find help.
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Be Alert for Property Tax Rent Rebate Scam
Scammers claiming to be from the Pennsylvania Treasury have been calling Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program participants and asking for bank account information in an effort to steal valuable personal data.
No one from the state will call and ask for bank information for this program. In this scam, the caller claims the information is needed so a Property Tax/Rent Rebate payment can be made by direct deposit. People should never give out their bank account information or other personal financial information simply because someone calls and asks for it.
The best way to contact the Pennsylvania Treasury with questions is with the form available here.
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