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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 Initiatives would give Tax Relief to Pennsylvania Families
I have drafted two proposals that are serving as the foundation for the “Pennsylvania Families Tax Relief” series of tax cut measures which I joined with my House colleagues to unveil at the Capitol this week.
I am working on legislation that would provide several exemptions to sales tax that families must pay as they are caring for small children. The exemptions would include books, toys, cribs, strollers and youth sports equipment.
I am also seeking to increase Pennsylvania’s Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit. My proposal would match the federal credit of $3,000 for an individual and $6,000 for a household with two adult caregivers over a three-year period.
Pennsylvanians are facing substantial inflationary pressure in addition to an already significant tax burden. As families are struggling to make ends meet, we have a duty to provide much-needed tax relief. I’m proud to join my colleagues in providing tax relief for families so that we can help young adults plant roots in the state and grow the economy.
In addition to these two measures, I’m sponsoring legislation in this package including a proposal for a permanent Gross Receipts Tax exemption on electric bills, a reduction in the Personal Income Tax, and a permanent Sales and Use Tax exemption for personal emergency responder equipment.
These proposals would ease the pain felt by rising energy prices and would allow every Pennsylvanian to keep more of their hard earned money as the cost of goods and services continues to rise.
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Rep. Kutz Named to Appropriations Committee
I am pleased to share with you that I was named this week to the House Appropriations Committee, which crafts the state budget each year.
The House Appropriations Committee oversees state fiscal policy and spending and evaluates state agency requests to arrive at a budget proposal each year. The committee’s work on the budget is a large undertaking, and I’m up for the challenge. I will work with my fellow legislators to advocate for a thoughtful, fiscally responsible spending plan that holds the line on taxes.
I have taken part in a number of hearings with the Appropriations Committee this year as we begin to lay the groundwork for this year’s budget. Governor Shapiro will make his budget address to the General Assembly on Tuesday, March 7, and the Committee will take his proposals into consideration and will hear from each state agency as we work to build the state budget.
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Rep. Joanna McClinton Elected House Speaker
This week, Rep. Joanna McClinton of Philadelphia and Delaware counties was elected as the chamber’s first female Speaker of the House and the second African American Speaker.
I spoke with Speaker McClinton on the House Floor following her election to congratulate her, wish her well, and express my willingness to work together to address major issues affecting our Commonwealth.
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Rep. Kutz attends Lisburn Fire Company Annual Banquet
I enjoyed spending time with friends and neighbors last weekend at the Lisburn Community Fire Company Annual Banquet. Lisburn is one of a kind, and it is truly inspiring to see the way the community rallies behind this fire company. I’m grateful to the firefighters and their families for the sacrifices they make to answer the call day and night.
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Spending Time with Students on Read Across America Day
Thursday was Read Across America Day! I enjoyed spending the day with students, teachers, and administrators at Green Ridge and Winding Creek Elementary Schools and engaging with students as they learn to read. It is so important to ensure that all of our students are able to read at grade level. I was encouraged to learn about CV Literacy and how elementary schools utilize small groups and individualized attention to help students based on their reading abilities.
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PHEAA Announces Financial Aid, Refinancing Webinars
The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) is hosting webinars this month aimed at understanding the financial aid processes and refinancing education debt. Each topic will be offered on two separate dates and times.
The webinar entitled “Financial Aid Timeline – Know What to Do When” will be offered at noon on Tuesday, March 7, and again at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 23. This one-hour presentation will provide the starting points and web resources for effective research before, during and after your student makes post-secondary education decisions.
The webinar entitled “Refinancing Education Debt – Is it Right for Me?” will be offered at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 9, and again at noon on Tuesday, March 21. This one-hour session will be helpful to current or previous students of any age who have student loans and may be overwhelmed with their current repayment options, or are moving closer to the repayment phase and wonder if refinance may be a better solution.
To participate in one or both webinars, click here to register.
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