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Capitol Report
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#Listrak\DateStampLong#
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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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Cumberland Valley FFA Visits the Capitol
It was an absolute pleasure to welcome Cumberland Valley FFA students to the Capitol this week and hear about the incredible projects these students are taking part in both at school and in the community. These students spent several days with other FFA chapters across the Commonwealth in Camp Hill to learn about etiquette, advocacy and the legislative process. The future is bright, and I’m eager to see the impact these students will make in our community.
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Oak Grove Farms Celebrates 60th Anniversary
It was my honor to join in celebrating Oak Grove Farms, Inc.’s 60th anniversary! Oak Grove is a community staple and is renowned for some of the best local products and produce in the region! Allie and I enjoyed visiting with the vendors at their customer appreciation day event. I was thrilled to present a certificate to brothers Bryan and Dwayne to honor the Lebo family’s contributions to the Mechanicsburg community over the last 60 years. We will be back next weekend for our weekly grocery haul.
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Thank You for Attending My Open House!
This morning, me and my staff met with constituents at the district office in Mechanicsburg! Thank you to all who stopped in to chat with us, ask questions and see where we’re located.
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Mark Your Calendar for My Upcoming Events
Community-Wide Shred Day
Community-Wide Shred Day is happening tomorrow, April 1! If you are a resident of Hampden or Silver Spring Township, now is a great time to do some spring cleaning!
Open Houses
I have two Open Houses remaining. Stop by to chat with me and my team!
Toast with Thomas
I will be providing breakfast at local diners in our community for constituents who wish to come. Breakfast is provided at no cost. Please join me at any of our upcoming Toast with Thomas events and stay tuned for more information on upcoming weekend and early-riser Toast with Thomas events as well.
Property Tax/Rent Rebate Assistance
My staff will be on hand to help you fill out and file the necessary forms for the state’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate program. Please bring your ID, proof of income, and property tax receipts or rent certificate used when filing 2022 tax returns.
The rebate program benefits Pennsylvanians aged 65 and older; widows and widowers age 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older. The qualifying income limit stands at $35,000 per year for homeowners and $15,000 annually for renters, with half of Social Security income excluded.
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Appropriations Committee Hearings Continue in Harrisburg
The House Appropriations Committee continued its examination of the governor’s $45.8 billion spending proposal during budget hearings this week.
In the area of public safety, the House Appropriations Committee talked about proposed funding for the Pennsylvania State Police and how the agency will meet recruitment challenges for the next generation of state troopers.
With regard to public health, we questioned the heads of both the Department of Health and the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs about efforts to meet the needs of the state’s most vulnerable citizens, particularly when it comes to the continuing crisis of opioid abuse and overdose deaths. We also questioned the Department of Aging about its support for senior centers, and the proposed expansion of the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program for seniors and people with disabilities. Additional hearings featured the Department of State, Department of Corrections and Board of Probation and Parole, and the Department of Transportation.
The hearing with the Department of Corrections gave me the opportunity to ask about how technology investments can enhance public safety. Body cameras are a large part of that conversation, and I am glad to hear the department is looking to invest more in transparency and accountability with body cameras. To listen to my questions to the Department of Corrections or to hear my comments from any other budget hearing, visit my website at Latest Videos, PA State Rep. Thomas Kutz (repkutz.com).
Hearings will resume on Tuesday, April 11.
All hearings are streamed live at www.PAHouseGOP.com. For a schedule of upcoming hearings and video of completed hearings, click here.
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Financial Tips for Higher Education Seekers
The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) will once again offer a series of financial aid webinars to assist students seeking a higher education and their families.
With the May 1 deadline for filing the Federal Free Application for Student Aid, also known as FAFSA, just around the corner, PHEAA will hold a “FAFSA Overview/Line by Line” webinar on the following dates:
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Wednesday, April 5, from 6-7 p.m. |
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Wednesday, April 19, from 6-7 p.m. |
Other sessions include:
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Paying for College and Options for Balances: Tuesday, April 4, at noon, and Thursday, April 20, at 6:30 p.m. |
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Financial Aid and Planning Q&A: Thursday, April 6, at 6:30 p.m. and Tuesday, April 18, at noon. |
Registration is required. Visit www.PHEAA.org/virtual.
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Apply for Agriculture Energy Efficiency Rebates
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection is offering rebates to Pennsylvania agricultural producers for energy efficiency projects. Rebates are offered on a first-come, first-served basis as long as funding is available, through June 30.
Interested applicants should apply to secure a rebate voucher prior to installing their equipment. Rebates are available for LED lighting, dairy equipment and ventilation equipment. For additional information, or to apply, click here.
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PennDOT Offers Free Motorcycle Safety Training
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) reminds residents that free Pennsylvania Motorcycle Safety Program (PAMSP) training opportunities are available to riders across the state.
Prospective, experienced and new Pennsylvania riders who have a motorcycle learner’s permit or motorcycle license can develop and refresh operator proficiency through these free training sessions.
Successful completion of a basic or intermediate course waives the requirement to take a skills test at a PennDOT Driver License Center for those over the age of 18 and automatically earns the permit holder their motorcycle license. Motorcycle permit holders who complete a three-wheel basic course will earn a motorcycle license with a restriction prohibiting the operation of a two-wheel motorcycle.
Click here for more information.
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Trout Season Opens April 1!
Good luck to all the anglers heading out this weekend for the opening day of trout season tomorrow, April 1. For everything you need to know about fishing in the Commonwealth, including licensing and stocking information, visit www.fishandboat.com or check out the FishBoatPA mobile app.
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Celebrating Women’s History Month with Hannah Penn
As the month of March, also Women’s History Month, draws to a close, we remember and honor the first and only woman to have ever governed Pennsylvania – Hannah Callowhill Penn. Hannah was wife of Pennsylvania’s founder, William Penn. Watch to learn more about her!
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