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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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Celebrating Mt. Holly Springs’ Sesquicentennial
Mt. Holly Springs is 150 years old! Earlier this week, I joined Mayor Brian Robinson, Sen. Greg Rothman (R-34) and the community in Mt. Holly Springs for the Proclamation Day ceremony to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Mt. Holly's incorporation as a borough. Mt. Holly is a small town with great people and great charm, and it's an honor to serve this incredible community. Here's to another 150 years!
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You’re Invited to My Upcoming Events
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 my remaining 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. 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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Voter Registration Deadline May 1
Pennsylvanians who are not already registered to vote but wish to participate in the May 16 municipal primary election should be sure to register no later than Monday, May 1.
To be eligible to vote in the primary, you must be a citizen of the United States for at least one month before the election; a resident of the election district in which you register to vote for at least 30 days before the primary; and at least 18 years of age on or before the date of the primary.
Under the law, only voters registered as Republicans or Democrats may vote for candidates in the primary election. Ballot questions are open to all voters.
Citizens may register to vote online here or visit your county voter registration office.
Not sure of your registration status? Check it here.
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Budget Hearings Conclude
After three weeks of hearings, the House Appropriations Committee has concluded its review of the governor’s $46 billion spending proposal for the 2023-24 fiscal year.
I joined fellow committee members in questioning officials with the Department of Community and Economic Development about Pennsylvania’s lagging economic and labor force participation numbers compared to the national average and offered solutions to help put Pennsylvania’s economy back on track.
Other hearings conducted this week featured the departments of Labor and Industry, Revenue, and Human Services, as well as the Office of Inspector General, state and school employee retirement systems, the Public Utility Commission and the governor’s budget office.
It has been a busy few weeks, but I am honored to have participated in this process to ensure your hard-earned tax dollars are being spent efficiently and productively.
Video of all three weeks of hearings is available here. You can also check out Latest Videos | PA State Rep. Thomas Kutz to hear my questions and video comments from the hearings.
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Donate Life Month
April is Donate Life Month, an opportunity to raise awareness about the growing need for organ donation across the Commonwealth and the country. According to Donate Life PA, 20 people on average die each day while waiting for a life-saving organ transplant, and every 10 minutes, another person’s name is added to the national waiting list.
Across the country, more than 118,000 people are waiting for a transplant to save their lives, and hundreds of thousands more wait for life-enhancing tissue transplants. In Pennsylvania alone, more than 7,000 people are on the waiting list.
While polls show overwhelming support for organ donation, fewer than half of Pennsylvania’s licensed drivers are officially designated as organ donors.
If you’d like to register as an organ donor, you may sign up here. You are also encouraged to let your loved ones know of your wishes.
For more information about organ donation, visit donatelifepa.org.
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Attention Late-Season Tax Filers
With the deadline to file 2022 Pennsylvania Personal Income Tax returns approaching next week, the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue is extending its customer service hours for taxpayers to get help over the phone.
The deadline to file is Tuesday, April 18.
Assistance is available by calling 717-787-8201. Phone agents are now available between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m., weekdays through Tuesday, April 18. There will also be phone availability on Saturday, April 15, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Tax assistance is also available through the department’s Online Customer Service Center at www.revenue.pa.gov.
Additional news about tax filing and assistance is available here.
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Applications Now Open for State Police Academy
Considering a career in law enforcement? The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) is actively recruiting individuals for three upcoming cadet classes.
Applicants to the State Police Academy must be at least 20 years old by the date their application is completed. They must be at least 21 years old and cannot have reached their 40th birthday before their appointment as a cadet.
After graduation from the academy, a trooper’s starting base salary will be $65,763. Members and their dependents are eligible for no-cost medical, dental, vision and prescription drug coverage.
All applicant requirements and job benefits can be found here.
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Stay Alert in Work Zones
Next week is National Work Zone Awareness Week, a time to remind drivers to be cautious, alert and respectful while traveling through areas of roadway and bridge construction.
When you encounter work zones, PennDOT offers the following tips: drive the posted work zone speed limit; stay alert and pay attention to signs and flaggers; maintain a safe distance around vehicles; use flashers if traveling slowly; avoid distractions; and be patient.
State law requires motorists to travel with their headlights on in all posted work zones, not just active work zones. Daytime running lights are not sufficient; drivers must have their headlights on to also activate their taillights.
Drivers also should be aware that interstate work zones with a project cost exceeding $300,000 will have a speed-monitoring device to alert motorists of their speed prior to entering the work zone.
For more information about work zone safety, click here. Remember: The men and women working on our roadways are parents, children, siblings and spouses. They deserve to return home from work each day safely.
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