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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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Happy Independence Day!!
Many of us enjoy celebrating our nation’s independence by watching public displays of fireworks, or by setting off our own.
If you choose to set off your own fireworks, be smart, be careful and be considerate of your neighbors. The U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission offers the following safety tips for using fireworks:
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Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap. |
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Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks, even sparklers. |
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Light fireworks one at a time, then move back quickly. |
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Never point or throw fireworks at another person. |
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Never pick up or try to relight fireworks that have not fully ignited. |
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Never use fireworks after consuming alcohol or other substances that impair judgement or the ability to act quickly. |
For details about the state’s fireworks laws, click here.
If you are traveling over the holiday, check out www.511pa.com. Free and available 24 hours a day, the site provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras. 511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional twitter alerts accessible on the 511PA website.
PennDOT will close its driver license service centers on Friday, July 4. Customers may still obtain a variety of driver and vehicle products and services, including all forms, publications and driver training manuals, online through PennDOT’s Driver and Vehicle Services website, www.dmv.pa.gov.
Have a safe and happy July Fourth!
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Fish for Free on Independence Day!
On Friday, July 4, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) will host a Fish for Free day to allow anyone (resident or non-resident) to legally fish on all Pennsylvania waterways. No license is required, but all other fishing regulations still apply. This is a great way to expose the next generation of anglers to the outdoors! More information about fishing in Pennsylvania is available here.
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Fun for All Ages Awaits at PA Fairs
Summer is in full swing, and so is Pennsylvania fair season! Communities across the Commonwealth are hosting dozens of fairs featuring food, fun and entertainment, as well as competitive exhibits highlighting animals, produce, crops, crafts, baking and more.
To plan your fair visit, check out the 2025 PA Fair Guide here.
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Budget Talks Need to Look Beyond This Year’s Spending
The 2025-26 fiscal year is now underway, and the Commonwealth does not yet have a budget in place to guide spending over the next 12 months.
Overall spending remains a key sticking point, as Gov. Josh Shapiro and majority Democrats in the House are pushing to spend far more than we anticipate collecting in revenues during the next year. Depleting the state’s emergency and reserve funds, and relying on new taxes on skill games and legalizing recreational marijuana, is not sustainable budgeting.
While we focus on getting spending under control this year, House Republicans are also focused on long-term solutions. We must enact policies to grow the economy, boost the energy industry, eliminate fraud and waste in the state’s benefits programs, and ensure our students – the future leaders of our Commonwealth – get the kind of education they need to succeed.
Watch Republican Leader Jesse Topper’s comments on the issue here.
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Legislation to Protect Firefighters’ Income Passes House
Last week, I joined in the unanimous support of a bill to exempt length-of-service awards for volunteer firefighters from state income taxes.
At a time when fire companies are struggling to meet personnel needs, length-of-service awards are a valuable recruitment and retention tool. The hardworking men and women who put their lives on the line to protect public safety in communities across the Commonwealth should not have to give up a portion of that award to state government.
House Bill 1306 would exclude distributions from a length-of-service award program from the definition of income for purposes of the Pennsylvania Personal Income Tax.
More than 90% of Pennsylvania’s 2,400 fire companies are volunteer based. We owe a debt of gratitude to these dedicated men and women who sacrifice their time and personal safety to protect us.
The bill now goes to the Senate for its consideration.
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