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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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House Passes Largest Tax Cut in PA History to Lower Utility Bills
With utility bills continuing to strain family budgets, I was proud to join in the unanimous support of legislation to eliminate a nearly 6% tax on electricity.
House Bill 2224 would represent the largest tax cut in the history of the Commonwealth, saving Pennsylvania families $1.7 billion.
I’m proud to join colleagues in my caucus in leading on affordability measures based in tax cuts that can immediately slash the bills paid by Pennsylvanians and put more money in the pockets of our working families. In addition to eliminating the Gross Receipts Tax on utility bills, we are also advocating for a six-month suspension of the tax on cell phone services and the gas tax, as well as a temporary reduction in the state’s Personal Income Tax. Additional sales tax holidays have been proposed on an array of items, from baby supplies and sports equipment to gardening supplies and tools.
House Bill 2224 passed the House unanimously and is pending consideration in the Senate.
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Kutz Votes to Repeal Data Center Tax Break, Add Transparency, Accountability, and Protect Farmland
On Wednesday, I joined strong bipartisan majorities in the House to pass two bills relating to data center development. House Bill 2650 would set strong development standards to safeguard taxpayers and their communities. House Bill 2496 would allow municipalities to take a 180-day pause to thoroughly review data center proposals. Together, these bills empower local control and protect Pennsylvania's future.
On Thursday, I voted “yes” on House Bill 2198, legislation that would eliminate sales tax exemptions for data centers. Big tech should not receive tax breaks when the families in the communities they wish to develop are in need of tax relief.
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Three Bipartisan Kutz Co-Prime Sponsor Bills Pass House Overwhelmingly
This week, three bipartisan bills I co-prime sponsored passed the House of Representatives. Each one was aimed at making Pennsylvania’s government more efficient, strengthening our infrastructure, and supporting economic growth.
House Bill 2388 would allow businesses to round cash transactions to the nearest nickel, simplifying purchases for consumers and reducing unnecessary costs for businesses across the state.
House Bill 2437 would update how unconventional gas well fees are used, directing more funding toward county and municipal bridge repairs. This investment would help communities address long standing infrastructure needs and support safer, more reliable transportation networks like those in Cumberland County.
House Bill 2162 would streamline the drug distributor licensing process by allowing pharmaceutical and biomedical companies to begin the state licensing process while their FDA application is pending. This change would help speed medical innovations to market and strengthen Pennsylvania’s economy.
Together, these bipartisan bills advance practical solutions that make government work better, improve infrastructure, and position Pennsylvania for continued economic growth. I look forward to their continued progress as they move to the Senate.
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Kutz Welcomes AIACPA to the Capitol
On Monday, I joined Asian Indian Americans of Central Pennsylvania (AIACPA) for a cultural celebration in honor of America250. This event, which highlighted the blending of cultures, demonstrated in many ways the values that make us all proud to be Americans.
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Joining Our Friends and Neighbors at Monroe Community Day
Monroe Community Day was a tremendous success with an incredible turnout!
Thank you to everyone who stopped by to visit our office and spent the evening celebrating our community. Events like these are a great reminder of the importance of supporting our local small businesses and the dedicated organizations that make Monroe Township such a special place.
A special thank you to the outstanding volunteers at the Monroe Fire Company for everything they do to serve our community.
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Celebrating Midway Bowling’s New Chapter
It was a pleasure to join community leaders, local officials, and residents Thursday evening to celebrate the ribbon cutting for the newly renovated Midway!
These improvements are an investment in the future of our community. Congratulations to everyone who helped bring this project to fruition. Thank you for your continued commitment to making Cumberland County a great place to live, work, and visit.
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Fighting Back Against ‘Gas Station Heroin’
I recently voted in support of legislation that would make tianeptine, also known as “gas station heroin,” illegal in the Commonwealth.
Tianeptine is an antidepressant that can produce feelings of euphoria that mimic the effects of heroin and other opioids, making it highly addictive. Tianeptine is a prescription drug in Europe but often sold as an ingredient in products sold in gas stations and online in the United States. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved it for use, but businesses here are selling it by labeling it as “not for human consumption” or adding it to dietary supplements.
House Bill 377 would prevent the manufacture, delivery or possession of tianeptine, commonly sold by the names Zaza, Coaxil, Tianna or Stablon. Individuals convicted of violating the law could face penalties of up to five years imprisonment and a fine of up to $15,000.
The bill is pending consideration in the Senate.
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Bill to Limit Benefits Fraud Passes House
Continuing our work to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse in the state’s benefits programs, I recently voted for legislation that would help prevent theft of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
House Bill 2540 would protect the money many families rely upon to put food on their tables by upgrading the current electronic benefits transfer (EBT) cards to include chip-enabled technology. Chip cards are encrypted and more difficult for fraudsters to copy or hack into than standard cards.
The bill passed the House unanimously and is pending consideration in the Senate.
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Honoring, Supporting Cancer Survivors
June is National Cancer Survivors Month, a time to recognize the challenges and honor the determination of the more than 18.6 million cancer survivors in the United States.
If you are a cancer survivor or caregiver, you can find resources from the National Cancer Institute here that may help you enhance your health and well-being after a cancer diagnosis. They address emotional concerns, nutrition and physical activity, support services, follow-up medical care and testing for cancer.
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Celebrating PA Dairy
June is Dairy Month in Pennsylvania, the perfect time to enjoy an extra dish of ice cream or yogurt, another piece of cheese, or a tall glass of milk!
The dairy industry is a major part of our state’s agriculture economy, providing economic value to the tune of $14.7 billion annually and over 52,000 jobs.
If you’d like to support Pennsylvania dairy, be sure to check the milk you purchase at the grocery store and look for the PA Preferred logo or milk with a plant code beginning with “42.” Plant codes are usually printed near the top of the container or on the lid, or sometimes they’re printed right on the label. The first, and most important, part of the code will always be two numbers (between 01 and 56). This identifies the state where the milk was processed. Pennsylvania’s magic number is 42!
Learn more about the state’s dairy industry here.
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Fish for Free on Independence Day!
Next Saturday, 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 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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