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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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Closing the GAP: Making Pennsylvania More Affordable
Pennsylvania families are facing rising costs for everything from utilities and childcare to housing and higher education. To help ease these pressures, I am introducing the Pennsylvania Growth and Affordability Plan (GAP), a package of bills aimed at lowering costs for families and making Pennsylvania more competitive for businesses.
The plan includes proposals to:
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Lower Pennsylvania’s Personal Income Tax from 3.07% to 2.49%. |
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Reduce homeownership costs by eliminating the state Realty Transfer Tax on residential homes and exempting common home improvement materials from Sales and Use Tax. |
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Make childcare more affordable by expanding the Child and Dependent Care Enhancement Tax Credit. |
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Lower utility costs by eliminating the Gross Receipts Tax on utilities. |
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Help families save for childbirth, adoption, childcare, parental leave and other major family expenses through tax-free savings accounts. |
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Reduce higher education costs by expanding deductions for PA 529 contributions and student loan interest. |
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Support job creation by lowering Pennsylvania’s Corporate Net Income Tax to 2.25% and allowing qualifying small businesses to carry forward net operating losses. |
As chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Fiscal Policy, I will continue advocating for policies that make Pennsylvania a more affordable place to live, work, raise a family, and grow a business.
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Learn More at Our Upcoming Policy Hearing
My office is partnering with the House Republican Policy Committee to host a hearing on the GAP legislative package on Tuesday, Sept. 1. Residents, stakeholders, and members of the business community are invited to attend in-person or watch the hearing online.
Additional information will be available at www.RepKutz.com.
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Grants Support Area Students by Enhancing Safety, Mental Health Access
Yesterday, I announced that the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) approved grants to bolster school safety and mental health. Several public schools in the 87th District, as well as Capital Area Intermedia Unit (CAIU) 15, will benefit from the funding.
Safe and secure schools are essential for students to learn, grow, and thrive without fear or disruption. When educators, families, and communities work together to ensure a protected environment, students can focus on their future with confidence. I am glad to see these dollars invested in our schools to benefit future leaders in our community.
The following grants were awarded in accordance with grant guidelines for public schools:
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Carlisle Area School District, $326,905. |
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Cumberland Perry Area Career and Technical Center, $70,000. |
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Cumberland Valley School District, $542,251. |
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Mechanicsburg Area School District, $303,743. |
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South Middleton School District, $194,492. |
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West Shore School District, $424,300. |
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CAIU 15, $70,000. |
The funding from this grant program may be used to help address school violence, improve student mental health, and bolster school security, including costs associated with the training and compensation of security personnel.
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Reminder: National Night Out Continues Tomorrow!
Be sure to join us tomorrow, Aug. 15, from 4-6 p.m. at Trine Park in Mt. Holly Springs for another evening of community fun, family activities, and opportunities to connect with local first responders and organizations. Stop by our booth and say hello!
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Celebrating National Senior Citizens Day at Amelia Givin Free Library
In recognition of National Senior Citizens Day, my office will host a legislative services table at the Amelia Givin Free Library in Mt. Holly Springs on Friday, Aug. 21, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Older adults and their families are encouraged to stop by to learn more about state programs, services, and resources available to them.
My staff will also be available to answer questions and assist with state-related issues. The event will be held at the Amelia Givin Free Library, 114 N. Baltimore Ave., Mt. Holly Springs.
To RSVP, call 717-258-0247 or visit RepKutz.com/Events.
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Join Me for a Veterans Breakfast on Sept. 15
Veterans, active-duty military personnel, and their families who live in the 87th District are invited to join me for a free Veterans Breakfast as we honor your service and sacrifice.
This year's keynote speaker will be Rep. Joe Kerwin, a Pennsylvania Army National Guard officer and Operation Enduring Freedom–Horn of Africa veteran.
The breakfast will be held from 8:30-11 a.m. at Kimberly Ann Fahnestock-Voelz Memorial Post 7530, 4545 Westport Drive, Mechanicsburg.
Please RSVP by calling 717-975-2235 or visiting RepKutz.com/Events. I hope you'll join us for this special morning of fellowship and appreciation.
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Never Miss a Free Shredding Event
Protecting yourself from identity theft starts with securely disposing of documents containing sensitive personal information. Throughout the year, I host free community shredding events to help residents safely destroy confidential paperwork at no cost.
If you'd like to receive advance notice of future shredding events, be sure to sign up for my shredding event alerts. You'll be among the first to know when the next event is scheduled so you never miss an opportunity to safely dispose of your personal documents.
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Vote for Your Favorite Dog License Poster!
The Cumberland County Treasurer's Office has announced the finalists in its annual Dog License Poster Contest, and now it's your turn to help choose the winner! Local students created posters reminding residents that a dog license is their pet's ticket home if they ever become lost.
Voting is open Aug. 3-17, so take a few moments to view the finalists and cast your vote for your favorite design!
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Support Our Young Entrepreneurs at Kidpreneurs Fair PA
Come out and support the next generation of business owners at the 4th Annual Kidpreneurs Fair PA on Saturday, Sept. 19, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Eisenhower Campus Center – Brubaker Auditorium at Messiah University.
This unique farmers market-style event features more than 160 kid-run businesses operated by young entrepreneurs ages 5-16. What began with just 35 participants has grown into one of the area's premier youth entrepreneurship events, attracting more than 750 shoppers each year.
Admission is free, and it's a wonderful opportunity to encourage these hardworking young entrepreneurs while enjoying a fun afternoon with the family. We hope you'll come out and support these impressive local students!
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Slow Down for School Buses
Students are or soon will be returning to class, so it’s time for a refresher about sharing the road with school buses and how we all play a role in keeping our kids safe.
Pennsylvania law requires motorists to stop at least 10 feet away from school buses when their red lights are flashing and their stop arm is activated. This applies to motorists when they are behind or traveling alongside a school bus, as well as when meeting the bus or approaching an intersection where a bus has stopped.
Vehicles should remain stopped until the red lights have stopped flashing and the stop arm is withdrawn. Do not proceed until all the children have reached a place of safety.
If physical barriers such as grassy medians, guide rails or concrete median barriers separate oncoming traffic from the bus, motorists in the opposing lanes may proceed without stopping.
Penalties for failure to obey school bus safety laws can result in a $250 fine, five points on a driving record and a 60-day license suspension. Violators will also be assessed a $35 surcharge to be deposited into the School Bus Safety Grant Program Account. State law also permits school entities to install and operate a side stop signal arm enforcement system. These civil violations include a $300 fine but would not assess points or impact insurance ratings.
Parents are reminded to ensure their children are at the bus stop early to avoid rushing. Students should stay where the bus driver can see them while boarding or exiting the bus.
Click here for more information and tips on school bus safety.
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AG Warns of Imposter Scams Involving County Sheriff Offices
Attorney General Dave Sunday is warning Pennsylvanians to be aware of an uptick in government imposter scams in which callers pose as members of local county sheriff’s offices. The calls appear to come from the county sheriff’s offices due to the use of number spoofing, making their phone number appear legitimate on caller ID.
The caller may claim to be a sheriff and say an arrest warrant has been issued because you failed to appear for federal grand jury duty or missed a court hearing. The scammer then demands payment for “bail” or a “bond” to avoid arrest.
According to the attorney general, no legitimate law enforcement agency or court will demand immediate payment over the phone. No law enforcement agency, government office or court will ask you to pay any outstanding fees with gift cards, Bitcoin or other cryptocurrency. If you receive one of these calls, hang up, verify the information independently and report it to local authorities, as well as the attorney general’s office.
Click here for more information about red flags to watch out for, and what to do – and what not to do – if you receive one of these calls.
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College Savings Program Fees Waived
Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity has announced that asset-based fees for the PA 529 Guaranteed Savings Plan (GSP) will be waived for the fifth consecutive year, saving Pennsylvania families $5.9 million between July 1, 2026, and June 30, 2027. The fee waiver is funded through surplus earnings of the GSP fund.
The PA 529 GSP allows families to save at today’s tuition rates to help cover tomorrow’s tuition costs.
The PA 529 College and Career Savings program has been helping Pennsylvania families steadily and strategically save for more than 30 years. PA 529 accounts can be used for a wide variety of qualifying technical, collegiate, apprenticeship and credential expenses like tuition, fees, books, equipment, room and board, and more.
Treasury also offers the Morningstar Gold-Rated PA 529 Investment Plan (IP), and together both plans have helped nearly 343,000 account holders save more than $10 billion for future education expenses.
To learn more about PA 529, visit pa529.com or call 800-440-4000.
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Elk Cam Fires Back Up!
With the September peak of Pennsylvania’s elk rut right around the corner, you can get a jumpstart on viewing some of those bugling bulls through the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Elk Cam.
The camera is located in the heart of Pennsylvania’s elk range, an area totaling more than 220,000 acres including State Game Lands 311 and Elk State Forest. Video and sound from the camera will be livestreamed here, and viewers can expect not only to see elk, but turkey, deer and other wildlife as well. The top times to view elk on camera are mornings and evenings.
If you’d like to see the bugling season in person, the PA Game Commission reminds visitors to always be “Elk Smart” by giving elk space, never feeding elk and doing your part to ensure the welfare of the herd. Learn more here.
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