![]() |
||
Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram In this Update:
PA Senate Pledges Continued Action on Sexual HarassmentWith the 2024 legislative session upon us, I would like to congratulate Senator Kim Ward on her historic swearing-in as the PA Senate Pro Temp! Her remarks highlighted her steadfast leadership in the fight against sexual harassment in state government. I’m excited to continue working alongside Senator Kim Ward, Senator Maria Collett, and Senator Kristin Phillips-Hill to advance our bipartisan legislative package. 2023 Cybersecurity Wins & 2024 PrioritiesMobile Office HoursMy Mobile Office Hours will return on Monday, January 8, bringing constituent services directly to your community! I am eager to hear your concerns, answer your questions, and work together on the issues that matter most to you. Whether it’s discussing legislation or exploring resources, my staff is here to help! Want to schedule an appointment? Give my office a call at 215-541-2388. Nominations Open for 2024 Local Government AwardsJoin us in recognizing outstanding innovation and dedication in our local communities during Local Government Week (April 9-15). The PA Department of Community & Economic Development is searching for groundbreaking initiatives and best practices that inspire and empower local governments across Pennsylvania. This annual event honors the crucial role local officials play in shaping our lives and businesses. Do you know a municipality that deserves recognition? Nominate them for an award! Spread the word and vote here. Nominations close January 26, 2024. Giving Students the Tools to SucceedThe passage of the 2023-24 state budget reflects important Senate Republican priorities, including helping students by dedicating an additional $567 million to Basic Education and an additional $150 million for education tax credits to provide scholarships to students so they can learn in an education environment that best suits their needs. We also ensured greater collaboration in keeping children safe in the classroom by consolidating school safety programs and operations under the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. The commission already manages the highly successful School Safety and Security Grant Program created by the Senate in 2018. As mental health needs continue to rise, we allocated $100 million for K-12 mental health programs for schools so children have the basic foundation to succeed educationally. Helping Pennsylvanians at the PumpAfter automatically rising last year due to inflation, the 2024 Pennsylvania gas tax will return to 2022 levels. Last year, the average wholesale price of gasoline exceeded $2.99 per gallon, which triggered an automatic increase in the gas tax. Knowing how Pennsylvanians were already struggling with skyrocketing inflation, the Senate passed and sent to House of Representatives legislation last January to end these inflation-based, automatic gas tax hikes. Had the House acted in a timely fashion, Pennsylvanians would have saved more than $200 million in the gas tax. We continue to encourage our counterparts to work cooperatively with us to benefit commonwealth residents as we were elected to do. Reducing the Tax BurdenAs part of the state budget, Senate Republicans voted to reduce the tax burden. One initiative would address a barrier to employment for working families by giving parents additional support to continue to seek and maintain employment. The legislation also exempts Dependent Care Assistance and Flexible Savings Accounts, which are used to cover health care expenses, from the state Personal Income Tax. They were already exempt from federal taxes. Finally, it helps counties and municipalities avoid raising taxes on their residents. It increases the payment made for state-owned property dedicated to outdoor recreation to $2.40 per acre to be paid from the State Gaming Fund. Previously, open spaces for the public’s enjoyment were more of a financial burden because they aren’t owned by businesses or individuals. Officiating Opportunities Available Throughout PAIf you would like to help your community more this year, there are lots of opportunities to make a huge difference in the lives of student-athletes. There’s a shortage of referees, umpires and other high school officials in almost every sport. High school officials protect the integrity of the games our kids love to play by demonstrating qualities like honesty, objectivity, consistency and courage. Hours are flexible, and it’s a great way to stay in good physical condition. Find out how to become an official. Recognizing Law Enforcement in Our CommunitiesTuesday, Jan. 9, is Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. Protecting our communities is a dangerous and demanding job, but men and women across the state answered the call to public service. They leave their families not knowing if they’ll need to give their lives to keep us safe. I appreciate their selflessness and commitment to others and was proud to vote for legislation to help them. Act 60 of 2023 expands the list of law enforcement entities covered under the Heart and Lung Act, which provides for salary and medical expenses to be paid when an officer or firefighter is injured on the job. Other new laws passed by the Senate allow municipal police to conduct fingerprint-based criminal history checks on police applicants and funds an additional 100 Pennsylvania State Police troopers to help make our communities safer.
If you are not already subscribed to this newsletter please sign up here. |
||
|
||
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() 2024 © Senate of Pennsylvania | https://senatorpennycuick.com | Privacy Policy |