Senator Pennycuick E-Newsletter

View this email in a browser

In this Update:

  • Recognizing Police Officers’ Memorial Day
  • Military Spouse Appreciation Day
  • Senate Approves Pennycuick Bill Making it Easier for Disabled Veterans to Receive Free Fishing Licenses
  • New Data Prompts Senate Committee to Advance Bills to Accelerate Business Tax Cut & Attract New Employers
  • Rose Bowl Trophy Visits the Capitol
  • Smart Alert Tech
  • UPV Chamber Legislative Luncheon Invite
  • License Plate Replacement Event
  • Towamencin Community Day
  • Eagle Scout Joshua Vergldi
  • Senate Acts to Reduce Regulatory Burdens on Taxpayers and Job Creators
  • Senate Approves Measure to Improve Personal Financial Literacy
  • Measure Boosting Support for PA Veterans Approved by Senate
  • Legislation Expanding Access to Breast Cancer Screenings Signed Into Law

Recognizing Police Officers’ Memorial Day

In recognition of Police Officers’ Memorial Day in Pennsylvania, as designated by Senate Resolution 111, the Fraternal Order of Police joined Senate Republicans to honor the brave law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty last year. The five officers were:

  • Chad M. Beattie, Washington County Sheriff’s Office
  • Officer Stephen Charles Plum, Jr., Warrington Township Police Department
  • Lt. William D. Lebo, Lebanon City Police Department
  • Trooper Martin Francis Mack, III, Pennsylvania State Police
  • Trooper Branden T. Sisca, Pennsylvania State Police

Like so many other members of law enforcement, these officers served and protected their fellow citizens – despite knowing the sacrifices they and their families would have to make. Thank you to each brave man and woman who defend the safety of our communities.

Military Spouse Appreciation Day

May 12 is Military Spouse Appreciate Day! This day we recognize and honor the important role spouses play in the military community as a supportive and resilient spouse. Military spouses are silent heroes who are essential to the nation’s strength.

Senate Approves Pennycuick Bill Making it Easier for Disabled Veterans to Receive Free Fishing Licenses

The Senate unanimously approved my legislation that would make it easier for disabled veterans to obtain free Pennsylvania fishing licenses. The current process puts needless bureaucracy between disabled veterans and the peace and tranquility of Pennsylvania’s waterways. Let’s go the extra step and make the process as easy as possible! The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.

New Data Prompts Senate Committee to Advance Bills to Accelerate Business Tax Cut & Attract New Employers

In light of new data released by the Independent Fiscal Office, the Senate Finance Committee voted unanimously to advance two pro-growth tax reform bills championed Senator Ryan P. Aument, Senator Greg Rothman, Senator Judy Ward and myself. The first bill, Senate Bill 345 sponsored by Sens. Aument and Rothman, accelerates the reduction of the Commonwealth’s Corporate Net Income (CNI) tax by immediately dropping it to 7.99% and then reducing it an additional point every January until it falls to 4.99%. The second bill, Senate Bill 346 sponsored by Sens. Rothman, Aument, and myself, will gradually increase the Net Operating Loss (NOL) carryover limit from the current 40% to 80% over four years, bringing the Commonwealth in line with both the federal limitation and the limitations of 48 other states. Both bills will now go before for the full Senate for consideration.

Rose Bowl Trophy Visits the Capitol

A little different day at the State Capitol as Penn State Football Head Coach James Franklin unveils the 2023 Rose Bowl Trophy and Championship ring! “WeAre” thrilled to have celebrated Penn State’s victory!

Smart Alert Tech

As the Senate Communication & Technology Committee Chair, I took the opportunity this week to learn about Smart Alert Tech. Smart Alert Tech is a monitoring system designed to keep the elderly in the comfort of their own home for as long as possible, while monitoring them in a simple and unobtrusive way. Family members only receive a push notification if there’s a change in their loved one’s daily pattern and or an interruption in their routine. This system is a great solution for additional care, and there’s no doubt it has considerably changed the quality of our elderly’s lives.

UPV Chamber Legislative Luncheon Invite

The Upper Perkiomen Valley Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a Legislative Affairs Luncheon, Thursday May 18, where State representative Milou Mackenzie and I will be providing an overview of political issues related to business. Interested in attending? Sign up today by visiting the UPV Chamber website.

License Plate Replacement Event

Towamencin Community Day

The rain did not stop Towamencin from having a great event! Recently Towamencin held their annual community day where craft vendors, informational vendors, and more, gathered at Fischer’s Park in Lansdale. It is important to keep these community days alive because it gives us the opportunity to engage with others and build our local community! 

Eagle Scout Joshua Vergldi

Congratulations to our community’s newest Eagle Scout, Joshua Vergldi of Troop 105, Schwenksville! For his project, Joshua worked with the Perkiomen Valley Library to add landscaping to improve the overall appearance of the property. I was honored to participate in Joshua’s Eagle Scout Court of Honor and recognize his great accomplishment. Our community is proud of you, Joshua!

Senate Acts to Reduce Regulatory Burdens on Taxpayers and Job Creators

The Senate approved a legislative package to reduce the burden of unchecked government regulations on taxpayers and job creators. The bills will be sent to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Senate Bill 188 requires regulations with an economic impact on taxpayers and employers exceeding $1 million to go before the General Assembly for approval before taking effect. The Independent Fiscal Office, rather than the regulating agency, would be tasked with calculating the economic impact.

Senate Bill 190 requires an automatic review after three years of all regulations with an economic impact on taxpayers and employers exceeding $1 million. The regulating agency must report to the Independent Regulatory Review Commission on the effectiveness of the regulation, whether current state laws require the regulation’s repeal or amendment, and more.

Senate Bill 350 requires state agencies to create an accessible website for permit applicants to check their application status. In addition, all the permits issued must be publicly accessible and if rejected, it must state the legal authority the agency relies on to reject the permit application. It also requires that a permit, license or certification is deemed approved by the state if the agency reviewing the application misses its statutory deadline.

Senate Approves Measure to Improve Personal Financial Literacy

To teach high school students the financial basics, the Senate approved legislation that will enable them to make better decisions that lead to a lifetime of success and financial independence. Senate Bill 647 moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Recent estimates show there are more than 350 million American-owned credit card accounts, and credit card owners average about four cards apiece. Families in the United States are approaching approximately $1 trillion in credit card debt and more than $15 trillion in debt overall.

The bill would give high school students the information they need on topics like credit and credit scores; savings and investments; college, home and auto loans; and planning for postsecondary education and retirement.

Measure Boosting Support for PA Veterans Approved by Senate

The Senate passed bills to help veterans start or expand a business, access programs and services available to them, and make it easier for disabled veterans to obtain a free lifetime fishing license. All three bills now head to the state House of Representatives for consideration.

Senate Bill 248 would create the Veteran-owned Business Loan Guarantee Program, which would be funded with $5 million of existing dollars from another program run by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. The bill defines a veteran-owned business as one in which 51% or more of the organization is owned or controlled by one or more veterans. Veteran-owned businesses in America employ nearly four million workers and generate more than $175 billion in annual payroll.

Senate Bill 447 would establish in law the PA VETConnect program, which is administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and helps the commonwealth’s more than 700,000 veterans access programs and services tailored to their needs. The database of resources enables local veteran advocates – including staff at county veterans affairs offices – to point veterans to information, resources, programs and services in their area and across the commonwealth.

Senate Bill 411 would make it possible for disabled veterans with a 100% disability determination to obtain a free, lifetime fishing license. Free lifetime fishing licenses currently are available only to disabled veterans with a 100% permanent disability determination, and they must apply for a new free fishing license every year.

Legislation Expanding Access to Breast Cancer Screenings Signed Into Law

Recently signed into law, Act 1 of 2023 is a first-of-its-kind breast cancer screening measure that will save Pennsylvanians’ lives.

It eliminates all costs associated with genetic testing and counseling as well as breast MRI and ultrasounds for Pennsylvanians with high-risk conditions like dense breast tissue, a personal history of breast cancer, a family history, a genetic predisposition or prior radiation therapy.

Approximately one of every eight women are diagnosed with breast cancer, but this law will ensure that high-risk individuals have affordable access to early detection.

divider

If you are not already subscribed to this newsletter please sign up here.

Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkdedIn Website

2024 © Senate of Pennsylvania | https://senatorpennycuick.com | Privacy Policy