Senator Pennycuick E-Newsletter

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In this Update:

  • Survey Question – Safeguarding Your Personal Information
  • Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committee
  • Attention All Fire & Municipal Officials
  • Saturday’s Events – September 9
  • FREE Senior Expo
  • FREE License Plate Replacement Event
  • Mobile Office Hours
  • State Budget Implementation Requires Action by the House of Representatives
  • State Grants Available for Children’s Advocacy Centers
  • Scam Threatens Suspension of Health License
  • Shared Ride Services Available to the Public
  • Tax-Free Savings Accounts for People with Disabilities

Survey Question – Safeguarding Your Personal Information

As the Chair of the Communication & Technology Committee safeguarding your personal information is my top priority. Have you or someone you know recently been a victim of a scam and/or a data breach? Click here to take my survey.

Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committee

Recently during the Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committee I asked the County Commissioners Association about funding our EMS and Ambulance.

Attention All Fire & Municipal Officials

It is my honor to be welcoming our newly appointed Fire Commissioner, Thomas Cook, to the 24th  Senate District on Wednesday, September 27. As part of his visit, I will be hosting two Meet & Greets.

Wednesday, September 27 from 3:00 – 4:30 PM
Eastern Berks Fire Department Station 3 – Bechtelsville
1817 N. Main Street, Bechtelsville, PA 19505

Wednesday, September 27 from 5:30 – 7:00 PM
Perkiomen Township Fire Company
485 Gravel Pike, Collegeville, PA 19426

This Meet and Greet will not only be an opportunity to meet our new Fire Commissioner, but an opportunity to hear an up-to-date overview of the office and future goals.  You will also have the chance to ask questions and network with others. You are welcome to attend whichever meet & greet best fits your schedule. We kindly request you RSVP to our office no later than Friday, September 22 to sdrakeley@pasen.gov.

Please be sure to note which of the meetings you will be attending.  Should you have any questions or need additional assistance, please contact my office at 215-541-2388. Hope to see you there!

Saturday’s Events – September 9

Recently, I was able to attend East Greenville Borough and Lower Pottsgrove Township’s Community Day and the 12th Annual Pottstown Pet Fair! It was great to be able to get out into the community and actively engage and participate in discussions with my constituents. I must say, it was a Saturday well spent!

FREE Senior Expo

Rep. Milou Mackenzie and I are hosting a Senior Expo on Friday, September 15 at the Upper Perk YMCA (1399 Quakertown Rd, Pennsburg, PA 18073). This event will include community resources, health screenings, educational information, and a wide variety of exhibitors!

More information about this event can be found on the flyer. I encourage you to share the flyer with your loved ones and those in your community.

To pre-register we kindly request you visit my website at senatorpennycuick.com. I hope to see you there!

FREE License Plate Replacement Event

In an ongoing effort to better serve my district, I will be hosting a License Plate Replacement event on Thursday, October 12 from 4:00pm to 6:00pm at Upper Gwynedd Township Police Department.

Need a new license plate? Register NOW

Mobile Office Hours

State Budget Implementation Requires Action by the House of Representatives

A week after the Senate convened for session and passed legislation to take additional steps toward finalizing the new state budget, the House of Representatives has yet to come back to session and vote on budget implementation legislation which can help all communities throughout our commonwealth. Right now the House is not scheduled to come back to Harrisburg for session until Sept. 26.

The general appropriations bill was signed into law last month. However, code language passed by the Senate still needs to be advanced by the House in order to drive out critical funding. While the House is currently split at 101 to 101 with an even number of Republicans and Democrats, we cannot let politics stand in the way of doing the right thing for Pennsylvanians. We welcome our colleagues in the House of Representatives to join us in coming back to session immediately to complete the 2023-24 budget.

State Grants Available for Children’s Advocacy Centers

Help is available to children’s advocacy centers (CACs) for their crucial mission coordinating the investigation, treatment and prosecution of child abuse cases.

The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency says the funds can be used to help CACs expand, improve or continue the services provided to victims of child sexual abuse and child abuse. Applications and information are listed here under “2023 NCA Member Child Advocacy Centers.”

The Senate Aging and Youth Committee held a hearing last month to gather information about the needs of CACs and the critical roles they play across Pennsylvania.

Scam Threatens Suspension of Health License

Scammers pretending to be from the Pennsylvania Department of State’s health-related licensing boards are calling active and inactive licensees, claiming their licenses are suspended due to allegations of criminal activity. To trick people, the scammers spoof the state board’s phone number and name on caller ID.

Someone who actually represents the state board will not contact you by phone to request a credit card payment, wire transfer or money order. They will never request any payment be made using gift card or that it be wired to a foreign country.

If you receive one of these calls, please hang up and report it to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center.

Shared Ride Services Available to the Public

People who do not drive can get where they need to go using shared ride services. Riders can travel to work, medical providers, grocery stores, shopping centers and more when fixed route services cannot meet their needs.

While shared ride services are open to the public, riders must register in advance to use them. Each shared ride provider has its own fare structure. Various programs allow seniors, persons with disabilities and low-income individuals to access shared ride service at a reduced out-of-pocket cost or even for free.

Find more information and the shared ride service provider near you here.

Tax-Free Savings Accounts for People with Disabilities

Tax-free savings accounts to help people with disabilities save money for disability-related expenses are available through the Pennsylvania Treasury. PA ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) accounts are structured similar to tuition savings accounts.

Family members and friends can contribute up to $17,000 per year; PA ABLE account owners who earn income may contribute additional funds beyond the annual contribution limit. Once the maximum account limit of $511,758 is reached, accounts continue to earn interest.

Withdrawals from the account will be exempt from both state and federal income taxes as long as the funds are used for qualified disability expenses. These include education, housing, transportation, employment support, health prevention and assistive technology. Learn more here.

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