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| News You Can Use |
| Legislative Headlines |
Applications Available for Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program on Friday … Forms for the state’s 2016 Property Tax/Rent Rebate program are available for download from the Department of Revenue’s website starting Friday, Jan. 20. Paper forms will be available in the coming weeks. Eligible participants can receive a rebate of up to $650 based on their rent or property taxes paid in 2016. The program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians who are 65 years or older, widows and widowers 50 years or older, and those 18 years or older with disabilities. The income limit is $35,000 a year for homeowners and $15,000 annually for renters, and half of Social Security income is excluded. Residents do not need to pay a private entity for assistance in filing the forms. Copies of the forms, as well as assistance with filing them, are available at no cost at my district office; however, applicants should be prepared to provide all the necessary income, property tax or rental information required to process claims quickly and accurately. Applications are due by June 30. The Property Tax/Rent Rebate program is one of many initiatives supported by the Pennsylvania Lottery, which dedicates its proceeds to support programs for older Pennsylvanians. For more information, visit my website at RepDelozier.com or click here.
Pennsylvania Granted Extension for REAL ID … Pennsylvania has been granted an extension by the federal government to comply with the requirements of the REAL ID Act until June 5, 2017. This will allow Pennsylvania residents to continue using their driver’s licenses as identification to enter federal buildings through June. The extension gives state leaders more time to work cooperatively to fix state law to allow for federal REAL ID compliance and to ensure that it’s done in a reasonable and cost-effective manner. Without the extension, residents would have needed additional photo ID, such as a passport, to gain access to federal buildings starting on Jan. 30. The air travel restriction is still in place for 2018, unless additional extensions are granted or the issue is addressed legislatively. Over the years, the General Assembly and PennDOT have worked to enhance the security of Pennsylvania driver’s licenses, but federal law requires additional improvements. For more information on the extension, click here.
Website Offers Families Help to Save for Disability Expenses … A new website about the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Savings Program website is now available at paable.gov to offer essential information on the upcoming program. The ABLE Savings Program gives individuals with qualified disabilities a tax-free way to save for future disability-related expenses. The site also has a short quiz to help determine eligibility, a comprehensive Frequently Asked Question section and allows users to sign up to receive updates on the program, including when accounts open for enrollment. Modeled after college 529 savings accounts, PA ABLE accounts allow eligible individuals with qualifying disabilities and their families to save for housing, education, transportation, medical and other expenses without jeopardizing government benefits. The federal tax-free savings and investment options are offered to encourage individuals with a disability and their families to save private funds to support health, independence and quality of life. The Pennsylvania Treasury, which operates the site, has also opened an ABLE Call Center at (855) 529-2253 which operates Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Veterans Registry Helps Put Vets in Touch with Services … Thousands of Pennsylvania veterans have been better connected to benefits, programs and services, thanks to an online registry launched a year ago by the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA). Registration is conveniently available by using a computer or mobile device and visiting register.dmva.pa.gov. The process takes just a couple of minutes and includes the registrant providing basic information such as name, age, home address, email address, etc. Registrants can choose to have their information shared with their county director for veterans affairs and other relevant state agencies. They can also opt in to receive timely, informative emails regarding local, state and national news; program updates; community events; and employment opportunities available specifically for veterans. Pennsylvania is home to nearly 900,000 veterans.
January is Cervical Health Awareness Month … As a way to promote good cervical health, Pennsylvania operates the HealthyWoman Program, which is a free breast and cervical cancer early detection program for those who are not insured or whose insurance doesn’t cover the screenings. Nearly 13,000 women in the United States are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year, but the disease is virtually always preventable with vaccination and appropriate screening. Among the services offered are pelvic exams, Pap smears and follow-up diagnostic tests for an abnormal screening result. Cervical cancer screenings are recommended for women beginning at age 21. For more information, call the HealthyWoman hotline at 1-800-215-7494 or click here. |
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| Rep. Delozier in the Community |
• Congratulations to Rep. Dawn Keefer on taking the oath of office for the 92nd Legislative District, which encompasses Monroe Township and northern York County. She hosted an open house at her district office at 12 N. Baltimore St., Dillsburg. I was pleased to be able to join her to meet her constituents.
• Mechanicsburg Mayor Jack Ritter monthly holds a Mechanicsburg Crime Watch meeting. Residents are informed of criminal activity in the borough. This month we were able to meet the new police dog, Marc. It was a very informative meeting.
• During the 101st Pennsylvania Farm Show last week, I once again had the chance to help the Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association and Valley Grange No. 1360 sell their milkshakes. Everyone knows there is nothing better than a Farm Show milkshake. Also, during my visit, I talked to Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding about issues facing agriculture. To see my full conversation with Redding, please click here.
• The Capital Region Council of Governments (CapCOG) held its annual meeting and dinner this past Monday. The keynote speakers were Frederick S. Withum III, superintendent of the Cumberland Valley School District, and Robert Stakem, director of the Public Safety Center at Harrisburg Area Community College. The program spoke about the way Cumberland Valley and HACC are working together to encourage our young people to become volunteer firefighters, which is very needed, as our numbers keep decreasing every year. All townships and boroughs in the 88th Legislative District are members. It was good to see many of our local officials.
• Earlier this week I had an opportunity to speak to Boy Scout Troop 300 at Mt. Olivet United Methodist Church in Mechanicsburg about state government for their government badge. Who knows? Maybe one of the scouts might become a future legislator.
• I attended the Mechanicsburg Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner and Business Dinner earlier this week. This year the keynote speaker was Ross Tucker, a motivational speaker, former NFL player and media personality. It’s always nice to network and re-group for the coming year.
• Three young men in my district recently held their Eagle Scout Court of Honors. Brothers Nicholas and Ryan Kambic of New Cumberland are members of Troop 82. Nicholas’ Eagle Scout project involved painting a wrought iron fence and removing weeds and ivy on the grounds of the New Cumberland Library. Ryan built a castle to use for children’s story time at the New Cumberland Library. This sturdier, safer wood castle replaced a cardboard one, which I remember my kids using. Jacob Kurtz of Mechanicsburg, a member of Troop 283, also recently became an Eagle Scout. His project consisted of building a new altar for the Holy Apostles Orthodox Church in Mechanicsburg. I attended their ceremonies to acknowledge this accomplishment and present them each with a House of Representatives citation. Congratulations to all three new Eagles! |
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| Office Locations |
| 2929 Gettysburg Road, Suite 6, Camp Hill PA 17011 | Phone: (717) 761-4665 |
| 141 East Wing, PO Box 202088, Harrisburg PA 17120-2088 | Phone: 717-783-5282 |
| Email: sdelozie@pahousegop.com |
| TTY: 855-282-0614 |
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