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The latest news from the State Capitol |
In this Edition:
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Further Cementing Milton Hershey’s Legacy |
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Great American Outdoor Show Underway |
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Rebate Assistance Available |
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FAFSA Help Available in Harrisburg |
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FEMA Invites Applications for Firefighter Grants |
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House Archives Internship Opportunity |
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Further Cementing Milton Hershey’s Legacy
Unanimous committee support this week for my bill to make Hershey’s Kisses the official state candy teed up the legislation for consideration by the full House next month.
I introduced House Bill 1030 after Council Rock School District students approached me with the idea as part of a civics class. These Bucks County students (who are on Instagram as @thekiss4pa) have remained very committed to obtaining recognition for Hershey’s Kisses, following the legislative process for the past four years and touting how the Kiss is recognized worldwide.
As I told the House Tourism and Economic and Recreational Development Committee at the hearing Tuesday, symbols matter. They declare what is important to us as Pennsylvanians. While other candy is made in Pennsylvania, Hershey’s chocolate built a community and enabled tens of thousands of disadvantaged children to attend the Milton Hershey School.
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Great American Outdoor Show Underway
The Great American Outdoor Show with more than 1,000 exhibitors continues through Sunday at the Farm Show complex. On Thursday, I spoke with both Tim Schaeffer from the Fish & Boat Commission and Bryan Burhans from the Game Commission.
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Rebate Assistance Available
Representatives from the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue will visit senior and community centers across the Commonwealth over the next several weeks to help Pennsylvanians who need assistance filing their Property Tax/Rent Rebate (PTRR) program applications.
The Dauphin County times and locations are:
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East Hanover Senior Center, 8848 Jonestown Rd., Grantville
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March 21 | 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. |
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Millersburg Senior Center, 109 Edward Dr., Millersburg
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March 11 | 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. |
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B’nai B’rith Senior Center, 130 S. Third St., Harrisburg
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Feb. 5 and 12 | 10 a.m. to 2p.m. |
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Bristline Senior Center, 1291 S. 28th St., Harrisburg
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Feb 8, 15, 22, and 29 | 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. |
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Hoy/Latsha Senior Center, 301 Mohn St., Steelton
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Feb. 7, 14, 21, and 28 | 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
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Hoy/Latsha Senior Center, 301 Mohn St., Steelton
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Feb. 6, 13, 20, and 27 | 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. |
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Jewish Community Center, 3301 N. Front St., Harrisburg
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April 9 | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. |
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You can also call my district office at 717-534-1323 to obtain assistance in filing your 2023 Property Tax/Rent Rebate application.
Roughly 175,000 people are newly eligible for a rebate under the program's recent expansion. Customers are encouraged to call their preferred location ahead of time to verify availability and make an appointment.
Applicants who need assistance with the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program application (PA-1000) should check the eligibility guidelines on the PTRR Program. The new claim season for the recent expansion of the PTRR program opened on Jan. 16. The rebate program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians age 65 and older; widows and widowers age 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older.
Taxpayers who need assistance with the Pennsylvania personal income tax return (PA-40) should bring their tax information/income statements, a photo identification card (driver's license, etc.), and Social Security cards for themselves and their dependents. As a reminder, all taxpayers who received more than $33 in total gross taxable income in calendar year 2023 must file a Pennsylvania personal income tax return by midnight, Monday, April 15, 2024.
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FAFSA Help Available in Harrisburg
A free workshop for Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) applications is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 20, in Harrisburg. One-hour sessions are scheduled at 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the State Library of Pennsylvania’s Forum Building at 607 South Drive.
The event will feature personnel from the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) and Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) to assist with the form for higher education financial support. Walk-ins will be welcomed, but signing up ahead of time is encouraged using this link.
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FEMA Invites Applications for Firefighter Grants
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced the opening of its Fiscal Year 2023 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program, which will award $324 million to enhance the safety of the public and firefighters nationwide against fire-related deaths and hazards.
Since 2001, AFG has helped firefighters and other first responders obtain critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training and other resources necessary for protecting both the public and emergency personnel.
Applications are due by Friday, March 8. More information about the grant program is available here.
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House Archives Internship Opportunity
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives Archives Internship Program is currently accepting applications for the summer 2024 semester.
The 13-week internship is based at the Pennsylvania State Capitol and focuses on teaching archival processes and procedures. Interns also learn techniques for preparing and installing museum displays while working on rotating exhibits in the Capitol Complex. This full-time internship is in-person only and pays $12/hour.
At the time of the internship, students must be attending a college or university in Pennsylvania OR be a resident of Pennsylvania; be a second-semester junior, senior or graduate student; and have a GPA of at least 3.0.
For more information or to fill out the application, click here. Applications are due by Friday, March 1.
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