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The latest news from the State Capitol |
In this Edition:
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Trout Season Opens Saturday! |
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Revenue Department Adds Property Tax/Rent Rebate Assistance Session |
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Mark Your Calendar for Upcoming Events |
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Beware of Scams for College Entrance Exams |
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Check Your Eclipse Glasses |
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Help Limit Spread of Spotted Lanternfly |
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PennDOT, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Seeking High School Students for Young Ambassadors Program |
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Trout Season Opens Saturday!
Good luck to all the anglers heading out this weekend for the opening day of trout season on Saturday, April 6. For everything you need to know about fishing in the Commonwealth, including licensing and stocking information, visit fishandboat.com or check out the FishBoatPA mobile app.
Also, make plans to bring the children in your life to my trout derby scheduled for Saturday, April 13. This event to help young people develop a lifelong passion for fishing can accommodate children ages 2 to 12 when accompanied by an adult. See the graphic below for more information and call 717-534-1323 to register.
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Revenue Department Adds Property Tax/Rent Rebate Assistance Session
The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue continues to schedule sessions across the state to help Pennsylvanians apply for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program. One of the newly scheduled sessions is within the 106th District.
Personnel will be providing free assistance at Essex House, 320 Market St., Middletown, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 17. Applicants should contact the apartment complex to request an appointment.
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. Income limits apply.
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Mark Your Calendar for Upcoming Events
My annual health expo is scheduled for Thursday, May 2. Learn more about that event and others here.
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Beware of Scams for College Entrance Exams
The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General is warning of scams targeting parents of students who will soon be taking PSAT, SAT and ACT exams.
The scammers claim to be associated with the College Board or other educational organizations while offering preparation materials, duping the target by using their student’s name, address, school and test details, and other personal information.
The scammer starts the call by confirming the student’s address, then asking for parental permission and a deposit for the test prep materials. The scammers claim the deposit will be refunded after the test materials are used and returned. The materials are never sent and the scammer now has your credit card information.
Tips to Remember:
• Always be wary of unsolicited phone calls and emails requesting a payment.
• Never give personal or financial information over the phone or via email to an unsolicited phone call or email.
• Tell the caller that you need to check with your child or partner first and hang up.
• The College Board will never ask for bank or credit card information over the phone or email.
Consumers who have questions or feel they have been victimized by this scam may submit a complaint with the Office of Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection by visiting the website, emailing scams@attorneygeneral.gov or calling the office at 1-800-441-2555.
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Check Your Eclipse Glasses
The Office of Attorney General is also urging consumers purchasing special glasses to view the April 8 solar eclipse to make sure they are getting legitimate solar-viewing glasses with the filters necessary to protect their eyes from the intense energy from the sun.
According to the American Astronomical Society, glasses that do not have the special filters have been flooding the market as scammers seek to capitalize on consumer demand. Consumers are urged to only purchase glasses marked with the international safety standard certification number ISO 12312-2 on the frame. Regular sunglasses are not sufficient for viewing the eclipse.
As a reminder, portions of northwestern PA are expected to see a 100% total solar eclipse, while the remainder of the Commonwealth will experience a partial eclipse ranging from 88% to 99% of coverage of the sun.
For additional information about the eclipse in PA, visit the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources website.
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Help Limit Spread of Spotted Lanternfly
With the state’s spotted lanternfly quarantine now expanded to 52 counties, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is encouraging everyone to destroy lanternfly eggs in the coming weeks to help protect valuable food and ornamental crops.
Adult insects die off over the winter after laying tiny rows of eggs, covering them with a putty-colored protective coating. The egg masses, which can be on any outdoor surface, from trees and rocks to equipment and law furniture, each contain 30-50 eggs approximately the size of a pinhead and have survived winters in sub-zero temperatures. Scraping and smashing them is easy and requires no special tools.
To learn how to recognize and report spotted lanternflies, control them on your property and keep from taking them to new homes when you travel, visit agriculture.pa.gov/spottedlanternfly.
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PennDOT, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Seeking High School Students for Young Ambassadors Program
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful are inviting 10th -12th grade students to help keep Pennsylvania clean and beautiful through the Young Ambassadors of Pennsylvania program.
The program, now in its third year, builds community stewards and civic leaders by empowering young Pennsylvanians to become ambassadors in their community for a shared vision of a clean and beautiful Pennsylvania. Applicants should be passionate about the environment and committed to restoring and protecting Pennsylvania’s ecological landscape through volunteerism and leadership.
Ambassadors will train and network with industry leaders, state agencies, local media and the Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful network to prepare them to be difference-makers in their communities by building their leadership and problem-solving skills.
Chosen candidates will commit to serve as an Ambassador from September 2024 through May 2025 and represent and uphold the mission and values of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful.
Other responsibilities include attending six mandatory virtual education sessions; conducting a community assessment and creating a summary presentation; organizing and participating in at least one community cleanup event through pick up Pennsylvania; and conducting one community education event or activity.
Applications are being accepted April 1 through June 10. Students will be chosen through a competitive application process. Students interested in applying should visit keeppabeautiful.org and choose Programs, Education then Young Ambassadors of Pennsylvania or contact Kylie McCutcheon at 724-836-4121 x114.
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