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| Weekly Roundup |
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The latest news from the State Capitol |
Giving Life a Second Chance
To raise awareness of the life-saving benefits of organ donation, House Resolution 209 passed the House recently to designate April 2017 as National Donate Life Month in Pennsylvania.
According to Donate Life America, more than 33,000 transplants brought life to patients during the last year. However, more than 118,000 men, women and children still need organ transplants. In Pennsylvania, almost 8,000 people are on the organ transplant list and, on average, every 18 hours one of them will die waiting for the call that never comes.
About 4.6 million Pennsylvanians have said “yes” to organ and tissue donation by adding the donor designation on their driver’s license. In addition, more than 134 million people, or about 54 percent of the adult population in the United States, are registered donors.
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Tax-Free Savings Accounts for People with Disabilities
Tax-free savings accounts aimed at helping people with disabilities save money for future care and services are now available through the Pennsylvania Treasury. The PA ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) accounts are structured similar to tuition savings accounts and allow people with disabilities, their family members and friends to contribute up to $14,000 per year to a maximum account limit of $511,758. Once the limit is reached, accounts can 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, but are not limited to, education, housing, transportation, employment training/support and assistive technology.
To receive the benefits of PA ABLE, the qualifying disability must have started prior to age 26.
For more information, click here.
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Ending the Death Tax on Children
Legislation to eliminate the inheritance tax for transfers of property from a parent to a child age 21 and younger passed the state House recently. Currently, property transferred from a parent to a minor child is subject to an inheritance tax rate of 4.5 percent.
However, property transfers from a child age 21 or younger to a natural parent, adoptive parent or step-parent are exempt from the tax, and House Bill 291 seeks to exempt property transfers from the tax in the reverse order.
This would be especially beneficial to farmers who often leave the family farm to their children.
The measure now goes to the Senate for consideration.
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Out and About in the 176th
The Monroe County Conservation District recently held its annual Members and Friends Dinner at Trout Lake in Reeders. I had the chance to chat with Adam Shellhammer, the conservation district manager, about environmental issues in Monroe County.
Rep. Rosemary Brown and I recently met with Jodi L. Perry-Petrozak, director of the Pocono Family YMCA, and toured the facility in Stroudsburg. The Y was established as the Young Men’s Christian Association of the Stroudsburgs on July 17, 1914. Since then, the YMCA has grown and expanded. The Pocono Family YMCA currently offers exercise programs, sports programs, swimming and day care. I discussed with Jodi my hope for an increased presence in the West End. To learn more about our local YMCA and its programs, visit here or call 570-421-2525.
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Mark Your Calendars!
Our Pocono Pines District Office Open House is set for Thursday, May 11, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Tobyhanna Township Building. Stop by to learn about what my office can do for you, meet my staff and visit with township officials.
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Tax Amnesty Program Starts April 21
Pennsylvania is offering a limited opportunity for individuals and businesses with past-due taxes as of the end of 2015 to pay with a reduced penalty.
The program will run from April 21 until June 19. All penalties and half of the interest will be waived. Those owing state taxes from more than 30 categories administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue are eligible, including personal income tax, corporate net income tax, sales and use tax, employer withholding tax and inheritance tax. Taxpayers who participated in the 2010 tax amnesty are ineligible, along with those under criminal investigation, prosecution or restitution for violating tax law; those in bankruptcy unless the Bankruptcy Court grants permission; and those with a current voluntary disclosure agreement.
After the amnesty program ends, an additional 5 percent penalty will be added to eligible taxpayers who did not participate, and interest will continue to accumulate. More information about the program is available here.
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| Office Locations |
| Capitol: Room 423, Irvis Office Building, P.O. Box 202176, Harrisburg, PA 17120-2176 | Phone: (717) 787-7732 |
| Districts: 2785 Route 115, Suite 103, Carriage House Square, Effort, PA 18330 I Phone: (570) 620-4341 |
| Tobyhanna Township Building, 105 Government Center Way, Pocono Pines, Pa 18350 I Phone: (570) 643-7683 |
| Email: jrader@pahousegop.com |
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