Apr. 07, 2017

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Weekly Roundup
#Listrak\DateStampLong# The latest news from the State Capitol

No-Tax-Increase Budget Moves Ahead in House

 
This week, the House approved a $31.52 billion budget proposal that does not increase taxes or borrowing but does invest in education, public safety, human services and infrastructure.

House Bill 218 reflects a collective need to reinvent the way Pennsylvania budgets and governs, by moving ahead to streamline programs and services; eliminate duplicative state functions; reduce bureaucracy; and create an endowment fund that will generate money to pay future costs.

The budget will be balanced using several options, including expanded gaming and liquor privatization proposals, which have previously passed the House.

Additional details about the proposal are available here.
 
 
Committee Endorses Liquor Bills to Encourage Choice, Convenience

 
This week, the House Liquor Control Committee passed two bills designed to further dismantle the state-owned wine and spirits system.

House Bill 991 would allow for the creation of privately owned retail stores to sell bottles of wine and spirits in an effort to provide greater convenience and choice for consumers.

Another proposal, House Bill 438, would allow spirits to be sold in the same retail locations as wine. This would specifically apply to grocery and convenience stores with restaurant seating.

The measures are not only designed to improve consumer choice and convenience but also to help the state generate much-needed revenue.

Both bills now move to the full House for a final vote.
 
 
Monroe County Conservation District to Offer Dirt and Gravel Road Maintenance Workshop

The Monroe County Conservation District will offer a dirt and gravel road maintenance workshop on Saturday, April 8, from 9-11 a.m. at Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center.

Homeowner associations and homeowners are encouraged to attend to learn how to identify signs and causes of erosion. Time will be allotted after the program for site-specific questions. Attendees are welcome to bring photos. This is a free event but space is limited. To reserve a seat, call 570-629-3060. The workshop is sponsored by the Monroe County Conservation District Dirt, Gravel and Low Volume Road Program.
 
 
If You Owe Back Taxes, Amnesty Program Can Help

 
Pennsylvanians who owe state tax will soon have the option to pay those back taxes through a new tax amnesty program.

The program, which offers incentives to Pennsylvanians to settle their delinquent tax accounts, is expected to generate as much as $150 million in revenue for the Commonwealth. The program does not “forgive” taxes owed but instead waives penalties, collection and lien fees, and half of the interest owed.

All taxes owed to the Commonwealth administered by the Department of Revenue are eligible for the program. The delinquent taxes must have been owed as of Dec. 31, 2015. Any unpaid taxes, penalties and interest resulting from periods after Dec. 31, 2015, are not eligible for the program.

The amnesty period runs from April 21 to June 19, 2017. More information is available at revenue.pa.gov.
 
 
Northampton Community College Students Visit Capitol

It was my pleasure to meet with students from Northampton Community College on Tuesday in honor of Student Lobby Day.
 
 
Congratulations, Ryan Stewart

Last weekend, an Eagle Scout Court of Honor ceremony was held for Ryan Stewart at the Trexler Scout Reservation in Jonas. Ryan constructed a memorial garden at High Acres Park in Canadensis for his Eagle Scout project. The garden consists of a 300 square foot path made of pavers connecting the existing path and circling around the existing memorial stone. Ryan planted six Norway Spruce trees in a semicircle behind the memorial stone and existing flagpole. He also planted twenty-one boxwood shrubs with weed block, landscape edging and red decorative stone on the sides of the existing path. Ryan is currently a junior at Pleasant Valley High School where he is a member of the National Honor Society and National Music Honor Society. Congratulations!
Pictured are Kristine Bush from Sen. Scavello’s office, Ryan Stewart and Tyler Day, from my office.
 
 
Local Government Committee News

This week, I was named subcommittee chair of Townships for the House Local Government Committee. My experience as a township supervisor provides me with an informed perspective to consider legislation impacting Pennsylvania’s townships. I look forward to working with my fellow committee members on legislative issues that start at the local level.
 
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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
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Email: jrader@pahousegop.com
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