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Final Pieces of Budget Package Headed to Governor
This week, the House and Senate sent to the governor’s desk the remaining pieces of the 2017-18 budget package. That includes legislation to protect taxpayers from a broad-based income, sales or utility tax increase this fiscal year, while also generating enough revenue to close out the 2016-17 fiscal year and fully fund the 2017-18 budget year. The package also includes funding for state-related higher education institutions, which include Penn State, Pitt, Lincoln, Temple and the state’s only veterinary school, Penn Vet.
Part of the funding package is based on securitizing the state’s Tobacco Settlement Fund and reforms to the state’s gaming industry, which would include enhancing the state’s Lottery Fund and legalizing many unregulated games in an effort to capture lost revenue. The funding plan also includes transferring $300 million in unspent dollars from special funds.
Lawmakers reaffirmed our commitment to quality education by increasing Basic Education Funding for our schools, as well as for early childhood education and special education programs. The Public School Code measure also would protect excellent teachers by ending the practice of seniority-based layoffs and requiring teacher performance to guide furlough and reinstatement decisions.
Ultimately, my Republican colleagues and I fought successfully to pass a spending plan that was much less than what the governor proposed while still investing in the core functions of government without further burdening taxpayers.
Heating Assistance Program Opens Soon
Residents who are struggling with their home heating bills can apply for assistance from the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) beginning Wednesday, Nov. 1.
LIHEAP is a federally funded program that helps individuals and families pay their heating bills through home heating energy assistance grants. It also provides crisis grants to help in the event of an emergency or if a resident is in danger of losing his or her heat due to broken equipment, lack of fuel or termination of utility service.
The income eligibility guidelines for LIHEAP are set at 150 percent of the federal poverty income level. For example, the income limit for an individual is $18,090; for a couple, the limit is $24,360; and for a family of four, it is $36,900.
Residents may apply for LIHEAP online or by contacting the Monroe County Assistance Office.
Another Extension Granted to Comply with REAL ID
Late last week, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) extended the compliance deadline for when Pennsylvania residents must use a REAL ID or other acceptable forms of enhanced identification.
Under this extension, Pennsylvania residents can use their existing driver licenses through Oct. 10, 2018. This will apply to both federal facilities and domestic airline travel.
PennDOT has begun work on the implementation of REAL ID and estimates that REAL ID-compliant driver licenses and identification cards will be available, as an option for residents, in March 2019. It is expected that Pennsylvania will continue to apply for extensions until the state has met complete compliance.
DHS has established Oct. 1, 2020, as the final REAL ID compliance deadline for all states.
Information on Pennsylvania’s REAL ID, including frequently asked questions, is available at www.dmv.pa.gov.
Improving Educational Options
The House approved two proposals this week to improve educational options for students.
House Bill 429 would allow public school students who earn credit for a course in personal financial literacy to use that credit to satisfy a graduation credit requirement in social studies, math or consumer science. This would help encourage students to acquire the knowledge necessary to make wise financial choices as adults.
The second measure, House Bill 1653, would allow students pursuing postsecondary education online to receive financial aid. Currently, this is operated as a pilot program, which was created by Act 59 of 2013, for students who take more than 50 percent of their credits online from a college or university headquartered and located in the Commonwealth.
Both bills now head to the Senate for consideration.
RSVP Holds Annual Lunch
This week, the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program of Monroe County (RSVP) held its annual luncheon at Kalahari to recognize its volunteers. RSVP is Monroe County’s volunteer network for residents ages 55 and older. They match the talents, skills and experiences of volunteers with challenging and exciting volunteer opportunities at local nonprofit agencies, schools, government offices and other organizations. Over the last year RSVP volunteered hundreds of hours of service and performed over $2 million worth of work in the community. Congratulations to all the RSVP volunteers!
Breast Cancer Awareness
The West End Pink Light Walk was held last Thursday. The walk began at American Legion Post 927 in Gilbert and dozens of survivors, friends and families gathered to raise awareness for breast cancer treatment and research.
Around Our Community
I would like to wish Elsie Shoemaker a very happy 100th birthday! Elsie recently celebrated her 100th birthday at Mrs. Bush’s Personal Care Home.
This week, I had the opportunity to see the UH-1M Iroquois “Huey” Helicopter at the Pocono Mountain Airport. This aircraft began its service life with the United States Army in Nov. 1967 and was shipped to Vietnam where it saw service with a number of aviation units. The aircraft is a rare survivor of the Vietnam War and a national treasure. Bill “Moon” Mullen, past president of the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association, brought this project to fruition.
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