Mar. 01, 2024


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The Barb Wire
#Listrak\DateStampLong# The latest news from the State Capitol
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Out and About in the 199th!
What a busy time it is in the 199th House District! In addition to starting budget hearings last week, recently I had the honor of giving the opening remarks to the first-ever Introduction to Construction class, a four-day program designed for individuals seeking to embark on a rewarding career in the construction industry that was held at Shippensburg University!

 
I visited the Huntsdale State Fish Hatchery in preparation for trout stocking. You can watch more about that trip by clicking here.

 
I participated in the Greater Harrisburg Association of REALTORS legislative forum and stopped by the well-attended Carlisle Area Chamber of Commerce Mixer at the Appalachian Brewing Company.
                                                                       
 
It’s also a time of exciting new projects in our district, which means tours and meetings for grant funding. This week I met with Carlisle Mayor Sean Schultz and Manager Susan Armstrong on upcoming borough projects followed by a tour of the Carlisle YMCA to hear about its great plans for expansion to better serve our community! If you have an event, project or organization that you would like me to visit, please call my office to arrange a tour. (Please note that we do schedule 3-4 weeks out.)

 
In the news…
02.02.24 Harrisburg Fox 43 interview on my bill to limit cell phone use in classrooms

02.07.24 My interview on PCN’s On the Issues regarding my bill to prohibit foreign ownership of PA farmland.

02.09.24 Johnstown NBC affiliate WJAC TV interview on my bill to limit cell phone use in classrooms

02.18.24 My interview on CBS 21’s Face the State on my bill to limit cell phone use in classrooms

02.19.24 My interview on the syndicated John Fredericks Media Network regarding my bill to prohibit foreign ownership of PA farmland.

 
Important Property Tax Rent Rebate Assistance Information
 
Representatives from the Department of Revenue (DOR) will visit senior and community centers over the next several weeks to help Pennsylvanians who need help filing their Property Tax/Rent Rebate (PTRR) program applications. DOR representatives stationed at these centers will also be able to help Pennsylvanians file their Pennsylvania Personal Income Tax returns (PA-40s) now that tax season is underway.

Department of Revenue staff will be available at the locations listed below in Cumberland County throughout March, and additional dates and times are scheduled for the coming months. Inclement weather may impact this schedule, and it could be subject to change. You are encouraged to email or call ahead to schedule an appointment.

Branch Creek Place, 115 N. Fayette St., Shippensburg, PA 17257

• March 19 | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Carlisle Senior Action Center, 20 E. Pomfret St., Carlisle, PA 17013
• March 7 | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Mary C. Schaner Senior Center, 98 S. Enola Drive, Enola, PA 17025
• March 4 | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Mechanicsburg Place, 97 W. Portland St., Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
• March 6 | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
West Shore Senior Citizens Center, 122 Geary Ave., New Cumberland, PA 17070
• March 20 | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

DOR has received more than 84,000 PTRR applications so far in 2024, nearly double the number of applications they received at this same time last year. If Pennsylvanians have already applied and received outreach from DOR requesting additional information to complete their application, they are encouraged to respond with that information as soon as possible, to ensure they receive their rebate in a timely manner.

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.

 
Free Tax Preparation Help!
 
Families (two or more people) who made $64,000 or less and individuals who made $45,000 or less in 2023 may be eligible to receive FREE Income Tax and Property Tax Rent Rebate preparation through the Money in Your Pocket (MIYP) program!

You MUST bring the following documents to have your taxes prepared:
•Valid photo ID (driver's license, military ID, etc.) for taxpayer and spouse.
•Original Social Security card or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) for you, your spouse, your children and other dependents included in your tax return.
•Your current Identity Protection PIN number issued by the IRS (if you have one) for each year's taxes that you need prepared.
•Printed copies of all year-end tax forms you have received in the mail. (We cannot use electronic files from phones.)
•If you received health care from the marketplace, bring your form 1095-A. (We cannot prepare your return without it.)

Also bring the following information if it is available:
•Previous year's federal and state tax returns. (We can only access prior year returns for clients who used MIYP last year.)
•If you wish to have your refund deposited directly into your checking or savings account, bring a blank check or other documentation from your bank/credit union that shows your account number and the routing transit number.
•If you expect to claim a credit for child or dependent care, bring the child care provider's address and Employer Identification Number (EIN) or their Social Security number.

CUMBERLAND COUNTY TAX PREPARATION LOCATIONS:

Bosler Memorial Library, 158 W. High St., Carlisle, Appointment only. Call 211 to schedule: Fridays: noon to 4 p.m.
Employment Skills Center, 29 S. Hanover St., Carlisle. No appointment needed. Tuesdays, Thursdays: 5:30-7 p.m.
First Christian Church of Lemoyne, 442 Hummel Ave., Lemoyne Appointment only. Call 211 to schedule. Thursdays: 6-8 p.m. Saturdays: 9 a.m. to noon (Second & fourth Saturdays each month.)
Messiah University, Frey Hall, Rm.150, One University Ave., Mechanicsburg 717-796-1800, ext. 7300 (Info only.) No appointment needed. Mondays: 5:30-7:30 p.m.
(Open 2/26 thru 4/15. Closed 3/11 & 4/1)
New Hope Ministries, Inc., 5228 Trindle Road, Mechanicsburg. No appointment needed. Mondays, Wednesdays: 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Penn State Dickinson Law, 150 S. College St., Rm. 104, Carlisle. No appointment needed. Wednesdays: 5-8 p.m. (Closed 3/6.)
• The Professional & Educational Empowerment Center (PEEC), 219 N. Pitt St., Carlisle. No appointment needed. Mondays: 3:30-7:30 p.m. Saturdays: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (2124 only.)
Shippensburg University, Diller Center, 29 E. King St., Shippensburg No appointment needed. Wednesdays: 5-9 p.m. (Closed 3/13.)
Tri County Community Action, 123 N. Enola Drive, 2nd Floor, Enola Appointment only. Call 211 to schedule. Mondays: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
                                                                       
For more information on tax prep sites, contact United Way of the Capital Region at 717-724-4077, or e-mail miyp@uwcr.org

 
Important FPR Updates
 
 Click here to watch
Important information from Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding on food processing residual (FPR) regulations during the 2024-25 House Appropriations Committee hearings.

 
See You Tomorrow for the First of My Senior Learning Series!
 
 
 
EMS Press Conference
 
On Wednesday, Lexi Peterson from my staff was on hand to welcome Pennsylvania State Fire Commissioner Thomas Cook, Department of Health Acting Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen and Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) Director Randy Padfield to the 199th District when they were in town visiting the Cumberland Goodwill EMS to discuss the 2024-25 budget proposal to increase the Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant Program.

 
State Budget Hearings
This week, the Department of Revenue confirmed mandated state expenditures continue to increase at a higher rate than expected revenues. When you can’t pay your bills, adjustments must be made. Unfortunately, our state agencies have not shared any ideas for saving taxpayer dollars by cutting or ending ineffective programs. As the budget hearings continue, House Republicans will continue pushing agencies to show a true need for more spending - not just a wish list - and a full accounting of their current spending.

Next week’s hearings kick off on Monday with the Department of Insurance, and the Department of Labor and Industry. Also on the schedule are the departments of State, Health, Drug and Alcohol Programs, Environmental Protection, and Conservation and Natural Resources. Community colleges and state-related universities are also on tap, along with the judiciary.

The budget hearings stream live at PAHouseGOP.com.

For a full schedule, click here.

 
Tuition Assistance Program for EMS Professionals

The PA Department of Health has announced a $1 million tuition assistance program to help recruit and retain Emergency Medical Services (EMS) professionals.

The program is funded by $1 million from the Fireworks Tax Act each year for the next three years. Pennsylvania residents who obtained a Pennsylvania state certification as an emergency medical responder (EMR), emergency medical technician (EMT), advanced emergency medical technician (AEMT), or paramedic after July 1, 2023, are eligible to have a portion of their tuition reimbursed.

In addition, Pennsylvania licensed EMS agencies are eligible to receive reimbursement of expenses related to recruitment and retention efforts, up to $1,250 per fiscal year.

This tuition reimbursement assistance is in addition to the recent increase in mileage rates for ambulance services to help support our EMS workers and first responders.

More information about how to obtain reimbursement is available here.

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RepGleim.com
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Office Locations
District Office: 437 E North Street | Carlisle, PA 17013 | Phone: 717-249-1990
427 Irvis Office Building | House Box 202199 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2199 | 717-772-2280

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