Jul. 19, 2024


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The Barb Wire
#Listrak\DateStampLong# The latest news from the State Capitol
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Unsettling Time in America
 
We are five days into the news cycle since the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, and we still don’t have many answers. We get bits and pieces about an Iranian attempt as well, finger pointing between PA State and local police and secret service. Was there one gunman or two? How long did they know the man was on the roof? My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Corey Comperatore who died last Saturday, and to those still in the hospital today, and I am saddened by what has happened. These unsettling times beg the need to reflect on life, and what it means to live in the greatest country on earth. My hope is that our children and grandchildren can grow up in a calmer, safer, and more affluent time than the ones we are in. I remember the Carter years were very tumultuous times as well, and I believe we will come through this stronger and more unified than ever before.

My legislative office stayed open during COVID, helping anyone in need, and we will remain available to all constituents in need, no matter what comes our way.

 
Education Initiatives Featured in 2024-25 State Budget
 
The total education budget line item was $17,582 bill and increase of $1.285 bill YEAR OVER YEAR.

One of the most important responsibilities we face as a society is the education of our children. As such, the 2024-25 state budget adopted by the General Assembly last week includes several initiatives aimed at both PreK-12 and post-secondary education in the Commonwealth.

For PreK-12 education, the budget increases overall funding by $1.3 billion. Special education funding is increased by $100 million; school safety and security and mental health by $50 million; career and technical education (CTE) by $25 million; and CTE equipment grants by $5 million.

The highly successful Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program, which provides scholarships to help families send their children to schools that best meet their needs, receives an additional $70 million, while the Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit Program receives $5 million more, bringing total funding for the two programs to a record $630 million.

For higher education, the budget includes elements of the Grow PA plan, which aims to attract more students to Pennsylvania schools and connect them with quality careers in their communities after graduation.

Specifically, scholarships of $5,000 would be available to students enrolled in high-demand education programs if they agree to live and work in these industries in Pennsylvania after graduation. And starting in fiscal year 2025-26, the “Grow Pennsylvania Merit Scholarship Program” will allow the PA State System of Higher Education to charge the in-state tuition rate for non-resident students who are seeking degrees in a high-demand industry and commit to work in Pennsylvania after graduation.

In addition, $36 million in new funding is allocated for the Ready to Succeed Scholarship Program, which provides scholarships to high academic achievers.

The budget package also includes some much-needed accountability for our state-related institutions by creating a Performance-Based Funding Council under the State Board for Higher Education. The council would be charged with developing a new process to distribute funding for these universities – which include Penn State, the University of Pittsburgh, Temple University and Lincoln University – using performance-based metrics designed to increase degree attainment, encourage affordability, meet workforce needs and grow the economy.

SB 700 explains every change made to the Basic Education section of the School Code.

HB 613 explains the monies allocated to the state non-preferreds (Penn State, Pitt, Temple, Lincoln)

SB 1154 explains the monies allocated to incentive funding for higher education and establishes the performance based funding council

HB 897 provides for several higher education provisions, including duel enrollment, accountability and transparency, and establishes the State Board of Higher Education.

SB 1150 establishes the Grow PA Merit Scholarship Grant Program, and the Grow PA Scholarship Program, amends the Ready-to-Succeed Scholarship Program, and modifies provisions related to Intercollegiate athletics.
 
 
PASSHE Freezes Tuition Again
This is the seventh consecutive year the tuition rate will remain the same at all 10 universities.

The repeated freezes save students nearly 25% in tuition costs compared to the price if tuition had risen at the inflation rate for the last six years.

The state budget negotiated by Governor Shapiro and the legislature invests an additional $35.1 million, or 6%, in PASSHE universities.

Taxpayers are paying for the freeze.

 
General Fund Surplus Likely Depleted Next Year!
Per statute, the Independent Fiscal Office (IFO) publishes an annual five-year projection of General Fund revenues and expenditures each November. For November 2023, the report projected General Fund operating deficits of -$624 million (FY 23-24), -$2.0 billion (FY 24-25) and -$3.0 billion (FY 25-26). You can read more about it here.

 
2024 Legislator Leadership Award
 
Yesterday, I attended the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc. (PACD) annual conference in State College and was honored to receive the state-wide 2024 Legislator Leadership Award!

This award is presented to legislators recognized for their outstanding efforts to further the activities and accomplishments of the state's conservation districts or PACD on a statewide basis.

An extra special thank you to the Cumberland County Conservation District for nominating me and recognizing my conservation efforts in the 199th House District!

 
Congratulations to Newville 75th Fireman’s Fair
 
I was happy to present an official Pennsylvania House of Representatives citation to the Newville Fireman’s Fair last night in honor of their 75th anniversary. It was a great turn out and I look forward to seeing everyone again this weekend.

 
Newville Storm Update
 
I have been in contact with both the Cumberland County Department of Public Safety and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) regarding Wednesday night's storm damage. I have been told they are assessing the damage and will be working together to determine the needs of the area.

PEMA encourages constituents to report the damage to their municipality and the county so that we get a handle on the property damage from the storm.

PEMA will work with our county partners to see if damages from any adverse weather event rise to the level to request assistance.

There are three main federal assistance programs available, but they require thresholds that have to be met to seek federal funds. The programs are:

Individual Assistance (IA)
• Provides federal grants to residents (homeowners and renters) who meet the criteria for the programs (100-200 homes per county destroyed or with major damage).

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
• Provides federal low interest loans to homeowners, renters and businesses
• A minimum of 25 households and/or businesses must have a minimum 40% uninsured loss, or at least five businesses must have significant economic loss.

Public Assistance (PA)
• Provides federal grants to governmental entities and certain critical, private non-profit organizations for repairs to public infrastructure.
• Minimum $23,014,795 in damages for the state to request federal assistance for public infrastructure. A county must also reach their per capita which is $4.44/person.

At this time, we do not know if any of these thresholds will be met.

 
Attention Veterans: DMVA Helps Locate Lost Military Documents
 
The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) is reminding veterans it can help locate their lost DD Form 214 (DD-214) and other military documents so they can get credit for time served and receive important benefits they have earned.

The DD-214 contains information needed to verify military service for benefits, retirement, employment and membership in veterans’ organizations. Without this key document, there could be significant delays when a veteran seeks benefits earned through their service to our nation. The DMVA can also assist with locating the DD-215, which is used to correct errors or make additions to a DD-214, helping to assure that veterans have accurate discharge documentation.

Anyone needing assistance from the DMVA to locate their DD-214/215, or other military documentation, can call toll-free 1-800-547-2838 or e-mail RA-REQ@pa.gov. More information about locating military documents can be found through the Records Request Program.

Another way to stay in touch is for veterans, family members and people who work with veterans to sign up for the DMVA’s Veterans Registry by visiting register.dmva.pa.gov.

 
PA Turnpike Warns of Smishing Scam Back on the Rise
 
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) is advising a smishing scam is again being sent to random individuals, aiming to deceive them to share their personal financial information to settle outstanding toll amounts. Smishing is a type of cybercrime that uses deceptive text messages to trick people into sharing sensitive information or sending money to cybercriminals.

The texts purport to be from “Pennsylvania Turnpike Toll Services” and center on urgent requests with the account that would result in additional charges if the overdue balance does not get settled. Similar scams have been reported by toll agencies across the country over the past several days.

People who receive an unsolicited text, email, or similar message suggesting it is from the PA Turnpike or another toll agency should not click on the link. E-ZPass account holders and Toll by Plate customers can use approved safe methods to check their accounts such as the official PA Turnpike E-ZPass website or the PA Toll Pay app available from the Apple App Store, or Google Play store.

Those who receive a fraudulent text can file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov. That is a site dedicated to sharing information on Internet crimes across law enforcement agencies.

 
UPCOMING EVENTS
 
Register online at RepGleim.com/events.

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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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