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In this Update:
Supporting Family-Sustaining Jobs in Pennsylvania
In the recently completed legislative session, Senate Republicans focused on creating an environment to attract and retain great employers so we can begin to reverse Pennsylvania’s economic and demographic decline. That’s why we worked to continue the phase-down of the jobs-killing Corporate Net Income Tax and began eliminating the start-up penalty that thwarts entrepreneurship. In addition, we created the Grow PA plan to encourage young people to complete college and job training programs in high-demand industries and put their roots down in Pennsylvania. We also enacted the Max Manufacturing Initiative to establish and support public-private partnerships between universities and private engineering entities so Pennsylvania can produce high-value products and create family-sustaining jobs. Because high energy prices mean fewer jobs, we fought the RGGI electricity tax and streamlined the permit-review process for job creators. Read more about how we worked to protect PA jobs. Fighting for Healthier Communities
Senate Republicans passed numerous bills in the 2023-24 legislative session that build healthier communities. This included two state budgets that invested $10 million per year in pediatric cancer research to help some of Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable patients. The first law we passed in the recently completed session eliminated out-of-pocket costs for breast cancer screening and testing for women at high risk – the first bill of its kind in the nation. We also passed a new law ensuring Pennsylvanians have greater access to licensed addiction treatment programs. In addition, medically vulnerable babies now have access to life-saving care provided by medically prescribed pasteurized human donor milk. Another new law prevents senior citizens using Pennsylvania’s prescription drug programs from losing their benefits due to a Social Security cost-of-living increase. Learn more about our efforts to improve health care, including tackling health care staffing shortages, improving patient care options and reducing administrative burdens for health care providers. Home Heating Assistance Takes the Chill Out
Residents struggling with their home heating bills may apply for assistance from the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) through April 4. 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 $22,590 for an individual, $30,660 for a couple and $46,800 for a family of four. Find limits for other family sizes here. Residents may apply for LIHEAP online or by contacting their local county assistance office. PA Farm Show Runs Jan. 4-11
Agriculture employs nearly half a million people in Pennsylvania and contributes $132.5 billion to the state’s economy annually. Our Commonwealth is also proud to host the largest indoor agricultural exposition under one roof in the nation: the Pennsylvania Farm Show, which runs from Jan. 4-11 in Harrisburg. The Farm Show features nearly 6,000 animals, competitive events and 250 commercial exhibits. There are educational and entertaining events all week long. Admission is free, and parking is $15 per car. I hope to see you there supporting our local youth exhibitors, snuggling baby goats with Steinmetz Family Farm, cuddling cows from Swartz Farm, or enjoying a delicious treat at the famed Farm Show Food Court!
If you have a question about the information in this e-newsletter or other state related matters that you would like a response to, please click HERE to submit your inquiry through my website. This will help to ensure that we are able to respond to your question in a timely fashion due to the high volume of emails and the ever growing amount of computer generated spam mail we receive daily. |
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