Senator Gebhard E-Newsletter

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In this update:

  • Voter ID: Time for PA to Catch Up with Other States, Nations
  • Restoring Checks and Balances in Pennsylvania Government
  • Phase-out of Job-Killing PA Tax Begins
  • Pennsylvania Career Fire Chiefs Association Meeting
  • Rebates for Property Taxes and Rent Available to Seniors, Pennsylvanians with Disabilities
  • Local Organizations Can Apply Now for Conservation Grants
  • Lowering the Risk of Birth Defects
  • Local Events

Voter ID: Time for PA to Catch Up with Other States, Nations

A proposed constitutional amendment passed by the Senate earlier this month to require ID verification at polling places remains in the House of Representatives. Its approval is needed to let voters have a say through a ballot question in the spring primary election.

Pennsylvania’s failure to enact this key component of election integrity has put it behind not only a vast majority of states and most developed countries, but behind many developing nations as well.

Every excuse used to block this rational election reform has been shown to be false. Requiring proof of identification before voting does not suppress turnout, and acceptable IDs are not difficult to obtain.

Nationally, the calls for voter ID come from Democrats and Republicans alike. Eighty percent of Americans favor voter ID as do 74% of Pennsylvanians. Now is the time to pass Senate Bill 1 and let the voters decide.

Restoring Checks and Balances in Pennsylvania Government

In addition to letting citizens decide whether voters should be required to show ID, Senate Bill 1 includes a proposed constitutional amendment allowing the people’s representatives in the General Assembly to overturn any government regulation that conflicts with the will of the people.

The need for this change was made clear by the Wolf administration’s unilateral decisions during the pandemic, closing businesses and schools with no input from the people. Despite the clear design of our government with three co-equal parts, the executive branch elevated itself above the legislative and judicial branches in an obvious violation of the checks and balances afforded by the Pennsylvania Constitution.

No governor of any party should be permitted to wield such unchecked power again. If the House of Representatives follows the Senate’s lead and passes Senate Bill 1, voters will be empowered to restore this crucial balance of power.

Phase-out of Job-Killing PA Tax Begins

The phase-out of Pennsylvania’s sky-high Corporate Net Income tax got underway this month, part of our efforts to keep good jobs here and create new ones.

Republican lawmakers secured a cut in this job-killing tax as part of the 2022-23 state budget. Before this reduction to 8.99%, Pennsylvania’s CNI tax had been 9.99% for nearly three decades while other states had lower tax rates – some far lower – and many have been lower for almost as long.

When gradually reduced to 4.99% in 2031, Pennsylvania’s CNI rate will have gone from one of the highest in the nation to one of the lowest, making the commonwealth far more competitive with other states.

A 2009 report by an economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City demonstrates that the burden of the corporate income tax is borne in large part by labor within the state in the form of lower wages. A 2016 paper published in the journal American Economic Review found employees shoulder about a third of the corporate tax burden.

Reducing this tax will be the difference between jobs coming to our local communities and jobs leaving. This will be a great benefit to Pennsylvania families.

Pennsylvania Career Fire Chiefs Association Meeting

I was happy to speak at the Pennsylvania Career Fire Chiefs Association meeting at Warehouse 435.   I shared some good news regarding SB 114’s approval in the Senate. The bill would create a pilot program to offer firefighter training to high school students to help volunteer fire companies address member shortages. 

The legislation would award three grants of $150,000 each to one college in the eastern, central, and western parts of the state.  The grants would be used to establish the fire training programs for high school students during the year.  The bill was passed by the Senate and will move to the House for consideration.

I also discussed legislation I am working on to provide state tax credits for volunteer emergency medical technicians and legislation I am co-sponsoring to provide state tax credits for volunteer firefighters.  It is urgent to address the growing shortage of firefighters and first responders to answer emergency calls and protect our communities.

Rebates for Property Taxes and Rent Available to Seniors, Pennsylvanians with Disabilities

Older adults and Pennsylvanians with disabilities can apply now for rebates on property taxes or rent paid in 2022.

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. The income limit is $35,000 a year for homeowners and $15,000 annually for renters, and half of Social Security income is excluded. Spouses, personal representatives or estates may also file rebate claims on behalf of claimants who lived at least one day in the claim year and meet all other eligibility criteria.

The maximum standard rebate is $650, but supplemental rebates for qualifying homeowners can boost rebates to $975. You can find more eligibility and application information here. Eligible applicants can visit mypath.pa.gov to electronically submit their applications.

Local Organizations Can Apply Now for Conservation Grants

Counties, municipalities and municipal agencies, pre-qualified land trusts, nonprofits and other eligible organizations can apply now for state conservation, recreation, trail and related grants.

Administered by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Community Conservation Partnerships Program is funded with a variety of state and federal funding sources including Pennsylvania’s natural gas Impact Fee.

Applications will be accepted through April 5. Online tutorials are available to aid organizations in the application process.

Lowering the Risk of Birth Defects

Rates of infant deaths due to birth defects have declined by 10% in the United States. However, even today, every 4½ minutes a baby is born with a major problem affecting parts of the body including the heart, brain or foot, causing lifelong health challenges.

The National Birth Defects Prevention Network offers women five tips for preventing birth defects:

  1. If possible, take 400 micrograms of folic acid every day at least one month prior to conception.
  2. Plan a visit with your health care provider to support a healthy pregnancy.
  3. Reduce your risk of infections.
  4. Care for your body and mind before and during pregnancy to set you and your baby up for success.
  5. Avoid harmful substances during pregnancy, such as alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.

Not all birth defects can be prevented. However, healthy choices and habits help lower the risk of having a baby born with these challenges.

Local Events

Thursday, Jan 26-28, 4pm 2023 Lebanon County Home & Garden Show
Lebanon Valley Expo Center
https://www.facebook.com/events/436143341963229

Saturday, Jan 28, 10am-4pm Craft Show at the Lebanon Expo
Lebanon Valley Expo Center
https://www.facebook.com/events/449039723995020

Friday, Jan 27-29, West Reading Ice’n Spice Festival
600 Penn Avenue, West Reading, PA
https://www.visitpaamericana.com/event-calendar/#event=75266218;instance=20230127160000?popup=1

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