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Updates 

Impartial analysis from the Independent Fiscal Office projects the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) could nearly quadruple electricity costs for Pennsylvanians.

PA Senate Republicans have filed an injunction to prevent the Wolf Administration from moving forward with RGGI until all legal challenges are resolved on their merits.

Package of bills, including whole milk in schools, aims to aid dairy industry.

2022 PA trout season kicks off statewide April 2.

Treasury’s annual unclaimed property ads will begin running in the Towanda Daily Review, the Sullivan Review, and the Susquehanna County Independent. Treasury is only required to advertise property that is available to claim and is valued in excess of $250. The names will appear in the paper only one time. 

Motorists who drive Route 15 northbound are advised of a lane closure beginning next week in Brady Township, Lycoming County, for a roadwork project.

Public Hearing Held on Economic Impacts of RGGI

Senator Yaw co-chairs a joint committee hearing of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee and the Community Economic and Recreational Development Committee on Tuesday in Harrisburg to discuss the negative economic impacts of Pennsylvania joining the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).

Shawn Steffee, Business Agent for the Boilermakers Local 154 In Pittsburgh, discusses the devastating impacts RGGI will have on his union members.

The Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, of which I chair, held a joint hearing with the Community, Economic and Recreational Development Committee on Tuesday, March 29 to discuss the economic impacts of RGGI.

The Independent Fiscal Office discussed the results of its own analysis regarding RGGI’s effects. The IFO, revered across state government for its nonpartisan examination of budgetary policy, reviewed the administration’s outdated RGGI modeling and presented its findings.

Among the many shocking details of the report, IFO Director Matthew Knittel said Pennsylvania energy generators could spend upwards of $781 million annually on emissions credits at the RGGI auctions – nearly four times the amount anticipated by the administration’s taxpayer-funded analysis used to justify our participation in RGGI in 2020. The IFO also warned members that “those costs would be pushed through to final customers.” 

Lycoming County Women’s Suffrage Marker Unveiled

Recently, I joined in celebrating the placement of a suffrage marker on the lawn of the YWCA of North Central PA. The marker is one of five in the state which represents a significant site in the history of women’s suffrage.

Don Waltman’s Market House Meats & Deli Ribbon Cutting

On Friday, March 25, I had the pleasure of joining Larry Allison and his family for the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at Don Waltman’s Market House Meats & Deli. The new location will feature many of Don Waltman’s original recipes, as well as local brands and favorites from both past and present. Good luck to the Allisons on their new venture!

Revenue Department Extends Call Center Hours for Tax Season

With the April 18 tax filing deadline approaching, the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue is extending its customer service hours for taxpayers to get help by phone.

Personal income tax assistance will be available between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, by calling 717-787-8201.

Personal income tax assistance is also available through the department’s Online Customer Service Center. It contains answers to hundreds of common income tax questions and allows taxpayers to securely submit a question to the department through a process that is similar to sending an email. Department of Revenue district offices are also open to provide customer service. Taxpayers are encouraged to call ahead to schedule an appointment.

Adult Education Grants Available

State funding is now available to support lifelong learning through competitive Adult Basic Education Direct Service grants.

The grants are awarded to local adult education programs to provide free adult education and literacy activities to help adults improve their reading, writing, speaking, comprehension and mathematics skills, earn a high school equivalency credential, and develop the knowledge and skills for employment and economic self-sufficiency.

Applications must be submitted by April 7. For more information, you can view the Adult Basic Education Direct Service Grant Competition Information Webinar and access Frequently Asked Questions.

“Purple Star Schools” to Support Military Families Approved by Senate

The Senate approved legislation to have Pennsylvania join 28 other states in establishing a Purple Star School Program for students from military families. The measure was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration.

The program is a state-sponsored recognition designed to acknowledge a public, private or charter school that has committed to supporting the unique educational and social-emotional needs of military-connected students. A Purple Star School designation means better ease and consistency in transferring schools so children experience fewer educational gaps and obtain meaningful support when frequently moving to new towns and schools as a military child.

Senate Bill 1028 would provide “Purple Star” recognition to schools that: maintain a website with resources for military-connected students and their families, designate a staff point of contact for these students, provide training to school staff to best equip them to support these families, establish a partnership with a military installation, and take other steps.

Senate Votes to Extend Disaster Emergency Declaration for Pittsburgh Bridge Collapse

The Senate approved a resolution to extend the disaster emergency declaration of Jan. 28 until Sept. 30 for the collapse of the Fern Hollow Bridge in Pittsburgh. The bridge’s collapse caused adverse impacts within the City of Pittsburgh, and traffic patterns are still disrupted.

House Resolution 188 is necessary to help ensure the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is eligible to receive emergency relief funding from the Federal Highway Administration.

The bridge collapse injured 10 people. The cause is under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board.

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