Voters to Decide Property Tax Issue
This fall, voters will have the opportunity to amend the Pennsylvania Constitution to allow local governments to exclude more of a property’s median assessed value for property tax reductions.
Currently, the state Constitution only permits local governments – counties, municipalities and school districts – to exclude up to 50 percent.
The referendum is made possible through House Bill 1285, which recently passed both chambers of the General Assembly this summer. It is identical to legislation, House Bill 147, which cleared both the House and Senate last session – a requirement to amend the Constitution.
Voters will be able to consider the constitutional amendment on the Nov. 7 ballot. Should the people of Pennsylvania vote in the affirmative on this question, the Constitution will be amended as the governor’s signature is not required for it to become law.
Saving Taxpayer Money on Health Care Costs
As a way to help save taxpayer money by reducing health care expenses, the House approved two measures addressing cost-drivers in the state’s Medical Assistance program.
House Bill 1354 would create the Office of Independent Medical Assistance Director, which would be required to post online the number of Medicaid enrollees, costs and a cost analysis to compare budget funds and forecasted expenses on a monthly basis. The office would also be tasked with improving health outcomes and working toward providing budget predictability. This would help ensure greater efficiency within the Medical Assistance program.
House Bill 1532 would allow the Commonwealth to better identify potential abuse of opioids among Medical Assistance enrollees by giving Medicaid organizations access to information in the state’s Prescription Drug Monitoring Program. The legislation would help save lives by allowing anyone prescribing or dispensing opioids to better recognize potential abusers and stem the tide of this epidemic.
Both bills are now with the state Senate.
Do You Have Unclaimed Property?
Did you know millions of dollars in unclaimed property comes into the Pennsylvania Treasury Department’s Bureau of Unclaimed Property each year? The most common types of unclaimed property are dormant bank accounts, stocks and dividends, uncashed payroll checks, uncollected utility deposits, unredeemed gift certificates and items in safe deposit boxes.
Some constituents may be receiving a letter from my office concerning unclaimed property. We are happy to help you claim what is yours. You may visit my website www.RepFritzPA.com to check the unclaimed property database or call us at 570-278-3374 or 570-253-5533.
Helping Military Families through Hardship
For more than a decade, the Military Family Relief Assistance Program, which is partially funded through a state income tax check-off, has been helping active duty members of the armed forces and their families meet basic expenses when facing extreme financial hardships.
House Bill 984 would ensure that the check-off is permanent, rather than having to be extended. Currently, the check-off has been extended three times and is set to expire on Jan. 1, 2018.
To qualify for assistance, eligible members must have a direct and immediate financial need as a result of circumstances beyond their control. The amount of a grant is based on documented financial need up to a maximum of $3,500.
More information about the program is available here.
Free Cervical Screenings, Mammograms Available
Women who are uninsured or underinsured can receive free cervical cancer screenings and mammograms under the Pennsylvania HealthyWoman Program. The program is funded by the Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The program is open to women ages 40-64, who are Pennsylvania residents and have a gross household income below 250 percent of the federal poverty annual guideline, about $61,500 for a family of four.
If breast or cervical cancer is detected through the HealthyWoman Program, the individual may be eligible for free treatment through the Department of Human Services' Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Program.
For more information, click here or call 1-800-215-7494.
Claverack Rural Electric Cooperative Holds Annual Meeting
Claverack Rural Electric Cooperative is one of 14 rural electric cooperatives in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, where its customers are also its owner-members. Pictured with me last Thursday at the cooperative’s 80th annual meeting at Elk Lake School in Dimock Township are (from left) CEO Bobbi Kilmer, Rep. Tina Pickett and Steve Brame, vice president of public affairs and member services.
Pictured with me are Directors Mike Coleman, Robert Faux and Gary Hennip, along with Rep. Tina Pickett. |