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The Latest News from Your State Representative |
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Please do not reply to this e-mail, as I am unable to respond to messages sent to this address. You can contact me directly at vgaydos@pahousegop.com or here. |
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The success of small business is a critical component of our nation’s economy. Having spent 25 years in the private sector as an entrepreneur and start up investor with a proven track record in building businesses, I was pleased to be appointed to the Small Business Council by Speaker of the House Bryan Cutler for a term of two years.
“Rep. Gaydos has the necessary experience and passion to successfully lead our small businesses,” said Speaker Cutler. “Her insight and advocacy can help benefit all Pennsylvanians.”
The council was established through Act 12 of 2004 to assist with developing policies and regulations that might affect small businesses, which contain fewer than 100 employees. It consists of 13 members, 12 of which are appointed by the governor and General Assembly. Secretary of the Department of Community and Economic Development, Neal Fowler, serves as Chair. The council also gives advice on the nature of small business practices and problems and issues a review of existing policies and regulations relevant to small businesses.
In order to be eligible for appointment to the council, an individual must have a background in improving small businesses and be one of the following:
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A present owner or operator of a small business within the Commonwealth. |
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A member of the academic community who has expertise regarding small business practices. |
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A professional who specializes in representing small businesses. |
As a member of the House Commerce Committee and Chair of the Subcommittee on Small Business, I will fight to help our small businesses provide opportunities for entrepreneurs and create meaningful jobs.
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Sincerely,
Valerie Gaydos |
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Gaydos Votes to Support Families, Build a Better Economic Future
Strong families are a cornerstone of building a brighter future for our citizens and the entire Commonwealth. The 2022-23 state budget continues to recognize this priority by increasing state support for programs and services dedicated to the well-being of Pennsylvania families. Rep. Gaydos voted with a majority of her colleagues to approve the budget.
The budget includes the first-ever Pennsylvania Child Care Tax Credit to support working families. Funding also is included to expand evidence-based home visiting programs for new mothers, including Nurse Family Partnership.
The State Food Purchase Program, which provides cash grants to counties for the purchase and distribution of food to low-income individuals, is increased by $2 million. Families are also helped by an additional $25 million in funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
Recognizing the growing need for accessible housing, the budget invests $325 million in federal relief funds to address affordable housing and target blight remediation.
Finally, the budget aims to facilitate job creation by lowering the Corporate Net Income Tax (currently the second highest in the nation), reforming small business taxes, and investing in small business incubators, such as the Ben Franklin Partnership and Partnerships for Regional Economic Performance. Additional funding is directed to ManufacturingPA, which funds the Industrial Resource Centers that help grow manufacturing businesses.
For full details about the 2022-23 state budget, visit
www.PAHouseGOP.com/statebudget.
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PA Supreme Court Rule Change Will Have Grave Impact on Health Care, Patient Access
Health care leaders are warning lawmakers about a threat to the state’s health care system and the patients who rely upon it as the Pennsylvania Supreme Court looks to reverse a decades-old rule that dictated where medical malpractice cases could be brought.
With the Pennsylvania Supreme Court set to reverse the rule that has helped control medical malpractice insurance rates to maintain patient access to care, the House Majority Policy Committee convened a hearing this week to hear from leaders in the state’s health care industry.
The testifiers expressed deep concern with reversing the rule that, since 2003, has required medical malpractice cases to be brought in the county in which the action occurred. Prior to the rule being instituted, trial lawyers often sought to bring cases in Philadelphia because jury awards tended to be higher there. This sort of “venue shopping” had driven up medical malpractice insurance rates for the state’s doctors, leading many of them to leave the state, retire early or limit their scope of practice. It also inhibited the state’s ability to recruit new physicians. Most importantly, it hurt patients’ ability to access the care they needed in a timely manner.
All four testifiers believe the court’s action will lead to history repeating itself, further damaging the state’s struggling health care system and harming patients.
To watch the hearing or review written testimony, click here.
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Election Integrity Bills Earn Committee Approval
Continuing its work to improve the election process in Pennsylvania, the House State Government Committee approved three election-related bills this week that aim to better secure ballots, properly maintain voter registration lists and ensure equality for all candidates in General Elections.
House Bill 34 would establish guidelines for the transportation of ballots to ensure election ballots are not misplaced, tampered with, over/under counted or delayed in shipping. It would require ballots to be transported in sealed containers with numbered plastic tags and a Bill of Lading, essentially a manifest and receipt, with each shipment.
House Bill 143 would require the departments of Health and State to work together to streamline the process of removing deceased voters from the rolls. Specifically, it would mandate a monthly report of the names of deceased individuals to be removed from the voter database.
House Bill 2484 would extend the requirements for filing a statement of financial interests to all candidates, including write-in candidates who advanced in primary elections or who appear on the ballot in a General Election.
All the bills now go to the full House for consideration.
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Key Dates for Upcoming Election
The 2022 General Election is coming up on Tuesday, Nov. 8. Voters will have the opportunity to elect the state’s next governor and lieutenant governor, members of the U.S. House and Senate, and state House and state Senate (in even-numbered senatorial districts).
If you are not already registered to vote, the deadline to do so is Monday, Oct. 24. Our Commonwealth has estimated that there are 1.7 million unregistered voters.
You may register in person at your county elections office or by mail, or by visiting the state’s online voter registration website.
The last day to apply for a mail-in or civilian absentee ballot is Tuesday, Nov. 1, by 5 p.m. Completed ballots must be returned by 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 8.
For more information and pictures, please visit my website at RepBrooks.com.
More information about voting in the Commonwealth, including how to check your registration and voting location,
visit www.vote.pa.gov.
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Bill Aims to Strike Balance in Protecting Water Quality, Saving Taxpayer Dollars
Citing the unnecessary financial burden being placed on many of the state’s municipalities as a result of outdated water quality data, the House approved legislation this week that would require the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to conduct water quality testing within communities subject to the federal Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) program.
Created nearly 20 years ago, MS4 targets water resources in watersheds that do not go through a treatment system and have higher than acceptable pollutant levels. However, DEP has failed to update its data which is placing a significant financial burden on some communities that may, in fact, have cleaner water than what the data reflects.
House Bill 2331 would require DEP to either update its own data or allow municipalities to submit their own data generated by other state agencies. The new data could result in communities receiving a waiver from MS4 guidelines or changes to its pollutant reduction plan.
The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.
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Reminder About One-Time Bonus Rebates for Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program
The Pennsylvania Treasury Department wants to make sure residents who use the state’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program know about the one-time bonus rebate that is available this year.
On Tuesday, the department started sending the one-time rebate payments to eligible applicants who are set up to receive direct deposit. Paper checks will be mailed starting on Friday, Aug. 26.
The bonus rebate, approved as part of the 2022-23 state budget, is funded by $140 million from the American Rescue Plan Act. Bonus rebates are equal to 70% of the original rebate amount for every claimant who is approved for a rebate on rent or property taxes paid in 2021.
Anyone who has not yet applied, or whose application is still being processed, beyond mid-August will receive one combined payment including the original rebate amount and one-time bonus. Program claimants can expect to receive a letter from the Department of Revenue detailing their bonus rebates. For more information click here.
The deadline to submit applications has been extended to Dec. 31. Treasury began rebate payments on July 1. Payments beyond July 1 are being processed as applications are approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue.
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Financial Assistance Offered to Eligible Children of Veterans
The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) is reminding eligible veterans with children of financial assistance available to those attending post-high school education or training at an approved institution in the Commonwealth.
The Educational Gratuity Program supports children of honorably discharged veterans who have 100% service-connected disabilities and served during a period of war or armed conflict, or children of veterans who die or died in service during a period of war or armed conflict. To be eligible, a child of a veteran must be between the ages of 16 and 23, living within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania five years prior to application and must attend a school within the Commonwealth. All applicants must have a financial need.
Payments will not exceed $500 per term or semester per qualified child to each approved educational institution over a total of eight terms or semesters.
To apply, contact the Allegheny County Veterans Affairs office at 412-621-4357, or the Westmoreland County Veterans Affairs office at 724-830-3530.
For more information about the program’s criteria, eligibility and needed documentation, click here.
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Farm to School Grant Program Open
Applications are now being accepted for the Pennsylvania Farm to School Grant Program.
Created by the Legislature in 2019, the grant program aims to educate prekindergartners through eighth graders and their families about the importance of choosing healthy, locally produced foods and increase awareness of agriculture in the Commonwealth.
Eligible applicants include a school district, public school, charter school, private school or center with prekindergarten classes, kindergarten classes, elementary classes or middle school classes through the eighth grade that participates in a Federal Child Nutrition Program.
The maximum grant award is $15,000. For additional information or to submit an application, click here. The deadline to apply is Oct. 14.
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Constitution Day on Saturday
Constitution Day recognizes the adoption of the United States Constitution and those who have become U.S. citizens. It is normally observed on Sept. 17, the day in 1787 that delegates to the Constitutional Convention signed the document in Philadelphia.
Constitution Day reminds us that we are born in a country which has a strong constitution, which defines its present and future.
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Don’t Miss This Worthwhile Event!
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Read My Latest Newsletter
My latest newsletter is out! If you missed it in the mail, I hope you will take a moment to read over the articles highlighting issues in Harrisburg and here at home, including redistricting and the state budget.
Click here to read it!
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Office Locations |
District Office: |
1005 Beaver Grade Road, Suite 106, Moon Township, PA 15108 | Phone: (412) 262-3780, Fax: (412) 262-3783 |
Capitol Office: |
Room 428, Irvis Office Building, House Box 202044, Harrisburg PA 17120-2044 | Phone: (717) 787-6651 | |
Email: vgaydos@pahousegop.com |
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