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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 via RepGaydos.com. |
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Building on Our Progress in 2020
With the arrival of the new year, the second half of the 2019-20 Legislative Session will soon be underway. I am looking forward to continuing our efforts on key legislative initiatives that will help make Pennsylvania a better place to work, live and play and will do so in a responsible fiscal manner.
Many of the legislative priorities we will tackle this session are extensions of our earlier efforts this year. These include measures taken to help our first responders, take the lead in job creation, expand access to health care, improve public safety, reform the criminal justice system and more. In the year ahead I will be introducing legislation to help provide affordable healthcare for small business, and for reducing the size of the legislature.
Sincerely,
Valerie Gaydos
Initiatives for the 2019 -2020 Legislative Session:
Education – Once again, this year’s state budget invested more than ever in our schools and students. In addition to boosting funding for basic education, we also committed more toward career and technical education, special education and higher education. Read more here.
GoodJobs4PA – We kicked off 2019 with action on several bills aimed at improving career and technical education and job training opportunities for students and workers looking at a career change. Read more here.
Helpers and Heroes – Recognizing the challenges facing the fire and emergency medical services we rely upon to protect our communities, we passed more than a dozen bills that encourage volunteerism, enhance access to training and provide more flexible funding options to emergency response organizations. Learn more about those efforts here.
Government Done Right – Taxpayers deserve an effective and efficient government that focuses on providing core services. Earlier this year, we worked to improve our operations by repealing out-of-date laws, reexamining the effectiveness of some state boards and commissions, identifying opportunities to reduce costs and cutting red tape. We also passed the most significant reforms to our election process in decades. Read more here.
Reducing the Size of the Legislature
Pennsylvania’s oversized, 203-member House of Representatives is the second-largest state legislature in the country. As such, it can be difficult for House members enact substantial legislation that meaningfully benefits the constituencies they serve, due to the sheer size of the lawmaking body. My proposal is to shrink the size of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives down from 203 members to 151, which would allow for better discussion, clearer debate and more opportunity for each member to make his or her point. Most importantly, such a change would ensure that you get the representation you deserve from your elected officials.
I welcome your feedback on these and any other issues of concern you may have. Feel free to contact my office by calling 412-262-3780, or through my website, repgaydos.com
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Come out to the 104th Pennsylvania Farm Show
This Saturday, Jan. 4, marks the start of the 104th Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg. The show is the largest indoor agricultural exposition under one roof in the nation.
This year’s theme is “Imagine the Opportunities,” which is designed to encourage all Pennsylvanians to learn more about how they can be a part of this diverse and promising industry.
The event features 12,000 competitive exhibits, more than 5,200 of which are animal competitions, plus more than 300 commercial exhibitors.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to taste a variety of delicious Pennsylvania grown and made foods in the always popular food court. And you won’t want to miss the PA Marketplace, where dozens of businesses provide samples and the opportunity to purchase a variety of Pennsylvania products, such as snack foods, candy, spices, processed meats, condiments, beverages and more.
Admission to the show is free, but parking is $15 per vehicle. Shuttle service is provided.
For all the latest news about the Farm Show, follow it on Facebook or visit farmshow.pa.gov.
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Owners of Preserved Farms May Qualify for Realty Transfer Tax
Owners of Pennsylvania’s more than 5,600 preserved farms are now eligible to apply for a new realty transfer tax exemption through the Department of Agriculture.
The exemption is available to owners of preserved farms who transfer a farm to a qualified beginner farmer. The goal of the measure is to help carry on the state’s strong agricultural traditions.
Under the law, a qualified beginning farmer is one who has demonstrated experience in the industry or a related field with transferrable skills; has not received federal gross income from agriculture production for more than 10 years; intends to engage in agricultural production in Pennsylvania; and has obtained written certification, as a result of an application, from the Department of Agriculture confirming his or her qualified beginning farmer status.
To apply for certification as a beginning farmer, click here.
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Don’t Forget to License Your Dog for 2020
The Department of Agriculture is reminding dog owners to be sure they get a license for 2020.
All dogs three months of age and older are required to be licensed. The fee for an annual dog license is $6.50, or $8.50 if the animal is not spayed or neutered.
Lifetime licenses are available for dogs that have permanent identification such as a microchip or tattoo. Discounts are available for qualifying older adults and persons with disabilities.
Licensing dollars support the work of the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement, which inspects Pennsylvania’s kennels and ensures the health and well-being of the dogs that spend their lives there; investigates and prosecutes illegal kennels and bad actors; protects the public by monitoring PA’s dangerous dogs and investigating dog bites; and reunites licensed lost dogs with their families and helps unlicensed lost dogs find shelter.
Pennsylvania dog licenses are available for purchase through Pennsylvania’s county treasurers. To ensure you’re purchasing a legitimate license and not being scammed, skip the search engine and type licenseyourdogpa.pa.gov into your browser’s address bar find your county treasurer’s information.
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Office Locations |
District Office: |
1009 Beaver Grade Road, Suite 220, Moon Township, PA 15108 | Phone: (412) 262-3780, Fax: (412) 262-3783 |
Capitol Office: |
Room 428, Irvis Office Building, PO Box 202044, Harrisburg PA 17120-2044 | Phone: (717) 787-6651 | |
Email: vgaydos@pahousegop.com |
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