 |
|
|
|
| The Latest News from Your State Representative |
| |
| 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. |
| #Listrak\DateStampLong# |
The House returned to session yesterday, already six weeks into the new year. Undoubtedly, the dominant story out of the Capitol this week will be the Governor’s budget proposal, where we will hear his spending plan for the fiscal year ahead. I look forward to hearing from Gov. Wolf and am optimistic that we in the General Assembly can come to an agreement and pass a budget that keeps our state agencies working efficiently without offloading the strain of excessive spending onto taxpayers by way of additional taxes.
Though the budget address will likely be the top story this week, it shouldn’t be confused for the only story. In January, my House colleagues and I made historic progress toward combating human trafficking, reforming our state system of higher education and laying the groundwork for association health plans. This week, we will tackle these issues and more as we return to the Capitol once again.
I’d like to take this opportunity to remind you to sign up on my website to continue receiving these emails. In so doing, you can ensure that these weekly updates will still find your inbox through the 60-day blackout period that limits what I can send you prior to an election. And as always, please feel free to reach out to my office with any questions or concerns you may have.
| |
|
Sincerely,
Valerie Gaydos
|
In this edition:
| |
• |
Register for my Upcoming Telephone Town Hall! |
| |
• |
Governor’s Address to Kick Off 2020-21 Budget Process |
| |
• |
Local Spotlight: Receiving Service Award from the Airport Area Chamber |
| |
• |
Coronavirus: What You Need to Know |
| |
• |
Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program Applications Now Available |
| |
• |
U.S. Census Bureau Hiring for 2020 |
| |
• |
PennDOT Wants to Hear from You! |
|
|
|
Register for My Upcoming Telephone Town Hall!
Mark your calendars! I will be hosting a telephone town hall event on Tuesday, Feb. 25 beginning at 7 p.m. I invite you to register for the event here and call in to discuss critical state-related issues and local matters directly with me.
|
Governor’s Address to Kick Off 2020-21 Budget Process
One of the most important aspects of serving as your State Representative is the opportunity to make your voices heard with regard to how the Commonwealth spends taxpayer money.
The House and Senate will convene in a joint session of the General Assembly at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 4, to hear Gov. Tom Wolf outline his spending proposal for the 2020-21 fiscal year. You can watch the address live at
www.pahousegop.com.
Since taking office in 2018, I have stood up for taxpayers at every turn and will continue to do so, working to ensure your hard-earned money is invested wisely in the core functions of government, such as education and public safety.
I am also committed to building the economy through a better tax and regulatory climate, as well as ensuring that our students are trained for the jobs of today and tomorrow.
The governor’s address is just the beginning of the annual budget process. The House Appropriations Committee will conduct a series of hearings starting Tuesday, Feb. 18, to delve into the details of the governor’s plan and how state agencies will spend their funding. I will keep you updated throughout the budget process as it progresses.
For a schedule of the hearings, click here.
|
Local Spotlight: Receiving Service Award from the Airport Area Chamber
Recently, I had the great honor of receiving an award for service to the community at the Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Celebration of Excellence (ACE) event.
This award came as a total surprise to me and it was humbling to receive such a distinction, especially in the company of those who are working around the clock to make our area a better place to live, work and play. I am extremely grateful for this recognition and will continue working to be worthy of such an honor every single day.
|
Coronavirus: What You Need to Know
With Coronavirus having been confirmed in five U.S. states so far, I wanted to pass on information my office has received from the Pennsylvania Department of Health so that you can learn more about the virus and how to protect yourself.
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are common throughout the world. These viruses can evolve and infect people spreading through human to human contact, just like the flu or a cold.
These viruses display symptoms similar to a normal flu or cold, including runny nose, headache, cough, sore throat and fever. The virus can sometimes cause lower-respiratory tract infections as well.
To protect yourself and others, cover any coughs or sneezes with your elbow, do not use your hands; clean surfaces frequently, such as countertops, light switches, cell phones and other frequently touched areas; and contain the spread of any sickness by staying home until you are feeling better.
Learn more here.
|
Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program Applications Now Available
Eligible Pennsylvanians may now begin claiming rebates on property taxes or rent paid in 2019.
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.
The maximum standard rebate is $650, but supplemental rebates for certain qualifying homeowners can boost rebates to $975. The Revenue Department automatically calculates supplemental rebates for qualifying homeowners.
Remember –help is available from my office at no charge. You do not need to pay anyone for assistance to apply for the rebates.
Additional information, as well as claim forms, are available here.
The deadline to apply for a rebate is June 30, 2020. Rebates will be distributed beginning July 1, as required by law.
|
U.S. Census Bureau Hiring for 2020
The U.S. Census Bureau is recruiting to fill hundreds of thousands of temporary positions across the country to assist with the 2020 Census count.
Jobs for the 2020 Census offer competitive wages that are paid weekly. Authorized expenses, such as mileage, are reimbursed for employees doing field work.
Census results are used to determine your representation in Congress, and they help inform how billions of dollars are distributed for hospitals, schools, roads, and more. Help ensure that everyone in your community is counted in the 2020 Census.
Temporary positions for the 2020 Census feature flexible hours—a perfect fit if you are looking to earn extra money, even if you already have other commitments.
Learn more here.
|
PennDOT Wants to Hear from You!
PennDOT has announced it will hold a 45-day public comment period on proposed updates to its Statewide Public Participation Plan.
The plan represents PennDOT’s documented public involvement process outlining opportunities for public participation in statewide transportation planning and programming. PennDOT encourages the public to review the draft plan in its entirety, and to provide comments.
The draft document and the electronic comment form are available here. Paper copies of the draft document and comment form are also available at PennDOT district offices, Metropolitan and Rural Planning Organization offices, and at stakeholder locations throughout the state. A list of the viewing locations is available at the website noted above.
All comments received during the public comment period will be reviewed and evaluated by PennDOT. Changes to the draft plan will be determined as part of the evaluation process. All comments and questions received during the comment period will become a part of the update process documentation.
The comment period concludes on Wednesday, March 11.
|
|
| 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 |
|
|
|