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In this Update:
PA Treasury Returns More Than $288,000 During Brookville Unclaimed Property Event
On Feb. 15, 44 residents and business owners stopped by the Unclaimed Property event that I hosted at the Heritage House in Brookville, where they were helped in their search for unclaimed property by a member of the Pennsylvania Treasury’s outreach team. Approximately $288,717 is in the process of being returned. Some of the most notable returns included more than $121,000 to an individual resident and more than $9,000 to a local municipality. My fundamental purpose for hosting this event was to bring the Pennsylvania Treasury to Brookville and reconnect the citizens we serve with any money and other tangible assets that rightfully belong to them. Based on the tremendous first-time success of this partnership, my team and I are already working together with Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity and her team to organize additional unclaimed property events throughout the 25th Senate District. Unclaimed property can include dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, insurance policies, contents of forgotten safe deposit boxes and more. Individuals who wish to search the unclaimed property database on their own may do so by visiting www.patreasury.gov/unclaimed-property. More than one in ten Pennsylvanians is owed unclaimed property, and the average claim is worth about $1,600. Best of all, we always stand ready to assist you in navigating thru the entire unclaimed property process as this is already a free legislative service offered during regular district office hours. Detailed Review of Shapiro’s Irresponsible Spending Scheme Continues
Officials struggled to answer questions about Gov. Josh Shapiro’s broad higher education concepts and wide discrepancies in K-12 education funding during the Department of Education hearing with the Senate Appropriations Committee. Shapiro proposes increasing Basic Education spending by nearly $1.1 billion in his 2024-25 spending plan, but his proposed budget shows no increases in Basic Education funding after this year – raising concerns that the administration cannot pay for the billions of dollars in promised new education spending without raising taxes. Watch my Department of Education Budget Hearing Q&A by following the links below: https://senatordush.com/2024/02/28/budget-hearing-qa-dept-of-education/ https://senatordush.com/2024/02/28/budget-hearing-qa-dept-of-education-part-2/ https://senatordush.com/2024/02/28/budget-hearing-qa-dept-of-education-part-3/ The hearing was one of a series held by the committee to analyze the governor’s proposed $48.3 billion 2024-25 state budget. His plan would boost state spending by more than $3.2 billion above the current year’s budget. It requires thoughtful consideration so tax dollars are spent wisely without eliminating the state’s Rainy Day Fund in five years as projections indicate would happen with Shapiro’s budget. At the Department of Agriculture budget hearing, discussion included state efforts to combat avian influenza, farming education initiatives and the performance of tax credit programs for PA farmers. Concerns were also raised about Gov. Shapiro’s plan to legalize adult-use marijuana. Watch my Department of Agriculture Budget Hearing Q&A by following the links below: https://senatordush.com/2024/02/27/budget-hearing-qa-dept-of-agriculture/ https://senatordush.com/2024/02/27/budget-hearing-qa-dept-of-agriculture/ At the hearing for the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) and Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC), members discussed how to make the most efficient use of existing resources as both agencies have considerable reserves and the PGC’s budget increased from approximately $130 million in 2019-20 to approximately $350 million in 2024-25. Watch my PGC/PFBC Budget Hearing Q&A by following the links below: https://senatordush.com/2024/02/27/budget-hearing-qa-fish-boat-commission-game-commission-part-2/ https://senatordush.com/2024/02/27/budget-hearing-qa-fish-boat-commission-game-commission/ The second week of Senate state budget hearings concluded with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB). Watch my Budget Hearing Q&A for both the DEP and PLCB by following the links below: https://senatordush.com/2024/02/29/budget-hearing-qa-dep-3/ https://senatordush.com/2024/02/29/budget-hearing-qa-dep-part-2-3/ https://senatordush.com/2024/02/29/budget-hearing-qa-lcb/ Find the hearings schedule, livestreams of budget hearings, daily recaps and video from prior hearings at PASenateGOP.com. Scholarship Grants Available for EMS Professionals
To recruit and retain emergency medical services (EMS) professionals, a tuition assistance program offers up to $5,000 for reimbursement of EMS state certification training for permanent Pennsylvania residents. Up to $300 is available for emergency medical responders, up to $800 for emergency medical technicians, up to $1,000 for advanced emergency medical technicians and up to $5,000 for paramedics. Pennsylvania-licensed EMS agencies are eligible to receive up to $1,250 of recruitment and retention expenses per fiscal year (July 1 to June 30). Reimbursement will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until funding is exhausted. Learn more. Find Lost Life Insurance Policies and Annuity Contracts
Individuals who believe they are beneficiaries, executors or legal representatives of a family member or friend can locate lost life insurance policies and annuity contracts through the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). When a request is received, the NAIC will give participating companies that have policy information access to respond to you as the designated beneficiary or if you are authorized to receive information. It will also allow participating companies to search their records to determine whether they have a life insurance policy or annuity contract in the name of the deceased person. Access NAIC’s life insurance policy locator. Supporting Agriculture, PA’s Top Industry
To bolster agriculture – the state’s top industry – $500,000 in grants is available to help Pennsylvania farms pursue growth opportunities. Funding will be used to benefit economic development, job creation and innovation. The Farm Vitality Planning Grant Program will help fund professional services for those planning for the future of a farm. The program is designed to enhance the long-term vitality of Pennsylvania’s farms through sound business planning, efficient transitions of farm ownership, strategic farm expansion, diversification of agricultural production and building a team of financial and technical experts as a resource for the state’s farmers. The maximum grant amount is $7,500 and is limited to 75% of project costs. Learn more about guidelines and how to apply. Celebrating “The Star-Spangled Banner”
Sunday, March 3, is National Anthem Day. “The Star-Spangled Banner” shares a message of endurance and perseverance. Francis Scott Key originally wrote his poem during a naval attack on Fort McHenry during the War of 1812. That battle was nearly lost. It wasn’t until March 3, 1931, that President Herbert Hoover signed a law officially making “The Star-Spangled Banner” our country’s national anthem. Rather than commemorating victory, our national anthem highlights our ability to withstand attack. Today, we continue to raise our flag and refuse to be defeated.
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