Oct. 26 – WILKES-BARRE – Governor Josh Shapiro announced this week that the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) has approved 208 school facility investments in Pennsylvania, totaling $175 million, under the new Public School Facility Improvement Grant Program established through the 2023-2024 Bipartisan Budget.
This program, proposed by Governor Shapiro in his first budget address and established in his first budget, provides grants of up to $5 million to public school districts and vocational and technical schools for critical safety and environmental restoration projects – ensuring facilities are modern and safe. , healthy and conducive to learning.
Last month, Governor Shapiro also announced $75 million in new investments in 109 Pennsylvania school districts, career and technical education centers and charter schools through the Department of Education’s new Environmental Repair Grant Program to eliminate lead, mold, asbestos and other hazards to the eliminate the environment.
All told, this brings the total investment in environmental repairs and upgrades for Pennsylvania schools to $250 million since Governor Shapiro took office, creating facilities that are safe and healthy for both students and educators.
The governor and bipartisan group of lawmakers built on that progress by including an additional $25 million for solar energy for schools in the 2024-2025 budget.
“Our students deserve safe and healthy schools to learn in, and our teachers deserve modern and well-maintained classrooms to teach in. So when I took office, I worked to bring Democrats and Republicans together to invest in our children and their future,” said Governor Shapiro. “In just two years, we’ve raised $275 million to repair and upgrade our schools – and we’re going to hundreds of districts across the Commonwealth. Here in Pennsylvania, we’re working together to get things done and deliver real results.” results for the people we serve.”
The Department of Community and Economic Development announced the opening of the new program earlier this year. Eligible improvement projects include roof repairs and roof replacement; installation of HVAC equipment; installation of boilers; safety projects, including lead and asbestos abatement; accessibility projects; and window repair/replacement.
Rick Siger, Secretary of the Department of Community and Economic Development, said, “The investments made today through the Public School Facility Improvement Grant Program will improve school facilities for thousands of students across the Commonwealth and ensure they have an environment where they can learn, grow and learn. prosper.”
“Students in every zip code in the Commonwealth deserve to learn in classrooms that are up-to-date and safe environments,” said Khalid Mumin, Minister of Education. “Repairing and replacing old equipment and facilities helps ensure we can keep our children learning in spaces that are safe, healthy and productive for them.”
Representative Meuser signs letter demanding accountability for DOE’s LNG export ban
U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Dallas, joined a letter this week demanding all relevant documents and investigations from the Department of Energy (DOE) related to its decision to issue new licenses for the export of liquefied natural gas (LNG). ) to stop.
Pennsylvania’s 9th Congressional District, which Meuser represents, includes much of the Marcellus Shale region – a vast natural gas reserve that is among the largest in the world.
In Pennsylvania alone, Meuser says the natural gas industry directly supports more than 123,000 jobs and indirectly supports 420,000 jobs, contributing $25 billion annually to the state’s GDP.
In January, Meuser said the Biden-Harris administration and DOE suspended LNG export permits. A decision, Meuser said, is expected to cost the U.S. economy billions of dollars and jeopardize millions of jobs related to the industry. Meuser said the Biden-Harris administration claims the intent of the decision was to allow time for a federal investigation to assess the environmental, economic and national security impacts.
Meuser said the House Oversight and Accountability Committee is investigating the LNG export ban due to concerns about the DOE’s transparency and the possible cover-up of an internal investigation. Meuser said that while the Biden-Harris administration cited the need to reassess the impact of LNG exports, the committee found evidence from a 2023 draft study that the DOE did not make public. In September, the DOE admitted the existence of 97 relevant documents, including a study shared with senior appointees from the Biden-Harris administration. However, Meuser said those documents have since disappeared.
“The Biden-Harris administration’s misguided decision to pause LNG export approvals is yet another blow to the U.S. energy sector,” Meuser said. “This government’s gas-backwards energy policy is having a negative impact on businesses in our district, as well as the thousands of people they employ and their families. “I urge this administration and DOE to release the results of the investigation they withheld from Congress – critical information needed to quickly reverse the pause on LNG export applications.”
The DOE is required to submit all relevant documents and studies to the committee by 6/11/2024.
Businesses are encouraged to take advantage of new PA 529 and PA ABLE tax credits
Treasurer Stacy Garrity and PA Chamber of Business and Industry President and CEO Luke Bernstein this week encouraged companies to help their employees save for the future by taking advantage of new tax credits for matching contributions to the PA 529 and PA Employee ABLE accounts.
The credits will be available from 2025.
“This new tax credit will help Pennsylvanians save for the future – and make our businesses a more attractive place to work,” said Garrity. “The PA 529 College and Career Savings Program and the PA ABLE savings program for people with disabilities are both powerful savings tools, and these new tax benefits will benefit families across Pennsylvania.”
Starting in January, employers who make contributions to their employees’ PA 529 and PA ABLE accounts can receive a 25% tax credit on up to $500 in matching contributions per employee per year.
“I want to commend and thank Treasurer Garrity for supporting Pennsylvania employers and families,” Bernstein said. “This is a win for our workforce, our families and the future of Pennsylvania’s economy.”
Act 56 also includes a provision that allows funds in a PA 529 plan to be transferred to a Roth IRA without any state tax implications.
The PA 529 College and Career Savings Program helps families steadily and strategically save for future education expenses such as tuition, fees, books, equipment, room and board and more at eligible technical, collegiate and apprenticeship programs.
PA 529 plans offer significant state and federal tax benefits, and saving with PA 529 does not affect eligibility for financial aid from the state of Pennsylvania
PA ABLE helps individuals save for a wide range of disability-related expenses while protecting important federal and state benefits.
Lawmakers will co-host a veterans recognition event at Misericordia
Rep. Mike Cabell (R-117), along with Sen. Lisa Baker (R, D-20) and Rep. Aaron Kaufer (R-120), will once again co-host a Veterans Recognition Ceremony and Expo on Saturday, Nov. 1. 2, at Misericordia University.
“The event we hosted last November was well attended and we expect attendance to be similar this year,” the lawmakers said. “This is our small way of recognizing the service and sacrifice of our local veterans. The event also provides an opportunity to learn more about the various programs and services available to them in our region.”
The day begins at 10 a.m. with a special Veterans Recognition Ceremony in the university’s Lemmond Theater. Afterwards, veterans can stop by Insalaco Hall, where dozens of vendors will be gathered until 1 p.m
In addition, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Mobile Veterans Center will be available in the theater parking lot to provide counseling services.
Expo attendees can also safely dispose of expired or unused medications in the Drug Drop Box, sponsored by the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office.
The events are open to all veterans living in Luzerne County. Veterans can bring their spouse or one guest.
Registration is required. To RSVP, contact Representative Cabell’s office at 570-675-6000, or Representative Kaufer’s office at 570-283-1001. The registration deadline is Friday, October 25.
Representative Watro is sponsoring the Veterans Day resolution
A resolution recognizing November 11 as Veterans Day in Pennsylvania, sponsored by Rep. Dane Watro (D-116), passed unanimously in the PA House this week.
“Veterans Day is a time to reflect on the service of the brave men and women who have answered our country’s call; those who have not returned from the battlefield; those who have returned with the scars of war; and everyone who has worn the uniform. and protected our freedoms and our way of life as Americans,” Watro said. “As a veteran of the United States Army, I am proud to be the lead sponsor of House Resolution 544.”
Veterans Day is a federal holiday and was originally known as Armistice Day to mark the end of World War I on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918.
In 1954, Armistice Day was renamed Veterans Day by Congress.
Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
