House Republican Caucus Announces New Leadership Team

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania House Republican Caucus elected members to open leadership positions Monday following a vacancy in the position of caucus chairman following the passing of Rep. Mike Reese (R-Westmoreland/Somerset).

After Monday’s election, the following members comprise the leadership team for the House Republican Caucus for the remainder of the 2021-22 Legislative Session:

• Speaker: Rep. Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster)
•  Majority Leader: Rep. Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin)
• Appropriations Committee Majority Chairman: Rep. Stan Saylor (R-York)
• Caucus Chairman: Rep. George Dunbar (R-Westmoreland)
• Caucus Secretary: Rep. Martina White (R-Philadelphia)
• Caucus Administrator: Rep. Kurt Masser (R-Columbia/Montour/Northumberland)
• House Republican Policy Committee Chairman: Rep. Martin Causer (R-Cameron/Potter/McKean)

On the election of the new leadership team, House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin) made the following statement:

“As Pennsylvania continues to face a number of unique challenges, I am excited for the opportunities this leadership team is going to have to make Pennsylvania a better place for everyone who lives here. Looking ahead, this team will be steering a dynamic caucus that will be focusing on economic recovery, protecting families and making our state government better while standing up for taxpayers.

“This new leadership team includes a diversity of our caucus’s membership and has representation from different regions of Pennsylvania. Working collaboratively, I know we can help accomplish great things for Pennsylvania and make this Commonwealth the ‘Envy of the East.’”

• Require all customers to wear masks while entering, exiting or otherwise traveling throughout the restaurant or retail food service business (face masks may be removed while seated). Further, employees are required to wear masks at all times.
• Provide at least six feet between parties at tables or physical barriers between customers where booths are arranged back to back.
• Ensure maximum occupancy limits for indoor and outdoor areas are posted and enforced.

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Hopewell, Pa.) Hopewell Area  School District residents now have a chance to recognize  faculty and staff. Dr. Jaciee Maslyk, assistant   superintendent ,  did a presentation for the board   and she said they were inundated with  kudos, and several will be highlighted at each meeting.

Harrisburg, PA – Lt. Gov. John Fetterman today signed a writ calling for a special election in the 48th Senate District of Pennsylvania to fill the seat left vacant with the death of Sen. David Arnold.

The special election will be held on Primary Day, May 18, 2021, restoring representation to the people of the 48th District.

“The need for this election arises from the tragic death of a young husband and father,” Fetterman said. “There should be no political angling in determining when or how this election will be held. The people of the 48th deserve representation as soon as possible.”

Arnold, 49, died of brain cancer earlier this month. He sat in the seat for about one year, since winning a special election to replace four-term Republican Mike Folmer.

The district includes all of Lebanon County and portions of Dauphin and York Counties. In Dauphin, the district includes Conewago, Londonderry, Swatara and Lower Swatara townships and Highspire, Middletown, Paxtang, Royalton, and Steelton. In York, it includes Conewago, East Manchester, Newberry and Springettsbury townships and Goldsboro, Lewisberry, Manchester, Mount Wolf, and York Haven.

Supreme Court ends Trump emoluments lawsuits
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court has brought an end to lawsuits over whether Donald Trump illegally profited off his presidency. The justices on Monday threw out Trump’s challenge to lower court rulings that had allowed lawsuits to go forward alleging that he violated the Constitution’s emoluments clause by accepting payments from foreign and domestic officials who stay at the Trump International Hotel. The high court also ordered the lower court rulings thrown out as well and directed appeals courts in New York and Richmond, Virginia, to dismiss the suits as moot now that Trump is no longer in office.

Budweiser joins Coke, Pepsi brands in sitting out Super Bowl
By MAE ANDERSON and DEE-ANN DURBIN AP Business Writers
NEW YORK (AP) — For the first time since 1983, when Anheuser-Busch used all of its ad time to introduce a beer called Bud Light, the beer giant isn’t advertising its iconic Budweiser brand during the Super Bowl. Instead, it’s donating the money it would have spent on the ad to coronavirus vaccination awareness efforts. The decision to not do an anthemic Budweiser ad — which over nearly four decades have made American icons of frogs chirping “Budweiser,” guys screaming “Whassup!”, and of course the Budweiser Clydesdales — showcases the caution with which some advertisers are approaching the Super Bowl with during the pandemic.

Biden to reinstate COVID-19 travel rules, add South Africa
By AAMER MADHANI and ZEKE MILLER Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Two White House officials say President Joe Biden on Monday will formally reinstate COVID-19 travel restrictions on non-U.S. travelers from Brazil, Ireland, United Kingdom and 26 other European countries that allow travel across open borders. The officials spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity to discuss the upcoming order. The officials also confirmed that South Africa would be added to the restricted list because of concerns about a variant of the virus that has spread beyond that nation. Biden is effectively reversing an order from President Donald Trump in his final days in office that called for the relaxation of the travel restrictions. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the top U.S. infectious disease expert, called it “prudent.”

Biden reversing Trump ban on transgender people in military
By LOLITA C. BALDOR and ZEKE MILLER Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is signing an executive order revoking a Pentagon policy that largely barred transgender individuals from joining the military. The new order, which Biden is expected to sign during a meeting Monday with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, overturns a ban ordered by President Donald Trump. It also immediately prohibits any service member from being forced out of the military on the basis of gender identity. Biden’s order says that gender identity should not be a bar to military service. “America is stronger, at home and around the world, when it is inclusive. The military is no exception,” the order says.

Pennsylvanians Can Now File Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program Applications Online

Eligible Pennsylvanians Encouraged to Use Mypath.pa.gov to File Rebate Applications for Property Taxes, Rent Paid in 2020

Harrisburg, PA — Older and disabled Pennsylvanians can now apply for rebates on property taxes or rent paid in 2020, the Wolf Administration announced today. This assistance is available through the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program, which has delivered more than $6.8 billion to eligible Pennsylvanians since the program’s inception in 1971.

Officials with the departments of Revenue and Aging are encouraging applicants of the program to take advantage of a new online filing option that will allow them to submit their applications electronically. Applicants should visit mypath.pa.gov to electronically submit their applications. The Department of Revenue launched this online portal to make it easier for those who benefit from the program to submit their applications. Previously, all applicants were required to submit a paper application.

“Offering an online filing option gives us a new, user-friendly tool that helps us ensure everyone who is eligible for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program has a simple way to submit their applications,” Revenue Secretary Dan Hassell said. “This online option will be especially helpful this year during the COVID-19 pandemic because it will provide applicants with a way to file their applications from the comfort of their homes. This will help us deliver needed support to more than half a million Pennsylvanians who benefit from this program each year.”

“Most seniors want to age in place by staying in their homes for as long as they are able. Every year, the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program offers older adults a great opportunity to get some money back on what they have paid out. Many of them live on fixed incomes, so they benefit from the financial assistance provided by this program. The Department of Revenue’s new online option is a convenient way for older Pennsylvanians to apply for their rebate,” Secretary of Aging Robert Torres said.

A New Way to Apply for Your Rebate

Pennsylvanians can visit mypath.pa.gov to file their 2020 Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program applications. Submitting your application online is easy and does not require you to sign up for an account. Applicants will be asked to provide specific information on their income and rent/property taxes. Applicants should check the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program instruction booklet to learn which information they will need to input/upload to complete the process.

Using the electronic option available through mypath.pa.gov offers many benefits, including:

• Fast processing and direct deposit options
• The Where’s My Rebate? tool to track the status of a claim online
• Error-reducing automatic calculators
• Instant confirmation that your application has been filed
• Security features to ensure your sensitive information is safe

Applicants who still wish to file a paper application form may obtain Property Tax/Rent Rebate claim forms (PA-1000) and related information on the Department of Revenue’s website or by calling 1-888-222-9190.

It’s free to apply for a rebate, and applicants are reminded that free assistance is available at hundreds of locations across the state, including Department of Revenue district offices, local Area Agencies on Aging, senior centers and state legislators’ offices. The department encourages applicants to call ahead to their preferred location to confirm whether an appointment is required.

Applicants must reapply for rebates every year because rebates are based on annual income and property taxes or rent paid in each year. Spouses, personal representatives or estates may file rebate claims on behalf of claimants who lived at least one day in 2020 and meet all other eligibility criteria.

Visit the Property/Tax Rent Rebate page on the Department of Revenue’s website for further information on the program and how to apply for a rebate.

When Can You Expect Your Rebate?

Rebates will be distributed beginning July 1, as required by law. Here is additional information to keep in mind:

• If you provide your phone number on your Property Tax/Rent Rebate application form or in the myPATH electronic application, you will receive an automated call from the Department of Revenue when your claim posts to the department’s processing system. You will also receive another automated call when your claim is approved.
• The easiest way to check the status of your rebate is to use the Where’s My Rebate? tool. To check on the status of your claim, you will need your:
  • Social Security number
  • Claim year
  • Date of birth

About the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program

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 Department of Revenue automatically calculates supplemental rebates for qualifying homeowners. The Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program is funded by the Pennsylvania Lottery and revenue from slots gaming.

Braddock, PA — In the two weeks since John Fetterman announced that he’s exploring a run for the U.S. Senate, grassroots donors have responded with an incredible 33,000 contributions totaling more than $1,000,000. Donations have poured in from all 50 states and from all 67 of Pennsylvania’s counties. Both the majority of donations and the majority of money raised have come from in-state.

“I’m sorry to sound like a broken record, but I am just continually overwhelmed with gratitude for the outpouring of support since I announced that I’m taking a hard look at this race,” said John Fetterman. “The way people have responded has been beyond anything we could have imagined. Gisele and I are humbled and thankful beyond words.”

Making the milestone even more impressive is the fact that 99% of contributions have been small-dollar donations under $200, with an average donation of $33.

“This is going to be the most important, most competitive race in the country in 2022,” said Bobby Maggio from Team Fetterman. “It’s clear that there’s incredible enthusiasm around the idea of John running for Senate and that we would be able to build a giant grassroots campaign to fight for every county, and every vote.”