(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)
At the Commissioners’ work session on Wednesday, the County learned that the lien that the IRS is no longer an issue. County Solicitor Garen Fedeles spoke on the matter:
Survey: Companies added 2.4 million jobs in June
By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER AP Economics Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. companies added nearly 2.4 million jobs in June, according to a private survey, a large gain that still leaves the job market far below its pre-pandemic levels. The payroll company ADP said that small businesses reported the largest gain, adding 937,000 jobs. Construction firms and restaurants and hotels also posted big increases in hiring.
Trump: I’ll veto defense bill to keep Confederate base names
By ANDREW TAYLOR Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is vowing to veto a massive defense bill to keep military bases such as Ft. Bragg named after Confederate officers. He’s going against sentiment in his own party and imperiling a 3% pay raise for the troops. Trump took to Twitter late Tuesday to threaten a veto of a $741 billion annual Pentagon authorization bill because is would require a host of military bases named after Confederate figure to be renamed within. three years. Trump rival Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., won a bipartisan vote in a GOP-controlled panel to force the bases to be renamed and it’s clear that opponents of the idea don’t have the votes to remove it during floor debate.
Citing racial bias, San Francisco will end mug shots release
By OLGA R. RODRIGUEZ Associated Press
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — San Francisco police say they will stop making public the mugshots of people who have been arrested unless they pose a threat to the public. Police Chief Bill Scott says the new policy starting Wednesday is aimed at stopping spreading negative stereotypes of minorities. Jack Glaser, a public policy professor at the University of California Berkeley who researches racial stereotyping, says data shows Black people who are arrested are more likely to have their cases dismissed by prosecutors. But the mug shots live on. That contributes to Americans making an unfair association between people of color and crime.
Trump tweets that Russia bounty allegations are ‘Fake News’
By MARY CLARE JALONICK, ZEKE MILLER and JAMES LaPORTA Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is dismissing as “Fake News” allegations that Russia offered bounties for killing U.S. troops in Afghanistan. Trump tweeted Wednesday that the allegations were made up to damage him and the Republican Party. Democrats have accused Trump of bowing to Russian President Vladimir Putin. House Democrats returning from their own briefing at the White House said they learned nothing new about assessments that suggested Russia was making overtures to militants as the U.S. and the Taliban held talks to end the war in Afghanistan. Republicans largely defended the president, arguing along with the White House that the intelligence was unverified.
Seattle clearing ‘occupied’ area amid protester resistance
By MARTHA BELLISLE and LISA BAUMANN Associated Press
SEATTLE (AP) — Police in Seattle are tearing down demonstrators’ tents in the city’s so-called occupied protest zone. Officers are using their bicycles to herd the protesters so the officers could carry out an executive order from the mayor for the area to be vacated. Television images have shown no immediate signs of clashes between the police and dozens of protesters at the Capitol Hill Occupied Protest zone that was set up near downtown following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Police moved in to the zone known at about 5 a.m. KUOW radio reported police had made at least 10 arrests by 5:30 a.m.
More Than 310,000 Pennsylvanians Receive Rebates Early to Provide Support During COVID-19 Pandemic
Harrisburg, PA — Governor Tom Wolf and Treasurer Joe Torsella today announced more than 310,000 Pennsylvanians have received their rebates early through the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program, which provides support to older homeowners, renters and people with disabilities.
Governor Wolf called on the Department of Revenue, the agency that administers the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program, to work with the Treasury Department to issue rebates before July 1. Today is typically the earliest day that rebates can be issued under Pennsylvania law. However, the signing in May of Act 20 of 2020 allowed rebates on property taxes or rent paid in 2019 to be issued earlier than normal to provide financial support to eligible Pennsylvanians during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“These rebates on property taxes and rent have added importance this year, because they have provided support to our older and vulnerable residents at a time when they may need it most,” said Gov. Wolf. “I thank Treasurer Torsella and the department for distributing the rebates earlier than normal. We will keep that hard work going in the coming weeks so that we continue delivering rebates to older Pennsylvanians and others who benefit from this program.”
“Treasury has worked tirelessly knowing how important each rebate is to so many Pennsylvanians during what is an already difficult time,” said Treasurer Torsella. “Nearly $162 million in payments have been distributed a month and a half ahead of the usual July 1 start date. Treasury is grateful to the General Assembly for the swift action to help this coordinated effort and will continue to work closely with the governor’s administration to process rebate payments making sure those that benefit from the PTRR program receive them quickly.”
Revenue and Treasury officials are also reminding claimants of the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program that the process for distributing rebates is different than in prior years. Although 311,785 rebates have been issued, there are still claims that are being processed.
The claims will be processed on a first-in-first-out basis, meaning some claimants will receive their rebates earlier than others. This process is different than in prior years, when there was a large distribution of rebates on July 1 that accounted for the vast majority of rebates that were issued in a given claim year.
It’s free to apply for a rebate, and claimants who need help with their application forms should know that free assistance is available at locations across the state, including Department of Revenue district offices, local Area Agencies on Aging, senior centers and state legislators’ offices. Claimants are encouraged to call ahead to make sure that the location they plan to visit has resumed operations. Additionally, the Department of Revenue is asking claimants who plan to visit the department’s district offices to call ahead to make an appointment. Check the department’s COVID-19 information page for updates and contact information.
“We recognize that many people who benefit from this program have been staying at home while the locations where they typically go for assistance with their applications have been closed,” Revenue Secretary Dan Hassell said. “We want claimants to know that we are here to help them file their application forms, whether that is over the phone or at one of our district offices.”
Steps to Follow if You Haven’t Submitted Your Application
For eligible applicants who have yet to file their Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program application, the Department of Revenue is offering help for those who need it. Eligible claimants are encouraged to call 717-772-9236 for guidance. Please keep in mind that department staff will work as quickly as possible to help claimants with their applications.
The Department of Revenue website has the Property Tax/Rent Rebate claim form (PA-1000) and related information.
Tips for Checking the Status of Your Rebate
Applicants who included their bank account information on their Property Tax/Rent Rebate application form (PA-1000) will receive their rebates through direct deposit. Applicants who requested a paper check to be mailed to them should expect to receive their payment in the mail.
The Department of Revenue is encouraging claimants of the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program to use online tools and other automated resources to check the status of their rebates or ask a question.
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. It is free to apply for a rebate.
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.
Since the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program’s 1971 inception, older and disabled adults have received more than $6.9 billion in property tax and rent relief. The program is funded by the Pennsylvania Lottery and revenue from slots gaming.
Baseball’s minor leagues cancel 2020 seasons
By RONALD BLUM AP Baseball Writer
NEW YORK (AP) — Baseball’s minor leagues canceled their seasons because of the coronavirus pandemic, and the head of their governing body said more than half the 160 teams were in danger of failing without government assistance or private equity injections. The National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues made the long-expected announcement. Pat O’Conner, the president of the governing body, O’Conner estimated 85-90% of revenue was related to ticket money, concessions, parking and ballpark advertising. The minors drew 41.5 million fans last year for 176 teams in 15 leagues.
Carl Reiner, comedy’s rare untortured genius, dies at 98
By HILLEL ITALIE AP National Writer
NEW YORK (AP) — Carl Reiner, who died Monday at 98, was the rare untortured genius of comedy, his career a story of laughter and camaraderie, of innovation and triumph and affection. Reiner’s persona was so warm and approachable that you could forget that he was an architect of modern comedy, a “North Star,” in the words of Billy Crystal. Reiner was everyone’s friend or favorite uncle. He is remembered best for “The Dick Van Dyke Show,” a master class of wit, ensemble playing and physical comedy. Van Dyke calls Reiner “kind, gentle, compassionate, empathetic and wise.” Reiner died at his Beverly Hills, California, home of natural causes.
First police-reform bills after protests go to governor
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Gov. Tom Wolf will sign the first bills passed by Pennsylvania’s Legislature in response to widespread protests over police brutality and the killing of George Floyd. Wolf’s office said Tuesday that he’ll sign two bills that passed the Senate unanimously. One of the bills is designed to prevent bad officers from continuing to find employment in police departments. Under the bill, a department must check a job applicant’s history of disciplinary actions, complaints and reasons for separation. The other bill requires officers to receive cultural sensitivity training, instruction on de-escalation and harm-reduction techniques and a mental health evaluation after an incident in which the officer used lethal force.