December 2016

Property Tax/Rent Rebate Deadline Nears

The deadline to apply for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program is December 31st. Those eligible for assistance include Pennsylvanians age 65 and older; widows and widowers age 50 and older; and people with permanent disabilities age 18 and older. The annual income limit is $35,000 for homeowners and $15,000 for renters, but applicants are only required to include half of their Social Security earnings.

Applications and additional information is available online at www.revenue.state.pa.us or by calling toll-free (888) 222-9190. The status of claims previously submitted may be checked here or by calling 1-888-PATAXES.
 

Satellite Outreach Hours

My field representatives Tom Yoniski and Andrew Seder are available to assist you with any questions or problems you may have. Each month they hold outreach hours throughout Luzerne, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming counties. To see when and where you can find them near you, click here.
 

Legislative Accomplishments

As we look forward to the beginning of a new legislative session, I wanted to highlight some of our proudest 2015-2016 accomplishments. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve and deeply appreciative of the chance to make a difference for families and communities in our area.

Honoring Our Veterans Motorcycle Plate

• Creates a motorcycle license plate that honors veterans and transfers $15 of the $35 fee to the Veterans Trust Fund, dedicated to helping needy veterans with food, utilities, mortgage or rent payments, health care and other necessities of life (Acts 17 and 18 of 2015)

Stolen Valor

• Makes it a crime for Pennsylvania motorists to falsely claim veteran status on their driver’s license application (Act 32 of 2015)

Active Duty Military Pay

• Offers an exemption from the Earned Income Tax for all active duty military pay, regardless of where it is earned (Act 6 of 2016)

Volunteer Fire and Ambulance Tax Credits

• Allows local municipalities to enact earned income and/or property tax credits for active fire and ambulance volunteers to help with recruitment and retention (Act 172 of 2016)

Pennsylvania’s Achieving a Better Life Experience – PA ABLE

• Establishes a savings program to help those caring for family members with disabilities that allows them to plan for the future without a disruption in essential services (Act 17 of 2016)

Work Experience for High School Students with Disabilities

• Provides programs to help young people with disabilities more fully prepare to enter the job market (Act 26 of 2016)

Corporal Bryon K. Dickson II Memorial

• Designates Exit 30 of I-84 as the Corporal Bryon K. Dickson II Exit to honor the trooper who was killed during an ambush at the Blooming Grove State Police barracks in 2014 (Act 35 of 2015)

Heart and Lung Benefits

• Adds Pennsylvania Game Commission and Fish and Boat Commission enforcement officers and investigators to the list of those covered to receive temporary salary, medical and hospital expenses if injured in the line of duty (Act 113 of 2016)

Seasonal Workers

• Makes seasonal or cyclical workers once again eligible for unemployment compensation, after changes to the benefits formula caused unintended negative impacts (Act 144 of 2016)

For a more complete listing of actions taken by the full Senate, click here.
 

Season’s Greetings and Best Wishes For A Happy New Year

As you gather with friends and family to celebrate the holidays, please accept my very best wishes for a season that embodies all the warmth of this special time of year, and for a spectacular 2017!
 

Offices of Senator Lisa Baker

Harrisburg Office
362 Main Capitol
Harrisburg, PA 17120
Phone: 717-787-7428
FAX: 717-787-9242
M-F: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Western District Office
22 Dallas Shopping Center
Memorial Highway
Dallas, PA 18612
Phone: 570-675-3931
FAX: 570-674-5037
M-F: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Eastern District Office
2512 Route 6
Hawley, PA 18428
Phone: 570-226-5960
FAX: 570-226-5964
M-F: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM