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Capitol Report
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#Listrak\DateStampLong#
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The latest news from the State Capitol
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Please do not reply directly to this email, as it returns to an unmanned account.
You are welcome to contact me through this link.
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Standing United to Combat Human Trafficking
Tuesday, July 30, was UN World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. I had the opportunity to join fellow advocates at the Capitol to raise awareness about this horrendous crime and its prevalence in the Midstate.
In addition to speaking during a press conference with the Red Sand Project, I participated in its interactive art installation, which creates opportunities for people to question, connect and take action against vulnerabilities that can lead to human trafficking, slavery and exploitation.
We must answer the urgent call to end trafficking around the world by raising awareness, bolstering resources, and supporting survivors and law enforcement.
To learn more about the Red Sand Project, please click here.
To watch my video from the event, please click here.
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Learning More About Community Resources at Central PA Food Bank
This week, I toured the warehouse at the Central PA Food Bank to learn more about this vital resource and the work it does to help food insecure families. The food bank serves 27 counties and works with more than 1,100 local agencies to serve more than 202,500 people in need every month. This massive undertaking is taken up by dedicated volunteers who are passionate about serving the community.
To learn more about the Central PA Food Bank, please visit www.CentralPAFoodBank.org.
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National Night Out Next Week
This Tuesday, Aug. 6, is National Night Out, a day set aside to promote police-community partnerships and engage all of us in the effort to support the health and safety of our friends and neighbors.
Millions of people across the country will take part in National Night Out events, including block parties, festivals, parades, cookouts and more. Come see me and my team at local events around the 87th District!
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Tax Credits Encourage Employers to Invest in Education Savings Accounts
Working to make higher education more affordable, the General Assembly recently adopted a new law creating a tax credit for employers that invest in PA 529 College and Career Savings Program accounts held by their employees.
The law allows a 25% tax credit on employer contributions of up to $500 per participating employee per year. This initiative encourages employers to support their employees’ educational savings, facilitating financial planning for future educational expenses.
The credit also would apply to employer contributions to PA ABLE accounts, which help people with disabilities plan for their future expenses without risking benefit eligibility.
More information about the state’s 529 savings programs is available at www.patreasury.gov.
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State-Owned Universities Freeze Tuition
The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) announced earlier this month it would again freeze tuition rates for in-state undergraduate students for the 2024-25 academic year.
This is the seventh consecutive year the tuition rate will remain the same at all 10 universities. According to PASSHE, the repeated freezes save students nearly 25% in tuition costs compared to the price if tuition had risen at the inflation rate for the last six years.
More information about state system schools is available here.
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PHEAA Announces Financial Aid Seminars
The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) is hosting free webinars in August aimed at helping students and families understand financial aid and loan repayment.
The webinar titled “Deep Dive into Covering the Gap” will be offered at noon on Tuesday, Aug. 6, and at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 22. This one-hour session aims to help students and their families understand their bill and financial aid package, and determine what, if any, borrowing is needed to cover the difference between aid and actual cost.
The webinar titled “Financial Aid Timeline – Know What to Do When” will be offered at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 8, and again at noon on Tuesday, Aug. 20. This one-hour presentation will provide the starting points and web resources for effective research before, during and after your student makes post-secondary education decisions.
For a full schedule, and to register your participation, visit www.pheaa.org/virtual.
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