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In this Update:
Pennsylvania Farm Show
Last week, our family joined so many Pennsylvanians at the 2022 Pennsylvania Farm Show! It was an immense reminder of the importance of agriculture in Senate District 35, the Commonwealth and the nation as a whole. I sat down with Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding to discuss the opportunities and challenges ahead for the agriculture community. It was great to have a PA Dairymen’s milkshake after missing the delicious treat last year! Opening of 2021 Property Tax Rent Rebate Program
The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue has announced the opening of the 2021 Property Tax/Rent Rebate program. The program benefits those age 65 and older, widow and widowers age 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older. Maximum Income is $15,000 annually for renters and $35,000 for homeowners with half of Social Security Income excluded. The department is encouraging the use of their online application which can be found here or feel free to stop by my district offices in Bedford, Richland, or Clearfield and my staff will be happy to assist you with completing the form. Lawrence Township Park Tick Update
Attention Clearfield County residents who frequent the Lawrence Township Park: The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has detected extremely high levels of Deer Tick Virus (DTV) in this area. Please take the precautions listed above if you plan to head outdoors. Free PCR COVID-19 Testing Site
Due to the high demand for COVID testing, the Cambria County Emergency Management Agency and the Cambria County COVID Task Force have worked with the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the Galleria Johnstown Mall to extend the COVID 19 testing center until January 29, 2022. The drive-up center, which is located in suite 278, is between the old Sears store and the Galleria food court. The first week of operation saw over 1,000 tests completed. All testing is FREE. The Galleria site will be open from Tuesday to Saturday each week from 10a until 6pm. No appointments are necessary. This location is drive-thru only. Individuals still waiting on test results should email the below information to June Kania at jkania@co.cambria.pa.us:
Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program
Do you know someone who is in a low-income household and is in jeopardy of having their water turned off? If so, there could be assistance available through the Department of Human Services. This program, called LIHWAP offers low-income families to pay overdue water bills up to $2,500. For more information and how to apply, visit here. Applications Being Accepted to Become a Pennsylvania Game Warden
If you have a passion for wildlife, love the outdoors and are looking for a career as a Pennsylvania Game Warden, then you are in luck! The application period is now open and accepting applications through February 16th for the 35th Class of State Game Wardens. More details, please visit here. Senate Passes Package to Strengthen Cybersecurity, Protect Victims of Data Breaches
The Senate approved a package of bills this week to improve cybersecurity in Pennsylvania and require timely notifications to citizens of government data breaches. The bills were sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. Senate Bill 482 consolidates administration and management of the Commonwealth’s information technology operations under a new Office of Information Technology. The measure would replace the current, uncoordinated approach that led to cases of costly mismanagement, including delayed implementation of a statewide police radio system and bungled upgrades to Unemployment Compensation Call Centers. Other problems included data breaches experienced by the departments of Human Services, Corrections, and Education, which exposed the names and personal information of thousands of individuals, including citizens and state employees. Senate Bill 726 ensures Commonwealth agencies have strong safeguards in place to discourage, combat and recover from ransomware attacks. Ransomware is a type of malicious software designed to block access to a computer system until money is paid. Senate Bill 726 would set state penalties for the possession, use, or threatened use of ransomware and prohibit state agencies from paying ransom. When data breaches do occur, Senate Bill 696 would require state and local governments to notify potential victims within seven days. The requirement applies to any state agency, county, school district, municipality or third-party vendor experiencing a breach. Federal Government Launches Website to Provide Home COVID Tests
The federal government has launched a website to order at-home rapid COVID-19 testing kits. Each household is eligible to order four tests. According to the website, orders will usually ship in 7-12 days and there is no cost. These are rapid antigen at-home tests, also referred to as self-tests or over the counter (OTC) tests. They produce results within 30 minutes and no lab drop-off is required. To place an order, provide your name and residential address. You don’t have to provide ID, credit card or health insurance information. You can find answers to frequently asked questions here. Transition to 5G Service Will Cause 3G Cell Phones to Stop Operating in 2022
Residents with older cell phones are being urged by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and Pennsylvania State Police to prepare for the phase-out of 3G cellular networks and service, which could come as early as next month. If your mobile phone is more than a few years old, you may need to upgrade your device before your provider shuts down its 3G network and you lose service – including the ability to call 911. You should contact your cellular service provider to determine if your devices are compliant to ensure you don’t lose connectivity. The nation’s three major wireless carriers (AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile) have announced plans to shut down their 3G networks to accommodate more advanced services, including 5G, as early as February. That will cause many older phones to be unable to make or receive calls and text messages or use data services. It could also affect other devices that rely on 3G connectivity, such as medical alert devices, tablets, smart watches, home security systems, and in-vehicle safety, security and roadside assistance systems. Low-income individuals concerned their 911-only phones will no longer be supported can apply for service through the Federal Communications Commission’s Lifeline program. Tax Form Arriving Soon for Pennsylvanians Who Claimed Unemployment Benefits in 2021
According to the Department of Labor and Industry, 1099 tax forms will be mailed no later than Jan. 31 to Pennsylvanians who claimed unemployment benefits in 2021 and need the form to file their federal income taxes. Claimants of all unemployment programs offered during 2021 will receive a 1099 tax form detailing their benefit payments. This form will be available online soon and viewable in the same system where claimants file their weekly claims. All claimants also have the option to view 1099 tax forms from previous years, if applicable. The receipt of a 1099 form by a person who didn’t file for unemployment may indicate a case of identity fraud. If someone who didn’t file for unemployment receives what looks to be a 1099 tax form in the mail, they should report this suspected fraud immediately so the department can correct their income with the IRS and prevent any issues with the victim’s taxes. Applications Being Accepted for PennDOT Summer Employment Program
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) offers a summer employment program for students who are registered as full-time college students for the Fall 2022 semester. The deadline for receiving summer applications is Feb. 18, so I encourage anyone interested in the program to contact my office. In addition to contacting my office, those interested must also fill out an online application with the PennDOT College Student Summer Worker posting under the open summer jobs section of the website. The hourly rate is $14.61. Applicants must be enrolled as a full-time college student for the Fall 2022 semester, have a valid PA driver’s license and be 18 years of age before beginning work. |
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