WILKES-BARRE — Gov. Josh Shapiro announced this week that the Federal Fiscal Administration (CFA) will make 208 grants to Pennsylvania school facilities under a new bipartisan public school facility improvement grant program for 2023-24. announced that it has approved an investment of $175 million. budget.
The program, proposed by Governor Shapiro in his first budget speech and secured in his first budget, provides up to $5 million in grants to public school districts and technical and technical schools for critical safety and environmental remediation projects. money and ensure the facility is up to date and safe. , healthy and helpful for learning.
Last month, Governor Shapiro announced that through the Department of Education’s new environmental remediation grant program, 109 school districts, career and technical education centers, and charter schools in Pennsylvania will receive 7,500 grants to eliminate lead, mold, asbestos, and other environmental hazards. The company also announced that it will make a new investment of $1 million.
This brings the total investment in environmental remediation and upgrades to Pennsylvania schools to $250 million since Governor Shapiro took office, creating safe and healthy facilities for students and teachers alike. .
Building on that progress, the governor and a bipartisan group of lawmakers included an additional $25 million for school solar power in the 2024-25 budget.
“Our students have the right to learn in safe and healthy schools, and our teachers have the right to teach in modern, well-maintained classrooms. “We worked to bring Democrats and Republicans together to invest in our future,” Governor Shapiro said. “In just two years, we have secured $275 million for school repairs and upgrades and are giving it to hundreds of school districts across the commonwealth.Here in Pennsylvania, we are working together to We get things done and deliver real results for the people we serve.”
The Department of Community and Economic Development announced the launch of the new program earlier this year. Eligible improvement projects include roof repairs and roof replacements. Installation of HVAC equipment. Boiler installation. safety projects including lead and asbestos abatement; accessibility project. Window repair/replacement.
“The investments made today through the Public School Facilities Improvement Grant Program will improve school facilities for thousands of students across the commonwealth so they can learn, grow, and thrive,” said Rick Siger, Secretary of the Department of Community and Economic Development. We will ensure an environment in which this is possible.” Thrive. “
“Students in every postal code across the Commonwealth have the right to learn in classrooms in a modern, safe environment,” said Education Secretary Khalid Moomin. “Repairing and replacing outdated equipment and facilities will allow our children to continue learning in a safe, healthy and productive space.”
Congressman Mueser signs letter demanding responsibility for DOE’s LNG export ban
U.S. Rep. Dan Muser (R-Dallas) this week joined a letter requesting all relevant documents and studies from the Department of Energy (DOE) regarding its decision to suspend new licenses for liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports.
Pennsylvania’s 9th Congressional District, which Mueser represents, includes much of the Marcellus Shale region, which contains some of the world’s largest natural gas reserves.
In Pennsylvania alone, the natural gas industry directly supports more than 123,000 jobs, indirectly supports 420,000 jobs, and contributes $25 billion annually to the state’s GDP, Mueser said. He said that
Mueser said in January that the Biden-Harris administration and DOE suspended LNG export licenses, a decision that would cost the U.S. economy billions of dollars and jeopardize millions of jobs tied to the industry. He said it was expected that he would be exposed. Muser said the Biden-Harris administration maintains the intent of the decision was to allow time for a federal study to assess the environmental, economic and national security impacts.
Mueser said the House Oversight and Accountability Committee is investigating the LNG export ban due to concerns about DOE transparency and possible cover-ups of internal investigations. Muser said the committee found evidence of a draft study from 2023 that the Department of Energy had not disclosed, as the Biden-Harris administration cited the need to reassess the impact on LNG exports. In September, the DOE acknowledged the existence of 97 related documents, including research shared with senior appointees in the Biden-Harris administration. However, Muser said those documents have since gone missing.
“The Biden-Harris administration’s ill-conceived decision to suspend LNG export approvals is yet another blow to the U.S. energy sector,” Mueser said. “The current administration’s gas-backward energy policy is having a negative impact not only on businesses in our region, but also on the thousands of employees and their families who employ them. I urge the government and the Department of Energy to We strongly urge the government to release the results of the study that it has withheld, which is the important information needed to promptly reverse the suspension of LNG export applications.”
DOE must submit all relevant documents and studies to the committee by November 6, 2024.
Businesses encouraged to take advantage of new PA 529 and PA ABLE tax credits
Finance Minister Stacey Garrity and PA Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Luke Bernstein announced this week that employees can take advantage of a new tax credit that matches contributions to their PA 529 and PA ABLE accounts. encouraged businesses to help their employees save for the future.
The credit will be available starting in 2025.
“This new tax credit will help Pennsylvanians save for their future and make our businesses more attractive places to work,” Garrity said. “The PA 529 College and Career Savings Program and the PA ABLE Savings Program for People with Disabilities are both powerful savings tools, and these new tax credits will benefit families across Pennsylvania.”
Starting in January, employers who contribute to their employees’ PA 529 and PA ABLE accounts will receive a 25% tax credit on matching contributions of up to $500 per employee per year.
“I want to commend and thank Treasury Secretary Garrity for supporting Pennsylvania employers and families,” Bernstein said. “This is a win for our employees, our families, and the future of Pennsylvania’s economy.”
Act 56 also includes a provision that allows funds from a PA 529 plan to be rolled over into a Roth IRA without any state tax consequences.
The PA 529 College and Career Savings Program helps families steadily and strategically prepare for future educational expenses, including tuition, fees, books, equipment, room and board, and more in eligible technical, university, and apprenticeship programs. We will help you save money.
PA 529 plans offer significant state and federal tax benefits, and PA 529 savings do not affect Pennsylvania financial aid eligibility.
PA ABLE helps individuals save on a variety of expenses related to disability while protecting important federal and state benefits.
Lawmakers to co-sponsor veterans recognition event in Misericordia
Congressman Mike Cavell (R-117), along with Senator Lisa Baker (R-20) and Representative Aaron Kaufer (R-120), will once again host the Veterans Recognition Ceremony and Expo on Saturday, November. We plan to co-host the event. 2, at Misericordia University.
“The event we hosted last November was well attended, and we anticipate a similar turnout this year,” the councilors said. “This is a small way to honor the service and sacrifice of our local veterans. This event also provides an opportunity to learn about the various programs and services available in our area.”
The day begins at 10 a.m. with a special Veterans Recognition Ceremony in the university’s Lemond Theater. Afterwards, veterans can stop by Insalaco Hall, where dozens of vendors will gather until 1 p.m.
In addition, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Mobile Veterans Center will be located in the theater parking lot and provide counseling services.
Expo attendees can also safely dispose of expired or unused medications at a drug drop box hosted by the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office.
This event is open to all veterans who reside in Luzerne County. Veterans may bring a spouse or one guest.
Registration required. To RSVP, please contact Congressman Kabell’s office (570-675-6000) or Congressman Kaufer’s office (570-283-1001). Registration deadline is Friday, October 25th.
Rep. Watro sponsors Veterans Day resolution
A resolution introduced by Representative Dane Watro (D-116) to designate November 11th as Veterans Day in Pennsylvania was unanimously passed by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives this week.
“Veterans Day is a time to reflect on the service of the brave men and women who answered our nation’s call. Those who never returned from the battlefield. Those who returned bearing the scars of war. and all those who have protected our American way of life,” Watro said. “As a U.S. Army veteran, I am proud to be the lead sponsor of House Resolution 544.”
Veterans Day is a federal holiday originally known as Armistice Day, which commemorates the end of World War I at 11 a.m. on November 11, 1918.
Armistice Day was renamed Veterans Day by Congress in 1954.
Contact Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
