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In this Update:
Save The Date for State Services Day on August 9Save the date for State Services Day with PA State Treasurer Stacy Garrity on Friday August 9th sponsored by myself and State Representatives K.C. Tomlinson, Kristin Marcell, and Joe Hogan. The free event is offered to all residents of the 6th Senatorial District and will take place at Neshaminy Activity Center from 1:30 – 3pm. PA Treasury staff will be on-site to help find unclaimed property and submit claims, as well as provide information on the PA 529 College and Career Savings plan. Other state services will also be available, such as processing senior SEPTA passes, help with PennDOT, birth certificates, property tax/rent rebate applications, and more. Senate Approves Bill to Improve Workforce Development ProgramsThe Senate passed legislation to make Pennsylvania more attractive to employers and improve workforce development programs. Senate Bill 761 would require the Department of Labor and Industry and the Center for Workforce Information and Analysis to share data that is already collected with local workforce development boards in a timely fashion. Delayed information and data sharing limit these boards in efficiently analyzing programs and policy. Having access to workforce data on wages, new hires and unemployment claimants enables programs to be modified so Pennsylvanians can succeed professionally. The bill also calls for technical assistance and support for the improved data sharing model so local workforce development boards can use the information. Bill to Improve Early Literacy Receives Senate SupportTo give students the best chance of success, the Senate passed a bill that would improve early literacy using a three-pronged approach. Senate Bill 801 would:
Half of Pennsylvania’s fourth grade students read below their grade level. Studies show that childhood reading difficulties can produce long-term effects and dramatically impact someone’s ability to succeed. Senate Votes to Expand Access to Benefits for Disabled VeteransLegislation to exempt 100% of disabled veterans’ benefit payments from income calculations for any commonwealth programs or benefits received Senate support. Senate Bill 126 would ensure veterans who receive disability compensation would not have those payments counted against them when applying to programs such as the Real Estate Property Tax Exemption, Education Gratuity Program, Veterans Temporary Assistance Program and Military Relief Assistance Program. The bill would also extend the exclusion of the veterans’ compensation benefits to their unmarried surviving spouses. Jumpstart Your Child’s Education SavingsSaving for your child’s education can be daunting, but Keystone Scholars can jumpstart education savings for Pennsylvania children. The first program of its kind in the country, Keystone Scholars provides a $100 investment for post-high school education for every child born in Pennsylvania since Jan. 1, 2019. It can be used to pay for collegiate studies, technical school training and apprenticeship programs. Claim your child’s money, which is funded by surplus investment earnings from the PA 529 Guaranteed Savings Plan. Opening a companion PA 529 College and Career Savings Program account can also help to save for education-related expenses. PA 529 accounts have tax advantages and do not impact eligibility for Pennsylvania state financial aid.
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