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In this Update:
My Bill to Instill Tax Fairness AdvancesThis week the Senate Finance Committee passed my legislation that would reduce the tax burden faced by farmers and landowners who have leased their mineral rights, giving them the same tax benefits afforded to investors. Investors who buy mineral rights have the appraised value of gas as the basis for the well depletion allowance provided in Pennsylvania while most landowners do not, as appraisals are cost prohibitive. Because of this, the Internal Revenue Service and some states, including neighboring West Virginia and Ohio, allow a simple percentage depletion allowance that is accessible to everyone paying tax on 85% of royalties. Senate Bill 654 would amend Pennsylvania’s Tax Reform Code to provide for the cost, or percent, depletion of mines, oil and gas wells, and other natural deposits, in conformity with federal law. Currently, Pennsylvania law does not provide this kind of depletion deduction. While a regulation adopted in 2006 appears to provide for a cost depletion method for mines, oil and gas wells, other natural deposits, and timber, the documents required by the regulation make it unworkable for most taxpayers who otherwise would be able to take the deduction. Senate Bill 654 now moves to the full Senate for consideration. You can watch my remarks from the hearing by clicking the picture.
Providing Resources to Upskill Adults for PA’s WorkforceThe Senate Education Committee passed my legislation that would create a grant program to meet the increased need to upskill working age adults for the post-COVID workforce. As amended, Senate Bill 462 would call for the Department of Education to establish a program to provide competitive grants to programs that serve adult learners in need of assistance to reenter the workforce. Because of my bill, adult education providers would have additional resources to offer digital literacy, career services, workforce/adult basic education partnerships and tuition assistance. The bill advances Senate Republicans’ ongoing priority of protecting Pennsylvania jobs. Senate Bill 462 now moves to the full Senate for consideration. You can watch my remarks from the hearing by clicking the picture.
Some Very Special Guests Visited the Capitol This Week
Isabelle Tedrow was crowned Miss Rain Day 2022 during the 44th annual scholarship pageant last summer in Waynesburg. Her parents, Tarisa and Ken Tedrow, joined their daughter for a wonderful day touring the Capitol, meeting Lt. Governor Austin Davis, being recognized on the Senate floor, and visiting my office and meeting my staff. I also had the pleasure of presenting Isabelle with a Senate Citation of Congratulations before session began. You’re a wonderful young lady and thank you for your dedication to your community. A big thank you to pageant representatives Jeanine Henry and Stephanie Mitchell for accompanying the Tedrow family and for your efforts continuing the wonderful Rain Day tradition. Rain Day’s history can be traced back to the late 1800s, when a local farmer began keeping a written record of the fact that it always rained on July 29th. Thus in 1979, the first annual Miss Rain Day Pageant was held to celebrate this occurrence. This event has the bragging distinction of being the only pageant in the world where it is considered a success if it rains! Watch my introduction of Isabelle by clicking the picture.
At 17-years-old, Canon-McMillan School District’s Valarie Solorio is already an accomplished wrestler. She’s won numerous tournaments, multiple state championships and national championships in both the United States and Mexico. As a dual citizenship wrestler, she’s had the unique opportunity to represent both of her countries in their respective wrestling tournaments. I invited Valarie and her coach, Brian Krenzelak, to visit the Capitol during Girls’ Wrestling Day in PA and be introduced on the Senate floor before session. She was joined by other state champion wrestlers from across the Commonwealth. Thank you for visiting and best of luck in your upcoming senior year! Watch my introduction of Valarie and Coach Brian by clicking the picture.
I invited the Peters Township School District Dance Team, back-to-back high school national dance champions, to visit the Capitol and be introduced on the Senate floor. Earlier this year in Orlando, these talented young ladies under the direction of their coaches, Barb Deliere and Dominique Schuster, beat out 45 other teams at Nationals to secure another title. The school’s fourth title since 2013 – an incredible achievement! Watch my introduction of the dance team by clicking the picture.
This week over 100 Boy Scouts of America Scouts visited the Capitol and it was an absolute pleasure meeting Levi Krampy. Levi is a scout from Greene County that was representing Anawanna Trails District, Laurel Highlands Council. Levi’s parents and sister accompanied their son during his visit. You raised a wonderful young man! Free Barbecue Picnic for Veterans and Service Members on July 7
I invite veterans and active duty service members of the 46th District and their families to attend a veterans appreciation barbecue picnic on Friday, July 7, from 5-8 p.m. at Mingo Creek Park, 3111 Route 136, Finleyville, pavilion 7. This picnic is an opportunity to thank the men and women who have sacrificed their time and put their lives on hold to defend our great country. Of course, it is also about their families, who lived without their loved ones, often in fear for their safety when they were gone. I encourage all veterans and active duty members of the 46th District and their spouses to attend. Space is limited for the picnic, so veterans and their families are asked to RSVP by Friday, June 30, online at by clicking this link or by calling my district office at 724-225-4380. State Would Automatically Return Unclaimed Property Under Bill Approved by Senate
The Senate unanimously approved legislation authorizing the state to return unclaimed property without the need for rightful owners to search for it. It now advances to the House of Representatives for consideration. Senate Bill 24 would authorize the Pennsylvania Treasury Department to automatically return single-owner property for living individuals valued up to $5,000 after a thorough identification and verification process. The legislation streamlines the return of unclaimed money and property by eliminating the need for citizens to search and file a claim. For larger and more complex claims, owners would still be required to complete a claim form and provide additional information to confirm their identity and rightful ownership. This commonsense initiative, which exemplifies how government should work to better serve its citizens, would return more money to hardworking Pennsylvanians who may be unaware of their unclaimed property. Search Treasury’s unclaimed property database here. Simplifying Government, Ensuring Adequate Funding for Roads and Bridges
Legislation sponsored to replace Pennsylvania’s Alternative Fuels Tax on electric vehicle owners with a flat fee was approved by the Senate Transportation Committee. It would simplify the process for electric vehicle owners and ensure all drivers are contributing toward the maintenance of roads and bridges. Currently, owners of electric vehicles are required to file monthly statements with the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue and remit the alternative fuel tax on how much electricity their vehicle uses. However, most electric vehicle owners do not do this, or are inconsistent at doing so, due to the cumbersome process or simply being unaware. Senate Bill 656 would exempt electric vehicle owners from the tax and replace it with a flat annual fee of $290. The fee was calculated based on the average annual gas taxes paid by owners of gas-powered vehicles. Like the gas tax, the revenue from the flat fee will be deposited into the Motor License Fund for highway maintenance and construction. Bill Ensuring Educational Opportunities for Military Children Receives Committee Support
Legislation to reduce the educational challenges faced by children of PA National Guard and Reserve members was approved by the Senate Education Committee and is before the full Senate for consideration. Military families face frequent reassignments, posing educational challenges for children transitioning between schools in different states. Senate Bill 209 would give children of National Guard and Reserve members the same help provided to those of active-duty military families through the Military Interstate Children’s Compact. The compact provides a consistent set of policies that make getting started in a new school, joining extracurricular activities and meeting graduation requirements as easy as possible for military children. Free Junior Game Warden Camps Offered Across PA
The Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) offers free Junior Game Warden Camps in each of PGC’s six regions in June and July for youth ages 12-15. Campers will learn about wildlife crime forensics and how wardens catch poachers and solve wildlife-related crimes. Additional instruction will include woodland tracking skills, outdoor survival skills and wildlife capture techniques for nuisance complaints and research purposes. Registration, available here, is limited to those who have not attended a camp previously.
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