Legislative Update

PA HELP Act

Tuesday was National Higher Education Day. Did you know that Pennsylvania ranks #1 in the county for the amount of student loan debt carried? It makes sense—we also rank #49 in the country for higher education support per capita and #50 in higher education overall, due to student debt and high tuition and fees.

These numbers are unacceptable. Students should be able to obtain a degree without being saddled with large amounts of debt for the rest of their lives.\

This is why I introduced the PA HELP Act in 2019 and I’ve reintroduced it in every session since. This bill, SB30 this session, would reduce debt by allowing students to refinance high-interest student loan debt, provide tax credits for those who have outstanding student loans and incentivize employers to help pay down student loan debt of their employees.

I also support adding additional state funding to our PASSHE schools and our community colleges. These schools provide unique opportunities to our non-traditional students, first-generation students, and low-income students who might not otherwise have the opportunity to achieve a degree or other credential. Without appropriate state funding, the cost of tuition at these institutions is passed on to the students.

Universal School Meals Benefit Families and Local Economies

As the General Assembly heads back to Harrisburg this week to begin work on the FY2023-24 Budget, I look forward to discussions about including Universal School Meals in that budget. We’re hearing from some local districts that breakfast participation more than doubled after Universal Breakfasts went into effect this past October and that, if Universal School Meals were to pass in this year’s budget, the area could expect to see over $1 million returned to the local economy.

With families facing higher costs across the board, now is not the time to take a step backward — especially when the estimated cost to feed every student in Pennsylvania would be a small fraction of our overall budget.

State to consider free school meals | Don't Miss This | sharonherald.com

Medicaid and CHIP Renewal Reminder!

The federal government ended its continuous coverage policy for CHIP and Medicaid (“Medical Assistance” in PA) on April 1, 2023. If you are enrolled in these programs this means you will have to complete an annual eligibility renewal packet from the PA Department of Human Services (DHS) this year to keep your coverage. 

You’ll start to receive notices from DHS about 90 days before your annual renewal due date, so be sure your contact information is up-to-date online through COMPASS, in person at your county assistance office, or by phone at 877-395-8930. If you don’t know your renewal date, visit the COMPASS website or call the customer service center at 866-550-4355 so you are ready to take action to complete your renewal. 

When you are 30 days from your annual renewal date DHS will send you a renewal packet which can be completed in one of four ways:

1. By mail: You can complete and return the forms by mailing them back in the envelope provided with your renewal packet. 
2. Online: You can log onto the DHS website at dhs.pa.gov/COMPASS and complete your renewal. 
3. By telephone: You can call 866-550-4355 statewide to talk to a customer service representative and complete your renewal. 
4. In-person: You can visit your local county assistance office and complete your renewal in person. 

Allegheny County Assistance Office Headquarters 301 Fifth Avenue, Suite 470 Pittsburgh, PA 15222 412-565-2146 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Alle-Kiski District 909 Industrial Boulevard New Kensington, PA 15068-0132 1-800-622-3527 724- 339-6800 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m

DHS will continue to send you reminders via US mail, email, text, and phone calls throughout this time to make sure you’ve completed your renewal by your due date.  

 

If you’ve followed all these steps and you’re still eligible to receive Medicaid, your coverage will continue. If you’re not eligible, don’t worry, DHS will securely and automatically send your information to Pennie, the state’s health insurance marketplace, where you can get financial support to lower the cost of your premiums. The Pennie website allows you to shop for the low- or no-cost, quality health-care plan that best meets your needs.

For more information about Medicaid renewals, visit www.dhs.pa.gov/StayCovered. 

 

PUC Scam Alert!

This week the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) announced some scam-prevention tips for consumers who might get a visit from a door-to-door energy sales agent. Energy sales and marketing are allowed in Pennsylvania, but there are rules and regulations that must be followed to protect consumers. To avoid becoming a victim of a scam follow these PUC tips: 

• always check a sales agent’s ID before starting a conversation;
• avoid high-pressure sales pitches - no one is required to choose a competitive electric or natural gas supplier;
• customers facing aggressive sales agents or who suspect a potential scam should contact the PUC’s Bureau of Consumer Services at 1-800-692-7380 and consider filing an informal complaint.  

Consumers can shop on their own for their electric generation or natural gas suppliers on the PUC’s neutral, independent websites: www.PAPowerSwitch.com (electric) and www.PAGasSwitch.com (natural gas). These websites allow you to compare offers and change suppliers, cross-check offers made by energy sales agents, and get information on energy efficiency and conservation. 

For more details on these topics click here.

AAA Illegible License Plate Event!
AAA, 10548 Perry Highway, Wexford, Thursday June 15, 2023, 11 AM - 2 PM

If you were unable to attend our Hard-to-Read License Plate events this year, you can go to the American  Automobile Association (AAA)’s event in Wexford next Thursday. Your plate will be replaced for free*, but you must bring the vehicle with the illegible plate. The event is open to the public.

PennDOT’s criteria for free replacement are that one or more characters of the plate cannot be recognized from 50 feet or the plate coating is blistering, peeling, discolored, or losing reflectivity. Be advised, vehicle owners can be pulled over and fined up to $100 for having a license plate that is deemed illegible!

You can also replace your registration plate yourself. Download and print a MV-44  form,  have the plate determined illegible by a PennDOT representative (like AAA or inspection mechanic) or your local police department, and return the form to PennDOT. 

For more information on illegible license plate replacement go to Illegible Plate Information (pa.gov). Our office can answer your questions as well at 412-364-0469 (Ross), 724-224-2131 (Harrison), or [email protected]. 

*Fee required for replacing a special organization license plate.

Spring Art Fling in Blawnox
Freeport Rd, Blawnox, Saturday, June 10, 2023, 12 PM - 3 PM

The Best of Blawnox invites you to join them for a Spring Art Fling on Saturday June 10 from 12 pm to 3 pm. This is a walking event on Freeport Road in Blawnox. There will be fine art exhibits. interactive art workshops, fun for all ages, and food! Maps of the event will be available under a tent at the corner of North Ave. and Freeport Rd. This a great event that supports local artists and the Blawnox community.

Juneteenth Youth fest and Black Heritage Celebration!
Mellon Park, 6601 Fifth Ave, Saturday, June 10-11, 8 AM - 4 PM Daily

Stop the Violence Pgh is hosting their Western PA Juneteenth Youth Fest this Saturday, June 10 and Sunday, June 11 from 8am-4pm. This event is FREE to the public. Enjoy lots of cultural activities, competitions, and entertainment.

NHCG Equipment and Vendor Show in Ross
Ross Twp Public Works Bldg, 225 Cemetery Ln, Thursday, June 15, 2023, 7:30 AM – Noon

The North Hills Council of Governments (NHCOG) is holding a Equipment and Vendor Show for their 21 member municipalities at the Ross Township Public Works building. This is an opportunity for municipalities and their staff to get information on equipment and see demonstrations. 

Stanton Heights Community Yard Sale
Saturday, June 17, 2023, 8:00 AM  2:00 PM

Pittsburgh’s Stanton Heights and Morningside neighborhoods are teaming up this year to have their first joint Community Yard Sale next Saturday! Participants are asked to register by Saturday, June 10^th so there is plenty of time to add houses to the shopping map. There is a small registration fee to help cover administrative and advertising costs. Kids can also register to host their own neighborhood lemonade stands for FREE! Lemonade stand locations will be included on the shopping map as well. The event is rain or shine.