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In this Update:
* Legislation Introduced to Provide State Tax Relief on Payments to East Palestine Train Derailment Victims
* School Safety Grants Awarded
* Training PA’s Workforce for Available Positions
* Increasing the Number of Firefighters in Pennsylvania
* Spring Gobbler Season Begins April 27
* April is National Donate Life Month
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** Legislation Introduced to Provide State Tax Relief on Payments to East Palestine Train Derailment Victims
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In the wake of the recent $600 million settlement reached by Norfolk Southern ([link removed]) in its class-action lawsuit related to its train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, last year, state I introduced legislation this week with Sens. Elder Vogel, Jr. (R-47) ([link removed]) , and Michele Brooks (R-50) ([link removed]) to provide a state tax deduction for Pennsylvanians who receive payments.
Ohio has already established a deduction for their residents who received payments and I believe it’s fair to do the same for Pennsylvanians. Businesses have been shuttered, property values have plummeted, and personal medical expenses continue to accrue. This tax deduction will help put more money back into the pockets of the victims.
As chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee ([link removed]) , I hosted a hearing ([link removed]) immediately following the train wreck and subpoenaed Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw ([link removed]) to appear before the committee.
My colleagues and I this week introduced Senate Bill 1149 ([link removed]) to provide a state income tax deduction for disaster relief payments provided to Pennsylvania residents by a government agency, Norfolk Southern or an insurer as the result of the Feb. 3, 2023, train wreck. The deduction would also be retroactive to any payments received by victims in 2023.
Read more about this legislation by reading the rest of this article on my website ([link removed]) .
** School Safety Grants Awarded
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More than $150 million in School Safety Grants have been approved this week for students across the commonwealth. Pennsylvania’s School Safety & Security Grant Program ([link removed]) was originally established in 2018, providing for school entities to be safer places for students, staff and visitors. Most recently through Act 33 of 2023 ([link removed]) , changes were made to strengthen and expand the program, which is overseen by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, School Safety and Security Committee.
Meritorious Grants ranging from $30,000 to $45,000 were awarded to each of the 497 applicants from all 67 counties that applied. The award amount is based on the school size. Funding can be used to address safety and security through security assessments, violence prevention and all-hazards plans.
Mental Health Grants ranging from $70,000 to $100,000 were awarded to each of the 719 applicants from all 67 counties that applied. These applicants included school districts, area career and technical schools, intermediate units, charter schools, regional charter schools and cyber charter schools. School districts received a base of $100,000 plus a formula amount depending on their school size. The intermediate unit, area career and technical school, charter school, regional charter school or cyber charter school applicants each received $70,000. The funding can be used for school mental health services, training and programs for students and staff.
Additionally, grants were approved through the Competitive School Safety and Security Grant Funding, and Targeted School Safety and Security Grant Programs. Learn more ([link removed]) .
** Training PA’s Workforce for Available Positions
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Complementing Senate Republicans’ efforts ([link removed]) to protect Pennsylvania jobs, support is available for community colleges, trade or tech schools, school districts and nonprofits through the Manufacturing PA Training-to-Career Grant Program.
The program is designed to help companies identify and train a skilled workforce for existing positions or ones that will be open soon. It is also designed to advance capacity for local and regional manufacturers and increase awareness of manufacturing career opportunities for youth or those with barriers.
Grants may be used for professional services/consultants, internships, equipment purchases, shop modifications, program development, marketing, domestic travel and salaries. Learn more and apply online. ([link removed])
** Increasing the Number of Firefighters in Pennsylvania
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The Senate approved a bill aimed at increasing the number of volunteer firefighters in Pennsylvania by reforming the certification process without sacrificing quality or safety.
Current firefighter applicants must complete four training modules totaling 188 hours. They then must pass a cumulative test covering all four modules. Senate Bill 1101 ([link removed]) would enable applicants to be tested following each of the four modules.
In the 1970s, the commonwealth had as many as 300,000 volunteer firefighters. There currently are fewer than 38,000 volunteer firefighters in Pennsylvania.
** Spring Gobbler Season Begins April 27
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On Saturday, April 27, spring gobbler season opens with a half-day hunt for junior hunters and mentored hunters 16 and under. All participants must be accompanied by adults, and hunting hours run from 30 minutes before sunrise until noon.
The regular season runs from May 4-31. Hunting hours are 30 minutes before sunrise until noon from May 4-18 and 30 minutes before sunrise until 30 minutes after sunset from May 20-31.
Approximately 172,000 people hunt spring turkeys in Pennsylvania every year. Last season, hunters harvested about 39,500 gobblers – an increase from 35,700 in 2022 and 28,100 in 2021. Information about spring turkey hunting rules and regulations, for youth and regular hunts, is available here ([link removed]) .
** April is National Donate Life Month
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Making a difference in the lives of others might be easier than you think. With nearly 7,000 Pennsylvanians awaiting organ transplants, donors can save up to eight lives. People donating tissue can enhance the lives of 75 others by helping them recover from trauma, spinal injuries, burns and vision loss.
If you aren’t an organ or tissue donor yet but would like to be, there’s no need to wait until you get or renew your driver’s license, learner’s permit or photo ID. It’s easy to register online to donate ([link removed]) .
Misconceptions about organ and tissue donation can discourage people from taking the important step to save lives. Find myths and facts here ([link removed]) .
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