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In this Update:
* Senate Approves Bill for East Palestine Train Derailment Victims that Would Enable them to Keep More Money
* My remarks on the 8th Anniversary of D-Day
* Respecting Taxpayers Remains a Top Priority in State Budget Negotiations
* Senate Approves Bills to Reverse Nursing Home Worker Shortage
* Legislation Giving Disabled Veterans Financial Relief Receives Senate Support
* Senate Acts to Modernize Rules for Electronic Commerce
* Celebrating the Contributions of PA Dairy Farmers
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** Senate Approves Bill for East Palestine Train Derailment Victims that Would Enable them to Keep More Money
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The state Senate this week approved legislation I introduced with Sens. Elder Vogel, Jr. (R-47) ([link removed]) , and Michele Brooks (R-50) ([link removed]) that would enable Pennsylvania victims of the Norfolk Southern train wreck near East Palestine, Ohio, last year to keep more of their own money.
This bill would enable the families and businesses harmed by the Norfolk Southern train wreck to keep more of the money from their relief payments and settlements. Rather than creating a new government program, this bill would exempt from the state income tax the money these families and businesses are already receiving. I want them to be able to use that money for medical bills and personal expenses rather than paying the state income tax.
Senate Bill 1149 ([link removed]) would exempt from the state income tax any disaster relief payments the families or local businesses receive from the state or federal government, 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.
The train wreck took place just across the western border of Pennsylvania and was followed two days later on Feb. 5, 2023, by the planned ignition and burning of five railroad cars carrying dangerous chemicals. The toxic plume resulted in residents reporting various medical problems including rashes, burning lips, sore throats, itchy eyes and other skin irritations.
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 we later subpoenaed Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw ([link removed]) to appear before the committee.
Residents reported additional medical concerns at a follow-up hearing we held in March ([link removed]) .
Visit my website to read more about this bill ([link removed]) , which now heads to the state House of Representatives for consideration.
** My remarks on the 80th Anniversary of D-Day
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** Respecting Taxpayers Remains a Top Priority in State Budget Negotiations
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In Pennsylvania, the state budget is to be completed by June 30 of each year. As we work to reach consensus, Senate Republicans are continuing to fight for a budget that respects taxpayers and makes the best use of the state’s resources.
In February, Gov. Josh Shapiro proposed a massive $3.2 billion increase in state spending. Last month, Senate Republicans unveiled an alternative approach that would reduce taxes by approximately $3 billion annually. Instead of growing government bureaucracy and picking winners and losers, our plan would allow Pennsylvanians to decide how their money should be spent. These historic tax cuts ([link removed]) would provide relief to every Pennsylvanian who earns a paycheck by reducing the personal income tax rate from 3.07% to 2.8%, and every person paying an electric bill by eliminating the Gross Receipts Tax on energy.
Learn more about the process of enacting the 2024-25 state budget and watch the Senate in session here ([link removed]) .
** Senate Approves Bills to Reverse Nursing Home Worker Shortage
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With the number of older Pennsylvanians rising and nursing homes struggling to find qualified workers, the Senate passed two bills this week to reverse the worker shortage. Both bills now head to the House of Representatives for consideration.
Senate Bill 1102 ([link removed]) would increase the number of nursing home workers by streamlining the training and certification process and removing barriers that prevent people from entering the health care workforce in Pennsylvania.
Senate Bill 1104 ([link removed]) would further increase the nursing home workforce by enabling high school juniors and seniors to earn up to two elective credits for working or volunteering at a nursing home, personal care home or assisted living facility. Schools would establish program guidelines and procedures to allow students to earn one elective credit for each 250 hours of paid or volunteer work at a qualifying facility.
** Legislation Giving Disabled Veterans Financial Relief Receives Senate Support
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To provide financial relief to more disabled veterans, the Senate passed Senate Bill 194 ([link removed]) to exclude U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Attendance benefits as income when calculating eligibility for Pennsylvania’s 100% Disabled Veterans’ Property Tax Exemption.
Federal Aid and Attendance benefits provide monthly payments to disabled veterans who are housebound or need help with daily activities. Without the exclusion of this federal benefit, some disabled veterans are prevented from qualifying for property tax reductions.
The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.
** Senate Acts to Modernize Rules for Electronic Commerce
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The Senate passed legislation to modernize the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC), updating rules that govern digital asset transactions to ensure security, consistency and confidence. It now advances to the House of Representatives for consideration.
The UCC has provided consistency for commercial law and interstate commerce since 1954, when Pennsylvania led the initiative to adopt it. Since then, it has been adopted by all states and gives Americans legal confidence when transacting business across state lines. The last major revisions to the UCC took effect in 2001. In the two decades since, electronic property, or digital assets, have become much more prevalent in commercial transactions.
Senate Bill 1084 ([link removed]) would bring the law into the 21st century by establishing guidelines to cover digital asset transactions involving virtual currencies, non-fungible tokens, electronic accounts and other forms of electronic commerce. It would also make other needed technical updates to the UCC.
** Celebrating the Contributions of PA Dairy Farmers
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Agriculture is Pennsylvania’s top industry, and dairy products play a significant role by generating $11.8 billion in economic revenue and supporting 47,000 jobs statewide. Of the nearly 5,000 dairy farms in the state, 99% are family-owned with many being handed down generation after generation.
Our dairy farmers work tirelessly each day to provide families everywhere with nutrient-rich foods. Dairy products contain nine essential nutrients that help to manage weight and reduce the risk of high blood pressure, osteoporosis and certain cancers. The nutrient powerhouse also helps build and repair muscle tissue and maintain healthy skin.
Celebrate National Dairy Month by raising a glass of milk or enjoying some delicious ice cream. Pennsylvania has an Ice Cream Trail ([link removed]) that boasts great creameries all across the state.
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