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In this Update:

• Survey Question
• Senate Set to Question Wolf Administration on Spending Plan
• Keeping Track of Non-Budgeted State Tax Dollars
• Help for Families Navigating the College Aid Process
• New Helpline Available for Farmers Seeking Mental Health Services
• Halting the Rise in Pennsylvania Traffic Fatalities
• Around the District

Survey Question

Please take a moment to answer this week’s survey question.

New, Federally Funded Utility Assistance Program Available for Pennsylvania Homeowners

Many PECO customers facing financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic have a new resource to help pay the balance of their utility bills.

The Pennsylvania Homeowners Assistance Fund (PAHAF), helps to support Pennsylvania homeowners due to financial hardships caused by the pandemic. The grant funding can be applied to a customer’s electric and natural gas bill to pay outstanding balances incurred during the pandemic. The maximum utility assistance is capped at 24 months or $3,000. The PAHAF program will also provide help with mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance, homeowner association fees and condominium fees. PAHAF applications is now open to eligible Pennsylvania Homeowners.

For more information and to apply, visit the Pennsylvania Homeowner Assistance Fund.

“We understand the financial hardships our customers are faced with at this time,” said Funmi Williamson, PECO senior vice president and Chief Customer Officer. “The Pennsylvania Homeowners Assistance Fund will be a very valuable resource for homeowners. We are committed to our customers and the communities we serve and will continue to provide them with necessary support to help them through this difficult time.”

While PAHAF provides grants to customers who are homeowners, PECO offers a variety of bill relief options and assistance programs to help customers make ends meet. Residential customers should act now and can find out more about options online at www.peco.com/help.

Additional customer assistance programs include:

• Customer Assistance Program (CAP): An annual credit based on household income and energy use.
• Low-income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): A federal grant program to help low-income customers manage their energy costs and ensure service during the heating season.
• Matching Energy Assistance Fund (MEAF): A program funded by voluntary contributions of customers and matched dollar for dollar by PECO for up to $1,000 in total assistance for those who qualify.
• Customer Assistance and Referral Evaluation Services (CARES): A referral and information service designed to assist customers who have special needs or extenuating circumstances that prevent the payment of their utility bill.

Senate Set to Question Wolf Administration on Spending Plan

On Feb. 8, Gov. Wolf proposed a $45.7 billion state budget for 2022-23 that would increase spending by $4.5 billion, create a $1.3 billion deficit in the following year and produce a $13 billion deficit by 2026-27.

Next week, the Senate Appropriations Committee kicks off four weeks of public hearings to review the spending plan and question administration officials in preparation for developing a more responsible budget prior to the June 30 constitutional deadline.

You can find livestreams of the hearings, video of previous hearings and daily recaps here. I’ll report back each week with updates on this important process.

Keeping Track of Non-Budgeted State Tax Dollars

While the process of passing a responsible state budget gets underway, a new resource is available highlighting state spending that occurs after the budget is enacted.

A webpage recently launched by state Treasurer Stacy Garrity explains Ledger 5, which is used to accounqat for non-budgeted expenditures incurred during a fiscal year that are legally mandated or necessary to maintain public health, safety or welfare.

Before Ledger 5 can be used, the Governor’s Office of the Budget must provide Treasury with documentation, known as an Expenditure Symbol Notification (ESN) memo, to explain and justify the expenditure. Treasury reviews the ESN memo and other expenditure documentation to ensure the payment is legal and correct. All ESN memos will be posted on the new webpage.

Help for Families Navigating the College Aid Process

The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency is offering several free webinars in February, March and April to help students and families plan for college and fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

FAFSA Overview (Feb. 28, April 18)
Guiding students and families through a step-by-step process of filing the FAFSA and PA State Grant application.

Financial Aid 101 (March 7, March 28)
Discussing higher education costs, the types of financial aid available and how to apply for financial aid.

Financial Aid Junior Jumpstart (April 13)
Planning and goal setting for high school juniors.

Click here for times and registration.

New Helpline Available for Farmers Seeking Mental Health Services

Pennsylvania farmers and farm families seeking mental health support can now access a free helpline for assistance.

The AgriStress HelpLine for Pennsylvania is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Farmers can call 833-897-AGRI (2474) to speak to a health care professional.

According to the American Farm Bureau Federation, financial challenges, farm or business problems and the fear of losing the farm are top contributors to farmers’ mental health challenges. Cost, embarrassment and stigma often prevent farmers from seeking help or treatment for a mental health condition. The Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee explored the topic in several public forums in recent years.

Halting the Rise in Pennsylvania Traffic Fatalities

In Pennsylvania, 2021 preliminary data shows deaths on our roadways increased by as much as 10%, including increases in fatalities in speeding crashes, distracted driving crashes, crashes involving teen drivers, as well as unrestrained fatalities.

Pennsylvania Highway Safety Law Awareness Week is next week, Feb. 20-26, and it’s an opportunity to think about the laws and driving habits that increase traffic safety.

Highway safety laws that can prevent traffic fatalities include:

• Distracted Driving – State law prohibits any driver from using an Interactive Wireless Communication Device to send, read or write a text-based communication while his or her vehicle is in motion.
• Seat Belts – Any occupant younger than 18 must buckle up when riding in a vehicle, as well as drivers and front-seat passengers. Children under the age of two must be secured in a rear-facing car seat, and children under the age of four must be restrained in an approved child safety seat. Children must ride in a booster seat until their eighth birthday.
• Impaired Driving – Individuals are prohibited from driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs. Penalties for driving while impaired depend on the individual’s level of impairment and prior offenses and can include up to $10,000 in fines, up to five years in prison, up to 18 months license suspension, one year of ignition interlock and more.
• Speeding – Motorists are required to drive at reasonable and prudent speeds for the current conditions. This law is sometimes called the “assured clear distance” rule because it requires motorists to operate at a speed at which they can stop within an “assured clear distance.” Drivers may be ticketed for rear-ending another vehicle because they violated this law by not stopping within the following distance they allowed.

You can read more about highway safety at www.PennDOT.gov/safety.

Around the District

The Upper Perkiomen Valley Library celebrated their 50th anniversary this past Monday. I was joined by Rep. Milou Mackenzie in presenting a Senate citation for this great accomplishment. Congratulations again!

Yesterday, the Chamber’s Annual Pottstown Progress Luncheon was held. It was great to gain insight on how Pottstown is progressing and all the efforts that are being made within the community!

Please take a moment to watch the following video clip. FOCUS on Pottstown – YouTube

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