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In this Edition:
10 Ways My Office Can Help YouHere’s a tally of 10 services my office could provide you or your family in 2016. 1. Trouble with a state agency (PennDOT, Department of Human Services, Department of Labor and Industry, etc.)? – Contact my office and we can make an inquiry on your behalf. 2. Need state tax forms, birth certificate applications, voter registration forms, etc.? Contact my office and my staff will provide the necessary forms as well as guidance on any state processes. 3. Need brochures or publications for yourself, families, or friends? Review the various publications available and contact my Red Hill Office at 215-541-2388 to get your free copies. Large orders may require additional time. 4. Share your thoughts/opinions/experiences regarding pending state legislation. – Send me an email or contact my office. 5. Request a certificate/citation for acknowledgement of accomplishments and special occasions such as retirement, anniversary, birthday or scout honors? – Fill out certificate/citation request 6. Apply for an internship with my Red Hill office. – Complete the intern application form. 7. Planning a trip to Harrisburg? – Sign up for a capitol tour online or call my Harrisburg office at 717-787-3110. 8. Receive periodic updates about my activities in the 24th Senatorial district as well as my actions in Harrisburg – Sign up for my e-newsletter or call my Red Hill office at 215-541-2388 and ask my staff to add your email to the distribution list. 9. Schedule a meeting with me – Contact either my Harrisburg office at 717-787-3110 or my Red Hill office at 215-541-2388 for more information. If you would like me to speak at an event, complete the speaking invitation request form. 10. Remain updated on my prime-sponsored legislation. – Visit my prime-sponsored legislation page. Veterans OutreachJamie Waite, Service Officer, for the Montgomery County Veterans Affairs office will be available on February 25 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at my Red Hill office to offer assistance to veterans. Jamie Waite can assist veterans, their dependents, and survivors regarding their rights and the various county, state, and federal benefits they may be entitled to receive and assists them to apply for these benefits. In addition, she can screen for presumptive conditions that veterans can claim for disability, provide eligibility information on VA healthcare and more. Constituents are required to call Jamie Waite at 610-278-3285 to set up an appointmentHelp Cut Government Costs with SavePA Web Page
It is the responsibility of lawmakers to cut costs and manage the commonwealth’s assets, but every citizen can play a role in making government operate more efficiently. I’ve created a SavePA page on my website to receive your suggestions regarding ways to reduce government spending and save tax dollars. This has never been more important than now, with a governor determined to raise billions in new taxes to balance the budget rather than looking for ways to reduce spending. I have said it many times before, and I will say it again – YOU are my best resource. I look forward to reviewing the ideas you share with me. The Mensch Report: Upper Perkiomen Valley YMCA
This edition of the Mensch Report features the Upper Perkiomen Valley YMCA. The Upper Perkiomen Valley YMCA serves Pennsburg, East Greenville, Green Lane, Hereford, Palm and the surrounding communities. They offer a wide range of programs for children and teens including swim lessons, sports, fitness, karate and day camps. For adults and seniors, the Y has personal training, a variety of group exercise classes, water aerobics and free babysitting services. Join me on a tour of this beautiful facility. PA Power SwitchDepending on where you live, you may be able to save money by switching your electric supplier. In Pennsylvania, you can choose the company that generates your electricity - also known as your electric supplier. This means that you have the power to switch to a competing supplier who can offer the lowest price or provide a specific service you want, such as green/renewable energy. State Snow Plow Tracking Now Available
As part of an expanded technology pilot, you can now view hundreds of plow trucks on interstates and expressways this winter at www.511PA.com. By clicking on the “Plow Trucks” box at the 511PA site, you can view the location of more than 500 PennDOT plow trucks and more than 200 contracted rental trucks this winter through the 511PA website. Statewide, PennDOT has more than 2,200 total department-force trucks and also rents approximately 270 trucks and their operators to maintain the more than 40,000 miles of roadway for which PennDOT is responsible. The AVL system pilot is part of a GO-TIME initiative that leverages inter-agency coordination and collaboration to maximize efficiency, modernize state government operations, and provide the highest quality services. The pilot, as one of seven GO-TIME projects identified by PennDOT in 2016-2017, is expected to realize a cost savings of $1.4 million over the next four to six years based on a combination of reduced salt usage and better use of department equipment. Property Tax/Rent Rebate Applications for Taxes Paid in 2015 Now AvailableApplication forms for the Department of Revenue’s Property Tax/Rent
Rebate Program are now available for eligible residents to begin claiming
rebates for property taxes or rent paid in 2015. Extension of Persian Gulf Conflict Veterans Benefit ProgramThe Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) is once again accepting applications for the Persian Gulf Conflict Veterans Benefit Program thanks to an amendment to legislation that extends the application deadline to Aug. 31. 2018. The bonus pays $75 per month for qualifying, active-duty service members, up to a $525 maximum. For personnel whose death was related to illness or injury received in the line of duty in Operations Desert Shield or Desert Storm, there is an additional $5,000 available to the surviving family. Service members who were declared prisoners of war may also be eligible for an additional $5,000. In each case, the service member must have:
Individuals who received a bonus or similar compensation from any other state are not eligible for the Pennsylvania program. The deadline for applying for benefits under the program extension is Aug. 31, 2018. Here are detailed instructions on how to apply. PA Turnpike TOLL BY PLATEPA Turnpike TOLL BY PLATE is a new license plate tolling system. If you are not an E-ZPass customer you will receive a bill in the mail. Cameras on the overhead gantry at the new PA Turnpike Bridge cashless tolling point over the Delaware River capture a vehicle’s license plate at highway speed, and a toll bill is mailed to the registered owner. HOW DOES IT WORK?
Currently, the PA Turnpike TOLL BY PLATE program is only available at the new tolling point at the PA Turnpike Bridge over the Delaware River. Customers have 20 days to pay their invoice before a second invoice will be issued. If the first invoice is not paid, the second invoice will include an additional fee of either $5 or the equivalent of 1.5% of the total amount owed, whichever is higher. Customers with rental vehicles should check with the rental company about their policy with regards to travel on toll roads. For more information here. DMVA Announces Veterans’ Trust Fund Grant Funding OpportunitiesThe Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) today announced the availability of up to $550,000 in competitive grants from the Veterans’ Trust Fund (VTF). Grants will be considered in the following areas:
Since the VTF was established in 2012, more than $830,000 has been awarded in competitive grants. Grant information can be found at www.vtf.pa.gov. Grant applications must be received at DMVA by 4 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on Friday, Feb. 5, 2016. Late submissions will be administratively rejected without review. DMVA is authorized to solicit and accept donations to the VTF on behalf of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Tax-deductible donations to the VTF can be made to: PA Veterans’ Trust Fund, Bldg. 0-47 Fort Indiantown Gap, Annville, PA 17003. Twitter and Facebook: I post regular updates on legislative action, committee developments, useful state-related information, happenings in the 24th Senatorial District and more on Twitter @SenatorMensch and on my Facebook page. If you find this e-newsletter
useful, I invite you to visit my website
www.senatormensch.com
for more information about your state government. |
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