E-news Updates - July 14, 2023

In this Update:

Lane Closure on Route 581 This Weekend
Expanding the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program
Pennsylvania to Receive More Than $1 Billion to Close Digital Divide
Beware of Student Loan Scam Robocalls and Robotexts
Purple Star School Program Supports Military-Connected Children
Celebrate National Ice Cream Day on the PA & Cumberland Valley Ice Cream Trails

Lane Closure on Route 581 This Weekend

PennDOT has announced that a pavement project on Eastbound Route 581 will result in the right travel lane being closed through the weekend around the off-ramp to Route 11/15 (Camp Hill/Gettysburg).

This work will begin at 8:00 PM Friday, July 14th and continue to 6:00 AM Monday, July 17th. Be sure to check roadway conditions at www.511PA.com or through the 511PA app available for iPhone and Android devices.

Click here for more information regarding other road projects in PennDOT’s District 8, which covers Cumberland and York Counties, as well as Adams, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, and Perry Counties.

Expanding the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program

In an effort to provide more financial relief for low-income seniors, the Senate passed legislation to increase the income eligibility and amount of rebates for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program. I’m very pleased this bipartisan bill will put money back in the pockets of those who need it most.

The rebate program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians age 65 and older; widows and widowers age 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older. House Bill 1100 will expand this program to help homeowners and renters with household income of up to $45,000. Previously, the income limit was $35,000 a year for homeowners and $15,000 annually for renters, and half of Social Security income is excluded.

In addition, as part of the legislation, the household income limit is required to be adjusted each July equal to a percentage change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI), with any changes rounded to the nearest $10. If the CPI declines, the income limits will remain unchanged.

Pennsylvania to Receive More Than $1 Billion to Close Digital Divide

Pennsylvania is set to receive $1.16 billion in federal funding to increase access to high-speed internet connectivity for individuals, businesses, schools and hospitals.

Thanks to everyone who submitted information to challenge the Federal Communications Commission’s map that indicates areas with and without high-speed internet connectivity, Pennsylvania had the third highest number of successful challenges in the country.

While funding was predicated on the map released by the FCC, residents may still view and challenge the map should the information be incorrect. Residents can view the statewide broadband map and learn more about challenging any location in Pennsylvania here.

Beware of Student Loan Scam Robocalls and Robotexts

Following the Supreme Court decision regarding the U.S. Department of Education’s student loan forgiveness program, scammers are likely to attempt to use the program to make their misleading robocalls and robotexts seem more legitimate.

Common scams pretend to be from the “student loan forgiveness center” or from a state “forgiveness center.” Other messages reference a “settlement” with the U.S. Department of Education that entitles the recipient to “fully discharge” their student loan obligations. Incoming communications may also fraudulently reflect seemingly legitimate caller ID information to convince consumers to respond.

Learn more, including how to spot a scam and what to do if you are a target, here.

Purple Star School Program Supports Military-Connected Children

Thanks to legislation sponsored by Senate Republicans, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) launched the Purple Star School Program.

The program encourages schools to support the children of service members on active duty and in the National Guard and Reserves as they transition to a new school due to a parent’s change in duty station. Public and non-public schools can receive the Purple Star Award from PDE if they demonstrate their commitment to students and families connected to our nation’s military.

Pennsylvania now joins 37 other states that offer this designation. Schools can learn more and apply for the Purple Star School designation here.

Celebrate National Ice Cream Day on the PA & Cumberland Valley Ice Cream Trails

Sunday, July 16th is National Ice Cream Day – a perfect reason to hit the Pennsylvania Ice Cream Trail, which highlights more than 40 locations across the Commonwealth.

For those in the local area, be sure to also check out the Cumberland Valley Ice Cream Trail with nearly 20 locations stretching from Shippensburg to New Cumberland.

Both trails utilize a mobile passport on your smartphone accessible through the links above, and each check-in at a location earns you points toward prizes.

This is a great way to support these small businesses while cooling down with a delicious treat this weekend and throughout the summer.

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