(4/2025) Bill to Require Cash Option for Tickets to School-Sponsored Events Advances

This House Commerce Committee unanimously approved a bill to make cash an acceptable form of payment for admission to school-sponsored events. While cash is still legal tender in this country, many schools across our Commonwealth are rejecting cash as a form of payment for school-sponsored activities and are instead requiring spectators to use credit or debit cards. To make matters worse, the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) conducts ticket sales exclusively online through an app and piles on extra "convenience" fees. Removing the cash option has disenfranchised many seniors, poor people and children who may not have credit cards, smart phones or the technical capabilities to access the internet to purchase tickets. House Bill 685 would restore the cash option for patrons of school-sponsored events.

Grow PA Scholarship Grant Program Applications Open

Students can now apply for a Grow PA Scholarship. I supported the creation of this program under Act 89 of 2024, which offers grants of up to $5,000 per year for in-state students who attend college in Pennsylvania, pursue a degree in an in-demand occupation and agree to work in that occupation in Pennsylvania after graduation. There are over 460 eligible programs of study or majors that lead to in-demand occupations in a variety of fields, such as agriculture, business, education, computer science, STEM, nursing, allied health and criminal justice. Awards will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis for the 2025-26 academic year.

COG Update Includes Budget, HPAI and Vocational Education

At the February Adams County Council of Governments (COG) meeting here in Gettysburg, I shared my insight into the state budget hearings at the state Capitol this week, and my discussions with health experts from PennVet on the risks associated with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), also known as avian flu or bird flu. I learned that consumers could expect the price of eggs to increase by 41% this year. HPAI not only affects chickens, turkeys, and wild birds, but it has spread to dairy cows and humans as well. So far, one person has died after contracting the virus from an infected cow. Despite the rapid changes to this deadly virus, there are no known cases of human-to-human transmission, which would signal the onset of a pandemic.

Finally, I shared my thoughts on bringing vocational education to Adams County. The schools that offer vocational training have waiting lists, which are shutting the doors on the hopes and aspirations of many of our kids. Instead of waiting as long as 10 years for permits, engineering studies and a new school to be built, I raised the issue of renovating the nearly vacant Hanover Mall to accommodate classrooms. I believe this could be done in a fraction of the time and at a fraction of the cost. Our students want and deserve these classes now.

Application Deadline Approaching for 2025 Pennsylvania House Scholarship

High school seniors interested in financial assistance for college can now apply for a Pennsylvania House of Representatives’ Scholarship. The deadline is April 15. Each year the program awards a four-year scholarship to two students preparing for post-secondary education. It is open to graduating high school seniors who are Pennsylvania residents with plans to attend a Pennsylvania college, university or career school as a full-time student.

To qualify, students must have attained a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average in high school. Other factors may include a student’s community involvement, leadership qualities, extracurricular activities and financial need. The scholarship is administered through the Foundation for Enhancing Communities and is privately funded by individual and corporate donors; no tax or other public funds are used. Scholarships are awarded through an independent panel of judges chosen by the foundation.

Apply Now for Grow PA Scholarship Grant

The Grow PA Scholarship Grant program will issue awards for the fall semester on a first-come, first-served basis. This is based on the date that the student’s completed application is received for the 2025-2026 academic year. To be considered for the Grow PA Grant Program, students must:

• File the 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid
• Be a current resident of Pennsylvania
• Meet satisfactory academic progress for Title IV financial aid
• Have not earned a bachelor’s degree
• Be enrolled at least half-time at an approved institution and enrolled in an eligible program of study as determined by PHEAA
• Sign a Master Promissory Note agreeing to repay all funds received if the work requirement is not met, including any potential interest accrued.

There are over 460 eligible programs of study or majors that lead to in-demand occupations in a variety of fields, such as agriculture, business, education, computer science, STEM, nursing, allied health and criminal justice.

Get Ready for REAL ID

The deadline for enforcement of the federal REAL ID Act is fast approaching. Beginning May 7, you will have to present a federally accepted form of identification to board a domestic commercial flight or visit a secure federal building that requires ID at the door. Federally accepted forms of identification include a Pennsylvania REAL ID driver’s license or ID card, a U.S. passport or passport card, or a military ID. While all Pennsylvanians must comply with the new law, obtaining a state-issued REAL ID is not mandatory. PennDOT will continue to offer standard-issue driver’s licenses and photo IDs. To learn more about REAL ID and how to obtain one, visit penndot.gov/REALID.

Substance Abuse Help for Veterans

Did you know more than one in 10 veterans have been diagnosed with a substance use disorder? When veterans separate from the military, they may face a host of societal challenges when re-adapting to civilian life. Most will work through these challenges, but some fall on hard times, and may resort to substance abuse to cope. Help is available for veterans, family members and their advocates at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). Veterans are also encouraged to make use of PA VETConnect, a program aimed at helping veterans address the challenges of homelessness, employment, mental health, addiction and much more. If you or someone you know requires assistance, or would like more information about PA VETConnect or other DMVA programs and services, visit dmva.pa.gov.

Free Tax Filing Resources Available

The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue is reminding taxpayers of free online tools and resources it offers to help people seamlessly file their tax returns. Roughly 2.1 million Pennsylvanians are eligible to use Direct File, an online tool offering taxpayers the option to file their federal and state tax returns at no cost directly with the IRS and Department of Revenue. It is the first time the program is being offered in the Commonwealth. Direct File is currently designed for Pennsylvanians with common tax situations. The IRS offers an eligibility checker that will walk you through the steps to determine if you’re eligible. Taxpayer service and assistance is also available through the department’s Online Customer Service Center, which contains answers to hundreds of common income tax questions and allows taxpayers to securely submit a question to the department. Taxpayers may also call 717-787-8201 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, for state tax assistance. In-person assistance is available at Department of Revenue district offices.

Free Tax Filing Resources Available

The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue is reminding taxpayers of free online tools and resources it offers to help people seamlessly file their tax returns. Roughly 2.1 million Pennsylvanians are eligible to use Direct File, an online tool offering taxpayers the option to file their federal and state tax returns at no cost directly with the IRS and Department of Revenue. It is the first time the program is being offered in the Commonwealth. Direct File is currently designed for Pennsylvanians with common tax situations. The IRS offers an eligibility checker that will walk you through the steps to determine if you’re eligible. Taxpayer service and assistance is also available through the department’s Online Customer Service Center, which contains answers to hundreds of common income tax questions and allows taxpayers to securely submit a question to the department. Taxpayers may also call 717-787-8201 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, for state tax assistance. In-person assistance is available at Department of Revenue district offices. Click here for additional information. The tax filing deadline is April 15.

Be Aware of Tax Season Scams

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is again warning taxpayers about tax season scams. They’ve identified the "dirty dozen" most common scams for individuals, businesses and tax professionals. They include phishing scams via email or text, bad social media tax advice, fake IRS individual online account help, fake charities, false fuel tax credit claims, credits for sick leave and family leave that are no longer available, bogus self-employment tax credits and ghost tax return preparers, among others. Click here to learn more about these scams and how to protect yourself. And remember, the IRS will never contact you using social media or text message. The first contact from the IRS usually comes in the mail. Taxpayers who are unsure whether they owe money to the IRS can view their tax account information at IRS.gov.

PA ABLE Helps Save for Disability-Related Expenses

The PA ABLE Savings Program, an initiative created to help people with disabilities and their families save for future expenses, continues to grow in the Commonwealth. The Pennsylvania Treasury, which oversees the program, recently announced it has surpassed $150 million in assets. ABLE stands for Achieving a Better Life Experience. The program offers multiple savings and investment options, including an interest-bearing checking account. PA ABLE accounts owners can contribute up to $19,000 per year. Contributions can be deducted on PA state income taxes, and PA ABLE account owners pay no federal or state income tax on account growth when used for qualified withdrawals. The money can be used for everything from groceries, rent, health care and transportation to longer-term expenses including education and assistive technology. Learn more at PAABLE.gov.