(9/2024) Tax Credits Encourage Employers to Invest in Education Savings Accounts

Working to make higher education more affordable, the General Assembly recently adopted a new law creating a tax credit for employers who invest in PA 529 College and Career Savings Program accounts held by their employees. The law allows a 25% tax credit on employer contributions of up to $500 per participating employee per year. This initiative encourages employers to support their employees’ educational savings, facilitating financial planning for future educational expenses. The credit also would apply to employer contributions to PA ABLE accounts, which help people with disabilities plan for their future expenses without risking benefit eligibility. More information about the state’s 529 savings programs is available at patreasury.gov.

State-Owned Universities Freeze Tuition

The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) announced earlier this month it would again freeze tuition rates for in-state undergraduate students for the 2024-25 academic year. The decision came after the Legislature approved a $35.1 million, or 6%, increase in state funding for the universities as part of the 2024-25 state budget. This is the seventh consecutive year the tuition rate will remain the same at all 10 universities. According to PASSHE, the repeated freezes save students nearly 25% in tuition costs compared to the price if tuition had risen at the inflation rate for the last six years.

New Grant Program for Sportsmen’s Clubs Accepting Applications

The Pennsylvania Game Commission is now accepting applications for its Pennsylvania Shooting Range Improvement Program. Applicants may include existing shooting ranges, shooting clubs, recreational shooting organizations, archery clubs and education groups. Applicants must demonstrate public use of current facilities. Eligible projects include development and renovation of facilities, construction of backstops and safety berms, addition of permanent target systems, creation of shooting stations and covers, lead remediation, and more.

Nonprofits May Have Unclaimed Property Available

The Pennsylvania Treasury is urging nonprofit organizations, including volunteer fire companies, service organizations, libraries and more, to check the state’s unclaimed property database. Treasury is currently safeguarding $4.5 billion of unclaimed property, and many nonprofits have money available to claim. Unclaimed property includes things like dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, rebates, insurance payments and more – and every dollar returned to a nonprofit can help fulfill its core mission. For example, earlier this year, Treasury returned more than $160,000 to the United Way of Pennsylvania. Search online at patreasury.gov/unclaimed-property. Treasury developed these tips specifically to help nonprofits search for unclaimed property. For help with your search or filing a claim, contact my office or reach out to Treasury at 800-222-2046 or tupmail@patreasury.gov.

Ag Progress Days Highlights Pennsylvania Agriculture

At this year’s Ag Progress Days event near State College, I joined my House and Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee colleagues at a meeting with agriculture officials and state leadership teams of 4-H and FFA. In addition to the customary food, animals and fun found at an agricultural expo, Ag Progress Days is a great opportunity to learn about and see the latest agricultural innovations and farming equipment.

PA Vehicle Inspection Rules Unchanged

Despite any rumors, Pennsylvania still requires annual auto inspections. However, state Sen. Marty Flynn D-Lackawanna/Luzerne, signaled he plans to sponsor legislation to do away with the inspections, except when a vehicle is sold or the title is transferred. To date, no such legislation has been formally introduced.

Problems with Your Flight?

A new complaint form is available from the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General for residents who have encountered hardships with airline travel, ranging from flight delays and cancellations to boarding problems. The new form, created in partnership with the U.S. Department of Transportation, stems from an uptick in consumer complaints about air travel. Consumers may file complaints whether they purchased tickets directly through the airline, or through an agent or third party. Pennsylvania residents and anyone else who experienced airline travel issues in Pennsylvania are eligible to use the new complaint form. The forms require information, such as ticket number, flight itinerary, flight date, ticket purchase date, ticket price and form of payment. They also require specifics on what issues were encountered by the traveler. Click here to access the form.

Nonprofits May Have Unclaimed Property Available

The Pennsylvania Treasury is urging nonprofit organizations, including volunteer fire companies, service organizations, libraries and more, to check the state’s unclaimed property database. Treasury is currently safeguarding $4.5 billion of unclaimed property, and many nonprofits have money available to claim. Unclaimed property includes things like dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, rebates, insurance payments and more – and every dollar returned to a nonprofit can help fulfill its core mission. For example, earlier this year, Treasury returned more than $160,000 to the United Way of Pennsylvania. Search online at patreasury.gov/unclaimed-property. Treasury developed these tips specifically to help nonprofits search for unclaimed property. For help with your search or filing a claim, contact my office or reach out to Treasury at 800-222-2046 or tupmail@patreasury.gov.

Additional Opportunities for White-Tailed Deer Hunters

State forestlands and state parks are participating in the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s (PGC) Deer Management Assistance Program, and they need the help of hunters of white-tailed deer. The program allows landowners to apply for permits to encourage antlerless deer harvests on their property, enabling the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and private landowners to help manage white-tailed deer populations. Out-of-balance deer populations impact other wildlife and disrupt forest regeneration, which is vital to healthy, sustainable forested ecosystems. The department is offering hunters 30,328 permits in 101 units totaling more than 1.3 million acres. Deer Management Assistance Program tags are now on sale. Hunters may obtain permits directly from license issuing agents or the PGC website.

The department’s goals for the Deer Management Assistance Program are to:

• Promote a diverse, healthy natural habitat that supports wildlife diversity and healthy deer populations.
• Provide additional hunting opportunities.
• Establish and maintain regeneration to support sustainable forestry practices with minimal need for deer fencing.
• Promote a healthy, sustainable forest and native, wild plant communities.

This year, program participants include 26 state parks and 18 state forest districts.

Applicants for Deer Management Assistance Program permits can find DCNR tract locations and maps, availability numbers, past hunter success rates, and other information can be found on the PGC website.