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State Budget Address Starts the Process
Gov. Tom Wolf delivered his budget proposal for the 2019-20 fiscal year before a joint session of the General Assembly on Tuesday.
House Republicans have been, and will continue to be, leaders when it comes to education funding, having increased funding for PreK-12 education by $3.4 billion since 2011.
We will also continue our commitment to building the economy through a better tax and regulatory climate, as well as ensuring our students are trained for the jobs of today and tomorrow. We are equally committed to removing the barriers to employment and self-sufficiency.
The budget process continues next week with the first in a series of House Appropriations Committee hearings to delve into the details of the governor’s plan. For a schedule and live streaming of the hearings, visit pahousegop.com.
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O’Neal Legislation to Strengthen Veterans Grave Decoration Rules Passes House
This week, the House approved my legislation that would help bolster the proper upkeep of grave decorations for all honorably discharged veterans in second-class counties.
House Bill 233 would strengthen current law to require cemeteries in second-class counties to remove flags from veterans’ graves when they become unsightly or weatherworn after Veterans Day and that all flags used be American made. In addition, a family member could remove the flag and keep it after Veterans Day.
Under current law, all counties are required to furnish a U.S. flag to be placed at the graves of all honorably discharged veterans each Memorial Day. The bill also would allow cemeteries in second-class counties to remove flags after Independence Day through the course of normal maintenance, as long as the flags are provided for redecoration in recognition of Veterans Day.
Last session, similar legislation became law for first-class and third- through eighth-class counties.
The bill now goes to the Senate for its consideration.
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Record-Setting Year for PA 529 College and Career Savings Program
As the House begins its budgeting process for next year, including higher education funding, Pennsylvania families are saving more than ever to ensure their children can afford college or other post-secondary options.
In 2018, Pennsylvania families set a record by saving over $585 million to use toward future education expenses in the PA 529 College and Career Savings Program.
Through PA 529, families can choose from two plans. The PA 529 Guaranteed Savings Plan (GSP) allows families to save for post-secondary education at today’s rate, and the PA 529 Investment Plan (IP) allows families to choose how their contributions are invested from a list of 16 options.
You can learn more about the 529 program at pa529.com or call 1-800-440-4000.
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Streamlining Medication Process for Patients and Seniors
House Republicans are continuing their commitment to ensuring the health and welfare of seniors and patients with chronic conditions by making it easier to adhere to their medication schedules.
This week lawmakers passed House Bill 195, which ensures patients can synchronize their medications in order to receive refills on the same day each month, instead of having to make multiple visits to the pharmacy.
This commonsense legislation would put Pennsylvania in line with Medicaid Part D, the PACE Program, and 35 other states that allow medication synchronization.
The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.
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Trout Stocking Schedule Now Available
Start planning for this year’s fishing season with the PA Fish and Boat Commission’s 2019 Trout Stocking Schedule.
More than 700 streams and 120 lakes will be stocked with nearly 3.2 million adult trout in Pennsylvania rivers and streams that are open to the public for fishing.
About 53 percent of the trout are stocked prior to opening day, 43 percent are stocked between opening day and the end of May, and the remaining 4 percent are stocked from October through February of the following year.
Opening Day of trout season will be Saturday, March 30, for Pennsylvania’s southeastern counties. The rest of the state will open on Saturday, April 13.
Copies of the trout stocking schedules, including a searchable database, can be found online at PFBC website or the PFBC’s “FishBoatPA” mobile app. A limited number of hard copies of the trout stocking schedules will soon be available in my district offices.
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| Office Locations |
| District office: Details coming soon |
| Capitol office: 52-B East Wing, P.O. Box 202048, Harrisburg, PA 17120-2048 | Tel: 717-787-3315 |
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| Email: toneal@pahousegop.com |
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