Senator Argall E-Newsletter

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  • President Biden’s remarks on elections out of touch with PA reality
  • Berks County property tax burden much higher than most of PA
  • Despite objections, PennDOT plan to toll Lenhartsville Bridge moves forward
  • Tamaqua Revitalization Update: Three expanded businesses due to our new CRIZ efforts
  • Pottsville student honored for winning high jump gold medal
  • Increased Unemployment Compensation Fraud and Identity Theft

President Biden’s remarks on elections out of touch with PA reality

For more than ten years, many of us have voted to require some kind of ID to vote, just like the ID you need to cash a check or buy a beer.

No matter what President Biden said this week in Philadelphia, voter ID is not wrong, it’s simple common sense.  The President’s rhetoric was completely out of touch with the reality here in Pennsylvania.

Visit this link to see what I had to say when 69 News asked me to comment.

I was also interviewed this week by Martha Raddatz of ABC News on why voter ID is so important for Pennsylvania.  The interview will be airing as a part of “This Week with George Stephanopoulos” on Sunday morning.  Don’t miss it!

Berks County property tax burden much higher than most of PA

A recent analysis by the Independent Fiscal Office (IFO) showed that Berks County residents have the second highest burden placed on them by school property taxes of all the 67 counties in Pennsylvania.  Berks County residents, on average, were required to pay 4.4% of their yearly income in property taxes.  

The disparity in different parts of the state helps to explain why the latest effort to pass my Senate Bill 76 ended in a 24-24 vote.  To put it simply, not every community in Pennsylvania feels the burden of high, unfair property taxes like we do. 

Due to Governor Wolf’s veto threat, I’m cosponsoring a constitutional amendment that would give voters the chance to eliminate all school property taxes.  

THE BEST NEWS:  THE GOVERNOR CAN’T VETO A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT!!

See the full breakdown of every county in Pennsylvania here.

Despite objections, PennDOT plan to toll Lenhartsville Bridge moves forward

PennDOT recently announced that they are moving forward on their controversial plan to toll nine bridges, including the Lenhartsville Bridge on I-78, throughout Pennsylvania to fund repairs, despite the objections of many members of the House and Senate. 

While we need to find a solution to properly fund the maintenance of our roads and bridges, no unelected official should have the ability to tax Pennsylvanians.    

Visit this link to read more.  Visit this link to read about an alternative funding option proposed by Senate Wayne Langerholc (R-Cambria), the Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee.

Tamaqua Revitalization Update: Three expanded businesses due to our new CRIZ efforts

Rep. Jerry Knowles and I cut a ribbon with PLCB Chairman Tim Holden for a new, larger Fine Wine and Good Spirits store in Tamaqua on Monday, in the same building as the expanded Boyer’s Food Markets and the soon to open Mason’s Cold Beer.  This project could not have been completed without bipartisan partnerships between public officials and private citizens.  Without dedicated support from the Boyer Family, Tamaqua Borough, and our local officials this project would have never happened.  

Because the store is located in the Tamaqua City Revitalization and Improvement Zone (CRIZ), many of the tax dollars raised through this new store will directly benefit Tamaqua for the next 25 years.  When I first drafted the “small town” amendment to the Senate’s CRIZ legislation, the goal was to help breathe new life into old towns like Tamaqua.  This week, we celebrated the results of that effort.…with much more to come!  Read more here.

Pottsville student honored for winning high jump gold medal

This week, Rep Joe Kerwin, Rep. Tim Twardzik and I met with Payton Kleckner, a recent Pottsville Area High School graduate, at the Capitol Building in honor of her athletic accomplishments.  Payton won the gold medal in this year’s Class AAA high jump competition.  She will be attending Ohio State University in the fall.  Congratulations Payton, and best of luck in your future endeavors!

Increased Unemployment Compensation Fraud and Identity Theft

According to the Department of Labor and Industry, unemployment phishing attempts are at an all-time high. Before clicking on any link or responding to suspicious messages, claimants are asked to review all verified UC contact methods.

What to do when someone files for unemployment benefits using your identity:

  • File a form online:
  • File via phone:
    • Call the PA Fraud Hotline at 800-692-7469.
  • File a report with police:
    • Contact police in the municipality you resided in at the time the unemployment fraud occurred/benefits in question were paid. A copy of the filed police report must also be provided to the Office of Unemployment Compensation.

Start a recovery plan with the Federal Trade Commission at identitytheft.gov.

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