Author: kgordon

New Data Prompts Senate Committee to Advance Bills to Accelerate Business Tax Cut & Attract New Employers

Posted on

Data shows PA corporate tax collections consistently higher since CNI tax cut went into effect in January 2023

HARRISBURG – In light of new data released by the Independent Fiscal Office, the Senate Finance Committee today voted to advance two pro-growth tax reform bills championed by Sens. Ryan Aument (R-36), Tracy Pennycuick (R-24), Greg Rothman (R-34), and Judy Ward (R-30). The bills were brought up for consideration by Sen. Scott Hutchinson (R-21), Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, who has consistently supported efforts to enact pro-growth tax reform.

The first bill, Senate Bill 345 sponsored by Sens. Aument and Rothman, accelerates the reduction of the Commonwealth’s Corporate Net Income (CNI) tax by immediately dropping it to 7.99% and then reducing it an additional point every January until it falls to 4.99%.

A plan to reduce Pennsylvania’s CNI tax rate over the course of nine years was passed as part of the 2022-23 state budget, with the first one-point drop from 9.99% to 8.99% taking effect in January 2023. Since this initial cut, Pennsylvania’s economy has shown signs of growth, including increased revenue collections  from the CNI tax in January, February, March, and April of 2023 compared to the same periods in 2022.

Studies have also shown that decreasing the CNI leads to better job opportunities, higher workers’ wages, and improved communities.

“While we applaud the historic change made in last year’s budget, we believe Pennsylvania should not have to wait nearly a decade to experience the full benefits of the lower rate,” the senators said. “All the data we have since we cut the rate in January shows that reducing rates increases revenue for the state and makes Pennsylvania more economically competitive and ensures it is an attractive place to live and work. Passing this bill will improve the economy and help working families much faster. Why should we wait?”

The second bill, Senate Bill 346 sponsored by Sens. Rothman, Aument, and Pennycuick, will gradually increase the Net Operating Loss (NOL) carryover limit from the current 40% to 80% over four years, bringing the Commonwealth in line with both the federal limitation and the limitations of 48 other states.

“The current limit puts Pennsylvania at a huge disadvantage compared to nearly every other state in the country, turning away new businesses that might otherwise choose to locate here. For Pennsylvania to compete nationally and attract new businesses, we must address this anti-growth policy,” the senators said.

Both bills will now go before for the full Senate for consideration.

 

CONTACT:    Stephanie Applegate (Sen. Aument)
                          Lidia Di Fiore (Sen. Pennycuick)
                          Morgan Wagner (Sen. Rothman)
                          Nathan Akers (Sen. J. Ward)

Senate Committees Advance Five Ward Bills to Help Pennsylvanians

Posted on

HARRISBURG – Five state Senate committees this week approved five bills introduced by Sen. Judy Ward (R-30) that would help dairy farmers, milk sellers and consumers; blind, amputee and disabled veterans; small clubs and their patrons; firefighters and the communities they serve.

“This week, several important bills of mine took their first step in the legislative process and passed out of their respective committees,” Ward said. “These bills all have the potential to make a huge impact in my district and across the commonwealth. Farmers, veterans, firefighters, and many others would see benefits from the different pieces of legislation, and I am hopeful that these bills will continue to advance to the full Senate for their consideration.”

The Senate Transportation Committee on Wednesday approved Senate Bill 153, which would ensure milk haulers can travel on highways during a disaster emergency declaration. Trucks hauling milk have a limited window of up to 24 hours to deliver their product before it perishes. Ward introduced the bill after learning about milk haulers who were prevented from delivering their product during winter travel restrictions in 2019.

The Senate Law and Justice Committee on Tuesday approved Senate Bill 360, which would allow establishments with club licenses to sell malt beverages for off-site consumption. The bill would limit any sale to no more than 192 fluid ounces, which is equivalent to a six-pack of alcohol.

The Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday approved Senate Bill 361, which would add five new judges to the judicial districts for the courts of common pleas in Chester, Huntingdon, Columbia/Montour, Northumberland, and Butler counties.

The Senate State Government Committee on Tuesday approved Senate Bill 423, which would enable retired State Employees’ Retirement System (SERS) participants to serve as part-time, state-certified fire instructors without stopping their pension benefits. Current law prohibits a SERS retiree from collecting a pension while working for a SERS employer. The retirees who return to work would not increase their pensions.

The Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee on Wednesday approved Senate Bill 189, which would increase – from $150 to $200 – the monthly pension provided to blind, amputee and disabled veterans. As of Nov. 17, 2022, the Blind Veterans Pension Program benefited approximately 100 people and the Amputee and Paralyzed Veterans Pension Program served more than 2,150 people. The two programs have not provided a pension increase since 1999.

Residents can follow Ward on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/SenJudyWard and Twitter @SenatorJWard for news about legislation and the 30th Senate District. Contact information for her district offices and other information can be found on her website at SenatorJudyWard.com, and constituents also can sign up for her e-newsletter at SenatorJudyWard.com/enewsletters.

 

Contact: Nathan Akers
717-787-2421

Ward to Host Discover STEM Saturday at Juniata College

Posted on

HOLLIDAYSBURG – State Sen. Judy Ward (R-30) is hosting Discover STEM, a free event for all ages, on Saturday, April 22, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Kennedy Sports and Recreation Center, Juniata College.

Juniata College is located at 1700 Moore St., Huntingdon.

The educational and interactive event for families will enable participants to explore science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), four of the foundational skills to help children succeed in their careers and lives.

Attendees will be able to visit the StarLab, watch ice cream being made, code their way through the world of robots, discover secrets about the animal kingdom and experience more hands-on activities.

Ward is presenting the event in partnership with Juniata College and the Science in Motion Consortium.

Science in Motion is a state partnership program with colleges and universities. Science in Motion educators bring science and technology learning to students across the commonwealth.

 

Contact: Nathan Akers
717-787-2421

Baker, Ward to Introduce Bills Ensuring Social Security Bump Doesn’t Push Older Pennsylvanians Out of State Programs

Posted on

HARRISBURG – Inflation-related increases in Social Security benefits could push some recipients out of eligibility for state programs, but state Sens. Lisa Baker (R-20) and Judy Ward (R-30) are working to prevent this from happening.

“In addition to increasing the cost of just about everything, inflation is creating another problem. The Social Security COLA is putting some seniors over the limits for qualifying for vital state assistance,” Baker said. “Given the uncertain economic situation ahead of us, fairness warrants a fix to relieve this unforeseen burden on our older Pennsylvanians.”

“These bills are about protecting senior citizens and ensuring they can continue to access the state programs and services they need,” Ward said. “Senior citizens shouldn’t be pushed out of these programs because they got a bump in their Social Security payments.”

Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients benefitted from an 8.7% increase in January through a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) based on the rate of inflation.

While the additional money will help those living on fixed incomes pay for some necessities, it could disqualify them from state programs based on financial eligibility, such as those that help them heat their homes, acquire medical treatment and put food on their tables.

Baker and Ward are introducing legislation to address the problem. Senate Bill 607 and Senate Bill 608 will target senior citizen programs where the Commonwealth determines eligibility, like the popular Property Tax Rent Rebate Program.

Senate Bill 609 would require the state Department of Human Services to update its program income guidelines based on the Social Security COLA. This would ensure Social Security recipients would not lose access to the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Medical Assistance or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Contact:

Jennifer Wilson, 570-675-3931 (Baker)

Nathan Akers 717-787-2421 (Ward)

Joint Public Hearing Tuesday on Strengthening Guardianship Laws and Preventing Elder Abuse

Posted on

HARRISBURG – The Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by Sen. Lisa Baker (R-20), and the Senate Aging and Youth Committee, chaired by Sen. Judy Ward (R-30), are hosting a public hearing tomorrow, March 14, at 11 a.m., in Hearing Room 1 of the North Office Building in the Capitol Complex, Harrisburg, on strengthening guardianship laws and preventing elder abuse.

Remarks will be provided by:

  • The Honorable Lois Murphy, judge, Court of Common Pleas, Montgomery County, Administrative Judge, Orphan’s Court Division,
  • Pam Walz, Elder Law Section, Pennsylvania Bar Association,
  • Sally L. Schoffstall, Esq., certified elder law attorney, Schoffstall Elder Law, Pennsylvania Association of Elder Law Attorneys,
  • Connie Brode, executive director, Huntingdon-Bedford-Fulton Area Agency on Aging,
  • Teresa Osborne, state advocacy director, AARP Pennsylvania,
  • Jennifer Garman, Esq., director of government affairs, Disability Rights Pennsylvania and
  • Chelsea Robbins, deputy district attorney, Dauphin County District Attorney’s Office.

Livestream will be available at pasenategop.com/watch/. 

CONTACT:
Cara Laudenslager (Sen. Baker)
Nathan Akers (Sen. Ward)

Senators Unveil Bills to Promote Economic Growth, Attract New Employers

Posted on

Steps taken to expand economic opportunity for Pennsylvanians

HARRISBURG – To make Pennsylvania more economically competitive and ensure it is an attractive place to live and work, Sens. Ryan Aument (R-36), Tracy Pennycuick (R-24), Greg Rothman (R-34) and Judy Ward (R-30) unveiled a pro-growth tax reform package of bills.

The package of bills will:

  1. Accelerate the Corporate Net Income (CNI) tax reduction so it is more in line with a bill Aument sponsored in 2022,
  2. Increase the Net Operating Loss (NOL) carryover limitation, and
  3. Allow small employers to use the NOL deduction.

Sponsored by Aument and Rothman, Senate Bill 345 quickens the reduction of the commonwealth’s CNI tax by immediately dropping it to 7.99% and then reducing it an additional point every January until it falls to 4.99%.

As part of the 2022-23 state budget, Pennsylvania’s CNI tax rate began the transition from 9.99% to 4.99% over the course of nine years.

“A more competitive business tax code offers far more benefits than simply improving the state’s business climate. Studies have shown that decreasing the CNI leads to better job opportunities, higher workers’ wages, and improved communities – all of which create family-sustaining jobs and attract and retain new talent,” the senators said.

To bring family-sustaining jobs to the commonwealth and grow existing Pennsylvania businesses, the second bill will gradually increase the NOL carryover limit from the current 40% to 80% over four years. Senate Bill 346, sponsored by Sens. Rothman, Aument, and Pennycuick, will bring the NOL carryover limit in line with both the federal limitation and the limitations of 48 other states.

“The current restriction hurts Pennsylvania job creators and turns away businesses that might otherwise choose to locate in our state. For Pennsylvania to compete nationally and attract new businesses, we must address this anti-growth policy,” the senators said.

Senate Bill 347, sponsored by Ward, will help the commonwealth’s small businesses by allowing them to use the NOL deduction. This accounting tool, which gives small businesses greater control over their financial positions, is already available to large corporations – creating a disparity between the two.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and we need to give them the same tools and advantages that we give larger corporations. Allowing these mom-and-pop shops to use a net operating loss provision will help them to grow and succeed,” the senators said.

All three bills will be referred to the Senate Finance Committee for consideration.

 

CONTACT:   Stephanie Applegate (Sen. Aument)
                          Lidia Di Fiore (Sen. Pennycuick)
                          Morgan Wagner (Sen. Rothman)
                          Nathan Akers (Sen. J. Ward)