Conklin: Measure to exempt COVID-19 aid from state, local taxes

(May 04, 2020)

HARRISBURG, May 4 – A bill to prevent recipients of federal pandemic cash payments from being required to pay state and local taxes on the funds passed unanimously in the House, state Rep. Scott Conklin, D-Centre, announced today. Conklin said the bill, authored by state Rep. Brandon Markosek, D-Allegheny, would ensure that those who received the assistance, as part of the CARES Act that passed in Congress last month and was signed into law, would not have to pay state or federal taxes on the funds. Conklin added the funds are already exempt from federal taxation. “These funds were provided as assistance, not as income, and they shouldn’t be treated as such in Pennsylvania,” said Conklin. “Our businesses and residents need help, not an additional tax burden on top of trying to stay afloat during this crisis. We need to remain focused on doing everything we can to help them through this time and in the weeks and months to follow, and this legislation is one example of doing just that. The CARES Act included a provision to provide cash payments to individuals making less than $99,000 per year and couples making less than $198,000 annually. The bill, which has companion legislation in the Senate, will now head to the Senate for further action. Read more

 

Conklin: Centre County among those allowed to begin reopening process

(May 04, 2020)

PHILIPSBURG, May 1 – Centre County is among 24 counties statewide that have been moved from red to yellow status, allowing for limited reopening effective 12:01 a.m. on Friday, May 8, state Rep. Scott Conklin announced today. Conklin, D-Centre, said he was pleased that the county was able to meet the reopening criteria, based on the number of COVID-19 cases, population density, and capacity of ICU and medical/surgical beds. “Our residents have been abiding by the stay-at-home orders and many of our businesses have had to either close or significantly curtail operations,” Conklin said. “Make no mistake: this is certainly good news for Centre County, but we still must remain vigilant and continue to practice social distancing guidelines to further curb the virus’s spread.” Conklin added that counties in the yellow designation must follow these restrictions: Work-related restrictions: • Telework must continue where allowed and feasible. • Businesses with in-person operations must follow business and building safety orders. • Child care facilities open must comply with state guidelines. • Congregate care and prison restrictions remain in place. • Schools will remain closed for in-person instruction. Social restrictions • Stay-at-home order lifted for aggressive mitigation. • Large gatherings of more than 25 people are prohibited. • In-person retail is Read more

 

Conklin to introduce ‘Shared Sacrifice’ legislation

(Apr 29, 2020)

HARRISBURG, April 29 – State Rep. Scott Conklin has announced his intent to introduce legislation to suspend cost-of-living adjustments for members of the General Assembly and state administration officials. Conklin, D-Centre, said as many Pennsylvanians remain out of work and are making tough choices as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, it makes sense to suspend these adjustments for a period of at least three years to offset some of the state’s anticipated revenue losses. “We can’t ask Pennsylvanians to make sacrifices and tighten their belts if we aren’t willing to do the same,” Conklin said. “Current estimates show that we will have a $4 billion shortfall in revenues as we head into the next fiscal year, and we will need to itemize every penny to ensure necessary programs and essential services can be provided. As elected officials, it’s imperative we need to do our part to ensure we don’t add an additional financial burden on our already cash-strapped residents.” More information on his forthcoming legislation can be found at this link: https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=H&SPick=20190&cosponId=31687 . Read more

 

Conklin supports the expansion of real estate business activities

(Apr 28, 2020)

HARRISBURG, April 28 – In response to updated guidance announced by the Pennsylvania Department of State, state Rep. Scott Conklin applauded the regional expansion of allowable business activities for real estate professionals, including appraisers, notaries, home inspectors and title companies. The updated guidance would allow for in-person activities, including real estate showings, appraisals and inspections, in areas of the state deemed to be in the “Yellow Phase” of reopening, provided that all participants follow guidance from the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “These professionals can and should be allowed to conduct business, and I am confident they can safely do so, following the guidance from state and federal officials,” Conklin said. “Our entire commonwealth has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and that includes the real estate sector. Pennsylvanians who have been unable to sell or buy a home will now be able to do so, and these professionals can resume their work and help get our economy back on track.” More information on the updated guidance for real estate industry professionals can be found here: https://www.dobs.pa.gov/Documents/COVID19/Real%20Estate%20Prof%20Notaries%20Guidance.pdf Read more

 

Fill out the 2020 census!

(Mar 30, 2020)

In Pennsylvania, everyone counts and April 1 is National Census Day! If you haven’t already, don't forget to fill out your census form. Our population count determines our voice in government and how much federal funding we’ll receive for education, health care, transportation and more. Whether you respond online, mail or by phone , participate and help shape PA’s future. Your responses are anonymous and protected by law. To learn more, visit pa.gov/census #PAcounts #2020Census Read more

 

COVID-19 Helpful Resources

(Mar 19, 2020)

In light of the current COVID-19 pandemic affecting Pennsylvania, we wanted to provide you with the following resources and information to help you and your family in the days ahead. Please note that this webpage will be updated as needed with additional information and resources. State Services and Resources The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has created a COVID-19 guide to assist everyone. It includes information on social distancing, mental health resources, unemployment, food assistance, changes from PennDOT and resources for small business: https://www.pa.gov/guides/responding-to-covid-19/ For individuals : https://www.pa.gov/guides/responding-to-covid-19/#ForIndividuals For families : https://www.pa.gov/guides/responding-to-covid-19/#ForFamilies For businesses : https://dced.pa.gov/resources COVID Support for PA Businesses : The following provides information and and links to federal, state, local and private resources. https://www.pahouse.com/News/?id=113388 **Self-employed, independent contractors, gig economy workers: Apply here for federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefits .** https://www.pa.gov/guides/responding-to-covid-19/#ForBusinessesUtilities Information from the PA Dept. of Labor and Industry on the federal CARES Act: https://www.uc.pa.gov/COVID-19/CARES-Act/Pages/default.aspx The following link provides you with Read more

 

Conklin: $115,000 in funding awarded to Jewish center at Penn State

(Mar 12, 2020)

HARRISBURG, March 12 – Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life at Pennsylvania State University has been awarded a $115,852 state grant to use toward a variety of security and safety enhancements, state Rep. Scott Conklin announced. Conklin, D-Centre, said the funds were awarded by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency at its quarterly commission meeting through its Nonprofit Security Grant Fund Program following the passage of Act 83 of 2019 . The act directs the agency to administer grants to nonprofit organizations that have been or are likely to be targets for hate crimes. Priority consideration for funding was given to organizations that indicated they – or their membership – were victims of a hate crime or had a credible hate-crime threat, Conklin added. “These community centers must remain safe spaces for students and the community to gather and connect with others, and I’m pleased that PCCD is providing Hillel the vital support to keep their center safe and secure,” said Conklin. PCCD is the state’s lead agency for criminal justice policy issues, providing support services to law enforcement agencies, victims of crime and communities. More information on PCCD can be found at the following site: www.pccd.pa.gov . Read more

 

Conklin: $80,000 in school safety grants awarded to two local school districts

(Feb 27, 2020)

HARRISBURG, Feb. 27 – The Bald Eagle Area and State College Area school districts are recipients of grants designed to promote and support a variety of school safety initiatives, state Rep. Scott Conklin announced today. Conklin, D-Centre, said a $35,000 grant was awarded to the Bald Eagle Area School District, with $45,000 awarded to the State College Area School District from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency’s School Safety and Security Committee. The funds can be used to hire school personnel, including counselors, social workers, and school resource officers, to purchase security-related technology, or to support safety-related training. “Making sure our students are safe and secure in school and focused on learning is paramount,” Conklin said. “This funding will help districts with the tools they need to keep students and staff safe and provides them with flexibility to use the funds as needed, including additional personnel, technology and training.” The grants are provided through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency’s School Safety and Security Committee. This committee is the result of Act 44 of 2018 , and is responsible for establishing the standards schools must meet when performing school safety and security assessments. More information regarding the committee and the grant program can be found at the following link: Read more

 

Conklin - Winter 2020 Newsletter

(Feb 11, 2020)

Rep. Conklin Winter 2020 newsletter Read more

 

Conklin: Budget is very good news for all Pennsylvanians, including its youngest residents

(Feb 04, 2020)

HARRISBURG, Feb. 4 – State Rep. Scott Conklin, D-Centre, released the following statement regarding Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposed 2020-21 budget unveiled today: “This budget is really good news for all Pennsylvanians. We have the opportunity to invest in our youngest children, especially through an expansion of full-day kindergarten, providing a wonderful opportunity for them to engage and learn at a critical time of their development. In addition, the governor’s proposed budget will make it easier for our older students to receive a college education, without having to go into significant amounts of debt. “With this budget, we also have an opportunity to provide a true livable wage, especially for single parents who have to work more than one job just to make ends meet. “I’m very pleased this realistic budget includes no new taxes and will truly do more to help all of our commonwealth’s residents. “I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in the months ahead as we begin the budget hearings to discuss the proposals unveiled today in more detail.” Read more

 

Conklin Responds To Governor’s State Budget Address

(Feb 04, 2020)

Pa. state Rep. Scott Conklin reacts to Gov. Tom Wolf’s budget address for the 2020-21 fiscal year. Read more

 

Pa. Treasury could be holding your unclaimed property

(Jan 01, 2016)

Each year, the Pennsylvania Treasury receives millions of dollars of unclaimed property. It is estimated that roughly one in 10 Pennsylvanians has unclaimed property. Read more