This week we will continue our discussion of Governor Shapiro’s budget address, focusing on business development and economic investment. Last year, we were able to pass a business-friendly budget that made investments in business development and job creation while lowering the corporate net income tax, making Pennsylvania a more pro-business state. Governor Shapiro often touts his intent to ensure that Pennsylvania “moves at the speed of business.”
During his budget address, he highlighted his administration’s accomplishments such as permit fast tracking and licensure reform, funding for Main Street programming, and industrial site expansion. He even touted that a magazine recently named Pennsylvania the top state in the Northeast for economic competitiveness.
Governor Shapiro also proposed accelerating cuts to the corporate tax rate to increase our competitiveness, making annual reductions 0.75 (up from 0.5, starting on January 1, 2026) and closing the Delaware loophole. Shapiro commented that while almost 90% all the businesses in Pennsylvania pay their full amount due in taxes (whether corporate net income tax or through the personal income tax), 11% of businesses – typically large ones – take advantage of a loophole in our system to avoid paying their fair share. He went on to state “it’s not fair that they get a free pass while everybody else pays. Think about it, they generate a lot of revenue in the Commonwealth, use our roads and bridges and schools and parks and then avoid paying taxes here due to an outdated loophole that 28 other states have closed.” Closing the Delaware loophole would mean that our business would be competing fairly and that bad actors wouldn’t be taking advantage of the commonwealth.
Governor Shapiro wants to continue to attract businesses to the commonwealth by directing $8.9 million to implement the Department of Community and Economic Development’s economic development planning and $3 million to enhance site selection and business attraction marketing.
Governor Shapiro wants to grow business in the state, not just move businesses to the state, by investing in Pennsylvania’s innovators. He wants to invest $30 million to spur life sciences job growth and innovation. He mentioned that we are a hub of life science innovation, but not reaping the rewards of our knowledge base, investment, and science. He commented that “Penn, Pitt, and Penn State all spend over $1 billion annually on groundbreaking research and development...our colleges and universities rank 4th in the nation in life sciences R&D spending.” Startingly, he shared that “in the last five years, Pennsylvania companies received 10,783 new life sciences patents – that’s the 4th highest number in the country. But we only received 3 percent of the venture capital flooding into life sciences.” He wants to invest $20 million to support entrepreneurs scaling up their products, innovation, and research, in conjunction with federal investment and $3.5 million to create and launch Pennsylvania Regional Economic Competitive Challenge, which would provide regions with grants to implement local economic development strategies.
Governor Shapiro wants to invest in our agricultural industry by helping mitigate the challenges farmers face, including $2 million for a county-based disaster pilot program and $13 million to support and attract innovative agricultural businesses. The commonwealth has already been a leader in preparing to help farmers dealing with the impact of Hi-Path avian influenza. He wants to ensure that protections exist for such a vital industry. Shapiro also wants to invest in our tourism industry, including a $15 million investment to ensure a safe semi quincentennial celebration across Pennsylvania and $2.5 million for America250PA.
Building on his “speed of business” model, Shapiro wants to allocate $2.5 million to allow the Workforce and Economic Development Network to increase assistance to employers for incumbent worker training, and a $2 million increase in the Foundations in Industry appropriation to support internships at Pennsylvania companies. He seeks to support small and diverse businesses by investing $20 million for the Historically Disadvantaged Business Assistance Program, $1 million to provide Veterans Small Business Assistance, and $25 million to assist small and diverse businesses looking to enter the Adult Use Cannabis market segment.
Governor Shapiro wants to improve interactions with state agencies by improving online safety and protecting information by allocating $10 million to the Enhanced Enterprise Cybersecurity initiative, $20 million for replacement of Commonwealth’s ERP system, $6.9 million to Commonwealth Digital Experience to enhance Commonwealth systems, and $1.2 million in additional resources for in-house media products and services.
Governor Shapiro wants to lower energy costs and increase reliability by overhauling current tools and generate more electric power to the grid. The governor shared that “the Commonwealth is the second largest energy exporter in the country – and one of the most important energy producers in the world...[and] we are powerful enough to develop commonsense policy that will lower costs, protect and create jobs, and take meaningful action to address climate change.” Last month he shared his Lightening Plan.
As we continue to have appropriations hearings for the next few weeks, I look forward to providing further updates regarding the governor’s budget proposal.
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Constituent Services Corner
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2024 Tax Forms and the Property Tax Rent Rebate Program
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My office now has 2024 state tax forms. Call or stop by my office today to request copies. For assistance with filing the Property Tax/Rent Rebate, please call 610-277-3230!
Applications are now open for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program. This program benefits older adults and Pennsylvanians with disabilities by providing a portion of money back on property taxes or rent paid in the prior year.
It’s quick and easy to apply online at https://pa.gov/PTRR, but my district office can also provide paper applications to anyone interested.
See if you qualify per the income parameters below. Remember, 50% of your Social Security benefit is excluded when determining your income.
Any questions can be directed to my office by calling (610) 277-3230 or emailing RepHanbidge@pahouse.net.
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Do you need a REAL ID? Beginning May 7, 2025, you will need a state-issued REAL ID?-compliant license or identification card, or another acceptable form of ID (such as a U.S. Passport), to fly within the United States.
You can get a REAL ID now or when you renew your driver's license. Learn more about REAL ID at https://www.dmv.pa.gov/REALID/ and feel free to contact my office at 610-277-3230 with any questions.
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My office is proudly accepting book donations from Jan. 21 until March 2 (Dr. Seuss' Birthday) for the Ambler Boys and Girls Club. Please drop off your new and/or gently used books for children in grade 1-5 at my district office during normal business hours, Monday -Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
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American Red Cross Spring Blood Drive – March 3
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My office is hosting a blood drive with the American Red Cross on Monday, March 3, from 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. at Montgomery County Community College. To host a blood drive on this day is particularly meaningful for me since I lost my mother to blood cancer on March 3rd of last year. The incredible generosity of blood and plasma donors kept her alive to valiantly fight her cancer for an additional 18 months and I could not be more grateful to everyone who donates blood. By donating, you can save the lives of three people, so please consider donating today! Sign up here!
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Have you been receiving questionable phone calls, text messages and emails and are not sure if they are a scam? If so, please join my office along with the Lower Gwynedd Police Department, PA Office of Banking and Securities, Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, PA Office of Attorney General, AARP Pennsylvania to help you protect yourself from frauds and scams!
Seating is limited, so please RSVP today by calling 610-277-3230.
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Shredding and Electronic Recycling Event – March 22
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Join Reps Ben Sanchez, Melissa Cerrato and my office on Saturday, March 22 for a Shredding AND Electronic Recycling event at Temple Ambler from 10:00 a.m. - Noon!
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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
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Pennsylvania students in 1st - 6th grade are invited to enter the 2025 Lyme Art Contest to promote awareness of ticks, the types of diseases they carry & how to protect yourself. Entries must be received by March 14, 2025! Learn more about the contest here.
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February is Financial Aid Awareness Month! PHEAA has you covered with their free online webinars that tackle every question you may have when it comes to the financial aid process. Click here to register for these incredibly helpful webinars today!
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March 24, 2025 at Elmwood Park Zoo, Montgomery County – REGISTER HERE
PRC works to ensure the general public has the opportunity to safely, correctly and conveniently dispose of their electronic waste including TVs, computers and more.
We are committed to the safe, ethical and responsible recycling of electronic waste through recognition by the Basel Action Network (BAN) as an
e-Stewards® Enterprise. The designation recognizes cities, companies and nonprofits that take concrete measures to eliminate the export of hazardous electronic waste (e-waste) to developing countries by using Certified e-Stewards Recyclers to manage their electronic waste.
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The Montgomery County Youth Aid Panel, Wissahickon Chapter, is looking for volunteers! Montgomery County's District Attorney's Youth Aid Panel Program (YAP) promotes restorative justice, representing an innovative approach by law enforcement toward juvenile offenders. The YAP provides a second chance for certain first-time juvenile criminal offenders who accept responsibility for their actions and satisfactorily demonstrate both public and private accountability.
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Juveniles and their families meet with trained local volunteer panelists to implement a comprehensive plan that promotes restorative justice for the victim, community, and offender. Panels are staffed by local volunteers who receive specialized training. Panelist must be 18 years or older, a U.S. citizen, a Montgomery County resident (for at least one year), must complete a training program, pass a background check, and must commit to a minimum of one-year of service. If you're interested in applying please submit a written application available at Youth Aid Panel | Montgomery County, PA - Official Website (montcopa.org).
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All Seeing Sky
Saturday, 15 February 2025
The performance opens with Wagner’s jubilant Prelude to Act III of Lohengrin with brass blazing and strings to capture the medieval tale of chivalry and betrayal. Then SPSO presents one of the first performances of Greek-New Zealand Composer John Psathas’ All Seeing Sky, an evocative work for two percussionist soloists and orchestra, featuring world acclaimed percussionists Lynn Vartan and Weichin Lin.
Dvorák’s emotionally profound Seventh Symphony concludes the concert as a personal reflection on grief and joy.
Saturday, 15 February 2025
7:30 p.m.
Calvary Baptist Church
1380 S. Valley Forge Road, Lansdale, PA
Get tickets here
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Pennsylvania State Capitol
28-B East Wing
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 783-4102
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District Office
1098 W. Skippack Pike
Blue Bell, PA 19422
(610) 277-3230
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