Politics

Applications are now available for the Property Tax and Rent Rebate Program and qualified individuals should file as soon as possible, according to Senator Elder Vogel, Jr. The maximum standard rebate is $650. The program is open to state residents age 65 or older; widows and widowers age 50 or older; and, 100 percent disabled people 18 or older. The income limit is $35,000 a year for homeowners and $15,000 annually for renters, with half of Social Security income excluded. The deadline for filing an application is July 1 and applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis after that…

Yesterday held the first of two monthly reoccurring council meetings, next week the following items will be voted on by council:   Visitors Dave McQuaid took a brief moment to stand in front of council to express his thanks for their active work on the proposed bike trail.   Finance Exonerate tax collector for collection and deposit of 2016 tax duplicate   Public Works/Utilities Payment- Charter Machine Company $7839.10, belt replacement at WWTP; paid from the sewage fund   Parks/Recreation EC Community Enrichment- Earth Day Celebration, April 22 from 10-2p.m. EC Community Enrichment- Storytelling Festival, September 16 from 4-7:30p.m. EC…

HARRISBURG – Eighteen fire and ambulance organizations in the 10th Legislative District have been awarded more than $235,000 in funding through the 2016-17 Pennsylvania Fire Company and Volunteer Ambulance Service Grant Program, Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) announced today. “Our local volunteers stretch every dollar to help meet their expenses for insurance, training, equipment and vehicles,” Bernstine said. “These grants will help ease the financial burden each of these companies has in helping to protect our communities.” The funding comes from an ongoing grant program created by the Legislature and administered by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and Office of the…

Freshman lawmaker offers thoughts on state budget process HARRISBURG – Following the governor’s budget address, Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) outlined his priorities for the 2017-18 state budget in the statement below: “As I take part in the budget process for the first time as a state representative, I’m concerned with how any new proposals will affect the hard-working people of the 10th District. Too many men and women are still unemployed, and many working folks are still struggling to make ends meet. The voters sent me to Harrisburg to protect them from the dangers of excessive government spending, to help…

“It is encouraging to hear a budget address that does not include calls for massive increases in broad-based tax increases. Finally, it would seem the Governor understands that working Pennsylvanians pay enough taxes as it is.  I look forward to working with him and my colleagues in the General Assembly to deliver a balanced, responsible state budget. Over the past two years, I have heard from countless taxpaying constituents that we must find greater efficiencies in state government instead of taking money out of their pockets.  The Governor’s proposal relies heavily on savings generated through the consolidation of several state…

Recently sworn-in State Representative, Aaron Bernstine, released the following information about his progress in the community: “I wanted to take this opportunity to provide my supporters and constituents with an update on what has been happening since the election. We have BIG issues to fix in Harrisburg.  Government spending must not only be stopped, but cut.  Until meaningful pension reform is enacted, money will continue to drain from our schools.  The 9.9% corporate income tax rate – the second highest in the nation – strangles the growth of Pennsylvania businesses.  These issues impact you on a daily basis, and I have…

Due to some ongoing misconceptions between the electric utility, landlords, and tenants, the Borough has released two informational letters discussing the manner in which delinquent utility bills can best be addressed. If a landlord or tenant has not already received the information, they can do so by checking the Borough website or a hard copy may be obtained directly through the Ellwood City Municipal Building. Bob Villella, the Borough Manager warns that electric services can be terminated in the winter with exceptions only made for qualifying medical conditions, an authorized payment plan, or if the tenant or resident qualifies for…

The attached information is being provided in order to inform Ellwood City Electric customers of the effect the reduction in the Transmission and Capacity charges set by PJM has had upon the Rate Adjustment (PPA Factor) and customer billings during the months of November 2016 through the upcoming billing in February 2017. Comparisons of PPA components (Energy Purchased, American Municipal Power-Power Charges, as well as Transmission and Capacity Charges) were used. The Rate Adjustment is added to the electric bill of each user, Residential, Commercial and Industrial. The November 2016 Rate Adjustment was 1.89 cents per kWh compared to 2.97…

The New Castle Sanitation Authority was today (January 25) awarded an $11 million low-interest loan from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) to provide sewage service in Shenango Township, according to Senator Elder Vogel Jr. (R-47). The project involves the installation of more than 220,000 feet of service lines and several other major improvements to the current system. A sewage disposal needs survey in Shenango Township found that 69 percent of the on-lot disposal systems were malfunctioning. “This project will address serious contamination issues caused by the release of untreated or partially treated sewage into local waterways by malfunctioning systems…

HARRISBURG – Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) today announced he was assigned to serve on the House Aging and Older Adult Services, Finance, Health, and Game and Fisheries committees during the 2017-18 legislative session. The committees provide legislative oversight and help shape the language in bills that fall under their areas of responsibility. “Committee work is one of my major responsibilities as a lawmaker,” Bernstine said. “I am looking forward to crafting legislation that will benefit the people of the 10th District, as well as attempting to stop any legislation that may have harmful or unintended consequences for our citizens.” The…