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Each year, the Pennsylvania Department of Treasury receives millions of dollars in unclaimed property – forgotten stocks, uncashed checks, insurance policies, to name a few – and works to return them to the rightful owners. Currently, Pennsylvania is holding $1.5 billion in unclaimed property. It is estimated that approximately one in ten Pennsylvanians have unclaimed property. I would encourage district residents to take a few moments to check the Unclaimed Property Database to ensure that any money being held by the Treasury will ultimately be returned to the citizens. This program, which will also feature my reaction to the Governor's Budget Address, will air on:
The program is also available on Shen-Heights TV and WLYN TV 35 in Hazleton. Please check local listings for air times. District residents can also view my report online at www.senatorargall.com. Argall Supports Bill To Impose Court Costs on Defendants State Senator David G. Argall (R-29) supported a measure requiring defendants found guilty by a jury in a criminal trial to repay their court costs following legal disputes. The measure was unanimously approved by the Senate, 50-0. Senate Bill 1169, introduced by Senator Mike Waugh (R-York), requires judges to impose court costs. Should the judge fail to order the payment of costs, Senate Bill 1169 contains a provision in which costs would still be imposed upon the defendant and no court order would be required. The legislation stems from the 1995 multi-county murder spree involving Mark Spotz. Spotz is currently on death row following the killing of his brother and three women, including June R. Ohlinger of Wayne Township, Schuylkill County. "Many district residents have expressed outrage that someone could do something so heinous and not be held responsible for these costs," Argall said. "I am thankful we have taken action to ensure that criminals are forced to repay these court costs regardless of whether or not a court order has been imposed." Spotz filed suit against the Commonwealth for deducting 20 percent of the money coming into his inmate account to pay the costs of his prosecution – which was over $14,000. Spotz claimed that the trial's court sentencing order did not include any specific language assessing fines, costs or restitution. Act 84 of 1998 provided for such deductions, but in their ruling on the Spotz case, the Commonwealth Court held that Act 84 required the court to specifically impose these costs through an order. The Commonwealth Court further held that the inmate could potentially seek repayment of money already paid. Senate Bill 1169 now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration. Argall Introduces Bill to Strengthen His Downtown Location Law I introduced legislation this month to strengthen Pennsylvania's Downtown Location Law. I was the original sponsor of this law, and I am hopeful that we can improve it by requiring further coordination between the state and organizations committed to community, downtown revitalization and historic preservation. This will give these organizations unprecedented ability to reshape and revitalize our aging downtowns. Senate Bill 1201 will amend the current law, approved in the 1999-2000 session, to require the Pennsylvania Department of General Services (DGS) to coordinate with local public and private sector community revitalization organizations when deciding on a location for any state agency office. Over the past 10 years, 90 percent of all state government leases have been designated in our downtown areas. This began as a bipartisan effort to set an example for development in our downtowns. Now, based on 10 years' experience, I hope to improve the original law. Along with providing for new levels of cooperation, this bill will strengthen DGS's ability to deny requests to state agencies to locate outside of downtown areas. The Downtown Location Law encourages state agencies to locate new offices in central business districts. The law requires the Department of General Services to establish guidelines for state agencies that facilitate downtown location. Senate Bill 1201 is cosponsored by Senators Richard Alloway (R-Franklin), Lisa Boscola (D-Northampton), Pat Browne (R-Lehigh), Ted Erickson (R-Delaware), Jim Ferlo (D-Allegheny), John Gordner (R-Columbia), Bob Mensch (R-Montgomery), Mike O'Pake (D-Berks) and Mary Jo White (R-Venango). Property Tax/Rent Rebate Forms Available Now The Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program provides rebates on property taxes or rent paid by senior citizens and disabled individuals who are living on a fixed income. Applications for rebates on taxes or rent paid in 2009 are available now at my district offices. To be eligible, applicants must meet income requirements and be a Pennsylvania resident age 65 and older; a widow or widower age 50 and older; or a permanently disabled individual age 18 or older. The program is available to homeowners with a household income of $35,000 or less and renters with a household income of $15,000 or less, excluding half of Social Security Income and Railroad Retirement Tier 1 benefits. The household income limits and maximum rebate amounts for homeowners are:
The household income limits and maximum rebate amounts for renters are:
FAFSA Offers College Students Access to Financial Aid The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) serves as the gateway to almost all types of student aid, including state grants, Federal Pell Grants, Keystone Stafford Loans, regular Federal Stafford Loans and other federal and institutional financial aid programs. Students can access the 2010-11 online FAFSA and a FAFSA on the Web Worksheet by visiting www.pheaa.org/fafsa. Students may also file a FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. It is vital for all students who will require financial assistance to attend college in 2010 to complete a FAFSA. For students attending school in the fall, the deadline to apply is June 30. However, I would urge all students to fill out the FAFSA as soon as possible to ensure that the application is received and processed well in advance of the deadline.
If you are considering joining the more than 276,000 Pennsylvanians with personalized plates on their vehicle, you will no longer have to wait to see if your idea already appears on another vehicle, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. State residents can check the availability of a personalized plate before submitting and possibly receiving a notice of duplication by visiting the Department of Motor Vehicles website and selecting the Online Driver and Vehicle Services link. Website visitors can click on the Personalized Vanity Plate Availability link from the list of available online Vehicle Registration Services to check for availability. To obtain a personalized plate, state residents must complete Form MV-904, Application for Special Registration Plate and submit it to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Bureau of Motor Vehicles, Special Tag Unit, P.O. Box 68293, Harrisburg, PA 17106-8293 along with a $20 check or money order payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. | |
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This month, I will host State Treasurer Rob McCord to discuss Pennsylvania's
Unclaimed Property Program during my February/March television report. The
report will also feature a special segment on the Governor's FY 2010-2011 Budget
Address. 
PA Moves to Online
Personalized License Plate Check