News You Can Use

From Senate Republican Policy Development & Research Office

May 16, 2008

Locate Transferable College Credits 

Pennsylvania college students may now select from among 30 general education course credits that are fully transferable across the state's 14 community colleges and 14 state universities thanks to legislation enacted in 2006.   

The PA Department of Education has launched a new website to assist students in determining transferable college credits toward a four-year degree from 32 institutions beginning in the fall of 2008.  The Pennsylvania Transfer & Articulation Center or PA TRAC was created to prevent students from loosing credits when transferring to another institution.   

The website can assist students with either declared or undeclared majors, even if a college has not yet been selected.  It can also help locate a summer course.  Other colleges electing to participate in the program include Lincoln University, Lackawanna College, Seton Hill University, and St. Francis University.  Access Commonly Asked Questions for further details.  

Property Tax & Rent Rebate Deadline Quickly Approaching 

Pennsylvania senior citizens and residents with disabilities are being encouraged to submit a claim form for a rebate on property taxes or rent paid in 2007.  The June 30, 2008 deadline is quickly approaching for eligible Pennsylvanians to qualify for a rebate through the state's expanded Property Tax/Rent Rebate program, according to the PA Departments of Revenue and of Aging.   

Act 1 of Special Session 2006, otherwise known as the Taxpayer Relief Act, was enacted on June 27, 2006 and delivered the largest property tax cut in Pennsylvania history.  Eligible Pennsylvanians include those who are age 65 and older; widows and widowers age 50 and older; and, people with disabilities age 18 and older.  The program expansion in 2006 increased the income limit from $15,000 to $35,000 (which excludes half of Social Security income) for homeowners and raises the maximum rebate for both homeowners and renters from $500 to $650.   

The 2007 Property Tax/Rent Rebate Forms were mailed to those who qualified for the 2006 rebate program and received a rebate in 2007.  If you have not received the rebate forms you may have a form mailed to you or download one on online. 

Boost Boating Safety in PA 

If you plan to go boating in PA this summer and you were born on or after January 1, 1982, you are required to obtain a boating safety education certificate to operate a power boat with a motor exceeding 25 horsepower.   

Approved permanent Boating Safety Education Certificates for Pennsylvania residents must be issued by the PA Fish & Boat Commission (PF&BC).  Out-of-state boaters must have a certificate issued for a course approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA).   

Approved courses are offered by the PF&BC, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, and the U.S. Power Squadrons, among other organizations.  Call the Commission Boating Course Hotline at 1-888-PAFISH-1 (1-888-723-4741) or find courses by county or sort by date.  You may also take an approved internet boating course.

Those exempt from the requirement are encouraged to refresh their knowledge of boating safety with a series of Fact Sheets on basic boating, PA's internet & video/correspondence course, boating & water safety awareness course, and water rescue..  Two sets of frequently asked questions are available for a quick refresher -- Boating Safety, Personal Watercraft (PWC) and Boating Additional Questions & Answers. 

Click It or Ticket Campaign Resumes 

Pennsylvania is participating in the national Click It or Ticket Campaign through June 1, 2008 in an effort to bolster the state's seatbelt compliance rate and save lives, according to the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) and more than 400 local participating police departments.  In spite of Pennsylvania's 86% seat belt use, 559 people lost their lives in 2007 because they were not properly restrained.   

Unbelted drivers who are stopped and cited for a traffic violation in Pennsylvania can receive a second citation for failure to wear a seat belt.  All front seat passengers are required to buckle up and children ages 4-8 must be restrained in an appropriate booster seat.  Children ages 8-18 must be in a seatbelt.  Children under the age of 4 must be properly restrained in an approved child safety seat.   

The fine for failure to use child safety and booster seats is a maximum of $100 plus the fine and costs.  A $60 penalty plus the fine and costs is levied for failure to comply with the seatbelt law. 

2008 PA Fair Guide Ready for Summer Fun 

Did you visit any of Pennsylvania's 117 county and community fairs held last summer?  If you did and enjoyed it, or didn't and wished you had, get your copy of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture's 2008 PA Fair Guide to start planning for a summer full of fair fun.   

The food, the rides, the crafts and exhibits are all part of a glimpse into the heart of Pennsylvania's rural charm and unique hospitality.  Livestock shows and petting zoos capture the hearts of both the curious and the familiar.   

The first fair in June will be held in Berks County from June 10 – 14.  The Kempton Country Fair will overflow with games, contests and music along with the usual fare.  The fair schedule is replete with a summer full of fun that will carry you into fall and the last scheduled fair set for October 17 – 19, 2008, the Uniontown Poultry & Farm Show. 

Pennsylvania's history of fairs dates back to the 1700s.  The Century and Bicentennial Fair Program started in 2006 includes 36 Century Fairs and 4 Bicentennial Fairs spread out across the state.

PGC Launches New Wildlife Media Resource Center 

Log onto the Pennsylvania Game Commission's (PGC) website to catch your first peek at its new online Wildlife Media Resource Center.  The Center is filled with a wealth of new materials and photographs available free for public or personal use.   

Wildlife enthusiasts, educators, parents, and students will discover the latest breaking news from the PGC, hunting-related statistics, reference reports, and a comprehensive list of the state's threatened and endangered birds and mammals.  Under "Images & Footage" find photos, videos, and clips of wildlife moments.   

Find something as simple as a new screensaver or more detailed research and statistics for school projects.  There are more than 150 photos that can be used as screen savers, over 50 video downloads, and the ever-popular Wildlife Note series.  The PGC is encouraging all Pennsylvanians to explore the new online Wildlife Media Resource Center.