News For Constituents
From Senate Republican Policy Development & Research Office
Archive
April 5, 2013 Purchase A Convenient Multi-Year
Fishing License
The
Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission is now selling
3-year and 5-year fishing licenses. Interested anglers can order multi-year
licenses through
The Outdoor Shop or through one of the more than
900 issuing agents, including county treasurers’ offices, and
PFBC regional offices, located throughout the Commonwealth. Along with the
convenience of having a fishing license in hand for 3 or 5 years, customers will
avoid annual transaction and processing fees.
In addition, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
(PFBC) has been busy replenishing waterways with a fresh supply of brook, brown
and rainbow trout. Before you head out for your first day of fishing with your
new multi-year license, check out the
2013 Trout Stocking Schedules to improve your odds.
Obtain Free Veterans Application Assistance
Veterans and their dependents
should not pay for help to apply for veteran’s benefits, according to the
Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA).
Turn to your
County Director of Veterans Affairs for assistance in identifying,
determining eligibility for, and applying for county, state, and federal
veteran’s benefits and programs. Many
chartered veteran service organizations also provide assistance with the
preparation of benefit claims, often regardless of membership.
Among
available programs are the payment of burial allowances; ensuring grave
markers and headstones are properly requested and placed; direct application for
state programs like the Disabled Veterans Real Estate Tax Exemption Program,
Veterans Emergency Assistance, Blind and Paralyzed Veterans Pensions, and the
Education Gratuity Program; as well as federal health care benefits, service
connected disability and non-service connected disability pensions, and survivor
benefits.
Join PA’s Life-Saving Yellow Dot Program
Do you or a loved one have a history of medical problems or
a particular condition? Perhaps you are allergic to commonly prescribed
medications. Whatever the malady,
participating in the Yellow Dot program can save lives in the event of a
vehicle accident, according to the
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
When your
program materials arrive, complete an individual medical information sheet
for each participant, adding a separate sheet of additional information as
necessary. Attach an approximately 3” x 3” current photo to each individuals
medical information sheet and store the Yellow Dot program folder in your glove
box.
Place the
Yellow Dot in your vehicle’s rear window alerting first responders to check
your glove compartment for vital information to ensure the vehicle’s occupants
receive the appropriate medical attention.
Avoid Electric Utility Scams & Pressure Sales Techniques
Pennsylvania is seeing a rash of
electric utility scams and aggressive sales techniques delivered by phone or
in person by individuals appearing at your front door, according to the
Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.
Before engaging in a discussion to
switch your
electric supplier, the PUC recommends the following:
-
Request photo identification
-
Identify the name of the sales representative
-
Obtain company name, address, and phone number
-
Call the company to verify it is conducting
door-to-door sales
-
Call the PUC at 1-800-692-7380 to confirm that the
company being represented is a licensed supplier
After taking steps to verify the legitimacy of the sales
call, ask the electric supplier or distribution company to provide you with the
PTC or price to compare. This information will allow you to
compare the generation costs of your current supplier with the potentially
new supplier’s generation portion of your electric bill.
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Alert System Offers
Protection
Springtime naturally presents emergency weather alerts such
as late season freezing conditions, rain, high winds, and tornados, according to
the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Alert System.
Current warnings include a fire watch due to high winds and low humidity;
reports of a possible influenza outbreak; airport delays; and a pet food recall.
At any given time, you may find specific emergency and weather
alerts are accompanied by tax notifications, building alerts and updates to
steer, guide, and warn you on all your devices, including:
Notifications will include
Amber Alerts containing descriptive information regarding the victim, the
suspect and, if applicable, the suspect's vehicle information. Find
answers to your questions, and then sign up to keep up with important
information for your health and well-being.
Time for Radon Testing & Remediation Recommendations
DEP is recommending homeowners test for elevated levels of
radon before you throw up the windows for spring. When homes and buildings are
closed, radon can build to unhealthy levels allowing for more precise
measurements.
Radon, the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S.,
is lurking in some 40 percent of Pennsylvania homes, according to the
PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
Radon is a colorless, odorless, radioactive gas occurring naturally through
the breakdown of uranium in soil and rocks. Seeping into homes through cracks
in basements and foundations, radon can build up inside to unsafe
concentrations.
PA residents can obtain a
free radon test kit through the American Lung Association. For additional
assistance go to DEP’s
testing and
mitigation webpages. |
