Protecting your health care coverage; fighting for regional transit; child tax credit

Protecting your health care coverage; fighting for regional transit; child tax credit – and more!

Rep. Abigail Salisbury March 31, 2025 | 2:36 PM

FIGHTING TO PROTECT YOUR HEALTH CARE COVERAGE

More than half a million Pennsylvanians are covered by the Affordable Care Act, which ensures they have insurance coverage for the health care they need. But the ACA is under attack in Washington, D.C. To fight back, my House colleagues and I passed a package of bills that would ensure those protections remain in place.

The legislation is now with the state Senate. Your voice can help ensure these critical bills make it to the governor’s desk. Visit this page to take action.

HOW WE VOTED IN THE HOUSE THIS WEEK

This week in Harrisburg, I voted for – and the House passed – bills that would:

Double the fines for child labor violations.
Keep health insurance accessible for young adults.
Prevent insurance discrimination based on pre-existing conditions.
Ban annual or lifetime dollar limits on essential health care benefits.
Keep access to lifesaving preventive health care services.
Simplify renewal of driver’s licenses and photo IDs for Pennsylvanians with disabilities or those who are on active military duty.
Allow more local land banks.
Provide greater flexibility to township governments.

You can find more news about bills we voted at this page.

FIGHTING FOR PUBLIC TRANSIT FUNDING

Many of you have expressed concerns about Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s proposed plans for steep service cuts to address a $100 million deficit. Please know that I am fighting alongside my colleagues in the Allegheny County Delegation for the additional budget funding PRT needs to maintain full service to our region.

You can help, as well, by contacting leaders in the state Senate and urging them to pass this additional funding.

CHECK OUT THIS APRIL 1 COMMUNITY RESOURCE FAIR

If you need help with state-related matters, expungement assistance, or access to job training, housing, or other community services, you’ll want to mark your calendar for the Community Resource Fair. The fair will be held on Tuesday, April 1 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Heritage Highlands Community Center, at 111 Dorothy Height St. in Rankin.

HELPING OUR CHARITABLE GROUPS GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY

Last week, I joined members of the VFW, Elks and Moose associations at the state Capitol to advocate for modernizing PA’s Small Games of Chance Law. Updating the law would allow charitable organizations like veterans’ groups to host new paper and electronic games and better accomplish their mission of giving back to our community. You can hear my comments here.

In other news from the state Capitol, it was a pleasure to host Michael Wockenfuss of the University of Pittsburgh at the state Capitol as part of the University of Pittsburgh – Institute of Politics and the Elsie Hillman Civic Forum – University of Pittsburgh Legislator for a Day program.

KEEPING THE DIALOGUE GOING ON PUBLIC EDUCATION

I recently joined colleagues for a legislative forum on public education last week hosted by Allegheny Intermediate Unit. We had a productive dialogue on how we can continue to elevate our public schools.

FUNDING OUR FOOD BANKS

I recently joined state Rep. Justin Fleming, Gov. Josh Shapiro, and other lawmakers to address what the Central PA Food Bank CEO calls our state’s “food crisis.” One in nine adults and one in five children in Pennsylvania experience hunger. With our state an agricultural powerhouse, why are people still hungry? Funding is a major part of the problem.

The Trump administration broke a contract with Pennsylvania to pay our PA farmers $13 million so that they could provide fresh foods to food banks and help people struggling with hunger. PA Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding is appealing the breach of contract under federal law, and Gov. Shapiro has stated he is prepared to take legal action to restore funding and fight this attack on PA farmers, food banks, and hungry residents. Visit this page to read more.

WORKING ACROSS THE AISLE TO GET MORE DONE

I recently joined fellow members of the Pennsylvania Future Caucus to learn more about the Dignity Index – a tool that facilitates more productive communications between lawmakers on both sides of the aisle by minimizing division and fostering mutual respect.

ARE YOU ELIGIBLE TO CLAIM THE STATE CHILD CARE
TAX CREDIT?

With tax time here, I’m reminding eligible residents to take advantage of Pennsylvania’s Child and Dependent Care Enhancement Tax Credit before the April 15, 2025, tax filing deadline.

The credit matches 100% of the federal Child Care Tax Credit, offering a maximum of $1,050 for one child/dependent and $2,100 for two or more, with minimums of $600 and $1,200, respectively. Eligibility includes expenses for children under 13, spouses, or other dependents who are physically or mentally incapable of self-care. The credit is refundable, meaning taxpayers can receive a full refund after tax obligations.

To claim the credit, taxpayers must file a PA-40 form along with PA Schedule DC, Federal Form 2441, and 1040 Schedule 3. The Department of Revenue encourages filing through myPATH, Pennsylvania’s free online tax filing system.

You can learn more about the tax credit here.

On a related note, this is a reminder that income-eligible households may qualify for free tax assistance. Visit this page to learn more.

NEED HEATING HELP? LIHEAP DEADLINE EXTENDED
TO APRIL 18

The deadline to apply for assistance through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program has been extended to Friday, April 18. The program can provide income-eligible households with a cash grant between $200 and $1,000 based on household size, income, and fuel type. The grant is sent directly to the utility company or fuel provider and does not need to be repaid.

Crisis grants are also available. Visit this page to learn more and apply.

THANKS TO OUR POLLINATOR PARKLET VOLUNTEERS!

I want to thank the volunteers who came out on Saturday to help Humane Action Pennsylvania at the pollinator parklet. The group laid mulch – which will add to the topsoil depth over time and hold more stormwater runoff – and put down new clover and wildflower seed. For those who wish to volunteer, I will provide updates on when we will return to plant the beds!

WATCH OUT FOR THIS UTILITY SCAM

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission recently issued a consumer alert about a scam involving phone calls that falsely claim to be from PUC – using the phone number of the Commission’s Philadelphia office as the caller ID. The commission is reminding consumers that PUC never calls customers to demand payment for any utility-related issue. You can read more here.

VETERAN SERVICE SESSIONS APRIL 1-2

Veterans and family members – our office will host its next Veteran Service Sessions from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, April 1 and Wednesday, April 2. Please call ahead to schedule an appointment to avoid possible wait time.

APRIL 4 CAREER FAIR

JFCS Pittsburgh and the Andrew Carnegie Free Library are hosting a spring job fair on Friday, April 4 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall. Attendees will have a chance to network with over 30 employers and find other good job resources. Scan the QR code above to learn more and register.

FINDING FUNDING – AND STATE SERVICES

The state has a handy tool to help you search for grants. Visit this page to search or this page to see a list of the latest programs.

Also, please remember that my staff is here to help you with a wide range of state services, from filing for a Property Tax/Rent Rebate to obtaining a disability placard or senior bus pass – to name just a few. Please contact us or stop by to see how we can help!

You can read my e-newsletter in a way that’s preferable to you by visiting my legislative website here and clicking on the accessibility icon in the lower right corner.