Phishing Email Alert

The Pennsylvania Criminal Intelligence Center received information regarding a fraudulent email (see picture) claiming to originate from the Pennsylvania Department of Motor Vehicles. The subject line of the email indicates “Action Required – Fine for Traffic Violations.” The body of the email further states that a “vehicle registered to you was captured running a red light” along with a violation date, ticket number and a fine amount. There were also various links within the email that redirect users to other websites not affiliated with PennDOT. Be aware that this is a scam. Citations and traffic tickets are never paid directly to PennDOT. Furthermore, you won’t ever get an email from PennDOT requesting that you pay a fine for a citation.

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Read the Monthly Revenue Report

Every month, the Senate Appropriations Committee compiles a comprehensive report on the fiscal state of Pennsylvania. To summarize this month’s report, General Fund revenue collections are 5.3% above estimate and fiscal year-to-date collections are 2.3% above estimate. To read the entire report, click here.

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On June 27, 2015 I will be hosting my annual Kids Extravaganza at the CCBC Dome from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. For more info, click here.

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DEP Continues Alternative Fuel Vehicle Rebate Program

The Department of Environmental Protection recently announced the continuation of Pennsylvania’s Alternative Fuel Vehicle Rebate Program, which provides $2,000 rebates to commonwealth residents for large-battery system plug-in hybrid electric and battery-electric vehicles. DEP provides these rebates as incentives to assist Pennsylvanians with the incremental cost of purchasing an alternative fuel vehicle.

To qualify, the vehicle must be registered in Pennsylvania, operated primarily in-state, and be purchased no more than six months before the rebate application is submitted.

Large-battery vehicles that have battery system capacities equal or greater than 10 kilo-watt hours (kWh), including models such as the Nissan Leaf, Ford Focus, BMW, Tesla, and Chevy Volt, are eligible for the highest rebate amount of $2,000. DEP is also extending rebates of $1,000 for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and battery-electric vehicles with battery system capacities of less than 10 kWh, including models such as the Toyota Prius plug-in, Ford C-Max Energi, Ford Fusion, and Honda Accord.

Rebates of $1,000 are being extended for natural gas, propane, hydrogen, or fuel-cell vehicles, such as the CNG powered Honda Civic or any 2014-15 CNG powered car or pickup truck. CNG original equipment, manufacturer retrofits, or certified conversions to CNG or propane are also eligible for the $1,000 rebate. A $500 rebate is available for electric motorcycles and scooters.

There are only a limited number of rebates available at $2,000. The rebate program offered will be reassessed upon payment of the first 250 rebates at $2,000 or December 31, 2015, whichever occurs first.

To apply for a rebate and for more information, click here.

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PHFA Awards Tax Credits for New Brighton Housing Rehab Project

The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) recently award awarded $1.13 million in Low Income Housing Tax Credits for a major housing rehabilitation project in New Brighton.

The tax credits were awarded for Winn Development’s proposal to preserve and rehabilitate the 101-unit EB McNitt Apartments complex on a former high school campus as low-income housing for senior/disabled residents.

New Brighton has a rich history and EB McNitt Apartments sits on a property with much historical significance to the community. I support Winn Development’s long-term commitment to this property, its residents, and the community and believe it is a worthy endeavor for the PHFA to support. Winn Development’s plans for renovating and improving the property will greatly enhance the lives of the residents of EB McNitt Apartments and the surrounding community.

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Recently, I spoke at the Knights of Columbus Blue Mass honoring Beaver County police & law enforcement officers at Saint Titus Church, Aliquippa.

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Public Feedback Needed

Public feedback on the next update to Pennsylvania’s Twelve Year Transportation Program will be collected through May 29. The program outlines PennDOT’s next 12 years of projects for all modes of travel including car and truck, public transit, bicycle and pedestrian, aviation, rail and ports. You can provide your input via an online survey: https://talkpatransportation.metroquest.com/

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The 16th annual Darlington Days festival will take place this weekend, from May 29 to May 31. For more information, click here.