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For Immediate Release A Conversation with Senator Brubaker Bill reforming EIT collection approved by legislature The General Assembly recently approved legislation which will streamline local earned income tax collection across the Commonwealth. Currently, there are approximately 560 local tax collectors in Pennsylvania, which makes it very difficult for businesses to know to whom to remit their earned income tax payments, and for those collectors who do receive payments to know to which jurisdictions to further distribute those monies. This fragmented system has led to a lack of withholding, lost revenue, and ultimately, revenues that do not get distributed to the school districts and municipalities where they belong. Senate Bill 1063, however, will reduce the number of collectors to 69, with most tax collection districts following county lines. I fully supported this measure, because we have already seen how successful a countywide system can be right here in Lancaster County through the Lancaster County Tax Collection Bureau. In fact, throughout discussions on Senate Bill 1063, the Lancaster County system has been consistently held up as a model for the rest of Pennsylvania. I am very proud of the work our County has put into developing this efficient and effective system, which will be able to remain in place under the new law, and pleased that the General Assembly has taken this important step so that other businesses, school districts and municipalities can reap the same benefits Lancaster County has already realized. Local school officials visit Harrisburg Recently, I had the privilege of hosting superintendents and school business officials from the 36th District in Harrisburg to discuss education funding in the state budget. I invited officials from all 12 school districts I represent because our districts rely on state government for a significant portion of their revenues, and I believe it is our responsibility to be open and honest with them about state funding so they can better plan their budgets. Each of the officials who attended had the opportunity to speak with me and the Executive Director of the Senate Education Committee about the prospects for funding in the 2008-2009 state budget. In addition, I asked the officials to share with us their ideas and proposals for ways in which state government and school districts can work together to improve public school funding and the school budgeting process. Visiting with school administrators – in addition to the meetings I have been having with school boards in the 36th District – is essential because we can all agree that educating our youth is critically important, and it is imperative that we get our budget right when it comes to education spending. The discussion we held was very healthy, and I am committed to keeping the dialogue open between state government and our school districts. Domestic Violence screening helps stop abuse Lancaster General Hospital is working to identify domestic violence and help victims get help through its screening program. According to the Hospital's web site, www.lancastergeneral.org, domestic violence is not only a pattern of abusive behavior, it is also a public health issue, impacting more women than heart disease, diabetes or cancer. Over the past year, the Hospital has screened more than 64,000 patients in an effort to uncover and support patients involved in violent situations. For free Domestic Violence Prevention materials, such as Family Crisis Resources cards and posters, call the Lancaster Coalition Against Family Violence at 717-544-3222. | ||
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