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For Immediate Release A Conversation with Senator Brubaker Tax credits for volunteer responders approved As part of the 2008-2009 state budget agreement, the General Assembly also approved legislation providing tax credits for Pennsylvania's volunteer emergency responders. The Volunteer Responder Retention and Recruitment Tax Credit will offer a maximum $100 tax credit for active ambulance service, fire or rescue volunteers to be applied against their state personal income tax liability. To be eligible, an active volunteer will need to meet the annual requirements established by the Director of Emergency Medical Services in the Department of Health and the State Fire Commissioner. The point system to be used will consider the number of emergency calls, a volunteer's level of training and participation in formal training and drills, time spent on administrative and support activities, and involvement in the organization and its activities. The tax credit proposal was originally part of a three-bill package designed to help promote recruitment and retention of volunteers. While the other two measures – including tuition reimbursements and employer tax credits – have been approved by the Senate, they are currently under consideration by the state House of Representatives. All of these incentives were recommended by a 2003 report issued by a bipartisan commission of legislators, emergency responders and municipal representatives. Emergency volunteers have dedicated their time and energy to keep their communities safe. I strongly supported these proposals, and look forward to working on additional measures that will demonstrate our thanks to these individuals. Treasury Department unveils online contract database Recently, the Pennsylvania Contracts e-Library was made available to the public through the state Treasury Department's web site. The e-Library is a searchable database allowing greater access to state government contract information, which was required to be made public under the comprehensive amendments to the Open Records Law the General Assembly approved earlier this year. Any contract involving any real, personal or mixed property of any kind (or a description) or any contract for personal services where the consideration involved in the contract is $5,000 or greater must be filed with the Department. Contracts for services that are protected by a privilege, such as the attorney-client privilege, are exempted, as are those meeting one of the exceptions provided for under the Open Records Law or another state or federal law. Also, the Law only requires those contracts entered into or renewed after July 1, 2008, to be filed. The e-Library is available online at www.patreasury.org. Contracts entered into by judicial agencies will not be available here, however, as that information will be made available on the web site of the Unified Judicial System. Small Business Development Centers assist companies Pennsylvania's network of 18 university-based Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) offers entrepreneurs educational and informational resources to help them build successful businesses. The SBDCs have provided consulting services and other programs for more than 25 years, assisting business owners with tasks such as shaping business plans, finding funding opportunities and developing marketing activities. In fact, under their direction, entrepreneurs have started more than 24,300 new businesses, expanded sales by $8.7 billion, and created more than 104,000 new jobs in this Commonwealth since 1990. As a small business owner in the past, I can certainly appreciate the value of such assistance. SBDCs are invaluable in providing resources and helping individuals establish new businesses, and are also critical in helping businesses become competitive in their respective markets. For more information about the Centers and their programs, visit www.pasbdc.org. | ||
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