Support for the arts

ALBANY, NY — Gov. Kathy Hochul on November 29 announced nearly $45 million in grant awards through the New York State Council on the Arts. These grants will support over 1,200 arts organizations and 426 artists as they return to pre-pandemic levels of capacity and creation.

These grants include $30,000 to the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, $60,000 to the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance ($15,000 of that funding going to sponsor the Deep Water Literary Festival), $40,000 to the Forestburgh Playhouse and $40,000 to Shadowland Stages.

Nominate a female veteran

HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Commission for Women is seeking statewide nominations for its seventh Female Veterans Day ceremony as part of Women’s History Month in March 2023. Nominees must be current Pennsylvania residents and have served at least four years in any branch of the U.S. military. The deadline for nominations is Friday, January 6, 2023. The nomination form is available at governor.pa.gov/submit-nomination-pennsylvania-female-veterans-day/; for more information, email women@pa.gov.

Last call for rebate applications

HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvanians who qualify for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate (PTRR) program must apply by Sunday, December 31 to receive their annual rebate plus a one-time bonus rebate, according to a press release from Gov. Tom Wolf’s office.

Older Pennsylvanians ​and Pennsylvanians with disabilities who qualify for a rebate on rent or property taxes paid in 2021 will receive more money than usual this year, according to the press release. On top of the annual rebate, recipients will also receive a one-time bonus rebate equal to 70​ percent of their original rebate amount.

Eligible claimants who have already filed an application for a rebate on property taxes or rent paid in 2021 do not need to take further action. Eligble claimants who have not done so can do so by visiting mypath.pa.gov/_/#1, or can find a paper application and instructions on the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program page at revenue.pa.gov/ptrr. There is no charge to apply for a rebate.

Free assistance is available at hundreds of locations across the state, including Department of Revenue district offices, local Area Agencies on Aging, senior centers and state legislators’ offices.

Student veterans supported

WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright (PA-08) introduced the VA Work-Study Improvement Act on December 1. This bipartisan legislation would modernize the existing Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) work-study program, which allows veterans to earn money while enrolled in secondary education programs, including vocational or professional programs.

Specifically, this legislation would expand eligible VA work-study activities to include jobs at nonprofit and state agencies that would either directly or indirectly benefit veterans or the U.S. military. It would permit payment at local minimum wage rates, allowing student veterans to be paid the state, federal or local minimum wage, whichever is higher. Allowable work hours would be increased, permitting student veterans to work up to 40 hours on average per week. Electronic time-sheet recordation would be enabled, providing an addition to the current paper-based system. Finally, the VA would be required to publish certain program data annually, including participant demographics and counts, work-study activities, hours worked and wages paid, and would have to list participating institutions.

Fentanyl-laced contraband in prisons

ALBANY, NY — An investigation by the New York State Labor Department (DOL) found unsafe working conditions created by significant exposure to illicit drugs for staff members in correctional facilities, according to a press release from the New York State Correctional Officers & Police Benevolent Association, Inc. (NYSCOPBA). Staff discovered fentanyl while searching incoming incarcerated individual mail and packages for contraband in two Central New York-area correctional facilities.

Following NYSCOPBA complaints, a DOL investigation was launched, and ultimately 12 citations were issued at Marcy Correctional Facility and seven citations issued at Mid-State Correctional Facility. The situation would require the state to take additional steps to enhance the safety in package rooms, reduce exposure to illicit drugs, and provide more robust personal protective equipment. The investigation also concluded that the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) should consider other policies aimed at decreasing staff exposure to fentanyl, such as a secure vendor package program, and the photocopying of incarcerated individuals’ mail

The DOCCS has implemented a revitalized secure vendor program and mail-scanning initiatives.

Gas company to pay in Dimock case

SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY, PA — Attorney General Josh Shapiro on November 29 announced that Coterra Energy Inc. has pleaded no contest to charges related to environmental crimes in Northeastern Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General charged Coterra Energy Inc. in 2020 after a Grand Jury investigation revealed that the company’s activities associated with drilling and producing unconventional gas wells were responsible for methane pollution in the local water supply in Dimock.

As part of the plea agreement, Coterra will pay $16.29 million toward a new regulated public water line as well as payment of 75 years of water bills for the impacted homeowners. This money will also be used to provide treatment systems to treat the homeowners’ water supplies and the provision of bottled water while the public water line is under construction.

Bassett resigns as public health commissioner

ALBANY, NY — Published reports have indicated that Dr. Mary Bassett has resigned from her post as commissioner of the New York State Department of Health. Bassett was appointed acting commissioner on December 1, 2021, and was confirmed on January 20. She has served previously as the commissioner of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygene and as the director of the François-Xavier Bagnoud (FXB) Center for Health and Human Rights at Harvard University.