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Legislative Update |
#Listrak\DateStampLong#
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The latest news from the State Capitol
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Please do not reply directly to this email, as it returns to an unmanned account.
You are welcome to contact me through this link.
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In this update
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Proposal Threatens Local Tax Credit Meant to Spur Development in Nanticoke and Newport Township |
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West Side Little League Opening Day a Hit |
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Hanover Township Welcomes New Police Chief |
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Edwardsville Shredding Event First of Several Scheduled in the District |
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Dispose of your Electronics at our Upcoming Shredding Events |
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Proposal Threatens Local Tax Credit Meant to Spur Development in Nanticoke and Newport Township
Back in October 2021, Luzerne County residents were introduced to a transformative proposal: a $6 billion manufacturing facility by Texas-based Nacero, planned for a former coal mining site in Nanticoke and Newport Township. The plant would have produced gasoline using natural gas and renewable natural gas, promising thousands of family-sustaining jobs and a major boost to the regional economy.
At the time, Nacero projected the creation of 3,500 construction jobs across all trades and 450 permanent high-tech positions, paying an average of $85,000 per year. The project earned bipartisan support, with praise from leaders across the aisle, including former Congressman Matt Cartwright and current Congressman Dan Meuser. However, some local residents expressed concern about having such a facility near their homes.
Unfortunately, the project stalled in the years that followed. The COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with a shift in federal energy policy under the Biden Administration, created an uncertain regulatory environment. While it is unclear whether Nacero will ever move forward, the site remains a valuable opportunity for economic development in our region.
What is often overlooked is the legislation that made projects like Nacero possible in the first place.
In 2022, Act 66, known as the PA Economic Development for a Growing Economy (PA EDGE) tax credit program, was signed into law. This bipartisan initiative, authored by Republican lawmakers and enacted under Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf, established targeted incentives to attract major industries to Pennsylvania. Included in this legislation was the Local Resource Manufacturing Tax Credit, which was crafted specifically to bring economic investment to Nanticoke and Newport Township.
Act 66 also expanded tax credits to other priority sectors such as Pennsylvania Milk Processing, Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs, and Semiconductor and Biomedical Manufacturing and Research.
Now, that progress is under threat.
House Bill 500 of 2025, introduced by freshman Rep. John Inglis of Allegheny County, proposes to remove the Local Resource Manufacturing Tax Credit, designed for Northeast Pennsylvania, and reallocate those incentives to other parts of the state. If passed, this bill would strip our region of a critical economic development tool designed to help us grow.
We cannot allow Harrisburg to turn its back on Luzerne County.
House Bill 500 is scheduled for a vote in the House Finance Committee this Wednesday, where I plan to offer an amendment to the bill.
Why This Credit is Important to Your Electric Bill
Electricity prices for consumers and businesses are set to rise 30% in June, with PPL announcing last week that its rates will increase nearly 29% on June 1. This surge is a result of the PJM Interconnection, the regional transmission authority responsible for managing the electrical grid across 13 states. Electric generation supply costs are being driven higher by several regional market factors, including the retirement of older power generating plants and limited new power generation plants being added to the PJM market to meet demand.
In business, investment goes where investment is welcomed. Expanding energy creation is key to boost jobs while lowering electricity prices for homeowners and business owners.
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Little League Opening Day a Hit
Last week, we celebrated West Side Little League’s opening day on a brand new field! Last fall, I worked to secure nearly $100,000 for the field improvements and new equipment. Seeing it all come together for the players was incredible. Here’s to a great season ahead! (photos on Facebook)
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Hanover Township Welcomes New Police Chief
Congratulations to Eric Richardson on his swearing-in as Hanover Township’s new police chief! It was an honor to attend your ceremony and I’m excited to see your vision for modern policing action.
You can read more about Chief Richardson and his background here.
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Edwardsville Shredding Event the First of Several Scheduled for the District
If the rain kept you home for our first paper shred event of the year, you can catch us again this Saturday at Hanover High School from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and at Crestwood High School on Aug. 9. We will be featuring our first ever electronic recycling events at these locations.
For more details, visit https://www.repryncavage.com/events.
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Dispose of your Electronics at our Upcoming Shredding Events
Events:
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Shredding and electronics recycling, Saturday, Hanover Area Junior/Senior High School, 1600 Sans Souci Parkway, Hanover Township, 18706. |
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Shredding and electronics recycling, Saturday, Aug. 9, Crestwood High School, 281 S. Mountain Blvd., Mountain Top, 18707. |
Both events will run from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The shredding events are available at no cost and give individuals the opportunity to securely dispose of sensitive information. There is a limit of three boxes per car.
The electronics recycling programs will be handled by a third-party recycling company. The electronics recycling events allow for free disposal of items such as computers (laptops and desktop, smartphones, tablets, printers, office phones, video game consoles, modems, routers, cameras, DVD players, VCRs, audio/video equipment, wires and chargers, hard drives, memory cards, power tools, and appliances.
Other items, such as LCD monitors, televisions and floor copiers, can be disposed of for a nominal fee to the recycling company.
Please contact my offices in Nanticoke at 570-902-4082, or Mountain Top at 570-403-2371, with questions about the electronics recycling program.
More Ways We Can Help
A few free services are available through my office for residents and businesses.
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Veterans can meet by appointment each month with Pennsylvania Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion Department of Pennsylvania representatives regarding assistance for government benefits. |
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The Northeast PA Center for Independent Living (MyCIL) meets by appointment each month with people with disabilities to help obtain home- and community-based services, transportation, housing and other assistance. |
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My office can assist residents who wish to obtain or renew SEPTA Senior Fare cards. |
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Wilkes University Small Business Development Center offers confidential consultation on a one-on-one basis for owners of small businesses. |
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My office is a loaner site for the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission’s Fishing Tackle Loaner Program. |
Please call my office at 570-902-4082 for more information about these free services.
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