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For Immediate Release A Conversation with Senator Brubaker Property Tax/Rent Rebate deadline extended Eligible senior citizens will have an additional six months to file their Property Tax/Rent Rebate applications for property taxes and rent paid in 2006. While the deadline to apply was originally June 30, the Department of Revenue recently announced that they will accept Property Tax/Rent Rebate forms until December 31 of this year. The extension is particularly important this year to give seniors who might be applying for the first time under the new expanded guidelines more time to submit their forms. The rebate program benefits Pennsylvanians age 65 or older, widows and widowers age 50 or older, and those with disabilities who are age 18 or older. The expanded income and rebate amounts for homeowners are as follows:
Renters with incomes between $0 and $8,000 are eligible for a $650 rebate and those with incomes between $8,001 and $15,000 are eligible for a $500 rebate. All applicants may exclude half of Social Security and Railroad Retirement Tier 1 benefits when calculating their income. You can pick up a Property Tax/Rent Rebate form at my district office at 1248 W. Main Street, Ephrata, or call the office at 738-1600, or toll-free 1-866-738-1601, to have one mailed to you. In addition, my staff is always ready to answer your questions or provide assistance in completing your rebate form. Senate encourages veteran-owned businesses The state Senate recently approved legislation which will encourage state agencies to contract with veteran-owned businesses. It was my pleasure to cosponsor Senate Bill 87, which sets an annual contracting goal for the state Department of General Services of no less than five percent for businesses owned by veterans. The Department would also provide staff and training to help veterans learn how to apply for state contracts, and the legislation gives veterans access to valuable business resources, tools, contacts and networks that will help them to grow their businesses. This initiative demonstrates our commitment to Pennsylvania veterans who have sacrificed for their communities, their state and their country, by providing assistance as they redirect their lives after completing their service. It is similar to the successful "Vetwork Your Business" program launched in 2005 in Philadelphia. Senate Bill 87 is now before the state House of Representatives for its consideration. East Cocalico Township establishes agricultural security area I was very happy to learn recently that East Cocalico Township has established its first agricultural security area encompassing 760 acres. The Agricultural Security Area program began in 1981 to promote more permanent and viable farming options over the long term, primarily by strengthening the farming community's sense of security in land use and the right to farm. The areas are created by local municipalities in cooperation with local landowners in cooperation with individual landowners who agree to collectively place at least 250 acres in the agricultural security area. The Commonwealth has taken many steps over the past several decades to ensure that agriculture, the state's number one industry, remains successful and profitable in the future. In addition to the Agricultural Security Area program, our farmland preservation program is the best in the nation both in number of acres and number of farms preserved. I commend East Cocalico Township for recognizing the integral tie between the farms and the communities in its jurisdiction by accepting all landowners who petitioned.
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