News from Harrisburg

The deadline to apply for the state’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate program is Dec. 31. Eligible participants can receive a rebate of up to $650 based on their rent or property taxes paid in 2012. The program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians who are 65 years or older, widows and widowers 50 years or older, and those 18 years or older with permanent disabilities.

If you’ve already applied and/or received your rebate check for 2012, please note that applications for the 2013 program will not be accepted until next year, probably in mid-February.

My district office in Coopersburg offers free help in completing these forms. To schedule an appointment, please call (610) 282-3901.

In other news from the state Capitol, stealing a child’s identity now carries a stricter sentence under a new law signed recently by Gov. Tom Corbett. Act 97 makes children under the age of 18 part of a protected class of victims, along with individuals age 60 or over or those who are care-dependent.

Child identity theft is a growing problem with an estimated 142,000 cases annually. Criminals steal a child’s Social Security number for use in fraudulent attempts at applying for government benefits, car loans, new mortgages and opening financial accounts. 

Finally, dog licenses for 2014 can now be purchased from your county treasurer’s office. State law requires all dogs three months and older to be licensed by Jan. 1 of each year. The application is simple and only asks for owner contact information and details about the dog, including name, age, breed and color.

Remember - the cost of a license is far less than the penalty for being caught without one. Owners who break the law could face a fine of up to $300 for each unlicensed animal.