By State Rep. Abney

Hello, Northsiders! I’m eager to share with you some of the important work I’ve been doing in Harrisburg and back at home.

I was proud to cast my affirmative vote for a basic education funding bill that would help get our public schools the dollars they need to assist students, teachers and staff, and I spoke in support of the bill prior to passage. The legislation is a result of the bipartisan Basic Education Funding Commission’s findings that Pennsylvania has not fulfilled its constitutional obligations when it comes to public education.

My House colleagues and I delivered a win-win for students, parents, and homeowners in all Commonwealth public school districts, including Pittsburgh Public Schools, and have a historic opportunity to reverse decades of underfunding public education. We’ve done our part. Now, the state Senate must act.

I also introduced a bill that would exclude one portion of a person’s potential revenue when determining their financial eligibility for senior prescription programs in Pennsylvania. My legislation (H.B. 2378) would not count the total dollar amount, including face value and interest earned, of savings bonds as part of an older Pennsylvanian’s income when they apply for either the Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly or PACE Needs Enhancement Tier, otherwise known as PACE and PACENET. The bill has been reported out of the Aging and Older Adult Services Committee and now heads to the full House for consideration.

Ever rising prescription drug costs have resulted in many seniors cashing in their savings bonds in order to afford the medications they need on a daily basis, but our older neighbors should not risk disqualification from PACE or PACENET coverage simply because such transactions take place. My bill would help ensure they remain enrolled.

I wish everyone a happy and safe Fourth of July, and I’ll talk to you all again in August!