Latest News from State Capitol and 55th District

April 24, 2025

Condemning the Alleged Arson at Governor’s Mansion

Following the recent alleged arson at the governor’s residence, I wanted to address the troubling rise of violence in politics.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the alarming trend of violence and hostility in our political landscape. While I am relieved that Gov. Shapiro and his family are safe, I am deeply concerned about the reckless actions that endanger lives and undermine the very foundations of our democracy. In addition, the attacks on Tesla dealerships illustrate a broader pattern of aggression that must be condemned.

We must collectively reject hatred and violence in all forms, as there is no place for such behavior in our society. My thoughts and prayers are with the governor and his family, and I commend the first responders for their swift and effective action in addressing this crisis. It is crucial that we come together to ensure safety and uphold the values of civility and respect.


Clearing Up Confusion About the Department of State’s New Reporting Requirement

According to data from the Federal Trade Commission, Americans reported losing more than $12.5 billion to scams and other forms of fraud last year. It was a 25% increase from the year before.

It seems like everywhere we turn, we are reminded about password strength, multi-factor authentication and other systems put in place to cut back on these scams. It’s no wonder, then, that my district offices have heard from several constituents about receiving a postcard claiming to be from the Pennsylvania Department of State. They’re worried this is just another scam. 

I wanted to let everyone know these postcards are not scams at all. In fact, they’re an important reminder about the Department of State’s new annual reporting requirement with the Bureau of Corporations and Charities.

The card says that the Department of State’s records show your business is required to make an annual report. It then lays out the filing deadlines for each type of business. Corporations, both for profit and nonprofits, must file by June 30. LLCs need to file by Sept. 30. Limited partnerships, limited liability partnerships, business trusts and professional associations have to file by the end of the year.

It goes on to say annual reports can be filed online at file.dos.pa.gov, and failure to file an annual report will result in the administrative dissolution, termination or cancellation of the business registration and loss of name protection.

It makes sense that constituents are unsure about the postcard’s legitimacy. This is the first year for the annual reporting requirement since it became law in 2022. It replaced the previous requirement of decennial reports, meaning once every 10 years. Depending on when your business was formed, it may not have been subject to the previous reporting requirement.

Another confusing aspect of the reporting requirement is potential address discrepancies. Some folks have assumed this is proof of a scam. However, these discrepancies are exactly what the annual reporting requirement is attempting to eliminate. As long as the official Department of State website is on that postcard, it’s almost certainly legitimate. It’s more likely that the business was founded at the listed address years ago, then moved or went out of business without notifying the Department of State. The reporting requirement only applies to the business named, not necessarily the address or the current tenants.

Filing isn’t too tough. You’ll need some basic information, but you are not required to submit any financial information. You can file online at file.dos.pa.gov. If you need help during the filing process, you can always contact my offices at one of the following phone numbers: 724-387-9113, 724-472-4102 or 724-387-1281. For more information about annual reports, including help with filing online, you can head to dos.pa.gov/annualreports.

The fee for all for-profit businesses is $7. Nonprofits should be exempt from this fee. Please note that if you are seeing fees of $70 or $125, you are completing the wrong form.

Nobody wants to see anyone go out of business for failure to pay a $7 fee. So remember, make sure the organization’s registered office address is up to date and be sure to submit the report by your organization’s filing deadline.

Remember, you can always contact my district offices with any questions or concerns. We’re here to help!

Here are some additional news topics and reminders I would like to share.

Senior Expo in Lower Burrell – Join Sen. Joe Pittman, Rep. Abby Major and me on Wednesday, May 21, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., for a Senior Expo hosted at Lower Burrell VFW Post 92.
 
We’re bringing together experts and resources to help seniors thrive. Come explore information on:
   • Health care and health screenings.
   • Nutrition and exercise.
   • Fire and personal safety.
   • Financial planning and government savings programs.
 
Don’t miss this free and informative event designed to support your well-being and independence.

Still Looking to Get REAL ID? – The deadline for enforcement of the federal REAL ID Act is less than two weeks away. It’s important to remember:

   • REAL ID is NOT mandatory in Pennsylvania, though you will need another federally accepted form of identification to meet the requirements of the law in certain circumstances.
   • May 7 is the date enforcement of the law begins, but you may obtain a REAL ID anytime after May 7 as well.
Remember, you can always contact any of my district offices if you need help!

Bill to Fight Overdose Deaths OK’d by House – Continuing the fight against the opioid epidemic, the state House this week adopted legislation that would require the creation and dissemination of materials to help people recognize the signs of an overdose and how to respond to save lives. 

Under House Bill 269, posters and other materials would be created to explain the signs of an opioid-related overdose, what to do in the event of an opioid-related overdose, where to find an opioid antagonist, such as Naloxone, and where to find additional resources and information. The poster would be made available online to download for private use and displayed in public places to increase awareness of how to recognize and respond to opioid-related overdoses.

Almost 3,500 Pennsylvanians died from opioid overdoses in the 12-month period ending in November, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The state’s deadliest year of the opioid epidemic was in 2017 when almost 5,500 people died from overdoses. Despite the improvement, opioid overdoses still claim almost 10 lives a day in Pennsylvania.
The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.



Representative Jill Cooper
55th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Jordan Frei
724.875.8450
jfrei@pahousegop.com
RepJillCooper.com / Facebook.com/RepJillCooper