CGA Law News & Blog

Green Acres: Pennsylvania’s ACRE Law and How It Helps Farmers

access_time Posted on: March 26th, 2024

The agriculture industry represents a critical component to a thriving Pennsylvania economy. Currently, Pennsylvania’s Department of Agriculture estimates that farmlands occupy 7.3 million acres of land across the state. This means that farm lands constitutes twenty-five percent of Pennsylvania’s  total land mass!! Agriculture contributes $132.5 billion to the economy each year, and one out of every ten jobs in Pennsylvania belongs within the agriculture industry. The significance of agriculture in Pennsylvania truly cannot be overstated. The significance of agriculture also renders it worthy of protection. The agriculture industry receives protection from all three branches of the Pennsylvania government. The General… read more »

Amendment to Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Act Restricts Local Government’s Ability to Amend Meeting Agenda

access_time Posted on: March 26th, 2024

In 2021, the Sunshine Act was amended to provide new requirements for publishing and posting public meeting agendas.  The amendment required local governing bodies to post agendas to their publicly accessible website at least 24 hours in advance of the public meeting. The Sunshine Act amendment, however, provided limited exceptions to allow governing bodies to add items to its already published agenda within 24 hours of the public meeting or at the public meeting.  Those exceptions are enumerated in Section 712.1 of the Sunshine Act and include the following: a matter that relates to a real or potential emergency involving… read more »

CGA President Craig Sharnetzka Selected to Central Penn Business Journal Power 100 List

access_time Posted on: March 19th, 2024

CGA Law Firm President and Shareholder Craig Sharnetzka has been recognized on the Central Penn Business Journal’s 2024 Power 100 List. This list recognizes leaders from various fields, such as law, finance, education, government, healthcare, business, and nonprofits. The Central Penn Business Journal’s editorial team and leadership curate this list based on the impact these individuals have on our communities and the quality of life in Central Pennsylvania. “It is certainly an honor to be recognized in the Power 100 List along with many talented and influential business and community leaders. I am humbled to be included on this list… read more »

LIVING TRUSTS – Are they worth the extra cost?

access_time Posted on: March 13th, 2024

From Attorney Tim Bupp, chair of the CGA Law Firm Estate Law section. In this biweekly column, Attorney Tim Bupp shares with you lessons and perspectives from his twenty-five years as an estate planner with CGA Law Firm. I am asked about the potential benefits of living trusts nearly every day. My answer: in specific situations, a living trust can provide clarity and benefit to your estate plan. However, as with nearly every other estate planning tool, one size does not fit all; not everyone will benefit from the extra effort and expense that go into creating and maintaining such… read more »

The Clock is Ticking – Obligate ARPA Funds Before the Deadline

access_time Posted on: February 15th, 2024

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) has provided many local governments with a financial boost to tackle the challenges the pandemic presented. However, with the deadline to obligate these funds less than a year away, municipalities must be mindful of the time limitations associated with the funds to ensure optimal utilization for their community’s benefit. Local governments have until December 31, 2024, to obligate all received ARPA funds. This means the governing bodies of municipalities must allocate the funds to specific projects, programs, or initiatives before this date to avoid loss of funds. Under the Final Rule, failure to meet this… read more »

Why Bankruptcy Still Beats Debt Consolidation Loans in a High-Interest Environment

access_time Posted on: February 8th, 2024

Interest rates continue to rise, and individuals and businesses grappling with substantial credit card and unsecured debt find themselves navigating treacherous financial waters. Traditionally, debt consolidation programs have offered an alternative to bankruptcy by combining multiple debts into a single, manageable payment. However, as interest rates reach unprecedented highs, the once-reliable lifeboat of debt consolidation is increasingly becoming a sinking ship. As an experienced bankruptcy attorney, I’m now witnessing a shift in the financial dynamics that make bankruptcy a more viable option for those drowning in debt. Here are a few reasons why bankruptcy continues to gain prominence over debt… read more »

CGA Law Firm is Proud to Announce the Election of Hunter B. Schenck to Shareholder

access_time Posted on: January 17th, 2024

CGA Law Firm is pleased to announce that Attorney Hunter B. Schenck has been unanimously elected as a Shareholder. With ten years of experience in litigation and real estate, Hunter has become an invaluable asset to CGA’s clients. For the past few years, she has been a member of CGA’s Technology Committee which works on exploring new ways to help attorneys and staff to better serve our clients. “Hunter has worked very hard in building her practice and continues to do so. This is certainly a well-deserved honor,” CGA President Craig S. Sharnetzka said. Schenck provides legal services to individuals… read more »

The Corporate Transparency Act and Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting

access_time Posted on: January 16th, 2024

At the beginning of this year, the Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”) became effective. The CTA is intended to aid law enforcement in combating illicit activity, such as money laundering and terrorist financing, conducted through anonymous shell companies. It does so by mandating certain entities, primarily small or medium size businesses, to report “beneficial owner” information to the Financial Crimes and Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”). The CTA authorizes FinCEN, a Bureau of the US Treasurer Department, to collect, protect and disclose this information to authorized governmental authorities and financial institutions in certain circumstances. Reporting companies under the CTA include corporations, limited liability companies… read more »

Attorney Derek. T. Maninfior Joins CGA Law Firm as Litigation Associate

access_time Posted on: January 12th, 2024

CGA Law Firm is pleased to welcome litigator Derek T. Maninfior to our Litigation Practice Group as an associate of the Firm. Maninfior has experience representing clients in civil and criminal cases throughout central Pennsylvania. His expertise includes trial and appellate advocacy, making him a valuable addition to our team. “I am thrilled to join such a talented team of legal professionals,” said Maninfior. “The breadth of knowledge and experience at CGA is inspiring, and I’m excited to hone my skills as an advocate to provide exemplary legal representation to the York and surrounding communities.” Maninfior has a diverse background,… read more »

PA Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act (HICPA): Are You in Compliance?

access_time Posted on: January 3rd, 2024

On July 1, 2009, the Pennsylvania Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act (HICPA) went into effect. HICPA applies to all persons owning or operating a home improvement business doing $5,000 or more each taxable year, including those who are subcontractors. The Act requires that each home improvement contractor or subcontractor register with the Bureau of Consumer Protection in the Office of the Attorney General. This involves providing various pieces of information in order to obtain a registration number which must be clearly included on all contracts, advertisements, estimates, and proposals. Home improvement contractors are required to list a physical address and… read more »