Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
PRSRT2009
STD
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
HARRISBURG, PA
PERMIT NO. 529
D R E E D @ PA H O U S E G O P. C O M
Budget continued from page 1.
Taxes
Unfortunately, budget negotiators were only able to balance
the $27.8 billion spending plan by raising taxes, depleting
the state’s reserve fund and reducing some tax credits - like
the education improvement tax credit program.
The budget includes a 25-cent-per-pack increase in the
state tax on cigarettes and creates a new tax on “little cigars”
at $1.60 per pack. In addition, it includes a tax on Medicaid
Important Votes
Managed Care Organizations (MCOs).
The state spending plan also calls for a $374 million tax on House Bill 1416 – State Budget Voted “No”
Pennsylvania employers at a time when the Commonwealth At a time when Pennsylvania families are cutting back
should be doing everything in its power to encourage job in their own budgets, this funding plan set the wrong
creation. This tax could delay or jeopardize Pennsylvania’s priorities for our commonwealth and required too many
economic recovery. That is the last thing local workers and tax increases.
families want as they struggle to make it through the current
international economic recession.
While the budget includes the targeted tax increases
House Bill 1531 – Tax Hikes Voted “No”
above, my colleagues and I were able to work together in a This bill required nearly $1 billion in tax increases to
bipartisan manner to block several new or increased taxes balance the budget proposal. Raising taxes during a
proposed by Gov. Ed Rendell. At various points during the recession defies common sense and could threaten our
budget process, the governor called for both a Personal Commonwealth’s economic recovery.
Income Tax (PIT) increase and an expansion of the state
Sales and Use Tax (SUT). We were able to avoid both of House Bill 1 – Health Care Tax Voted “No”
these broad-based tax increases. This bill includes a 2 percent tax on health care pre-
In addition, the governor proposed a severance tax on miums for those with health insurance to pay for an ex-
natural gas harvested in Pennsylvania. This would have pansion of the Commonwealth’s adultBasic health care
stunted the growth of Pennsylvania’s emerging Marcellus system for uninsured adults. Although I agree we need
Shale natural gas industry, resulting in fewer good-paying to find ways to make health care insurance more afford-
jobs for our workers. My colleagues and I were able to avert able for all of our citizens, taxing those with health care
this job-killing tax proposal. insurance is not the answer.
W W W. R E P D AV E R E E D . N E T
Saving Taxpayer Dollars: An Opportunity
for Bipartisan Accomplishment
Recent reports by Pennsylvania’s Demo- the way Pennsylvania helps those in need.
crat Auditor General revealed waste, fraud Specifically, our bill would reduce fraud by
and abuse in the Commonwealth’s welfare making welfare payments directly to service
system. providers instead of expecting welfare recipi-
In Philadelphia, a woman was receiving ents to pass the money along. It would also
welfare benefits to pay for child care for 10 enhance oversight by requiring a paper trail of
children. Unfortunately, she was using the receipts for welfare purchases. Furthermore,
money to pay the father of five of her children
to babysit his own kids. They duped the state
it would promote accountability by forcing
DPW to provide information to lawmakers,
Attention Local
welfare system for more than $7,000. streamline services by eliminating redundant Elected Officials
There were also reports that “potentially programs and avoid overpayments through
fraudulent employee activity has been de- stricter rules governing the welfare payment Many of the laws passed by the Gen-
tected in Philadelphia.” Translated from au- system. eral Assembly in Harrisburg have direct
dit-ese into English, this means the welfare In addition to the bill I have co-sponsored effects on our local governments right
recipients aren’t the only ones scamming the with my colleagues, I have also written a bill here in Indiana County. That is why, on
system in the City of Brotherly Love. by myself that would close a loophole in the
Wednesday, Dec. 16, I will host a meet-
In Pittsburgh, one welfare recipient has state welfare system. Specifically, my bill
reportedly received a total of 99 ACCESS would prohibit the use of welfare and child ing for local elected officials so that I can
cards. Some urban welfare departments support dollars to purchase alcohol. provide an update about what’s going on
evidently hand out new ACCESS cards like My bill would prevent state liquor stores in our state Capitol.
candy on Halloween. and beer distributorships from accepting All local elected officials from the 62nd
This is unconscionable at a time when our electronic benefit cards (EBTs) – which are Legislative District – regardless of political
state is being forced to reduce funding for part of DPW’s cash assistance and food
party affiliation – are welcome to attend
important programs, like our public libraries, stamp programs. My legislation also would
the State System of Higher Education and this free meeting.
prohibit the acceptance of EPPICards – debit
the Department of Environmental Protec- cards issued in lieu of child support payments The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. and will
tion, due to the reduced revenues that have by the domestic relation sections of county take place at the Rustic Lodge located at
resulted from the economic recession. courts of common pleas – from being used 2199 Oakland Ave. in Indiana.
Every dollar wasted on welfare fraud is to purchase alcohol. I hold this meeting each year because I
another dollar we cannot use to help those These welfare reforms are intended to believe it is important for lawmakers from
truly in need – our children, the elderly, the restore the integrity of the public assistance
the state and local governments to work
disabled and the underprivileged. system. Pennsylvania’s welfare programs
Pennsylvania taxpayers cannot afford to should be a safety net for vulnerable resi- together. Regardless of which office we
wait any longer for much-needed welfare dents, not a hammock for those who are hold, we are all elected to serve residents
reforms. While the abuses detailed by the lazy. from a portion of Indiana County. Lo-
auditor general never should have happened Saving taxpayer dollars is not a Republican cal folks are best served when we work
in the first place, the important thing now is or a Democrat issue. This is one area where together as elected officials to achieve
to immediately stop them from happening members of both parties should be able to
shared goals.
in the future. find common ground and work together to
It is past time to clean up the Common- If you are a local elected official and wish
protect taxpayers.
wealth’s welfare system. This is especially I am committed to working with my col- to attend this event, please RSVP by call-
important because the Pennsylvania Depart- leagues on both sides of the aisle to make ing my district office at 724-465-0220.
ment of Public Welfare (DPW) consumes these reforms a reality. For the folks who
more than $10 billion in state revenues truly need assistance – our senior citizens, STATE REPRESENTATIVE
each year. children, the workers who have lost their DAV E R E E D
To accomplish our goal, my colleagues jobs due to the recession and our taxpayers
INDIANA OFFICE:
and I are co-sponsoring legislation to reform – these changes can’t come soon enough.
550 Philadelphia Street, Indiana, PA 15701
Phone: 724-465-0220 Fax: 724-465-0221
COMING SOON Mark
Hours: Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri.
8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Veterans Expo and Job Fair Your
Calendars!
Wed. 8:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
BLAIRSVILLE OFFICE:
122 E. Market Street, Blairsville, PA 15717
Veterans Expo Phone: 724-459-3245 Fax: 724-459-7270
In the spring, I plan to hold a veterans expo for military veterans from the 62nd Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Legislative District. We will invite representatives from state agencies and ven- HOMER CITY OFFICE:
dors from companies that provide programs and services for veterans to join us 30 E. Wiley Street, Homer City, PA 15748
at the event, where those who served in our armed forces can learn about the Phone: 724-479-5585 Fax: 724-479-8007
help that is available to them. Hours: Thurs. 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
HARRISBURG OFFICE:
The event is scheduled for Thursday, March 18, at S & T Bank Arena at the White
PO Box 202062, Harrisburg, PA 17120-2062
Township Recreation Complex, located at 497 East Pike Road in Indiana.
Phone: 717-705-7173 Fax: 717-705-1947
Hours: Mon. - Fri., 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Job Fair
On Thursday, April 15, I plan to hold my annual job fair to match up workers with DREED@PAHOUSEGOP.COM
potential employers. Watch and listen for more information after the holidays! WWW.REPDAVEREED.NET