State Representative PRSRT STD

U.S. POSTAGE

KAREN BOBACK
Serving the people of the 117 Legislative District
th
PAID
HARRISBURG, PA
PERMIT NO. 529

Winter/Spring 2009

Dear Neighbor: Boback to Host Free

Identity Theft Seminars
With spring just around the corner, I am hopeful the
next few months will be a time of renewal and growth
for our great Commonwealth. Pennsylvania is blessed
with strong industries, such as agriculture and tourism Because identity theft is the fastest growing crime in the nation
that serve as the backbone of our economy. Because we and my office receives frequent inquiries about identity theft and
are considered a “drive-through” state, we may actually scams, I am hosting two Identity Theft Seminars; one in conjunction
see gains in the tourism sector, and agriculture has with Rep. Dave Millard (R-Millville) and one in conjunction with
traditionally been a stable revenue generator, especially the Ethics Institute at Misericordia University.
with advances in converting crops to fuel sources. Joyce O’Brien, with the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Senior
Pennsylvania, like most other states throughout the Crime Prevention University, will provide you with information
nation, has been impacted by the recession, and we are regarding what to do if you become the victim of an identity thief,
facing tough economic times. We have already seen how you can protect your personal information in the real world and
budget cuts for the current fiscal year, and more will in cyber space, and how to spot identity scams.
be in order if we are going to clear current and future
budget gaps. Thursday, April 16
The coming year’s budget will certainly continue the 6 p.m.
trend of reducing spending and possibly eliminating Insalaco Hall
programs. These cuts will be necessary to avoid broad- Misericordia University, Dallas
based tax increases, which are known to suppress e  Ligh
consumer spending. I sincerely believe that if we are Fre ion Refr t
i s
s Friday, April 17 esm
ents
proactive and make responsible budgeting decisions, Adm 11 a.m.
we will surmount this recession.
For my part, I will continue to advocate for sound Northern Columbia Community
economic policies, which will not place an additional and Cultural Center, Benton
tax burden on Pennsylvania’s families. I voted against For more information regarding these free seminars, contact my
the last two budgets because I believed the revenue Tunkhannock district office at (570) 836-4777. You can also visit
projections were unrealistic and the spending was my Web site at RepBoback.com for information regarding these
exorbitant, and I will not support a budget that is not events and for identity theft protection resources.
more fiscally conservative than those we have seen in
recent years.
If you and your family have been impacted by the Reps. Boback
economic downturn and are seeking information on state and Millard
programs and unemployment compensation, contact one are looking
of my district offices. Together, we can make it through forward to
these difficult times. bringing you
Sincerely, information
to help protect
your identity.
Dr. Karen Boback
State Representative,
117th Legislative District

www.RepBoback.com
 Annual Legislative Survey
Because I value the opinions of those I serve and want to accurately represent your views in Harrisburg, I am asking you
to complete the following survey and return it to any of my three full-time offices, listed on the back page, at your earliest
convenience. The answers that were provided from last year’s survey impacted my committee and floor votes. The survey is
also available on my Web site, RepBoback.com. I look forward to reading your answers!
1. Have you personally been impacted by the national 6. With Pennsylvania facing a budget shortfall expected
mortgage foreclosure crisis? to exceed $2 billion by the end of the fiscal year in June,
 Yes  No what do you think the General Assembly should do to
resolve the deficit?
2. Have you personally been impacted by a job cut,  Ask for a federal assistance package
layoff or down-sizing?  Cut spending on programs
 Yes  No  Raise the personal income tax
 Expand gambling to include table games and
3. With appropriate Department of Environmental poker machines in bars
Protection oversight, do you favor drilling on state-  Other, please explain: _________________
owned lands into the Marcellus Shale for natural gas?
 Yes  No ___________________________________

4. Do you think Pennsylvania should institute a 7. Would you be interested in participating in an upcom-
“Severance Tax” on natural gas extraction, even as ing Energy Expo?
the price of natural gas has been cut by more than 60  Yes  No
percent?
 Yes  No 8. Would you prefer to receive newsletters from my
office via e-mail rather than in your mailbox?
5. What should be the top priority of the General  Yes  No
Assembly in 2009? Please choose one.
 Road and bridge repair Name: ____________________________________
 Economic development and job creation
 Solving the health care crisis Address: ____________________________________
 Improving education
 Investing in alternative energy ____________________________________
 Other, please explain: _________________
E-mail: ____________________________________
___________________________________

Boback’s Outdoor Report

• Spring gobbler season will be here before we know it, so now is the time to
review turkey hunting safety tips and sign up for hunter education courses.
Licensed junior hunters can hunt bearded turkeys on April 18. The regular
spring gobbler season lasts from April 25 to May 25. There is a daily limit of
one bird. For individuals possessing a special wild turkey license, there is a
season limit of two birds.
• The Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) has reinstated its protection of feral
swine in Wyoming County. According to the PGC’s annual report for 2008, 11
total feral swine had been trapped, euthanized and tested for diseases in Bedford,
Columbia, Indiana and Wyoming counties. All tested negative. Feral swine
may still be harvested in all Pennsylvania counties, except Bradford, Bedford, Rep. Boback hosted a property tax town
Fulton, Susquehanna and Wyoming. hall meeting in the fall to discuss Rep. Sam
Rohrer’s (R-Berks) plan to totally eliminate
• This year there will be two opening days for trout season, depending on the
school property taxes in Pennsylvania.
region in which you plan to fish. Opening day for 18 counties in southeastern Pictured with Boback and Rohrer is David
Pennsylvania is Saturday, April 4. In the 117th District, opening day is Saturday, Baldinger of the Pennsylvania Taxpayers
April 18. No matter your region, the season officially opens at 8 a.m. Trout Cyber Coalition.
stocking schedules will be available in my district offices and at my Web site,
RepBoback.com. SAVE THE DATE
• The House recently passed legislation (House Bills 94 and 95) to reduce the Senior Expo with
active duty service requirement from 180 to 60 consecutive days for members Special Veterans Presentation:
of the Pennsylvania National Guard, Air National Guard and reserves to receive Friday, Aug. 7
reduced fee hunting and fishing licenses. The bills are now before the Senate Veterans Recognition Ceremony:
for consideration. Saturday, Nov. 7
 Pennsylvania’s Budget Status
On Feb. 4, Gov. Ed Rendell addressed the General Assembly with his budget proposal for the 2009-10 fiscal year. We
are facing one of the toughest years in recent history with a deficit of over $2 billion for this year and projections for the
coming fiscal year of at least $3 billion in revenue shortfalls. In light of the current deficit and the dismal forecast for next
year, it is going to be a difficult budget process. Rest assured that the people I represent and Pennsylvania’s taxpayers are
my top concern.
I voted against the last two budgets
because I did not believe that the
proposed spending they contained
could be met by their revenue
projections. Obviously, I was correct
in my thinking because Pennsylvania
has not met its collection predictions
for a single month during this fiscal
year. We must budget responsibly
and do everything possible to avoid
a broad-based tax increase.
Following is a chart representing
how the Commonwealth’s spending
has grown in recent years. If you
have any questions regarding this
chart or the budget, do not hesitate
to contact me.

Boback Assigned Key Committees Marcellus Shale

As the new session gets underway, there have been changes to House
committees’ structure and membership. For the 2009-10 legislative session, I Update
will again serve on the House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, which My office frequently receives questions
oversees all aspects of Pennsylvania’s highest revenue generating industry, regarding the Marcellus Shale natural gas
agriculture. I will also continue my service on the House Aging and Older Adult formation, which is a layer of rock 5,000 to
Services Committee, on which I am able to create and guide policies that will 8,000 feet deep that has the potential to yield
protect Pennsylvania’s senior citizens. trillions of cubic feet of natural gas. The shale
Because of my outreach efforts and advocacy for veterans and servicemen covers a large area of Pennsylvania stretching
and women, I have also been asked to join the House Veterans Affairs and from Wayne County west and south to Greene
Emergency Preparedness Committee and will serve as Minority Chairman County and includes parts of Columbia, Luzerne
of the Subcommittee on Military and Veterans Facilities. This committee and Wyoming counties.
focuses on laws relating to veteran services and benefits, as well as programs for For landowners in the Marcellus Shale area,
Pennsylvania’s fire and ambulance volunteers and disaster relief. there is a great potential for economic gain.
These are all key assignments that will impact the 117th District. I The same is true for the Commonwealth, as the
am looking forward to working with my colleagues to adopt meaningful governor has proposed a tax on the extraction
legislation that will help the Commonwealth’s elderly, veterans, volunteers of natural gas and has leased some state-owned
and farmers. lands in the shale region, collecting revenues for
In October, Boback partici- the state’s general fund from the deal.
pated in a press conference
Of course, there are environmental concerns.
regarding legislation aimed
at protecting children from Drills extract the gas from the rock in a process
recalled products by requir- called “fracing,” which uses large amounts of
ing retailers to pull unsafe fresh water at high pressures to break the rock
products from their shelves. and release the gas. After drilling, the water
contains high levels of salt and must be treated
before it can be returned to its source. New
technologies, such as horizontal drilling, allow
At the 2009 Farm Show, Boback for gas to be removed with only a small area of
inspects a cap made from land being disturbed; however, in heavily forested
Alpaca wool. Alpaca farming areas, some trees would have to be removed.
is just one example of the
There is a lot of legislative activity surrounding
recent diversification evident
in Pennsylvania agriculture, Marcellus Shale, and I will keep you informed as
which not only produces food bills move through the process. If you have any
for our nation, but also clean questions or comments regarding the Marcellus
and renewable energy. Shale, contact my office.

www.RepBoback.com
 Property Tax/Rent Rebate
Applications Available
Applications for the state’s Property Tax/ Rent Rebate program for 2008 are
now available.
Eligible participants who are 65 years or older, widows and widowers 50 years
or older, and those 18 years or older with disabilities can receive a rebate of up
to $650 based on the rent or property taxes paid in 2008.
Because of the needs of the veterans in
Income limits for homeowners are set at the following levels, excluding her district, Boback established a veterans
50 percent of Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, and Railroad advisory comittee and hosts veterans outreach
Retirement Tier 1 benefits: hours in her district offices. Dan Walsh of the
• $0 to $8,000, maximum $650 rebate (Homeowners and renters) Governor’s Veterans Outreach and Assistance
• $8,001 to $15,000, maximum $500 rebate (Homeowners and renters) Center visits her offices to explain services
• $15,001 to $18,000, maximum $300 rebate (Homeowners only) and benefits to area veterans. Pictured with
• $18,001 to $35,000, maximum $250 rebate (Homeowners only) Walsh and Boback are Richard Wren, director
Remember to apply before June 30 and to provide all the necessary income, of Luzerne County Veteran’s Affairs and Tom
property tax or rental information required to process claims quickly and Owens, director of Wyoming County Veteran’s
accurately. Affairs.
Finally, with revenue from slot machines now providing supplemental property
tax rebates, you may receive extra relief in your rebate check if you pay more
than 15 percent of your household income in property taxes. The Department Volunteer
of Revenue will calculate eligibility for you.
Property Tax/Rent Rebate claim forms are available by contacting any of my Responders May Be
offices or by visiting my Web site at RepBoback.com.
Eligible for Tax Credit
In July, the Volunteer Responder Retention
Help for Struggling Homeowners and Recruitment Tax Credit was signed into law,
providing a $100 tax credit to fire department,
rescue and emergency medical service volunteers
If you are a homeowner who is facing higher interest rates from an adjustable who meet the program’s criteria.
rate mortgage, you may be eligible for the REfinance to an Affordable Loan (REAL) Eligibility is based on a points system, and
program, which offers a lower interest fixed 30-year rate for those who qualify. points are earned for participation in activities
To be eligible for REAL, you must have a combined gross annual income less than such as certification, emergency response rate
$120,000 and may be no more than 59 days past due on your existing mortgage. and attendance at organizational meetings.
Additionally, you must have a credit score of at least 620 or: A complete list of point-earning activities is
• Your mortgage payment adjusted in the last 12 months to a higher interest available at osfc.state.pa.us.
rate or a fully amortized payment and you have made no more than two, The deadline to apply for the tax credit is April
30-day late payments since the adjustment. (Your mortgage payment history 15, 2009. Applications are available in my district
12 months prior to the adjustment must show no history of late payments.) office, or at revenue.state.pa.us.
• Your credit history of other debt (carloan, credit cards, etc.) shows no more Legislation has also been introduced in the
than three, 30-day late payments 12 months prior to the adjustment of your House to make this a permanent tax credit and
mortgage. to raise the credit amount to $500 per year by
• You may borrow up to 100 percent of your home’s value based upon a current 2013.
appraisal (or 95 percent for borrowers with a credit score below 620). The REAL The men and women who selflessly volunteer
loan may be used to finance items such as subordinate mortgages, closing costs, as first responders deserve a tax credit for giving
prepayment penalties, delinquent property taxes, and arrearages that have their time and risking their personal safety
occurred within the past 12 months after the loan reset to a higher monthly for the protection of our communities. This
payment amount. tax credit is also an investment into volunteer
• Your monthly total debt costs (credit cards, car loans, installment loans, REAL services, which are having great difficulty with
mortgage payment, student loans, etc.) may not exceed 50 percent of your recruitment and retention. Volunteer emergency
total gross monthly income (or 45 percent for borrowers with a credit score service organizations save our local governments
below 620). an immeasurable amount of money because
If you believe you qualify, contact this toll-free consumer information hotline (800) municipalities do not have to hire professional
822-1174 for more details and the name of a participating lender in your area. first responders or purchase expensive life-saving
equipment.

State Representative Karen Boback

HARRISBURG OFFICE: 141-B East Wing / PO Box 202117 / Harrisburg, PA 17120-2117 / PHONE: (717) 787-1117 / FAX: (717) 705-1889
DISTRICT OFFICES:
5315 Main Road / PO Box 333 / Sweet Valley, PA 18656 / PHONE: (570) 477-3752 / FAX: (570) 477-3468


6 Cross Country Complex / Tunkhannock, PA 18657 / PHONE: (570) 836-4777 / FAX: (570) 836-4772


 7844 Blue Ridge Trail / Mountain Top, PA 18707 / PHONE: (570) 868-7780 / TOLL FREE: 1 (800) 278-3930 / FAX: (570) 868-4658

E-mail: kboback@pahousegop.com
www.RepBoback.com