State
PETRI
Representative
Scott
178th Legislative District
Dear Friends,
On June 30, the state Legislature passed a
budget on time for the first time in eight years,
but that is where the good news ends. Haste
makes waste!
When the budget bill was announced on the
House floor that night, I argued vehemently
that it was premature. The budget was far
from complete and we all knew it. To vote on
a budget in the interest of expediency was
not the right thing to do. The Legislature’s
determination to save face after last year’s
101-day budget impasse by passing a budget
that was incomplete and unbalanced will cost
us all dearly.
I voted against this budget and here are
some of the reasons why: The budget relies
on funding that is speculative at best and, at
$28.02 billion, we are simply spending too
much.
The budget assumed $850 million in Federal
Medical Assistance Percentages (FMAP)
stimulus funds. Congress recently approved
only $600 million, leaving Pennsylvania with
a $250 million funding gap. It was clearly
irresponsible to count on this money when it
was known that it might not fully materialize.
Now the governor will be forced to choose
between cutting programs, eliminating jobs and
raising taxes to make up the difference.
There were many cuts in this year’s budget.
The governor managed to increase spending
for public basic education by $250 million.
The share of Bucks County schools from this
increase is very small. Philadelphia schools
receive most of the increase. This funding
could be in peril due to the loss of FMAP funds.
What’s worse is that many other line items of
education were cut drastically, meaning that
most of our schools will experience a net loss.
Next year the projected loss in basic education
without federal stimulus money is around $600
million.
Incredibly, there was nothing in the budget
for job creation or for job creators. Right now,
unemployment and under employment is one
of the greatest obstacles to our economic
recovery. In fact, it is costing us dearly. Two
years ago, if we raised the state income tax by
one-tenth of 1 percent, we would have raised
$500 million. Today, one-tenth of 1 percent of
the state income tax is equal to $300 million
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in revenue. That is a 40 percent reduction
in state income tax. Is it any surprise that
Pennsylvanians are suffering?
Many are lauding the budget as containing
no new taxes. However, it is a safe bet that
when anticipated revenues or federal funding
does not come through, there will be calls for
new and increased taxes.
While I must commend our work on the
Appropriations Committee, of which I am
a member, about $1 billion was cut from
Governor Ed Rendell’s original budget wish
list and the overall spending plan is still at
least a half billion dollars too high. Perhaps
most disappointing is that there is nothing in
this budget to prepare for the fiscal challenges
ahead.
The Commonwealth is facing a projected
$3 billion to $5 billion shortfall next year when
federal stimulus money dries up. The state
is defending a lawsuit stemming from last
year’s raiding of the MCare Fund, and pension
obligations are looming. Prudent planning
should have included further cuts in spending
last year, this year, and next year.
We need to look for ways to stimulate our
economy and get people back to work, and
we need to closely examine how we spend
the taxpayers’ money and spend it like it was
our own. That is why I have proposed Rebuild
PA and Energy Independence Bonds—private
bond programs whereby there is no government
inducement except to ensure that the bond
recipient keeps its promise to investors not to
outsource jobs for the projects.
Because I believe it is important and
appropriate for you to know how your tax
dollars are spent, over the past two years I
have held a series of public hearings in my
district to both provide information and to
address your questions regarding the state
budget. I will continue to provide information
to you. As always, your input is appreciated
and welcome.
Scott A. Petri
State Representative
178th Legislative District
Fall 2010
Small Business
Seminar to Promote
Job Creation
In June, I hosted a small business seminar at
Bucks County Community College to provide a one-
stop shop for those interested in starting or growing
a small business in Pennsylvania.
I believe that small businesses and business
development generally are key to job creation and
getting our state’s economy back on track, but often
those who are interested in starting a business
don’t know where to start. They need answers and
they don’t know where to turn to get the advice
and assistance they need. My goal was to make
it easy.
Experts and resources were brought together
under one roof where would-be entrepreneurs
could attend presentations, ask questions and pick
up valuable forms and materials. Representatives
of the Bucks County Workforce Investment Board,
CareerLink, accounting and insurance firms, an
attorney, the Small Business Development Center,
the National Federation of Independent Business,
the Department of Labor and Industry, and local
zoning and land use boards were available to share
their knowledge.
The seminar was so well received that I plan to
hold another on Thursday, Oct. 7, from 6 p.m. to 9
p.m. at Bucks County Community College. Admission
is free and all are welcome. I encourage anybody
who is interested in starting their own business to
take advantage of this worthwhile event.
 Pension Reforms Fall Short
The House-approved plan to reform the
state’s ailing pension systems is a good start.
I support several amendments which would
provide for real reform. The plan returns the
pension plan to the law as it existed in 2000
including increased vesting periods, increased
retirement ages, and caps on increases to save
taxpayers money.
I joined nine of my House colleagues in
introducing amendments to House Bill 2497
that would have further softened the financial
blow that is coming in 2012 when the state’s
contribution to the plans is scheduled to rise
sharply. My amendment and those of several
other House members were not permitted to
be considered for a vote, despite having been
filed in a timely manner. The House should not
fear an open debate on further pension reform
measures. There is no silver bullet to resolving
this crisis. All solutions should be debated.
We approved major reforms to the state
pension systems, but I wanted those reforms
to go much further. From my first days as
a legislator, I have been pushing for a tax
deferred retirement plan to save school
districts and the state money and to make
contributions more predictable. My amendment
would have established an optional defined
benefit retirement plan for individuals under the
Highlights of
Pending Legislation
The following is a brief description and status
of some of the House Bills I am sponsoring:
HB 2249 – Proposes a change in the
Pennsylvania Liquor Code to allow a volunteer
fire company to obtain a club liquor license
regardless of whether the licensing quota in the
host county has been met. Current law will not
permit the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board
to issue a license to a club once the county’s
licensing quota is filled.
HB 2248 – This legislation would force those
who commit hoaxes to pay full restitution for
the cost of investigating their crime.
HB 1383 – Requires a cost benefit analysis
on state contracts that exceed $50,000 unless
such would adversely affect public health,
safety and welfare, or the urgency will not
permit a delay. Contracts would also be posted
on the state Treasury Department website.
HB 2194 – This legislation would expand
the authority of the Pennsylvania Department
of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) to
arrange for formal military burials of deceased
U.S. veterans at Washington Crossing National
State Employees’ Retirement System (SERS)
and Public School Employees’ Retirement
System (PSERS), giving employers another
choice.
Other cost-saving amendments that were
not considered would:
 Establish a statewide defined contribution
plan for future state and local public employees,
including public school teachers;
 Convert PSERS to a defined contribution/
defined benefit plan for future employees;
 Allow federal stimulus money not targeted
to a specific program to cover PSERS’
unfunded liability;
 Minimum contribution rates to eliminate
future spikes in contribution rates;
 Increase PSERS employer contribution
rate to allow school districts to pay off shortfalls
before the projected rate spike, and
 Removal of the cap on school district
reserve balances for future pension
contributions, permitting school districts to
contribute more and taxpayers to save in the
future.
Pennsylvania is currently facing a multi-
billion dollar unfunded liability in its pension
systems. The changes contained in HB 2497
will not affect retirement benefits for existing
SERS or PSERS members. Instead, they will
Cemetery. State law presently permits such
burials only at Indiantown Gap National
Cemetery in Lebanon County and National
Cemetery of the Alleghenies in Washington
County.
HB 788 – This bill would establish an Office
of Children’s Ombudsman to investigate
complaints of suspected child abuse and follow
up to help prevent tragic circumstances.
HR 117 – This joint resolution calls for a
study to determine the feasibility of creating a
regional public transportation system to serve
the southeast region of the state. The study
would look at savings that can be achieved
by consolidating SEPTA, the Philadelphia
Parking Authority, Delaware River Port
Authority, Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge
Commission and the Philadelphia Airport under
one transportation umbrella. The new regional
authority would include Berks, Bucks, Chester,
Delaware, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton
and Philadelphia counties.
For more inf ormation visit ww
apply to new hires. The plan will help address
future expenses and will enable the state and
school districts to better manage their annual
pension obligations. The bill is now in the
Senate which may add additional reforms.
Both retirement systems are funded by
employee and employer contributions and
investment earnings. Lagging employer
contributions and a down economy are
largely responsible for the pension crisis that
will require an estimated 30 percent increase
in employer contributions in 2012, if not
addressed by legislative action.
To help avert a crisis, it was necessary to
restructure the plan for future employees by
changing contribution rates, extending the time
it takes for a new employee to become vested,
increasing the retirement age and eliminating
the lump sum payout option.
The pension system will look different for
future employees. Changes were necessary
to smooth out what would have been a certain
fiscal disaster. It’s just unfortunate we have not
yet had the opportunity to do more. Hopefully,
the Senate will amend the bill to provide
additional measures.
HB 2497 passed by a vote of 192-6 in the
House and is now under consideration in the
Senate Finance committee.
MCare Decision Appealed
The Rendell administration has filed an
appeal of a court decision ordering the
administration to return $850 million that it
raided from the MCare Fund. It was wrong to
use this money to fill holes in the budget and I
support the court’s decision to give the money
back. MCare is a fund paid into by doctors and
hospitals to help defray the cost of exorbitant
medical malpractice claims.
Gas Tax Expected to be
on Agenda in Fall
The issue of taxing natural gas extraction
in the Marcellus Shale region is expected to
come up this fall. The Legislature will debate
such issues as the rate of taxation, when to
apply the tax and what environmental rules
and regulations will be necessary. While I
believe drilling in Marcellus Shale will create
jobs and be a source of additional revenue
for the Commonwealth, we must proceed
cautiously. Any taxes on extraction should
be used for environmental monitoring, clean
up and infrastructure improvements around
the sites. Some of the revenue is necessary
for administrative oversight and enforcement
of environmental regulations, but this money
should not be absorbed into the General
Fund.
 Community Support Making a Difference at
Washington Crossing Historic Park
The Friends of Washington Crossing Historic
Park has entered into a one-year agreement
to provide park volunteers to help with visitor
services such as tours and educational programs.
It is important that this park remain open for all
residents of Pennsylvania, and my goal is to
ensure that everyone receives the best possible
visitor experience.
We will break ground for the Washington
Crossing Park Visitor Center any day now. The
long overdue restoration of the visitor center
will return Washington Crossing to the historical
landmark that it once was.
My thanks to the many volunteers who
donated their time to improve the condition of the
park, which has been underfunded and fell into
disrepair. By working together as a community,
we can ensure that the park receives appropriate
care.
Due to legitimate concerns over deeding a
portion of the park to an outside entity, Sen.
Chuck McIlhinney plans to hold a public hearing
of the Senate State Government committee in Bucks County. While there was a hearing several years ago, it is important to revisit this issue
to ensure that the community is aware and comfortable with any changes in the management of the park.

Field of Dreams Becoming Food Pantries

Reality in Northampton Serving You
With many Pennsylvanians out of work,
I have long supported the efforts of local residents to create the Northampton Miracle League,
our office is handling more calls concerning
a field dedicated to sporting activities for special needs children. The task at first seemed
the whereabouts of area food pantries.
insurmountable. However, the Northampton Township supervisors and a determined community
Therefore, I am listing the locations and hours
are raising the funds that will make this dream a reality. We will soon break ground for the
of the food pantries in our area.
field in the park on Hatboro Road. There are about 100 Miracle League fields throughout the
country and 100 more, including Northampton’s is on the way!
Bucks County Housing Group
Doylestown Food Pantry
470 Old Dublin Pike
Doylestown
Credit Union Celebrates Expansion in Bucks County (215) 345-1492
Wed. 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Thurs. 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Sun. 10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
or by appointment

Family Service Association

of Bucks County
4 Cornerstone Drive
Langhorne
(215) 781-6602
Hours by appointment

YMCA – Country Commons

Family Center Food Pantry
3338 Richlieu Rd.
Bensalem
(215) 639-5853
Mon. – Fri. 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Rep. Petri joined officials of TruMark Financial Credit Union in cutting the ribbon at its food by appointment
newest branch at 984 Second Street Pike in Richboro. The building is an example of local
revitalization.

www.RepPetr i.com today!

  Awards & Citations

I had the pleasure of presenting citations on behalf of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to the following organizations,
groups and individuals in honor of their distinguished service, exemplary actions or achievements.

Service Awards & Recognition The following students from the Council Rock Eagle Scouts
Community service awards were given to School District were recognized for essays they The following attained the rank of Eagle
the following: Bruce Iacobucci of Holland submitted for a contest on Fire Safety in the Scout, the highest honor awarded by the Boy
is the recipient of the Dr. Stanton Kelton Home, sponsored by the Chartered Property Scouts of America: Thomas Caputi, New
Service Award, given by the United Way of and Casualty Underwriters and the school Hope; Stephen Zapisek, Richboro; Shawn
Bucks County; Andrew Hudis of Langhorne, district: Colby Brown, Victoria Rizzo, Ashley Speeney, Wrightstown; Joel Rabinowitz,
a junior at Council Rock High School, was Tetreault, Alan Chi, Samantha Brown, Sarah Wrightstown; Andrew Snyder, Penns
honored by the YWCA of Bucks County; Mary Pulaski, Josh Silverstein, Maddie Freeman, Park; Ian Shepherd, Richboro; Kenneth
Ryan received the Upper Makefield Township Kosta Petsos, Emily Wilkinson, Miriam van Cummings, Richboro; Jeremy Hough,
Volunteer of the Year Award; and Brittany der Spek and Alexa Francisco. Churchville; Dan Grimes, Ivyland; Patrick
King, a student at Villa Joseph Marie High Celia, Churchville; Blake DeCarvalho,
School, received the President’s Volunteer Joshua Dziewa of Holland and Jamie Ivyland; Sean Soboloski, Ivyland; Vesko
Service Award, presented by the Prudential Callender of Ivyland placed first and second Kostic, Richboro; Jacob Noonan, Holland;
Spirit of Community Awards program on behalf respectively in their weight classes in the Joseph Donahue, Churchville; Eric Bressler,
of President Barack Obama. 2009-10 PIAA State Class AAA Individual Ivyland; Howard Tillotson, Washington
Wrestling Championship. Dziewa also won Crossing; and Nicholas Doyle, Holland.
Scott Shore of Holland was honored by the Bethlehem Holiday Wrestling Classic
the Feasterville Fire Company for 10 years and finished second at the Escape the Rock Girl Scout Gold Award
of distinguished service. Northampton Wrestling Tournament. I am pleased to congratulate Kristin
Township Senior Center celebrates 25 years Sargente of Ivyland on receiving the Girls
of service to the community and the North and Marie Jethon of Holland recently celebrated Scout Gold Award, the highest honor awarded
her 100th birthday. Anthony Gogojewicz of


Southampton Reformed Church celebrates by the Girl Scouts of the USA.
its 300th anniversary. Carversville turned 98 and Dorothy Ryan of
Southampton is 90. Condolences
Grace Tanner, Ivyland
Peter Scheer, Richboro

Rep. Petri held a small business seminar this spring.

The seminar was so well received that another is planned for October.

District Office Services

My district office is here to help you. Services my staff and I provide include:

• Driver’s license and vehicle registration applications and renewals • State tax forms
• Assistance with PennDOT paperwork • Student aid applications
(lost cards, changes, corrections, special registration plates, vanity plates, • State maps and state park information
and temporary placards for disabled persons) • Copies of legislation
• PACE and PACENET applications for seniors • Tours of the State Capitol
• Property Tax and Rent Rebate applications • Referrals to agencies to resolve state-
• Voter registration forms and absentee ballot applications related matters
If you need help with any of the above or with any other state-related matter, please do not hesitate to call.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT A. PETRI

DISTRICT OFFICE: The Weather Vane / 95 Almshouse Road, Suite 303 / Richboro, PA 18954 / Phone: (215) 364-3414 / Fax: (215) 364-8626
HARRISBURG OFFICE: B15 Main Capitol Building / PO Box 202178 / Harrisburg, PA 17120-2178 / Phone: (717) 787-9033 / Fax: (717) 705-1802
www.RepPetri.com