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Contact Rep. Milne via email at dmilne@pahousegop.comWeb Site: DuaneMilne.com ~ Phone: 610-251-1070
www.DuaneMilne.com
STATEREPRESENTATIVE
D D. M
,
P.D.
167
TH
Legislative District
PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGE
PAID
HARRISBURG, PAPERMIT NO. 529
Dear Friend,
As you might imagine, the dominant topic in Harrisburg right now is the state of the economy and the corresponding challenge to balance the state’s budget by June 30. The state’s budget deficit is creeping toward three billion dollars (as perspective, bear in mind that’s nine “zeros”:$3,000,000,000).Unlike the national government, Pennsylvania state government is constitutionally required (and quite rightly I would add!) to balance the budget each year. State government cannot print moneynor, thankfully, mortgage the future of upcoming generations with sinful levels of debt.Even in prosperous times, balancing a $29 billion dollar budget is a challenging exercise, let alone intimes such as we presently confront. There are no easy options, and really no “good” choices. Needless to say, the magnitude of this fiscal hole impacts what can be achieved right now in every issue areaof public policy, whether it is education, transportation, health care, etc. The next several weeks inthe capital will prove an arduous, contentious time as the legislature pushes to meet its constitutional responsibility of making the tough choices that will have to happen to produce a balanced budget.As we in the state legislature struggle in these challenging economic times to balance the state’s budget, I’d like to share with you some measures I have personally taken since my first day in office. I continue to follow these practices out of respect for you, the taxpayers, and as a way of acknowledgingthe difficult economic times we do face as a state. So you are aware:• I did not accept the legislative pay raise for this year.• I do not accept nor drive a state car.• I do not travel frivolously around the country at taxpayers’ expense.• I do not accept offers to go on lobbyist-paid vacations.• I do not charge a cell phone to the taxpayers.I also would add that I have reduced my mailings, while balancing that goal with the equallyworthy responsibility to send enough to keep you informed. I raise private money for and haveunpaid volunteers do some of the outreaches, such as birthday calls, and events that my officeorganizes in order to serve you.
Although by themselves none of these steps will cure the state’s budget woes, I have adhered to them as a matter of principle. I keep at the forefront of mythinking that you, the citizens, are my employer, and in my votes I strive to ensure that your tax dollars are spent as efficiently as possible. It’s not a perfect system, but American democracy is, for my money, still the best system in the world for creating an opportunity society.As always, please advise me how I can be of service to you.All the best,
Mark YourCalendars:
My Legendary Kids’ FestSaturday, June 1310:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
See page 4 for details.
-----------------------------Tele-Town Hall Meeting:Town Hall Meetingconducted via phoneJune 10 at 7:00 p.m.
Check my website for details.
-----------------------------Celebrate America!
Malvern Memorial Parade
Oldest continuously heldmemorial paradein America
www.malvernmemorialparade.com
Fiscal Conservatism: Leadership by Example
Duane
Contact Rep. Milne via email at dmilne@pa
An American Classicsince 1776
Congratulations to Ms. Tran, one of America’s newest citizens. I was honored to welcome her and other newly minted Americans at one of the naturalization ceremonies that occur approximately three times a year at the Chester County Justice Center. Thank you to Ms. Tran and our other new citizens who enter this country legally, follow the rules and earn lawful citizenship. Welcome to the greatest country in the world!
Patriotism:
Green Energy: An
As I travel around our area, I find considerable interest and excitement in citizens for their homes and businesses. Like me, they recognize the environmental, economicthat will emerge from a thriving green energy market.I find as well that there is, understandably, confusion about exactly what resourceof green energy programs. To help in this regard, I have compiled a summary of stais to assist you with capitalizing on your interest in green energy solutions and ass to pursue. Deadlines for programs open and close on a revolving basis, so please check
Renewable Energy Program
Makes available grants and loans for windenergy facilities and geothermal technologies,including opportunities for wind energy and geothermal manufacturers. Eligiblecandidates include a business; an economicdevelopment organization; or a politicalsubdivision, which includes municipalities,counties and school districts.
Energy Harvest
Tis program typically funds grant projectsthat promote and build markets for advancedor renewable technologies. Te programis intended to deploy new and innovativetechnologies directly in to the marketplace.Eligible projects include renewable en-ergy deployment, biomass energy projectsand implementation of energy efficiency technologies.
Small Business EnergyEfficiency Grant Program
Reimburses a small business up to 25percent, to a maximum of $25,000, for theexpense of acquiring equipment or adoptingprocesses that promote energy efficiency. A small business is defined as an entity with100 or fewer full-time employees.
! ! ! ! ! !
Citizens’ oolbox for Green En
!
My recent Green Energy Summit at Penn State Great Valley featured a number of outstanding presenters. To watch the summit, please visit my website and click on the Green Energy Summit box.SEPTA displayed a Clean Green hybrid bus during my summit. Pictured with me is veteran SEPTA driver Robert K. Hawkins.
Keystone HELP
Provides rebates or low-interest rate loansfor energy efficiency improvements tohomes. Program coverage includes the in-stallation of energy efficient heating and airconditioning systems, windows and doors,insulation, air sealing, and more. Moredetails about this program can be obtainedby visiting
www.keystonehelp.com
or by calling (888) 232-3477.
Geo-thermal Systems
Geo-thermal systems also qualify underKeystone HELP.e website to reference for all of theprograms below is
www.dep.state.pa.us.
or you can also call (484) 250-5900.
Solar Energy Program
Offers grants and loans for large-scalesolar electricity production and solarmanufacturing projects. Eligible entitiesinclude a business; an economic develop-ment organization; or a political subdi-vision, which includes municipalities,counties and school districts.
Pennsylvania SunshineProgram
e version of the solar energy programtargeted toward residential homes.
Mini American FlagsAvailable for Free inmy Local Office&Old Full Size Flags Collectedfor Proper Disposal
is year our nation will celebrate FlagDay on Sunday, June 14. Flag Day was of-ficially established as a holiday on August 3,1949 when President Truman signed an Actof Congress designating this national holiday. As our nation confronts many challengestoday, I want to take a moment to reflecton and honor the importance of the flag asthe symbol of America’s strength and per-severance, and our nation’s unique role as abeacon of hope around the world.To celebrate Flag Day, I invite you tostop by my local office to pick up a freemini U.S. flag. We also will be collectingold and deteriorated regular-sized flagsthat need proper disposal, and my office will handle that process for you. Both of these opportunities will be available in my local office from Monday, June 8 to Friday July 3, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and5:00 p.m.Please join me in displaying Old Glory,the enduring symbol of our great nation.
!
ousegop.com ~ Web Site: DuaneMilne.com
Idea Whose Time has Come
anting to implement green energy solutions development and national security benefits are available from the state so far in terms e programs available to date. My objective ssing what opportunities you might want www.dep.state.pa.us throughout the year.
Going Green in Tough Economic Times;
A Little Bit Goes a Long Way
As interested as you might be to install green energy technology such as solar or geo-thermal, economic conditions are such that understandably it is not the time that everyonecan do so. Nonetheless, there are still best practice steps you can take to achieve greaterenergy efficiency and more financial savings in your home. Many of these measures arefairly simple and relatively inexpensive. As the essential first step to formulating an energy savings plan for your home, energy experts highly recommend that a resident have a home energy audit performed by a pro-fessional. An energy audit will help you identify which aspects of your house are causingyou to lose energy or are undermining achieving top energy efficiency. A professional auditalso will help you solve these problems through the implementation of best practices. A typical home energy audit costs an average of $500, but it is an investment that can yieldthousands of dollars in savings in return. State approved home energy contractors can belocated by visiting www.keystonehelp.com, or calling (888) 232-3477.
What is ENERGY STAR?
A reference you probably are hearing a lot, and will notice more and more in the yearsahead, is “ENERGY STAR.” It is very important to note and understand that ENERGY STAR is not about advertising for any particular brand of appliances or home energy sys-tems, nor is it for promoting any particular companies.ENERGY STAR is a government-backed initiative helping individuals and businessesprotect the environment through achieving superior energy efficiency. ENERGY STAR rated products mean they meet high standards of energy efficiency as set and monitored by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency. e ENERGY STAR label is intended to help you, as a consumer, make smart choices when it comes tolooking for and purchasing energy efficient products.Energy efficient choices can save families about a third on their energy bill, and reducegreenhouse gas emissions, without sacrificing the features, style or comfort that we desire. We can protect our wallets as well as our quality of life.
Running the numbers: did you know...
Heating and cooling costs account for the bulk, close to half, of a typical annualresidential utility bill. An ENERGY STAR qualified programmable thermostat canautomatically adjust the temperature of your home when you are away, saving on bills.
e single most important step toward greater energy efficiency in your home is toincrease your attic insulation by 12 inches of R-30 insulation. is additional layer decreasesenergy consumption by one-fifth in an average home.
Refrigerators use more energy than any other appliance in your home. An ENERGY STAR qualified refrigerator, though, consumes about half the energy of a 10-year old con-ventional model refrigerator.
ENERGY STAR qualified light bulbs are 75% more efficient than incandescent bulbs.at’s financial savings for you of course. Moreover, when just one room in every home isbrightened by ENERGY STAR lighting, this change will keep over one trillion pounds of carbon dioxide out of our air.
Wrapping a hot water insulation kit around a water heater will save $20-40 a monthon water heating costs.
Leaky ducts can decrease the overall energy efficiency of your heating and coolingsystem by as much as 20%. Comprehensive duct sealing increases energy efficiency andlowers utility bills.
ENERGY STAR rated central air conditioning systems and furnaces consume 20% lessenergy than standard models. If just one household in 10 bought ENERGY STAR heatingand cooling equipment, the change would keep over 17 billion pounds of pollution out of our air.
Replace your clothes washer with an ENERGY STAR labeled model when it is timefor a new purchase. ENERGY STAR qualified clothes washers require 50% less water and70% less energy per load. Additional tips and strategies for going green in tough economic times can be found onmy web site, www.duanemilne.com, or you can call my office and I will mail you my “50Energy Saving Tips” brochure.
! !
rgy Solutions
Pennsylvania EnergyDevelopment Authority
(PEDA)
PEDA offers funding for innovative,advanced energy projects, and for busi-nesses interested in locating or expandingtheir alternative energy manufacturing orproduction operations in Pennsylvania.Eligible entities include partnerships, as-sociations, corporations and incorporatednon-profits.
Alternative Fuels IncentiveGrant Program (AFIG)
is program is designed to support theincreased use of alternative fuels in Penn-sylvania. Targeted recipients include schooldistricts, municipal authorities, politicalsubdivisions, non-profit entities, corpora-tions, limited liability companies and part-nerships. Allowable purposes include:1) Retrofitting vehicles to operate on alter-native fuels (fleet only);2) e incremental cost of the purchasedfuel, dual-fuel hybrid or dedicated vehicle(fleet only);3) e cost to install fleet refueling equip-ment for dedicated vehicles;4) Next phase research, training and devel-opment related to alternative fuel vehicles;5) School districts, municipal authorities,political subdivisions and non-profit entitiesfor projects involving the incremental costto purchase biofuel.
Thank you to all who helped us collect more than 300 computers and shred 5,284 pounds of paper at my recent recycling events.
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