As we near the halfway point of the2009-10 legislative session, I would like totake this opportunity to update you on thefinal state budget for this year, as well asoffer brief reminders of programs that areavailable to help individuals and familiesin need. As you well know, this year’s budgetprocess was unlike any I have ever wit-nessed during my tenure in Harrisburg and which I am hopeful is never repeated. ebudget process was an embarrassment forthe Commonwealth and was enacted aftermany, many attempts to bring some sortof spending document to the rank-and-filemembers. Unfortunately, political games-manship won out, but fortunately, we wereable to stave off any type of income or salestax increases – especially at a time when ourresidents can least afford them.Even though a budget agreement isnow in place, I am disappointed in itsfinal contents and worry about the state’sfinancial health as we continue to strugglethrough this economic downturn. Moredetails about the budget process and finaldocument are on page 2. Also included in this edition of my newsletter is an update on the PennsylvaniaTurnpike Commission’s efforts to toll Inter-state 80. When this ill-conceived plan wasrammed through the Legislature in 2007,I was a staunch opponent of the legislationand I continue my strong opposition to any efforts to toll the highway.One of the most rewarding parts of my job is being able to help residents obtain thehelp they need and cut through bureaucraticred tape. As always, if you should ever needassistance with a state government-relatedproblem or issue, please contact any of my offi ces. Complete contact information is onthe last page of this newsletter. We’re hereto help. Please accept my personal wishesfor a joyous holiday season and a fulfillingnew year. With regards and respect,David MillardState Representative for the109th Legislative District

Dear Nighbor,

Fall - Winter 2009

I-80 Update: Revised Application Submittedto Federal Government

You may already be well aware that within the last few weeks, the PennsylvaniaTurnpike Commission resubmitted its application to authorize tolls for Interstate80. e application is now before the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)for its review. We are continuing our efforts to communicate to the FHWA that, contrary to what the Turnpike Commission and administration are saying, local economies alongthe I-80 corridor would be negatively impacted with this tolling plan.e House Republican Policy Committee, of which I am a member, held oneof the first statewide public hearings on the tolling plan. All of the information wegathered will again be forwarded to the FHWA to convince them – once and for all– that tolling I-80 would be detrimental to Pennsylvania residents, businesses andfuture economic development opportunities.e Turnpike Commission and Gov. Ed Rendell believe that the new admin-istration in Washington, D.C., will be more favorable to its application. However,my colleagues and I – along with the numerous businesses, economic developmentagencies and residents who still oppose the tolling – are not convinced the new ap-plication will reverse the decision by the FHWA. At a November hearing of the House Republican Policy Committee, an indepen-dent expert in the field of public-private partnerships and infrastructure investmentprojects told us that he has serious concerns about the credibility of the informationused in the revised application.Brian F. Chase, an independent consultant who specializes in creating and imple-menting strategies for financing and development of large infrastructure projects, toldus that I-80 is a “poor choice” for tolling.In fact, he testified that to his knowledge, there has never been a successful conver-sion of a free highway to a tolled highway. He does not believe I-80 will be the firstmodel, especially considering the large extent of public opposition to the plan.e testimony referenced a serious lack of credibility on the part of the investmentgroup hired by the Turnpike Commission to determine a fair market value of theinterstate. at information was necessary in the resubmitted application as it wasone of the main reasons why the federal government rejected the first two versions.e Turnpike Commission hired Provident Capital Advisors of Baton Rouge,LA, to assess a fair market value. Just days before Provident Capital was hired, itsname was Provident Health Care Coalition LLC, and the firm had no documentedexpertise in any type of transportation investment projects. It specializes in healthcare and prison housing.Chase said it would be more appropriate for the FHWA to hire its own con-sultant to determine the highway’s free market value and to then bill the TurnpikeCommission the cost. He also believes the lease agreement between PennDOT andthe Turnpike Commission should have been subject to third-party competition. Inaddition, the federal government may very well consider the public uncertainty overpromised improvements to the highway, especially considering that toll revenues willultimately benefit urban mass transit systems.I remain committed to fighting efforts to toll I-80, and I will continue to keepyou updated on our progress.

At a public hearing of the House RepublicanPolicy Committee, Ed Edwards of theColumbia-Montour Chamber of Commerceand I discuss the eﬀorts of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission to toll Interstate 80.Edwards and I attended a public hearing of the House Republican Policy Committee onNov. 18, which focused on the ﬁrm hired by the PTC to conduct a fair market value of the311-mile highway. at information is crucialin determining whether or not the interstate will be tolled.

New Budget Doesn’t Prepare State Well for Future

With a $27.8 billion spendingplan now in place – 101 days passedthe deadline – I remain concernedabout the long-term impact thisbudget will have next year, the yearafter and well into the future. at is why I cast a “no” vote on this year’sbudget.The 2009-10 budget package was signed on Oct. 9, and includesnearly $27.8 billion in spending forthe fiscal year that began on July 1, which is less than the 2008-09 bud-get, even including federal stimulusmoney from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.e total level of state spendingis $25.178 billion, which is $2.35billion less than last year’s statespending level but still too much inmy opinion.My opposition is not partisanbased, it’s family budget based. It’ssmall business success based. It’s“Pennsylvania is in a recession”based.e tax code plan raises $1.73billion in new revenues, includ-ing $626.5 million in sustainable,recurring revenues. ese revenuesinclude a tax hike on cigarettes andcigarillos and a blow to businesses with a retroactive increase in theCapital Stock and Franchise Tax.ere is already an unrealistic rev-enue expectation from table gamesin casinos and a big cut to familiesbenefitting from the EducationalIncome Tax Credit and it makes apotent mix of financial struggle forour Commonwealth’s future. Another concern I have is that thisbudget completely empties the Rainy Day Fund and other funds we had setaside for future financial challenges.Now, we have no cushion for futurebudget shortfalls, which I believe willbe magnified when federal stimulusfunding runs out in three years.Couple this with news that revenueestimates are already at least $160million below estimate for the new fiscal year, we undoubtedly will facefuture budget hardships.I am greatly concerned about fu-ture shortfalls now that payments onour debt service have reached nearly $1 billion. at is compared to lessthan $700 million in 2002-03. Although I stood firm against thisnew budget, I knew there was a better way. I was consistently supportive of House Bill 1943 as a no-tax increasecompromise plan that funds essentialgovernment services. I still believeit would have been the best solutionand would have been one that couldviably receive support from bothsides of the aisle and both legislativechambers.e budget is still not technically complete as negotiations on tablegames – to pay for funding for state-related universities – have reached astandstill.In the meantime, the governor will announce his new budget pro-posal in early February, and I look forward to what he has to say abouthis priorities for next year.

Annual debt service to be paid from the state’s General Fund Budget.

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LIHEAP Offers Help with Home Heating Bills

Pennsylvania’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is now accept-ing applications for cash grants. Crisis grants will be available on Jan. 4, 2010.LIHEAP helps low-income people pay their heating bills through home energy assistancegrants and crisis grants. Cash grants are awarded based on household income, family size,type of heating fuel and region. Crisis grants are provided in the event of a heating emer-gency, including broken heating equipment or leaking lines that must be ﬁxed or replaced,lack of fuel, termination of utility service or danger of being without fuel or of havingutility service terminated. In most counties, assistance with home heating crisis situationsis available 24 hours a day. Applications are available at the Columbia County Assistance Oﬃ ce at 27 East SeventhStreet, Bloomsburg, PA 17815, or by phone at (570) 387-4232. Applications are also avail-able from local utility companies and community service agencies.Individuals with an income of less than $16,245, couples earning less than $21,855and a family of four earning less than $33,075 are encouraged to check their eligibility forthe program.For complete eligibility requirements and additional information on LIHEAP, visit my Web site at

RepMillard.com

and click on “LIHEAP Information.”

Get the latest news on my Web site: RepMillard.com

State Fire Commissioner Ed Mann (center) recently traveled toBloomsburg to educate local ﬁrst responders about the grant-writingprocess. Pictured with us is Robert Rupp, deputy chief of theBloomsburg Fire Company. e workshop included information onapplying for both state and federal grant programs.

New Legislation Would Ban Texting While Driving

State Rep. Karen Boback (R-Colombia/Luzerne/ Wyoming) and I metup with members of theBenton High School FFA.During their visit, we talkedabout issues regarding thefuture of agriculture andtheir eﬀorts back home tofoster agricultural-relatedcareers.is summer, I led a meeting of legislators whose districts are home to a Pennsylvania fair. e meeting focused on advocating foragricultural issues.

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Legislation is now moving through thePennsylvania General Assembly that would in-stitute a statewide ban on texting while drivingand prohibit the use of cell phones and other wireless communication devices by drivers ages16 and 17.I believe this is important, commonsenselegislation. I have heard from numerous resi-dents who support such a ban, and they believethat a ban on texting will help prevent crashesand save lives. is ban is good public policy that has the support of most Pennsylvanians,and I am pleased to add my support to thisproposal.This legislation, House Bill 2070, wasintroduced on Nov. 9, and was unanimously reported out of the House TransportationCommittee on Nov. 10. House Bill 2070 willmake such behavior a primary offense, meaningthat law enforcement can pull a driver over onthe suspicion of texting while driving, and fora junior driver, using a wireless communica-tions device.e proposal is the result of a bipartisan working group of transportation chairmen,committee staff and others, and represents acompromise proposal that is agreeable by majorstakeholders. e governor has indicated he will support such legislation.Under the legislation, exemptions would bemade for drivers to contact 911 or those whohave stopped due to traffi c being obstructed.Drivers will be able to text, and junior drivers will be able to use their cell phones, if theirvehicles are in park or neutral or the enginesare turned off.ose who are found in violation of thelegislation will face a fine of $50. Fines woulddouble to $100 if the offense occurs in a schoolzone, active work zone, highway safety corridoror emergency response area. A portion of thefines will be used for public awareness andeducation programs for distracted driving. A Virginia Tech Transportation Institutestudy determined that truck drivers face a 23times greater risk of a crash or near crash whentexting, and a University of Utah study of adriving simulator found that college studentsfaced an eight times greater crash risk whentexting.Our legislation will make it unnecessary forlocal governments to consider their own lawsand will help with consistency across the state. A patchwork of local ordinances restricting tex-ting while driving will cause confusion amongmotorists and may make it diffi cult to enforcelocal laws. A statewide law will send a clearermessage that texting and driving is dangerousand will not be tolerated in Pennsylvania.