Dear Friend,

Vereb Says Additional ReformsNeeded to Legislature

Legislators need to refocus their priorities back to serving constituents

The House rules for the 2009-10 legislative session severely decrease governmenttransparency and take influence over House proceedings away from rank-and-file members.During the debate to adopt the rules, I urged my colleagues to vote against the changes,citing House Democrats’ refusal to uphold the reforms enacted last session. As a member of the Speaker’s Reform Commission last session, I had hoped thechanges we made then would lead to a more open and honest legislative body. I amextremely disappointed that House Democrats have chosen to go back to business-as-usual behavior and ignore the significant reforms we made last session. As one of the legislators who was elected to the House in the wake of the public’soutcry for reform after the pay raise debacle, I am disheartened to see the House take somany steps backward. Now the 11 p.m. rule is weaker than ever and provides a greater chance that middle-of-the-night votes and political maneuvering will occur.Rep. Craig Dally (R-Northampton) originally introduced House Resolution 39, whichwould have kept the same reform rules that were used during the 2007-08 legislativesession. At the time, the reform rules were touted by both parties for bringing transparencyand decentralizing the power of House leaders by increasing the influence of rank-and-filemembers. However, the language from Dally’s resolution was “gutted-and-replaced” in the Rules Committee with the language from an amendmentsponsored by Majority Leader Todd Eachus (D-Luzerne). Eachus’ amendmentsignificantly changed the reform rules, by decreasing the power and influenceof rank-and-file members and increasing the power of the majority caucus andthe majority leader.We had a golden opportunity this session to prove to the citizens of Pennsylvania that the House is serious about reform. Unfortunately, several of my colleagues, including those who were on the Speaker’s Reform Commissionand helped craft the reform rules last session, chose to set the House backmultiple steps by moving away from the significant reforms we as a legislativebody unanimously voted for last session.The effort to keep the reform rules was defeated by a party line vote.I am honored to be serving my second term as your state representative. It is a role and responsibility that Itake very seriously. As a life long resident of the 150th LegislativeDistrict, I take pride representing a community withsuch strong values and convictions. My commitment tofight for the issues that affect the people of MontgomeryCounty and all of Pennsylvania is as strong as when Ifirst was sworn in more than two years ago.My staff and I are here to serve you. Feel freeto contact us with any state-related questions or concerns.We also offer a variety of services, including helpwith PennDOT issues, information and applications aboutstudent financial aid and senior citizen programs, andcopies of state maps and other publications.

Sincerely,Michael C. Vereb

On Jan. 6, Rep. Mike Vereb took the oath of ofﬁce for his second term representing residents of the 150thLegislative District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. He is pictured with his sons Michael,left, and Shane, right, in the House chamber.

Spring 2009

PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGEPAIDHARRISBURG, PAPERMIT NO. 529

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Vereb and Orie Question Gaming Control Board’sTravel Decisions While Requesting a6 Percent Budget Increase

Legislators call for strengthened travel accountability and reimbursement of travel expenses

In March, Sen. Jane Orie (R-Allegheny/Butler) and I led agroup of lawmakers in demanding answers from the Pennsylva-nia Gaming Control Board (PGCB) regarding its travel expenses,namely trips to Italy and Las Vegas, after the governor imposedan out-of-state travel ban. Both Sen. Orie and I have introducedlegislation to create a searchable database for all state travel.The arrogance that board members have shown in their continued out-of-state travel – and at the taxpayers’ expense – is indicative of the leadership of the board. This board is outof touch with what they have been appointed to do, serve thepeople of Pennsylvania. The continued abuse of their positionis sickening and must come to an end. An investigative report by WTAE television (Channel 4) inPittsburgh uncovered travel receipts from a board member thatincluded reimbursements for dry cleaning and a tab at the poolbar while staying at a luxury, $400-a-night hotel in Rome. It wasalso discovered that David Kwait, former director of the PGCB’sBureau of Investigation, went on a state-paid trip to a gamingconference in Las Vegas last fall after announcing his plans toretire. Kwait now works for the law firm of Ruben & Aronson,LLP, located in Bethesda, MD. The firm represents MTR Gam-ing, which owns casinos in West Virginia and Erie.Clearly, PGCB did not benefit from Kwait’s state-funded trip.I believe that Pennsylvania should receive a refund of state dol-lars from the law firm, Kwait or the Gaming Board director whoapproved the travel.Prior to the WTAE investigation, I had requested all PGCBtravel expenses for 2008. That request was never fully answeredby the board. Added to the PGCB’s out-of-control expenses is the state’spayment of three of the board members’ private vehicle leases,insurance and part of their mileage.On top of this extravagant spending, the PGCB has request-ed a 6 percent increase to its budget – an increase that might notbe needed if its expenses were brought under control. At a time when we’re facing a $3 billion budget hole – andthe Gaming Control Board continues to ask for more fundingfrom the state’s General Fund – I find it unconscionable thatboard members would yet again ask for more taxpayer moneyin next year’s budget to fund their operations. It’s clear theycannot control their expenses and are asking the taxpayers tofoot the bill.In April, two months after I publicly asked her to resign, it wasannounced that the chairwoman of the PGCB, Mary DiGiacomoColins, was planning to step down as chair. Getting a new personto chair the PGCB gives Pennsylvania the chance to start freshand right many of the wrongs that have been committed by thePGCB in the past. The Senate and House Republicans haveheld several hearings on the issue of Pennsylvania’s gamingindustry and the integrity of the board. At a press conference in April, Gov. Ed Rendell agreed that gaming reform was needed inPennsylvania. I look forward to working with House Democratsto fix Pennsylvania’s fractured gaming law.

On March 18, Rep. Mike Vereb and Sen. Jane Orie (R-Allegheny/Butler)held a press conference question-ing the Pennsylvania Gaming Con-trol Board’s travel decisions whilerequesting a 6 percent budget in-crease. Vereb and Orie have intro-duced legislation creating a search-able database for all state travel,bringing greater accountability tostate spending.

State Representative

Mike Vereb

150th Legislative DistrictDISTRICT OFFICE:

3950 Germantown Pike / Suite 101Collegeville, PA 19426Phone: (610) 409-2615Fax: (610) 409-2619

HARRISBURG:

160A East WingPO Box 202150Harrisburg, PA 17120-2150Phone: (717) 705-7164 Fax: (717) 260-6522

: RepVereb.com

Vereb Works in a Bipartisan Manner to Close theDoor to Vision Quest

After several meetings with state and local ofﬁcials and work-ing together with Rep. Matt Bradford (D-Montgomery), the stateDepartment of Public Welfare (DPW) is evaluating other optionsregarding Vision Quest’s proposal to use a state hospital buildingfor at-risk youth. A detention facility with a shaky track record such as VisionQuest ought to be the subject of serious public dialogue when itcould potentially relocate in a residential neighborhood. I appreciatethe support of my colleague, Rep. Bradford, and the cooperationand understanding of Secretary Richman to help make sure thisprocess isn’t rushed into fruition without consideration of reasonablealternatives and public input.Vision Quest originally asked Norristown ofﬁcials and the stateDepartment of General Services (DGS) for use of Norristown StateHospital Building 12 this past November. The company planned touse the facility as temporary housing for youth in need of emergencyor crisis diagnostic services. This transaction was set to take placewith little to no public notice.I went before the Norristown Zoning Board to question thelegality of the transaction and the reasoning behind the move. Theypointed out discrepancies between Vision Quest’s application andcurrent zoning laws. Local residents opposing the proposal felt therelocation of Vision Quest was too close to residential neighbor-hoods and posed safety risks to Norristown residents.Richman worked actively with myself and Rep. Bradford todiscuss other viable options to help Philadelphia’s at-risk youth. A major grassroots effort to get residential feedback and to put allpossible solutions on the table was conducted by local neighbor-hood groups. As a result of this coordinated effort, it was decided that VisionQuest will not relocate to Norristown State Hospital. This showswhat bipartisan teamwork can accomplish. I thank everyone for rallying together to determine what is best for our community.

On Jan. 24, Rep. Mike Vereb and Sen. John Rafferty co-hosted a Disease and Disability Resource Expo at the Arcola Intermediate School in Eagleville. Those whoattended were provided with information on the variousresources available to residents living with or who know someone living with a range of diseases and disabilities.On March 20, Rep. Mike Vereb helped sponsor a “Healthy Living Event” at the Jefferson Apartments. At the event,residents sat in on presentations on healthy living and participated in ﬁtness sessions.

The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue has added anonline feature that enables residents to check the status of their property tax/rent rebate application. Your rebate status can bechecked six weeks after submitting a property tax/rent rebateapplication.To view your status online, go to my Web site, RepVereb.com, and click on “Where’s My Property Tax Refund?” Resi-dents will need to enter the following information to the onlineWeb site:• Social Security number • Anticipated rebate amount• Date of birthResidents can also call toll free at 1-888-PATAXES to receivean update on their status.The Department of Revenue will begin distributing rebatechecks on July 1.

Vereb Concerned OverPfizer Acquisition of Wyeth

One of the biggest challenges the 150th Legislative Districthas faced was the announced acquisition of Wyeth by Pfizer.Sen. John Rafferty (R-Berks/Chester/Montgomery), Sen. An-drew Dinniman (D-Chester/Montgomery) and I have met withthe governor’s office, as well as with the two companies on theacquisition issue. Our main focus is to keep jobs in Collegeville.Though the Wyeth acquisition is a private transaction, we are do-ing everything we can, including working with the governor’s officeto offer state incentives and to promote the economic opportuni-ties of the community in order to keep jobs in Collegeville.