PRSRT STD
U.S. POSTAGE
Spring 2009
Dear Friend,
I am honored to be serving my second term as your
state representative. It is a role and responsibility that I
take very seriously.
As a life long resident of the 150th Legislative
District, I take pride representing a community with
such strong values and convictions. My commitment to
fight for the issues that affect the people of Montgomery
County and all of Pennsylvania is as strong as when I
first was sworn in more than two years ago.
My staff and I are here to serve you. Feel free
to contact us with any state-related questions or
concerns.
We also offer a variety of services, including help
with PennDOT issues, information and applications about
student financial aid and senior citizen programs, and
copies of state maps and other publications.
Sincerely,
Michael C. Vereb
PAID
HARRISBURG, PA
PERMIT NO. 529
Vereb Says Additional Reforms
Needed to Legislature
Legislators need to refocus their priorities
back to serving constituents
The House rules for the 2009-10 legislative session severely decrease government
transparency 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 the
changes we made then would lead to a more open and honest legislative body. I am
extremely 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’s
outcry for reform after the pay raise debacle, I am disheartened to see the House take so
many 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, which
would have kept the same reform rules that were used during the 2007-08 legislative
session. At the time, the reform rules were touted by both parties for bringing transparency
and decentralizing the power of House leaders by increasing the influence of rank-and-file
members. However, the language from Dally’s resolution was “gutted-and-
replaced” in the Rules Committee with the language from an amendment
sponsored by Majority Leader Todd Eachus (D-Luzerne). Eachus’ amendment
significantly changed the reform rules, by decreasing the power and influence
of rank-and-file members and increasing the power of the majority caucus and
the 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 Commission
and helped craft the reform rules last session, chose to set the House back
multiple steps by moving away from the significant reforms we as a legislative
body unanimously voted for last session.
The effort to keep the reform rules was defeated by a party line vote.
On Jan. 6, Rep. Mike Vereb took the oath of office for
his second term representing residents of the 150th
Legislative District in the Pennsylvania House of
Representatives. He is pictured with his sons Michael,
left, and Shane, right, in the House chamber.
 Vereb and Orie Question Gaming Control Board’s
Travel Decisions While Requesting a
6 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 a
group 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 imposed
an out-of-state travel ban. Both Sen. Orie and I have introduced
legislation 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 out
of touch with what they have been appointed to do, serve the
people of Pennsylvania. The continued abuse of their position
is sickening and must come to an end.
An investigative report by WTAE television (Channel 4) in
Pittsburgh uncovered travel receipts from a board member that
included reimbursements for dry cleaning and a tab at the pool
bar while staying at a luxury, $400-a-night hotel in Rome. It was
also discovered that David Kwait, former director of the PGCB’s
Bureau of Investigation, went on a state-paid trip to a gaming
conference in Las Vegas last fall after announcing his plans to
retire. 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 who
approved the travel.
Prior to the WTAE investigation, I had requested all PGCB
travel expenses for 2008. That request was never fully answered
by the board.
Added to the PGCB’s out-of-control expenses is the state’s
payment 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 not
be needed if its expenses were brought under control.
At a time when we’re facing a $3 billion budget hole – and
the Gaming Control Board continues to ask for more funding
from the state’s General Fund – I find it unconscionable that
board members would yet again ask for more taxpayer money
in next year’s budget to fund their operations. It’s clear they
cannot control their expenses and are asking the taxpayers to
foot the bill.
In April, two months after I publicly asked her to resign, it was
announced that the chairwoman of the PGCB, Mary DiGiacomo
Colins, was planning to step down as chair. Getting a new person
to chair the PGCB gives Pennsylvania the chance to start fresh
and right many of the wrongs that have been committed by the
PGCB in the past. The Senate and House Republicans have
held several hearings on the issue of Pennsylvania’s gaming
industry and the integrity of the board. At a press conference in
April, Gov. Ed Rendell agreed that gaming reform was needed in
Pennsylvania. I look forward to working with House Democrats
to 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 while
requesting 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 to
state spending.

State Representative
Mike Vereb
150th Legislative District
DISTRICT OFFICE: HARRISBURG:
3950 Germantown Pike / Suite 101 160A East Wing
Collegeville, PA 19426 PO Box 202150
Phone: (610) 409-2615 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2150
Fax: (610) 409-2619 Phone: (717) 705-7164 Fax: (717) 260-6522

Visit My Web Site

 Vereb Works in a Bipartisan Manner to Close the
Door to Vision Quest
After several meetings with state and local officials and work-
ing together with Rep. Matt Bradford (D-Montgomery), the state
Department of Public Welfare (DPW) is evaluating other options
regarding Vision Quest’s proposal to use a state hospital building
for at-risk youth.
A detention facility with a shaky track record such as Vision
Quest ought to be the subject of serious public dialogue when it
could potentially relocate in a residential neighborhood. I appreciate
the support of my colleague, Rep. Bradford, and the cooperation
and understanding of Secretary Richman to help make sure this
process isn’t rushed into fruition without consideration of reasonable
alternatives and public input.
Vision Quest originally asked Norristown officials and the state
Department of General Services (DGS) for use of Norristown State
Hospital Building 12 this past November. The company planned to
use the facility as temporary housing for youth in need of emergency
or crisis diagnostic services. This transaction was set to take place
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 who
attended were provided with information on the various
resources available to residents living with or who know
someone living with a range of diseases and disabilities.
Seniors Can Now Check Status of Property Tax/Rent
Rebate by Phone or Online
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.
e: RepVereb.com
with little to no public notice.
I went before the Norristown Zoning Board to question the
legality of the transaction and the reasoning behind the move. They
pointed out discrepancies between Vision Quest’s application and
current zoning laws. Local residents opposing the proposal felt the
relocation 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 to
discuss other viable options to help Philadelphia’s at-risk youth.
A major grassroots effort to get residential feedback and to put all
possible solutions on the table was conducted by local neighbor-
hood groups.
As a result of this coordinated effort, it was decided that Vision
Quest will not relocate to Norristown State Hospital. This shows
what bipartisan teamwork can accomplish. I thank everyone for
rallying together to determine what is best for our community.
Vereb Concerned Over
Pfizer Acquisition of Wyeth
One of the biggest challenges the 150th Legislative District
has 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 with
the governor’s office, as well as with the two companies on the
acquisition 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 office
to offer state incentives and to promote the economic opportuni-
ties of the community in order to keep jobs in Collegeville.
The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue has added an
online feature that enables residents to check the status of their
property tax/rent rebate application. Your rebate status can be
checked six weeks after submitting a property tax/rent rebate
application.
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 online
Web site:
• Social Security number
• Anticipated rebate amount
• Date of birth
Residents can also call toll free at 1-888-PATAXES to receive
an update on their status.
The Department of Revenue will begin distributing rebate
checks on July 1.
 Vereb Hosts Alternative Energy and
Environmental Awareness Expo
On April 25, Rep. Mike Vereb (R-Montgomery) hosted an Alternative Energy and Environmental Awareness Expo with Rep. Tom
Quigley (R-Montgomery) and Sen. John Rafferty (R-Berks/Chester/Montgomery). Various environmental groups, energy producers,
car dealerships and organic farmers were among the exhibitors providing information on alternative energy and ways to protect the
environment. Thanks to all those who attended the event!

Upcoming District Events

Third Annual
Family Fun Day
Rep. Vereb is hosting his annual Family Fun Day
on June 12, at the Pit Stop on Germantown Pike from
5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Please mark your calendars for a
fun-filled night of go-kart rides, miniature golf and much
more. Food, rides and entry are all free to the public.
Please call Lyndsay in the district office, (610) 409-
2615, for more information.
Shredder Event
Rep. Vereb will host a free shredding event for the
community on June 20, at the West Norriton Township
Building from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Bring any unwanted
papers that can be shredded and then recycled. Please
call Lyndsay in the district office, (610) 409-2615, for
more information.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THESE AND OTHER EVENTS PLEASE VISIT MY

WEB SITE AT WWW.REPVEREB.COM AND CLICK ON THE
“UPCOMING DISTRICT EVENTS” BUTTON.