RSRT STD.S. POSTAGEAIDARRISBURG, PAERMIT NO. 529

SPRING 2010

State Representative

Sheryl M. Delozier

Serving the people of the 88th Legislative District

RepDelozier.com

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Governor Presents Budget thatRelies Heavily on ncertainFederal Funding

The Governor presented his final state budget to the General Assemblyon Feb. 9, which raised serious concerns over how much his budget relieson both federal stimulus funding and grant dollars. The stimulus revenuehat Pennsylvania received last year did fill some funding gaps that we hadin the 2009-10 budget.This additional revenue has been both a blessing and a curse. Ithas helped in areas where revenues are dropping; however, the federalstimulus program is only a temporary reprieve. Next year, Pennsylvaniaill lose nearly $3 billion as the stimulus comes to an end. This will leavea serious deficit in state revenues. Last year’s state budget relied heavilyon stimulus funding as well as completely draining the Commonwealth’sainy Day Fund. This year, the governor has introduced his budget, whichis predicated on the Commonwealth receiving an additional $800 millionin federal funding. Congress has yet to pass legislation in Washingtonhat would provide this revenue stream. I believe it is unwise for stategovernment to rely on money it does not have, or may not receive.What the General Assembly and the Governor must do is take a stepback and analyze actual revenues and design a budget based on these

Outreach Efforts

In my continuing efforts to reach out to you and your neighborsthroughout the 88th District, I have held numerous meetings and eventsthroughout the local area to provide you an opportunity to share your thoughts with me. During the past year, I have hosted legislative updatesessions in each municipality to provide an overview of what is under consideration in Harrisburg; I have attended local government meetingsto gather ideas and thoughts from local ofﬁcials; in conjunction with mycolleagues Sen. Pat Vance (R-31) and Rep. Glen Grell (R-87), we hostedseveral Older and Wiser seminars to provide important information tosenior citizens; and as the electric rate were set to expire, I convened aninformational meeting of state and industry experts to provide the publicwith helpful resources and information. I have also had the honor and theprivilege to recognize the achievement of our youth by presenting Housecitations to the local scouts - young men who have attained the rank of Eagle Scout and young women who attained the Gold Award.With the current state of the economy, one of my goals is to reduce thecost of state government. To that end, I am transitioning to Internet ande-mail based communications, like my Summer 2009 newsletter. Nearlyevery Friday, I issue an e-mail update on legislative news, committeeactions and events in the local area. I also maintain a legislative Web siteat

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where you can download state forms, obtain stategovernment information, or contact me regarding any state related concern.I am hopeful you will enjoy the contents of this newsletter. If you haveany questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

No Help for Homeowners in Table Games Bill

As you are probably aware, Pennsylvania recently adopted a law to allowable games at slots parlors. I voted against this expansion of gambling for severalreasons, but my main concern was the lack of immediate property tax relief for Pennsylvania’s struggling homeowners.When slots parlors were legalized in 2004, it was with the promise of property taxrelief. Not only have we not seen meaningful property tax relief from slots, but thislegislation does not allocate a dime of table games money to the Property Tax Relief und until the Rainy Day Fund reaches a threshold of $750 million. As our Rainy Dayund has a zero balance today, it will likely be a decade or more until homeownerssee any beneﬁt from table games.Along with my disappointment over the disregard for property tax relief, Iwas also concerned by the lack of important and necessary gaming reforms inhe legislation. Some of the issues needing to be addressed include politicalcontributions to public ofﬁcials from gaming interests, allocation of the local share of revenue, licensing standards and the relationship between the Gaming Control Board

Bill to Address Welfare Fraud Signed Into Law

My Amendment Improved the Bill by Taking Aim at Waste and Abuse

numbers. If the additional federal funding comesthrough,great, but if not, we will face a gaping deficitto be shouldered by taxpayers.Including possible federal funding, the governor proposes to spend $29 billion next fiscal year,which equates to a $1.2 billion, or 4 percent,increase in spending. If the governor’s budget isenacted as presented, spending during the pasteight years would balloon to nearly $9 billion, or 45 percent. In comparison, since the founding of our Commonwealth in 1682 through 2002, statespending totaled $20 billion.With the recession still gripping the economyand impacting state revenues, state governmentmust reign in spending and ensure taxpayers’ dollarsare used efficiently and effectively.

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Legislation that would permit employees within the PennsylvaniaDepartment of Public Welfare (DPW) to report cases of suspectedfraud directly to the Office of Inspector General (OIG) was signed intolaw by the governor on Dec. 17, 2009. The bill was passed unani-mously by the House on Oct. 4, and was approved by the Senate onDec. 16.I introduced an amendment to the final version of the bill toaddress the serious issues that have been uncovered in DPW – thenumerous reported cases of fraud, waste and abuse in programsadministered by the department. Those who oversee taxpayer dollarsmust ensure that funds are only used for those truly in need and haverecourse if they suspect otherwise.For more than a year, Auditor General Jack Wagner conductedseveral audits of DPW, which revealed significant waste of money andlax oversight of management.A Jan. 28, 2009, report revealed that more than $3.3 million wasmisappropriated in Medical Assistance payments. It was determinedthat improper eligibility determinations were a result of DPW’s failure toverify recipients’ age, disability, family relationship requirements and topromptly review applicants’ financial and other eligibility information. A report from Aug. 20, 2009, highlighted the potential of fraudand mismanagement of DPW’s Special Allowance Program, whichassists welfare recipients in employment and training programs withexpenses such as books, tools, clothing, transportation and childcare. Wagner’s audit revealed that sufficient documentation wasmissing to justify 45 percent of the 3,201 Special Allowance pay-ments examined. Specifically, auditors found insufficient documen-tation for 163 recipients totaling $564,700.The language I amended into this bill permits DPW caseworkers to report suspected cases of fraud directly to the OIGwithout having to obtain approval from management. This was apractice that was used throughout previous administrations, whichresulted in an average of 150 cases reported each month. Oncethe policy was altered by the current administration, the averagenumber of reported cases dropped to one a month. This measurealso prohibits sanctions against employees who report fraud.Those who work on the public’s behalf need to be able to notifythe appropriate authorities in questionable cases without the fear of retaliation or consequences. Residents of the 88th District expectstate employees to ensure their tax dollars are being used legallyand for the purpose they were intended.

Applications Now Available for Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program

HAT

OUR

HOUGHTS

As a member of the state House, it is my duty to represent your interests in Harrisburg.In order for me to do this effectively, I need to obtain feedback from you and your neighborsthroughout the 88th District.

I am currently conducting a survey on my Web site

RepDelozier.com

thatfocuses on two issues on which I have had a number of questions. I want toknow what you think about Sunday hunting and beer sales at grocery stores.

This survey is available any time, day or night, and on weekends for you to participateat your convenience. To ensure your comments and opinions are included, I ask that youplease participate before May 21.To access the survey, please visit my Web site at

RepDelozier.com

and click on“Legislative Issues Survey.” I look forward to receiving your response.

During a recent visit to Messiah College, Rep. Delozier presented a House citation to the men’s and women’s soccer teams for capturing the NCAA Division 3 Title for the secondconsecutive year.Rep. Sheryl Delozier presented a House citation to Fannieand Jacob Heisey of Upper Allen Township for recognition of their 72nd wedding anniversary.During a Policy Committee meeting in the state Capitol,Rep. Delozier made a point about the 2010 Census.During a visit to the Capitol, students from WashingtonHeights Elementary were greeted by Rep. Delozier.Rep. Delozier was joined by Rep. Mauree Gingrich(R-Lebanon) during a recent blood drive at the Capitol inHarrisburg.In February, Becca Petrie of Mechanicsburg spent the dayin the state Capitol job shadowing Rep. Sheryl Delozier.

To view additional photos, visit my photo gallery at

RepDelozier.com

Applications for the state’s 2009 Property Tax/Rent Rebate program are nowavailable. Eligible participants can receive a rebate of up to $650 based on their rent or property taxes paid in 2009. The program beneﬁts eligible Pennsylvanianswho are 65 years or older, widows and widowers 50 years or older, and those 18years or older with disabilities.Eligibility income limits for homeowners are set at the following levels,excluding 50 percent of Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, andRailroad Retirement Tier 1 beneﬁts:

• $0 to $8,000, maximum $650 rebate (Homeowners and renters)• $8,001 to $15,000, maximum $500 rebate (Homeowners and renters)• $15,001 to $18,000, maximum $300 rebate (Homeowners only)• $18,001 to $35,000, maximum $250 rebate (Homeowners only)

The Property Tax/Rent Rebate program is one of many initiatives supportedby the Pennsylvania Lottery, which dedicates its proceeds to support programs for older Pennsylvanians. Since the program began in 1971, more than $4 billion has

Volunteer OrganizationsHelp Local Communities

House Bill 169, introduced in the state Houselast April, would amend the current law for nonprofitassociations, charitable organizations or other civicgroups to raise sufficient revenues through the useof small games of chance. These efforts providevital services to enhance the quality of life in our communities and to reduce the burdens borne bylocal government to provide similar services. Under this legislation, the payout limit for small games of chance would be increased from the 1988 limit of $5,000 to $20,000. It would also eliminate advertisingrestrictions, allow all dollars raised to help withbuilding repairs and increased payouts.Small games of chance are used by volunteer firecompanies, VFWs, American Legions and charitableorganizations to raise funds to pay for equipment,training, and to sponsor youth sports teams andoffer youth scholarships. They should be applaudedfor their efforts. We need to support our localorganizations and the volunteers who work tirelesslyto protect our communities.

S u n d a y H u n t i n g

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