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PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGE
PAID
HARRISBURG, PAPERMIT NO. 432
State Representative
Bernie O’Neill
PO Box 202029Harrisburg, PA 17120-2029
RepONeill.com
SUMMER 2010
Dear Friends,
1
As we approach the summer months, the 2010-11 budgetnegotiations are under way. With revenues continuing tocome in below projections, the governor and the Legislaturehave to make some very difficult decisions regarding nextyear’s state budget. We are currently facing a $1.2 billionrevenue shortfall. This number could rise to as high as $2billion if the federal government does not approve $850million in stimulus funds. Added to the problem is the factthat the 2009-10 budget used up all of the state’s one-timerevenues – leaving no reserve funds to help solve the deficitproblems for the upcoming budget.Once again, the governor wants to increase statespending at a time when the state cannot afford to do so.I know that families here in Bucks County and across theCommonwealth have had to reprioritize their spending dur-ing this economic downturn, and state government mustlearn to do the same. I will continue to fight for responsiblebudgeting in Harrisburg and will not vote to increase taxeson Pennsylvania’s hard-working families.As the economy continues to struggle, please know thatthere are a variety of programs and information available toyou regarding such topics as unemployment compensation,student financial aid and senior citizen programs. You canfind information on these programs within this newsletter and on my website,
www.RepONeill.com
. You will also findan update on recent legislative activity in Harrisburg andupcoming events in the district.My staff and I are here to serve you. Please feel free tocontact us with any state-related questions.Sincerely,
O’Neill Appointed to House Appropriations Committee
Recently I was selected to serve on the House of Representatives’ Appropriations Committee for theremainder of the 2009-10 legislative session. TheAppropriations Committee oversees state spendingissues and plays an integral role in the annual statebudget process.Each year the committee hears suggestions fromall departments and agencies within state governmentduring more than two weeks of public hearings beforecrafting the final budget document. Being appointedto the Appropriations Committee is a great honor andcomes with a lot of responsibility. It is a role that Itake very seriously because each proposal that welook at as a committee will have a financial impact onthe State.Prior to my appointment, the governor’s budgetproposal was passed out of the Appropriations Com-mittee. When the proposal came to the full Housefor a vote, I voted no, because this budget proposalis unbalanced, spends too much and would result inhigher taxes. We need to work together in a biparti-san effort to prioritize state spending so that the corefunctions of government are funded and Pennsylvaniacitizens aren’t burdened with higher taxes. It is myhope that all the parties comeback to the drawing board anddraft a responsible budget thatlives within its means.I will also continue to serve onthe House Judiciary, Labor Rela-tion and Education committeesfor the remainder of this legis-lative session. I am the chair-man of the House EducationCommittee’s Subcommittee onBasic Education and co-chair-man of the House RepublicanPolicy Committee’s Educationand Job Training Task Force.
On March 18, I hosted my annual senior expo for residents of the 29
th
District. The expo, which was held at the Middle Bucks Institute of Technology in Jamison, provided an opportunity for local senior citizens to gather information about various local, state and federal programs available to them.
O’Neill Legislative Update
RepO
2
Resolution Puts State One Step Closer to Developing Virtual Learning Programs
In December 2009, the Pennsylvania Virtual High School concluded its meetings and met its statutory require-ments, which were set forth in legislation that I sponsored, by providing a report and recommendations to the Houseand Senate Education Committees. The Commission ultimately recommended that a supplement virtual learningprogram should be established as a way to enhance students’ public school experience. As a result, I offered a reso-lution requesting a Legislative Budget and Finance Committee (LBFC) study on the cost associated with the variousconfigurations of virtual learning programs so that Pennsylvania is able to create the most cost-effective programpossible. LBFC began its study in April and must produce a report within six months. Once the report is complete,legislators will have a better understanding of the cost and will begin to craft language establishing the program. Virtuallearning programs are a cost effective way for schools to expand the educational opportunities available to studentswithout incurring significant additional staffing costs.
Legislation Sets Business and Technology Education Standards
The technology explosion that has taken place in recent times prompted me to introduce legislation, House Bill870, which sets statewide standards for business, computer and information technology (BCIT) courses. Over theyears, teachers and education advocates have said that the lack of academic standards for BCIT courses has had anegative impact on the level of education students taking these courses receive. This legislation brings BCIT coursesin line with the academic standards already in place for most of the courses offered in Pennsylvania’s public schools.My legislation helps put Pennsylvania’s students on the path to success. With businesses and individuals relying moreand more on technology, it’s important that we have set standardsto ensure that students receive a basic level of education in BCITcourses, better preparing them for life after graduation. The statehas established academic standards for nearly every course in our public school system. Creating standards for BCIT courses was longoverdue. The legislation was adopted by the House with a vote of 196-0 and is currently in the Senate.
Statewide Public School Health CareBenefits Cost Study Commissioned
This session, I led a bipartisan effort with Rep. David Kessler (D-Berks) to create a Public School Employees’ Benefit Board toconduct a comprehensive cost study of health benefits currentlyprovided to public school employers and the cost effectiveness of a statewide public school employee health care benefit program.A similar proposal enacted in Ohio proved to be very successful incontrolling rising health care costs.Once the study is completed, the board will vote to either developa statewide public school health care benefits program or to develop an alternative measures program. Alternativemeasure programs may include consolidating coverage regionally or consolidating selected areas of coverage, suchas prescriptions.Consolidating health care benefits is one way that I’m looking to lower the costs of health care for school districtsand taxpayers.
On April 12, I attended a House Republican Policy Committee hearing on Pennsylvania’s pensionsystems. The hearing featured several local school district officials and representatives of thePennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA).Pictured with me from left are: Reps. Tom Quigley (R-Montgomery), Chris Ross (R-Chester) and TimHennessey (R-Chester).
PennDOT Route 263Improvement Project Update
Log onto my website at
RepONeill.com
to check out current construction work inthe 29th District and aroundBucks County.
PennDOT is currently designing final plans for the reconstruc-�on and improvement of approximately four miles of Route 263(York Road) between Bristol Road and Sugar Boom Road inWarwick, Buckingham and Warminster Townships, Bucks County.Construc�on is scheduled to begin in the Fall 2012; however, theproject is not fully funded atthis �me. PennDOT projectsare listed on the PennDOTwebsite. For traffic updates,dial 511 from any phone orlog on to www.511PA.com.Solebury residents con�nue to express ongoing concernabout the New Hope Crushed Stone’s applica�on to the DEP,reques�ng an expansion to quarry deeper. Sen. Chuck McIlhinney(R-Bucks/Montgomery) and I have been working hard on behalf of township officials, watershed groups, and residents to voicethese concerns to DEP in Harrisburg and prevent this expansion.DEP Secretary John Hanger and his staff have held several recentmee�ngs with Solebury representa�ves to gather informa�onabout the quarry’s impact on the area. DEP and quarry officialsare communica�ng with the watershed groups and others toseek solu�ons to these issues.
Residents Raise ConcernsOver Quarry Issue
eill.com
3Governor’s Special Session on Transportation
In early April, the Federal Highway Administration rejected a joint application submitted by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission totoll Interstate 80. The tolling plan was enacted into law under Act44 of 2007 to help deal with the Commonwealth’s infrastructureneeds. The state is now facing a $2 billion-a-year shortfall intransportation funding, and with the tolling plan denied, we needto look at other funding options.In order to deal with this funding problem, Gov. Ed Rendellconvened the Legislature into a special session to deal solely withtransportation issues. Pennsylvania has more than 40,000 milesof state roads and more than 25,000 bridges. We need to lookat how we are spending state dollars on our infrastructure andreprioritize that money to fix our crumbling infrastructure.This special session will give the General Assembly the op-portunity to look at all the different proposals that are on the tablein trying to fix this funding problem once and for all.
Moratorium on Leasing StateForest Lands for Gas Drilling
In early May, the House debated enacting a moratorium, or delay, on leasing state forest lands for the purpose of MarcellusShale natural gas drilling.The Marcellus Shale industry is a big economic opportunity for Pennsylvania that will provide many new employment opportuni-ties. However, we have to make sure that we take the proper precautions to protect the environment and the interests of Penn-sylvanians who enjoy the natural beauty of our state forests.The purpose of the moratorium is to give the PennsylvaniaDepartment of Conservation and Natural Resources a chance tomonitor and report on the impact of natural gas activities that arealready taking place.The final bill, which I voted in favor of, ended up being a bipar-tisan compromise. Initially, the bill established a five-year morato-rium. After much debate, we decided on a three-year moratorium,which gives the state more than enough time to monitor the impactof the drilling that is already taking place and determine if theCommonwealth should move forward with leasing more land.Recent environmental headlines reinforce the fact that weneed to take the greatest precautions in protecting our naturalresources.
LEGISLATIVE TOWN HALLS
Thursday, July 8 at 7 p.m. -
Ann’s Choice Performing ArtsCenter (Must be a resident to attend)
Thursday, July 15 at 7 p.m. -
Upper Southampton Com-munity Complex, 939 Street Road, Southampton
Thursday, July 22 at 11 a.m. -
The Village of BuckinghamSprings Clubhouse
Thursday, July 29 at 7 p.m. -
Buckingham Township BuildingMeeting Room, 4613 Hughesian Drive, Buckingham
Wednesday, Aug. 4 at 7 p.m. -
Warminster Township FreeLibrary, 1076 Emma Lane, Warminster
LEGISLATIVE BREAKFASTS
Due to the venues capacity, please R.S.V.P. by calling mydistrict office to make a reservation.
Thurs., Aug. 5 at 8 a.m. -
Giuseppe’s Pizza of Warminster.
Thurs., Aug.19 at 8 a.m. -
Giuseppe’s Pizza of New Hope.
MOBILE OFFICE HOURS
For your convenience, my Legislative staff will be representingme by providing mobile office hours during the dates belowfrom 10 a.m. to noon.
Ann’s Choice of Warminster
(Must be a resident)
July 23 at The Village ClubhouseAug. 27 at The Liberty CommonsSept. 24 at The Keystone Clubhouse
Buckingham Springs
July 20, Aug. 17 and Sept. 21
Centennial Station
(Must be a resident)
July 27, Aug. 31 and Sept. 28
The Manor at York Town
(Must be a resident)
July 7, Aug. 11 and Sept. 8
New Hope Library
July 22, Aug. 25 and Sept. 22
New Hope Manor
(Must be a resident)
July 12, Aug. 9 and Sept. 13
Upper Southampton Library
July 8, Aug. 5 and Sept. 2
Warminster Township Free Library
July 14, Aug. 18 and Sept. 15**Check my website for upcoming Canine BloodDrive dates
Upcoming District Events
Helpful Information
•
Autism hotline
:
1-877-695-8495
•
AdultBasic
:
1-800-GO-BASIC (462-2742)
•
Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP):
1-800-986-KIDS (5437)
•
Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania:
1-877-429-5994or www.lasp.org
•
PA Career Link:
www.pacareerlink.state.pa.us
•
PA Contractor Law:
For contractors with questions about thelaw: 717-772-2425. To verify a contractor’s registration: 1-888-520-6680
•
PA Department of Labor and Industry:
UnemploymentCompensation Information: 717-787-3547 or www.heretohelp.pa.gov. Employment Services: 888-313-7284. Departmentwebsite: www.dli.state.pa.us
Harrisburg Update
Due to the unpredictable nature of state budget negotiations,events may be rescheduled. Please check my website, www.RepONeill.com, or call my office for event updates.
I am pictured with two Iwo Jima World War II veterans at my Veterans Breakfast on March 3. Pictured with me from left to right are Henry J. Apice of Southampton and John Lindenmuth of Warminster. Growing up in Warminster, I was a neighbor of Mr. Lindenmuth.
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