Vi sit m y w eb sit e atR e pK ell e r . c o m

State Budget Cuts Inequitable; Ag Community Slighted

Protecting the Commonwealth’s number one industry has been a goal of mine since entering theGeneral Assembly in 2005. I believe the people who labor in the agricultural sector work hard toprovide top quality products to the people of Pennsylvania and beyond.Like all states, Pennsylvania has not been immune to the effects of the continued economicdecline, which has forced elected officials to rein in spending due to reduced revenues. I am notopposed to controlled spending; in fact, I have been a vocal advocate for state government to reduceits costs as well as the financial burden placed on taxpayers. Although several line items in the budgetreceived a reduction in funding, I do not believe it was applied equally throughout all state agenciesand programs, most notably the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.I voted against the 2010-11 state budget that passed the Legislature on June 30, because I believeit spends too much and depends on federal funding that is unlikely to materialize; however, these werenot my only reasons for voting this way. The spending plan relies on $2.75 billion in federal funding, of which $850 million is unlikely to materialize. Due to Congress’ inability to garner enough votes to passlegislation to extend the Federal Medical Assistance Percentages (FMAP) program, the state’s budgetdepends on this funding in order for it to be balanced.The Department of Agriculture had its budget cut by nearly $5 million, or 5 percent, than whatwas provided in the 2009-10 budget. Although this may seem like a small amount, when comparedto the 2008-09 budget, the department witnessed a nearly $13 million, or 13 percent, reduction overthe past two years. Nearly all programs within the department’s budget were level funded or reduced,including a cut of $435,000 (8.4 percent) for the Animal Health Commission; a reduction of $126,000(12.6 percent) for agricultural research; complete elimination of funding for farm safety; a reductionof $1 million (50 percent) in payments to Pennsylvania fairs; a cut of $91,000 (15.2 percent) for cropinsurance and a reduction of $251,000 (31.4 percent) for food marketing and research. A major concern I have related to agriculture is the future possibility of the Commonwealthobtaining its food products from foreign sources. The more harm inflicted on our agriculturalcommunity now only increases the likelihood of our local food producers having to curtail or completelyshut down their operations. This would result in Pennsylvania’s inability to control the quality andsafety of food sources, eliminate the availability of home-grown products that citizens prefer andseriously impact Perry and Franklin counties’ top industry.Agriculture’s impact extends beyond the farming community. Statewide, thousands of high-paying,family-sustaining jobs depend on the survival and growth of our industry. With our vast farm fieldsand nutrient-rich soil, Pennsylvania is home to the most abundant natural resource throughout thecountry.Worldwide, millions of people enjoy the products produced by Pennsylvania farms, which has madeus a leader not just nationally, but globally. Each year, the agriculture sector infuses nearly $5 billioninto Pennsylvania’s economy, and although we are still in the midst of an economic decline, the factremains that citizens still need a reliable source of food that is safe and affordable.Fiscal control is crucial for the Commonwealth to weather the economic decline; however, it’simportant for all agencies in state government to feel an equal amount of pain. For example, thePennsylvania Department of Public Welfare (DPW) received an increase of $1.84 billion, or 8 percent.Since the 2008-09 fiscal year, DPW had its funding increased by $2.35 billion, or 10.5 percent. Ibelieve the funding discrepancy between agriculture and DPW is indicative of the state’s misplacedpriorities. I am in favor of helping those who are truly in need but we must address the waste in DPWbefore providing it additional taxpayer dollars.For the past two years, Auditor General Jack Wagner has issued several scathing reports criticizingDPW’s lack of oversight regarding taxpayer dollars. According to Wagner, millions of dollars have beenmisused and awarded to those who were not eligible for benefits, or to those who received duplicatebenefits using different names, addresses and Social Security numbers. Furthermore, the auditorgeneral was extremely critical of the department’s management team failing to ensure that federaland state laws and regulations were enforced and followed. This not only maintains a dark cloud overDPW but it points to a serious lack of oversight.Overall, I believe this budget spends too much and is not an accurate reflection of what theresidents of the local area have asked. I believe that Pennsylvania citizens expect state government tolive within its means and bring spending in line with what taxpayers can afford.

Summer 2010

Castle Doctrine ProtectsSecond Amendment Rights

As a supporter of the Second Amendment, I was pleased thatlegislation to permit Pennsylvania citizens to defend themselveswhile in their homes or occupied vehicles was approved by theHouse Judiciary Committee in May.This legislation would reaffirm the rights guaranteed to law-abiding citizens by the U.S. and Pennsylvania constitutions. ManyPennsylvania residents have faced criminal prosecution defendingtheir lives while facing great danger and this should not behappening. This legislation would finally give our residents theright to protect themselves in their own homes.House Bill 40, cited as the Castle Doctrine, would createthe presumption that if an attacker or intruder intends to inflictbodily harm, deadly force may be used to protect oneself, familyand others while in their home or an occupied vehicle. Thepresumption would not apply if the person entering a homewas another resident of the home, a law enforcement officer, aparent, grandparent or other guardian removing a child from thehome or vehicle. In addition, this legislation would not apply if a person was using their home or vehicle to engage in criminalactivity.Law-abiding residents must have the ability to protectthemselves and their families from being attacked or threatenedinside their homes.This bill is awaiting a final vote in the House.

Measure to Alter Special EducationFunding Formula Questionable

Due to the lack of detailed information about House Bill 704, which would alter the way the Commonwealthdistributes special education funding to school districts, I voted against this legislation.The current special education funding formula negatively impacts school districts in the 86th LegislativeDistrict, which is then shifted to school property taxpayers. The formula shifts more funding to urban schooldistricts while suburban and rural school districts suffer.My colleague, Rep. Glen Grell (R-Cumberland), questioned the bill’s sponsor during debate on the Houseﬂoor about how this change would apply to school districts in central Pennsylvania. The author of the bill,Rep. Mike Sturla (D-Lancaster), was unable to provide an explanation, which left me no other choice but toreject this measure until I receive additional details.The students and families throughout Perry and Franklin counties – as well as taxpayers – deserve thesame level of funding that students in other regions of Pennsylvania receive. Unless this new formula wouldprovide an equitable distribution of state funds to all school districts, I could not support it.I urge my colleagues in the state Senate to thoroughly review this legislation to ensure centralPennsylvania is adequately protected.

New Website Available forElectric Consumers

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission(PUC) is offering a one-stop shop website forresidential, commercial and industrial customers.The website includes information about electricshopping, what it is, how to shop and whichsuppliers are available, as well as the PUC’s list of competing suppliers and the Ofﬁce of Consumer Advocate’s Shopping Guide pricing information. A ZIP code search feature is also available soconsumers can see all suppliers and offers serving agiven area.For a link to the website and further informationabout electric rate information, visit my website at

RepKeller.com.

New Online Resource Availablefor Autism Community

A free Internet directory that highlights autism-friendlybusinesses and locations is now available for individuals andfamilies dealing with autism.The website,

AutismResources.com

, was developedby Keystone Autism Information Systems Inc., funded bya Pennsylvania Department of Community and EconomicDevelopment grant attained in 2008.Although maintained by Keystone Autism Information Systems,

AutismResources.com

is also fueled by user feedback toprovide recommendations and reviews. Those in the autismcommunity are welcome to share their expertise on the new site.A toll-free number, 1-877-695-8495, is available for thosewithout Internet access to request or share referrals.Visit my website,

RepKeller.com

, for a link to the new site.

Persian Gulf Conﬂict Veterans Reminded to Apply for Bonus

Veterans who served on active duty in thePersian Gulf War during Operations Desert Shieldand Desert Storm are reminded to apply for thePersian Gulf Conflict Veterans’ Bonus.The Pennsylvania Department of Militaryand Veterans Affairs offers the PennsylvaniaPersian Gulf Conflict Veterans’ Bonus to veteranswho served on active duty, including mobilizedNational Guard and Reserve personnel, between Aug. 2, 1990, and Aug. 31, 1991, with apayment of up to $75 per month for everymonth of active Gulf War service. Veterans whoreceived a Southwest Asia Service Medal andwere legal residents of Pennsylvania at the timeof their service are also eligible for the benefit. An additional bonus of $5,000 is available tosurviving families of those killed in action duringthe same period.For more information on the Persian Gulf Conflict Veterans’ Bonus, visit my website at

RepKeller.com

and click on “Persian Gulf Conﬂict Veterans’ Bonus.”

Taking a Stand Against Illegal Use of Public Beneﬁts

I have joined many of my colleagues by calling on the chairman of the House State Government Committee toconsider legislation that would require individuals to show proof of citizenship in order to receive public benefits inPennsylvania.Our public benefits are being abused by those whom I believe do not have a legal right to receive them.Pennsylvania citizens work hard for the tax dollars sent to Harrisburg, and as such, they should not be awarded tothose living here illegally. We must put an end to the burden placed on our benefit system and ensure that only U.S.citizens receive assistance.House Bill 1359, authored by Rep. Ron Marsico (R-Dauphin) and which I am a co-sponsor, would require anindividual 18 years of age and older who applies for public benefits to provide a valid driver’s license or identificationcard issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, another state agency or the federal government; avalid U.S. passport; or another form of official identification issued by the local, state or federal governments. This billhas been held up in the House State Government Committee since April 27, 2009.Additionally, Marsico’s legislation would define public benefits as any welfare; health; disability; public or assistedhousing; postsecondary education; food assistance; unemployment benefit; or similar benefits provided to anindividual, household or family by a local or state government agency.A similar proposal, approved in the Senate by a vote of 41-9 on April 1, 2009, has also been bottled up in theHouse State Government Committee since April 3, 2009. Senate Bill 9 was introduced by President Pro Tempore Sen.Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson) and would require identification of lawful presence in the U.S. as a prerequisite to receivepublic benefits.Nearly $730 million in taxpayer dollars is used to pay for housing, health care and other public benefits for theestimated 140,000 illegal immigrants living throughout the state.This issue is extremely important to the economic health of the Commonwealth because we cannot continue toprovide unlimited support to illegal immigrants.I want to make one thing clear: I am in favor of people immigrating to the U.S. for a better life and enhancedopportunities; however, they must do it legally, just as millions before them have done.

Deadline to Apply for Property Tax/RentRebate Program Extended

The deadline to apply for the state’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate program for 2009 has been extended to Dec. 31,2010.Eligible participants can receive a rebate of up to $650 based on their rent or property taxes paid in 2009. Theprogram benefits eligible Pennsylvanians who are 65 years or older, widows and widowers 50 years or older, and those18 years or older with disabilities.Eligibility income limits are set at the following levels, excluding 50 percent of Social Security, SupplementalSecurity Income, and Railroad 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 manyinitiatives supported by the Pennsylvania Lottery, whichdedicates its proceeds to support programs for olderPennsylvanians. Since the program began in 1971, morethan $4 billion has been paid to qualified applicants.Residents are reminded to provide all the necessaryincome, property tax or rental information required toprocess claims quickly and accurately.Property Tax/Rent Rebate claim forms are available by contacting my Perry County office at 582-8119, or myFranklin County office at 267-2047. My offices can also be reached toll free at 1-800-959-8119. Forms can also bedownloaded online by visiting my website at

RepKeller.com.

Follow Me on Facebook

With the increasing use of social networking websites, I now have a Facebook Fan Page thatresidents of the 86th District can log on to and receive updates regarding news in the districtand legislative activities in the state Capitol. In order to follow updates on my Facebook site, visit