Summer 2010

Dear Neighbor:

I hope this newsletter finds you well andenjoying your summer. As we near the endof the 2009-10 legislative term, I would like totake this opportunity to update you on legisla-tive activity in Harrisburg and my work on your behalf here in the 98th District.This newsletter includes information on the2010-11 state budget, efforts to fix the state’spublic pension systems, and other importantlegislative developments. You will also findinformation on upcoming events here in thedistrict including plans for an event to honor Vietnam War veterans and my annual Senior Expo.Please take a moment to read throughthis newsletter. If you have any questions or would like to discuss an issue in further detail,please feel free to contact my Columbia of-fice at (717) 684-5525, or my Elizabethtownoffice at (717) 367-5525. Also, be sure to visitmy website

RepHickernell.com

for importantnews and updates.Sincerely,Dave HickernellState Representative98th Legislative District

STATE REPRESENTATIVE

DAVE HICKERNELL

Legislative District

PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGEPAIDHARRISBURG, PAPERMIT NO 432

2010-11 Budget Spends MoneyPennsylvania Doesn’t Have

In early July, the Legislature approved a budget for the 2010-11fiscal year. This is a marked improvement over last year’s budgetimpasse which stretched 101 days past the legally mandated dead-line. I am pleased the budget process was completed earlier thisyear and I am happy that the final product does not include newor increased taxes. That being said, I have very serious concernsabout the level of spending as well as the plan’s reliance on federalfunds which may never materialize. Given those concerns, I couldnot support this budget and voted no.While lawmakers were able to resist Gov. Ed Rendell’s proposalto increase spending by more than $1 billion in this budget, theplan still increases spending over last year despite the fact thatPennsylvania finished the last fiscal year with a deficit of more than$1 billion. Little or no effort was made to curb the waste which isrampant in state government including abuses in the Departmentof Public Welfare which, according to recent audits by DemocratAuditor General Jack Wagner, is responsible for hundreds of mil-lions of dollars in fraud and abuse.While this budget does include an increase in basic educationspending, that $250 million increase is based on the $850 millionin federal funding, called FMAP, that may never be approved. If the $850 million from Washington, D.C. never materializes, we willbe left with a substantial budget hole and the choice of makinglarge cuts to nearly every state program or imposing a major taxincrease on Pennsylvanians to fill it. Relying on money we maynever see is simply irresponsible. Families cannot do it when theyprepare their household budgets and lawmakers should not do itwhen they prepare the state budget.This budget is not idealbut it is the best we couldhope for from this gover-nor at this time. Althoughit limits the out-of-controlspending increases soughtby the governor and avoidstax increases, I believe itsets us up for a $4 billion or $5 billion dollar deficit nextyear. I look forward to work-ing with the next governor tocraft a budget which reflectsthe financial realities facingPennsylvania.

Ofﬁce Information

DISTRICT OFFICES:

236 Locust StreetColumbia, PA 17512Phone: (717) 684-5525 Fax: (717) 684-2538222 S. Market Street, Suite 103Elizabethtown, PA 17022Phone: (717) 367-5525 Fax: (717) 367-6425

CAPTIOL OFFICE:

Building: B-12 Main CapitolP.O. Box 202098Harrisburg, PA 17120-2098Phone: (717) 783-2076 Fax: (717) 787-9175

Visit my Web site: RepHickernell.com

Attention Seniors

I will be hosting my annual Senior Expo from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. onThursday, Oct. 28, at the Masonic Village Freemasons Cultural Center, 1Masonic Drive in Elizabethtown.

This free, informative event is an opportunity for residents age 60 and older and their families to learn more about the programs and services available tothem. Professionals from health care organizations, representatives of variousstate agencies, and other exhibitors will be on hand and available to discuss topicsespecially important to senior citizens, such as health care and consumer protection,among others.There is no need to pre-register and there is no admission fee. Door prizes willbe awarded throughout the event and refreshments will be provided.For more information on the Senior Expo, call either of my district ofﬁces, locatedin Elizabethtown, phone (717) 367-5525, and in Columbia, phone (717) 684-5525.

INFORMATION

VISIT

Plan Designed to PutPennsylvanians Back toWork

At 9 percent, Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate is at itshighest level in more than 25 years. More than a half-millionPennsylvanians are currently unemployed and more lost jobsare not out of the question. Faced with uncertain economicand political climates, Pennsylvania’s employers are reluctantto begin hiring. As part of our “Solutions for Pennsylvania”plan, House Republicans have developed a six-point legislativepackage designed to empower individuals to find employmentand return to work.Key elements of our plan include:• The Shared Work Program which empowers employers toavoid layoffs by reducing hours and wages for a specificunit of employees while allowing those employees to collecta pro rata portion of unemployment compensation benefits.• The Keystone Works Program which removes barriers toemployment by matching unemployed persons and cashassistance recipients with businesses seeking to hire on aconditional basis with no cost to employers unless theemployer chooses to hire the claimant on a permanent basis.• An Unemployment Training/Education Option which wouldallow unemployment claimants to enter into short-term career training/re-training while still collecting unemploymentbenefits.• Reauthorization and restructuring of the employmentincentive payments program which was successful atencouraging employers to hire individuals who are currentlyreceiving public assistance in the form of welfare benefits.• Revitalizing and reprioritizing the self-employmentassistance program which was enormously successfulduring the administration of former Gov. Tom Ridge. Thisprogram provides a unique opportunity for unemployedindividuals to enter into self-employment throughentrepreneurial training and counseling while continuingto receive unemployment compensation.• Creating a Youth Employment Incentive Tax Credit toencourage employers to hire workers in their teens.In addition, this tax credit will allow employers to hiremore inexperienced workers at a reduced cost.

Reforms Aimed at RestoringFaith in State Government

In recent years, we have heard a great deal of talk from lawmakers inHarrisburg about the need for reform in Pennsylvania government. So far, thosepromises have not been kept. From accusations of politicians using taxpayer dollars to further their campaign goals to a broken budget process, somethingmust be done to change the way business is done in Harrisburg.I have co-sponsored legislation to create a Public Integrity Commission, anindependent government agency responsible for monitoring and investigatingthe actions of public officials to determine whether they are engaging in unlawfulactivity in connection with the public office they hold or for which they work. Inaddition, as part of the “Solutions for Pennsylvania” plan, House Republicanshave offered specific reforms aimed at restoring Pennsylvanians’ trust andfaith in their state government. These reforms include a total ban on legislativeemployees engaging in campaign activities during work hours, “dollar one”reporting of all campaign contributions, real-time reporting for lobby disclosureand ethics statements, and the removal of convicted felons from the voter registration database.The “Solutions for Pennsylvania” plan would also create a searchabledatabase for all state spending and order audits of the General Assembly tobe conducted by independent auditors. In addition, it would fully enforce strictprocedures for pre- and post-grant audits and strengthen parameters for the useof public dollars. We would also create an ethical code of conduct for executivebranch employees and stop the revolving doors at state agencies by restrictingexecutive branch employees leaving state employment from lobbying that samebranch of government for two years.

House Republicans OfferSensible Policy Alternativesfor Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is facing some very difficult challenges. While our Commonwealth and our nation are showing signs of recovery from the worsteconomic recession in generations, many Pennsylvanians are still waiting tofeel the effects of that recovery in their own lives. Many have been forced torely on unemployment compensation and many more continue to fear that theycould be the next to lose their job. Pennsylvania can do better. Pennsylvaniamust do better.House Republicans have developed a document called “Solutions for Pennsylvania,” in which we offer a series of clear, sensible solutions to thedifﬁcult challenges Pennsylvania faces including job creation, economicdevelopment, transportation, education, health care, energy, crime, families,and government reform.We did not set out to create a one-size-ﬁts-all answer to all of Pennsylvania’sproblems. Rather, our goal is to start the much-needed conversation aboutthe challenges we face. To learn about “Solutions for Pennsylvania,” visit

PAGOPPolicy.com

and click on the “Solutions for Pennsylvania” banner.

House Passes State Pension System Reforms

The Public School Employees’ Retirement System (PSERS) and the State Employees’ Retirement System (SERS) are the pension plans for hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvania teachers and public employees. Both are defined benefit plans, which means each employee is entitledto a specific retirement benefit, established by a formula based on years of employment, at his or her retirement. These plans are funded by acombination of returns on investments made by the retirement systems, contributions from the employee, and contributions from the employer which, in the case of PSERS and SERS means the taxpayers of Pennsylvania.In 2012, PSERS and SERS will be faced with a serious cost spike because investment income is down and other factors. Because theemployee contribution level is set by law, Pennsylvania taxpayers will be on the hook to cover the costs of retiree benefits. That means schoolboards will be forced to raise property taxes and the Legislature will be forced to increase taxes.In an effort to ease these costs, the House recently passed House Bill 2497, which would make changes to the methodology by which theemployer contribution rates are calculated. The legislation addresses the coming spike in employer contribution rates by capping the rate increasein order to help lessen expenditures by school districts and the state. In addition, the bill includes several reforms impacting new hires into thepension systems such as increasing the retirement age and vesting periods for system members and eliminating the so-called “lump sum payout”option for retirees.If something is not done to address this looming crisis, Pennsylvania families could be facing a massive tax increase. While House Bill 2479will not solve all of the problems facing our state pension systems, I supported it because I believe it is an important first step toward keeping thesystems healthy without placing an even greater burden on Pennsylvania taxpayers.

ICKERNELL

COM

TODAY

Special Legislative Session to Address Pennsylvania’sTransportation Funding Crisis

Earlier this year, the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) rejected Pennsylvania’s application to toll Interstate 80 creating a $470 million holein Pennsylvania’s transportation infrastructure budget. Gov. Ed Rendell has called a special session of the Legislature to address the situation.Pennsylvania has more than 7,000 miles of roads that are deemed in poor condition, and over 5,600 bridges that are considered “structurallydeficient.” The development and maintenance of our infrastructure is a vital function of state government. This special session is an opportunity for us to address Pennsylvania’s aging transportation infrastructure and promote much-needed job growth in the Commonwealth.When he announced plans for a special session, the governor said every idea should be on the table. I completely agree. Every proposal shouldbe given consideration as we work to resolve this crisis. One of the proposals we will examine is the package of legislation offered by Rep. Rick Geist(R-Altoona), Republican chairman of the House Transportation Committee. The plan includes 11 legislative proposals designed to help close the $2billion-a-year shortfall in transportation funding in the Commonwealth.Solving Pennsylvania’s transportation crisis will require innovative solutions. The job is even tougher due to the difficult financial challenges weface. I look forward to working with my colleagues to find a solution to our transportation problems without increasing the burden on Pennsylvaniataxpayers.

Bills Aimed at ReducingDistracted Driving on PennsylvaniaRoads and Highways

Interactive wireless devices have enabled us to stay in touch with our families and work nearlyanywhere we go. While these devices allow us to be more efficient in our jobs and more availableto our families when we are away from home, there are also times when they can distract our attention from where it should be – like when we are driving. This is a particular concern amongteen drivers who lack experience behind the wheel and, as a result, are more prone to accidentsif their attention is not fully focused on the task of driving.Thirty states have enacted bans on texting while driving. In January, the House approvedHouse Bill 2070 which would ban hand-held cell phone use and text messaging for motoristson Pennsylvania roadways. Under H.B. 2070, adult drivers would still be permitted to engagein voice communication in hands-free mode, while junior drivers (drivers age 16 and 17 whohave not obtained full driving privileges) would be prohibited from using any interactive wirelesscommunication device for any purpose. I support this legislation because I believe it will helpreduce auto accidents and deaths resulting from distracted driving. Junior drivers would also beable to use a device to contact 911 if the car is stopped in traffic and in neutral or park, or if theyare operating an emergency service vehicle and engaged in the performance of official duties.This bill is now in the Senate and additional action is unlikely this year.House Bill 67, another bill aimed at addressing the problem of distracted driving, particularlyamong teen drivers, passed the House in April 2009. As passed by the House, the bill includedprovisions banning cell phone use while driving and making the failure to use a seat belt a primaryoffense for which junior drivers could be pulled over.The Senate made a number of amendments to the bill which significantly weakened it. Whenthe bill returned to the House, I voted to support the Senate amendments even though I believemuch more should be done to address this growing problem. In the end, the House rejected theSenate version of the bill and it is unlikely a compromise will be reached this year.While the failure of House Bill 67 was a major setback for this issue, I intend to continue myefforts to reduce distracted driving of all kinds and improve the safety of everyone who uses theroads and highways of Pennsylvania.

Hickernell Appointedto House ProfessionalLicensure Committee

Earlier this year, I was pleased to be appointed to the HouseProfessional Licensure Committee. This committee considers alllegislation dealing with the 27 professional and occupational licensingboards and commissions in Pennsylvania. Professionals range fromphysicians and cosmetologists to real estate agents and funeraldirectors. The committee is also charged with reviewing the variousregulations put forth by the Pennsylvania Department of State onlicensed professionals.

AttentionVietnam WarVeterans

  

As I have done in the past withveterans of World War II and the KoreanWar, I am planning a ceremony tohonor Vietnam War veterans living inthe 98th Legislative District. The dateand location of that event, which will beheld in the spring of 2011, has yet to bedetermined.Vietnam War veterans, or those whoknow Vietnam War veterans, shouldcontact one of my district ofﬁces with thefollowing information: name, address,phone number and branch of service. A phone number and home addressare requested so veterans can becontacted with complete details aboutthe ceremony.Help us honor our Vietnam War veterans. Please contact either districtofﬁce at (717) 367-5525 (Elizabethtown)or (717) 684-5525 (Columbia) with anyquestions, or e-mail the information to:

jduralja@pahousegop.com.

Rep. Hickernell listens to testimony during a recent hearing of the House Professional Licensure Committee.