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STATE REPEENTATIVE
Kerry A. Benninghoff
E-mail: kbenning@pahousegop.com Website: kerrybenninghoff.com
Serving the People of the 171st Legislative District
Dear Neighbor,
is year’s state budget was com-pleted in a timely fashion. at’s thegood news. However, there weresome missed opportunities in thisyear’s budget as well. Take a look athe state budget recap article to learnabout some of the fiscally respon-sible alternatives I support.is newsletter contains infor-mation about what’s happeningin our state Capitol in Harrisburgand the local issues that affect usright here in the 171st LegislativeDistrict. From the results of theRockview land transfer compromiseo the ongoing efforts to reform stategovernment, you can read about itall in this update.If there is a state government-related issue that isn’t addressed inhis newsletter that you would likeo learn about, please feel free tocontact one of my district offi ces. We are here to serve you.On a personal note, I want tohank you for the continued prayers,cards and acts of kindness for my daughter and family.Most sincerely,Kerry Benninghoff tate Representative171st Legislative District
RSRT STD.S. POSTAGE
AID
ARRISBURG, PERMIT NO. 432
Fall 2010
Benninghoff Pushing Forward the Reform Agenda
I continue to push forward new ideaso reform the way our Commonwealthand its election processes work. Below areust three of the bills I have introduced inhe current legislative session.
House Bill 740:
This electionransparency bill would ensure vot-ers know who is sponsoring politicalrobo-calls. Under current law, when anindividual or group airs a political televi-sion or radio commercial or publishes aprint advertisement that directly targetsa candidate, these forms of political com-munication must identify the sponsor.e law currently does not specify whether or not robo-calls – or pre-recorded politicalphone messages – are subject to this requirement. My bill would close this loophole inhe election law. e bill is currently in the Senate.
House Bill 886:
After the November elections, the General Assembly sometimesconvenes in what is known as a lame duck” session. Representatives and senators wholost their bid for re-election are no longer accountable to the people they represent andcan, without repercussions, vote for tax increases and other unpopular legislation. My bill would eliminate these lame duck sessions.
House Bill 542:
is is another election reform bill intended to bring transpar-ency to the process. is would ensure that voters are provided with more information when they vote to approve or reject a bond measure. In addition to asking voters if they want to approve a borrowing plan, the ballot referendum would have to include informa-ion about how much the debt would cost in total. For example, while the state may plano borrow $900 million for some initiative, with interest over the years, it may cost wellover a billion dollars to pay that money back. is bill would make sure voters have access toall the information they need to make an educated decision.
Tese are just a small sample of the bills I am promoting to make state government moreransparent and accountable.
House Approves Public Pension Reforms
e House recently approved a public pension reform bill that would fulfill thestate’s obligations to current workers and retirees while taking steps to reduce the long-erm burden on Pennsylvania taxpayers.e reforms are aimed at two pension systems – one for public school systememployees and the other for all remaining state employees.ese pension systems are funded primarily through three sources: employee contri-butions, employer contributions and investment returns. e state makes the employercontribution for the state workers’ pension system. e state and local school districtsmake the employer contribution for the public school teachers’ pension system.Due to a number of factors, including the recent downturn in the stock market,he state and local school districts are facing a sharp increase in employer contributionso the pension funds in the next few years.e changes included in the House bill would smooth out” those increases whilealso implementing pension benefit reforms, resulting in short-term relief and long-termcost reductions for taxpayers.For current workers and retirees in the two pension systems, a promise made will bea promise kept. e House bill would not reduce pension benefits for these workers.In actuality, the U.S. Constitution and the Pennsylvania Constitution prohibit makingchanges to pensions for existing workers and retirees due to contractual law.e House bill also would implement pension reforms for future state workers andeachers. ese reforms include increasing the amount of time a teacher or workermust be employed before they are entitled to certain pension benefits. It also increaseshe amount of time they must serve before they can retire.Together, these reforms stand to address an issue that will undoubtedly have severefiscal impacts in the future if proper reforms are not implemented. is bill is currently in the Senate Finance Committee for consideration.
Pension System Reforms
Reduced Multiplier
– A mul-tiplier is a percentage rate used todetermine pension benefits. ehigher the multiplier, the greaterthe pension benefits and the heavierthe burden will be on taxpayers ina defined benefit plan. e multi-plier rate for most new hires wouldbe reduced from 2.5 percent to 2percent, leading to reduced costsfor taxpayers.
Increased Vesting Periods
– evesting period is the amount of timeemployees must contribute to theirpension before qualifying for guar-anteed benefits. e vesting period would be doubled from five years to10 years for new hires.
Increased Retirement Ages
–New state workers and teachers willhave to work longer before qualify-ing for full retirement benefits.
Fast Facts About the Marcellus Shale and Natural Gas
As debate over the development of Pennsylvania’s Marcellus Shale natural gas reserves heats up, Ibelieve it’s important to provide you with some factual information about this issue that I have learnedthroughout this process.
General facts:
e Marcellus Shale underlies 5 of the 67 counties of Pennsylvania – all but the southeasternand southcentral portions of the state.
In October 2008, Pennsylvania State University professor Terry Engelder estimated that thegas locked in the Marcellus Shale could ultimately yield 363 trillion cubic feet of naturalgas – an amount equal to 13 years of current U.S. natural gas demand.
e first Marcellus well went into production in 2005.
Economic impacts:
During 2008, the Marcellus Shale natural gas industry in Pennsylvania generated morethan 29,000 jobs.
For every $1 million of output created by natural gas production in the Pennsylvania MarcellusShale, 6.9 jobs are created.
e Marcellus Shale natural gas industry in Pennsylvania could be generating $13.5 billionin value added and almost 175,000 jobs in 2020.
For every $1 that the Marcellus Shale natural gas industry spends in the state, $1.94 of totaleconomic output is generated.
e sum of the direct, indirect and induced impacts that the Marcellus Shale natural gasindustry has on Pennsylvania is more than $4.2 billion.
Environmental impacts:
Natural gas produces roughly 30 percent lower carbon emissions than oil.
Natural gas use produces fewer greenhouse gases (nitrogen oxides and carbon dioxide, inparticular) than burning oil.
Of all the fossil fuels, natural gas is the cleanest burning. While the Marcellus Shale offers tremendous economic opportunities for workers across our Com-monwealth, the development of this resource will place stress on local roads and other infrastructure.Because of this, I believe the state must require a percentage of any tax on natural gas to be designatedfor continued road and bridge repairs.
www.K er r yB enni n gh of f . c om
After years of working to bring together lawmakers from both parties, community groups, Penn State offi cials, outdoorenthusiasts and local residents, the groups were able to agree on a compromise deal regarding the Rockview land.Here are the highlights of the compromise:•Penn State acquires 50 acres in exchange for more than $00,000. oe university must establish a conservation easement withthe ClearWater Conservancy and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR).•Benner Township acquires nearly 25 acres for $1. oe township must establish a conservation easement with the ClearWater Conservancy and DCNR.oe land must be used for passive recreational open spacethat benefits the public.•Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission acquires 10 acres for$19,000.•Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) acquires 1,200 acres for morethan $1 million.•PGC will make annual payments in lieu of taxes to Centre County,Benner Township and Bellefonte Area School District. While no compromise is perfect, this one addressed the major issues identified by each group. In addition, itbrought the public into the process of determining the outcome. In short, the compromise was fair and inclusive– just as it should be.
Benefits of the Compromise
Ensures taxpayers receive faircompensation for the land.
Protects the environment.
Provides public access forrecreational activities.
Addresses the major issuesraised by the publicthroughout the process.e deadline to apply for the state’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate programfor 2009 has been extended from June 30 to Dec. 31, 2010.Eligible participants can receive a rebate of up to $650 based onheir rent or property taxes paid in 2009. e program benefits eligiblePennsylvanians who are 65 years or older, widows and widowers 50 yearsor older, and those 18 years or older with disabilities.Eligibility income limits for homeowners are set at the following levels,excluding 50 percent of Social Security, Supplemental Security 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) You should make sure to provide all the necessary income, property taxor rental information required to process claims quickly and accurately.Property Tax/Rent Rebate claim forms are available by contacting my district offi ce or visiting my website.
Rockview Land Transfer Compromise Reached
With recent efforts to encourage Americans to become more energy effi cient and use “green” technologies, many Pennsylvanians are turningo an age-old technique to dry their clothes. People concerned about highenergy bills are hanging their clothes outside on clotheslines.Unfortunately, some municipalities and homeowners associations arebanning this practice, arguing that it is unsightly. With this in mind, I’ve been asked to introduce legislation - House Bill2158 - in the House that would protect every Pennsylvanian’s ability touse the all-natural power of the sun to dry their clothing. is is a com-monsense measure to help families reduce their energy costs, protect theenvironment and empower Pennsylvanians to be green.
Standing Up for Your ‘Right to Dry’
Property Tax/Rent Rebate ProgramDeadline Extended
This year, the Boy Scouts of America is celebrating its 100th anniversary. Boy Scouts are involved in their neighborhoods and are the leaders of tomorrow.On numerous occasions, I have presented House citations to Boy Scouts across the 171st Legislative District, honoring their service to our communities and our country. I wish our local Boy Scouts another 100 years of success.
Please remember to honor our veteranson ursday, November 11, and every other day of the year.
Freedom Isn’t Free
- Tank a Veteran!
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