PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGE

PAID

HARRISBURG, PAPERMIT NO. 432

J e f f P y l e . n e t

We Cannot Spend What We Do Not Have

I voted against the $28.04 billion state budget, which was signed into law byGov. Rendell in early July.The 2010-11 budget increases spending by $207 million, or 0.74 percent,over last year’s budget. Although this is a minor increase, this budget is filledwith one-time funds, mostly federal stimulus money that will not be availablenext year; this fact alone creates an immediate $2.75 billion deficit. Thisbudget depends on $2.75 billion in federal stimulus funding. In fact, afterbeing promised $850 million from the federal government to extendunemployment benefits and education funding, we received only $595 million,which means this year’s budget is already out of balance by over $255 million.Part of my “NO” vote was based on my skepticism on receiving the moneyGov. Rendell promised the Legislature we would get – we did not.The past two years have witnessed the governor using federal dollars toramp up spending for entitlement programs in the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare (DPW). What this means is, next year, Pennsylvania taxpayerswill, due to the disappearance of the federal money, be on the hook to makeup a $2.75 billion deficit just from the loss of federal funding. This deficit does noteven include a loss in revenues that the state collects from the sales tax, incometax and corporate tax. If these items bring in less money than anticipated, thedeficit will only grow. Hard decisions will have to be made. Underlying thesedecisions is my belief that we are already overtaxed and can bear no more. Nogovernment knows what to do with your money better than you do. In addition,our area is aging and it just isn’t right for our senior citizens, many of whom liveon fixed pensions and Social Security, to pay more for programs that do little ornothing for the citizens of the 60th Legislative District.Time and again, I have said we cannot spend what we don’t have. Just likefamilies, state government must learn to live within its means. If you have only$100 in your checking account, you can’t write a check for $101. I feel thesame should apply to the state government.In total, the Commonwealth is expected to draw in roughly $25 billion inrevenue during the 2010-11 fiscal year, yet the budget is pegged at $28.04billion. Simple math will show you that we are spending $3 billion too much.Some will say “but Jeff the federal government is providing us nearly $2.75billion,” but we already know it will disappear next year. A rational solution is tocut state spending. Eliminating WAMs is the logical first step. As stated, hard choices will have to be considered in the 2011-12 budget. Will taxes be increased, will spending be cut,or will there be a combination of both? I believe raising taxes is not an option. Families are still struggling through thecurrent economy and do not have the money to hand over to state government to pay for its out-of-control spending, notto mention Pennsylvania citizens are already heavily taxed at the federal, state and local levels.I am conservative and remain committed to fighting against the Philadelphians’ tax-and-spend mentality that hasprevailed in Harrisburg for as long as I’ve been there (six years). If I’m off track, please let me know.

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General Fund SpendingGeneral Fund Revenue

* NOTE: Funding includes $2.75 Billion in federalstimulus dollars.* NOTE: Revenue only reﬂects state dollars.Federal stimulus funds are not included in this chart.

Castle Doctrine Advances in State House

Legislation that would permit Pennsylvania citizens to defend themselves while in their homes or occupied vehicleswas recently approved in the House Judiciary Committee. This legislation (of which I am a co-sponsor) receivedbroad bipartisan support in the committee. It would provide law-abiding citizens the ability to exercise their Second Amendment rights to defend themselves and their families. Many Pennsylvanians have faced criminal prosecution andcivil lawsuits by defending their lives and this should not be happening. This legislation would ﬁnally give our residentsthe right to protect themselves in their own homes.

House Bill 40

would allow us to “stand our ground.” House Bill 40, often called the “

Castle Doctrine

,” would create the presumption that an attacker or an uninvitedintruder intends to inﬂict bodily harm, and therefore, deadly force may be used to protect oneself, family and otherswhile in their home or an occupied vehicle. That presumption also applies if a person is trying to unlawfully removean occupant, against his or her will from a home or vehicle. Thepresumption would not apply if the person entering a home wasanother resident of the home, a law enforcement ofﬁcer, a parent,grandparent or other guardian removing a child from the home orvehicle. In addition, this legislation would not apply if a person wasusing their home or vehicle to engage in criminal activity.Law-abiding residents must have the ability to protect themselvesand their families from being attacked or threatened in their ownhomes. I have always advocated citizens being lawfully armed to detercriminal activity and to protect themselves. I urge my colleagues inthe House to support this legislation.I commend my colleague, Rep. Scott Perry (R-York), for draftingthis bill in support of our constitutional rights to keep and bear arms.Three other legislators and I originally offered very similar legislationbut we agreed to withdraw our bills and backed Scott when he wasdeployed to Iraq in 2009.House Bill 40 waits to be called up for a vote by the full House byHouse Majority Leader Todd Eachus (D-Luzerne).

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 to callup for a vote legislation that would require individuals to show proof of citizenship in order to receive public beneﬁtsin Pennsylvania. Our public resources are being abused by those whom I believe do not have a legal right to receivethem. Pennsylvania citizens work hard for the tax dollars sent to Harrisburg and as such, they should not be awardedto those living here illegally. We must put an end to the burden placed on our beneﬁt system and ensure that onlyPennsylvanian citizens receive assistance.

House Bill 1359,

of which I am a co-sponsor, was introduced by Rep. Ron Marsico (R-Dauphin) in April 2009.The bill would require an individual 18 years of age and older who applies for public benefits to provide a valid driver’slicense or identification card issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, another state agency or thefederal government; a valid U.S. passport; or another form of official identification issued by the local, state or federalgovernments before the applicant would be considered for Pennsylvania’s public assistance programs.This bill has been held up in the House State Government Committee since April 27, 2009. Additionally, Marsico’slegislation defines “public benefits” as any welfare; health; disability; public or assisted housing; postsecondaryeducation; food assistance; unemployment benefit; or similar benefits provided to an individual, household or family bya local or state government agency. A similar proposal, approved in the Senate by a vote of 41-9 on April 1, 2009, has similarly 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 current andfuture economic health of the Commonwealth.

During the Indiana Farm Bureau tour, Rep. Jeff Pyle is pictured with Rayne Township Supervisors Tony Manno and Joe LaVan; and Cherrylhill Township Supervisor Terry Stiffler. Standing next to Stiffler, hidden from view, is Cherryhill Township Supervisor Roger McDannell.Rep. Jeff Pyle presented House citations to Vicky Keasy and Barbara Flemm, who are retiring from the Freeport Kindergarten Center. A number of pro-gun state representatives are pictured at a recent Second Amendment rally in Harrisburg. To Rep. Jeff Pyle’s right is National Rifle Association (NRA) Executive Director Wayne LaPierre.

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, andthose 18 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 many initiatives supported by the Pennsylvania Lottery, whichdedicates its proceeds to support programs for older Pennsylvanians. Since the program began in 1971, morethan $4 billion has been paid to qualified applicants.Residents are reminded to provide all the necessary income, property tax or rental information required toprocess claims quickly and accurately.Property Tax/Rent Rebate claim forms are available by contacting my office at 1-800-287-0614. Forms canalso be downloaded online by visiting my website at

JeffPyle.net.

Persian Gulf Conﬂict Veterans Reminded to Apply for Bonus

Veterans who served on active duty in the Persian Gulf War during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm arereminded to apply for the Persian Gulf Conflict Veterans’ Bonus.The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs offers the Pennsylvania Persian Gulf Conflict Veterans’ Bonus to veterans who served on active duty, including mobilized National Guard and Reserve personnel,between Aug. 2, 1990, and Aug. 31, 1991, with a payment of up to $75 per month for every month of active Gulf Warservice. Veterans who received a Southwest Asia Service Medal and were legal residents of Pennsylvania at the timeof their service are also eligible for the benefit. An additional bonus of $5,000 is available to surviving families of those killed in action during the same period.For more information on the Persian Gulf Conflict Veterans’ Bonus, visit my website at

JeffPyle.net

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

New Online Resource Available for AutismCommunity

A free Internet directory thathighlights autism-friendly businesses andlocations is now available for individualsand families dealing with autism.The website,

AutismResources.com

, was developedby Keystone Autism InformationSystems Inc., funded by a PennsylvaniaDepartment of Community and EconomicDevelopment grant attained in 2008.Although maintained by Keystone Autism Information Systems,

AutismResources.com

is alsofueled by user feedback to providerecommendations and reviews. Thosein the autism community are welcome toshare their expertise on the new site.A toll-free number, 1-877-695-8495,is available for those without Internetaccess to request or share referrals.Visit my website,

JeffPyle.net,

for alink to the new site.

Rep. Jeff Pyle is pictured with members of the Armstrong County Drug Task Force (ACDTF), which received funding to purchase and install IBM Think Pads in patrol cars for police departments throughout the 60th Legislative District. These computers will permit officers to use the county’s JNET program to provide secure communications and greater access to police information while on patrol and conducting joint anti-crime/anti-drug efforts. The laptops are the culmination of a grant project started by Pyle and the ACDTF nearly four years ago. Pictured from left are Armstrong County drug dog Klif, ACDTF Detective Mark Heider, Armstrong County District Attorney Scott Andreassi, East Franklin Township officer Bill Evans, Ford City officer Ron Klingensmith, Freeport officer Jeff Swiklinksi, ACDTF Detective Butch Ruffaner and Pyle. Hidden behind Pyle is Kiski Township Chief Jared Thompson. Missing from photo are Kittanning Borough, Manor Township,West Kittanning Borough and North Buffalo Township police departments, as they already received their laptops; and other members of the ACDTF.