Winter 2008
DiGirolamo Cites Jobs,
Votes in Favor of Table Games
Citing the economic impact the addition of table games will
have on Philadelphia Park and the new PARX facility, as well as the
creation of up to 1,000 new jobs in the region, I voted Jan. 6 in favor
of allowing table games at Pennsylvania’s 14 casinos.
The addition of table games at the slots casinos represents more
than putting in blackjack, poker and roulette tables.This legislation is
also about finding another way to meet an existing revenue shortfall
and to make our state more competitive. Each day, we lose thousands
of both residents and visitors who go to Atlantic City and Las Vegas
instead of Pennsylvania. This keeps the money here while meeting
a tremendous financial need.
Under the new law, Category 1 and Category 2 licensed slot
House Advances
Highway Safety Bill to Senate
Legislation includes ban on texting, hand-held cell phones
Legislation that will ban the use of hand-held cell phones while
driving in Pennsylvania has cleared the House and is now with the
Senate for consideration.
House Bill 2070, which overwhelmingly passed the House in late
January, originally included a ban on all texting behind the wheel and
a prohibition of cell phones for drivers ages 16 and 17. However, an
amendment was added to the bill to expand the ban to include all
hand-held cell phones for drivers of all ages.
Much of the outcry for a ban on hand-held cell phones comes
from the motoring public who see such distractions causing crashes
and endangering people’s lives. We all know texting while driving is
dangerous and cell phone use hinders one’s ability to pay full attention
to the road ahead.
The ban includes any interactive wireless communication
device. Exceptions will apply to operators of emergency vehicles
To help the people of Haiti to recover from the devastating earthquake that nearly
destroyed their homeland in January, I joined with the Pennsylvania Legislative Black
Caucus for a bipartisan effort to assist with relief efforts. The coalition has been collecting
medical supplies and other needed goods to help the victims in Haiti. They have also
sought medical professionals to travel to the country to offer their assistance. Joining
the lawmakers at the news conference were the Philadelphia Haitian Coalition and
Young Haitian Professionals.
Contact Rep. DiGirolamo at
GeneDiGirolamo.com • (215) 750-1017 • 2444 Bristol Road, Neshaminy Valley Commons, Bensalem, PA 19020
Spring 2010
machine facilities can operate up to 250 table games at any one
time, while Category 3 licensees can operate up to 50. Licensees
approved by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board to operate
table games will pay a one-time fee of $16.5 million. The fee for
Category 3 licensees will be $7.5 million. Philadelphia Park has a
Category 1 license. In total, 14 percent of proceeds will benefit
the Commonwealth, 1 percent will benefit Bensalem Township and
another 1 percent will benefit Bucks County.
The inclusion of table games at our state’s casinos has the
potential to create up to 10,000 new jobs statewide. It is expected
that the table games will be implemented at Pennsylvania casinos in
the next few months.
and volunteer emergency responders who are responding to an
emergency and are engaged in the performance of their official
duties.
Those who are found in violation of the legislation will face
a fine of $50. Fines would double to $100 if the offense occurs
in a school zone, active work zone, highway safety corridor or
emergency response area. A portion of the fines will be used for
public awareness and education programs for distracted driving.
Cell phones with hands-free devices will still be permitted to be
used by drivers.
According to PennDOT statistics, 397 crashes have been
recorded since 2003 where hands-free phones were a contributing
factor, while 6,877 crashes listed hand-held phones as a contributing
factor. A 2009 poll revealed that 85 percent of Pennsylvanians favor
a ban on the use of hand-held cell phones while driving.
During the holiday season, I had the privilege of visiting the children and staff at Bensalem
KinderCare. I continue to be a strong advocate for increased state funding for early
childhood education and the Pre-K Counts program.
 Drugs & Alcohol
Department of Drug, Alcohol Services Bill OK’d by Committee
In an effort to help individuals get the treatment they need for
alcohol and drug addiction treatment and prevention programs, I
have authored House Bill 1186 to create a Department of Drug and
Alcohol Programs in Pennsylvania state government.The legislation
passed the House Health and Human Services Committee in
January and is expected to come before the full House in March
for final consideration.
My proposal, which has passed the House in two consecutive
legislative sessions, would elevate drug and alcohol treatment
issues to Cabinet-level status. Currently, services are offered
through various programs, and I believe individuals and families in
need should have one central place to learn more about various
treatment options. Not only will this streamline these services,
but it will also save taxpayer money by reducing a duplication of
services already existing in state government.
The advantage of having one department is the streamlining
of all services and personnel to work toward the same goal
– preventing abuse and offering help to those who are dependent
on drugs and alcohol.
Governor Gives Annual Budget Address
On Feb. 9, Gov. Ed Rendell gave his annual budget address to
a joint session of the House and Senate, so I want to provide you
with a quick rundown about this event that is the official start of
the budget negotiation process.
BASIC EDUCATION: The governor is calling for 7.28
percent increase in basic education funding. I am hopeful that this
will equate to a greater share of funding for school districts in the
18th District, but we have not seen the details of how the $5.88
billion in education spending would be allocated among the state’s
500 school districts. I will continue my calls for a fairer distribution
of education dollars in an effort to prevent further skyrocketing
property taxes.
BUDGET CUTS: The governor is calling for reductions to the
budgets of the Department of Environmental Protection ($3.8 million
Staying Safe Online
The Internet offers a seemingly unlimited supply of entertainment
and information to our children. Unfortunately, it also increases their
risk of being exploited by a child predator. Statistics cited by the
Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General show:
 1 in 7 kids was sexually solicited online in 2005.
 Almost 1 in 8 children ages 8-18 discovered they were
communicating online with an adult pretending to be much
younger.
 49 percent of teens have posted personal information on their
Web pages, such as name, age or address, which put them at risk
for exploitation.
According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, there are a
number of steps parents can take to help keep their children safe
while surfing the net:
 Keep the computer in a common room, not your child's
bedroom.
 Communicate with your child about the dangers of Internet
predators. Instruct them to never arrange face-to-face meetings
with someone they met online and to never give out identifying
information about themselves.
 Spend time with your children online and have them show you
their favorite online destinations.
 Use parental controls offered by your Internet service
provider.
www.GeneDiG
If established, the department would develop a state plan for
aspects of drug and alcohol abuse and dependency problems. That
state plan would include coordinating services provided by state
agencies, along with additional health and rehabilitation efforts. In
addition, local councils would be encouraged to coordinate, and the
plan would also call for the development of a model drug and alcohol
abuse and dependence control plans for local governments.
I am also hopeful it will continue to save taxpayers money
in reducing the amount of money spent to incarcerate prisoners.
More than half of all inmates entering the state prison system have
drug and alcohol addiction issues. Many of them commit their
crimes while on waiting lists for treatment. If we can reach these
individuals and prevent crimes from occurring, countless lives and
dollars would be saved.
To reduce the amount of drug and alcohol abuse in our state, we
need to take a multi-pronged approach.This state agency would not
only consolidate separate efforts already in place statewide, but also
encourage more local governments and non-profit organizations
to become involved and fight back against drug abuse.
cut), the Department of Health ($7 million cut), the Department of
Agriculture ($5.4 million cut), the Department of Labor and Industry
($3.1 million) and the Department of Conservation and Natural
Resources ($1 million cut).
BUDGET INCREASES: The governor would increase
funding for basic education, county child welfare programs, mental
retardation services, services to senior citizens, the state police,
the Department of Corrections, the Department of Community
and Economic Development, and the Department of Military and
Veterans Affairs.
SPENDING: The governor has proposed a $1.2 billion
increase in spending using $26.27 billion in state dollars and $2.76
billion in federal stimulus funds. It is important to note that $800
million of these federal funds have not yet been approved.
 Maintain access to your child's online account and randomly
check his or her e-mail. Explain to your child why the checks are
important.
 Closely monitor your child's participation in any chat room.
The FBI also offers this list of signals that may indicate your child
is at risk:
 Your child spends large amounts of time online, especially at
night.
 Your child receives phone calls from men you don't know or
is making calls, sometimes long distance, to numbers you don't
recognize, or receiving mail or packages from someone you don't
know.
 Your child turns the computer monitor off or quickly changes
the screen on the monitor when you come into the room.
 Your child becomes withdrawn from the family.
Maintain open lines of communication with your children about
their Internet surfing and help them understand the dangers. You
cannot monitor their Internet surfing at school or at friends' homes.
The best way to protect your children is to teach them to protect
themselves.
For additional information, visit GeneDiGirolamo.com.
Don’t forget that my annual Senior Expo will be held once again in October. This event
attracts hundreds of senior citizens from throughout the 18th District in Bensalem and
Lower Southampton Township to obtain information about a wide variety of programs and
services to individuals age 65 and older. Joining me at my annual expo are volunteers
with the Bensalem Senior Center.
In January, I joined officials and staff with Livengrin in Bensalem for a ground-breaking
ceremony for an expansion of its campus to include a new residential treatment program.
The Livengrin Foundation provides addiction recovery treatment and services.

Applications Now Available for

Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program
Applications for the state’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate program for 2009 are now available.
Eligible participants can receive a rebate of up to $650 based on their rent or property taxes paid in 2009. The program
benefits eligible Pennsylvanians who are 65 years or older, widows and widowers 50 years or 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)
The Property Tax/Rent Rebate program is one of many initiatives supported by the Pennsylvania Lottery, which dedicates
its proceeds to support programs for older Pennsylvanians. Since the program began in 1971, more than $4 billion has been
paid to qualified applicants.Residents are reminded to provide all the necessary income, property tax or rental information
required to process claims quickly and accurately. Applications are due by June 30.
Property Tax/Rent Rebate claim forms are available by contacting my office or by visiting my Web site at GeneDiGirolamo.com.

Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program

(LIHEAP) Now Extended
Pennsylvania’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is
now open until April 2.
The LIHEAP program is administered by the Department of Public Welfare
(DPW) and helps income-eligible households pay for heat during the winter
months.
The original closing date of the LIHEAP program was March 15, but
circumstances have allowed the program to continue until April 2.The cash grant
amounts have also increased by $100. DPW anticipates helping approximately
600,000 families with cash grants during the 2009-10 program year.
Applications will be available at the Bucks County Assistance Office at 1214
New Rodgers Road, Bristol, or call the LIHEAP hotline at (215) 781-3393 or
800-616-6481.
Applications are also available from local utility companies and community
service agencies, such as Area Agencies on Aging or community action agencies.
LIHEAP cash grant applications are available online at compass.state.pa.us.
For complete eligibility requirements and additional information on LIHEAP,
visit my Web site at GeneDiGirolamo.com and click on “LIHEAP Information.”

Girolamo.com
 Children at the Bensalem KinderCare along Street Road listened during story time as At a Toys for Tots party at the YWCA of Bucks County. I helped Santa in presenting
I read a favorite story to them. gifts to local children in need of a brighter holiday.

District Office Services

My district office is here to help you. Services my staff
and I provide include:

 Driver’s license and vehicle registration

applications and renewals
 Assistance with PennDOT paperwork
(lost cards, changes, corrections, special
registration plates, vanity plates, and temporary
placards for disabled persons)
 PACE and PACENET applications for seniors
 Property Tax and Rent Rebate applications
The Educational Improvement Tax Credit program (EITC), which is authorized by state  Voter registration forms and
law, is helping local families afford the education of their choice, thanks to contributions absentee ballot applications
by local businesses. At a Jan. 29 press conference, officials from PARX Casino, Waste  State tax forms
Management and BLOCS discussed EITC contributions to local schools. Pictured with
me are (from left): Ron Davis from Parx Casino, Barbara Henkels from the Henkels
 Student aid applications
Foundation, Mayor Joseph DiGirolamo and Sen. Robert “Tommy” Tomlinson.  Free state maps, state park information,
and PA Vacation Guides
 Copies of legislation
 Tours of the State Capitol
 Referrals to agencies to resolve state-related matters

If you need help with any of the above or with any other
Need Something Notarized? state-related matter, please do not hesitate to call my
Stop by my district office. district office.
We’ll be happy to help,
FREE of charge.

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