Evans February 2010

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StateRepresentative

PO Box 202005Harrisburg, PA 17120-2005

EVANSJohn

John

SPRING 2010

Dear Friends,

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As a way to reduce costs,I have opted to use an onlinenewsletter this spring instead

of a traditional mailed newslet-ter. The most expensive partof a newsletter is the mailingcost, and with more and morepeople turning to the Internetto obtain their information, Iwanted to try this approach. Ifyou would like to obtain a hardcopy, please stop by any of mydistrict offices.

Inside this newsletter, youllfind information about the ad-ministrations new proposal for

the 2010-11 state budget, aswell as an update on legisla-tion impacting our region, ourhard-working residents and oureconomy. Ive also included in-formation about state financingthat has been awarded for localinfrastructure projects.

As always, please feel freeto contact me or my staff aboutany question you have on stategovernment issues. Contactinformation is located on page

4 of the newsletter.

Sincerely,

Rep. John Evans5th District

Vietnam War Veterans Sought forSept. 17 Recognition Ceremony

To honor the men and women who served in the U.S. Armed Forcesduring the Vietnam War era, I am searching for veterans who live in the 5 thDistrict to honor at a ceremony to be held Sept. 17.

Every veteran deserves to be honored and thanked for his or her invalu-able contribution to our country and to our freedom, and that includes thosewho served our country during the Vietnam era. This ceremony will be similarto ones held for veterans of World War II and Korea, and I encourage allVietnam War era veterans or their families to contact my office to ensure that

everyone is included.Vietnam War veterans, their families or loved ones are asked to call myEdinboro office at (814) 734-2793, the Girard office at (814) 774-2892, orthe Linesville office at (814) 683-5550 with the following information aboutthe veteran: name, home address, phone number, branch of service, rankand time of service, and the number of family members who will be attend-ing the event.

The information can also be dropped off at any of my district offices orthe information can be mailed to: 123 Meadville St., Edinboro, PA 16412.Veterans and their families can also download a copy of a form or completethe information online atRepEvans.com.More details about the event locationand time will be announced later.

My staff and I are also working with local veterans organizations to ensure

all local veterans from the era are honored.We are also looking for names of local soldiers who may have been listed

as Missing in Action (MIA) or Prisoners of War (POW) during the war so theycan be honored as well. Sept. 17 marks the annual remembrance of MIAsand POWs nationwide.

Evans Disappointed with Sales Tax

Increases Proposed by GovernorAs a member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, I have the

privilege and responsibility of examining the details of the governors budget

proposal through a series of public budget hearings.During these hearings, we are presented with information from variousstate agencies and departments regarding their goals, performance and budgetrequests for the next fiscal year. Like last year, much of my committees workwill be to find out how we can continue to trim state expenses while providingprograms, services and functions of state government.

Much of our debate will also focus on the governors proposed budget. Thisproposal is 4 percent more than the current years enacted spending plan anddoes not reflect the realities of our economy. Already, our revenues are more

than $374 million below estimates,and we are on track for a half-billiondollar deficit by the end of June.

My overriding goal is to ensure

that we enact a responsible budgetby the June 30 deadline. Last yearsbudget debacle was one I am hope-ful to never see repeated. However,this will depend on how steadfast thegovernor is to his ambitious spend-ing, in spite of trying to recover fromthe economic recession.

One of his goals involves ex-panding but lowering the state salestax from 6 percent to 4 percent while

As a member of theHouse AppropriationsCommittee, I tookthe opportunity to askquestions of AttorneyGeneral Tom Corbetton his request foradditional fundingduring appropriationshearings on Feb. 4.At left is Ed Nolan,executive director ofthe House Appropria-tions Committee.


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REPEVANS.COM

House AdvancesHighway Safety Bill to

SenateLegislation includes ban on

texting, hand-held cell phones

Legislation that will ban the use of hand-held cellphones while driving in Pennsylvania has cleared theHouse of Representatives and is on its way to the Sen-ate for consideration.

House Bill 2070, which I was pleased to co-sponsor,passed the House by a vote of 189-6. The legislationoriginally included a ban on all texting behind the wheeland a prohibition of cell phones for drivers ages 16 and17. However, an amendment added on the House floorexpands the ban to include all hand-held cell phones fordrivers of all ages.

As a member of the House Transportation Com-

mittee and chairman of the Subcommittee on HighwaySafety, I am well aware that much of the outcry for a banon hand-held cell phones comes from the motoring publicthemselves who see such distractions causing crashesand endangering peoples lives. We all know that textingwhile driving is dangerous and cell phone use hindersones ability to pay full attention to the road ahead.

The ban includes any interactive wireless communi-cation device. Exceptions will apply to operators of emer-gency vehicles and volunteer emergency responderswho are responding to an emergency and are engagedin the performance of their official duties.

According to a 2009 poll, 85 percent of Pennsylva-

nians favor a ban on the use of hand-held cell phoneswhile driving.

A number of states have already enacted cell phonewhile driving bans, and I am pleased that Pennsylvaniais one step closer to joining that list.

Those who are found in violation of the legislationwill face a fine of $50. Fines would double to $100 ifthe 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 awarenessand education programs for distracted driving.

Cell phones with hands-free devices will still bepermitted to be used by drivers.

During a Capitol press conference in November, I stood in support of legislationthat would ban texting while driving for all drivers in Pennsylvania. I haveheard from numerous residents who support such a ban, and they believe thata ban on texting will help prevent crashes and save lives. House Bill 2070 hassince been amended to include a ban on hand-held cell phones while driving.

Evans Cites JobCreation for Yes Votefor Table Games

The addition of table games will have a dramatic im-pact at Presque Isle Downs by likely creating hundredsof new jobs in the region. That is why I voted in favor ofSenate Bill 711 the legislation allowing table games atPennsylvanias 14 casinos.

The addition of table games at the slots casinos inPennsylvania represents more than putting in blackjack,

poker and roulette tables. This new law is also aboutfinding another way to meet an existing revenue shortfalland to make our state more competitive. Each day, welose thousands of both residents and visitors who go toAtlantic City and Las Vegas instead of Pennsylvania.This keeps the money in Pennsylvania while meeting atremendous financial need.

Under the new law, Category 1 and Category 2 li-censed slot machine facilities can operate up to 250 tablegames at any one time, while Category 3 licensees canoperate up to 50. Licensees approved by the Pennsyl-vania Gaming Control Board to operate table games willpay a one-time fee of $16.5 million. The fee for Category3 licensees will be $7.5 million. Presque Isle Downs hasa Category 1 license.

It is estimated that table games could be in place atPennsylvania casinos sometime this summer.

The legislation, which was sponsored by Sen. JaneEarll (R-Erie), makes several needed reforms to the gam-ing industry. Under the new law, gaming board membersare prohibited from owning any financial interest in anapplicant or licensed facility, among other stipulations.In addition, the legislation includes a lifetime ban onapplicants who seek a principal license and have beenconvicted of a felony.

I applaud Senator Earll, who chairs the GamingOversight Committee in the Senate, for putting forththese very necessary reforms. Unfortunately, the gamingindustry has gotten off to a very rocky start in Pennsyl-vania, and if significant improvements are not made tothe Gaming Control Board and its operations, gamingcannot be successful. Property tax relief, the state budgetand thousands of employees depend on the success ofgaming.

Girard residents Tracy Carner (far left); his daughter, Sarah; and son, Aus-tin, visited the Capitol on Nov. 9. During their trip to Harrisburg, theystopped by to see me and took a tour of the 103-year-old Capitol building.


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including 74 items that were previously exempt. I am veryconcerned about the services he wants to tax that will place

a tremendous financial burden on our residents. Whilemany struggle to make ends meet, the governor wants toadd a sales tax to most of the bills you pay each month:electricity, home heating oil, propane, water and sewerageservice, along with basic television and phone services.This is completely unfair, and I will not be voting in favorof such a proposal.

More information about the 2010-11 budget proposalis available on my Web site at RepEvans.com.

SALES TAX ... continued from page 1

Dr. James Rummel, a local veterinarian, was recently honored with a ci-tation from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to acknowledge anaward he received from the Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association.e Dr. A. Wayne Mountan Memorial Media Award is given for excel-lence in communicating veterinary medical contributions to animal andpublic health via newspapers, magazines or broadcast. is is in recogni-tion of his series on grief after the loss of a pet.

I recently had the opportunity to honor Ken and Ruby Loucks of Edinborowith a citation from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. e cita-tion acknowledges the Louckses 40 years in the upholstery business.

Students from Edinboro University traveled to the state Capitol in Octoberto participate in the Undergraduate Research at the Capitol symposium.From left, psychology students Jamie Cacchione and Brandon Lewis, alongwith their adviser Dr. Michael Skelly, presented information about their re-search on memory and text markings, including highlighting and underlin-ing. In their research, they learned that various forms of text markings maybe using different cognitive processes. In practice, they suggest that studentsshould use highlighters to maximize their learning of text material.

Interior design students and faculty from Mercyhurst College in Erie trav-eled to the state Capitol on Oct. 5 to support House Bill 1521. is leg-islation would create licensure requirements for the profession of interiordesigner. Pictured (from left) are: Kathy Weidenboerner, chairperson, De- partment of Interior Design; Leann Boyd, interior design student; andMeagan Fogel, interior design student.

DISTRICT OFFICE SERVICESServices my staff and I provide include:

Drivers license and vehicle registration applications and renewals,

and assistance with other PennDOT paperwork PACE and PACENET applications for seniors Property Tax and Rent Rebate applications State tax forms Student aid applications 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 state-related matter, please do not hesitate to call my district office.

New System Can NotifyResidents of Prison Emergencies

Local residents can sign up for AlertPA to know when anurgent situation has happened at our nearby state prisons. Thissystem helps officials quickly send emergency text and e-mailalerts, and other important notifications, to users to assist themin making informed decisions.

Individuals can register atwww.pa.govby clicking on Alerts& Advisories. Users can choose the method of notification pager, text or e-mail and select what type of information theywould like to receive. Individuals should review this informationto ensure they are fully informed of services the system providesand any responsibilities placed upon the user, including theneed to have text messaging on their cell phone accounts.

Citizens who are interested in prison alerts, but do nothave access to the Internet, may contact their nearest statecorrectional institutions critical incident manager to have theirnames and phone numbers added to the AlertPA system inorder to receive voice messages.

You can also call the DOCs emergency message line at1-888-316-8950. This outgoing message system will be updatedas major emergencies occur.

REPEVANS.COM


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Edinboro:123 Meadville StreetEdinboro, PA 16412

Phone: (814) 734-2793 / Fax: (814) 734-4534

State Representative

JOHN EVANS

RepEvans.com [email protected]

Linesville:158 West Erie Street

P.O. Box 455, Linesville, PA 16424Phone: (814) 683-5550 / Fax: (814) 683-4246

Girard:4880 Birchdale Drive, Suite 2

Girard, PA 16417Phone: (814) 774-2892 / Fax: (814) 774-7122

Harrisburg:P.O. Box 202005

107 Ryan Office Bldg., Harrisburg, PA 17120-2005Phone: (717) 772-9940 Fax: (717) 772-7099

Millions of DollarsReturn to District

The following local governmentshave received financial assistancefrom the Pennsylvania InfrastructureInvestment Authority (PennVEST) forcommunity infrastructure projects. Linesville Pine Joint Municipal

Authority, $10.6 million. The fund-ing consists of a $4,796,459 grantand a $5,886,241 low-interest loan.The funding will be used to constructa 480,000 gallon-per-day water treat-ment plant, four new pump stations,replacement of an existing pumpstation, installation of 71,000 feet ofnew sewer lines and repairs to ap-proximately 6,400 feet of sewers. Italso received a $5 million H2O PAgrant in 2009. Albion Borough, $3.9 million,in a low-interest loan to increasecapacity at its wastewater treatmentplant. Sadsbury Township, $98,000,to rehabilitate a portion of FoustRoad.

The financing awarded to thesemunicipalities will allow them to con-tinue their work to upgrade our localinfrastructure without substantiallyadding to customers and taxpay-ers bills.

State Job InfoAvailable Online

Residents applying for non-civilservice state jobs must now do soelectronically as paper applicationsare being phased out.

The job applications are avail-able at www.employment.pa.go

v.If youre interested in civil service

jobs, continue to apply atwww.scsc.

state.pa.us.If you do not have Internet ac-

cess, you can find computers at mostpublic libraries and PA CareerLinksites. Call 866-858-2753 to locatethe closest PA CareerLink site.

Evans Proposal to Further Protect ServiceDogs Passes House Committee

Legislation I have authored to place criminal and civil penalties on own-ers who willfully allow their animals to kill or maim a service or guide dog wasreported out of the House Judiciary Committee this session.

This legislation has been in development for the past few years and wasthe focus of a public hearing in Erie County in 2008. Service dogs, that areenormously valuable in enhancing the quality of life for individuals with a varietyof disabilities, require a tremendous investment in time, training and money. Fora dog owner to recklessly allow a pet of their own to maliciously kill or injure aservice dog is irresponsible and should carry criminal and civil penalties.

House Bill 123 would impose criminal and civil penalties on individualswho own or co-own a dog that kills, maims or disfigures the guide dog of anindividual who is blind, a hearing dog of an individual who is deaf or audiblyimpaired or a service dog of an individual who is physically limited.

My intent is not to target responsible pet owners but to punish those dogowners who allow vicious animals to run loose. Because service dogs aretrained not to fight back, this bill is specifically designed for those owners whoact recklessly and maliciously injure or kill a service dog. There needs to beserious repercussions for the misguided actions of irresponsible pet owners.

If found to be in violation, the offender would face a first-degree misde-meanor and face a fine up to $1,000 and/or jail time of up to two years. Inaddition to any other fine or penalty, a person convicted under this new lawwould be required to make reparations for veterinary costs in treating the guide,hearing or service dog and, if necessary, the cost of a replacement dog.

The legislation now heads to the House floor for consideration by all Housemembers.

Property Tax/Rent Rebate ApplicationsNow Available for 2009

Applications for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program are now available.This program allows senior citizens and other eligible individuals to receive arebate which is based on property taxes or rent paid during 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 withpermanent disabilities.

Eligibility income limits for homeowners are set at the following levels,excluding 50 percent of Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, andRailroad 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)

Residents are reminded to provide all the necessary income, property taxor rental information required to process claims quickly and accurately. Ap-plications are due by June 30 and checks will be dispersed after July 1.

Property Tax/Rent Rebate claim forms are available by contacting mydistrict offices or log on to my Web site at RepEvans.com.
http://www.employment.pa.gov/http://www.employment.pa.gov/http://www.employment.pa.gov/http://www.scsc.state.pa.us/http://www.scsc.state.pa.us/http://www.scsc.state.pa.us/http://www.scsc.state.pa.us/http://www.scsc.state.pa.us/http://www.repevans.com/http://www.repevans.com/http://www.repevans.com/http://www.scsc.state.pa.us/http://www.scsc.state.pa.us/http://www.employment.pa.gov/

Documents

Evans February 2010