Rep. Vulakovich March 2010

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Dear Friends:On Jan. 1, 2010, I began the second year of my second

term as your state representative for the 30th District.During the past three years, I have learned a great dealabout how things work in Harrisburg. I have acquired agood sense of what is wrong and what needs to be doneto fix the broken and dysfunctional institution called theGeneral Assembly.

The good news is there are others who feel the sameway, and there is a common agreement about many of therequired remedies to reform Harrisburg. The disappointingnews is there are still not enough for a majority to controlthe legislative process to put the necessary reforms into law.The recent filing of criminal charges against current andformer state legislators and staff is increasing the realizationamong members that the residents of Pennsylvaniawill no longer tolerate business as usual inHarrisburg.

In 2006, I sought this office in an attempt to reform

government, promote fiscal responsibility, and serve youhonorably. That was my promise to you then, and that ismy promise to you now. I will not be satisfied until every appropriate and necessary reform becomes law.I will not be satisfied until every state legislator has informative access and knowledge of each and everyline item in the budget. We must question whether these designated dollars are being spent appropriatelyand efficiently. I will not be satisfied until we completely reform the rules of procedure on the House floorfor debating and voting on legislation.

The 101-day late passage of the 2009-10 budget, the passage of a table games bill and a so-calledgaming reform bill are perfect examples of how government should not work. TheCommonwealths behavior was shameful! I will not give up! I will continue to work to builda consensus among my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to make the necessary reforms that willreaffirm our commitment to respect our residents, serve our constituents and protect

our taxpayers. Anything less is insulting those who gave us their trust to serve them honorably inHarrisburg. We can do better, and I look to you for your thoughts and suggestions to accomplish thesegoals.

Yours in service,

Randy Vulakovich

State Representative

Winter 2010

REPRESENTAT IVE

RANDYVULAKOVICH30th Legislative District

How My OfficeCan Help You

PACE/PACENET

applications

Property Tax/Rent

Rebate forms

Copies and status

reports of legislation

before the General

Assembly

Voter registration

forms and absentee

ballot applications

Birth and death

certificates

State tax forms

Referrals to agenciesto resolve state-

related problems

Driver licenses

and registrations

Vulakovich Continues Drive To Achieve Reform, Change Business As Usual

Rep. Vulakovich takes a look at the

train display at last years Holiday Open

House, a major feature of the annual

event. The Holiday Open House is open

to District 30 residents for them to spend

time meeting with Rep. Vulakovich

and staff and to get an update on the

assistance his office can provide to

constituents.

Visit RepVulakovich.com


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Vulakovich Fights for Individual Rights and Freedom to Make

Health Care Choices

While the debate over health care reform rages on in Washington D.C., I have supported a number of legislative initiativesthat would protect an individuals right to maintain control over his or her own health care decisions. Government intrusion isnot the answer to health care reform, and that is why I have co-sponsored House Bill 2053, the Health Care FreedomAct, which would protect the rights of Pennsylvanians to purchase their own private health care insurance. The bill would alsodefend citizens from incurring any penalties or punishments the federal government may try to enforce if they do not comply

with a government-run health care plan. Similar legislation, House Bill 2179, would amend the Pennsylvania Constitution toguarantee an individuals right to make his or her own health care choices.

As a member of the House Republican Health Care Task Force, I have also championed efforts to keep health care affordableand accessible. One of those efforts is embodied in House Bill 1626, which invests $25 million for the expansion of FederallyQualified Health Centers, hospital-based clinics, and other such centers to increase access to primary and prenatal care. I willsoon be introducing legislation to offer a $1,000 tax credit for individuals to purchase their own private insurance if theiremployer does not offer health benefits. Increasing access to care is the goal ofHouse Bill 266, another measure I support togive more adults access to Pennsylvanias adultBasic insurance program while also reducing the cost of care by decreasing thenumber of emergency room visits.

House Resolution 132 is a measure I have introduced to direct the Bipartisan Management Committee to establisha process whereby all 203 House members and employees can begin contributing toward their health care benefits, just likethousands of working Pennsylvanians. I have been voluntarily contributing a percentage of my monthly salary to pay for healthinsurance since taking office.

For the latest House Republican Task Force updates, visit RepVulakovich.com.

In January, Rep. Vulakovich joined several of

his House Republican colleagues in attending

a Health Care Freedom Rally in Harrisburg

to promote legislation aimed at preserving

individual rights and freedoms to make personal

health care choices. Here, the group watches

Pennsylvania Congressman Joe Pitts speak

out in support of House Republican efforts

to address concerns with implementing a

government-run health care program.

Gaming Reforms Needed To Clean Up Troubled Industry

Even though the Legislature voted earlier this year on table games legislation as the final element of the 2009-10 budgetpackage, I did not support the measure. I voted against Senate Bill 711 because I feel reform is necessary in the gamingindustry before ushering in expansion. Another point of concern is the fact that the revenue generated from table games will not be

going to offset the property tax burden faced by thousands of Pennsylvanians. When the original slots law was passed in 2004, thepromise of property tax relief came attached. But, as of today, Pennsylvanians have yet to see that promised relief.

As a member of the House Gaming Oversight Committee, I remain committed to advocating reform first and protectingtaxpayers. Recently, I have worked with House Republican Whip Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) to introduce legislation that wouldtransfer all law enforcement authority from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board to the attorney generals gambling unit or thePennsylvania State Police. This reform is essential to ensure the proper checks and safeguards are in place, helping to bringaccountability to an industry that has been riddled with problems and loopholes for far too long.

It remains one of my highest priorities to continue the fight for reform in Pennsylvanias gaming industry. I remain committed toseeing a strong law enforcement presence in place to help restore integrity and public trust.

Stay in touch with Representative Vul


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2009-10 Reform PrioritiesLegislature Reduction and Budgetary and Fiscal Reform

House Bill 55: Increases accountability, credibility and dramatic taxpayer savings. These are justsome of the many reasons that this legislation to substantially downsize the Pennsylvania General Assembly,

Americas second largest and second most expensive state Legislature, must be enacted.

House Bill 1554: Creates a part-time Legislature, limits legislative session time in Harrisburg andprovides for a biennial state budget process.

House Bill 113: Prohibits state lawmakers from receiving annual Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA)unless state revenue projections are met as ofOctober 1 for this year.

House Bill 2111: Establishes the Appropriations Accountability Act that requires any project orprogram included in the budget to be clearly enumerated and publicly disclosed and detailed. This billaddresses the issue ofearmarks.

House Bill 1059:Eliminates Discretionary Legislative Grants (formerly known as WAMs orWalkingAround Money) topotentially save$250 million to $600 million.

House Bill 2056: Ensures an approved and balanced budget prior to the beginning of each new fiscal year.Establishes specific deadline dates throughout the budget process and prescribes penalties forfailing to meet those deadlines.

House Bill 1629: Stipulates the forfeiture of salaries of executive-level officials and members of theGeneral Assembly from July 1 until the date a budget is enacted.

Continued on page 4...

State Budget Update

kovich by visiting RepVulakovich.com

After a long and inexcusable budget impasse last year, thespending plan for 2009-10 was finally adopted in October. Ivoted against this budget because of its excessive spending.Pennsylvaniasbudget deficit was $3.25 billion last year.In order to plug the deficit, we used $2.62 billion in federal stimulus

money. In addition,the entire $755million RainyDay Fund wase x h a u s t e d ,the Heal th CareProvider Retention Account (HCPRA)was raided of $708mi l l ion, a l lowingfor a $1.66 billionunfunded liability inthe MCARE Fund.P e n n s y l v a n i a sdoctors, who pay intothe MCARE fund, arenow leaving the stateat an alarming rate,and new physiciansd o n o t w a n t t opractice in a state that charges them one of the highest liability

insurance premiums in the nation. Instead of irresponsibly usingthese funds, we should have passed a budget that setresponsible spending priorities and wisely usedrecurring revenue sources.

This years budget includes many of the same challenges wefaced last year. Only seven months into the current fiscal year,Pennsylvania is already $374 million short of the statesofficial revenue estimate. It is projected that the deficit willgrow to$525 million by years end. It is clear that the economy

is still struggling,as businesses arest i l l cutt ing their workforces, wagesare stagnate andu n e m p l o y m e n tfigures are still near10 percent, withPennsylvanias ratehang ing a t 8 .9percent. We needto pass a budget thisyear that controlsspending anddoes not raiset a x e s . T h eg o v e r n o r h a sproposed expandingthe state sales taxfor this budget, and I

see no need to burden Pennsylvanians with more

taxes, especially when we can reduce spending. Furthermore,there is no excuse for passing a late budget. This years spendingplan must be adopted by June 30. There is no tolerancefor inaction and stalling.


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STATE REPRESENTATIVE RANDY VULAKOVICHDISTRICT OFFICE: 1407 Mt. Royal Blvd., Glenshaw, PA 15116 / Phone: (412) 487-6600 / Fax: (412) 487-6607

HARRISBURG OFFICE: 08 Irvis Office Building, PO Box 202030, Harrisburg, PA 17120-2030 / Phone: (717) 260-6407 / Fax: (717) 783-5740

Visit RepVulakovich.com

House Bill 580: Creates a bipartisan Speakers Commission on Budgetary Reform to addressprocesses and procedures of the annual budget processand make recommendations forappropriate corresponding legislation.

House Bill 1100: Establishes the Tax and Expenditure Limitation Act, which would constitutionally limitstate government spending to the concurrent rate of inflation and population growth.

House Bill 1061:Changes pension system forlegislators only from defined benefits to adefined- contribution system.

Election, Ethics and Open Records Reform

House Bill 166: Establishes a maximum ofthree consecutive four-year terms for both staterepresentatives and senators to serve in any one office.

House Bill 1368:Prohibits any Commonwealth agency from paying a bonus to any of itsemployees.

House Bill 289: Limits when and to what extent tax dollars can be used to defend employees and

legislators in the event of legal and civil proceedings and provides a mechanism for the state to recoupany monies deemed appropriate.

Pay - to - Play Politics, Lobbying and State Contracting Reform

House Bill 1383:Requires a cost-benefit analysis to be completed on all state governmentcontracts exceeding $500,000 before being awarded.

House Bill 1880:Establishes the PennGAP searchable online database to allow taxpayers to accuratelymonitor all state government spending, including vendor information and state governmentcontracts.

House Bill 2167, House Bill 2168, House Bill 2169 and House Bill 2170: These bills would makechanges in the Procurement Code that are needed to help restore integrity of state governmentagainst contract abuses motivated by paybacks forpolitical contributions.

Continued from page 3...

State Property Tax/Rent Rebate Forms Now Available

Forms for Pennsylvanias 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 2008. The program benefitseligible Pennsylvanians who are 65 years or older, widows and widowers 50 years or older, and those 18 years or older withdisabilities.

Eligibility income limits for homeowners are set at the following levels, excluding 50 percent ofSocial 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 olderPennsylvanians. Since the program began in 1971, more than $4 billion has been paid toqualified applicants.

Residents are reminded to provide all the necessary income, property tax or rental informationrequired to process claims quickly and accurately.

Property Tax/Rent Rebate claim forms are available by contacting my office at412-487-6600.


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Holiday Open House

Friday, Dec. 10noon to 6 p.m.

1407 Mt. Royal Blvd.Glenshaw, PA 15116

Please visiBlvd. in Shalerlearn about theand see the trai

cookies.Please contact Melissa Farabaugh

district office at 412-487-6600e p u a o v

other community even s. e ope o see you soon

Community Events

For further information, please contact Melissa Farabaugh at (412) 487-6600.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE RANDY VULAKOVICHDISTRICT OFFICE: 1407 Mt. Royal Blvd., Glenshaw, PA 15116 / Phone: (412) 487-6600 / Fax: (412) 487-6607

HARRISBURG OFFICE: 08 Irvis Office Building, PO Box 202030, Harrisburg, PA 17120-2030 / Phone: (717) 260-6407 / Fax: (717) 783-5740

Visit Re V lako ich com

Seniors for Safe Driving Program

Wednesday, Sept. 22, andThursday, Sept. 2310 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Shaler Township Municipal Building300 Wetzel Road

Glenshaw, PA 15116District 30 residents ages 55 and older who

are looking for an affordable refresher course offer-ing updates on new driving laws, valuable pointerson how to react in driving emergencies, helpfultechniques to improve night driving and a money-saving auto insurance discount are encouragedto participate in my upcoming Seniors for SafeDriving Program. Classes fill up quickly, so dontdelay. Contact Seniors for Safe Driving

at 1-800-559-4880 orwww.sfsd- a.comto register. Class tuition is due prior to class date.You MUST attend both days in orderto be eligible to receive the discounton your auto insurance.

4th Annual Senior Expo

Friday, Oct. 229 a.m. to noon

Glenshaw PresbyterianChurch

300 Glenn Ave.Glenshaw, PA 15116

Come out for this FREE op-ortunity for senior citizens age 55

and older and their families to meetwith and obtain information fromepresentatives of local, state, federal

and nonprofit organizations who cananswer questions on a variety of top-cs affecting senior citizens. Everyeffort will be made to provide a limitedumber of FREE Flu Vaccinations

to senior citizens age 65 and olderwho reside in the 30th Legislative

istrict. Free refreshments,parking and prizes will beprovided.

4th AnnualDisability

Resource Expo

Friday, Oct. 8

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

BethlehemLutheran Church

1719 Mt. Royal Blvd.Glenshaw, PA 15116

Join us for this FREE opportunity for individualswith disabilities, their families and caregivers to meet

with and obtain information from representatives oflocal, state, federal and nonprofit organizations whoan answer questions on a variety of topics affect-

ing those with a wide range of disabilities. This is avaluable resource to individuals with disabilities andtheir families. Please note that this event isopen to residents of the 30th LegislativeDistrict, as well as surrounding communi-ties. Refreshments and prizes will be available.

Documents

Rep. Vulakovich March 2010