rep. barrar jan. 09

8/14/2019 Rep. Barrar Jan. 09

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PRSRT STD

U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDHARRISBURG, PA

PERMIT NO. 529

Barrar to ConductEnergy Expo

Though gas prices have come down, overall, the price of energyis increasing. This will especially be true when the rate caps onelectricity expire, which analysts believe will cause a spike in homeelectric bills. That is why Sen. Dominic Pileggi (R-Chester/Delaware)and I are collaborating to bring you information on how your familyand business can reduce energy consumption and ultimately savemoney.

Thursday, Feb. 267 to 9 p.m.

The Aston Community Center

3270 Concord Rd.

Aston, PA

This event will be your opportunity to meet with energy experts

to discuss new technologies, such as smart meters, reducing peaktime usage, alternative energy options, and new methods of energygeneration that may be available in the future.

Additionally, representatives from the state will be on hand to talkabout the Keystone Home Energy Loan Program (HELP), which isa loan program that assists homeowners in improving the energyefficiency of their homes.

To learn more about this event, contact my office at (610) 485-7606 orvisit my Web site at SteveBarrar.com.

Dear Neighbor:The 2009-10 legislative session is sure to be a

challenging time for Pennsylvania. We are facing abudget crisis in the Commonwealth, and the entirenation has seen elevated unemployment as a result ofthe current economic recession. Though we are in themidst of a difficult era, I see opportunity.

America has faced adversity before, and we have

overcome many hardships. If we work hard, helpone another and exhibit our usual ingenuity, we willprevail and will be stronger than ever.

The same holds true for our great state. If ever therewas a time for bipartisan cooperation, it is now. As weconfront this crisis, there will be many difficult choicesto make, and we need to make the decisions that willmove us into a brighter future for this Commonwealth.

Pennsylvania has many unique resources anda diverse market. From agriculture to tourismto manufacturing, the Commonwealths dynamic

economy is a source of strength.That being said, there are some things thatwe cannot afford to compromise. There arerepercussions to tax increases, and our delicateeconomy cannot afford to further stifle growth byinhibiting the ability of families and businesses tomake their own spending decisions. Now is the timeto trim the state budget and encourage individualspending.

I look forward to representing your interests inthe Legislature, and to enhancing our community.As always, if you need help with any state matter,

my office is available to assist you. Additionally,if you have any questions regarding the content ofthis newsletter, please contact my office.

Sincerely

Stephen E. BarrarState Representative160th District


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w w w . S t e v e B a r r a r . c o m w w w . S t e v e B a r r a r . c o m

1. Have you personally been impacted by the nationalmortgage foreclosure crisis? Yes No

2. Have you personally been impacted by a job cut,layoff or down-sizing? Yes No

3. With Pennsylvania facing a budget shortfall expected toexceed $2 billion by the end of the fiscal year in June,what do you think the General Assembly should do toresolve the deficit? Ask for a federal assistance package Cut spending on programs

Raise the Personal Income Tax Expand gambling to include table games Other, please explain: _______________ ________

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

4. If Pennsylvania receives an economic stimulus packagefrom the federal government, how should we use it? Infrastructure improvements and shovel-ready

projects

Pennsylvanias Budget Outlook

R

Plugging budget shortfalls Creating jobs Other, please explain: _________________ ______

______________________________________________

______________________________________________5. Rate caps on electricity generation are set to expire for

PECO customers at the end of 2010. What have you doneto prepare for the possibility of higher electricity pricesthat are expected to result from this expiration?

______________________________________________

______________________________________________

______________________________________________6. What should be the top priority of the General Assembly in

2009? Please choose one.

Road and bridge repair Economic development and job creation Solving the health care crisis Improving education Investing in alternative energy Other, please explain: _______________________

______________________________________________

______________________________________________

Annual Legislative Survey

On, Jan. 6, Barrar met with Dan Ruggieri, the new police chiefof Aston Township, to present him with a Pennsylvania state flagthat had been flown over the Capitol. Pictured from left to rightare Jon Firlein; Chief Ruggieri; Barrar; Sgt. Gary Smith, AstonTownship Police Department; and Officer Tony Ruggieri, WestTown East Goshen Police Department.

In September, Barrar participated in the fun and festivitiesof Pocopson Townships Second Annual Founders Daycelebration.

Barrar to HeadTourism Committee

Having recently been named the Republicanchairman of the House Tourism and RecreationalDevelopment Committee, I am eager to investigatehow we can use the states second largest industry,tourism, to boost our economy.

As people tighten their belts and cut expenditures,such as lavish vacations, the Commonwealthhas the unique opportunity as a drive-throughdestination to capitalize on the many attractionswe have to offer. Families who may have planned tovisit the Florida theme parks or a Caribbean islandmay now consider Hershey Park or Valley Forge asan alternative.

Tourism brings almost $26 billion into the stateand provides almost 600,000 jobs, with more than$16 billion in payroll.

With our scenic natural wonders, numerous historicsites and world-class museums, Pennsylvania canbecome THE place to visit in 2009. From theBrandywine Battlefield to the Pocono Mountains,and from Lake Erie to the Andy Warhol Museumin Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania tourism is truly auniverse of opportunity.

Fighting for LoweringHealth Care Costs

For several years, I have been fighting for legislation that would lowerhealth care costs by limiting retroactive denial of reimbursements frominsurance companies to medical providers. I am renewing my charge thissession with the reintroduction of my bill that would limit retroactive reviewsto 12 months.

Current Pennsylvania law allows insurance companies several years toreview their reimbursement records. My legislation would place a 12-monthlimit on reviews, except in cases of fraud, coding errors and duplicate claims.The legislation would also allow providers six months to submit claims forreimbursement, if there is a denial due to coordination of benefits.

There has to be some cutoff as to how far back insurance companies canlook for retroactive review of claims. We need to have a balance betweeninsurance companies and health care providers.

Pennsylvanias doctors, dentists, chiropractors and optometrists wantto treat patients, and we should empower them to do so. Our currentsystem allows insurance companies to drown doctors in paperworkinstead of freeing their hands to heal people. We could make medicinemore affordable if we limited retroactive denials and allowed providers tofocus on treatment.

Last session, my legislation passed the House but was stalled in theSenate. I am hopeful that this will be the year it will become law.

For more information on my legislation, visit SteveBarrar.comor call (717)783-3038.

On Nov. 19, Rep. Barrar attended a budget hearingduring which the Rendell Administration addressed theCommonwealths economic concerns and the fiscalshortfalls. Barrar believes state officials must be pro-activeduring this economic recession to minimize the impact onPennsylvanias families and small businesses. He hasbeen asked to join the Republican Budget and EconomicPolicy Task Force because of his experience with the statebudget process.

On Feb. 4, Gov. Ed Rendell gave his annual budget addressto the General Assembly, and the numbers are staggering.Pennsylvania is facing a deficit approaching $3 billion forthe 2008-09 fiscal year. In total, when the shortfalls fromthe current budget are combined with the projections fornext year, we could see a deficitof more than $5 billion.

The governor proposed abudget containing $29 billion inspending, which is a $705 millionincrease over the current year.With revenue collections fallingshort of their projections forevery month so far during thisfiscal year, it is surprising that thegovernor actually wants to spendmore money next year.

Following is an analysis of thegovernors budget:

Taxes The proposal doesnot contain a plan to raise thePersonal Income Tax or the Salesand Use Tax for the general public.It does call for new taxes onnatural gas extraction from theMarcellus Shale and a tax onsmokeless tobacco. It also callsfor a 10-cent hike on every packof cigarettes. Finally, the governor wants to eliminate thediscount businesses receive for remitting their sales taxcollections before the deadline, which will effectively raisetaxes on Pennsylvanias job creators.

Education Rendell is calling for a study regardingthe consolidation of Pennsylvanias 501 school districts.When I consider the largest school district in the state, theSchool District of Philadelphia (SDP), I shudder to think ofthe impact this could have on education. SDP has some

of the lowest-performing schools and accounts for someof the most wasteful spending in the Commonwealth. Thegovernor says that his plan will lower property taxes, butcreating larger school districts will not necessarily lead tolower school taxes, as we can see by looking at some of the

large suburban school districts. Public Welfare As in

every other year, Rendell hasproposed increases in the welfarebudget for programs like MedicalAssistance and Cash Grants. Ifind it interesting that he saidrepeatedly in his address thatthis budget was about creating

jobs, but the one area of thewelfare budget he is cuttingis the Child Care Assistanceprogram, which allows singlemothers on welfare to work.

Gaming Rendell hassuggested that Pennsylvaniaallow video poker machinesin establishments with liquorlicenses to fund a tuition programfor college students. I haveproblems with this plan on manylevels, not the least of which isthe fact that this administration

has so badly bungled the implementation of slot machines.Rendells system is ripe with fraud, as illustrated by the LouisDeNaples scandal. Furthermore, when I voted to approveexpanded gaming, it was with the understanding that therevenue was to fund property tax relief. I could support sucha plan in the future, if it were used to help Pennsylvaniashomeowners, but not during this administration.

For more information on the state budget, visitSteveBarrar.com.

Because I value and rely on the opinions of those I represent, I am looking forward to reading your answers to thefollowing questions. Please return a copy of your completed survey to my office, or complete this survey electronicallyat SteveBarrar.com.

Volunteer Responders May

Be Eligible for Tax CreditIn July, the Volunteer Responder Retention and Recruitment

Tax Credit was signed into law, providing a $100 tax creditto fire department, rescue and emergency medical servicevolunteers who meet the programs criteria.

Eligibility is based on a points system, and points areearned for participation in activities such as certification,emergency response rate and attendance at organizational

meetings. A complete list of point-earning activities isavailable at osfc.state.pa.us.

The deadline to apply for the tax credit is April 15,2009. Applications are available in my district office, or atrevenue.state.pa.us.

Legislation has also been introduced in the House to makethis a permanent tax credit and to raise the credit amountto $500 per year by 2013.

Volunteer emergency service organizations save our localgovernments an immeasurable amount of money, and thistax credit is an investment into volunteer services, which arehaving great difficulty with recruitment and retention. Themen and women who selflessly volunteer as first respondersdeserve a tax credit for giving their time and risking theirpersonal safety for the protection of our communities.


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PROUD TO SERVE YOU IN THE 160TH LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT

Rep. Steve Barrar

www.SteveBarrar.com

DISTRICT OFFICE: Willowbrook Shopping Center / 3358 Chichester Avenue, Suite 1 / Boothwyn, PA 19061 / (610) 485-7606HARRISBURG OFFICE: Room 18 East Wing / PO Box 202160 / Harrisburg, PA 17120-2160 / (717) 783-3038 / Fax: 717-787-7604

Join Mefor My 4th Annual

Health andSafety Fair

Barrar poses with therepresentative from

PA Premise Alertduring a previousHealth and SafetyFair. PA Premise

Alert is a tool thatprovides emergencyresponders with vitalinformation duringemergencies, suchas any physica l d i s a b i l i t i e s o r conditions a residentmay have that couldimpact their response

to crises.

On Nov. 14, Barrar welcomed students from St. CorneliusElementary School in Delaware County to the state Capitol inHarrisburg.

FreeAdmission

Refreshments

Healt

h

Screen

ings

Saturday, March 2110 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Upper Chichester TownshipMunicipal Building8500 Furey Road

Boothwyn

If you are looking for a fun and free activity for your family,come out to the Health and Safety Fair I am co-sponsoring withthe Board of Upper Chichester Commissioners.

Not only is admission free, but there will also be freehealth screenings, such as cholesterol checks, diabetesscreenings and vision testing.

The Health and Safety Fair will also feature vendors fromstate and local government agencies, as well as non-profitand health organizations.

For more information, contact my local office at (610) 485-7606or visit my Web site at SteveBarrar.com.

I look forward to meeting you at the Health and SafetyFair!

My offices get a lot of questions on issues that youtoo may wonder about, but you have never asked.As a new feature of my newsletters, I am going to

include a common inquiry and provide you with theanswer. Please feel free to contact my office withyour questions for the Ask Steve section of mylast newsletter.

Question: How can I sign up for installment paymentsof school property taxes?

Answer: Special Session Act 1 of 2006 allowsinstallment payments and requires school boards toadopt a resolution authorizing installment paymentsof school property taxes by June 30, 2007. According

to the act, the installment schedule is to be no morefrequent than monthly and no less than three times priorto the date established by the county for the turnover ofdelinquent taxes. To find out how your school districthandles installment payments, contact them directly.

Ask Steve

Free Bike

Helmets

Barrar ConductingVeterans Benefits

and resourcesforum

If you are a veteran, the dependent of a veteran or a survivor,

the information available at my upcoming forum may help youlearn more about the benefits available to you.

Thursday, March 266:30 9 p.m.

Neumann College

1 Neumann Drive

Aston, PA

Ron Pennypacker from the Governors Veterans Outreach Center

will present information regarding benefits and services available toveterans through the state and federal government.As a Vietnam veteran, I know firsthand the sacrifice that

comes with military service, but also the glory and satisfactionthat is a part of serving your country. This event is my way ofhonoring those who have served and empowering veteranswith valuable information.

For more details on the forum, contact my office at (610)485-7606 or visit SteveBarrar.com.

rep. barrar jan. 09

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