8/14/2019 Rep. Phillips May 2009

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STATEREPRESENTATIVE

Merle H. Phillips108th Legislative District

MerlePhillips.com

PRSRT STD

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

HARRISBURG, PA

PERMIT NO 529

Summer 2009

I recently had the honor of meeting with John Sigler, the National Rifle Association president. He and I,along with several hundred gun enthusiasts, attended a rally at the Capitol on April 21 to preserve andprotect the Second Amendment. We are both life members of the NRA and veterans. We also share thecommon belief that the Second Amendment is important and will work together to protect this right.

New Web SiteLaunched to Help

During Economic Crisis

Pennsylvania has a new onlineresource to help residents find thegovernment resources their familiesmay need during this economic cri-sis. Through the Internet Web siteHereToHelp.pa.gov, Pennsylva-nians can find information regardingemployment, family services, hous-ing, programs for senior citizens andeconomic development.

Through the employment sec-tion of the Web site, visitors canaccess the online unemploymentcompensation form, information onthe Childrens Health Insurance Pro-gram (CHIP) and Adult Basic healthinsurance, as well as job training andjob opportunities. The housing sec-tion includes beneficial informationregarding mortgage assistance andways to lower home heating bills.

Information about other pro-

grams available to Commonwealthresidents is available on my Web siteat MerlePhillips.com or by callingmy office at (570) 286-5885.

New Web Site, HotlineAvailable to Check Statusof Property Tax Rebates

Individuals who are seeking propertytax or rent relief via state-awarded Prop-erty Tax/Rent Rebates can now check thestatus of their applications online.

A new online resource, PAProperty-TaxRelief.com, is hosted by the Depart-ment of Revenue and allows applicants tocheck their rebate status as soon as sixweeks after submitting their application.

Applicants can also use an automatedphone service to check their rebate statusby calling, toll-free, 1-888-PATAXES.

Thruway Timeline

2009 Final design reactivated.2010 Final design activities to becompleted on the river bridge contract.Early 2011 Bid letting of the bridgecontract assuming construction fundinghas been identified by early 2010.Early 2012 Contract for earth workand the remaining eight bridges.

2013 Paving contract for the northernsection.

For more information on the CentralSusquehanna Valley Thruway,please visit www.csvt.com.

Dear Resident:Please take a moment to review this

newsletter. This will be the only districtwidenewsletter that I will be sending out this year. Iam doing this as another way to reduce costs.For up-to-date information on legislation, stategovernment programs, and other importantnews, please visit MerlePhillips.com.

As a leader in the General Assembly, Ihave helped to move forward our own reformsto reduce spending. Although we are in theminority, I have attempted to stay true to theprinciples of controlling spending and reducing

the size of government. While we did not alwayshave the votes, we cautioned about too largean increase in state spending and the comingshortfalls in revenue that we are now seeing fornext years budget.

Our caucus has worked to reduce our ownoperating costs. Since the 2004 budget, thecaucus appropriation has been cut by $11 mil-lion. This spending cut was achieved by: Continually cutting or eliminating externalcontacts and making better use of existingstaff.

Using cutting-edge technology to bettercommunicate with constituents. Streamlining various internal and externalprocedures. Conducting a staff salary study, along witha caucus staff and department reorganization,to better meet todays legislative needs. Auditing our policies and procedures.

As the budget process moves forward,please be assured of my effort to review areasof the state budget for program cuts. A need isthere to review programs that do not work or are

outdated. As a leader in the General Assembly,I have encouraged cost-cutting measures andam always looking for ways to become moreefficient at what we do.

I have included a clip-and-save card whichhas all of my office contact information. Pleasekeep this and feel free to contact me if youhave any comments or questions regarding theoperation of state government.

Sincerely,

8/14/2019 Rep. Phillips May 2009

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108th DISTRICT NEWSLETTER QUESTIONNAIREPlease return this questionnaire to my Harrisburg office at this address:

Rep. Merle Phillips, P.O. Box 202108, Harrisburg PA 17120-2108.The responses include space so that up to two people per household may respond.

1. Which two of the following issues do you believe should bethe top priorities for the State Legislature?

a) ____ ____ Holding down school property taxesb) ____ ____ Holding down the growth of

state spendingc) ____ ____ Controlling the cost of health care

and prescription drugsd) ____ ____ Reforming the state legislaturee) ____ ____ Solving the medical malpractice insurance

issue to keep doctors from leaving thestate

f) ____ ____ Bringing jobs and businesses to the stateg) ____ ____ Protecting the environment and

preserving open spaceh) ____ ____ Improving roads, bridges, and highwaysi) ____ ____ Improving education j) ____ ____ Increasing state funding for mass transit

2. Do you support allowing table gaming -- black jack (21)poker, roulette, etc. -- at currently licensed gaming facilities ifthe proceeds were used to reduce property taxes?

____ ____ Yes____ ____ No____ ____ No answer

3. Do you support legislation that would require welfare re-cipients to be residents of the Commonwealth for at least 180days, be subjected to illegal drug testing, and have their recordschecked to make sure they are not fraudulently receiving statefunds?

____ ____ Yes____ ____ No____ ____ No answer

4. What is the most pressing issue currently facing our Com-monwealth?

5. What is the most pressing issue currently facing the 108thLegislative District?

6. Gov. Ed Rendell would like to form a committee to study

the possibility of reducing the number of public school districtsin Pennsylvania from 500 to 100. Do you favor this plan?

____ ____ Yes____ ____ No____ ____ No answer

7. Do you have Internet access and how often do you useit?

____ ____ Yes, I check e-mail on a daily basis.____ ____ Yes, but I only check e-mail occasionally. ____ ____ Yes, I check e-mail frequently

and visit news-oriented Web sites.____ ____ No, I do not have Internet access.

If you answered yes above and would like to share your e-mailaddress to receive news and updates from Rep. Phillips, pleaselist your e-mail address below. Thank you.

_____________________________________________

State champion wrestler Jonathan Fausey was honored recentlyby the Pennsylvania House of Representatives on the House floorduring legislative session. He received a citation for his athleticachievement. Fausey, who wrestled at the 189-pound weight classat Line Mountain High School, was recently crowned state championin the 2008-09 PIAA State Class AA Individual Wrestling Tournament.During the presentation of the citation, recognition was also given toRay Fausey, his father, and Rays wife Shelley Herb, of Dalmatia,for all of their efforts, as well as his coaches: Michael Martz, JesseReed, and Joshua Phillips. Fausey is expected to continue hiswrestling career at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, wherehe plans to major in pre-med with a goal of becoming a physician ora physicians assistant.

State Representative

MERLE H. PHILLIPS108th District

DISTRICT OFFICE106 Arch Street

Sunbury, PA 17801Phone: (570)286-5885

Toll Free: 1-800-924-9060

Hours: Monday Friday, 9 AM 4:30PM

HARRISBURG OFFICEP.O. Box 202108

Harrisburg, PA 17120-2108Phone: (717) 787-3485

Were On The Web:MerlePhillips.com