State
PETRI
Representative
Scott
178th Legislative District
Dear Neighbors,
At long last, Pennsylvania finally has a state
budget. This budget took far too long to settle
– going more than 100 days beyond the state-
mandated deadline of June 30.
Typically, the process of negotiating a state
budget involves research, analysis, negotiation
and compromise, and can begin as soon as the
governor gives his budget address in February.
As a member of the Appropriations Committee,
I can tell you how difficult this year has been. We
held hearings in March and April regarding every
department. This year, the budget process could
not begin in earnest until June because of rapidly
changing economic circumstances.
In light of the fact that our prior fiscal year
ended with a $3.2 billion budget deficit, I was
determined to rein-in spending. I supported a
budget that cut spending below the previous
year’s level yet preserved funding for essential
government services. I also rejected attempts to
impose major increases in the Personal Income
Tax (PIT) and sales tax, which I believe would
have had a detrimental effect given the current
economic climate. In my opinion, the budget that
was ultimately presented for a vote spends too
much money and allocates funds in ways I do not
support. Therefore, I voted against it.
Just as many of you spend only the money
available to you and budget accordingly, I
Welfare Reform Sorely Needed
State Auditor General Jack Wagner recently
released a report on fraud and inefficiencies
within the Pennsylvania Department of Public
Welfare (DPW), and state Attorney General
Tom Corbett has charged DPW employees and
others in multiple cases of welfare fraud.
Welfare spending accounts for more than
one-third of the entire state budget. DPW
is responsible for administering programs
and funding for our state’s most vulnerable
citizens, including children, the elderly and
disabled citizens. These precious dollars
must be guarded so that monies go to
qualified recipients. Welfare fraud drains these
resources.
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believe the state must do the same by making
sure that the budget is balanced and in place
by June 30 each year. There is absolutely no
excuse for delays, and vital services should not
be subject to a line-item veto in order to pressure
the Legislature to pass a budget. Many items
that were not in dispute, such as child care and
textbooks for non-public schools were previously
vetoed.
I did not vote for the budget because it does not
appropriately account for the current economic
situation. The $27.8 billion plan overspends,
drains critical state reserve accounts, burdens
Pennsylvanians with $500 million in new or
increased taxes, and relies too heavily on
stimulus funding and one-time revenue. The
fiscal year 2009-2010 budget puts both state
government and taxpayers in a vulnerable
position because state revenues continue to
fall short.
State reserve accounts that were depleted
include the Rainy Day Fund, $755 million; the
Health Care Provider Retention Account, $808
million; and the Tobacco Endowment Account,
$150 million. The Rainy Day Fund was developed
to help keep the Commonwealth’s General Fund
budget in balance and avoid tax increases.
Draining the Rainy Day Fund leaves the state
without a safety net going into the 2010-2011
fiscal year.
Additional budgetary dilemmas loom in the
Wagner has so far uncovered more than
$600 million in losses to fraud, and earlier
this year, 12 people, including nine DPW
employees, were arrested on charges they
stole $500,000 from the Low Income Home
Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which
provides heating assistance to low-income
people. Few safeguards presently exist to
protect the state and taxpayers from these
abuses. I believe that significant savings may
be achieved by closing loopholes to ensure the
integrity of the welfare system. I support efforts
to verify the identity and eligibility of those who
receive public assistance and other measures
to ensure that state money is going to those
for whom it is intended.
Fall 2009
near future, such as substantial increases in
pension contribution rates. Also, the $2.6 billion
in federal stimulus relied upon so heavily in
the current budget will not be available. State
revenues through October were already $160.2
million below projections for the year. Monitoring
our state revenues and expenditures on a
monthly basis will be important.
I will actively support new regulations to
avoid future budget impasses. I will also work
to address our state’s looming fiscal obstacles
before they become crises. While times are
challenging, opportunities to help our neighbors
and our communities are more available than
ever. Our success will be measured by how we,
as a community, address our local challenges.
During the summer, I held six town hall meetings
to discuss the budget and our communities’
priorities. I heard from many of you during the
budget process and appreciate your thoughts
and concerns. You will surely see the results of
spending cuts, and there will be pain. However,
I am hopeful that by being careful with your
hard-earned money, we will weather the current
economic storm and not reach deeper into your
pockets.
Scott A. Petri
State Representative
178th Legislative District
One measure would empower county
assistance offices to report cases of suspected
fraud directly to the Office of Inspector General.
This would give personnel, who are local and
have direct contact with welfare recipients, the
opportunity to report applicants who provide
false information to receive public assistance
benefits such as Medical Assistance, cash
assistance or food stamps.
Commonsense measures are necessary
to protect your tax dollars and to enable us
to continue to serve those who are truly in
need.
 State Budget Took Too Long, Costs Too Much
The $27.8 billion state budget was finally
approved and signed by the governor on Oct.
9, a full 101 days beyond the state mandated
June 30 deadline. I voted against passage
of the budget as proposed because I believe
it spends too much, taxes too much, and
leaves Pennsylvania vulnerable next year
and for the foreseeable future.
The budget relies too heavily on federal
stimulus funding and other one-time revenue
to pay for new or expanded programs for
which there will be little or no money in future
years. Of the $27.8 billion being spent in
this budget year, $2.6 billion will come from
federal stimulus dollars. While we can be
thankful the funding was available to provide
jobs and infrastructure improvements, it
should not be used to grow government. In
fact, it would seem sensible in this economic
climate that we gradually reduce the reliance
on government funding.
Pennsylvania revenues for the new fiscal
year are already more than $160 million
short of projections. To make matters worse,
the state budget drained critical reserve
funds that will leave the state and taxpayers
vulnerable going into yet another shaky
budget year in 2010-11.
The Rainy Day Fund was established
as a reserve fund to help cover the cost of
government in lean years. Thanks to some
strong economic times, the fund stood at
$755 million, but that amount was depleted
with this year’s budget. There will be no
reserves next year when revenues are
projected to be flat.
Another fund that was drained in this
year’s budget was the Health Care Providers
Retention Account. This account was
established in 2003 to retain doctors in
Pennsylvania. By imposing a 25 cent tax
per pack of cigarettes, the fund raised
$708 million to defray the cost of medical
malpractice insurance for Pennsylvania
physicians, particularly those in high-risk
specialties. This year’s budget eliminates
Traffic
Congestion
Being Addressed
My office has been working with local
officials, and the Bucks County Planning
Commission to address long existing
bottlenecks in Holland. We recently met
with officials in Ivyland Borough, and
Northampton and Warminster townships to
discuss concerns at Bristol and Jacksonville
Roads. No solutions come easy, but
working together we can accomplish
much.
this safety net and diverts the cigarette tax
directly into the state’s General Fund to help
cover the cost of state government. For
the first time, this budget also dips into the
principal contained in the tobacco settlement
fund, claiming $150 million this year and
$250 million more next year.
The Medical Care Availability of Error
Fund (MCARE), which replaced the Medical
Professional Liability Catastrophe Loss
(CAT) Fund, was established in 2002
to ensure reasonable compensation for
people injured due to medical negligence.
Pennsylvania physicians are required to
carry medical malpractice insurance. The
MCARE fund was set up to cover damage
awards that exceed primary insurance
limits. This year’s budget claimed $100
million from the MCARE fund. We should
not be taking money paid into the fund by
doctors to balance our state budget. It is my
understanding that the state’s use of the
funds may be legally contested by doctors
and hospitals. If they are successful and win
their suit, the state will have a large hole in
its budget.
TAXES
I was successful in preventing hikes in
the Personal Income Tax, and a tax on
small games of chance that would have
had a devastating impact on volunteer fire
companies, fraternal organizations and
veterans groups. This budget contains $500
million in new taxes.
By delaying the phase out of the Capital
Stock and Franchise tax, Pennsylvania
businesses that pay the tax will pay an
extra $374 million this year. The budget also
imposes an additional 25 cents per pack tax
on cigarettes and a new tax of $1.60 per pack
on little cigars for an estimated $117 million
in new revenue.
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EDUCATION
While public libraries suffered a $15 million
hit and the Educational Improvement Tax
Credit (EITC) program was cut significantly
to help balance the budget, the state’s 500
school districts were some of the biggest
winners this year. The school districts
will receive an additional $300 million in
education funding, spread across all districts
statewide. The Philadelphia School District
will receive $200 million more. In the 178th
Legislative District, the following increases
will occur in 2009-10:
School District 2009-10 Increase
Centennial $1.95M 13.5%
Central Bucks $3.5 M 15.6%
Council Rock $2.7 M 14%
Funding for special education, Pre-K
Counts, Head Start and an elementary
science program were held to last year’s
state funding levels. However, federal
stimulus money, which will run out after
next year, provided a much-needed boost
to basic and special education in this year’s
budget.
Funding for Penn State, Pitt, Temple,
Lincoln and other so-called non-preferred
institutions is being held up while discussions
continue regarding the legalization of table
games in Pennsylvania. Disagreements
center on acceptable license fees and tax
rates for casino operators. College funding
needs to be resolved.
Other funding cut from this year’s budget
includes $15 million from libraries, $21
million from the State System of Higher
Education, $33 million from health care-
related funding, $58 million in environmental
expenditures, and the Legislature’s own
budget was slashed by $17 million.
 Action Needed to Ensure Children Are Not
Hostage to Future Budget Negotiations
Department of Education refused to order books for non-public schools during budget impasse.

In September, upon learning that Pennsylvania Secretary of Education Gerald Zahorchak failed to process textbook orders for non-
public school children until a state budget was passed, I joined with my Republican House and Senate colleagues in Bucks County in
urging the secretary to do so.
About 275,000 non-public school children across the Commonwealth did not have textbooks when the school year began and some
are still waiting today.
In a letter from the secretary, Zahorchak said the state budget impasse
prevented him from processing the book orders. However, I believe the
needs of our children, particularly when it comes to education, cannot be
sacrificed while legislative leaders quibble over the details of a state budget
that was months overdue.
In subsequent communications, I asked the education secretary to detail
what steps he would take to ensure that non-public school children receive
their textbooks should the state experience another protracted budget battle
in the future.
Specifically, I asked,
“What steps is the Department of Education taking to remedy this
problem so that teachers and students attending non-public schools
across Pennsylvania are not without textbooks for several months? We
would like to hear your suggestions for new regulations or legislation
to eliminate this most unfortunate circumstance.”
Legislation that would prevent another state budget impasse, like the one
we experienced this year, is being drafted. One proposal would continue
the prior year’s budget into the new fiscal year should the governor and
legislative leaders fail to agree on a new budget by June 30 -- the official
end of the fiscal year.
While not a perfect solution, this would have solved the problem that kept
textbooks out of the hands of 275,000 Pennsylvania school children.

I am pleased to report
I-80 that negotiations with the
Pennsylvania Department

Tolling of Transportation
over safety concerns
along Maple Ave. in
Issue Alive Southampton Township
have improved driver and
pedestrian safety in the
Again area.
Maple Ave. has been
repaved, the posted speed
T h e P e n n s y l v a n i a Tu r n p i k e limit has been lowered
Commission and the Pennsylvania to 30 miles per hour, a
four-way stop has been
Department of Transportation placed at the intersection
(PennDOT) have submitted an of Maple Ave. and Harding
application to the U.S. Department Road.
In addition, crosswalks
of Transportation, seeking to convert have been added at
Interstate 80 to a toll road. the intersections of
Federal approval is needed to toll Maple Ave. and Harding
I-80. An application filed last year was Road, and at Maple and
Hogeland Aves.
deemed by the feds to be deficient. The Many thanks to the
Rendell administration has plans to township supervisors
use the proceeds from tolls authorized and residents for making
sure these long overdue
under Act 44 of 2007 for highway and improvements were
infrastructure improvements. made by PennDOT.

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 Progress Being Made at
Washington Crossing Historic Park
As many of you are likely already aware, funding for PA Historic Museum Commission (PHMC) has been significantly cut for three years in a
row. This affects Washington Crossing Historic Park. Despite these cuts, the park has taken a number of steps in a positive direction.
At the Oct. meeting of the Upper Makefield Township Board of Supervisors, the preliminary plans for the renovation and expansion of the
Washington Crossing Visitor Center were unanimously approved. The supervisors also agreed to allow the PHMC to forgo a number of local
requirements that will help cut some of the project’s soft costs; specifically, an escrow account that the state would normally be required to
set aside to ensure that the township engineers and lawyers receive their pay, has been waived. A reimbursement agreement has been put in
place. The township has the ability to stop construction
should the township engineers and solicitors not be
paid on time. The state will not be required to survey
and certify the flood plain at Washington Crossing;
county and federal flood maps will be relied upon
instead.
I am also proud to share with you that the park
has hosted two volunteer clean up events that were
extremely productive. The events took place on
Aug. 22 and Sept. 27, and despite bad weather,
both days resulted in hundreds of donated man-
hours. Everything from clearing downed trees and
brush along the river banks, trimming and clean-up
around the visitor center, and cleaning gutters was
accomplished.
Given the success of the two events, we are looking
forward to having more community cleanup days at
the park, probably in the spring. For the park to thrive
in the future, increased community involvement will be
necessary and I am happily looking forward to working
with everyone to meet that challenge.

 Awards & Citations

I had the pleasure of presenting citations
on behalf of the Pennsylvania House
of Representatives to the following
organizations, groups and individuals
in honor of their distinguished service,
exemplary actions and special recognition
since my last newsletter.
Service Awards & Recognition
The following were recipients of the
2009 Burpee Emergency Services Award,
of the Year, Montgomery County; Michael
Smedley, recipient of a National Twin-Vision
Award from the Pennsylvania Advisory
Committee for the Blind and the state Bureau
of Blindness and Visual Services, and Mary
Fox Donnelly, Kick Out Kidney Disease
award from National Kidney Foundation.
Council Rock School District, recipient
of the 2009 Energy Star Partner of the Year

from the U.S. Environmental Protection

Anniversaries
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Richmond, Mr.

and Mrs. Robert Solly, and Mr. and Mrs.
Lawrence Reynolds were honored in
celebration of 50 years of marriage. Mr. and
Mrs. Walter Castro were honored for 60
years of marriage.
Bethanna conference center and Bible
camp celebrates its 75th anniversary.
Francis M. Gorski, 50 years of


presented by the Central Bucks Chamber of
Commerce: Francis Gorski of Lingohocken
Fire Co., Kathy Card of Southampton Fire
Co. No. 1, and Walter Boyce of Ivyland
Fire Co.
John and Cynthia Rodgers, recipients
of the 2009 Real Heroes Award from the
American Red Cross, Lower Bucks County
Chapter; Joel Shpigel, R. Ph, recipient of
the Joseph X. Yaffe-Robert Johnson Smith
Civil Rights Award from the Montgomery
County Advisory Council; Gail Olivieri,
Agency. distinguished service to the Lingohocken
Fire Co.
Eagle Scouts
The following attained the rank of Eagle Retirements
Scout, the highest honor awarded by the Raymond E. Breuninger, honored on his
Boy Scouts of America: David Boodey,
Wrightstown; Peter Ciarlante, Newtown;
Patrick Smith, Holland; James McCarron V,
Richboro; Christopher Faust, Washington
Crossing; Sean MacGahan, Ivyland;
 retirement after 35 years with the Defense
Contract Manag ement Agency. David C.
Schultz, police chief, Upper Southampton
Township on his 45 years of service to the
department and the community, and Upper
Marty Leicht, Ivyland; Kevin Soboloski, Southampton Police Lt. David R. Johnson,
Ivyland; Timothy Jun-Nung Lee, Holland; 43 years of service
Alexander Ryan Schaffer, Holland; Shaun


Upper Southampton Township Citizen of
the Year by Inter-Service Club; Dr. Karen
Williams, honored by YWCA of Bucks
County, Women Who Make a Difference;
Lori Williams, Keystone STARS Teacher
Libou, Holland; David Dwyer, Richboro, Condolences
Ray Reinard III, Newtown, and William John E. Long, Jr., Charlotte Moran,
James Newman, Richboro. Peter F. Rice, Rose M. Shotts and Joseph
A. Fluehr.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT A. PETRI

DISTRICT OFFICE: The Weather Vane / 95 Almshouse Road, Suite 303 / Richboro, PA 18954 / Phone: (215) 364-3414 / Fax: (215) 364-8626
HARRISBURG OFFICE: B15 Main Capitol Building / PO Box 202178 / Harrisburg, PA 17120-2178 / Phone: (717) 787-9033 / Fax: (717) 705-1802
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