STATE REPRESENTATIVE PRSRT STD
U.S. POSTAGE
Frank A. Farry PAID
HARRISBURG, PA
PERMIT NO 529
142nd Legislative District
[Link]
December 2009
Dear Neighbor: State Budget Impasse
Now that the first half of the legislative Highlights Need for Reform
session is behind us, I want to take a mo- For the seventh year in a row, Pennsylvania began the new fiscal year without a budget
ment to thank you all again for the privilege in place. This year, the new budget was not approved until early October, more than four
of representing you and to update you on months after the legally mandated deadline.
legislative developments in Harrisburg and The budget plan offered by the governor and House Democrats would have imposed
my work on your behalf here in the 142nd $9.7 million in additional taxes on residents in the Neshaminy School District but the district
Legislative District. would have received only $650,000 back. In addition, their plan would have reduced funding
Perhaps the biggest issue we dealt with for important local services, like public libraries. I fought hard against those proposed cuts
this year was the state budget which was because in these tough economic times, access to public libraries is more important than
not passed until October – more than three ever as people search for employment opportunities and seek to further educations.
months past the legally mandated deadline. I firmly believe that state government must live within its means and that we cannot
In this newsletter I will discuss my reasons continue to raise taxes on Pennsylvania families. The final budget approved by the Leg-
for opposing the final budget and legislative islature failed both of those tests. It spends too much, and to pay for all that spending, it
efforts to fix the budget process so the kind requires a $1 billion tax increase. So, while I understand the need to pass a budget so state
of impasse we saw this year never happens government can continue to function, I could not, in good conscience, support this plan.
again. In addition, this newsletter contains im- Throughout this year’s budget negotiations, I heard from many people who were
portant information on legislation to eliminate frustrated that the process was taking so long. Many of the calls and e-mails I received
waste, fraud and abuse at the Department of were from Pennsylvanians who rely on services funded by the state budget including
Public Welfare and efforts to change the way state colleges and universities, public schools, and county social services. I share their
state government operates and restore Penn- frustration and I believe something must be done to ensure that an impasse like the one
sylvanians’ faith in their elected officials. we saw this year never happens again.
As always, staff in my district office, lo- I have co-sponsored a number of legislative proposals to reform our budget process.
cated at 370 East Maple Avenue, Suite 102 Among them:
in Langhorne, are available to answer your • House Bill 2101 states that if there is a budget impasse beyond July 31, the previous
questions and help resolve your problems with year’s general appropriations act shall become law at a 20 percent reduction until
state government. The office is open from 9 supplemented by a new budget.
a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and can be reached • House Bill 1915 would establish the Emergency State Employee Salary Fund to
at (215) 752-6750. You can also reach me by ensure that state employees will continue to be paid in the event of a budget impasse.
e-mail at ffarry@[Link] or you can • House Bill 1460 would require the establishment of a searchable online
call the office set up an appointment. database detailing state revenue and expenditure information.
Also, be sure to visit my Web site at I am very interested in your thoughts on how we can improve the budget making pro-
[Link]. There, you will find useful cess. Please feel free to contact my district office or visit my Web site at [Link].
information about recent developments in the
Legislature as well as the latest happenings
here in the district and you can sign up for
periodic e-mail updates. Pennsylvania School Districts
Once again, thank you for the opportunity
to serve as your representative. Please do See Funding Increase
not hesitate to contact me if I can ever be of While I have some concerns about the levels of spending and taxation in the final
service. 2009-10 budget, I am pleased that the plan provides every school district in Pennsylvania
with an increase in the basic education subsidy. The chart below details the subsidies
Sincerely, for Neshaminy School District.
Percentage
Increase Over Increase Over
School District Total 2009-10 2008-09 Basic
Funding 2008-09 Basic
Frank Farry Education Funding Education
State Representative Funding
142nd Legislative District
Neshaminy $20,606,889 $2,468,728 13.6%
[Link]
Expanding Access to Healthcare
One of the biggest challenges facing our health care system is the need to provide health insurance to those who do not
have it. In this legislative session, I supported two measures which were signed into law by the governor and which will provide
access to insurance for tens of thousands of Pennsylvanians.
House Bill 1089, which was signed into law as Act 2 of 2009, makes COBRA health-insurance coverage available to Penn-
sylvania businesses with fewer than 20 employees. In 1986, Congress passed the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconcilia-
tion Act, giving workers and their families who have health coverage through their employer the right to continue coverage for
a period of time after they leave employment. However, that continuation of coverage through COBRA currently doesn’t apply
to small businesses with fewer than 20 employees. Act 2 changes that and makes group-rated health insurance available to
employees and former employees of small businesses in Pennsylvania.
Senate Bill 89, which was signed into law as Act 4 of 2009, allows individuals to remain on a parent’s health insurance plans
through age 29 if they are not married, have no dependents, are residents of the Commonwealth or enrolled as a full-time student
at an institution of higher education and are not provided insurance coverage or eligible for government benefits. According to
the Pennsylvania Insurance Department, as many as 400,000 individuals, ages 19 to 29, are currently living in Pennsylvania
without health insurance. Our high unemployment rate has exacerbated the problem, forcing otherwise qualified individuals to
rely on part-time jobs with limited or no health benefits. Act 4 provides them with an option to receive health care coverage at
a cost they and their families can afford.
Legislative Proposals Aimed Bills Would
at Restoring Pennsylvanians’ Address Fraud
Faith in State Government and Abuse at DPW
Recent developments in the investigation into the use of taxpayer dollars Auditor General Jack Wagner has conducted
for campaign purposes have clearly demonstrated that while we have made several recent audits highlighting waste and abuse
some progress at reforming state government, there is still much to do. in the Department of Public Welfare. According to
Substantive changes are needed in the way state government operates. his reports, the potential fraud and abuse could cost
The misuse of taxpayer dollars, whether it be through the so-called taxpayers tens of millions of dollars. Something
“pay-to-play” practice of awarding campaign contributors with good-paying must be done to stop this abuse.
government jobs and/or lucrative contracts or through the use of legislative House Republicans have introduced a series of
staff and resources to campaign at the taxpayers’ expense is wrong and it reforms designed to bring about greater account-
must stop. Pennsylvanians have lost faith in their state government and ability and efficiency within DPW to ensure that
until we take meaningful steps to earn back their trust, we will not be able the Pennsylvanians who truly need assistance are
to govern effectively. receiving it. Among other things, our legislation
would:
House Republicans have offered a series of legislative initiatives
• Require that residency be a prerequisite for
designed to strengthen Pennsylvanians’ trust in government. These
receiving assistance. Residency would be
proposals, known as the Pennsylvania’s Agenda for Trust in Harrisburg
established when an individual resides in the
(PATH), are the first step toward restoring the trust Pennsylvanians have in
Commonwealth for at least 90 days.
their elected officials and ensuring that the peoples’ business is conducted • Require applicants between the ages of
ethically and openly. 18 and 65 to take and pass a test for illegal
Among other things, the PATH proposals would: drugs as a condition of receiving benefits.
• Bar legislative staff from campaigning for the organization for which • Prohibit the purchase of alcoholic beverages
they work during scheduled work-day hours. Using government-owned with welfare dollars.
equipment would remain illegal, day or night. • Provide for a comprehensive audit of DPW
• Prohibit public officials from starting nonprofit organizations while in office. which includes provider and recipient sampling
• Require full reporting of all campaign contributions, lobby disclosure and to identify fraudulent actions in the department.
ethics statements within two weeks. The Department of State would • Establish a computerized Income Eligibility
create and maintain the cross-relational database making the Verification System that would cross check
information easily accessible and understandable to Pennsylvania 19 different federal and state databases on a
residents. quarterly basis to ensure that applicants are
• Require the creation of a searchable online database detailing all eligible for the benefits they are claiming.
state spending. I am committed to ending waste, fraud and
• Strengthen whistleblower protections for all state employees in all abuse at every level of government. These mea-
three branches of government. sures are reasonable, commonsense solution to the
• End the “pay-to-play” mentality in Pennsylvania by enacting state problems outlined by the auditor general. It is my
contracting reform. sincere hope that House leaders will bring them to
the House floor for consideration soon.
w w w. R e p F
Community Corner
Rep. Farry presents a citation from
the House of Representatives
congratulating the Neshaminy High
School Varsity Cheerleaders for their
championship season.
Rep. Farry presents citations from
the House of Representatives to
four members of Boy Scout Troop
78 congratulating them on attaining
the rank of Eagle Scout. Pictured
are (from left to right): Kyle Markloff,
Peter Ciarlante, Rep. Farry Gerard
McGowan, and Stephen Moyer.
Bills Would Allow Keystone Works Plan
Counties to Eliminate Aimed at Lowering
the Office of Jury Pennsylvania’s
Commissioner Unemployment Rate
Our Commonwealth and our nation are enduring the worst While Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate is lower than the
economic recession since the Great Depression. County govern- national average, it has nearly doubled over the last two years
ments are not immune to these financial realities. Like the rest and something must be done to improve it.
of us, they must take every opportunity to eliminate unnecessary House Republicans are developing a package of legislation
spending to make sure funds are available for the necessities. known as Keystone Works. These bills are designed to
As state lawmakers, my colleagues and I should do all we can to create incentives for employers to hire by reducing the costs
help counties make ends meet. associated with filling job vacancies and pairing unemployed
In many counties across Pennsylvania, the position of jury Pennsylvanians with employers who are actively seeking to
commissioner has become obsolete since technology performs hire.
many of the functions of the office. Juries are selected from voter The Keystone Works package includes:
registration, property tax, welfare and PennDOT records, making • Keystone Works I -- This bill will allow people collecting
the position of jury commissioner unnecessary in many counties, unemployment benefits to work for selected businesses
but state law mandates that counties fill both the majority and up to 24 hours a week for eight weeks at no cost to the
minority jury commissioner positions. employer. Employers will be required to certify that they
I have co-sponsored two bills, House Bills 2000 and 2001, intend to immediately hire for the position and follow
which would give counties the option of eliminating the office of up with a performance evaluation, whether they hire the
jury commissioner. These bills would provide county commission- worker or not. A similar program has been implemented
ers with a means of eliminating the position of jury commissioner in Georgia and is seeing great success.
through a ballot referendum. They also provide a process by which • Keystone Works II – This bill is similar to Keystone Works I,
constituents could force the issue onto the ballot. but will target public assistance recipients who are seeking
If counties determine that the position of jury commissioner is to return to employment.
unnecessary, a mandate from Harrisburg should not stand in the • Teen Employment Incentive Tax Credit – Teen
way of eliminating it. This bill does not mandate that the position unemployment in the United States is at a record high
be eliminated but it does give counties the freedom to do so if it of 27.6 percent. This legislation would provide tax credits
to businesses which provide jobs to teenagers (ages 14 to 17).
makes sense in their jurisdiction.
These bills are currently being drafted and will be introduced
The measures have passed the House Local Government
in the near future.
Committee and are awaiting action by the full House.
F A R RY. C O M
Low-Income Home PACE and PACENET
Energy Assistance Provide Low-Cost
Program Now Open Prescription Drug
Pennsylvania’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Assistance for Seniors
Program (LIHEAP) has begun accepting applications
for cash grants. Crisis grants will be available on Jan. Senior citizens who rely on prescription drugs to stay healthy
4, 2010. may qualify for financial assistance through the state’s PACE
LIHEAP helps low-income people pay their heating and PACENET prescription drug assistance programs.
bills through home energy assistance grants and crisis Eligibility restrictions for PACE require that applicants
grants. Cash grants are awarded based on household be residents of Pennsylvania for at least 90 consecutive days
income, family size, type of heating fuel and region. Crisis prior to application. Additionally, applicants must be age 65 or
grants are provided in the event of a heating emergency, older and have a total income for the preceding calendar year
including broken heating equipment or leaking lines that of less than $14,500 for a single person, or less than $17,700
must be fixed or replaced, lack of fuel, termination of combined for a married couple.
utility service or danger of being without fuel or of having Once enrolled in the PACE program, a benefit card
utility service terminated. In most counties, assistance will be mailed, and enrollees will be required to pay a $6 co-
with home heating crisis situations is available 24 hours payment for each generic prescription medication. Brand name
a day. prescriptions require a $9 co-payment. These co-payments are
Applications will be available at the Lancaster County made to the pharmacy at the time of purchase.
Assistance Office at (717) 299-7543. Applications are PACENET members who enroll in a Medicare Part D
also available from local utility companies and community plan will pay the Part D premium directly to the plan. Depending
service agencies, such as Area Agencies on Aging or on the Part D plan one is enrolled in, monthly premiums
community action agencies. will range between $14.80 and $28.45. In addition, Part D
Income eligibility for cash grants begins at $16,245 cardholders will pay no more than the PACENET co-payments
for individuals, $21,855 for couples, and $33,075 for a of $8 for each generic prescription medication and $15 for each
family of four. brand name to the pharmacy at the time of purchase.
For complete eligibility requirements and additional PACENET members who do not enroll in a Part D
information on LIHEAP, visit my Web site at RepFarry. plan will pay $28.45 each month at the pharmacy toward the
com and click on “LIHEAP Information.” cost of their medications. If this is not paid on a monthly basis,
it will accumulate. In addition, the individual will pay $8 for
each generic prescription medication and $15 for each brand
name.
What My Office Individuals who believe they qualify for PACE or PACENET
can my district office at (215) 752-6750 or visit my Web site at
Can Do For You: [Link].
Applications for Complaints about state
road conditions
• adultBasic
Complaints or questions
• Birth Certificates
about utilities and the
• CHIP PUC
• PACE/PACENET Complaints and
• Property Tax/Rent Rebates problems with insurance
companies
Pennsylvania Income Tax
Forms
Fishing and hunting
information
Information on financial
assistance for higher education
Car registration, special
tags, titles, and license applications
Office Information
DISTRICT OFFICE: CAPITOL OFFICE:
370 East Maple Avenue 52B East Wing
Suite 102 P.O. Box 202142
Langhorne, PA 19047 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2142
(215) 752-6750 (717) 260-6140
Visit my Web site [Link]