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Winter 2010

RSRT STD

.S. POSTAGE

AID

ARRISBURG, PA

ERMIT NO. 529

epresentative

KAREN BOBACKe people of the 117th Legislative District

www.RepBoback.com

Reforming Government - Rep. Boback attended the signing of House Bill 1648, which createda commission to investigate corruption in the Luzerne County juvenile justice system. She alsoled the movement to amend House Bill 1182 to add language to ensure that interest on publicpensions would not continue to accrue after a public official or employee is arraigned, and thatpublic officials in such situations could only collect money they paid into the pension system.Pictured from left are Chief Justice Ronald Castille, Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski (D-Luzerne),

Gov. Edward Rendell, Boback and Rep. Todd Eachus (D-Luzerne).

Protecting Second Amendment Rights - Rep. Boback attended a hearing of the House JudiciaryCommittee to hear testimony about Pennsylvania gun and property owner rights. Rep. Boback

supports the rights of property owners to defend themselves and is a proponent of SecondAmendment rights.

Advocating for Vulnerable Citizens - As a long-time advocate for Pennsylvania senior citizensand a member of the House Aging and Older Adult Services Committee, Rep. Boback attendeda hearing in October about the impact of Alzheimers disease in Pennsylvania. It is estimated

that 5.3 million people in the United States are affected by the disease.

Making a Difference in Harrisburg

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With the 2009-10 fiscal year budget finally

completed, I want to take this opportunity to update youon events happening in Harrisburg and in our district.

Last year was certainly a year for the record books,but for all the wrong reasons. It was a year of enormouseconomic turmoil, which contributed to the latest statebudget in the nation Pennsylvanias budget. It wasalso a year of dubious political corruption, which saw theindictment of elected officials both at the state Capitoland in our local area.

Now that 2009 is behind us, I am hopeful that 2010will be a year to restore trust in our local and state

governments and the judicial system. There are manynecessary reforms that have yet to be accomplished,but I am fighting to return integrity to Harrisburg andfoster greater transparency in how our government isrun. Government should be about the people it serves,not about those who serve as elected officials.

One of the major issues impacting the 117thDistrict is the question about drilling into the MarcellusShale and what this drilling will do to our environment,economy and job market. I have been working withlocal organizations and my colleagues from surroundingdistricts to help landowners and other concernedresidents get answers to their questions, and I am

working to ensure the highest safety standards areemployed for the protection of the people and naturalresources in our community.

As difficult as it is to believe, we are already closingin on the start of preparations for the 2010-11 budgetprocess. I will again work as a guardian of the taxpayersinterests and advocate sound fiscal practices. I am afirm believer that the spending should match revenuecollections, not the other way around.

If you have any questions as you read this newsletter,do not hesitate to contact any of my offices. I am happyto speak with you and address your concerns.

Sincerely,

Karen Boback Ph.DState Representative

Dear Neighbor

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www.Rep

Boback Fights for Womens Health

ea screen ng an sease con ro e or s. e new recommen a onsadvised delaying the first mammogram screening for a decade andmoving to biennial, rather than annual, mammograms.

I was outraged by these regressive health care recommendations, notonly because they could reduce cancer screening for women, but alsobecause of some of the reasons given like false-positive mammogramresults upset women. I can assure you that any woman would takea false-positive result over undetected cancer any day!

It is easy to use statistics to validate the task forces desire to addresshealth care costs, but at what price? The price of even one womanslife is too high. Women are not statistics; they are our mothers, sisters,daughters and friends, and they deserve to live without the fear thatbreast cancer will go undetected until it is too late. Early detection ofbreast cancer saves lives, and mammograms are the best early detectionmethod available today.

My anger over the recommendations grew to grave concern when Iheard news of other states employing the task force guidelines to eligibilitystandards of state-sponsored programs that provide mammograms for

women are no en angere y e esre o ower ea care spen ng.As such, I began a petition drive asking for support from Pennsylvaniacitizens for the American Cancer Society (ACS) breast cancer screeningguidelines, which advise annual mammograms for women beginning atage 40. To date, I have gathered more than 3,000 signatures.

I also introduced a resolution in the House of Representatives urgingCongress to use the ACS guidelines for breast cancer screening. I amproud to say that the resolution garnered unanimous support in the Houseand has been conveyed to Congress for its official record.

I have also sent my resolution, copies of signed petitions and lettersto all of Pennsylvanias federal representatives imploring them to considerthe lives and health of women as they deliberate the final federal healthcare reform bill.

I want to thank everyone who took the time to sign the petition.Petitions are still available on my Web site, epBoback.com.

I will continue to follow the situation as it unfolds and will continue mywork as an advocate for sound health care policies for every man, womanand child in this Commonwealth.

State Tax Forms

Available inBobacks District

OfficeWith tax season just around the corner, I want to

remind you that state tax forms are available at mydistrict offices. Stocked forms include the PA-40,corresponding schedules and instruction booklets,and the Property Tax/Rent Rebate form. As with thefederal income tax, Pennsylvania state income taxesmust be filed by April 15.

As a means to augment revenue collections for thestate, Pennsylvania is offering tax amnesty from April 26to June 18 for delinquent taxpayers. Taxpayers who aredelinquent for eligible taxes as of June 30, 2009, mayapply to the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue toparticipate in the program. Qualifying taxpayers will berequired to file an amnesty return with the departmentand pay all delinquent taxes, along with 50 percent ofthe interest. All penalties for qualifying participants willbe abated. Taxpayers will also be required to submitall unfiled tax returns and reports.

For more information about the tax amnestyprogram or to download tax forms online, visitwww.revenue.state.pa.us.

On Dec. 8, Rep. Boback led a bipartisan group of legislators and members of the breastcancer awareness community to rally against the U.S. Preventive Services Task Forces

new recommendations for mammogram screenings.

Rep. Boback displays the more than 3,000 signatures on her Petition to ProtectWomens Health, which urges Congress to apply the American Cancer Society (ACS)

guidelines for breast cancer screening in its health care reform decisions. These guide-lines recommend annual mammograms for women beginning at age 40.

Budget Delays Highlight

Need for Reformthe need to reform the system of how budgets are crafted in Pennsylvania. The politicalgrandstanding, lack of compromise and use of people and important programs as pawnsmust end! Pennsylvanians deserve a balanced budget that is passed on time. That is whyI have joined my colleagues in calling on Speaker of the House Keith McCall (D-Carbon) toestablish a Commission on Budgetary Reform.

Under the current proposal, the commission would be composed of 24 members of theHouse 12 Republicans and 12 Democrats and would focus on:

Establishing fixed time lines and milestones, including consequences ifobjectives are not achieved.Adopting performance-based budget principles into the annual appropriations process.Affording greater involvement to every member of the House, not just legislative leaders.Implementing continuity provisions for state government operations to keep faith

with state employees, vendors, etc.In addition to the Commission on Budgetary Reform, I have also signed on as a co-sponsor

of the following budget reform bills:House Resolution 460

House Resolution 60 would impose a Committee of the Whole process in the eventof a budget impasse. This would allow members of the House to convene and openlydiscuss budget-related topics in an effort to come to a compromise.House Bill 1125

House Bill 125 would require long-term debt authorization or bond financed funds tohave a financial statement attached.House Bill 1915

Ho e Bill 91 would create an Emergency State Employee Salary Fund fromwhich workers would be paid if a budget is not adopted by the June 30 deadline. Thiswould stop them from being used as pawns in the budget process.House Bill 2101

House Bill 2101 would automatically enact the previous years budget in a year when animpasse goes beyond July 31, with a 20 percent reduction to all allowable line items.

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oback.com

Table Games Vote Is Last Step in 2009-10 Budget

collections. I voted against many of the bills in the budget package,including table games, because I believe they set Pennsylvania on adangerous economic path.

SpendingOne of the largest factors in my decision to oppose the final budget

was the spending it contained. The $27.8 billion spending package ismore than current revenue collections can sustain, as evidenced by thefact that we are currently $374 million short in anticipated collectionsfor the year.

Taxes and RevenueWith billions of dollars in temporary federal stimulus

funds being used in this budget, Pennsylvania is goingto be seriously scrambling to make up this revenue

when the stimulus money ends in two years. Thisrevenue loss will be compounded by the depletion ofall reserve funds, including the Rainy Day Fund. I amextremely concerned that Pennsylvania will have nocushion in years to come when the stimulus moneyruns out.

This budget also relies on revenue from increasedtaxes on employers, a new tax on cigars and anincreased cigarette tax. I am particularly troubledby the increased tax on businesses at a time whenwe are coping with record unemployment. AlthoughPennsylvania has fared better than many states in jobloss numbers, we must still work to create jobs and

assist people in returning to work. Increasing taxes onemployers is no way to spur the kind of job creation weneed to reach full economic recovery.

Table Games

2004. Not a single cent of the revenue collected will go to offset propertytaxes this year or in the near future. I have been an outspoken advocatefor the complete elimination of school property taxes, but until we cancome to an agreement on that issue, we could at least offer homeownerssome relief by giving 100 percent of the revenue collected from tablegames to the Property Tax Relief Fund.

Additionally, we have seen the fallout from the passage of Act 71 of2004 and some of the unanticipated problems that came along with slotsparlors. This bill was our chance to correct some of those issues, but itis a squandered opportunity because the legislation does not adequately

address the need for reform. We should be working toensure that there is honesty, integrity and transparencyin the industry before we allow it to expand. An industry

that is often associated with vice and corruption needsthe proper oversight.

Looking AheadGov. Ed Rendell gave his annual budget address

to the General Assembly in February. The fact thatwe are already $374 million behind for the year, haveno savings in reserve to make up the difference, andare relying on revenue from table games that havenot even been implemented yet makes it difficult to beoverly optimistic.

will be sure to keep you informed of the details ofthe 2010-11 budget process as they become available.In the meantime, feel free to contact any of my officesif you have any questions regarding this or any otherstate matter.

State Representative Karen BobackHARRISBURG OFFICE: 41-B East Wing / PO Box 202117 / Harrisburg, PA 17120-2117 / PHONE: (717) 787-1117 / FAX: (717) 705-1889

DISTRICT OFFICES: 5315 Main Road / PO Box 333 / Sweet Valley, PA 18656 / PHONE: (570) 477-3752 / FAX: (570) 477-3468 6 Cross Country Complex / Tunkhannock, PA 18657 / PHONE: (570) 836-4777 / FAX: (570) 836-4772

7844 Blue Ridge Trail / Mountain Top, PA 18707 / PHONE: (570) 868-7780 / TOLL FREE: 1 (800) 278-3930 / FAX: (570) 868-465

E-mail: kboback@pahousegop.com

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Low-IncomeHome Energy Assistance

Program (LIHEAP) Now Extendedhe deadline to apply for funds through Pennsylvanias Low-Income

Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) has been extended untilApril 2.

he LIHEAP program is administered by the Department of PublicWelfare (DPW) and helps income-eligible households pay for heat duringthe winter months.

he original closing date of the LIHEAP program was March 15, butcircumstances have allowed the program to continue until April 2. Thecash grant amounts have also increased by $100. The additional cashgrant money will automatically be sent to those who have already appliedfor LIHEAP funding.

DPW anticipates helping approximately 600,000 families with cashgrants during the 2009-10 program year.

Applications will be available at county assistance offices, located at:Columbia County Assistance Office

Columbi Co nty Assistance Office 27 East Seventh Street; P.O.Box 628; Bloomsburg, PA 17815-0628; 570-387-4232.Luzerne County Assistance Office Wilkes-Barre District

Luzerne ou t Ass istance f f ice i lkes-Barre Distr ic t

205 South Washington Street;Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711-3298;570-826-2041.Wyoming County Assistance Officeyomin

County Assistance Office Skyline Motel Complex No. 3;Route 6 West; P.O. Box 490; Tunkhannock, PA 18657-0490;570-836-5171.

Applications are also available from local utility companies andcommunity service agencies, such as Area Agencies on Aging orcommunity action agencies. LIHEAP cash grant applications are availableonline at compass.state.pa.us.

For complete eligibility requirements and additional information onLIHEAP, visit my Web site at RepBoback.com. Applications are alsoavailable in any of my full-time offices.

Rep. Boback was named the 2009 BPW Woman of the Year by the TunkhannockBusiness and Professional Womens Local for being a role model to the

community and all women. Boback is pictured with Janet Roeber.

Rep. Boback is pictured with the Sportsmens Advisory Group she established toensure the interests of area sportsmen are heard in the Pennsylvania Legislature.

Pennsylvania Adjutant General Jessica Wright was the keynote speakerat Rep. Bobacks annual Veterans Appreciation Ceremony in November.More than 300 local veterans and their families participated in the event,during which the 28th Infantry Division Keystone Brass provided music

and a video featuring veterans sharing their personal stories was shown.Pictured are Wright; Samuel Greenberg, past national commander of the

Jewish War Veterans; and Boback.

Around the District

www.RepBoback.com

Satellite Offices To Resume In March1st Tuesday: Dallas Township Municipal Building / 601 Tunkhannock Highway / Dallas, PA 18612 / 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. 1st Wednesday: onyngham Township Municipal Building / 10 Pond Hill Road / Mocanaqua, PA 18655 / 9:00 a.m. to noon

Shickshinny Borough Municipal Building / 35 West Union Street / Shickshinny, PA 18655 / 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.ennison Township Municipal Building/ 76 Walnut Street / White Haven, PA 18661 / 7 p.m. to close of township meeting 1st Friday: Salem Township Municipal Building / 38 Bomboy Lane Berwick, PA 18603 / 9:00 a.m. to noonNescopeck Borough Municipal Building / 501 Raber Avenue / Nescopeck, PA 18635 / 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

2nd Monday: Harveys Lake Borough Municipal Building / Route 415 / Harveys Lake, PA 18618 / 9:00 a.m. to noonDallas Borough Municipal Building / 25 Main Street / Dallas, PA 18612 / 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

2nd Friday: Wright Township Municipal Building / 321 South Mountain Boulevard / Mountain Top, PA 18707 / 9:00 a.m. to noon Last Friday: Benton Borough / Northern Columbia Community & Cultural Center / 42 Community Drive / Benton, PA 17814 / 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Legislation Would ProvideBallot InformationElectronically for Voters

In an effort to empower voters with information in advance of ElectionDay, I have introduced legislation that would allow voters to electronicallyview sample ballots prior to heading to the polls.

Voting is the single most important duty of citizens in a representativedemocracy so we must do all we can to provide information to voters forhem to educate themselves about the candidates and the issues prior to

voting.House Bill 1974 would require county boards of election to publish on

he countys public Web site a sample ballot for each election district in thecounty at least 10 days before the election. Because counties prepareabsentee ballots in advance of elections and can easily scan them ontohe computer to post on the Internet, this legislation would not place an

excessive burden on boards of election. The legislation is awaiting actionby the House Appropriations Committee.

I have often heard stories about people going to vote without knowingwhich candidates or offices are up for election or without knowledge ofimportant ballot questions. This legislation would help voters get suchinformation with enough time to research how they want to cast theirballots. We live in an electronic age, and we must do our best to make thisinformation as accessible to the people as we can.