STATE REPRESENTATIVE PRSRT STD

U.S. POSTAGE
Martin Causer PAID
HARRISBURG, PA
67th Legislative District PERMIT NO. 432
PO Box 202067 Fall 2010
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2067

Overspending in 2010-11 Budget Spells Trouble for PA’s Future

It was another challenging budget year in Pennsylvania, and despite Caucus developed several options to save the Commonwealth money. Only
cutting nearly $1 billion from what the governor originally wanted to spend, a few were incorporated into this year’s budget, including a successful tax
the $28.04 billion total is still more than taxpayers can afford. amnesty program that generated $261 million for the General Fund, as well
My primary concern, and the reason I voted against the budget, is as the recovery of $35 million in tax refund errors and the additional use of
because it spends more than we have, creating a “structural deficit” of at P-Cards (like debit cards) for state purchases.
least $3 billion that will have to be addressed in the next fiscal year. So while I hope more of these worthwhile ideas will be included in next year’s
no tax increases were needed this year to balance the budget, it is hard to budget as we work to bring state spending more in line with what people
imagine the economy will recover enough to cover that deficit and fund next can afford:
year’s operating budget. • Processing other state’s Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
The impending budget deficit is the result of relying on more than $2.7 payments for a fee. The state saves $35 million by processing its
billion in stimulus funding from the federal government that will not be avail- own payments in house rather than paying the Social Security
able in future years, including $850 million that had not even been authorized Administration to do it.
by Congress at the time the budget was passed. It wasn’t until August that • Reducing the state vehicle fleet by one-third and using rental cars
Congress approved the funding at a reduced level, designating about $600 for long trips.
million for Pennsylvania. That means at least $250 million in spending will • Eliminating Medicaid eligibility errors. The current error rate is at
have to be cut. Clearly, it is unwise to balance a state budget on money 14 percent, according to the auditor general.
Congress has not yet authorized. • Streamlining sales tax collection.
Knowing the challenges we faced this year, the House Republican • Cutting down welfare fraud.

Paying Tribute to Vietnam Era Veterans

Rep. Martin Causer presents a commemorative medal to U.S. Army veteran Joe The War Memorial Flag Presentation performed at Rep. Causer’s Vietnam Era Veterans
Doriguzzi of Lewis Run at the Vietnam Era Veterans Tribute. More than 500 veterans Tribute in May provided a moving tribute to the men and women who sacrificed their
were recognized with medals and certificates in honor of their service to our country. lives in service to our country. Pictured left to right are Pete O’Donohoe, Commander,
(Photo courtesy of Wade Aiken.) Bradford American Legion; Matt Windsor, Director, McKean County Veterans Affairs; Jack
Rosenswie, Deputy Commander, 23rd District Pennsylvania American Legion; George
Tufts, Commander, Smethport American Legion. (Photo courtesy of Wade Aiken.)
 Marcellus Shale a Hot Topic
in Harrisburg
As natural gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale continues to grow across the
northern tier, so does discussion of the industry’s potential among lawmakers
Happy Anniversary in Harrisburg.
A Penn State study issued last year and updated this summer indicates
Cameron County! the Marcellus Shale has the potential to be the second-largest natural gas field
in the world, holding enough energy content to match 87 billion barrels of oil.
Cameron County is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year, That’s enough to meet the demand of the entire world for three years.
and I was pleased to sponsor a resolution in the state House in According to the study, in 2009, gas producers in the Marcellus spent $4.5
honor of the occasion. billion to develop those resources. It is estimated that investment generated
Among the county’s many claims to fame is the use of its $3.9 billion in value added, $389 million in state and local tax revenues and
flagstone to build the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the use of 44,000 jobs.
dynamite made in the county in the building of the Panama Canal. Based on a survey of producers about their future plans, the authors
Cameron County is also home to Tom Mix, the King of the Cowboys estimate investments by gas drillers will lead to $8 billion in value added in
in Hollywood’s silent movie era. Additionally, Sylvania Electric 2010 and another $10 billion in 2011. Employment is estimated to expand by
Corporation has its roots in Emporium. 88,000 jobs this year, and 111,000 in 2011.
The county was created after people migrated from Williamsport Outside of the direct economic benefits of drilling, the study indicates the
to timber the county’s forest land. True to its roots, timber abundance of reliable and low-cost natural gas could attract gas-intensive
products remain an important industry along with powdered metal manufacturing industries to expand in Pennsylvania. Low-cost natural gas also
manufacturing. contributes to inexpensive electricity that enhances industrial development
Cameron County was formed on March 26, 1860, by vote of the and economic growth.
General Assembly. The county was made up of portions of Clinton, Clearly, the Marcellus Shale holds great hope and potential for areas of
Elk, McKean and Potter counties. It is named for Simon Cameron, our state beaten down by the loss of manufacturing jobs. It is important that
a U.S. senator from Pennsylvania at the time. Cameron later served we proceed responsibly on any economic and environmental measures that
as Secretary of War to President Abraham Lincoln. would affect the industry. It is equally important to ensure a safe, responsible
expansion of the relatively new drilling practices required to reach the shale.

Bill Enhancing Right of

Self-Defense Advances
Legislation reinforcing a person’s right to defend himself or herself
in the face of an intruder has been approved by the House Judiciary
Committee.
Also known as the “Castle Doctrine,” House Bill 40 creates in law a
presumption that an attacker or intruder intends to do great bodily harm
and therefore force, including deadly force, may be used to protect
oneself, one’s family and others in the face of an attack while at home
or in an occupied vehicle. The presumption also applies if a person is
trying to unlawfully remove an occupant, against the occupant’s will, Rep. Martin Causer addresses the crowd at the ceremony renaming the bridge on Route
from a home or vehicle. 6 over Potato Creek in the Borough of Smethport as the POW/MIA Memorial Bridge. Many
The presumption would not apply if the person entering a home veterans and citizens turned out for the event, including the region’s two living POWs, Bob
was: Cochran of Smethport and William Englehart of Kane. (Photo courtesy of Don Poleto.)
• Another resident of the home.
• A law enforcement officer.
• A parent, grandparent or other guardian removing a child from
the home or vehicle.
In addition, the presumption would not apply if a person was using
their home or vehicle to further criminal activity. The bill also offers
specific protection against civil liability for the lawful use of force in
self-defense.
Essentially, this legislation eliminates the current duty to retreat
before using lethal force outside of your home if your attacker displays
or uses a lethal weapon. A person should never have to turn his or
her back on an armed attacker. Rep. Martin Causer joined friends and neighbors in May to officially rename the bridge on U.S.
It is important to note the legislation does not endorse unlawful Route 6 over the Allegheny River in Liberty Township as the Lt. Colonel Richard J. Berrettini
aggression but instead provides individuals with the necessary legal Memorial Bridge. Berrettini, a Port Allegany High School nurse, died in January 2008 from
protection to respond to unlawful aggression. injuries he suffered in Afghanistan while serving with the Pennsylvania Army National Guard.
The bill is awaiting consideration in the full House. (Photo courtesy of Don Poleto.)

www.RepC
 SENIOR CORNER
Property Tax/Rent Rebate Additional
Application Deadline Extended Senior Citizen Benefits
The deadline to file for the state’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate pro- Many Pennsylvania seniors are well aware of the Property
gram has been extended to Dec. 31, 2010. Tax/Rent Rebate and PACE/PACENET programs, but you may not
Eligible participants can receive a rebate of up to $650 based on be aware of a number of other benefits available. Here’s a look at
their rent or property taxes paid in 2009. The program benefits eligible a few of those programs:
Pennsylvanians who are 65 years or older, widows and widowers 50
years or older, and those 18 years or older with permanent disabilities Vehicle Registrations
who meet the following income requirements: Retired Pennsylvanians receiving Social Security or other
• $0 and $8,000, maximum $650 rebate pension funds whose individual income is under $19,200 annually
(Homeowners and renters) may register one passenger car or non-commercial light truck at
• $8,001 to $15,000, maximum $500 rebate a reduced rate.
(Homeowners and renters) Instead of the regular $36 fee for a passenger vehicle, retired
• $15,001 to $18,000, maximum $300 rebate Pennsylvanians pay just a $10 processing fee. The discount does
(Homeowners only) not apply to title fees, transfer fees or sales tax.
• $18,001 to $35,000, maximum $250 rebate Please call or visit my office to obtain more information or to
(Homeowners only) see if you qualify.
When calculating income, exclude 50 percent of Social Security,
Supplemental Security Income, and Railroad Retirement Tier 1 ben- Hunting and Fishing Licenses
efits. Pennsylvanians age 65 and older may purchase hunting and
Residents are reminded to provide all the necessary income, fishing licenses at reduced rates of $13.70 for a hunting license and
property tax or rental information required to process claims quickly $11.70 for a fishing license. Lifetime licenses are also available:
and accurately. For residents who already applied, the Department of $51.70 for hunting and $51.70 for fishing. Free fishing licenses are
Revenue started sending out rebate checks July 1. available for Pennsylvania veterans with 100 percent service-con-
Property Tax/Rent Rebate claim forms are available by contacting nected disabilities.
my offices or visiting www.RepCauser.com. Licenses may be purchased at license issuing agents, county
treasurer’s offices, or at the online Outdoor Shop at https://www1.

Senior Expo 2010

Mark Your Calendars For
pa.wildlifelicense.com/start.php.

Dog Licenses
Pennsylvania dog owners age 65 and older (proof of age
required) may obtain licenses for their dogs at a reduced price.
The fees are: $6 annually for productive male or female dogs or
$4 annually for spayed or neutered dog. Dog license applications
Friday, October 8 are available at county treasurer’s offices, pet and pet supply retail
9 a.m. to 1 p.m. outlets, and online at www.agriculture.state.pa.us.
Roulette Fire Hall, Roulette
State Parks
Stop by for helpful information on health care, insur- Senior citizens age 62 and older are eligible for a $4.50 reduc-
ance, nutrition and exercise, fire safety, financial plan- tion in the base price of camp sites at state parks. Further informa-
ning, fraud protection, government services and more! tion is available at state park offices, by calling 1-888-727-2757 or
visiting www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/.

Fire, Ambulance Services Eligible for Grant Funding

Volunteer fire and ambulance services throughout Cameron, Potter and McKean counties are once again eligible to apply for funding
through the Volunteer Fire Company and Volunteer Ambulance Services Grant Program.
First established in 2000, the program provides grants to support construction or renovation of a unit’s station, the purchase or repair of
equipment, training or debt reduction.
Maximum grants are $15,000 for volunteer fire companies and $10,000 for volunteer ambulance services.
Applications will become available no later than Sept. 7 and must be submitted by 4 p.m. on Oct. 22. The grant program is administered
by the Office of the State Fire Commissioner. Application information will be posted at RepCauser.com when it becomes available.

Causer.com
 Office Information
HARRISBURG OFFICE:
PO Box 202067 / Harrisburg, PA 17120-2067
Phone: (717) 787-5075 Fax: (717) 705-7021
DISTRICT OFFICES:
78 Main Street, 1st Floor / Bradford, PA 16701
Phone: (814) 362-4400 Fax: (814) 362-4405
107 South Main Street, Room 1 / Coudersport, PA 16915
Phone: (814) 274-9769 Fax: (814) 274-8159
E-mail: [email protected] Web: RepCauser.com

Rep. Martin Causer takes part in the ribbon-cutting ceremony dedicating the
new National Guard Readiness Center at Bradford Regional Airport.

TRANSPORTATION SURVEY
clip and mail

Bridge and Highway Funding: What Do You Think?

A major issue on the legislative agenda this fall is funding for road and bridge projects. The federal government’s rejection earlier this
year of the governor’s attempts to toll Interstate 80 has highlighted the need to reassess how we fund the transportation budget and distribute
those dollars across the state.
While I believe we must first ensure the money we already have for road and bridge projects is being distributed fairly, it is likely we also
need to identify additional revenue sources to meet our infrastructure needs.
Following are a few of the proposals offered by the governor and lawmakers. Please let me know what you think. You may either fill out
the survey here and return it to my office at 78 Main Street, 1st Floor, Bradford, PA 16701, or go online to RepCauser.com and answer the
questions there.
I appreciate your time.
1. Do you support or oppose Governor Rendell’s proposal to increase 5. Do you support or oppose the concept of public-private partnerships
the state’s driver’s license fee from $28 to $30.10? Generally, this to finance transportation projects in the Commonwealth? In a public-
fee is paid every four years when your license is up for renewal. The private partnership, the Commonwealth would maintain ownership
increase would generate an estimated $4.9 million. control of a bridge or highway, but an infusion of private sector capital
would be used for projects such as adding highway lanes in congested
 SUPPORT areas where user fees could be charged.
 OPPOSE
 SUPPORT
2. Do you support or oppose Governor Rendell’s proposal to increase  OPPOSE
car registration fees from $36 to $45? This fee is paid annually. The
increase would generate an estimated $70.5 million.
 SUPPORT If you have additional comments or suggestions about
 OPPOSE our state’s roads and bridges, please share them on a
separate sheet of paper. Thank you.
3. Do you support or oppose a proposal to increase the state’s gas tax
by 3.25 cents per gallon, bringing the total state tax on gasoline to 34.45
cents? This increase would generate approximately $130 million. Name: ______________________________________
 SUPPORT
 OPPOSE Address: ____________________________________
4. Do you support or oppose a proposal to install electronic surveillance
cameras on the Turnpike and interstates to help the state locate and City: ____________________ Zip: ______________
fine uninsured drivers and reckless drivers? This program is estimated
to generate between $100 million and $150 million.
Phone: _____________________________________
 SUPPORT
 OPPOSE
E-mail: _____________________________________

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