Glen Grell
YOUR REPRESENTATIVE TO THE STATE HOUSE
Fall 2008 Report
State Budget Slows Growth and Provides Funding for
Chesapeake Bay Clean-Up Strategy
Despite a process which prevented meaningful input
and debate, I voted in support of the 2008-09 state budget, a
compromise budget, which met several notable goals. Total
spending was fixed at $28.26 billion, up less than four percent
from the prior year.
This is a more responsible budget that will benefit the
citizens of Central Pennsylvania. I am quite pleased that
this budget slows the growth of state government and puts in
motion the potential for fiscally sound budgets in future years.
Most importantly, this budget includes no tax or fee
increases and preserves the Commonwealth’s Rainy Day
Fund, which currently has a balance of approximately $744
million.
Although the economy is struggling and tax revenues
have waned, there was no need to use the Rainy Day Fund
this year to balance the state budget, contrary to the urging
of the House Appropriations Committee’s chairman who
proposed increasing spending by 4.8 percent by raiding the
Rainy Day Fund. This fund was intended for the sole purpose
of recovering from an economic downturn. I am gratified that
we were able to keep it intact for use in future years.
An additional $274 million has been devoted to education
in reaction to the recent “costing-out” study commissioned by
the General Assembly. The governor’s original plan called
for minimum increases of 1.5 percent, and the final approved
budget raises that floor to 3 percent. School districts in the
87th District will receive increases ranging from 3 percent to
7.72 percent. This significant increase in state funding will
allow local school districts to control the financial burden on
homeowners.
Another accomplishment was securing $800 million for
improvement of wastewater treatment facilities and other
infrastructure projects throughout the Commonwealth. I have
been actively involved in pushing for funding to help local
municipal sewer systems with the extra costs of complying
with the Chesapeake Bay Tributary Strategy. In March,
I testified before the House Appropriations Committee
urging my colleagues to provide funds to comply with these
mandates, and these efforts paid off.
The money, which the Commonwealth will borrow, is to be
distributed to municipal sewer authorities in the form of grants
and loans with priority for those locations that are subject to
the federal mandate of reducing nutrients in the Chesapeake
Bay. An additional fund of $400 million may also be available
for infrastructure if voters approve a ballot question to
authorize the additional borrowing this fall.
It is significant that this budget includes this much-needed
financial assistance. Had the state not come through with this
funding source, the citizens of the 87th District would have
been strapped with extraordinary sewer bills.
To help reduce the cost of state government, a
work group of the Speaker’s Commission on Legislative
Reform, which I led, recommended that the House of
Representatives cut its own appropriation by 10 percent.
Although this suggestion was partially disregarded, the
House did reduce its appropriation by 2.5 million, or 1.3
percent.
Of course, no budget is perfect. I would have preferred
to see a larger cut in the General Assembly’s budget. We
must be cognizant of the fact that the people we represent
pay for the operations of the House, and we need to ensure
their money is used wisely.
Overall, I am satisfied with the budget, although I
raised serious objections to the budget process employed
by House leaders, which minimized the involvement of
rank-and-file members and prevented members from being
able to offer floor amendments at the time the budget was
considered.
Had such amendments been permitted, further spending
cuts, including deeper cuts in the Legislature’s budget, might
have been possible.
If we are truly concerned about reducing the burden
on taxpayers, we need to control what is being spent in
Harrisburg.
For additional information about the state budget
visit my Web site at RepGrell.com and click on “2008-09
Budget.”
At the grand opening of the Hampden Pool on May
30, Rep. Glen Grell participated in the ribbon cutting
ceremony to reveal the new tot pool and bath houses.
Pictured from left are Mike Gossert, Hampden
Township Manager; Ken Fetrow and John Thomas,
Hampden Township commissioners; Grell; Mel
Finkelstein; president of Hampden Township Board of
Commissioners; Don McCallin, Hampden Township
commissioner; Tracy Polovick, Sen. Pat Vance’s office;
and Al Bienstock, vice president of Hampden Township
Board of Commissioners.
 Urging House Leaders to Implement Reform Measures
Advanced by Reform Commission
As a member of the Speaker’s Commission on Legislative Reform, I believe it is prudent for House leaders to move
legislation to implement several reform measures that were advanced by the commission but were not acted upon in 2007.
The Speaker’s Commission was a bipartisan committee that investigated many ways to restructure the operating rules of
the House. We held numerous work sessions and public hearings to reach consensus on making recommendations to the full
House for changes in its rules and operating procedures. Although the House was successful in adopting a few proposals,
including new House Rules and a strong Open Records Law, it fell short on furthering the reform movement.
I am pleased that my colleagues in the House changed the rules by prohibiting floor votes from taking place between 11
p.m. and 8 a.m., posting votes on the Internet by the end of the business day on which the votes occur, limiting the power of
the House Rules Committee from amending any piece of legislation, and requiring a 24-hour waiting period before amended
bills can be voted upon.
Although these measures put an end to questionable activities conducted in the past, I believe there is more to accomplish
to better serve the people of Pennsylvania.
We have a lot of work to do to regain the trust and respect of the electorate. I have advocated for additional changes in
the operations of the House, which I believe would help to change the perception of elected officials among citizens.
As a member of the reform commission, I presented a series of which were adopted by the Commission and forwarded to
House leaders for implementation.

These include:
• An across-the-board reduction of the General Assembly’s appropriation by 10 percent.
• Conducting a full Legislative branch audit of each two-year legislative session and recommending further spending cuts.
Each audit would then be made available to the public for inspection.
• Examining all caucus paid staff positions to determine which “non-policy” positions may be eliminated or converted from
partisan caucus positions to non-partisan positions.
• Investigating whether facilities currently maintained separately by the four caucuses in the House and Senate, such as
bill rooms, television and radio production studios, computer operations, printing facilities and others and determine
whether efficiencies may be achieved by combining them with comparable facilities operated by another caucus or
chamber.
• Creating spending accounts for each member with established limits for use on member-directed constituent
communications, such as newsletters and other mailings, media outreach and publications to hold each member
accountable for his/her spending.
• Conducting a study to identify current staffing levels and costs for a member’s district offices, followed by the adoption of
written policies limiting the number, operation and maintenance of such district offices.
• Adopting and publishing written policies for the awarding of legislative staff bonuses to allow for legitimate bonus
compensation for extraordinary efforts and eliminating the potential for arbitrary awarding of such bonuses.
• Placing limitations on the accumulation and retention of legislative reserve accounts through the “non-lapsing” of
unexpected appropriations.
• Creating and adopting an annual legislative capital expenditure plan to better control expenditures for office renovations,
furnishings, technology enhancements, computer equipment replacements and other capital expenses.
• Making all expenditures of each legislator available for public inspection.
• Requiring that all unexpended funds from a member’s expense account be returned to the General Fund instead of
lapsing to legislative reserve accounts.
• Reviewing various quasi-legislative entities to determine whether they continue to provide a necessary service to the
General Assembly and whether any operating efficiencies could be realized.

Some of these are controversial initiatives among my colleagues and leaders, but I truly believe they are necessary for our
democratic process. There have been too many reports and claims of misappropriations of taxpayer dollars, and we need to
establish spending limits and better accounting practices of the people’s money.
I believe the vast majority of members and staff of the General Assembly are honest, hard-working people who do their
very best to serve the public. But, this still does not abrogate our responsibilities to our constituents by providing an open and
transparent Legislature.
I am hopeful that when the House returns to session in September many of these recommendations will be vetted and
finally adopted.
Although hopeful, I am not optimistic. With the speaker and the majority leader controlling the legislative agenda, it is
incumbent upon them to put these issues on the legislative calendar for consideration. The Legislature had an opportunity
to cut its line item in the 2008-09 budget, but failed to do so. I urge legislative leaders to implement those recommendations,
which do not require action by the full House, and to allow those that do to come before the House for a vote.

Stay in touch - You can always e-mail Rep. Grell at

GGRELL@PAHOUSEGOP.COM
 Insurance Reform Provides Coverage for Autism

As the result of legislation enacted in July, Pennsylvania now has the most comprehensive autism insurance law in the nation,
according to Autism Speaks, a national support group.
I was pleased to support this legislation so that families can obtain the necessary medical care to treat this affliction. I have heard
numerous accounts of how families have been financially strained by a child having autism. As a member of the House Insurance
Committee, I studied the issue carefully in an effort to balance the cost of an insurance mandate with the importance of the covered
services to the policyholder.
Under the measure signed by Gov. Rendell on July 10, insurance companies now will have to pay for medically necessary
services for the 6,000 Pennsylvanians up to age 21 who have autism.
The new law requires coverage up to $36,000 a year for Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and other necessary treatments, and
goes beyond many state insurance reform measures by mandating coverage up to age 21 with no lifetime cap. It also creates, for
the first time under Pennsylvania law, an expedited appeals procedure for denied claims as a safeguard to ensure compliance by
insurance providers.
Private insurers will be required to provide coverage beginning in July 2009. The bill exempts groups with 50 or fewer insured
employees, but it requires coverage of autism treatment up to age 21 by state government insurance programs such as CHIP and
adultBasic.
Autism is a complex brain disorder that inhibits a person’s ability to communicate and develop social relationships, and is often
accompanied by extreme behavioral challenges.

LIHEAP to Resume
Property Tax/Rent Rebate Operations in Early
Application Deadline November
Extended
Low-income residents throughout the 87th District may
The deadline to file for the state’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate be eligible for heating assistance through the Low-Income
program has been extended to Dec. 31, 2008. Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) beginning in early
Eligible participants can receive a rebate of up to $650 based November.
on their rent or property taxes paid in 2007. So far, more than Administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Welfare
515,000 claims have been filed for this year’s rebates. (DPW), LIHEAP is a federally-funded program which enables
The program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians who are 65 the Commonwealth to help low-income households meet their
years or older, widows and widowers 50 years or older, and those home heating needs.
18 years or older with permanent disabilities. The program consists of three components: cash benefits
Eligibility income limits for homeowners were expanded to help eligible households pay for home-heating fuel; crisis
last year to the following levels, excluding 50 percent of Social payments to resolve weather-related, supply shortage, and
Security, Supplemental Security Income, and Railroad Retirement other household energy-related emergencies; and energy
Tier 1 benefits: conservation and weatherization measures to address long-
• $0 and $8,000, maximum $650 rebate (Homeowners and range solutions to the home-heating problems of low-income
renters) households.
• $8,001 to $15,000, maximum $500 rebate (Homeowners To check eligibility or to download an application visit
and renters) DPW’s Web site at Dpw.State.Pa.Us. Residents can also
• $15,001 to $18,000, maximum $300 rebate (Homeowners contact the LIHEAP hotline at 866-857-7095.
only)
• $18,001 to $35,000, maximum $250 rebate (Homeowners
only)
The Property Tax/Rent Rebate program is one of four Beverley Gordon,a
programs supported by the Pennsylvania Lottery, which dedicates resident of Hampden
its proceeds to support programs for older Pennsylvanians. Since Township, was
the program began in 1971, more than $4 billion has been paid to honored recently for
qualified applicants. her induction into
Residents are reminded to provide all the necessary income, the PA Voters’ Hall
property tax or rental information required to process claims of Fame for voting in
quickly and accurately. every General Election
Property Tax/Rent Rebate claim forms are available by for the past 50 years.
contacting my office or visiting my Web site.
 Smoking Ban Takes Effect Sept. 11 Seniors May
In mid-June, the General Assembly passed a law banning smoking in public
Be Eligible for
places. The new law takes effect Sept. 11. Prescription Drug
Under the Clean Indoor Air Act, smoking will be prohibited in most public places,
including hospitals, schools, sports facilities, restaurants, taxis, trains, buses and all Assistance
public transportation stations.
There are a number of exceptions to the law. Smoking is still permitted in the Low-income seniors age 65 years
following places: and older, who have been a resident of
• In establishments where food is 20 percent or less of the business’ annual sales, Pennsylvania for at least 90 days and are
such as bars and taverns. not eligible for pharmacy benefits through
• On 25 percent of a casino gaming floor. (That could increase to 50 percent if the Medicaid may be eligible for prescription
casino can demonstrate it is earning more revenue in the smoking areas than the drug assistance through the Pennsylvania
non-smoking areas.) Contract for the Elderly (PACE or
• In public places with designated outdoor smoking areas. PACENET).
• In 25 percent of rooms in lodging facilities, like hotels and motels, and all guest Individuals earning up to $14,500 annually
rooms at full-service truck stops. and married couples earning up to $17,700
• In designated rooms within nursing homes, adult-care facilities, drug and alcohol per year are eligible for the PACE program
treatment centers, and mental-health care facilities. with copays of $6 for generic drugs and $9
• In private clubs, by a vote of the officers. Smoking in private clubs will be brand name drugs.
available to members only and will be prohibited at all club activities open to non- PACENET income limits are $23,500 for
members and/or the public. individuals and $31,500 for couples and has
• At cigar bars, tobacco shops and tobacco promotion events. copays of $8 for generic drugs and $15 for
• In private residences and vehicles, unless those residences or vehicles are being brand name drugs.
used to provide day-care or adult-care services. PACENET has a monthly premium if
you are not enrolled in a Medicare Part
D plan, which will be cumulative if not
met each month. If you are not enrolled
in a Medicare Part D plan, your monthly
premium begins with your first prescription
claim and is paid at your pharmacy.
For additional information on PACE or
PACENET contact my office or visit my Web
site at RepGrell.com.
If you have never toured your State
Recently, the Cumberland Valley Capitol, it is a treasure to behold.
High School Boys Volleyball Team Here, the Enola Cub Scout Pack #89
was recognized on the House heard from Rep. Grell as part of their
floor for winning the PIAA Class tour experience.
AAA state championship. Rep.
Grell presented the team a House 87th District resident Randee Dechesne,
citation for their accomplishment. of Camp Hill, has served the House as
a Roll Call Clerk for 35 years leading up
to her recent retirement. Her service was
recognized on the House floor by Rep.
Grell and House Speaker Dennis O’Brien.

OFFICE LOCATIONS

Glen Grell
DISTRICT OFFICE: HARRISBURG OFFICE:
5521 Carlisle Pike 404 Irvis Office Building
Suite 2-D PO Box 202087
Mechanicsburg, PA 17050 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2087
Phone: (717) 795-6091 Phone: (717) 783-2063
Fax: (717) 795-6094 Fax: (717) 772-8418
Staff : Laura Conrad Staff : Lori Koch
www.RepGrell.com
E-mail: ggrell@pahousegop.com