Fall - Winter 2009
I-80 Update: Revised Application Submitted
Dear Neighbor,
As we near the halfway point of the
2009-10 legislative session, I would like to
take this opportunity to update you on the
final state budget for this year, as well as
offer brief reminders of programs that are
available to help individuals and families
in need.
As you well know, this year’s budget
process was unlike any I have ever wit-
nessed during my tenure in Harrisburg and
which I am hopeful is never repeated. The
budget process was an embarrassment for
the Commonwealth and was enacted after
many, many attempts to bring some sort
of spending document to the rank-and-file
members. Unfortunately, political games-
manship won out, but fortunately, we were
able to stave off any type of income or sales
tax increases – especially at a time when our
residents can least afford them.
Even though a budget agreement is
now in place, I am disappointed in its
final contents and worry about the state’s
financial health as we continue to struggle
through this economic downturn. More
details about the budget process and final
document are on page 2.
Also included in this edition of my
newsletter is an update on the Pennsylvania
Turnpike Commission’s efforts to toll Inter-
state 80. When this ill-conceived plan was
rammed through the Legislature in 2007,
I was a staunch opponent of the legislation
and I continue my strong opposition to any
efforts to toll the highway.
One of the most rewarding parts of my
job is being able to help residents obtain the
help they need and cut through bureaucratic
red tape. As always, if you should ever need
assistance with a state government-related
problem or issue, please contact any of my
offices. Complete contact information is on
the last page of this newsletter. We’re here
to help. Please accept my personal wishes
for a joyous holiday season and a fulfilling
new year.
With regards and respect,
David Millard
State Representative for the
109th Legislative District
to Federal Government
You may already be well aware that within the last few weeks, the Pennsylvania
Turnpike Commission resubmitted its application to authorize tolls for Interstate
80. The application is now before the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
for its review.
We are continuing our efforts to communicate to the FHWA that, contrary to
what the Turnpike Commission and administration are saying, local economies along
the I-80 corridor would be negatively impacted with this tolling plan.
The House Republican Policy Committee, of which I am a member, held one
of the first statewide public hearings on the tolling plan. All of the information we
gathered will again be forwarded to the FHWA to convince them – once and for all
– that tolling I-80 would be detrimental to Pennsylvania residents, businesses and
future economic development opportunities.
The Turnpike Commission and Gov. Ed Rendell believe that the new admin-
istration in Washington, D.C., will be more favorable to its application. However,
my colleagues and I – along with the numerous businesses, economic development
agencies and residents who still oppose the tolling – are not convinced the new ap-
plication will reverse the decision by the FHWA.
At a November hearing of the House Republican Policy Committee, an indepen-
dent expert in the field of public-private partnerships and infrastructure investment
projects told us that he has serious concerns about the credibility of the information
used in the revised application.
Brian F. Chase, an independent consultant who specializes in creating and imple-
menting strategies for financing and development of large infrastructure projects, told
us that I-80 is a “poor choice” for tolling.
In fact, he testified that to his knowledge, there has never been a successful conver-
sion of a free highway to a tolled highway. He does not believe I-80 will be the first
model, especially considering the large extent of public opposition to the plan.
The testimony referenced a serious lack of credibility on the part of the investment
group hired by the Turnpike Commission to determine a fair market value of the
interstate. That information was necessary in the resubmitted application as it was
one of the main reasons why the federal government rejected the first two versions.
The Turnpike Commission hired Provident Capital Advisors of Baton Rouge,
LA, to assess a fair market value. Just days before Provident Capital was hired, its
name was Provident Health Care Coalition LLC, and the firm had no documented
expertise in any type of transportation investment projects. It specializes in health
care and prison housing.
Chase said it would be more appropriate for the FHWA to hire its own con-
sultant to determine the highway’s free market value and to then bill the Turnpike
Commission the cost. He also believes the lease agreement between PennDOT and
the Turnpike Commission should have been subject to third-party competition. In
addition, the federal government may very well consider the public uncertainty over
promised improvements to the highway, especially considering that toll revenues will
ultimately benefit urban mass transit systems.
I remain committed to fighting efforts to toll I-80, and I will continue to keep
you updated on our progress.
At a public hearing of the House Republican
Policy Committee, Ed Edwards of the
Columbia-Montour Chamber of Commerce
and I discuss the efforts of the Pennsylvania
Turnpike Commission to toll Interstate 80.
Edwards and I attended a public hearing of
the House Republican Policy Committee on
Nov. 18, which focused on the firm hired by
the PTC to conduct a fair market value of the
311-mile highway. That information is crucial
in determining whether or not the interstate
will be tolled.

With a $27.8 billion spending
plan now in place – 101 days passed
the deadline – I remain concerned
about the long-term impact this
budget will have next year, the year
New Budget Doesn’t Prepare State Well for Future
our Commonwealth’s future.
Another concern I have is that this
budget completely empties the Rainy
Day Fund and other funds we had set Debt�Service,�
All�Other�Spending,�
aside for future financial challenges. $996�Million
$2.77�Billion

after and well into the future. That is Now, we have no cushion for future
why I cast a “no” vote on this year’s budget shortfalls, which I believe will Corrections,� Education,� •
$1.79�Billion
budget. be magnified when federal stimulus $9.85�Billion •
•
The 2009-10 budget package funding runs out in three years. •
•
was signed on Oct. 9, and includes Couple this with news that revenue •
nearly $27.8 billion in spending for estimates are already at least $160
the fiscal year that began on July 1, million below estimate for the new
which is less than the 2008-09 bud- fiscal year, we undoubtedly will face
Public�Welfare,�
get, even including federal stimulus future budget hardships. $10.41�Billion Higher�
Education,�$1.97�

money from the American Recovery I am greatly concerned about fu- Billion

and Reinvestment Act. ture shortfalls now that payments on

The total level of state spending our debt service have reached nearly
is $25.178 billion, which is $2.35 $1 billion. That is compared to less
More�than�$2.6�Billion�in�ARRA�Federal�Stimulus�funds�were�used�to�supplant�stat
billion less than last year’s state than $700 million in 2002-03. used�to�support�Education�and�Public�Welfare�programs.

spending level but still too much in Although I stood firm against this
my opinion. new budget, I knew there was a better
My opposition is not partisan way. I was consistently supportive of
based, it’s family budget based. It’s House Bill 1943 as a no-tax increase GF Debt Service

small business success based. It’s compromise plan that funds essential $1,050,000,000 Schweiker Administration

“Pennsylvania is in a recession” government services. I still believe Rendell Administration

$1,000,000,000
based. it would have been the best solution
The tax code plan raises $1.73 and would have been one that could $950,000,000

billion in new revenues, includ- viably receive support from both

ing $626.5 million in sustainable, sides of the aisle and both legislative $900,000,000

recurring revenues. These revenues chambers. $850,000,000

include a tax hike on cigarettes and The budget is still not technically
cigarillos and a blow to businesses complete as negotiations on table $800,000,000

with a retroactive increase in the games – to pay for funding for state-
$750,000,000
Capital Stock and Franchise Tax. related universities – have reached a
There is already an unrealistic rev- standstill. $700,000,000

enue expectation from table games In the meantime, the governor

in casinos and a big cut to families will announce his new budget pro- $650,000,000

benefitting from the Educational posal in early February, and I look $600,000,000
Income Tax Credit and it makes a forward to what he has to say about 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 20

potent mix of financial struggle for his priorities for next year. Annual debt service to be paid from the state’s General Fund Budget.

LIHEAP Offers Help with Home Heating Bills

Pennsylvania’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is now accept-
ing applications for cash grants. Crisis grants will be available on Jan. 4, 2010.
LIHEAP helps low-income people pay their heating bills through home energy assistance
grants and crisis grants. Cash grants are awarded based on household income, family size,
type of heating fuel and region. Crisis grants are provided in the event of a heating emer-
gency, including broken heating equipment or leaking lines that must be fixed or replaced,
lack of fuel, termination of utility service or danger of being without fuel or of having
utility service terminated. In most counties, assistance with home heating crisis situations
is available 24 hours a day.
Applications are available at the Columbia County Assistance Office at 27 East Seventh
Street, Bloomsburg, PA 17815, or by phone at (570) 387-4232. Applications are also avail-
able from local utility companies and community service agencies.
Individuals with an income of less than $16,245, couples earning less than $21,855
and a family of four earning less than $33,075 are encouraged to check their eligibility for
the program.
For complete eligibility requirements and additional information on LIHEAP, visit my
Web site at RepMillard.com and click on “LIHEAP Information.”
 New Legislation Would Ban Texting While Driving
Legislation is now moving through the
Pennsylvania General Assembly that would in-
stitute a statewide ban on texting while driving
and prohibit the use of cell phones and other
wireless communication devices by drivers ages
16 and 17.
All�Other�Spending
• DEP
I believe this is important, commonsense
• DCNR legislation. I have heard from numerous resi-
• State�Police
• Agriculture dents who support such a ban, and they believe
• Labor�and�Industry that a ban on texting will help prevent crashes
• Health
*�Partial�List�of�Agencies and save lives. This ban is good public policy
that has the support of most Pennsylvanians,
and I am pleased to add my support to this
proposal.
This legislation, House Bill 2070, was
introduced on Nov. 9, and was unanimously
reported out of the House Transportation
Committee on Nov. 10. House Bill 2070 will
te�dollars�in�this�year’s�budget.�Most�ARRA�funds were�
make such behavior a primary offense, meaning
that law enforcement can pull a driver over on
the suspicion of texting while driving, and for
a junior driver, using a wireless communica-
tions device.
The proposal is the result of a bipartisan
working group of transportation chairmen,
committee staff and others, and represents a
compromise proposal that is agreeable by major
stakeholders. The governor has indicated he
will support such legislation.
Under the legislation, exemptions would be
made for drivers to contact 911 or those who
have stopped due to traffic being obstructed.
Drivers will be able to text, and junior drivers
will be able to use their cell phones, if their
vehicles are in park or neutral or the engines
are turned off.
Those who are found in violation of the
legislation will face a fine of $50. Fines would
double to $100 if the offense occurs in a school
zone, active work zone, highway safety corridor
or emergency response area. A portion of the
fines will be used for public awareness and
education programs for distracted driving.
A Virginia Tech Transportation Institute
study determined that truck drivers face a 23
times greater risk of a crash or near crash when
texting, and a University of Utah study of a
driving simulator found that college students
faced an eight times greater crash risk when
texting.
Our legislation will make it unnecessary for
local governments to consider their own laws
and will help with consistency across the state.
A patchwork of local ordinances restricting tex-
ting while driving will cause confusion among
motorists and may make it difficult to enforce
local laws. A statewide law will send a clearer
message that texting and driving is dangerous
and will not be tolerated in Pennsylvania.

State Rep. Karen Boback

(R-Colombia/Luzerne/
Wyoming) and I met
up with members of the
Benton High School FFA.
During their visit, we talked
006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10
about issues regarding the
future of agriculture and
their efforts back home to
foster agricultural-related
careers.

This summer, I led a meeting of legislators
whose districts are home to a Pennsylvania
fair. The meeting focused on advocating for
agricultural issues.
State Fire Commissioner Ed Mann (center) recently traveled to
Bloomsburg to educate local first responders about the grant-writing
process. Pictured with us is Robert Rupp, deputy chief of the
Bloomsburg Fire Company. The workshop included information on
applying for both state and federal grant programs.

Get the latest news on my Web site: RepMillard.com

 Property Tax/Rent Rebate
Deadline Extended to Dec. 31
The deadline to file for the 2008 Property Tax/Rent Rebate
has been extended until Dec. 31.
Eligible participants can receive a rebate of up to $650
based on their rent or property taxes paid in 2008. The
program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians who are 65 years or
older, widows and widowers 50 years or older, and those 18
years or older with permanent disabilities.
Homeowners with household incomes of up to $35,000
qualify, along with renters with household incomes of up to
$15,000. Members of my Berwick and Bloomsburg offices are available to help you with
Applicants can also use an automated phone service to all sorts of state-government related issues. From applications for state programs
check their rebate status by calling, toll-free, 1-888-PATAXES, to obtain copies of state legislation, my staff can assist you with your questions
or by visiting PAPropertyTaxRelief.com. or can put you in the right direction. My district staff includes (from left)
Trudy Stout, Chris Yacina, Sandy Robbins and Lisa Wagner. They are assisted
My office staff will be happy to help you fill out the pa-
by Denise Murray (not pictured) in my Capitol office.
perwork. More information is available on my Web site at
RepMillard.com.
District Office Services
> State Forms and Applications
On the Air with Rep. Millard > State tax forms
> Property Tax & Rent Rebate applications
Tune into WHLM on the last > PACE & PACENET applications
> Voter registration forms
Thursday morning of each month > Motor vehicle forms
> Birth & Death certificates
to hear Rep. David Millard’s call- > Drivers Licenses & Vehicle Registration renewals
> Handicapped parking placards/plates
in program. He’s typically on the > Reservations for state Capitol tours
> Informational Brochures & Booklets
air starting at 8:15 a.m.* > Free state maps and vacation guides
> Copies of legislation
*Subject to last-minute programming changes
> Student aid applications

STATE REPRESENTATIVE DAVID MILLARD’S OFFICES...HERE TO HELP YOU

BERWICK OFFICE
904B Orange Street
Berwick, PA 18603
Phone: (570) 759-8734
BLOOMSBURG OFFICE
605 W. Main Street
Bloomsburg, PA 17815
Phone: (570) 387-0246
CAPITOL OFFICE E-mail: Dmillard@pahousegop.com
402-B Irvis Office Bldg. On the Web: RepMillard.com
P.O. Box 202109
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2109
Phone: (717) 783-1102

On the Web at RepMillard.com

PERMIT NO. 529
HARRISBURG, PA
Serving the People of the 109th Legislative District
PAID David Millard
U.S. POSTAGE
PRSRT STD State Representative