Representative Jeff Pyle PRSRT STD

U.S. POSTAGE

60th Legislative District PAID

JeffPyle.net HARRISBURG, PA
PERMIT NO. 529

Spring 2010

Hi Everyone:
The right to petition our government for change is older than you or I. It’s a founding principle of democracy.
Thomas Jefferson said, “When the government no longer represents the will of the people, it is the right and obligation
of the people to replace the government.”
Whether or not you agree with the decisions being made in Washington, D.C., Harrisburg or even in our home
townships, boroughs or school districts, it is imperative that we speak our minds and for our elected officials to know our
wishes. It is our right to expect completely open answers for our tough questions. When we ask the tough questions of
our government officials, never should we accept anything less than an accurate, courteous answer.
I haven’t written you in awhile because last summer, I dissented with the taxation required to fund this governor’s
spending plan. I couldn’t justify the cost of a mailing and felt I should practice what I preached. During last summer’s
budget standoff, thousands of folks e-mailed, wrote letters and made phone calls to me demanding that I voice
our district’s opposition to the proposed higher taxes. In a representative democracy, the task of those elected is to
do what the people want them to do, not what the elected official wants to do. I know of no other way to interpret
“responsible government.”
I personally don’t agree with many of the decisions being made in Washington, D.C. I do not equate “progress”
with spending more taxpayer money (as I heard in Harrisburg so often last summer). To sum up, I feel we do bear an
obligation to help our neighbors who have fallen on tough times (and the times are most definitely tough), but I do not
feel it is the right time to embark on expensive, non-essential initiatives or projects whether they are national, statewide
or local. Going into the 2010-11 Pennsylvania budget process, that is my disposition, but if you disagree, please feel
free to dissent. It is your right and obligation. I welcome your input and need it to make informed decisions and votes.
I work for YOU.

Jeff Pyle
State Representative
60th Legislative District

Budget 2010-11: Governor Proposes More Spending

In early February, the governor presented his state budget proposal for the 2010-11 fiscal year.
The Legislature must proceed with caution especially since his plan relies on federal stimulus funding.
As the recession continues to impact the country, the federal government has been pouring billions of
dollars into the states, including Pennsylvania.
This additional revenue is a blessing and a curse. It has helped in areas where revenues have declined;
however, the federal stimulus program is not a permanent source of revenue. Next year,
Pennsylvania will realize a $3 billion shortfall as the stimulus program ends. This will leave a
serious deficit in state revenues. The 2009-10 budget relied heavily on stimulus funding
as well as completely draining the Commonwealth’s savings accounts. These were just
a few of the reasons I voted against that budget. The spending was not sustainable.
This year, the governor’s budget is predicated on the Commonwealth receiving an
additional $800 million in federal stimulus funds. It’s important to note that Congress has
Continued on page 2...
 Repairs of Local Roads and Bridges
Roads and bridges in the 60th Legislative District have been receiving much-needed repair. More than $32 million
has been directed to the local area for road expansion and paving, and bridge repair and structural upgrades. Although
many projects are taking place throughout Armstrong and Indiana counties, below is a highlight of some of the projects:

ARMSTRONG COUNTY
East Franklin Township
• Rehabilitation of two bridges carrying Route 422 Eastbound and Westbound over Route 28 ramps.
South Buffalo Township
• Preservation of State Route 3023 Iron Bridge over Buffalo Creek.
North Buffalo and South Buffalo Townships
• Restoration of Route 28 from State Route 3023 to State Route 128.
Worthington Borough and West Franklin Township
• Resurfacing Route 422 from west of Route 422/State Route 2009 Intersection to east of the Route 422/State Route
1015 Intersection.
Kiskiminetas Township
• Resurfacing, widening of approximately 1 mile portion of the existing Roaring Run Trail in the Village of Edmon
including construction of a restroom facility.

INDIANA COUNTY
Cherryhill Township
• Bridge deck rehabilitation of Route 422 Westbound over Chestnut Ridge Road.
• Bridge deck rehabilitation of Route 422 over Chestnut Ridge Road.
Brush Valley Township
• Rehabilitation of the bridge carrying Yellow Creek Park Road (PA 259) over Blacklick Creek.
Armstrong Township
• Pavement restoration on Route 422 from PA 286 to State Route 4004 (Lions Health Camp Road).

Budget article continued from page 1...

yet to approve legislation that would provide this revenue stream. I believe it is unwise for Pennsylvania to depend on money
it does not have, or may not receive. As a side note, the majority Appropriations Committee Chairman Dwight Evans (D-
Philadelphia) recently stated that he felt we must raise taxes. Said Evans, “It’s not rocket science, it’s not complicated.”
What state government must do is regroup and analyze actual revenues and design a budget based on these
numbers. If the federal stimulus funding comes through, great, but if it doesn’t, we will be facing a massive deficit for
taxpayers to fund. State spending should only match revenues and not a penny more. We must break the mindset that
taxpayers are an endless supply of cash and operate in a framework to only use the money we currently have.
Including stimulus funds, the governor proposes to spend $29 billion next fiscal year, which is a $1.2 billion increase
in spending. If the governor’s budget is enacted as presented, the total spending increase during the past eight years
would be nearly $9 billion, or 45 percent. To put this in perspective, during the 320 years since the founding of the
Commonwealth, state spending increased to $20 billion. The governor’s appetite for spending is unsustainable.

Efforts to Curtail Anti-Poaching Bill Prove Successful

Legislation introduced in July 2009 would have imposed serious penalties on honest, law-abiding and well-intentioned
hunters who make a mistake or use poor judgment while hunting wildlife throughout Pennsylvania.
House Bill 1859, in its original form, targeted those who illegally kill game for profit. Since the Commonwealth’s poaching
law has not been changed in more than 20 years, I believe the current penalties for the most egregious violations are
not high enough to deter those who profit from illegally killing, and therefore stealing, our wildlife. However, due to the
language used in an earlier version of the bill, the average hunter could be charged with the same offense if he or she
made an honest mistake. As we all know, people do make mistakes; we’re human. Under the original proposal, penalties
included confiscation of firearms. I felt this was unacceptable.
As a member of the House Game and Fisheries Committee, I have been closely involved at the ground level with this
legislation to ensure that our sportsmen and sportswomen are not subjected to harsh penalties that should be aimed at
those disrespecting our game lands and wildlife. The penalties include loss of firearms rights, suspension of hunting license
and the potential for authorities to search and seize property related to poaching activities.
I was instrumental in having language removed that many of my colleagues and the National Rifle Association believed
created the potential for law-abiding sportsmen to be hammered with unnecessary penalties. I also pushed successfully
to remove the search and seizure language from the bill because I believe it is a violation of our constitutional rights.
I do agree that poachers, jack-lighters and traders of illegal animal parts should be charged to the fullest extent of the
law; however, we need to ensure that there is a clear line between poachers and those who make an honest mistake.
After tightening language in the bill, it cleared the House on July 21, 2009, by a vote of 169-3 and is now under
consideration in the state Senate.

JeffPyle.net
 Legislation Would Provide Tax Credit to Deer Processors
As a way to supply our food banks and encourage
deer processing facilities to participate in the Hunters
Sharing the Harvest (HSH) program, I have introduced
House Bill 2256, which would permit a processing
facility to claim a tax credit against its state income tax
liability.
The HSH program provides an opportunity for
hunters to donate their unwanted fresh venison to a
food bank or pantry that provides thousands of meals
for our less fortunate. Venison is a high-protein, low-fat
meat that is preferred among many.
Established in1991, HSH is sponsored by
Pennsylvanians for the Responsible Use of Animals and
operates with the cooperation of the Pennsylvania
Game Commission and state Department of
Agriculture, along with several state sportsmen’s
organizations.
It should come as no surprise that Pennsylvania’s
sportsmen and sportwomen have donated more
than 40 tons of venison a year to needy individuals
and families through food banks and soup kitchens.
House Bill 2256’s limit of $100,000 in tax credits has the
potential to supply an additional 60 to 80 tons of fresh
venison to our food banks.
One of the group’s largest costs is the result of
processor reimbursements, which is why HSH continually
accepts monetary contributions year-round for its
services. Hunters donating their harvest voluntarily pay
a $15 tax-deductable fee toward each processed
deer. The remainder of the processing fee is covered
through HSH sponsors and generous donations of
individuals across the state.
Under my legislation, a $50 tax credit per deer
processed would be available to deer processing
facilities that donate their services to the HSH program.
The maximum amount of credit available each
year would be $2,500 per processor. This would end
the need for hunters to pay the fee while allowing
processors to obtain the tax credit.
This bill is currently under consideration in the House
Finance Committee.

Applications Now Available for Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program

Applications for the state’s 2009 Property Tax/Rent Rebate program are now available. Eligible participants can
receive a rebate of up to $650 based on their rent or property taxes paid in 2009. 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
disabilities.
Eligibility income limits for homeowners are set at the following levels, excluding 50 percent of Social Security,
Supplemental Security Income, and Railroad Retirement Tier 1 benefits:

• $0 to $8,000, maximum $650 rebate (Homeowners and renters)

• $8,001 to $15,000, maximum $500 rebate (Homeowners and renters)
• $15,001 to $18,000, maximum $300 rebate (Homeowners only)
• $18,001 to $35,000, maximum $250 rebate (Homeowners only)

The Property Tax/Rent Rebate program is one of many initiatives supported by the Pennsylvania Lottery, which
dedicates its proceeds to support programs for older Pennsylvanians. Since the program began in 1971, more than $4
billion has been paid to qualified applicants.
Residents are reminded to provide all the necessary income, property tax or rental information required to process
claims quickly and accurately. Applications are due by June 30.
Property Tax/Rent Rebate claim forms are available by contacting my office, or by visiting JeffPyle.net.

Low-Cost Prescription Drug Assistance Available

Senior citizens who rely on prescription drugs to stay healthy may qualify for financial assistance through the
state’s PACE and PACENET prescription drug assistance programs.
PACE and PACENET offer comprehensive prescription coverage to older Pennsylvanians and covers most
prescription medications and some prescription supplies.
Eligibility restrictions for PACE require that applicants be residents of Pennsylvania for at least 90 consecutive days
prior to application. Additionally, applicants must be age 65 or older and have a total income for the preceding
calendar year of less than $14,500 for a single person, or less than $17,700 combined for a married couple.
Once enrolled in the PACE program, a benefit card will be mailed, and enrollees will be required to pay a $6
co-payment for each generic prescription medication. Brand name prescriptions require a $9 co-payment. These
co-payments are made to the pharmacy at the time of purchase.
PACENET applicants must also be residents of Pennsylvania for at least 90 consecutive days prior to application
and be age 65 or older. For PACENET, applicants must have had a total income for the preceding calendar year
of between $14,500 and $23,500 for a single person, or between $17,700 and $31,500 combined for a married
couple.
Continued on page 4...
Continued from page 3...
PACENET members who enroll in a Medicare Part D plan will pay the Part D premium directly to the plan. Depending
on the Part D plan one is enrolled in, monthly premiums could be up to $32.09. In addition, Part D cardholders will pay
no more than the PACENET co-payments of $8 for each generic prescription medication and $15 for each brand
name to the pharmacy at the time of purchase.
PACENET members who do not enroll in a Part D plan will pay $32.09 each month at the pharmacy toward the 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.
Individuals who believe they qualify for PACE or PACENET can contact my office at 1-800-287-0614, or log on to
JeffPyle.net for additional information.

During the Armstrong County Chamber of Commerce’s During Read Across America Day in early March, Rep. Jeff
luncheon, Rep. Jeff Pyle is pictured with Brandon Harriger Pyle read to second-grade students at Lenape Elementary
and Tarah Stewart, who were recognized in the Junior School.
Volunteer Citizen category.

Rep. Jeff Pyle visited Freeport High School to speak to Tim Keagle of the Allegheny Valley Marine Detachment said
Mr. Mark Wyant’s senior government class. of Pyle’s Toys for Tots initiative, “For the years 2008 and 2009,
there were more than 2,000 toys collected at State Rep. Jeff
Pyle’s district office in Ford City and donated to the ‘Toys for Tots’
DISTRICT OFFICES program. Without Rep. Pyle’s efforts, the Allegheny Valley Marine
Toll-free: (800) 287-0614 Detachment and the families and children who benefit from this
program wouldn’t have received much Christmas help.”
409 Ford Street
Ford City, PA 16226 WHAT MY OFFICES CAN DO FOR YOU
(724) 763-3222 • A clearinghouse for all Pennsylvania state government forms.
• Driver’s license and vehicle registration applications/renewals.
208 1/2 N. Railroad Ave. • Assistance with PennDOT paperwork (lost cards, changes,
Apollo, PA 15613 corrections, special registration plates, vanity plates, and
(724) 478-1050 •
temporary placards for disabled persons).
Copies of birth and death certificates.
289 Route 85 Hwy. •
•
PACE and PACENET applications for seniors.
Copies and analysis of state legislation.
Home, PA 15747 • Information on unemployment claims.
(724) 397-2961 • Information on all state agencies and departments.
• Access to all Pennsylvania state tax forms.
147 B East Wing, • Information on hunting and fishing in Pennsylvania.
PO Box 202060 • Applications for state higher education grants.
Harrisburg, PA • Applications for state and civil service jobs.
17120-2060 • Assistance with Property Tax/Rent Rebate forms.
• Free state maps, state park information and Pennsylvania
(717) 783-5327 vacation guides.

More information online at JeffPyle.net