PRSRT STD
STATE REPRESENTATIVE
Nicholas A. Micozzie
Serving the People of the 163rd Legislative District
Bill Banning Texting, Hand-Held
Cell Phones Advances to Senate
In an effort to increase public safety, legislation that
will ban the use of hand-held cell phones while driving in
Pennsylvania has cleared the House of Representatives
and is now with the state Senate for consideration.
House Bill 2070 overwhelmingly passed the House
in late January. The legislation originally included a ban
on all texting behind the wheel and a prohibition of cell
phones for drivers ages 16 and 17. However, an amend-
ment was added to the bill to expand the ban to include
all hand-held cell phones for drivers of all ages.
Much of the outcry for a ban on hand-held cell phones
come from the motoring public themselves who see such
distractions causing crashes and endangering people’s
lives. We all know that texting while driving is dangerous
and cell phone use hinders one’s ability to pay full atten-
tion to the road ahead.
The ban includes any interactive wireless communi-
cation device. Exceptions will apply to operators of emer-
gency vehicles and volunteer emergency responders
who are responding to an emergency and are engaged
in the performance of their official duties.
According to Pennsylvania Department of Transpor-
tation statistics, since 2003, 397 crashes in Pennsylvania
have been recorded where hands-free phones were a
contributing factor, while 6,877 crashes listed hand-held
phones as a contributing factor. According to a 2009 poll,
85 percent of Pennsylvanians favor a ban on the use of
hand-held cell phones while driving.
In addition to the City of Philadelphia, a number of
states have already enacted cell phone while driving
bans, and I am pleased that Pennsylvania is one step
closer to joining that list.
Those who are found in violation of the legislation will
face a fine of $50. Fines would double to $100 if the of-
fense 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.
Cell phones with hands-free devices will still be per-
mitted to be used by drivers.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
HARRISBUR,G PA
PERMIT NO. 529
2010-11 State Budget Process Under Way
On Feb. 9, Gov. Ed Rendell gave his annual budget address to a
joint session of the House and Senate, so I want to provide you with a
quick rundown about his proposal which marks the official start of the
budget negotiation process.
Spending: The governor has proposed a $1.2 billion increase in
spending using $26.27 billion in state dollars and $2.76 billion in fed-
eral stimulus funds. It is important to note that $800 million of these
federal funds have not yet been approved.
Sales Tax Expansion: The governor is proposing a reduction of the
sales tax rate from 6 percent to 4 percent, but would expand the tax
to cover 74 items and services that are currently exempt. This expan-
sion would not apply to food, clothing or prescription medication, but
would include home heating fuels, sewage and water services, non-pre-
scription drugs and personal hygiene products. The extra revenue raised
from this tax would be set aside in a reserve account called the Stimulus
Transition Reserve Fund to help offset the future termination of stimu-
lus funds.
Basic Education: The governor is calling for 7.28 percent increase
in basic education funding. I have not seen details of how the $5.88
billion in education spending would be allocated among the state’s 500
school districts. I will continue my calls for a fairer distribution of
education dollars in an effort to prevent further skyrocketing property
taxes.
Budget Cuts: The governor is calling for reductions to the budgets
of the Department of Environmental Protection ($3.8 million cut), the
Department of Health ($7 million cut), the Department of Agriculture
($5.4 million cut), the Department of Labor and Industry ($3.1 mil-
lion) and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources ($1
million cut).
Budget Increases: The governor would increase funding for basic
education, county child welfare programs, mental retardation services,
services to senior citizens, the state police, the Department of Correc-
tions, the Department of Community and Economic Development,
and the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.
Of course, the governor’s budget address only serves as a starting
point in the budget negotiating process. I am looking forward to learn-
ing more about the fiscal forecast for Pennsylvania as we continue con-
ducting budget hearings in the House, and working to produce a bud-
get that answer the most pressing needs of the state.

Touring Primos Elementary School is
Rep. Micozzie, Councilman John Rankin
and legislative aide Joe Kirkwood.
Rep. Micozzie meets with Councilman
John Rankin and legislative aide Joe
Kirkwood at Westbrook Park Elementary
School.
Check It Out!
RepMicozzie.com is just
a click away for your conve-
nience. The Web site provided
residents with 24-hour access
to state forms, press releases,
legislation, state agency links,
and student homework sites.
You can also read my biogra-
phy and e-mail me any ques-
tions or concerns you may have
on state-related issues. Check it
out at RepMicozzie.com.
Local Schools Receive State Subsidies in
2009-10 State Budget
Within the 163rd Legislative District, there are four school districts: Ridley,
Southeast Delco, Upper Darby and William Penn. The following is a break-
down of the subsidies allocated to those school districts through the state bud-
get for 2009-10:
School District Basic Education Special Education Accountability
Block Grant
Ridley S.D. $11,195,574 $2,749,187 $782,226
Southeast Delco S.D. $13,905,210 $2,232,926 $1,072,526
Upper Darby S.D. $30,057,689 $6,753,133 $1,975,160
William Penn S.D. $19,814,414 $3,926,937 $1,339,505
State/Federal Basic Education State Share Federal Share
Funding Split 88 percent 12 percent
For years, I have articulated the fact that Pennsylvania’s school funding sys-
tem previous to 2008 was broken, unfair and unbalanced. During the 2008
budget negotiations, both Gov. Ed Rendell and the General Assembly recog-
nized the importance of providing funding to school districts based on a for-
mula that provided adequate funding and equity in the distribution of those
funds with accountability. During the negotiations, I supported the governor’s
position on adopting many of the provisions that support a formula proposed
by the Costing Out Study. I also supported and voted yes to the governor’s
position to include in the 2009-10 budget an additional $300 million.
Effective Education is Key to
Short- and Long-Term Economic Development
State funding of public education is not only critical to the success of stu-
dents, but it is also critical to the success of boroughs and townships in the
163rd Legislative District. If we continue to improve the schools in our com-
munities, we will be in a better position to attract new residents and businesses,
which in turn will help strengthen our communities economically.
A state system of financing public education that is overly dependent on
local school property taxes not only creates disparities among school districts,
but also harms our municipalities’ redevelopment and revitalization efforts.
THE COSTING OUT STUDY
According to the results of a recent study conducted in 2008, the 163rd
Legislative District is not receiving the funding needed to ensure that students
receive a high quality education. The study also notes that additional revenues
to improve student performance should be collected at the state level and allo-
cated through a formula that includes inflation, demographic changes, and the
resources needed to help all students meet Pennsylvania’s academic standards.
In examining the equity of the current school finance system, the study
found that districts with the greatest student need generate
the least local revenue per pupil, despite the fact that they
typically make a greater tax effort than districts with more
wealth. These inequities were not sufficiently addressed
by state aid before 2008.
While the costing-out study examined the cost
of education per student and the impact of the lo-
cal tax effort, it did not propose a new formula
for distribution of state aid. The study stressed
that “the missing piece in ensuring successful
schools is a sound statewide school funding
system.”
Check us out on the web at w
 SENIOR CORNER
Senior Expo 2009
a Success!
I would like to take this opportunity
to thank all the vendors who participated
in my 2009 Senior Expo this past fall.
The expo was a great success and we were
Prescription Drug Assistance
able to provide a great deal of informa-
Available to Qualified Applicants tion about services and programs avail-
Senior citizens at least 65 years old who have been able for older adults to hundreds of area
residents of Pennsylvania for at least 90 consecutive days residents.
may qualify for financial assistance through the state’s Also, “thank you” to all who attended
PACE and PACENET prescription drug assistance pro- and helped make the day fun, as well as
grams. informative!
Applicants for PACE must have had a total income
for the preceding calendar year of less than $14,500 for a
single person, or less than $17,700 combines for a mar-
ried couple.
Persons enrolled in PACE will pay a $6 co-payment
for each generic prescription medication or a $9 co-pay-
ment for each brand-name prescription drug.
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.
Persons enrolled in PACENET must pay a nominal
monthly premium at the pharmacy, plus $8 for generic
prescription drugs and $15 for brand-name drugs.
Both PACE and PACENET coordinate benefits with
Medicare Part D.
For more information on PACE or PACENET, please
contact one of my two district offices or visit my Web
site at www.RepMicozzie.com.

Free Legal Resource Available

The Pennsylvania Bar Association (PBA) pub-
SENIOR CORNER

lishes “A Guide to Legal Issues for Pennsylvania

Senior Citizens.” In it, you will find guidance on
financial and estate planning, elder care, wills and
trust, income tax preparation, Social Security and
retirement benefits, insurance, consumer protec-
tion and fraud prevention, housing options and
long-term care to name just a few.
To access a copy of the legal guide online, go
to the PBA’s Web site at www.pabar.org or you
may contact the PBA at 1-800-932-0311 ext.
2280 for permission to reprint.

www.RepMicozzie.com
 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Now Extended
Pennsylvania’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is now open until April 2.
The LIHEAP program is administered by the Department of Public Welfare (DPW) and helps income-
eligible households pay for heat during the winter months.
The original closing date of the LIHEAP program was March 15, but circumstances have allowed the
program to continue until April 2. The cash grant amounts have also increased by $100.
Applications will be available at the Delaware County Assistance Office at 701 Crosby Street, Suite A,
Chester, at 610-447-3099. Applications are also available from local utility companies and community
service agencies, such as Area Agencies on Aging or community action agencies. LIHEAP cash grant ap-
plications are available online at compass.state.pa.us.
For complete eligibility requirements and additional information on LIHEAP, please contact one of my
two district offices or visit my Web site at www.RepMicozzie.com and click on “LIHEAP Home Heating
Assistance.”

Blight Legislation to be Considered

Blight is a continuing problem in our area and new legislation has just been authored that seeks to address this issue by creating
the Neighborhood Blight Reclamation and Revitalization Act.
The act is intended to eliminate neighborhood blight caused by property owners who fail to maintain their property or comply
with municipal codes. It creates a way to deal with abandoned properties in order to bring them up to code, acquire and demolish
them or, where cost effective, rehabilitate them for productive use.
This legislation allows a municipality or an aggrieved owner or tenant of property who can show that they have been substan-
tially affected by code violations, to institute an action to correct it.
A lien may be placed against the assets of an owner of unremediated blighted property if the action taken against them is found
valid; and those who live outside the Commonwealth but who own property here may be extradited to face criminal prosecu-
tion.
Mortgage lenders also have responsibility under this act. If a property owner is foreclosed upon, the mortgage lender or federal
insurer in possession of the property must, within 120 days, assume legal responsibility and liability for all exterior code require-
ments, where there are serious violations or violations which contribute to blight.
Each property owner charged with violating a municipal property maintenance code will be subject to a surcharge of $100 per
inspection in addition to other applicable fees lawfully collected by the municipality and the courts.

District Office Services Representative Nick Micozzie

My district offices are here to help you. District Offices:
Services my staff and I provide include: 6 South Springfield Road , Clifton Heights, PA 19018
Phone: (610) 259-2820 FAX: (610) 259-7019
 Driver’s license and vehicle
registration applications and 3701 Garrett Road, Drexel Hill, PA 19026
renewals. Phone: (610) 284-0020 FAX: (610) 284-4011
 Assistance with PennDOT
paperwork. Harrisburg Office:
 Copies of birth and death Room 105 Ryan Office Building
certificates. PO Box 202163, Harrisburg, PA 17120-2163
 PACE and PACENET Phone: (717) 783-8808 FAX: (717) 783-0688
applications for seniors.
 Property Tax and Rent
Rebate forms and applications.
 Voter registration forms and
absentee ballot applications.
 State tax forms.
 Student aid information.
 LIHEAP applications.
 Copies of legislation.
 Notary services.

If you need help with any of the above or

with any other state-related matter, please
The district office staff includes Kathleen Theurer, Connie
do not hesitate to call my offices. Mcafee, Carol Schwartz, Kristine Harlow, Rep. Micozzie, Joe
Kirkwood, Kathy Laut and Linda Pietropola.