STATE REPRESENTATIVE PRSRT STD

U.S. POSTAGE

Merle H. Phillips PAID

HARRISBURG, PA
PERMIT NO 432
108th Legislative District
MerlePhillips.com

Summer 2010

I-80 Tolling Application Social Security Office Relocates

to Better Serve Public
Recently, the Social Security office located at 300 Market
Street in Sunbury relocated to Selinsgrove. Residents living

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in Snyder, Union, and Northumberland counties will now be

C T E served by the new Social Security office located adjacent to

the Susquehanna Valley Mall at 150 Susquehanna Valley Mall

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Drive in Selinsgrove.

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The new Selinsgrove office offers several service enhance-

RE
ments, including a more centralized business location to each
county and abundant free parking available for visitors. Inter-
view areas are brighter, quieter and provide greater privacy. The
office will also be equipped (in the near future) to hold video
hearings that will save area residents from having to travel to
Wilkes-Barre to have their cases heard before a judge.
When the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) re- Residents with access to an Internet connection may
jected an application to toll Interstate 80, it was a victory for conduct business online at www.socialsecurity.gov.
the people, businesses, and organizations who fought with a Visitors can apply for benefits, request a new Medicare card,
great deal of determination and conviction. get a proof of income letter, change their address or phone
The FHWA’s rejection of the Pennsylvania Turnpike number, get directions to Social Security offices, download
Commission’s application to toll I-80 sends a clear message publications or arrange for other services at an easy-to-use,
that its proposal did not meet the strict federal guidelines nec- secure and convenient Internet website.
essary to allow the tolling. Tolling I-80 should not be used as a Social Security business can also be conducted at the
means to raise revenue for mass transit and highway projects public’s convenience 24 hours a day, including weekends and
in other areas of the state, and we are so pleased the federal holidays, by calling toll-free: 1-800-772-1213. Representatives
government agreed. are available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on business days. Some of
Since 2007, hundreds of businesses have feared the dra- the services available include scheduling an appointment, re-
matic cost of tolls and that it would drive them out of business. questing a change of address, and signing up for direct deposit.
Many companies put plans on hold to expand their operations Automated services are available 24 hours a day to request a
or locate here just because of the potential for tolling. This replacement Medicare card or Social Security Statement, and
decision helps protect these businesses and their thousands to provide a variety of other forms and publications.
of workers along the corridor and, in turn, may attract new
business and industry to our region of the state.
Along with other state and federal lawmakers, I met with
four high-ranking officials with the Federal Highway Admin-
istration in Washington, D.C. in December and conveyed to
them the concerns of our constituents. Namely among those
concerns were the negative economic impact and potential
loss of thousands of jobs, the high cost to local governments
and taxpayers and the dangerous precedent a federal approval
would set for transportation policy. Overall, tolling I-80 was poor
public policy that punishes rural Pennsylvania in favor of more
populated areas of the Commonwealth.
Although I am glad that tolling I-80 has been rejected, we
must now find other funding sources to ensure that work can
continue on the many road and bridge projects across the state.
To tackle this problem, the House and Senate are currently en-
gaged in a special session dedicated to funding Pennsylvania’s
transportation network. I am hopeful we can find a better way
to fund our transportation needs in this state.
 Sunbury Riverfront
Recently, groundbreaking for the riverfront project took place and now
the real work has begun on the enhancements along Front Street. The
work taking place will result in new landscaping, curbs and walkways,
and a pedestrian walkway over the floodwall. The key to the project is
improved access to residents of Sunbury. Residents can look forward to
an amphitheater, a boat launch, and a fishing pier.
Sunbury residents know how important the river wall is to their safety,
but the city has always had a lack of accessibility to the river because of
it. With this project, Sunbury can have the best of both worlds -- the safety
of the wall with improved access to the river.
A lot of work has been put into this effort, and I believe the final product
will be well worth the countless hurdles that needed to be cleared to get
to this point. It was the group effort and the local involvement that really
pushed this project forward.

Local Parks Receive Makeovers

With a grant from the state, the 8th Street Park in Watsontown has been receiving Cameron Park in Sunbury recently benefited from a makeover that included new
numerous upgrades. From the new lighting to the landscaping that has been landscaping, seating, lighting, and the relocation of the flag pole to the west end
completed, the park is now more user-friendly for the many residents that use of the park. I believe the improvements will only enhance the park’s ability to be
it throughout the year. A new gazebo has been constructed, trees have been the focal point for visitors and residents of Sunbury.
planted, park benches have been placed, and new playground equipment is
being installed. This is the type of project that helps to improve the quality of life
of residents in Central Pennsylvania. It was through the persistence of the late
mayor of Watsontown, Bob Brown, that this project was made possible.

New Budget Keeps Spending in Check

The state budget, for the first time in eight years, was passed by the state House and Senate on June 30. The $28.04 billion spending
plan is reflective of our current economy, and we were pleased to be able to reduce the governor’s proposal by more than $1 billion.
Although this budget isn’t perfect and I am disappointed in several of the funding reductions for valuable and worthwhile programs,
I believe it strikes a good balance between state revenues, federal
stimulus money and obligations to the people of Pennsylvania. With
an on-time budget, we were able to avoid the kind of negative impact
last year’s 100-day budget impasse had on many businesses and or-
ganizations. Not only is the 2010-2011 budget on time, it also includes
Corrections,
no new or expanded tax increases, as were proposed by the governor. $1.87 Billion
Every dollar we were able to cut from the governor’s spending plan 6.7%
represented another dollar cut from the looming deficit. As we did last
PreK-12 Education,
year, we fought to better prepare Pennsylvania for the future. $10.02 Billion
Basic education and the state’s 500 public school districts will re- 35.7%
ceive a $250 million increase, for an average increase of about 4.52
percent. In addition, two of the many cost-saving initiatives that we
spearheaded made it into the final budget plan. For the new 2010-
11 fiscal year, there will be better utilization of the state’s purchasing Public Welfare,
$10.44 Billion
power through increased use of P-Cards, and more aggressive efforts 37.2%
to cut back on tax refund errors.
There are many other ways we can raise revenue without tax in-
creases and we will be working on getting those into law in the coming
months. More detailed information about the budget is available on my
website at MerlePhillips.com.
$1.5 Million Released for River Research Center
Recently I received word that the Depart-
ment of Conservation and Natural Resourc-
es has released $1.5 million in grant funding
to help finance the conversion of the vacant
Shikellamy State Park marina building into
an environmental research center.

With this grant, $4 million in funding is

now dedicated to the center which, once
completed, will allow scientists to monitor
the water quality of the river’s West Branch
at multiple sites between Lock Haven and
Sunbury. Students, researchers, and oth-
ers interested in the ecology of the river
will benefit from the establishment of the
research center.

Plans for the center include exhibits fea-

turing the history and culture of the region,
aquariums that will contain aquatic life that
can be found in the Susquehanna River,
and education programs that would benefit
local school districts.

Abolish
Turnpike
Commission State Champion Wrestlers Honored

As the talk continues about how

the Commonwealth can cut costs and
become more efficient, I am certain
that one way we can save money is
by eliminating the Turnpike Commis-
sion and handing over management
and maintenance of the Turnpike to
PennDOT.
I feel strongly that eliminating the
Commission would be a positive for
the Commonwealth, and I am a co-
sponsor of a bill that would do just that.
House Bill 2134, introduced by Rep.
Mike Vereb of Montgomery County, is
a commonsense approach to eliminat-
ing a problem we have faced for years.
The Turnpike Commission has long
been known as the home of patronage
and payoffs.
It is time we take a new approach On May 3, I had the privilege of presenting Citations of Achievement to Zain Retherford and Spencer
on transportation issues, and I think Myers on behalf of the entire House of Representatives. These exceptional athletes earned this
this is a good first step in making honor through years of hard work and dedication, and I was proud to join Rep. Russ Fairchild in
government operations more efficient congratulating them on their respective state titles in wrestling. Zain, a freshman at Line Mountain
and less costly to the taxpayers. High School, captured the Class A 103 pound title and had a record of 40-1 this season. Spencer,
House Bill 2134 is currently in the a senior at Selinsgrove Area High School, won the Class AAA title at 215 pounds with a record
of 44-0 this season.
House Transportation Committee.
Welfare Fraud, A Problem that Costs Millions
I believe that welfare fraud in this state is one of the most concerning issues facing our Commonwealth. Two reports from
the state auditor general detail that as much as 14 percent of cases within the department are fraudulent. This fact is made
more significant by the amount of money spent each year funding the Department of Public Welfare (DPW).
Spending by the Department of Public Welfare is now the single largest expenditure in the state budget for the past four
years. Without necessary reform, the department’s spending will undoubtedly continue to skyrocket, forcing the taxpayers to
pick up the added cost.
Although a complete overhaul of the welfare system has not yet occurred, we in the Legislature have begun taking steps
to help stem the abuse taking place at the cost of hard-working Pennsylvanians.
Last year, a new state law was enacted to help combat occurrences of welfare fraud in Pennsylvania. The new law prohibits
individuals from purchasing liquor or alcohol with the electronic benefit transfer card (EBT card) issued for public assistance
benefits. It also allows welfare caseworkers to make a report of suspected fraud directly to the Inspector General.
Under the new law, DPW is required to determine whether public assistance applicants are veterans. An applicant who is
a veteran shall be required to contact an authorized veteran service officer (VSO) to determine the applicant’s eligibility for
veteran’s benefits (such as case, medical or energy assistance) or to assist with filing a veteran’s claims packet.
This law ensures that we are offering assistance to those who are truly in need. It also helps eradicate fraud by scammers
who submit phony applications with false identities and addresses.

Table Games Are Northumberland County Gang

Not the Answer
The expansion of gambling in Pennsylvania to include
table games such as roulette, poker, blackjack and others will
only prove to be problematic in the long run, as the problems
created will outweigh the benefits.
With the signing of Act 1 of 2010 into law, up to 250 table
games can operate at any one time at most of the state’s
stand-alone casinos or those that operate in conjunction with
a horseracing facility. Gaming licensees at resort locations
could operate up to 50 table games.
I am disheartened and discouraged by the fact that this new
law encourages people to spend their hard-earned money to
“make it rich.” It is even more disappointing that the new law
did not contain necessary reforms to change the image of this
badly flawed industry. The industry has come under consider-
able scrutiny regarding the awarding of licenses and contracts,
as well as the way in which background investigations are
conducted. This law lacks language that would address those
outstanding and ongoing issues.
Furthermore, some states that have both table games
and slots have warned us that we need to see what the slots
industry has produced before we allow table games. To date,
not all of the 14 casinos allowing table games are operational,
and one of these casinos has now asked to reduce the number
of slot machines it will operate, thereby reducing property tax
revenue. We should not have expanded to table games until
all of those facilities are up and running.
We should not be balancing our state’s budget on how
much Pennsylvanians and other visitors gamble. Instead of
opening the door to the increased spending that this law will
undoubtedly allow for, the Commonwealth must reduce its
expenses, spend tax dollars more wisely and be accountable
to the people who pay the bills.
I am also dismayed by a provision within the law that
allows gamblers to play their games on credit. I have heard
many stories from constituents and others around Pennsyl-
vania who have been referred to problem gamblers hotlines
and programs. They are gambling away money that should
be used for mortgages, rent payments, utilities, and food for
their children.
I believe that the licensing of slot machines is not good
public policy, and the addition of table games to this problem-
plagued industry further erodes that policy.
Awareness Committee
This committee was developed after a presentation by local
law enforcement at the Front Street Station in Northumberland
on April 16, 2008. The committee initially began meeting in
July 2008 to heighten the awareness of gang presence within
our communities. The committee is comprised of experts in
law enforcement, social services, and community stakehold-
ers. The committee meets on a monthly basis with varying
participants, presentations and information. Each meeting
further engages participants in discussions regarding local
observations and concerns.
The work this committee does is important to the health
of our neighborhoods. Through their work, information has
been compiled and shared with local community/civic groups,
schools, churches and youth organizations. Presentations
have been made throughout Northumberland County as well
as Snyder County. To request a presentation for your local
community/civic group or gain additional information, please
contact GANGINFO@norrycopa.net.
If you are interested in becoming a part of this committee
as a community stakeholder or if you are interested in gaining
additional information about this committee, please contact
GANGINFO@norrycopa.net.
State Representative
MERLE H. PHILLIPS
108th District
DISTRICT OFFICE
106 Arch Street / Sunbury, PA 17801
Phone: (570)286-5885
Toll Free: 1-800-924-9060
Hours: Monday – Friday, 9 A.M. – 4:30 P.M.
HARRISBURG OFFICE
P.O. Box 202108
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2108
Phone: (717) 787-3485
We’re On The Web:
MerlePhillips.com
 Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
2010 Transportation Improvement Projects
Representative Merle Phillips Area

Legend

Bridge Projects

Microsurfacing

Resurfacing\Betterment

Seal Coat

Widening

Produced by:
Engineering District 3-0
Information Technology Unit
For further information or comments contact:
GIS Coordinator at (570) 368-4320

GIS Product No 760

02 - 11 - 10

Project lists include:

- All active construction projects in 2010
- Contract projects let from July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2011
- Department force projects scheduled during 2010 through June 30, 2011
 Fish Passage Project Moving Forward
Although the beginning of construction on the fish passage at the Sunbury inflatable dam is likely a year away, work
continues on the planning and permitting steps necessary for a project of this size.
The design for the fish passage is anticipated to be complete by this fall, with regulatory approval taking until the end of
the year. The current timeline has the project being put out to bid sometime in early 2011. This would allow construction
to start in the spring of 2011 if river levels are acceptable. The goal is for the project to be finished in the fall of 2011.
The proposed design for the Nature-Like Fishway will consist of a bypass channel with a series of pools and riffles
designed to replicate conditions that occur in nature. The channel will allow fish to bypass the dam year-round by main-
taining water flow even when the dam is deflated. To monitor its success, two fish counting windows and a fish counting
camera/video system will be installed.
This project has been a priority of mine for a number of years. I am glad to have a timeline set for its completion.

Students from the Meadowbrook Christian School in Milton Students from the Maranatha Christian School in Watsontown
visited the Capitol for a tour on April 20. visited the Capitol for a tour on May 10.

Students from the St. Monica Catholic School in Sunbury

visited the Capitol for a tour on May 21. Along with Reps. Russ Fairchild and Robert Belfanti, I was honored June
29 by the Department of Pennsylvania of the Marine Corps League for our
years of service in helping the veterans community. We are all combat
veterans retiring from the Pennsylvania General Assembly on Nov. 30.