STATE REPRESENTATIVE
U.S. POSTAGE
Nicholas A. Micozzie
SUMMER 2010
Serving the People of the
163rd Legislative District
Mark Your Calendars!
Annual Senior Expo
to be Held Sept. 27
Monday, Sept. 27, 2010
9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Drexelbrook
4700 Drexelbrook Drive
Drexel Hill
This free event designed to provide
a wealth of information to local senior
citizens about programs and services
available from local, state and federal
governments. More than 40 vendors
and speakers will be on hand at the
expo this year.
A continental breakfast and door
prizes will be available.
My staff and I always enjoy meet-
ing with local seniors and their fami-
lies during the Senior Expo. I hope to
see you there!
Rep. Micozzie speaks with Alfred and Rosina
Pietrofesse at the 2009 Senior Expo.
PRSRT STD
PAID
HARRISBUR,G PA
PERMIT NO. 432
Legislation Aimed at
Reducing Distracted Driving
on Pennsylvania Roadways
Interactive wireless devices have enabled
us to stay in touch with our families and
work nearly anywhere we go. While these
devices allow us to be more efficient in our
jobs and more available to our families when
we are away from home, there are also times when they can distract our atten-
tion from where it should be – like when we are driving. This is a particular
concern among teen drivers who lack experience behind the wheel and, as a
result, are more prone to accidents if their attention is not fully focused on the
task of driving.
More than a dozen states have taken steps to limit this kind of distraction.
In January, the House approved House Bill 2070, which would ban hand-held
cell phone use and text messaging for motorists on Pennsylvania roadways.
Under House Bill 2070, adult drivers would still be permitted to engage in
voice communication in hands-free mode, while junior drivers (drivers age 16
and 17 who have not obtained full driving privileges) would be prohibited from
using any interactive wireless communication device for any purpose.
I support this legislation because I believe it will help reduce auto accidents
and deaths resulting from distracted driving. Junior drivers would also be able
to use a device to contact 911 if the car is stopped in traffic and in neutral or
park, or if they are operating an emergency service vehicle and engaged in the
performance of official duties. This bill is now awaiting consideration by the
Senate.
House Bill 67, another bill aimed at addressing the problem of distracted
driving, particularly among teen drivers, passed the House in April. As passed
by the House, the bill included provisions banning cell phone usage while driv-
ing and failure to use a seat belt a primary offense for which junior drivers could
be pulled over.
The Senate passed a number of amendments to the bill which significantly
weakened it. When the bill returned to the House, I voted to support the Sen-
ate amendments even though I believe much more should be done to address
this growing problem. In the end, the House rejected the Senate version of the
bill and it is unlikely a compromise will be reached this year.
While the failure of House Bill 67 was a major setback for this issue, I intend
to continue my efforts to reduce distracted driving of all kinds and improve the
safety of everyone who uses the roads and highways of Pennsylvania.
 Veterans’ Corner
Applications Available for
Gulf War Veteran Bonus
I would like to encourage residents of the
163rd Legislative District who served in the
Persian Gulf War in 1990-91 to apply for a
$75 per month bonus for up to $525 from
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
The program was made possible by the
enactment of Act 29 of 2006 and the over-
whelming support of Pennsylvania voters dur-
ing the Nov. 7, 2006, general election.
Bonuses will be awarded to current and
former members of the United States Armed
Forces, a reserve component of the United
States Armed Forces or the Pennsylvania Na-
tional Guard. Both living veterans and fami-
lies of deceased veterans are eligible.
To qualify, veterans must have:
 Served in active duty in the Persian Gulf
Theater of Operations during the period from
Aug. 2, 1990, to Aug. 31, 1991, and received
the Southwest Asia Service Medal.
 Been a legal resident of Pennsylvania at
the time of active service.
Eligible beneficiaries of deceased veterans
include, in the following order of precedence,
surviving spouse, surviving children and sur-
viving parents. The amount of the compensa-
tion is based upon the number of months the
individual served on active duty.
An additional one-time benefit of up to
$5,000 may be awarded if the service mem-
ber was declared a prisoner of war at any time
during the period of qualifying service or the
service member died in active service or as a
result of service-connected wounds. The pro-
gram is being administered by the Pennsylva-
nia Department of Military and Veterans Af-
fairs (DMVA).
When applying, individuals should send
copies of original documents, as paperwork
will not be returned. The DMVA estimates
that applications should take six to 10 weeks
for processing. The deadline for applications
is Aug. 31, 2015.
Applications may be obtained from my
district offices at 6 South Springfield Road
in Clifton Heights and 3701 Garrett Road in
Drexel Hill or through my website at RepMi-
cozzie.com. Applications will also be available
at county director of veteran affairs offices and
from veteran service organizations.
Rep. Micozzie greets constituents at the veterans’ seminar in June.
Veteran’ Benefits Seminar a Success
I would like to thank all the veterans who came out to my
veterans’ benefits seminar in June. Representatives from the
Coatesville Veterans Medical Center and the federal govern-
ment provided lots of valuable information on eligibility and
benefits for veterans. I enjoyed meeting with many of our local
veterans and providing them with access to this information.
Coatesville VA Offers Comprehensive
Services for Veterans
I would like to take this opportunity to remind area veter-
ans that services are available at the Coatesville Veterans Af-
fairs Medical Center. I encourage those who need assistance
or care to contact the center today.
Contact information is as follows:
Coatesville Veterans Affairs Medical Center
1400 Black Horse hill Road
Coatesville, PA
www.coatesville.va.gov
(610) 384-7711 or 1-800-290-6172
Services include:
• Primary Care Services – For program information,
please dial extension 4239.
• Geriatric and Extended Care Services – For program
information, please dial extension 5119.
• Mental Health Services – For program information,
please dial extension 5126.
• Community-Based Outpatient Clinics – For program
information, please call (610) 543-3246.
*To schedule an appointment, please call extension 4239.
*For eligibility information, please call extension 5008
or 5034.
Check us out on
 In the District…
Deadline to Apply for Property Tax/Rent
Rebate Program Extended
The deadline to apply for the state’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate program
for 2009 has been extended to Dec. 31, 2010.
Eligible participants can receive a rebate of up to $650 based on their
rent or property taxes paid in 2009. The program benefits eligible Pennsyl-
vanians who are 65 years or older, widows and widowers 50 years or older, Rep. Micozzie and his wife, June, hand over
their tickets to ushers Helen Schultz and Max
and those 18 years or older with disabilities. Weigel at the first public performance in the
Eligibility income limits for homeowners are set at the following levels, Lansdowne Theater since 1987. “Straight No
excluding 50 percent of Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, Chaser,” a national cappella music group, per-
formed before an audience of 1,100 in April.
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 sup-

ported by the Pennsylvania Lottery, which dedicates its proceeds to sup-
port 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 accu-
rately.
Property Tax/Rent Rebate claim forms are available by contacting my
offices, or by visiting my website at RepMicozzie.com.
Rep. Micozzie shares a story with preschool
students in from Sonshine Christian Academy
in Drexel Hill.

DEP Increases Incentives for Non-Electric Home Heating Equipment

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is offering increased incentives to
Pennsylvanians to upgrade their non-electric residential heating systems through the Pennsylvania Home
Heating Equipment Rebate Program.
Rebates ranging from $250 to $1,000 will now be offered to replace eligible non-electric residential fur-
naces, hot water heaters and boilers fueled by home heating oil, natural gas or propane with more efficient
Energy Star-rated units. Previously, rebates had ranged from $100 to $500.
Equipment purchased on or after Aug. 2 will be eligible for the revised amount.
The $11 million program is being funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Near-
ly 3,900 Pennsylvania residents have already received rebates after taking steps to make their homes more
energy efficient. Heating and water heating account for nearly half of a typical home’s total energy bill.
Residents may reserve a rebate online through my website at RepMicozzie.com. Those without Internet
access can call 877-592-2061.
Once a reservation is made, consumers will have 30 days to submit the necessary documentation of pur-
chase and installation. Rebate checks will then be mailed directly to the consumer. Rebates will be issued
until program funds are depleted. A rebate can be combined with federal tax credits, a non-electric utility
rebate and/or a manufacturer’s rebate.

the web at www.RepMicozzie.com

 Fire, Ambulance Services
Eligible for Grant Funding
Volunteer fire and ambulance services
throughout Delaware County are once again
eligible to apply for funding through the Vol-
unteer Fire Company and Volunteer Ambu-
lance Services Grant Program.
First established in 2000, the program
provides grants to support construction or
renovation of a unit’s station, the purchase or
repair of equipment, training or debt reduc-
tion.
Maximum grants are $15,000 for volun-
teer fire companies and $10,000 for volun-
teer ambulance services.
Applications will become available no
later than Sept. 7, and must be submitted
by 4 p.m. on Oct. 22. The grant program is
administered by the Office of the State Fire
Commissioner.
Local Senior Citizens Benefit from
Millions in PA Lottery Proceeds
More than $19.2 million in proceeds from the Pennsylvania Lot-
tery provided benefits to the senior citizens in Delaware County dur-
ing the 2008-09 fiscal year, according to a report recently released by
the Pennsylvania Departments of Revenue and Aging.
Since 1971, the proceeds from the Pennsylvania Lottery have ben-
efited programs specifically geared toward senior citizens. Of those are
the 52 Area Agencies on Aging and more than 600 full- and part-time
senior centers, the PACE and PACENET prescription drug coverage
program, shared and free rides, and the Property Tax/Rent Rebate
program.
Locally, in Delaware County, the breakdown includes:
• Area Agency on Aging and affiliated senior centers -
$8 million
• PACE and PACENET - $11.1 million
• Shared and Free Ride Program - $6.5 million
• Property Tax and Rent Rebates - $8 million
• Long-term living services through the Department
of Public Welfare - $15.6 million
The Pennsylvania Lottery is unique in that it remains the only
lottery in the nation that exclusively targets all of its proceeds to pro-
grams for older residents. Anyone who thinks they may be eligible for
PACE, PACENET or the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program should
visit my website at RepMicozzie.com or contact my district office.

Rep. Micozzie presents a citation to Sonia Forrest,

Doris Beck, Kathy Dollymore, Charlotte Berg
and Peg Gerding to celebrate Norway’s
105th year of independence.

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
3701 Garrett Road, Drexel Hill, PA 19026
registration applications and renewals.
Phone: (610) 284-0020 FAX: (610) 284-4011
 Assistance with PennDOT paperwork.
 Copies of birth and death certificates.
Harrisburg Office:
 PACE and PACENET applications Room 105 Ryan Office Building
for seniors. PO Box 202163, Harrisburg, PA 17120-2163
 Property Tax and Rent Rebate Phone: (717) 783-8808 FAX: (717) 783-0688
forms and applications.
 Voter registration forms and
absentee ballot applications.
 State tax forms.
 Student aid information.
 Free state maps, state park informa-
tion, and PA Vacation Guides.
 Copies of legislation.
 Tours of the State Capitol.
 Referrals to agencies to resolve
state-related matters.

If you need help with any of the above or

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