PRSRT STD

U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
HARRISBURG, PA
PERMIT NO. 432

Fall 2010 Newsletter

Dear Friend,
Bipartisan Team of Lawmakers Unveil Public
As a lifelong
Integrity Commission Proposal
resident of the 150th
Legislative District,
Commission would root out and prevent public corruption
it is a privilege to In the wake of a series of scandals compel testimony. The commission would
serve as your state involving elected officials throughout the also serve an educational role by issuing
representative. I am Commonwealth, I joined a bipartisan group yearly reports on public corruption.
honored that you have of state legislators To b e s t
trusted me to fight for to spearhead insulate the PIC
the issues that affect a legislative members from the
our local communities, effort to create political process,
region and state. a Public Integrity commissioners
Since taking office Commission (PIC). would have to
nearly four years ago, I Reps. Curt be nominated
have worked to reform Schroder (R-Chester by a committee
our state government County), Eugene consisting of law
and make the entire DePasquale (D-York s c h o o l d e a n s,
legislative process County) and John district attorneys
more transparent. Yudichak (D-Luzerne a n d g o o d
The various initiatives County) joined government
and issues that I have me in sponsoring advocacy groups.
worked on over the this legislation, The governor
past two years are which will create would select seven
described throughout an independent members from the
this newsletter. g o v e r n m e n t On July 26, I joined a bipartisan group of legislators 15 nominated by
My staff and I are agency responsible to unveil legislation to create a Public Integrity the committee.
here to ser ve you. f o r m o n i t o r i n g Commission (PIC). The PIC would take the place of Those nominated
We offer a variety of and investigating the current State Ethics Commission and would serve by the governor
ser vices, including t h e a c t i o n s o f a dual law enforcement and education role. The PIC would be subject
help with PennDOT p u b l i c o f f i c i a l s would be charged with uncovering and investigating to confirmation
issues, information t h r o u g h o u t t h e corruption at all levels of government within the by two-thirds of
Commonwealth. Pictured with me from left to right:
about student financial Commonwealth to former Rep. Harold James (D-Philadelphia County), the state Senate.
aid and senior citizen determine whether Reps. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne County), Mike N o m o r e t h a n
programs, and copies they are engaging O’Brien (D-Philadelphia County), Bryan Lentz (D- three commission
of state maps and in unlawful activity Delaware County), Curt Schroder (R-Chester County) members could
other publications. in connection with and League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania be from the same
Feel free to contact the public office President Olivia Thorne. political party.
us with any state- they hold or for The PIC would
related questions or which they work. replace the current state Ethics Commission
concerns. Our proposal calls for a seven-member and expand its role and purview by employing
commission with professional investigatory trained, certified law enforcement personnel
Sincerely, staff to respond to complaints and seek out with the authority to enforce laws related
corruption wherever it exists. The commission to public corruption. All of the existing
would have the power to subpoena records functions and duties of the Ethics Commission
Michael A. Vereb and witnesses relevant to an investigation, -- including personnel, appropriations,
along with the authority to grant immunity and equipment, files and records -- would be
continued on page 2....
 Reforming State Government
Since taking office, I have looked for ways to reform state government in order to restore the public’s trust.
Below are a few of the initiatives that I have been working on recently.

Vereb Holds Government Reform Fixing the

Forum to Garner Public Input Delaware River Port
on Ways to Improve All Levels of Authority
Government
When I was first elected to the House in 2006, it was on a wave of
voter outrage over the way things were being done in Harrisburg. As a
member of the Speaker’s Reform Commission last session, I worked hard
to reform government operations and make state government more
transparent. However, there is still much to be done.
In order to restore the integrity of our governmental institutions and
restore the public’s trust, we need to have an open dialogue between
governmental officials and the people they are elected to represent.
To enhance this dialogue, I hosted a forum for residents of the 150th
Legislative District in June. The forum was a wonderful opportunity for
constituents to voice their opinions regarding what the next step
needs to be for the reform movement in Harrisburg and through-
out the state.
A panel of local and county government officials, as well as
news reporters who cover the different levels of government,
were on hand to give their view on what government reforms
need to be enacted and to answer questions from the audi-
ence.
The evening’s panelists included: Todd Stephens, Mont-
gomery County Assistant District Attorney; Jenny Brown,
Lower Merion Township commissioner; Stan Huskey,
Times-Herald editor; Tony Phyrillas, Pottstown Mer-
cury city editor; Alex Roarty, PoliticsPA correspon-
dent; and Chris Freind, independent columnist
and investigative reporter.
This was an interactive event, with residents
encouraged to submit questions for the pan-
elists throughout the evening. The panel dis-
cussed a wide range of topics, including:
property taxes, the impact of lobbyists, gov-
ernment spending and the ongoing criminal
investigation into the state Legislature.
I had a wonderful time discussing these
issues with my constituents and I look for-
ward to furthering this discussion through
other forums in the future.
Over the past several weeks, I have been
working with New Jersey State Assemblyman
Domenick DiCicco Jr. (R-Gloucester) to re-
form the Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA).
The DRPA has come under heavy scrutiny for
mismanagement and a lack of transparency
regarding the agency’s policies.
The DRPA is responsible for the upkeep
and maintenance of four bridges crossing
the Delaware River between Pennsylvania
and New Jersey. This $300-million-a year bi-
state agency is funded by the $4 tolls that
commuters pay to cross the bridges. The
DRPA has proposed increasing tolls to $5 in
July 2011.
Recent revelations include the misuse
of EZ Pass transponders by a former top
agency official, inappropriate use of agency
vehicles, a lack of any outside audits of the
agency’s finances, questionable holiday
bonus practices and the agency’s refusal to
implement an expanded ethics code seven
years ago.
Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell and New
Jersey Gov. Chris Christie have asked the
DRPA to enact a list of changes to its op-
erations. In the meantime, Assemblyman
DiCicco and I have asked for the agency
to refrain from implementing proposed toll
hikes, scheduled to take place next July, until
a full accounting of its funds is completed.
We have also introduced bi-state legisla-
tion to change the DRPA’s federal charter
to make the agency more transparent and
accountable.
Assemblyman DiCicco and I will continue
to fight on behalf of hard-working taxpayers
whose toll dollars help fund the DRPA. For
updates on this situation, please visit my
website, www.RepVereb.com.

continued... Bipartisan Team of Lawmakers Unveil

Public Integrity Commission Proposal
transferred to the new PIC.
Over the past few decades, newspaper headlines have described numerous government scandals involving
ghost employees, job-selling, cover-ups and kickbacks for lucrative state contracts. “Bonusgate,” the Luzerne County
“Kids for Cash” scandal, allegations of pay-to-play schemes within the executive branch and the licensing of casino
owners with criminal backgrounds are the latest examples of government bodies that have demonstrated an inability
or unwillingness to appropriately police themselves.
Obviously, the current safeguards we have in place don’t go far enough. The current system has turned a blind
eye to government corruption for years. I came to Harrisburg because I believe state government needs to change.
This legislation is a step in the right direction. A Public Integrity Commission with law enforcement powers will be able
to root out corruption and make government more transparent for all citizens of Pennsylvania.
This legislation will strengthen Pennsylvania’s ability to fight government corruption and restore the public’s trust in its
elected leaders.

Visit My Web Site

 Budget Bill Inadequately Prioritizes Tax Dollars
Vereb votes against budget that spends too much
The 2010-11 budget that was voted on at the end of June increased state spending at a time when revenues
continued to come in below calculations.
I could not support a budget that unfairly and irresponsibly raised funds for cardboard checks and funding for
pet projects, while at the same time decreased funds for vital environmental programs. Under this proposal, fund-
ing for the Department of Environmental Protection took more than an 8 percent hit. Meanwhile, the Department of
Community and Economic Development received a 22 percent increase. It makes no sense and will hurt our state in
the long run. I think there was a much better way state tax dollars could have been more appropriately designated
in this budget.
I could not, in good conscience, vote for a budget that sets the state up for failure. This budget spends too much
at a time when the state continues to face revenue problems. We face even more funding problems because this
budget was balanced on the assumption that the state will receive more than $850 million in new federal funding,
of which only approximately $600 million has been approved. An additional $250 million in cuts will now have to
be made to ensure a balanced budget. On top of that, going into the 2011-12 fiscal year, we will have to account
for the loss of all other stimulus funds that were used to balance the budget. Altogether, the 2011-12 budget will
have to account for nearly $3 billion in exhausted stimulus funds, with no reserve funds to fall back on to help ease
the budgeting process.
Going forward, we need to get the state’s fiscal house in order. We cannot spend more than we are getting in
revenue. Families across the Commonwealth have had to tighten their household budgets, and it’s time for state
government to do the same.

Senior Expo to be Held

Please mark your calendar for Thursday, Sept. 23, for my annual Senior Expo.
The expo will be held from 10 a.m. to noon and will be held at the IBEW Local 380
at 3900 Ridge Pike in Collegeville.
This event is set aside to provide a wealth of information to local senior citizens
about programs and services available from local, state and federal govern-
ments.
My staff and I look forward to meeting with local seniors and their families during
the Senior Expo, and I hope to see all of you there!

Deadline to Apply for Property

In June, Sen. John Rafferty and I attended a check
presentation by State Farm to the Collegeville
Main Street Program. The $3,500 check is to
be used for the State Farm Good Neighbors
Curbside Appeal Program. Through this program,
property and business owners in the designated
Main Street district can receive a matching grant
up to $500 to improve their curbside spaces with
hardscaping or landscaping. I am pictured with
State Farm Insurance agent Larry Hoak; Linda
Flederbach, Main Street Manager; Debbie Riegner,
Collegeville Ecomonic Development Corporation
board member; and Sen. Rafferty.
Tax/Rent Rebate Program
Extended
The deadline to apply for the state’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate pro-
gram for 2009 is being extended from June 30 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
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)
Residents are reminded to provide all the necessary income,
property tax or rental information required to process claims quickly
and accurately.
Property Tax/Rent Rebate claim forms are available by con-
tacting my office at 610-409-2615, or by visiting my website at
www.RepVereb.com.

e: RepVereb.com
 Around the 150th
Throughout the spring and summer, I have met with several
businesses and constituents throughout the district. I’ve also
held a number of outreach events for residents of the 150th
Legislative District, including my annual Family Fun Day, annual
Shredder Event and Government Reform Forum.

Residents of the 150th Legislative Dis-

trict are pictured at my Fourth Annual
Family Fun Day at the Pit Stop in Colleg-
eville. Collegeville resident Sean Roddy
won this year’s Tootsie Roll guessing
contest.

Sen. Andrew Dinni-

man and I met with
representatives
from GlaxoSmith-
Kline to discuss
the company’s so-
lar energy project.

Constituents and I sort New Jersey Assem-

papers at my Annual blyman Domenick
Shredder Event. DiCicco and I unveil
our bi-state legisla-
tion to change the
Delaware River Port
Authority’s (DRPA)
The panelists answer questions at my Government
federal charter.
Reform Forum.

PennDOT to Conduct Feasibility Study for Second

Perkiomen Creek Bridge Crossing
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has recently agreed to conduct a feasibility study for an
additional bridge over the Perkiomen Creek in Collegeville.
The traffic congestion at the intersection of Ridge Pike, Germantown Pike, Main Street and Route 29 has long been
a source of frustration for local motorists. I recently worked with Sen. John Rafferty to secure additional state funding
for the improvements to the intersection of Main Street and Route 29 to lessen traffic congestion. However, more work
still needs to be done.
Currently the Perkiomen Creek Bridge, built in 1799 and last updated 25 years ago, is the only way to cross the creek
at this busy intersection. Traffic is limited to three lanes over the bridge.
The feasibility study is the first step in determining how to ease local traffic congestion and make the roadways safer
for everyone.

State Representative
Mike Vereb
150th Legislative District
DISTRICT OFFICE: HARRISBURG:
3950 Germantown Pike / Suite 101 314-C Main Capitol Building
Collegeville, PA 19426 PO Box 202150
Phone: (610) 409-2615 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2150
Fax: (610) 409-2619 Phone: (717) 705-7164
Fax: (717) 260-6522