PRSRT STD

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

State Representative Kate M. Harper

61st Legislative District
KateHarper.net

March 2011

New Legislative Session Off to a Good Start

Dear Neighbors,
January saw the start of a new legislative
session with new faces in the PA House, the
PA Senate and the Office of the Governor. With
Republicans in control of both chambers and
newly inaugurated Governor Tom Corbett tasked
with leading the Commonwealth forward despite
the still dismal economy, change is in the air.
The House wasted no time in getting down to
the people’s business, passing a series of reform
measures and revisions needed to tighten the
Megan’s law sex offender registry rules.
House Bill 15, the Pennsylvania Web
Accountability, Transparency and Contract Hub
(PennWATCH), requires the state treasurer
to develop, implement and maintain a single,
searchable, public website containing revenue
and expenditure information for all of the
agencies of Pennsylvania’s state government.
It is designed to let you see how your money
is being spent by the Commonwealth and its
agencies.
Other reform measures, already passed by
the House and awaiting action in the Senate,
would extend whistleblower protection to
employees of the Legislature, and in private
businesses engaged in government contracts,
if they are suspended, fired or disciplined for
reporting a misuse of government funds. One
bill would enact into a law with criminal penalties
certain House rules that prevent legislators from
creating “legislative nonprofit organizations” for
the purpose of receiving state appropriations to
be spent at a member’s discretion, and another
bumps up penalties for lobbyists who fail to
follow the state’s Lobbyist Disclosure Act.
We are making great strides in posting
information on the web where it can be easily
accessed, 24/7, by your computer in your home.
This is a good time to remind you that
KateHarper.net features links to the electronic
bill room, a record of how we legislators voted on
measures that came before us, links to your local
township or borough government, links to other
state agencies and the official Pennsylvania
website, and a link to the Megan’s Law website
maintained by the Pennsylvania State Police.
That last site is easily searchable by zip code,
and it’s more than a little frightening to see where
registered sex offenders are living within our
communities. But it is important information for
your safety, and for that of your children.
One of our more popular features on
KateHarper.net is a weekly e-mail blast you can
sign up for on the site. Lately, those have mainly
been chronicling all of the traffic detours in the
area so that you can avoid the trouble spots, but
the e-mails also give you news on a timely basis
from me and the PA House.
Of course, the budget will be a big issue
again this year, and I am happy to hear from
you on this subject. With the economy still
sluggish, unemployment figures stagnant
and federal stimulus funding a thing of the
past, Pennsylvania faces another tough year.
We don’t print money in Harrisburg, and we
don’t “deficit spend,” so we must make sure
our expected revenues match our expected
expenditures every year.
When revenues from sales taxes, income
taxes, and other taxes are depressed because
people are not earning what they did before,
aren’t buying what they did before, and are,
instead, hurting and need greater help from the
government, it’s very hard to get a balanced
budget.
We spend nearly 40 percent of the state
budget on education (kindergarten through
12th grade), and another 40 percent on welfare,
Medicaid and other social spending. We owe
the federal government $3 billion dollars for
unemployment benefits already paid out and
still many are jobless. We cannot fail to fund
our prisons (another $1 billion plus per year) or
essential government services, so the places
where we can cut spending are limited. I would
be happy to hear your suggestions, opinions and
questions in this regard.
Feel free to call me, e-mail me at kharper@
pahousegop.com, or write me an old-fashioned
letter. I’m also on Facebook at facebook.com/
RepKateHarper. I love hearing from you!

Harper Available to Speak to

Area Groups
Looking for an update on state government? Tips on
how to get involved in public service? Information on
new laws that affect your community or professional
organization? Rep. Kate Harper welcomes the
opportunity to speak to groups of all sizes and
all ages about issues of interest to you. She
equally welcomes your feedback on state and
local issues.
Just call the Blue Bell office at 610-277-3230
to schedule.

Be In The Know!
For updates on everything from local road construction detours to key state
and local issues, sign up at www.KateHarper.net.
You can also find discussion of local and legislative news by following PA
State Rep. Kate Harper on Facebook.
Rep. Kate Harper was joined by several Montgomery County residents at the
inauguration of Gov. Tom Corbett in January. Pictured left to right are Kathy
Kelly, Montgomeryville; Mary Shorely, Plymouth Meeting; Rep. Harper; former
Secretary of Aging Alma Jacobs, Blue Bell; Imja Choi, Blue Bell; and Art and
Barb Bustard, Lansdale.
 Favorite PA Attractions: Kathy Rusch of the Blue Bell office is a fan of Ricketts Glen Favorite PA Attractions: Shannon Bucher of the Blue Bell office loves the
State Park, which spans Columbia, Luzerne and Sullivan counties. Pennsylvania Grand Canyon. The canyon is located in both the Leonard Harrison
and Colton Point state parks in Tioga County.

Looking for Culture, History,

Favorite PA Attractions: Erin Raub of the Harrisburg office
takes an annual icefishing trip to Lake Wallenpaupack with
her husband, Justin, and his family. Located in the Pocono
Mountain region, the lake offers year-round recreational
opportunities.
Adventure? Find it All in PA
Vacation doesn’t have to mean long lines at the airport or long drives across the
country – there are plenty of fun and interesting things to see and do right here in
Pennsylvania. In fact, Montgomery County has a lot of history at our doorstep. For
links to a few of the many attractions right here in the southeast, check out the “Local
Sites for Staycations” section on page 4.
The state’s tourism website, www.visitpa.com, is a comprehensive source of
information about vacationing in Pennsylvania. Things to do, places to stay, key
destinations and handy travel tools – you’ll find all you need to know to plan a weekend
getaway or a longer trip.
Looking for a ready-made trip? Check out the “Trip Ideas” tab and browse the
many pre-planned road trips available. Visit Pennsylvania’s unique small towns on the
“Small Town Charmy” trip. Photography buffs and arts fans will enjoy the “Shutterbugs”
and “Artisan Ways” itineraries. There are also pre-planned trips for shopping, golfing
and hiking fans.
Families looking for more flexibility in their planning can use the site to search for
activities based on geography and interests. The site also offers special travel deals
and events.
If you have a love of history, check out the “Civil War Trails and Beyond” trip – a
great way to mark the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. Or visit the Historical and
Museum Commission’s website, www.PATrailsofHistory.com, for links to all of the
state’s historic sites categorized by subject: military history, historic homes, industrial
heritage, and rural farm and village history.

Doing Your Part for the Environment: Composting

Many people are worried about the health of Pennsylvania’s environment but may feel there is little they can do about it. Or maybe you are
making efforts to reduce your carbon footprint but wonder what difference one person can make.
Not long ago, recycling was a rare practice that required people to make special trips to a recycling center. Today, curbside recycling pickup
is offered in nearly all communities in Montgomery County and throughout the state. Recycling allows for the reuse of recyclable materials and
saves landfill space for trash that cannot be recycled.
Composting
Why bag those fall leaves if, when mixed with things like food scraps, weeds, water and air, they will decompose into a great fertilizer for your
shrubs, flowers or garden? Composting saves space in our landfills, improves soil and plant health, and saves you money because you don’t
have to buy commercial fertilizers.
If you don’t have enough space or aren’t permitted to do backyard composting at your home, you can easily compost materials in a plastic
container such as a trash can with a lid. You will need to cut holes into the trash can to allow air to circulate and help break down the materials.
Those holes should be covered with window screening to keep bugs and critters out.
Get into the habit of dumping your kitchen scraps inside the trash can. Those scraps can include things like fruit, potato and carrot peelings,
coffee grounds, lettuce, cabbage and egg shells. Note: No meat, dairy or greasy wastes should be added to your compost!
Under optimum conditions, with frequent turning of the materials, you will have usable compost within a month or two. Simply mix the compost
with your soil to nourish your plants.
For more on composting, visit KateHarper.net and click on the “composting” button on the left side of the home page.

PHEAA: Your Source for College Financial Aid Information

Area students looking to further their education have several options to plan for and finance that education. A great place to start is the
Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) website: www.pheaa.org.
PHEAA administers the Pennsylvania State Grant program for students in the Commonwealth but also serves millions of students nationwide
through its loan guaranty, loan servicing, financial aid processing, outreach and other student aid programs.
Currently, PHEAA is coordinating programs to assist students and their families in filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid
(FAFSA). This form must be completed by May 1. To review the latest schedule of FAFSA Completion Sessions, visit the PHEAA website or
contact the Blue Bell office for assistance.

www.Kate
 Eagle Scout Award
On the Road to Better
Highways
The detours may be getting tiresome, but rest assured,
progress is being made on major road projects across the area.
Rep. Kate Harper congratulates Michael Here’s a look at what’s planned in 2011:
Route 309
Joseph Sanders for achieving the rank of Eagle This project is just about to cross the finish line. Traffic is in
Scout. His community service project included its final configuration, ramps at the Route 309-Norristown Road
leading a team of fellow scouts and friends in Interchange opened in December and most of the Intelligent
refurbishing six sets of bleachers on the sporting Transportation Systems (ITS) components have been installed.
field of St. Philip Neri School in Lafayette All that remains is laying the final paving between Bethlehem
Hill. Michael is a member of Troop 140 in Pike and Highland Avenue, which will be done when the weather
Conshohocken and is the son of Ronald and warms up this spring. Crews were able to pave a section of the
Ann Marie Sanders. southbound travel lanes, between the ramp at Bethlehem Pike
to near the Norristown Road/Springhouse exit, before the winter
weather set in.
PECO Offers ‘Smart Ideas’ Blue Route Improvement Project
Heading down the home stretch as well is PennDOT’s
Incentive Programs rebuilding of I-476 (Blue Route) between the I-76 (Schuylkill
Expressway) and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Mid-County
Whether your desire to conserve energy is out of environmental or economic interchanges in Montgomery County. This year, PennDOT will
concerns, PECO is offering a number of programs aimed at helping individuals and finish rebuilding the northbound side of the highway between
businesses achieve both goals. I-76 and Germantown Pike. Crews are rebuilding the outside
The programs were created in response to Act 129, which passed the Pennsylvania half of northbound I-476 during the first part of the year; in the
Legislature in 2008 with the goal of requiring electric companies like PECO to work with late spring, crews will move two lanes of northbound traffic onto
their customers to reduce energy usage and demand. They include: the rebuilt outside portion of the highway and begin rebuilding
• Smart Home E-Audit – This online tool gives you a detailed report of your energy the inside half.
use, including month-to-month comparisons, plus tips for no-cost and low-cost home Route 202 Parkway
improvements to help save money. The southern segment of the Parkway between Route
• Smart Lighting Discounts – PECO offers discounted, Energy Star-qualified compact 63 (Welsh Road) and Route 463 (Horsham Road) is virtually
fluorescent lamps (CFLs) at more than 700 area retail stores. These bulbs completed. This year, work continues on the section between
use 75 percent less energy and last 10 times Route 463 (Horsham Road) and Route 611, where crews
longer than incandescent bulbs. will focus on completing several bridges, earthwork, utility
Shop for an • Smart Home Rebates – Rebates are offered for installations and drainage, followed by construction of the
new Energy Star appliances or heating and roadway, its shared-use-path and trail-head parking areas.
Electricity cooling systems purchased since July 1, 2009. Improvements also will be made to cross streets that will
Just check the rebate form to make sure your intersect the Parkway, including County Line Road, which is
Supplier appliance or heating/cooling system qualifies, fill
out the form and your check will be in the mail.
being widened between existing Route 202 and Stump Road.
State law allows Construction at the southern end of the Parkway, where it
consumers to shop for • Smart Appliance Recycling – Save up to $150 connects with Route 202 (DeKalb Pike) and Route 63 (Welsh
their electricity supplier, on your energy bill by getting rid of your old, Road), also is continuing as crews work to widen Route 202
though the power you working refrigerator or freezer. PECO will pick it (DeKalb Pike) between Sumneytown Pike and Knapp Road,
buy will continue to be up, recycle it and give you $35. and Route 63 (Welsh Road) at its approaches to the Parkway.
delivered by PECO. For • Smart A/C Saver – PECO will remotely manage Northeast Extension
more information on how to your central system in times of high demand and Construction on the southern section of the Turnpike’s 10.5
shop and to compare prices, you will receive a monthly credit of up to $30 mile Total Reconstruction and Widening Project is now underway.
check out these websites: on your electric bill for participating. Walsh Construction was awarded the $151 million contract to
For information on these and other PECO Smart reconstruct and widen the six-mile section from the Mid-County
www.PAPowerSwitch.com Ideas programs, visit www.peco.com/SmartIdeas or Interchange to Berks Road (milepost A20-A26) in December
www.OCA.state.pa.us call 1-888-573-2672. 2010. Work on the southern section is expected to last three
years until anticipated completion in late 2013. Construction
on the northern portion of the project from Berks Road to the
Harper Appointed to House Committees Lansdale Interchange (Exit #31) is expected to go to construction
Rep. Kate Harper will serve on the following committees during the 2011-12 in 2014.
legislative session: When completed, this section of the Northeast Extension
• House Ethics Committee, Chairperson • Local Government Committee will be a six-lane highway with 12-foot-wide shoulders to the left
• Environmental Resources and • Transportation Committee and right of the travel lanes. Noise walls (or sound barriers) will
Energy Committee • Urban Affairs Committee be constructed along some sections of the roadway in Whitpain
and Towamencin.

Rep. Kate Harper and Sen. Stewart Greenleaf presented a House citation to Upper
Gwynedd Township Police Officer Frederick M. Lynch in honor of his being named
Crime Prevention Officer of the Year by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and
Delinquency. Pictured left to right are: Representative Harper, Officer Lynch, Upper Students from St. Rose of Lima School in North Wales recently visited the state
Gwynedd Township Police Chief David Duffy, and Senator Greenleaf. Capitol.

eHarper.net
 Sitting in
Traffic &
Wondering
Dear Sitting in Traffic:
I was on my way to work the other morning when I saw the police
had another driver pulled over on the right-hand side of the road. The
shoulder area wasn’t very wide, but I saw several cars stay in the right
lane as they sped by. For the safety of the officer and the driver who
was pulled over, I moved into the left lane. I don’t know if they have to,
but shouldn’t the other drivers have done the same?
“Movin’ Over”
Dear Movin’ Over,
You certainly did the right thing by using your common sense and
moving over. The other drivers should have, too – it’s the law.
Five years ago, the General Assembly adopted Act 113 which
outlines requirements for drivers passing emergency response areas.
Such areas include, but are not limited to, fire and accident scenes, as
well as your example of a car pulled over by a police officer.
The law requires drivers passing through such areas to move
over to the far, nonadjacent lane. If an adjacent lane is the only lane
available, a driver should slow down enough to pass the area safely.
Drivers will know they are approaching an emergency response area
because it is marked, either by the flashing lights of a police car or
road flares, caution signs or other traffic control devices.
A person who violates the law could be fined up to $250. If the
violator causes serious injury by failing to follow this law, his or her
driver’s license could be suspended for 90 days.
As a driver, the most important thing you can do is follow this law
and set the example for other drivers in the area. This could be a boon for our Commonwealth, but it needs to be watched carefully to
Upcoming Events: Montgomery County Senior Games, May 9-13
Rep. Harper encourages all seniors age 50 and over to take part in this year’s 26th Annual Montgomery County Senior Games and Expo,
May 9-13. General information and registration forms will be available at KateHarper.net or by calling the Blue Bell office at 610-277-3230.
Helpful Sites Online: Local Sites for Staycations
Looking to get away for a day or two? There are plenty of things to see and do right here in Montgomery County and the surrounding areas. Following are links to just
a few of the many interesting places to visit.
Montgomery County’s Historic Sites
historicsites.montcopa.org
Tour hours and event information for the county’s historic sites, including
John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove, Pennypacker Mills, Peter Wentz
Farmstead, Pottsgrove Manor and Sunrise Mills.
Historical Society of Whitpain
histsocwhitpain.org
Meeting and event information sponsored by The Historical Society of Whitpain.
The organization meets on the last Tuesday of each month (March through
November) at the Boxwood House at the intersection of Skippack Pike and
Cathcart Road.
National Museum of American Jewish History
nmajh.org
Learn more about this national museum and its mission to present education
programs and experiences that preserve, explore and celebrate the history of
Jews in America.
Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor
delawareandlehigh.org
Comprehensive resource of things to do in the Delaware, Lehigh and Wyoming
valleys, including everything from birdwatching and camping to shopping and
visiting wineries.
Contact me
Harrisburg
PO Box 202061
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2061
Phone: (717) 787-2801
Email: kharper@pahousegop.com
The Blue Bell Office can help!
l Birth/Death Certificates l PACE/PACENET Applications
l PA Income Tax Forms l CHIP
Gas Drilling in the Marcellus Shale
One of the biggest issues in last year’s state budget was the debate over applying a
severance tax to natural gas harvested from the Marcellus Shale, which spans much of the
northern and western parts of the state. The development of these rich and deep reserves of
natural gas are seen as an economic boon to rural Pennsylvania, which has had a generation
of scarce jobs and a slow economy.
Lawmakers could not reach a consensus on the severance tax issue, so no tax was
enacted last year. Newly elected Gov. Tom Corbett has pledged not to support any new or
increased taxes, so it seems unlikely we will see a severance tax any time soon.
I am willing to support the tax, but not primarily as a means to make up for a shortfall in
the state budget, and that’s how the proposed legislation was drafted last session. I believe
all, or at least most, of the revenue realized from a tax on drilling natural gas should go directly
to communities impacted by drilling and to programs that will help address the environmental
impacts. I introduced, and the House passed, an amendment to do just that. But the measure
never made it to the governor’s desk.
Many people are concerned about the level of regulation of the industry and its potential
impact on the environment. For areas within the Delaware River Watershed, the Delaware
River Basin Commission has been proactive in regulating the drilling to protect our water
supply.
In addition to a number of state laws that govern oil and gas drilling operations, the
Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has recently imposed new water quality
regulations to protect our water supply and is in the process of implementing more stringent
standards for the cementing and encasing of well bores as they are drilled into the earth.
All drillers must submit a permit application to DEP, and the agency goes to great lengths
to ensure the proposed operation complies with all applicable laws and regulations and will
meet standards for ensuring minimal environmental impact will occur.
DEP has also increased permit fees for oil and gas drilling to help fund the addition of
nearly 100 field inspectors to ensure laws and regulations are being followed.
protect our water supply.
Valley Forge National Historic Park - nps.gov/vafo
Everything you ever wanted to know about this extraordinary place of history.
Graeme Park - ushistory.org/graeme
This 42-acre historic park in Horsham features the Keith House, the only surviving
residence of a Colonial Pennsylvania Governor.
Plymouth Meeting Historical Society
http://sites.google.com/site/plymouthmeetinghs/home
Founded in 1952, the Plymouth Meeting Historical Society has played an active role in the
community, ultimately getting the village placed on the National Register of Historic Districts
in 1971. The website includes information about the society’s activities and events.
Go Green with the “Harper
Report” Online
Many people have asked if they can stop receiving the paper version of the
Harper Report and instead read it online to help protect the environment and our
natural resources. The answer is....absolutely.
Simply go to www.KateHarper.net and click on the “Go Green” icon on the upper
right side of the page to sign up.
Even if you already receive regular e-mail updates, you must fill out this form and
include your full mailing address so you can be removed from the newsletter mailing
list. You will be notified via e-mail when a new edition of the Harper Report is available.
" clip and save
Blue Bell
1515 DeKalb Pike, Suite 106,
Blue Bell, PA 19422
Phone: (610) 277-3230
Internet: www.KateHarper.net
l Complaints/Questions about State Agencies l Handicap Parking Placards
l Road Condition Concerns