Welcome to another edition of Northeast Notes! Congratulations to the Philadelphia Phillies on a terrific season. Once again, this team had the talent and the heart to make a second consecutive trip to the World Series. While we’re all disappointed that they didn’t win this year, the entire team deserves our appreciation. The Phillies made our city proud and I know they’ll be back in the hunt again next year. One thing’s for sure, Northeast Philadelphia loves the Phillies! 

For all the latest news on what’s going on in Harrisburg and in Northeast Philadelphia, check out my Web site, www.senatorstack.com, become a fan on Facebook or follow me on Twitter@SenMikeStack.
 

New Budget Protects Taxpayers, Meets Needs of Vulnerable

This was an extremely difficult budget to negotiate and I’m disappointed that it took over three months to come to a fair compromise on a spending plan.

We were faced with making tough choices, including eliminating over 100 line items and cutting spending in important areas. We were faced with a historic fiscal crisis due to the national economic climate and a $3.2 billion state deficit.

The spending plan is also $300 million less than last year’s budget. More than $2 billion was cut out of government spending. The Senate trimmed 10 percent of its spending as well. The legislature also depleted the state’s “Rainy Day” funds to help reduce the deficit.

Basic education received a $300 million boost and funding for non-public schools received a $1.8 million funding hike over last year.

A plan to impose a sales tax on the arts was tossed out, following public outcry. I was firmly against this plan. It would have impacted individuals and families who want to enjoy a day out and explore the arts.

I’m relieved that funding for veterans’ homes was restored back to the governor’s proposed level of $82 million because a previous budget plan called for cuts that would have devastated the veterans homes. Now, the homes will receive the matching federal dollars they deserve, and there is no fear of closing any homes or eliminating jobs.

As a member of the National Guard, I’m also glad that funding has been restored to the general government operating line item in the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. Our military deserves our support, and it would have been shameful to short-change this important aspect of state spending.

As part of the budget agreement, Pennsylvania will soon have table games at its casinos across the state. While the details are still being worked out, table games will bring in approximately $200 million this fiscal year. The revenue will be used to replenish our General Fund for now, but I am hopeful it will eventually go toward reducing property and wage taxes, in the same way as slots revenue.
 

Consequences Needed for Budget Inaction

The 2009-10 Pennsylvania budget was 101 days late. We were the very last state to enact a state budget. We can and must do a better job passing our state budget.

While Democrats and Republicans often have different views on how to spend money in Pennsylvania, we need to be held accountable for our inaction.

I just introduced legislation (Senate Bill 1125) that would dock pay from state legislators, the governor and cabinet secretaries if a state budget is not resolved by the June 30 deadline. These officials would forfeit a proportional amount of their pay for every day the budget is late. This means that when a budget is passed after June 30 we would not receive back pay. Instead, the pay would be forfeited and returned to the general fund.

My legislation provides additional safeguards to make sure that we have a balanced budget completed by June 30 every year.

LIHEAP Now Accepting Applications

Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) began accepting applications for its cash grant program on Nov. 2.

LIHEAP provides cash grants to help low-income households pay for home heating fuel and crisis grants to address heating emergencies.

During the 2008-09 LIHEAP season, approximately 547,000 families were helped through cash grants and more than 202,000 families received crisis assistance.

Homeowners and renters are eligible for help through LIHEAP. This year, a family of four with an annual income of up to $33,075 can qualify for assistance. Cash grants are based on income, family size, type of heating fuel and region. Crisis grants are provided to resolve heating emergencies, such as furnace failures or unexpected fuel shortages.