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Dear Friend, In an effort to keep you informed about state and local issues, I have developed this e-newsletter which I will be sending out to residents of the 23rd District. I think it is a fast, convenient and affordable way to get news out to area residents. I hope you find this e-newsletter useful and informative - and if you know of someone else who would like to receive it, please feel free to forward this email. I invite you to visit my website www.senatorgeneyaw.com for more information about your state government. If you do not wish to receive these e-newsletters, please click the "unsubscribe" button at the bottom of the page. If you would like to contact my office, please go to my web page and click on the "contact me button". Please do not "reply" directly to this e-mail. Governor Corbett Delivers Budget Address to General Assembly On March 8, 2011, I had the privilege of presenting
Governor Tom Corbett to the General Assembly for his first budget address. During his address, Governor Corbett
The central theme of Governor Corbett's proposal was making government more efficient and our schools districts more accountable. His suggestions ranged from a one-year freeze on pay increases for our school employees, to curbing school mandates, to privatizing our state liquor stores, to eliminating walking around money (WAMs). To review Governor Corbett's entire budget proposal, I would suggest you go to www.budget.state.pa.us. Maple Syrup Season Each year around this time as the trees start to awaken in preparation for spring, people hit the sugar bush to tap every maple tree of appropriate size in sight. The hope is to get as much sap as you can to make delicious pure Pennsylvania maple syrup. The 23rd Senatorial District is dotted with local maple producers who make and sell their products, mostly on a local level. We live in a great place to make maple syrup as it has a much more "mapley" flavor than can be found in most of the other mass-producing maple areas of North America. Getting your maple syrup from one of these local producers is an easy and tasty way for us to "Buy Fresh, Buy Local." The other great thing that coincides with this phenomenon is the rise of the pancake benefit breakfasts held by many of the service organizations across the region. Driving to a social hall and dining on eggs, sausage, and/or ham with of course pancakes drenched in pure Pennsylvania maple syrup is a great way to start your weekend. On March 26th and 27th, the Big Pond Lions Club will be hosting their Annual Pancake Days in northwestern Bradford County. I highly recommend you stop by for an incredible breakfast. Next month, I hope to post pictures from the festivities. If you know of any other pancake breakfasts held in our area, email me and let me know where and when they are at gyaw@pasen.gov. Legislation of Local Interest Senate Bill 1 - the proposed school choice legislation was amended in the Senate Education Committee and sent to the Senate Appropriations Committee for a fiscal note. Senate Bill 273 - commonly referred to as the Castle Doctrine. This legislation provides justification for using force in cases of self defense. This bill overwhelmingly passed the Senate on March 8th and is now being reviewed by the House Judiciary Committee. Senate Bills 169, 444, and 731 - these are all proposed Small Games of Chance legislation. However, they are different in scope. Senate Bills 169 and 444 deal with private clubs, whereas Senate Bill 731 focuses on bars and taverns. Each proposal would increase weekly prizes. Currently, all of these bills are being reviewed by the Senate Finance Committee. Senate Bill 635 - this is a comprehensive proposal dealing with junior driver licensing requirements and the prohibition of interactive wireless communication devices. Currently, this bill is being reviewed by the Senate Transportation Committee. Senate Bill 723 - designating the Market Street Bridge as the Carl E. Stotz Memorial Little League Bridge. This bill passed the Senate Transportation Committee and is currently awaiting a vote on the Senate floor. Local Office of the Department of Revenue Closed For those not already aware, the state Department of Revenue recently closed its office located in Williamsport. Although the Sunbury office is now handling the work previously served at the Williamsport location, many constituents have contacted my offices for assistance with Revenue issues. Similar to previous years, Property Tax/Rent Rebate forms (PA 1000) are available in my district offices or online. Please be aware, my staff can help prepare the forms for submission if all relevant information is provided at the time of the visit. Constituents who would rather contact the Sunbury office can do so by calling (570) 988-5520. In addition, I suggest visiting the Department of Revenue website for general information, forms, news and publications. Help Is Available for Criminal Record Checks and Child Abuse Clearances Do you need to apply for your Pennsylvania Criminal Record Check and Child Abuse Clearance? My offices in Towanda and Williamsport can assist you with both. Staff can provide the forms and submit them on your behalf. For the Criminal Record Check, simply bring a $10 money order payable to the "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania." You may also do so by going to the ePATCH website. The State Police ask that applicants allow at least four weeks to perform the check. Child Abuse History applications require a $10 money order payable to the "Department of Public Welfare." You may also visit their website for further instructions and forms. The Department mails the clearance results within fourteen days of receiving the application. Outreaches Scheduled Every month, I hold various outreaches throughout my Senatorial District. The following times and locations are listed for late March and early April: Sullivan County - On March 17th from 11:30-12:30, Curtis Fay will be at the Sullivan County Library. Later in the afternoon from 1:00-2:00, Curtis will be at the Sullivan County Courthouse. Bradford County - On March 22nd from 11:00-12:00, Janenne Goliash will be at the Athens Twp. Building. Later in the afternoon from 1:00-2:00, Janenne will be at the Sayre Library. Bradford County - On March 25th from 10:00-11:00, Erik Houser will be at the Green Free Library in Canton. Later in the afternoon from 1:00-2:00, Erik will be at the Allen F. Pierce Library in Troy. Susquehanna County - On April 8th from 10:00-11:00, Arnie Kriner will be at the Courthouse Annex on Public Avenue. From 11:30-12:30, Arnie will then be at the Hallstead-Great Bend Library on Franklin Street. Union County - On April 13th from 11:00-12:00, Curtis Fay will be at the Union County Government Center in Lewisburg. At these outreaches, my staff will be available to respond to any questions you may have concerning state government. If these times and locations are not convenient for you, feel free to call my toll-free number at 1-800-443-5772. Hot Topic Results Last month, I asked for your opinion on Pennsylvania selling the state liquor stores. While approximately 52 percent of you thought they should remain under state control, 46 percent of you thought they should be sold. Comments ranged from "why sell a cash cow?" to "we need more competition and a better selection." Other opinions focused on the increase of alcohol abuse, the increased dangers on our highways and the loss of state jobs. Even though public hearings have been held on this issue, a legislative proposal has yet to be introduced in the General Assembly. As a result, during the Governor's budget address, he announced that he is forming a task force on privatization to determine what jobs now performed by government might be better done within the private sector. |
Harrisburg Office District Offices 1-800-443-5772
1 Elizabeth Street
Congratulations to the Elk Lake Boys and Girls Cross Country Team on winning the 2010 PIAA State Class AA Cross Country Team Championship. In February, the team, their coaches and family members had an opportunity to visit the State Capitol.
On February 9th, members of the Pennsylvania College of Technology came to the State Capitol for the Career and Technical Education Month celebration.
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stressed that his budget proposal was based
on four core principles: fiscal discipline, limited government, free enterprise
and reform. While indicating that some expenditures were cut in the range of
the thousands, some were cut into the millions. He described his budget as
sorting "the must-haves from the nice-to-haves." No doubt difficult decisions
were made, but the Governor insisted that even a modest tax increase was not the
answer to the $4 billion deficit that is facing Pennsylvania.
