PRSRT STD

U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
HARRISBURG, PA
PERMIT NO. 529

Spring 2010

Rendell Budget Increases Taxes and Relies on Uncertain Revenue

Recently, Gov. Ed Rendell proposed a budget that includes an increase in taxes in a depressed economic climate and relies on
uncertain revenue in order to be balanced. This is outrageous, and Pennsylvanians should be highly upset that the compulsive
spending continues under Ed Rendell. When he took office, the budget was $20 billion. Now, it is approaching $29 billion. We
have seen an almost 42 percent increase in spending during his tenure. This governor just doesn’t get it!
In addition to the governor’s overspending, he continuously attempts to increase taxes. I find it extremely disconcerting that the
governor has stated that his proposed 2010-11 budget does not contain any new taxes, simply because the revenue generated from
these new taxes wouldn’t go to the general fund but would instead be earmarked for a reserve fund. I still think expanding the sales
tax to include 74 categories of current exemptions is a new tax. It is time for a taxpayer’s budget, not a tax and spend budget!
I do not support the governor’s proposed budget. His ideas of how to balance a budget by assuming that part of our revenue
will include federal funds that we may or may not actually receive, and requires the passage of federal legislation, could leave us in
quite a predicament. His administration has not provided an alternative solution to fill this hole, should the federal funding not be
approved.
Now that the governor has given his budget address and we have officially entered budget season, I have re-introduced my
legislation to ensure that this year’s budget is completed on time, without furloughs. This, and passing a responsible budget, should
be our priority and our focus.

Legislative Update
Since Governor Rendell took office consisting of six representatives and six salaries of executive-level officials,
we have been unable to pass a budget senators would be created in accordance including the governor and the secretary
by the deadline of June 30 at midnight. with the rules of the House and the of the budget, as well as members of
With that in mind, I have re-introduced Senate to deliberate on the budget bill. A the General Assembly, when there is
legislation that will ensure we meet that final budget bill would then be presented a budget impasse beyond July 1 of any
deadline every year, with no exceptions. to the governor no later than June 30. If fiscal year. Salaries will be forfeited, and
Pennsylvanians want to see a budget any of the deadlines are not met, the daily not returned, from July 1 until the date
passed in a timely fashion, and state pay for each member of the offending the budget is enacted.
employees simply cannot afford to chamber or chambers would be docked HB 2014 – This legislation would
be furloughed during this economic until appropriate action is taken. amend Pennsylvania’s Constitution to
crisis. I am hopeful that my bills will HB 913 – This legislation would automatically impose the immediate
be fast-tracked through committee to prohibit the Commonwealth from past year’s General Appropriations Act
give lawmakers the ability to enact this furloughing state employees in the at 12:01 a.m. on July 1 if a new budget is
much-needed legislation. event of a budget impasse that extends not enacted by midnight on June 30. The
HB 936 & 937 – This two-part beyond June 30. To ensure timely previous year’s budget would remain in
piece of legislation would amend the payment of employee salaries during a place until a new budget is passed by both
Pennsylvania Constitution as well as budget impasse, my legislation will also chambers and signed by the governor.
the Administrative Code to require the specify that employees must continue to To check on the status of any of the
House of Representatives to pass an receive their biweekly compensation in above-mentioned pieces of legislation,
initial budget bill no later than June 1, and accordance with current state law. please go to: [Link]/cfdocs/
the Senate would be required to pass the HB 1629 – This legislation would legis/home/[Link].
same by June 15. If necessary, no later than amend the Public Official Compensation
June 20, a special conference committee Law to require the forfeiture of the

[Link]
 Lower Dauphin girls field hockey team Vietnam Veterans ceremony
CDHS wrestling team
CDHS boys soccer team

Take a Swing Against Breast Cancer

Candlewood Suites ribbon cutting

Ban on Hand-Held Phones while Driving

I recently voted in favor of legislation that would make Pennsylvania’s roads safer. As a member of the House Transportation
Committee, I whole-heartedly supported banning the use of hand-held cell phones for all drivers. It is clear that drivers who use
hand-held phones while driving their vehicles are more likely to be involved in an accident. I believe that with the use of hands-
free phones, drivers will be less distracted and will, therefore, be more alert and could more easily avoid a potential accident.
Exceptions would be provided for law enforcement officers, drivers of mass transit vehicles, operators of emergency vehicles
when on duty, and leeway would be provided for drivers to use a hand-held cell phone to report a traffic accident, or make a 911
emergency call.
This measure may inconvenience some people, but it will undoubtedly save lives. That was the intent of this legislation and I
fully support the intent.
 Electric Choice Town Meeting
I recently held a town meeting on the issue of expiration of rate caps. I received many phone calls and emails about this issue
and felt it was important to have a forum to discuss this matter in greater detail.
At the event, a group of panelists spoke and took questions from the attendees. This panel consisted of the chairman of the
Public Utility Commission (PUC), a representative from the Office of Consumer Advocate (OCA), the vice president of the Retail
Energy Suppliers Association and a representative from Pennsylvania Power & Light (PP&L).
Many people have questioned why the General Assembly doesn’t extend the rate caps. Unfortunately, the United States
Supreme Court ruled that states cannot set retail electricity prices below the actual costs that the electric companies incur to
provide electricity. What this means is that once the rate caps expire, you will be paying current market prices for your electricity
instead of the rate you are now paying, which was set in 1997.
Given this situation, the General Assembly has been working to find ways to help you. Last year we enacted a new law that
requires electric companies to buy the cheapest power available and to help you conserve the electricity that you use. If they fail
to do this, there is a substantial $20 million penalty they must pay. Also, legislation has been introduced this year that would allow
customers to pay any increases over a three-year period instead of all at once.
House Bill 20 would establish rate phase-in options for consumers in relation to the expiration of electric generation rate caps.
Another piece of legislation, of which I am a co-sponsor, is House Resolution 366. This resolution would produce an analysis of
electricity deregulation within the service territories of electric utilities where rate caps have previously expired in the state.
The General Assembly is also working hard to make sure that competition is available so that you can shop around and get
the very best price. To help you shop for an electric generation supplier, the PUC has a competition hotline that you can call at
1-888-782-3228. Additionally, if you have any other questions, you can contact the OCA at 1-800-684-6560.
I am very concerned about the expiration of the rate caps and how they have been affecting the people of my legislative district.
I will continue to closely monitor this situation to ensure that electric customers are not taken advantage of during this period of
transition.

Marsico Offers Update of Local Transportation Projects

Good roads, highways and bridges are vital to public safety Hanover officials and business owners have also worked very
and quality of life in central Pennsylvania. The following are hard to help bring these improvements to this roadway. I look
the latest updates: forward to the completion of this project and the increased
safety and mobility it will bring to the area.
Linglestown Square
The long-awaited groundbreaking for the Linglestown Nyes Road Corridor
Square project took place on November 30, 2009. The main Improvements to Nyes Road are scheduled to begin
feature of the project will be the installation of roundabouts sometime in the spring. This project, which will include
at the Linglestown Square as well as the western end of the reconstruction of the entire roadbed, begins at Willoughby
village near Pennsylvania Avenue. The project will also include Road and extends to North Highlands Drive. A small portion
relocating a portion of Blue Mountain Parkway, improving of the cliff along the roadway will be shaved away and a
existing pavement, and installing a new drainage system. retaining wall will be installed.
United Water will install a public water line and three fire Perhaps the most anticipated improvement is the traffic
hydrants will be installed. signal that will be installed at the Locust Lane and Nyes Road
In the spring, eastbound traffic on Linglestown Road will intersection. Turning lanes will be installed on Nyes Road,
be diverted to the Blue Mountain Parkway bypass while work but not Locust Lane because installation of a turning lane on
is completed on eastbound Linglestown Road. Motorists Locust Lane would require very costly bridge reconstruction.
will also see ongoing construction on northbound lanes of Nyes Road will be shut down throughout the construction,
Mountain Road and Pennsylvania Avenue. After eastbound and detour routes have been proposed. Construction will
lanes are complete, construction will begin on westbound begin on the Highlands Drive end of the project so that traffic
lanes and on Blue Mountain Parkway. PennDOT expects the signal can be installed.
$5.8 million project to be completed by the fall of 2011
Colonial Park/I-83 Interchange
I-81/Exit 77 Improvements Anyone who has ever tried to enter or exit I-83 South
PennDOT has begun construction on the proposed at the Colonial Park interchange knows how dangerous
upgrades for Exit 77 on I-81 in West Hanover Township. and frustrating this can become. This spring PennDOT will
Traffic signals will be installed at exit/entrance ramps to I-83. remedy some of this congestion by eliminating the loop ramp
Route 39 will be widened to five lanes from Old Jonestown from I-83 South onto Rt. 22 East. All traffic exiting I-83 South
Road to Fairville Avenue and three lanes from Fairville Avenue will exit onto Route 22 via a single exit ramp and will stop at a
toward Linglestown. The plan should also result in improved traffic signal that will be installed on Rt. 22. Motorists wishing
sight distance for motorists near the Fairville Avenue/Route to go east toward the shopping centers will make left turns
39 intersection. PennDOT anticipates a December 2011 onto Rt. 22 East. This will eliminate the dangerous weaving
completion date for the $12.9 million project. and jockeying for position that currently exists as motorists
I am thrilled that Exit 77 is finally receiving the attention try to exit onto Rt.22 East. Also, the acceleration lane from
I have been seeking since early 1997 when I made my first the ramp entering I-83 South will be extended approximately
site visit there with PennDOT District 8-0 officials. West 200 feet in order to better accommodate motorists heading
south on I-83.
Cheers! 
EAGLE SCOUTS:
Edward Schrom II Troop 68
Philip Fonner Jr.
60 years – Gannett Fleming Inc.
ANNIVERSARIES:

Central Dauphin North Side

Central Dauphin High School
Boys Soccer
John Groh Troop 74 Joyce Pitts Elementary School 2009 PIAA AAA State
Scott Espenshade Troop 74 35 years – PA Dept. of Public 50th Anniversary CoChampions
Joseph Ketchem Troop 68 Welfare Linglestown Fire Company Central Dauphin East High
Carl Feldman Troop 68
Kevin Ellison Troop 23
Jared Rittle Troop 256
Michael Biacchi Troop 36
Raymond Rizzo
34 years – PA Dept. of Public
Welfare
Gregory Snyder
 75th Anniversary
CFA Youth Football League
35th Anniversary
John and Elizabeth Moser
School Boys Basketball
2009 PIAA AAAA State
Champions
Central Dauphin High School
Benjamin Asper Troop 10 16 years – PA Dept. of Public 8/15/09 – 50th Wedding Wrestling Team
Tony Grab Troop 256 Welfare Anniversary 2009 AAA PIAA State Team
Dan Bayer Troop 256 Trudy Johnson John and Laura Budd Champions with Championships
Todd Beachley Troop 368 36 years – PA Dept. of Public 5/27/09 – 70th Wedding for both Tony Dallago (189
Ryan Salem Troop 10 Welfare Anniversary pound) and Marshall Peppelman
Jeffrey Ahearn Troop 302
Anthony Cole Troop 23
GOLD AWARD (GIRL SCOUTS):
Anna Elias Troop 1914
Sarah Wilson Troop 915
Karl Valley
37 years - PA Dept. of
Agriculture
Richard Leeper
32 years – The Hershey
AWARDS:


Timothy Pramik, Benjamin
Shield, Lee Witman and Russell
Knapp
Colonial Park Fire Company
(152 pound)
Lower Dauphin High School
Student Michael Brown
300 Meter Hurdles 2009 State
Champion. Michael also
BIRTHDAYS:
Raymond Coulter
Company
Dennis Guzy
19 years – PA Attorney
Distinguished Service Award
Joanne Isett 
received the prestigious 2009
Travers Award for most
outstanding male student


80th on 12/16/2009 Grantville Volunteer Fire
General’s Office Company – 25 years of service athlete.
Richard Lebo Colonel James McGovern Jeff Sweigard Central Dauphin
90th on 12/15/2009 John Leak Jr.
28 years – PA Air National Chosen Friends Lodge No 43 High School Wrestling Coach
Jeannette Gentry Guard 2009 Coach of the Year for
100th on 11/22/2009 honoree
Patricia Prifer 1st National Bank National High School Coaches
Ethel Riordan 34 years – PA House of Association


90th on 9/2/2009 Junior Achievement Company
Representatives of the Year Award Holy Name Jets Midget Football
Paul Harmon
88th on 1/25/2009
Gayle Howard
 George Schrum 2009 Catholic Football


10 years – PA Dept. of Public PA Parks and Forests Association Champions
James Tadych, Sr Welfare Harrisburg Hunters and Anglers
80th on 1/21/2010 Stewardship Award
Marcy G. Magdule Jack Cotolo BB Gun Riflemen Team
Dorothy Uhazie 30 years – Harrisburg School 2009 State Education Trophy
90th on 1/14/2010 Green Energy Poster Award/PA
District Waste Industries Association and 2009 Paul Teifer
Rose Darrah Barbara Beshore Memorial Trophy recipients
80th on 2/3/2010 31 years – PA Dept. of SPORTS: Brian Stockton
RETIREMENTS: Environmental Protection Lower Dauphin High School Girls BB Gun Overall Shooter State
Barbara Hummel Barbara Hummel Field Hockey Silver Medalist
33 years – PA Dept. of Public 34 years – Public Service 2009 PIAA AAA State Mariano DeFillippo and George
Welfare Carmen Devine Champions Kolarac
Roxanne Oliver 35 years – PA Dept of Public Lower Dauphin High School Girls Posthumous Inductees/ PA
29 years – PA Dept. of Welfare Soccer Capital Area Sports Hall of
Conservation and Natural Honorable Joseph Kleinfelter 2009 PIAA AAA State Fame
Resources 19 years – Judge of Dauphin Champions Lee Parthemore
Daniel Schaefer County Court of Common Pleas Central Dauphin High School Inductee PA Capitol Area Sports
29 years – Buehringer Ingelheim Boys Volleyball Hall of Fame
Corporation 2009 PIAA AAA State
Champions

District Office Offers Variety of Services

My offices on Linglestown Road and at the Capitol provide a wealth of valuable services to the people of the 105th Legislative
District.
If you have a question about legislation or an idea for something the General Assembly needs to address, my office is the first
place to call. It’s also the place to go if you need to talk with my staff or me about any state government-related problem.
The office also makes it easier for you to apply for state programs, process important paperwork and obtain information about
the services the state provides. For example, my offices will help:
Obtain license and vehicle registration applications.
Secure birth and death certificates (photo identification is required).
Provide applications for civil service jobs.
Provide applications for the senior citizens Property Tax/ Rent Rebate and PACE programs.
Help to cut “red tape” in dealing with state government
Additionally, my website offers a variety of information regarding state programs, the latest news at the Capitol and
events in the district. There are a multitude of forms and applications on my website that may be very helpful to you.
Please visit [Link] to see if any of these services are helpful to you!
If you need help with these or any other problems or concerns, please contact my office at 4401 Linglestown Road,
Suite B, telephone 717-652-3721, or Room 218 Ryan Office Building, telephone 717-783-2014. You can also email me at
rmarsico@[Link].

State Representative Ronald S. Marsico

105th Legislative District
DISTRICT OFFICE: 4401 Linglestown Road, Suite B / Harrisburg, PA 17112 / (717) 652-3721
CAPITOL OFFICE: PO Box 202105 / Harrisburg, PA 17120-2105 / (717) 783-2014
E-mail: rmarsico@[Link] Web site: [Link]