Fall 2010
Dear Neighbor:
Wow…the summer flew by! I
am hopeful all of you enjoyed the
past few months and were able to
get outside and enjoy the weather.
As the summer winds down,
the General Assembly is preparing
to return to session in the fall.
Several issues are facing my
colleagues and me, including the
special session on transportation
funding, considering a tax on
the extraction of natural gas in
the Marcellus Shale formation
and creating an independent
Fiscal Office for oversight of the
Commonwealth’s financial affairs.
These issues are sure to present
challenges to the Legislature
as it works to find reasonable,
taxpayer-friendly solutions to
these critical issues.
This e-newsletter provides
updates about the activities
recently completed in the 88th
District and in the General
Assembly. In addition, it contains
information about programs and
services that are beneficial to the
people of Pennsylvania.
On a side note, you can also
follow me on Facebook to receive
news and information regarding
state government. Visit
Facebook.com/RepDelozier
to add me to the Facebook pages
you follow.
If I can be of service regarding were in place and functioning at
any state government-related
matter, please do not hesitate to
call, e-mail or write me. My staff
and I are willing to help you in the
most efficient way possible.
Sincerely,
Sheryl M. Delozier
State Representative
88th District
billions of dollars into Pennsylvania’s economy. I believe that we can
adequately address the needs of the environment while empowering
this industry to thrive.
Follow me on Facebook at Facebook.com/RepDelozier
What Does Marcellus Shale
Mean for Pennsylvania?
One of the issues to be addressed during the fall legislative session is the
taxation of the extraction of natural gas from the Marcellus Shale. During
2010-11 state budget negotiations, the governor and the majority leaders in
the House and Senate agreed to consider a tax by Oct. 1.
I have been asked: What is Marcellus Shale and how does it impact
central Pennsylvania? The Marcellus Shale formation encompasses 54
of the state’s 67 counties and is concentrated in northern and western
Pennsylvania. Although central Pennsylvania is not directly impacted by this
industry, companies from our area are working in the Marcellus Shale region
and their success will provide economic benefits to the local economy. This
industry has the potential to produce thousands of family-sustaining jobs
and boost the state’s economy; however, protecting the environment must
be included in the final equation.
Constructing drilling rigs, extracting the gas and shipping it through
the pipelines places a heavy burden on a community’s surrounding
infrastructure. The General Assembly must ensure funding is allocated to
communities to maintain their roads and water quality. Environmentally,
this industry is highly regulated to protect our water and forests. The well-
trained and knowledgeable employees of the Department of Conservation
and Natural Resources and the Department of Environmental Protection
maintain consumer safety as their top priority.
The governor and many lawmakers in the Legislature have advocated
for imposing additional taxes on this industry in its infancy. Pennsylvania’s
business taxes are among the highest in the country. Companies that are
drilling in the Marcellus Shale already pay taxes to Pennsylvania’s state
and local governments. Any additional tax placed on them must be fair
and reasonable so good-paying jobs remain available to the citizens of
Pennsylvania. Our neighboring
states have resisted taxing this
industry in the outset in an effort
to allow it time to get up and
running. Once the well heads
peak capacity, taxes were added
and the revenues generated
were used for environmental
protection and maintenance of
infrastructure.
I believe the General Assembly,
with the input of this industry,
communities and environmental
watchdogs can agree to enact
fair policies for both the economy
and the industry. Marcellus
Shale has the potential to infuse
article continued on page 2... A natural gas drilling site in Lycoming County.
Marcellus Shale article continued from page 1...

To gain additional knowledge about this growing

industry, I recently visited a drilling site in Lycoming During her tour of
County to witness first-hand the amount of time and a Marcellus Shale
capital invested in successfully bringing a gas well on drilling site in
Lycoming County,
line. The men and women responsible for the safety Rep. Sheryl Delozier
of the workers and protection of the environment obtained additional
have a difficult job meeting the needs of all involved. information about
the natural gas
The legislation we will vote on this fall is industry and
something we will have to get right; the next the process of
generation of Pennsylvania citizens is counting on us. extracting gas from
within the shale.

Lawmakers Prepare for Fall Session

With the Legislature set to return
to session in mid-September, the fall
legislative calendar is shaping up to
be active as the House and Senate
focus on transportation funding,
pension reform and a Marcellus Shale
tax.
According to PennDOT,
Pennsylvania is home to more than
5,600 structurally deficient bridges
and more than 10,000 miles of roads
in need of significant repairs. In
May, the Pennsylvania Transportation
Advisory Committee (TAC) reported
that $3 billion in new money is
needed annually for roads, bridges
and mass transit. The question
is what is the best way to raise
revenue? Raise taxes or fees, or
look to other ways to raise revenues?
Unfortunately, there is no simple
answer.
The governor and several
lawmakers have put forward several
ideas, such as increasing the gasoline
tax; raising vehicle registration and
license fees; tolling other highways;
leveraging additional capital by
leasing public assets to private
companies; taxing motorists by the
number of miles driven; borrowing
additional money; and imposing
additional taxes on oil companies.
Not only are we facing a shortfall
in funding for transportation, we
are also confronted with significant
increases in school property taxes to
pay for the underperformance of the
state’s pension systems: the Public
School Employees’ Retirement System
(PSERS) and the State Employees’
Retirement System (SERS).
For more than a year, school
districts, lawmakers and others have
been raising awareness about the
significant spike in contributions
necessary to keep the pension
systems funded. In June, the House
overwhelmingly approved legislation
that would bring about major reforms
for pensions of future employees.
Down the road, these changes would
substantially reduce the financial
burden on school property taxpayers
and school districts. In addition,
it would put measures into place
that would provide predictable and
reasonable costs.
With the current economic
climate, we must take the necessary
actions that protect the people of
Pennsylvania.
Taxing the extraction of natural
gas from the Marcellus Shale
formation is another issue that
will be addressed by the General
Assembly. Although I covered this
topic thoroughly in an earlier article,
it is necessary to reaffirm that we
must ensure that any additional tax
placed on this industry is reasonable,
and business- and consumer-friendly.
We must enact policies that allow this
industry to grow by providing family
sustaining jobs and economic growth.
Although transportation funding,
pension reform and agreeing to a
reasonable natural gas severance
tax are major topics to be addressed
this fall, other items to be debated
include creation of an Independent
Fiscal Office and elimination of the
Office of Jury Commissioner at the
county level as well as working to
get House Bill 169 (Small Games of
Chance) passed in the Senate.
Our work is cut out for us in the
ensuing months and I am hopeful
that my colleagues and I can work
together in a bipartisan fashion to
bring about positive changes for the
people of Pennsylvania. Obviously,
there are going to be disagreements,
but we need to keep the best
interests of our constituents as the
priority.

2010-11 State Budget

The 2010-11 state budget package was completed in early July and I had many concerns with the final
spending plan because it relied on unrealistic revenues and increased the amount of borrowing.
For the Commonwealth as a whole, I am pleased the budget was passed shortly after the deadline,
ensuring that the needed public services, which were disrupted last year during the 101-day budget
impasse, would not be in jeopardy of interruption. The agreed-to budget reduced the governor’s
request to spend $29 billion to the final spending plan totalling $28.04 billion.
My decision to vote “no” stemmed from the concern I had that this spending plan relied
on $850 million of funding from the federal government. Although a month later Congress
authorized nearly $600 million in additional funding for Pennsylvania, at the time of the
budget passage, I believed it was irresponsible to balance the Commonwealth’s budget with
money it did not have.
Although this budget increases spending by less than 1 percent over last year’s plan, I
believe it would have been prudent to further rein in the cost of state
government, especially since the state will not have access to federal stimulus funding
next year. Without the stimulus funds, the Commonwealth is faced with at least a
$3 billion deficit for next year’s budget before we even deal with funding gaps that may
be ahead of us.
Continued on page 3...
State Budget article continued from page 2... General Fund Spending
Representative John Bear of Lancaster County and I put
forward several cost-saving ideas, which would have generated
revenues without raising taxes. Our proposal would
have expanded the use of Purchase (Debit) Cards, permitted
Pennsylvania to process other state’s Supplemental Security
Income (SSI) payments, corrected errors made in the processing
of tax refunds by the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue,
and streamlined the use of the state’s vehicle fleet. If fully
implemented, our proposals could have generated nearly $1.5
billion in additional revenue without increasing taxes. Obviously,
these suggestions should be revisited during
negotiations for the 2011-12 state budget.

General Fund Revenue

* NOTE: Revenue only reflects state dollars.

Federal stimulus funds are not included in this chart.

I would be remiss if I did not mention that the 2010-11

* NOTE: Funding includes $2.75 Billion in
federal stimulus dollars.
budget did include $45 million in savings by implementing
two of our suggestions; however, our total package could
have generated much more.
Our future budget challenges are exacerbated by the
loss of nearly $3 billion in stimulus funding, our debt to
the federal government of $3 billion for unemployment
compensation and the need for $3 billion in funding for
transportation. Although a new governor and General
Assembly will be sworn in, in January, their work is already
taking shape before they assume office. Difficult decisions
will need to be made and I am hopeful my colleagues are
willing to begin addressing these issues when we return to
session in September.

Fire, Ambulance Services Autism Community Can Gain

Eligible for Grant Funding
Volunteer fire and ambulance services in
Cumberland County are once again eligible to
apply for funding through the Volunteer Fire
Company and Volunteer Ambulance Services
Grant Program.
First established in 2000, the program
provides grants to support construction or
renovation of a unit’s station, the purchase or
repair of equipment, training or debt reduction.
Maximum grants are $15,000 for volunteer fire
companies and $10,000 for volunteer ambulance
services.
Applications will become available no later
than Sept. 7 and must be submitted by 4 p.m.
on Oct. 22. The grant program is administered
by the Office of the State Fire Commissioner.
For information and details about this
program, visit my website at
RepDelozier.com and click on
“Fire & EMS Company Grants.”
Valuable Resources
An autism-friendly website has been established in
order for family members and those living with autism to
live with less stress. This website -
www.autismresources.com - allows users to
recommend and/or search several autism resources
throughout Pennsylvania.
The site was first established because Pennsylvania’s
2004 Autism Task Force recommended there be more
access to information about autism. Keystone Autism
Information Systems Inc. (KAIS) is the non-profit
organization that was created specifically to extend
public awareness of autism resources. Anyone affected
by autism can also find local support groups, which not
only provide support, but education as well and are run
by master’s level clinicians. Local restaurants that meet
specific dietary needs can also be found using the site.
These resources can also be accessed without using
the internet by calling the toll free number:
1-877-695-8495. This site depends on users’ feedback.
I strongly urge those in the autism community to share
their input and expertise.
Recently, I was invited and honored to attend the
Capital Autism Spectrum Group. I learned a lot from

Visit my website at RepDelozier.com those who have been diagnosed with autism as well as
their family members.
 Information for Our Veterans
Honoring Our Vietnam
War Era Veterans
I will be hosting a recognition ceremony for
the Vietnam War era veterans who reside in the
88th Legislative District to honor them for their
service and sacrifice defending our freedoms and
way of life.
This event will be held at 7 p.m. on
Veterans Day, Thursday, Nov. 11, at
Mechanicsburg Middle School. Contact my
district office for additional information at
717-761-4665.
To be recognized during the ceremony, an
RSVP is required by Oct. 28, 2010 by contacting
my office at 717-761-4665, or visiting my website
at RepDelozier.com and clicking on “Vietnam
War Era Veterans Recognition Ceremony.”
I want to ensure I have the opportunity to
thank our veterans for a job well done.
Persian Gulf Conflict Veterans
Reminded to Apply for Bonus
Veterans who served on active duty in the Persian Gulf
War during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm are
reminded to apply for the Persian Gulf Conflict Veterans’ Bonus.
The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans
Affairs offers the Pennsylvania Persian Gulf Conflict Veterans’
Bonus to veterans who served on active duty, including
mobilized National Guard and Reserve personnel, between Aug.
2, 1990, and Aug. 31, 1991, with a payment of up to $75 per
month for every month of active Gulf War service. Veterans
who received a Southwest Asia Service Medal and were legal
residents of Pennsylvania at the time of their service are also
eligible for the benefit.
An additional bonus of $5,000 is available to surviving
families of those killed in action during the same period.
For more information on the Persian Gulf Conflict Veterans’
Bonus, visit my website at RepDelozier.com and click on
“Persian Gulf Conflict Veterans’ Bonus.”

Rep. Sheryl Delozier hosted a Korean War Era
Veterans’ Recognition Ceremony in May to honor
those who served our country so admirably.
*To view the Korean War Veterans Recognition
ceremony, visit my web site at RepDelozier.com
and click on “ Veterans Resources.”
During Rep. Sheryl Delozier’s Korean Rep. Sheryl Delozier presented a House citation
War Era Veterans’ Recognition event, to Burton Reisman of Lower Allen Township,
she presented a House citation to Paul L. honoring him for celebrating his 90th birthday.
Kreiner Jr. in honor of the Four Chaplains
Legion of Honor Award. Kreiner is the
commander for the Mechanicsburg VFW
Memorial Post 6704.

Town Hall Meetings Throughout Sign Up for E-Mail

District Connect Residents Updates
with State Government News You Can Use

In early August, I held four legislative update meetings throughout the 88th As a way to keep the citizens of
District to provide residents information on issues under consideration in the state the 88th Legislative District informed
House and answer questions and address concerns about state government from about legislative activity in the
those who attended. Meetings were held in the Borough of Lemoyne, Upper state House and state government
Allen Township, Lower Allen Township and the Borough of Mechanicsburg. More programs and services, I periodically
than 120 citizens throughout the community offered numerous thoughts and issue “News You Can Use” e-mail
ideas. Some of the issues discussed included, the 2010-11 state budget, funding updates to those who opt-in to
for education, pension reform, Marcellus Shale, combining the Pennsylvania receive e-mail from my office. If you
Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and the Pennsylvania Turnpike are interested in receiving e-mail
Commission (PTC), reducing the cost of state government, small games of chance updates from me, visit my website at
and funding for municipal police officer training. RepDelozier.com and locate the
Similar to last year’s meetings, I conduct these sessions to provide each of section “Get E-mail Updates” at the
you the opportunity to share with me, your representative in the state House, top, right-hand side of the front page
your questions, concerns and suggestions about state government. and provide your e-mail address and
I want to thank everyone who took the time to come out and engage in ZIP code.
meaningful dialogue with me. If you did not have the opportunity to make it If you later decide to stop
to one of these meetings, I invite you to contact me with your questions or receiving these updates, just click
comments. There are several ways to contact me, including calling my district the link at the bottom of the e-mail
office at 717-761-4665, visiting my legislative website, RepDelozier.com, to be removed from the e-mail. If
visiting my Facebook page, Facebook.com/RepDelozier, or sending me an you have any questions, please do
e-mail at sdelozie@pahousegop.com. not hesitate to contact my office.
 Disability and Aging: What You Need to Know
Over the next 20 years, Pennsylvania’s older adult population will increase by more than one million people, climbing
from 15 percent today to more than 22 percent of the state’s total population. According to national research and
statistics, the likelihood of developing a disability increases markedly with age. The U.S. Department of Health’s Office on
Disability reports that for those between 65 and 69 years of age, an estimated 44.9 percent had some form of disability,
30.7 percent had a severe disability, and 8.1 percent needed personal assistance to cope with a disability.
The U.S. Department of Health also reports that individuals with disabilities are at much higher risk of developing
secondary conditions, defined as preventable physical, mental and social disorders resulting directly or indirectly from
an initial disabling condition. Chronic pain, weight problems, fatigue, difficulty with mobility, falls and injuries, difficulty
sleeping, muscle spasms, and bowel and bladder problems are most strongly associated with those already affected by
some sort of disability. Finding ways to address the initial disabling condition can help prevent and treat the associated
secondary conditions.
To help Pennsylvanians cope with disabilities and access all the resources available to them, Accessible PA is
a joint effort between the Pennsylvania departments of Aging, Education, Health, Labor and Industry, and Public
Welfare. Launched in 1997 by Gov. Tom Ridge to bring together agencies that provide multiple services to disabled
Pennsylvanians, Accessible PA provides information on a variety of programs and services available to residents, including
education, employment, health care, home and community based services, long-term care, and rehabilitation. For more
information, visit RepDelozier.com and select “Accessible PA.”
Further information is also available by contacting Cumberland County Aging and Community Services, which is
responsible for the planning and implementation of several services and programs to help older Pennsylvanians and their
families. Aging and Community Services’ website can be accessed at CCPA.net and clicking on “Government,” then
“Health and Human Services.” The department can also be reached by calling toll-free 1-888-697-0371, extension 6110.

Lindsey Bumsted, a student at Cedar Cliff High
School, served as a guest page on the House
floor as a guest of Rep. Sheryl Delozier. Lindsey
also worked as a semester intern in Delozier’s
district office.
Rep. Sheryl Delozier participated in Big John Michel spent the day in the state
Brothers/Big Sisters Job Shadow Day on the Capitol job shadowing Rep. Sheryl Delozier.
Hill. Delozier was pleased to welcome Jaysha
Coleman, who also served as a guest page on
the House floor.

State House Approved Small Games of Chance Legislation

In May, The state House approved legislation that would provide sweeping changes to the Local Option
Small Games of Chance Act, which governs fund-raising efforts of local groups and organizations.
I am pleased legislative leaders brought this measure up for consideration by the full House. For quite
some time, our community groups have been struggling to meet their expenses and fund projects and services
throughout our local neighborhoods. We are now one step closer to getting this bill signed into law.
House Bill 169 would update the small games of chance law, which has not been revised since 1988. Under
the proposal, limits for prize payouts would be increased from $500 to $1,000 for daily drawings, from $5,000 to
$25,000 for weekly drawings and from $500 to $1,000 for raffles. This legislation would also permit progressive
games with a maximum cash value of $5,000. Organizations that perform emergency services would be
authorized to conduct one drawing per year with a maximum award of $50,000 for the purpose of raising funds
to purchase equipment. Additionally, this bill would allow these organizations to use a portion of the money
raised to help sustain capital projects like building and heating/ventilation repairs.
We should applaud the members of these volunteer organizations
for their dedication and commitment to making a difference in our
communities. For the past several months, my colleagues and I on both
sides of the aisle have urged our leaders to move this bill forward and our
persistence has finally paid off.
This has never been a Republican or Democrat issue. The General
Assembly has an obligation to ensure our communities have the resources
necessary to provide assistance to local residents.
The bill is currently awaiting consideration in the Senate and will need
to be voted on before the end of the 2009-10 session in November.
 Rep. Sheryl Delozier recently welcomed students from Rep. Sheryl Delozier participated in the grand opening of York
Messiah College to the state Capitol. Technical Institute’s Capital Region Campus in Upper Allen
Township.

Have You Shopped for Electric Rates?

New Website Available for Electric Consumers
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) offers a comprehensive website for residential,
commercial and industrial electricity customers.
The website includes information about electric shopping, what it is, how to shop and which suppliers are
available, as well as the PUC’s list of competing suppliers and the Office of Consumer Advocate’s Shopping
Guide pricing information. A ZIP code search feature is also available so consumers can see all suppliers and
offers serving a given area.
For a link to the website and further information about electric rate information, visit my website at
RepDelozier.com and click on “PA Power Switch.”

Property Tax/Rent Rebate Deadline Extended

The deadline to apply for the state’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate program for 2009 has been extended
to Dec. 31, 2010. 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 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 contacting office at 717-761-4665 or
visiting RepDelozier.com.

State Representative Sheryl M. Delozier

88th Legislative District
Harrisburg Office:
District Office: 164A East Wing
2929 Gettysburg Road, Suite 6 PO Box 202088
Camp Hill, PA 17011 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2088
Phone: (717) 761-4665 Phone: (717) 783-5282
Fax: (717) 731-7126 Fax: (717) 772-9994
E-mail: sdelozie@pahousegop.com
Facebook.com/RepDelozier Website: RepDelozier.com