Reichley Report

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

Newsletter for the People of the 134th Legislative District

Lehigh County: 1245 Chestnut St., Unit #5, Emmaus, PA 18049 Phone: (610) 965-9933
Berks County: Bally Brook Industrial Park, 20 North Front St., Bally, PA 19503 Phone: (610) 845-1425

Winter 2011

To Respond to Reichley's 2011 Legislative Survey, go to RepReichley.com

Dear Friends and Neighbors,
As we begin a new legislative session, a number of changes are under way in Harrisburg. A new governor is now in office,
and House Republicans hold the majority in the House of Representatives. Gov. Tom Corbett has emphasized he is opposed
to any tax increases. As a result, that leaves relatively few options to address a possible $4 billion budget deficit except to
reduce state spending.
The primary focus on cutting costs so far has been on a proposal from House Republicans to privatize the liquor stores
in Pennsylvania. I have already heard from a number of constituents with varying opinions on this issue, ranging from full
endorsement of selling off the retail and wholesale licenses associated with the Liquor Control Board to recoup an estimated
$2 billion in one-time revenue, to outright opposition to such an idea because of the potential of job losses for those currently
employed at the state stores. With this in mind, here are some important facts about this legislation:
• Over the past 11 years, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) on average transfers about $90 million annually
in profits to the state’s General Fund.
(Letter continued on back page.)

Upcoming Events
Special Needs Awareness Day
Saturday, March 12 Reichley to Hold Town Halls in April
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Seating is limited. Please R.S.V.P. to (610) 965-9933 or e-mail
Integrated Health Campus dreichle@pahousegop.com if you would like to attend.
250 Cetronia Road, Allentown Walk-ins are always welcome.
Consumer Credit Counseling • Wednesday, April 6
Friday, March 18
10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Macungie Institute Cetronia Fire Company
510 East Main Street, Macungie
Learn to “stretch” your income by setting priorities, establishing 18 South Scenic St., Allentown
a budget plan and saving. Presented by Consumer Credit Counseling
Services. Please R.S.V.P. to 610-965-9933.
• Saturday, April 9
College Tuition Assistance Seminar 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Thursday, March 24
7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Lehigh Lodge
Upper Milford Township Community Room Route 100, Macungie
5671 Chestnut St., Old Zionsville
This event is co-hosted by Rep. Justin Simmons (R-131).
• Saturday, April 16
On-Site Shredding Event
Saturday, April 30 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.
10 a.m. to noon Bally Senior Center
Emmaus Public Library
425 Chestnut St., Bally
11 Main Street, Emmaus
Co-hosted by Emmaus Public Library. Free to the Public.
 Pension Reform Measure Enacted
One of the last measures passed by
the General Assembly in November
was a law intended to stabilize the state
employee and public school employee
pension funds, and to restrain the
pressure on school district property taxes
for the next five years. The legislation is
a good first step, but more work needs
to be done.
Many people have contacted me to
express grave concerns about the impact
of these pension funds on the fiscal health
of Pennsylvania, as well as of each
individual’s personal tax burden when so
many people in the private sector have
seen a reduction or elimination of their
own pensions.
I voted for the legislation that became
Act 120 of 2010 because I believed it
was the better alternative than to force
school boards to raise property taxes by
as much as $500 per household this year
in order to meet their obligations for
pension contributions. This law does not
favor the unions, nor is it a bailout of the
pension system, but it provides taxpayers
breathing room and gives the Legislature
time to consider more comprehensive
pension reforms.
Act 120 basically takes three steps to
restrain increases in property taxes:
• The law places limits on how much
school district contributions can increase
over the next five years and recalculates
the liabilities of the pension systems over
the next 24 years. Both of these steps
will help to limit tax increases related to
the pension contributions from school
districts.
• Pension benefits for future hires in
school districts and in state government
will revert to 2001 levels, saving $24
billion over the next 30 years. This
means the pension multiplier is reduced,
the vesting period is extended and the age
to which one must work to obtain a full
pension is extended. This reversion to
2001 benefit levels is limited to only new
hires because the state Supreme Court
has ruled in three different cases over the
last 20 years that the Legislature cannot
reduce benefits for current retirees or
employees.
• The law contains a first-of-its-kind
“shared risk” provision. This measure
means the obligation to make up for
investment losses will be shifted from
taxpayers alone to a shared burden
between new public employees and
employers.
We have also eliminated the option
by which future public employees could
withdraw their employee contributions
in a lump sum with interest at the point
of retirement, and still collect a monthly
pension benefit.
These pension rollbacks affect
the Legislature and executive branch
employees as well. The law applies to
new lawmakers taking office after Dec.
1, 2010, state employees hired after Jan.
1, 2011, and school employees hired after
July 1, 2011.

2011-2012 Committee Assignments

I have been appointed to serve on the House Transportation Committee
in the new session, as well as continuing to serve as Vice Chairman of the House
Appropriations Committee, and as a member of the House Consumer Affairs
Committee and House Professional Licensure Committee. I am excited about this
new assignment and being able to help solve the Lehigh Valley’s transportation
problems. Bill Clark, Diane Brady, Rep. Reichley,
Ruth Grohol and Jake Brown,
legislative aide, attended swearing-in
day festivities on Jan. 4.

Rep. Reichley spoke to a

group of senior citizens on
Jan. 14, in St. Matthews
Church on Ridge St. in
Emmaus.

Rep. Reichley met with Cub Scouts

on Jan. 13, at St. John’s U. C. C. in
Emmaus.

Tort Reform - The Fair Share Act

An issue that will receive early attention this session will be legislation to address lawsuit abuse, which has a negative impact
on Pennsylvania’s business climate. Fear of litigation limits the development and introduction of new products, stifles job creation,
and increases consumer costs. While individuals who suffered legitimate damages as a result of a defective product or from
the negligent actions of another must be able to pursue their rightful legal recourse, we need to take steps to protect businesses
from frivolous lawsuits. In addition, we can reduce health care costs by scaling back on “defensive medicine” – the tendency of
doctors to order expensive rounds of tests and examinations in order to protect themselves from lawsuits in the future.
House Republicans are proposing a solution known as the Fair Share Act. This measure would reform the current system
of “joint-and-several” liability under which one defendant in a lawsuit can be held responsible for the entire award of damages,
even if that same party was found to be only 1 percent responsible for an injury. Under the proposed Fair Share Act, a party that
is found to be less than 60 percent responsible for the causation of injuries would only be required to pay the amount of damages
equal to their share of responsibility.
The Fair Share Act passed the Legislature previously in 2006, but it was vetoed by Gov. Ed Rendell. By addressing this issue,
we will take an important step toward creating an environment where businesses and health care professionals can feel more
comfortable operating in Pennsylvania, while preserving the right of injured parties to recover monetary awards for negligent acts.
RepReichley.com
 Megan’s Law Update
and Castle Doctrine
Two measures vetoed at the end of the previous
legislative session have been re-introduced and are
moving through the legislative process in 2011.
House Bill 68 and House Bill 75 have been sent
to the Senate to correct problems with Megan’s Law.
The bills close loopholes created by court
decisions that determined current law does not
require registration for homeless sex offenders or
sex offenders convicted in other states who move
to Pennsylvania. These bills clarify that convicted
sex offenders who are homeless or moved here from
out of state must register with law enforcement
authorities. Homeless sex offenders would have to
renew registration with authorities every 30 days.
I have also co-sponsored House Bill 40,
which is the Castle Doctrine legislation. The bill
would expand the legal use of deadly force in two
situations. Under current law, an individual is
allowed to use deadly force in self defense in one’s
dwelling, residence or occupied vehicle. This bill
would entitle a person to use deadly force in self
defense or in the defense of another as well at any
location where one is legally allowed to be.
A person would no longer be required to try to
retreat from an assailant who is threatening someone
with death or serious bodily injury in public. In
addition, the bill would allow a person to use
deadly force if another individual is in the process
of unlawfully and forcefully entering a dwelling,
residence or occupied vehicle.
I am confident these changes to Megan’s Law
and the Castle Doctrine will be in place soon.
AARP Volunteers Ready
to Help With Tax Returns
Volunteers from the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP
Tax-Aide) are available to provide free tax form assistance to all taxpayers
with middle and low incomes, with special attention to those ages 60
and older.
To receive help filing federal, state and local taxes or Property Tax/
Rent Rebate applications, participants must bring copies of their 2009
tax returns, income, real estate taxes, 1099 forms and any deduction
information pertaining to 2010. Many sites offer e-filing. In order to e-file,
your spouse must be present to co-sign your return when applicable.
Tax help will be available during the days and times listed at the
following locations from Feb. 1 through April 16. Please do not call
the site unless the phone number is noted. For a site near you, call
1-888-AARPNOW (227-7669).
ALLENTOWN
• Lehigh Valley Federal Credit Union, 2218 Walbert Ave., 9
a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Thursday by appointment only, call 610-
435-7575.
• Calvary Moravian Church, 948 N. 21st St., corner of
Livingston St., 8:30 a.m. to noon, Fridays.
• Lehigh County Senior Citizens Center, 1633 Elm St., 8:30
a.m. to noon, Mondays and Wednesdays.
• Calvary Baptist Church, 4601 Tilghman St., same corner
as K-Mart across from Josh Early Candies, 9 a.m. to 12:30
p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays.
LEHIGH COUNTY
• Southern Lehigh Public Library, 3200 Preston Lane, Center
Valley, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesdays.
• Emmaus Moravian Church, Main and Keystone Streets, 9
a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Tuesdays.
• Wescosville Recreation Center, 5047 Hamilton Blvd.,
Wescosville, 8:30 a.m. to noon, Wednesdays.

Rep. Justin
Simmons (R-131)
and Rep. Reichley
present a certificate
of recognition to
Mark Feiertag,
president of
Mechanics Plus
Towing & Transport
Inc., during the
company’s grand
opening celebration
on Dec. 7.

Donald Gackenbach of Allentown asks Rep. Reichley a

question at his Senior Expo in September.

Museums in and Near the 134th District

DaVinci Science Center – Located at 3145 Hamilton Boulevard Bypass, the center is a hands-on science learning and
vital resource for the region’s educational infrastructure. For hours and exhibits, go to www.davinci-center.org.
Reading Museum – Known for its planetarium, collection of Pennsylvania German folk art, an Egyptian mummy,
and 25-acre arboretum, the museum also features galleries on natural science, ancient civilizations, Latin America and
paintings and sculptures by Degas, Rodin, and masters of the European Renaissance. For hours and exhibits, go to www.
readingpublicmuseum.org.
Allentown Art Museum – For a list of upcoming events, visit www.allentownartmuseum.org. A portion of the Kress
Collection will be on view at Williams Center for the Arts at Lafayette College from Feb. 5 through March 26.
Scheffy’s Musical Museum – Operated by Ray Scheffy out of an annex to his home at 1010 Jefferson Avenue in
Dorneyville, this interesting museum displays self-playing musical instruments such as juke boxes, Victrolas, band organs,
nickelodeons, reproducing pianos, player pianos, a monkey organ and miniature music boxes. By appointment only. Call
610-434-2203.
Facebook.com/RepReichley
 Recycling of Electronics Mandated
A new recycling program for computer equipment and televisions was signed into law in November. Electronic device disposal
is potentially hazardous to the environment due to leakages of heavy metals from items such as computers and televisions when
dumped in conventional landfills. Some manufacturers and communities have taken steps to address the disposal problem, but
this law offers a statewide solution. Recycling e-waste will become much more convenient for residents and small businesses,
while allowing manufacturers the opportunity to develop recycling systems that are cost effective.
Act 108 provides for the proper disposal of desktop and notebook computers, monitors and televisions used by small businesses
and consumers. The law will require manufacturers to register their brands with the state Department of Environmental Protection
(DEP) within six months of the effective date and devise a plan to collect, transport and recycle televisions and personal computers.
The new law went into effect Jan. 22.

(Letter continued from front page)

• Sales taxes on wine and spirits
currently approach $400 million a
year. This revenue will be generated
regardless of whether the liquor system
is state-run or a private industry.
• The bill is estimated to bring in at
least $2 billion through the auction of
wholesale and retail licenses to private
businesses with a reserve price based on
their fair market value.
• Current plans to modernize the state
store system tax structure could bring
in $500 million in additional revenue
annually and become more in line with
a majority of other states.
• The 18 percent Johnstown Flood
Tax, originally imposed in the 1920s to
subsidize reconstruction of Johnstown
after the fateful flood, would be
abolished.
• Artificial mark-ups and handling
fees would be eliminated, allowing the
free market to dictate the price of wine
and spirits.
• Current PLCB employees who
would be affected by this transition
would be provided with tax credits,
tuition assistance and civil service
preferences if they wish to continue
working in state government.
• The PLCB would still have its
mission of enforcement, licensure,
inspection and alcohol education.
This is just the first of what will likely
be a number of proposals spinning off
current state government functions to the
private sector in order to reduce public
expenditures. I would appreciate hearing
whether you approve or disapprove of
other suggested cuts in government
operations or if you have any other ideas
about where we can trim expenses.
Please go to my website at
RepReichley.com in order to respond
to a survey on cost-cutting initiatives
or to send me your own personal ideas
about reducing expenses.
If you do not have Internet access,
please stop by my office at 1245 Chestnut
St., Unit 5, Emmaus, or call (610) 965-
9933 and we can send you a survey.
Farm Show Jan. 12
Rep. Reichley observed
the junior fleece to shawl
competition, where shorn
wool is loomed into a shawl.
This is the equivalent of the
adult sheep to shawl contest,
but for younger competitors
who start with shorn wool.
Bev Gruber, farm products
s u p e r v i s o r a t t h e 2 0 11
Pennsylvania Farm Show,
explained how agricultural
products were moved into
the Main Hall to highlight
Pennsylvania’s number one
industry.
Rep. Reichley interviewed Jim
Hoover, of the Pennsylvania State
Beekeepers Association, about
colony collapse disorder and how
this problem that affects beehives
hurts farmers because honeybees
pollinate about half of the state’s
crops.
On Dec. 30, Rep. Reichley presented Eric
Wiscount of Troop 439, St. Thomas More, with a
citation congratulating him on his obtaining the
rank of Eagle Scout. Eric is a junior at Emmaus
High School. His project was to landscape and
build a walkway from the new trail built by Lower
Macungie Township to connect the Harvest Fields
Development to a gazebo in East Texas Park.
Please let us know
about all of your achievements too!