Dear Friend,

I hope you’re having a wonderful summer. This e-newsletter provides an update on efforts to enact a state budget, as well as some local news of interest.

SPECIAL NOTE: On August 4, our Satellite Office in the Hanover Township Community Center is open for constituent service. It’s located at 3660 Jacksonville Road, Bethlehem, PA 18017. It will be staffed the first and third Tuesdays, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

If you find this e-newsletter useful, I invite you to visit my website www.MarioScavello.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.

Sincerely,

Mario

• Update on Efforts to Enact a State Budget
• U.S. Sen. Toomey’s Regional Manager to Help Constituents at Tannersville Office Aug. 17
• Community Spotlight: Roseto’s Community Week Activities

Senator Scavello with State Rep. Marcia Hahn and constituents at the Plainfield Township Farmer’s Fair

Update on Efforts to Enact a State Budget

Over the last two months, the state budget has occupied center stage in Harrisburg. A balanced budget was passed, then vetoed, and now debate continues amidst a prolonged budget stalemate. Much of that debate centers on education funding.

Governor’s Push for More Taxes
The governor is currently advocating for a $4 billion tax increase – a $12 billion tax increase over two years – to cover a mere $1.2 billion deficit. As many analysts have observed, this tax increase would be greater than all the other states combined in 2015.

As part of his budget plan, the governor has claimed a natural gas severance tax is needed “for education,” but you will not hear that only a fraction of that new tax is actually going to our schools. A large portion of the tax would actually go to subsidies for solar and wind energy, pitting one industry against another.

The governor has also claimed his budget will provide school property tax relief across the Commonwealth, but you will not hear that six out of 10 school districts in the 40th Senate District will pay more in increased personal income tax and sales tax than will be received back in “tax relief.”

All in all, Pennsylvania taxpayers will be paying over $12 billion in new taxes over the next two years, with only $4 billion redistributed back to property taxpayers. This would amount to a permanent increase for only temporary relief.

Legislature’s Budget: No Tax Hike, More School Funding
In response to these historic tax increase proposals, I joined the Senate and House Republicans in passing a $30.1 billion budget, the highest in PA history, that put $100 million more into basic education, puts over $573 million more into the state pension system, $25 million more into Pre-K programs, and $20 million more into special education – all without raising taxes.

Education spending in Pennsylvania is at its highest in the state’s history and the Republican-passed budget raises it even higher. In fact, state education spending since 2010-11 has increased by $1 billion, so the claim that the Commonwealth is somehow “not investing in education” is simply not true.

We presented the governor with an on-time, balanced budget that passed both the House and Senate. He vetoed the entire budget.

Governor Vetoes it All
Keep in mind that the governor vetoed a budget that was almost 70 percent identical to his proposal and, for some line items, provided even more funding than the governor’s budget. More than 270 line items aligned with what the governor proposed, yet he vetoed the entire plan and has jeopardized key government services in the process.

The governor had the ability to do a simple line-item veto and keep over two thirds of the state budget intact, but he chose instead to veto the entire budget.

I am willing to discuss various budget priorities and work toward agreement on both sides, but I will not support a budget that disproportionately impacts the taxpayer and bases its projections on false promises of tax relief.

U.S. Sen. Toomey’s Regional Manager to Help Constituents at Tannersville Office Aug. 17

A member of U.S. Senator Pat Toomey’s staff will be at our Tannersville district office August 17 to assist constituents with federal issues.

Marta Gabriel, Regional Manager for Senator Toomey, will be on hand from 10  a.m. to 3 p.m. to assist with immigration services, social security, veterans’ issues, disability benefits and more.

The Tannersville district office is located in DePue Plaza, 2989 Route 611, Suite 103 (570- 620-4326).

Community Spotlight: Roseto’s Community Week Activities

Senator Scavello with Mike Brown at the Big Time Celebration in Roseto.

August 1-2: Community Yard Sale Days from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Permit fees have been waived by Roseto Borough Council for these two days.

August 4: The National Night Out will be held at Roseto Ball Park beginning at 6 p.m. Guest speakers include Soke Jason Victory of Victory Martial Arts speaking on personal safety and Kerry Miller, who will speak on Autism awareness. Refreshments will be available for purchase.

August 6: Annual Ecumenical Service at the Roseto-Bangor Presbyterian Church on Kennedy Drive beginning at 7 p.m. The theme is “Family.”

Senator Scavello with Ruth Gross and Randy Altemose at the Pocono Mountain Volunteer Fire Company’s Annual Carnival.

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Offices

Senate Box 203040
Harrisburg, PA 17120-3040
Phone: (717) 787-6123

Monroe County Office
DePue Plaza
2989 Route 611, Suite 103
Tannersville, PA 18372
Phone (570) 620-4326
FAX (570) 620-4379
9 a.m.- 5 p.m.

Northampton County Office
2 North Robinson Avenue
Pen Argyl, PA 18072
Phone (610) 863-1200
FAX (610) 863-1214
9 a.m.- 5 p.m.

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