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 In this Edition:
Update on Efforts to Enact a State BudgetOver 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 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 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 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. 17A 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 ActivitiesAugust 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.” August 8: “Roseto Day” will be held at Roseto Ball Park from Noon to 8 p.m. featuring food, games, bingo, live music and two old fashioned baseball games.
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