Fall 2008

Dear Friends,
Here’s hoping this newsletter finds you and your family well and that your summer was a happy and safe one. As I am sure you are
aware, the budget process this year was far less contentious than in years past and I am pleased that through a bipartisan effort there was
no tax increase passed on to you. The one common concern throughout the budget debate centered on keeping the Commonwealth in sound
financial health as concern continues to grow over a slowing economy and high energy prices.
The General Assembly concentrated its efforts on addressing the pressing needs of our state and it is the intention of this newsletter to
outline what those priorities were.
Additionally, I wanted to take this opportunity to tell you about some very special upcoming events in our district and share some news
about organizations that I was happy to honor by resolution on the House floor.
As always, I am interested in hearing from you. Please feel free to contact me anytime by e-mail at kbeyer@pahousegop.com or you
may contact me at my district office at (610) 791-6270.
With warm regards,

New State Budget Passed with Bipartisan Cooperation

The new state budget contains no tax increases or new fees and,
through a bipartisan effort, held the spending increase to 3.98 percent,
or $1.08 billion. The total budget for the 2008-09 fiscal year is $28.26
billion. I am including these charts to represent the revenue used in
this budget, and a look at the areas in which it is utilized.
One particular note, as you view the chart of General Fund
Expenditures, the category listed as “all other expenditures” includes
transportation, military and veterans affairs, economic development,
agriculture and many special issue line items. Also, in the revenue
chart, some examples of non-tax revenue include interest on accounts,
various fees and state liquor store profits. The all other revenue listing
includes taxes paid by financial institutions and insurance companies,
consumer taxes on liquor and malt beverages and others.
The education funding formula for this budget provides a
substantial increase for Pennsylvania school districts. For example:
• The Allentown School District will receive $74,844,761 for
basic education, an increase of 19.45 percent. Special
education funding is increased by 2.38 percent.
• The East Penn School District will receive $10,114,638
for basic education, an increase of 4.24 percent. Special
education funding is increased by 1.62 percent.
• The Salisbury Township, Southern Lehigh, and Saucon
Valley school districts will each receive increases of 3 percent
for basic education and just over 1 percent for special education.
The Pre-K Counts program will receive $86.4 million in this
budget, which represents an increase of $11.4 million over last year.
The State System of Higher Education will receive a $15 million
increase, and community colleges will see an additional $6.9 million.
Other major increases in education included $22.7 million
for assessment programs, $12.19 million for teacher professional
development, $9.5 million for pupil transportation, and $12 million
for early intervention services. This helps arrive at the total education
spending figure of $274.7 million.
A combination of lottery fund and tobacco settlement revenue as
well as a separate Senate bill will allow for the expansion of the PACE,
PACENET, and PACE Plus Medicare programs. The budget includes
funding that will allow the average number of seniors enrolled in these
programs to rise to 407,575. An estimated 24,000 additional seniors
will be assisted by these programs in 2008-09.
continued on page 4...

Revenue Spending
 Comprehensive Energy Agreement Reached
I am pleased that a compromise agreement on energy policy home-grown energy supply.
was reached between the Legislature and the governor during  $25 million to provide loans and grants to support

the budget negotiating process. As a member of the Energy high-performance, “green” buildings.
Task Force of the House of Representatives, I can say that this  $25 million to help small coal-fired energy plants

agreement stemmed from a spirit of bipartisanship and has install pollution-control technologies so they can
resulted in a forward-thinking program that will ultimately benefit comply with new state and federal regulations.
all Pennsylvanians.
 $150 million from the state budget:
The funding component of Special Session House Bill 1
 $92.5 million for consumer energy conservation
consists of borrowing $500 million for a wide range of energy
projects. The money will be allocated over the next
programs and an additional $150 million directly from the state
eight years to pay for grants, loans, and rebates for
budget between 2008-09 and 2015-16. Here is a summary of
consumer energy conservation projects.
how the plan will be executed:
 $50 million for alternative energy production tax

 $500 million in borrowing:
 $165 million for grants and loans to private companies
to help pay for alternative energy projects. This money
will also support clean-energy projects for businesses,
economic development agencies, and local governments.
credits. This money will be allocated over the next eight
years and can be used to support – among other
items – waste coal, biofuel, solar, wind, geothermal,
clean coal, or waste energy projects.
 $2.5 million for projects that save energy by making

 $100 million for consumer solar energy projects to help computer networks more efficient.
pay for the installation of solar panels and technologies  $5 million to fund a home-energy efficiency loan

in homes and small businesses across Pennsylvania. program to help low- and moderate-income
 $80 million to support the production of solar energy homeowners install energy-conserving technologies.
and promote the solar power industry in the
This compromise plan increases no taxes or fees, emphasizes
Commonwealth.
 $40 million to support ongoing research, development,
use of the private market, and provides tools for energy
conservation and energy-bill reduction. In addition, the plan
and implementation of the next generation of clean
will increase Pennsylvania home-grown energy production, help
energy and energy-conserving technologies.
 $40 million to supplement the Low-Income Home
reduce dependence on foreign energy supplies, and invest in the
next generation of clean-energy technologies.
Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which helps
I will continue to work in a bipartisan manner to further
our neediest residents.
 $25 million to provide loans and grants to support
improve our overall energy policy in Pennsylvania, while
protecting the hard-working taxpayers.
renewable energy projects, including wind turbines
and geothermal systems, to increase Pennsylvania’s

House Honors Good Shepherd 2009

My colleagues in the Lehigh Valley delegation recently joined me in
honoring the Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network. This outstanding
organization continues to provide a wide range of services to nearly 37,000
U.S. Women’s
people each year at 31 sites in seven eastern Pennsylvania counties. Open to Come to
Good Shepherd was founded in 1908 by the Rev. Dr. John H. and D.
Estella Raker. Services provided by the facility include rehabilitation for Lehigh Valley
persons with neurological problems, as well as assistance and treatment
for individuals who
suffer from stroke, Make your plans early
cancer and multiple to take part in one of the
sclerosis. Good greatest annual events in
Shepherd also aids the world of golf. One of
children with autism, the major tournaments in
Parkinson’s disease, the women’s golf world,
and many other the U.S. Open, will be
health problems. played on the Old Course
The unanimous at Saucon Valley Country Club July 6-12,
vote cast on the 2009.
floor of the House The world’s best women golfers play in
is well-deser ved, this tournament, which boasts a rich 64-year
and I am proud that history. The tournament receives worldwide
Good Shepherd is coverage, including live broadcasts by ESPN
an integral part of and NBC. For more information or to
health care in the purchase tickets for this great event, please
Rep. Beyer with House Speaker Dennis O’Brien and Good Shepherd CEO
Lehigh Valley. visit the Web site at
Sally Gammon following passage of House Resolution 710. http://www.2009uswomensopen.com

For more information vi

 Montel Williams’ Prescription Bus to Visit District
Actor, author, and talk show host Montel Williams has been instrumental in the promotion of a program called “The
Partnership for Prescription Assistance.” It consists of doctors, pharmaceutical companies, patient advocacy organizations, and
community groups that help qualifying patients who lack prescription coverage to obtain the medicines they need.
The program provides two buses that travel throughout the nation. One of the buses will be at Valley Farm Market, 704
W. Emmaus Ave., Allentown, from 9 a.m. to noon, on Friday, Sept. 12.
The bus serves as a travelling center to boost awareness and increase enrollment in patient-assistance programs. More than
475 programs are available to provide access to more than 2,500 medications. Assistance can also be provided in connecting with
government programs such as Medicaid, Medicare, and the Pennsylvania Children’s Health Insurance program (CHIP).
IF you are unable to visit the bus, go online to www.pparx.org or call 1-888-4PPA-NOW.

Limeport Stadium Celebrates

75th Anniversary
The Lehigh Valley, and Limeport in particular, is graced with one of the finest
baseball stadiums ever built in America, and I was honored to recently be a part
of the celebration of the 75th anniversary of Limeport Stadium.
This jewel of our region has been operated by Limeport Stadium Inc., a
group consisting of more than 50 men and women working on a volunteer basis.
Through their fundraising efforts, they were able to make more than $100,000
in renovations and improvements, while maintaining the original integrity of the
stadium. Many Lehigh Valley high schools and DeSales University call this grand
ballpark home.
Along with my valley colleagues of both parties, I sponsored House Resolution
785, which recognized the anniversary and paid tribute to everyone who has had
a role in the creation and
maintenance of this great
establishment.
The 75th anniversary of Limeport
Stadium was honored in House
Resolution 785, which received a
unanimous vote. Standing with the
prime sponsor, Rep. Karen Beyer, are,
from left to right, Limeport Stadium
Inc. Community Relations Director
Frank Koeller, Limeport Stadium
announcer Chris Barebo, and
Anniversary Committee Chairman
Tom Fulton.
Free Health
Service Available
to Women
A new program is available to help with
family planning services and preventative
health care for women in Pennsylvania.
The Department of Public Welfare recently
announced the establishment of the Select-
Plan for Women, a free and confidential
service.
Women between the ages of 18 and
44, who have incomes at or below 185
percent of the poverty level may be eligible.
The plan pays for services with the health
care provider of your choice, and you can
obtain prescriptions at any pharmacy with
this program. There are no co-pays or visit
limits.
For more information, please call my
office at 610-791-6270, or visit the Web site
at www.selectplanforwomen.state.pa.us

Resolution Honors St. John’s UCC

House Resolution 448 passed with a unanimous vote
recently to pay tribute to the volunteer efforts at St. John’s
United Church of Christ, Coopersburg.
Know as the “The Little Church with the Big Heart,” St.
John’s holds an annual Community Outreach Benefit that
has raised and distributed more than $180,000 to residents
in Southern Lehigh and Upper Bucks counties, including
more than $56,000 for families with seriously ill children.
More than 200 volunteers are involved in the effort.
I was joined by my Bucks County colleague, Rep. Paul
Clymer (R-Bucks), in sponsoring this resolution.
House Resolution 448, honoring St. John’s UCC, was unanimously passed. Flanked
by Rep. Paul Clymer (R-Bucks) and Rep. Beyer, far left, and House Speaker Dennis
O’Brien (R-Philadelphia), far right, are honorees from St. John’s UCC: Pastor Rev.
Richard Guhl, Nancy Mihalko, Nancy Carr, Judy Guhl, and Tim Talaber.

isit www.RepBeyer.com
Community Snapshots
In a continuing effort to keep you informed about what is happening in Harrisburg, I will be conducting more Legislative Briefings in the near future.
Here are snapshots of previous meetings:

Coopersburg Diner Legislative Luncheon Rep. Beyer discussed the proposed quarry with Lower Milford Township residents.

continued...New State Budget Passed with Bipartisan Cooperation

In addition, Senate Bill 4 was recently signed into law during the budget negotiation period. This legislation will maintain eligibility for PACE
and PACENET enrollees who would otherwise be disqualified from participating due to a Social Security cost-of-living adjustment.
Autism intervention services, which support individuals with autism and their families, have been doubled with a $10.1 million increase.
A major health care reform debate is continuing, and substantive action is scheduled for the fall session.
We are continuing our efforts to improve the business climate in the Commonwealth. I continue to support the gradual phase-out of the Capital
Stock and Franchise Tax (CSFT), which is actually a property tax imposed on the capital stock value of businesses, large and small. As determined
by a complex formula, the tax is paid regardless of whether a business has net income. This is actually a double tax on Pennsylvania businesses, which
either pays the Corporate Net Income Tax or the Personal Income Tax.
In this budget, the CSFT is reduced by one mill, which saves businesses $270 million.
Finally, bridge repair and replacement is a critical priority in the Commonwealth. To help address that need, we reached agreement on $350
million in borrowing which will go to immediate needs. I am pleased to report that PennDOT has the following bridges in Lehigh and Northampton
counties slated for replacement in 2008-09:
In Lehigh County:
• Kings Highway Bridge over Hosensack Creek in Lower Milford Township.
• Landis Mill Road Bridge over Tumble Brook in Upper Saucon Township.
• Saucon Creek Bridge in Upper Saucon Township.
• Center Valley Bridge over Saucon Creek in Center Valley and Upper Saucon Township.
In Northampton County:
• Lower Saucon Valley Road Bridge over Bull Run in Lower Saucon Township.
• Henry Woods Bridge over Bushkill Creek in Bushkill Township.
REPRESENTATIVE KAREN BEYER
 DISTRICT OFFICE:  EAST ALLENTOWN  UPPER MILFORD  HARRISBURG OFFICE:
2851 South Pike Ave., Suite C SATELLITE OFFICE SATELLITE OFFICE: Room 52-B East Wing
Allentown, PA 18103 1601 Union Boulevard 5831 Kings Highway PO Box 202131
Phone: (610) 791-6270 (CareerLink Center) Old Zionsville, PA 18068 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2131
Fax: (610) 791-6274 Allentown, PA 18109 Fall Hours: Phone: (717) 783-1673
Wednesdays, 9a.m. to 4p.m. Tuesdays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fax: (717) 787-9463
(610) 821-6813 (610) 966-3223

131st Legislative District

PERMIT NO. 529

HARRISBURG, PA
KAREN BEYER
PAID
U.S. POSTAGE STATE REPRESENTATIVE
PRSRT STD
www.RepBeyer.com