View in browser
 

Senator Scott Hutchinson

FacebookTwitterRSS Feed

Summer 2015

Dear Friend,

I am pleased to present my electronic newsletter. These e-newsletters enable me to provide information about issues, events and activities in Harrisburg and around the 21st Senatorial District to you in a timely manner while saving postage costs.  

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

Scott


Budget Impasse Update

As we move into the third month without a state budget, I want to update you on what has been taking place on that front. Legislative leaders continue to meet with Governor Wolf and his staff, but there has been little, if any progress. Basically, Republicans remain steadfastly opposed to the Governor’s massive broad-based tax increases and he has yet to concede an inch on that issue.

In an effort to move the process forward, legislative leaders recently offered a substantial increase in education funding on the condition that the Governor accept a modified public pension reform proposal. Even though pensions are the primary reason for increases in school budgets – and property taxes – the Governor continues to support his special interest backers over the citizens of Pennsylvania and has rejected all efforts to reform the systems.

Unfortunately, the budget stalemate is taking its toll on school districts and vital social programs. As I noted last month, this situation would never have arisen had the Governor not taken the unprecedented step of vetoing the entire budget that the legislature sent him on June 30 -- even though more than two-thirds of the line items in that spending package were at or over the amounts he originally requested.

On August 25, House Republicans attempted to provide funding for rape crisis centers, domestic violence services, PHEAA grants, school transportation and other seemingly non-controversial and non-contested line items, but were thwarted by their Democratic colleagues. Had those measures moved out of the House, the Senate stood ready to immediately act to provide that financial relief to schools and service agencies.

Finally, I’d like to address two other baseless charges that have been leveled at the Legislature by special interest groups and editorial boards that support the Governor’s budget priorities.

First, is the chant that the Legislature must “act on the budget.”

We did – more than two months ago.

We sent the Governor a budget that, as has been noted, maintained or increased funding for more than two-thirds of the line items. We have yet to hear a counterproposal from the Governor beyond his March 3 wish list.

Second, those same groups are chanting the mantra that the Legislature should march lockstep behind the push for higher taxes and increased spending simply because the Governor received a mandate from the voters.

I don’t know if this “mandate” is clear, but from talking with people around the area I know it certainly wasn’t for the huge income tax hike and cradle-to-grave sales tax increases that he is proposing.

Legislators also receive a mandate from their constituents and those are the guidelines that direct my actions in Harrisburg.

The Administration would do well to remember that its constituency is all of the people of Pennsylvania and not just certain geographic areas and special interest groups.

Peters Family Claims Top Farm Show Honors

It was a pleasure to meet with Steve and Lona Peters and their daughters Robin and Brooklyn at the Butler Farm Show. The Peters family were the winners of the annual Butler Eagle Bowl, which is awarded to the Butler County farm family that participates to the greatest extent and with the highest degree of success in the Farm Show.

Surplus State Heavy Equipment Set for Auction

The state Department of General Services recently announced the dates for its annual fall heavy equipment auctions for municipalities and the public.

The online auction for municipalities is now open and will close on September 9. The public online auction will begin on September 29 and close on October 7.

Seventy-five items up for bid in the State Surplus Property Program auction include dump trucks, tractors, skid steers, lifts, trenchers, loaders and more. The inventory is being staged at the Western Pennsylvania Training Facility, 38 Academy Lane, Cheswick, and can be viewed online at http://auctionsbygov.com/.

Municipalities interested in participating in the auction can register by contacting Clint Francis at (724) 630-6615 or by email at cfrancis@assetnation.com. Individuals and businesses can register for the public auction online at www.Auctionsbygov.com.

Lemieux Sports Complex Opens in Cranberry Township

I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Mario Lemieux at the recent grand opening of the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry Township, Butler County. The complex will serve as a comprehensive outpatient facility for UPMC sports medicine as well as the primary practice facility for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

PENNDOT Launches Website Detailing Road and Bridge Projects

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation this week launched a website highlighting information about active and upcoming construction projects through 2026.

The website, www.projects.pennDOT.gov, details past, present and future construction projects funded by Act 89, as well as projects that fall under the Four- and Twelve-Year Plans. Projects are searchable by county, PENNDOT Engineering District and statewide.

In addition to highway construction projects, the website details bridge and public transportation projects as well.


If you do not wish to receive this email, click here to unsubscribe.

Privacy Policy
2015 © Senate of Pennsylvania
senatorscotthutchinson.com

 Here to Serve You
Offices of Senator Scott E. Hutchinson

HARRISBURG

Senate Box 203021
170 Main Capitol
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 787-9684
FAX: (717) 787-6088
TTY: (877) 659-4483
WARREN

22045 Route 6
Warren, PA 16365-7952
(814) 728-2100
FAX: (814) 728-2102

BUTLER

110 East Diamond Street
Butler, PA 16001
(724) 282-1234
FAX: (724) 282-6852
OIL CITY

302 Seneca Street
Oil City, PA 16301
(814) 677-6345
FAX: (814) 677-6331