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February 22, 2012
Job Creation Bill Approved by General Assembly Legislation I sponsored to create jobs in Pennsylvania by strengthening the Keystone Opportunity Zone (KOZ) program has been signed into law as Act 16 of 2012. Governor Corbett said during his budget address that my legislation has "the potential to bring thousands of jobs to Pennsylvania." KOZs, which provide tax exemptions, deductions, abatements and credits to companies locating within the zones, have attracted thousands of businesses and generated nearly 40,000 jobs since the program began in 1999. Act 16 authorizes the creation of up to 15 new zones, known as Keystone Opportunity Expansion Zones (KOEZs) and extends the term of KOZs slated to expire in 2013 up to an additional ten years. The bill could potentially help restart the two idled refineries in Delaware County and a third in Philadelphia. Businesses that create or retain 1,000 full-time jobs and invest $500 million would be eligible to locate in a KOEZ. If the business makes an investment of at least $1 billion and creates at least 400 new jobs within seven years, the business would receive tax benefits for a period of 15 years instead of the usual ten years. Governor Unveils 2012-2013 State Budget Governor Corbett recently presented his state budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2012-13. The Governor's proposal for the General Fund would spend $27.14 billion, a decrease of $20 million from the current fiscal year. While our economy continues to recover, the proposed budget maintains fiscal discipline by keeping expenses in line with available revenues. The Senate Appropriations Committee is holding a series of public hearings to examine the Governor's budget proposal in detail. Those hearings can be viewed live online. Written summaries and downloadable video are also available. Policy Committee Examines Impact of Refinery Closures The Senate Majority Policy Committee, chaired by Senator Ted Erickson of Delaware County, recently held a public hearing to examine the impact of three planned oil refinery closures on statewide fuel supplies. The Committee heard from energy researcher and consultant Kevin J. Lindemer; Russell Christoff and John Kulik of the Pennsylvania Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association (PPMCSA); and Dennis Rochford of the Maritime Exchange for the Delaware River and Bay. Reforming the Capital Budget Program House Majority Leader Mike Turzai has introduced House Bill 2175 to reform Pennsylvania's Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP), often referred to as the capital budget. The bill would lower the RACP debt ceiling, limit the annual grant amount, establish new criteria for projects, and increase transparency in the process. I share Representative Turzai's goals. In lean economic times, such as those we face today, the state must re-examine every government program. However, the proposed RACP reductions may not go far enough. Working with a Governor who is interested in reducing the Commonwealth's debt load, we may be able to make greater reductions more quickly. I'm a strong believer in greater government transparency and accountability, and agree that improvements are needed in RACP. We should also make similar improvements in other state grant programs. Pennsylvania must make sure that taxpayer dollars are spent wisely and in a way that can be easily followed by the interested public. Marcellus Shale Impact Fee Passed by Legislature Earlier this month, the Senate approved legislation, with my support, to address a broad range of issues related to natural gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale formation, including the imposition of an impact fee on drillers. The House of Representatives approved the same legislation, and it has been signed into law by Governor Corbett as Act 13 of 2012. Act 13 also strengthens environmental protections, including setbacks from water supplies and disclosure of hydrofracking chemicals, and distributes financial revenues to the Growing Greener program, conservation districts, local governments impacted by gas drilling, water and sewer projects and the hazardous sites cleanup fund. The conference committee report was supported by the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, the Renew Growing Greener Coalition, the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, and the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs and the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania. I have created a Marcellus Shale Information page on my website to provide more details about the new law. Unclaimed Property Waiting for Rightful Owners Abandoned bank accounts, forgotten stocks, uncashed checks, contents of safe deposit boxes, and other valuables, with a total value of nearly $1.8 billion, await their rightful owners in the Pennsylvania Treasury Department. Search the PA Treasury Department's online Unclaimed Property Database or call 1-800-222-2046 to find out if you or your family have property waiting to be claimed. Unclaimed property may belong to businesses, as well as individuals. Reviewing the Frequently Asked Questions can help ensure you locate any unclaimed property which belongs to you. The website MissingMoney.com allows you to search for unclaimed property in other states. These steps can help you avoid having your property fall into the unclaimed category:
Legislative Offices Please contact me to provide input on any state-related matter, or to receive help in dealing with a state agency.
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