County: Foster parents needed

For every challenge there is a reward. For every reward there is a challenge. Foster parenting unites volunteer parents with children who are in need of temporary care in a nurturing environment. Think you can help a child in need by providing love and guidance through the unique and lasting bonds formed as a Bucks County foster parent? Opportunity abounds to impact the life of a youngster.

Over 300 children live in foster care in Bucks County each year, and more local families are needed. The Bucks County Children and Youth Social Services Agency (C&Y) will be hosting evening information sessions for anyone with an interest in becoming a foster parent or learning more about how to help or volunteer.

- Monday, April 20: Southampton Free Library, 947 Street Rd., Southampton, 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m.

- Tuesday, April 28: Warminster Free Library, 1076 Emma Ln., Warminster, 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m.

In addition, the county will host its first county-wide Foster Parent Recruitment Day on Friday, May 8 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., in recognition of National Foster Care Month. Current foster parents, youth who were once in foster care and C&Y workers will be on hand to answer questions for those interested in finding out more. Locations are as follows:

- Bucks County Courthouse Centers, 55 E. Court St., 2nd Fl., Doylestown
- Bucks County Government Services Centers, 7321 New Falls Rd., Levittown & 261 California Rd., Quakertown

The Bucks County Children & Youth Social Services Agency provides foster care for children whose families are unable to care for them, and child protection services to children and their families. Foster homes are needed in which children can identify culturally and ethnically with their caregivers.

For more information about foster care volunteer opportunities, please call Roxanne Watkins-Hall, C&Y foster care recruiter, at 215-348-6997 or go to www.BucksCounty.org.

Neshaminy State Park to host April 29 public information meeting

BENSALEM -– Neshaminy State Park will be hosting a public information meeting on April 29 at 6 p.m.

The meeting will take place at Pavilion No. 1. The meeting will begin with discussion about improvements made at the park over the past year, events and activities available for 2009, resource management practices ranging from invasive plant management to deer management, as well as future projects, operational changes and the park’s budget.

The second half of the meeting is for the public to ask general questions and provide suggestions to improve the park.

For more information about the meeting contact Josh Swartley, park manager, Neshaminy State Park at 215-639-4538.

For information on any of Pennsylvania ’s 117 state parks, call toll-free 1-888-PA-PARKS; or visit DCNR’s web site at www.dcnr.state.pa.us (select State Parks).

Persons needing special accommodations to participate in park activities due to a disability should contact the Bureau of State Parks: 1-888-PA-PARKS (voice); (717) 558-2711 (local or international TTY); and 1-800-654-5984 (PA AT&T Relay Service).

Pa. Democrats are Twittering

From the Pennsylvania State Democrats:

“The latest news on the Pennsylvania Senate Democrats will now be posted on our new Twitter page.

For those of you who do not use this technology, Twitter is a real-time short messaging service that allows users to convey their message in 140 characters or less.

As Twitter gains in popularity in the media, the Senate Democratic Communications office is utilizing this service as another way to reach out to citizens and our local news outlets to provide information to you openly and accessibly.

We invite you to follow ‘PaSenateDems,’ where you will receive the latest news from the Democratic Pennsylvania Senators, as well as reports detailing votes on bills.

A link to our Twitter page is available at our Web site, www.pasenate.com.”

Casey, Snowe launch effort to improve Recovery.gov

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-Pa.) and Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine) today introduced legislation that aims to update and expand Recovery.gov, the Web site launched by the White House which shows how funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act are being spent. These upgrades will allow states and localities easier access to the Web site so that they can determine stimulus funding eligibility as well as application deadlines and contact information for any office or agency distributing funds.

“Already in the first month since the recovery bill was enacted, funding has flooded into Pennsylvania to create jobs, stimulate the economy and invest in our infrastructure,” said Sen. Casey. “The Administration has done a commendable job in getting word out about this funding, but I am still hearing from my constituents that more information is needed. One step that I have taken is to publish and distribute a guide for local officials that has more details, but this legislation can provide more guidance to local officials.”

Sen. Snowe said, “The economic stimulus package is the single greatest investment in the American economy in history. But without proper accessibility or transparency, these critical investments could go to waste. By expanding and enhancing Recovery.gov, we can ensure the timely distribution of stimulus funds to our states and localities and work quickly to restore economic prosperity and growth.”

Sen. Casey released a guide for all Pennsylvanians detailing how the money to be released through American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will flow to Pennsylvania. The guide contains resources and contact information for programs that are included in the economic stimulus package. You can find the guide by clicking here.

Murphy says he’s voting to create jobs, protect tax cuts, cut deficit

WASHINGTON, D.C. -– Today, Pennsylvania Congressman Patrick Murphy (D-8) voted to create jobs, protect middle class tax cuts, make long-term investments in our economy and cut the deficit by more than two-thirds over the next four years. By voting in favor of the budget, Rep. Murphy voted for a long term economic plan that will get our economy working again and put us on a path toward renewed prosperity. The budget — which passed 233-196 — will cut the deficit nearly two-thirds by 2013. It also preserves $1.5 trillion in middle-class tax cuts. It will create jobs and grow our economy with targeted investments and reforms in health care, clean energy and education while reducing non-defense discretionary spending to its lowest level in nearly half a century. This long term economic plan ushers in a new era of honesty in budgeting by fully accounting for military spending in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“I believe that budgets are moral documents — and with this one, we are making it clear that in order to solve the problems we face, we must invest strategically to create jobs and jump start our economy,” said Congressman Patrick Murphy. “I am proud that with this budget, we protect middle class tax cuts, finally account honestly for the money spent in Iraq and Afghanistan and we cut the deficit by almost two-thirds in four years.”

“If we don’t tackle big problems in health care, energy and education in an honest way, we are going to be stuck in the same situation we have been in for years. This budget will get our economy back on track and reduces the burden on future generations,” added Murphy.

Key Features of the Budget:

- Cuts the deficit by nearly two-thirds by 2013.
- Protects $1.5 trillion in middle class tax cuts.
- Invests in health care, education and energy for job creation and long-term economic growth.
- Honest accounting for war spending in Iraq and Afghanistan for the first time.
- Cuts non-discretionary defense spending over 10 years to its lowest percentage in more than 50 years.
- The budget also puts Congress on the path to PAYGO spending for the long-term.

Sen. Casey applauds Making Work Pay tax credit

WASHINGTON, D.C. — As of today, eligible workers should see the effect of the new Making Work Pay tax credit in their paychecks. U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-Pa.) applauded this most recent example of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act providing relief to Pennsylvanians and the economy. Workers will receive up to $400 and up to $800 for married couples.

“This new tax break will provide some assistance in these tough times to 4.8 million working families in Pennsylvania ,” said Sen. Casey. “Ninety-five percent of families will see extra money in their pay checks by this month.”

Employers had until today to implement new withholding schedules that reflect the new tax credit.

For 2009 and 2010, the Making Work Pay tax credit provides a refundable tax credit of 6.2 percent of earned income up to $400 for working individuals and $800 for married taxpayers.

Families should see at least a $65 dollar per month increase in their take home pay. Over 110 million American families will benefit from the tax credit.

The credit will phase out for taxpayers with adjusted gross income in excess of $150,000 for married couples filing jointly and $75,000 for other workers, and thus is fully phased out for taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income in excess of $190,000 for married workers and $95,000 for other workers.

Rep. Farry to host April 17 open house

HARRISBURG — Rep. Frank Farry (R-142) will hold an open house from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, April 17 in his new district office at 370 East Maple Ave., Suite 102, in Langhorne.

“This open house is an opportunity for the residents of my district to see the office, meet my staff, and familiarize themselves with the many services we can provide,” said Farry. “In addition, it will give me the chance to meet with them face-to-face and answer any questions they may have about state government.”

Residents of the 142nd Legislative District are encouraged to stop by to meet with Farry and his staff to discuss any state government-related issues currently impacting the region. Light refreshments will be served.

“I encourage anyone who cannot attend the open house to visit us any time during our regular weekday hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.,” Farry said. “Residents should also feel free to call the office at 215-752-6750 or visit my Web site at RepFarry.com.”

Some of the services provided by Farry’s district office include helping residents obtain driver licenses, vehicle registrations and other Pennsylvania Department of Transportation forms, locating birth and death certificates, assisting senior citizens with Property Tax and Rent Rebate applications and PACE and PACENET forms, providing students with applications for PHEAA grants and loans, supplying copies of state legislation, and offering a wide variety of informative brochures.

Senate approves McIlhinney-sponsored bill on discrimination of Armed Forces members

HARRISBURG – The Senate approved legislation by a vote of 49-1 today that would prohibit public school officials from discriminating against members of the Armed Forces, according to Sen. Chuck McIlhinney (R-10).

Senate Bill 206 would prohibit any principal, superintendant or school official from denying any member of the military entry to school facilities because he or she is wearing a military uniform. Military members would still be expected to comply with a school’s visitor policy, but they could not be denied access because of their uniforms, McIlhinney said.

The legislation stemmed from several incidents in which military members visiting friends and former teachers were denied access to school grounds due to their military uniforms. McIlhinney’s bill would ensure that no school official could impose restrictions on wearing military uniforms on school property.

“The members of our Armed Forces have sacrificed a great deal to earn the right to wear those military uniforms, and we should not allow a select few school officials to make some of the finest and bravest members of our community feel like second-class citizens,” McIlhinney said. “I am pleased that the Senate has taken action to end this unfair discrimination and allow our men and women serving in the Armed Forces to proudly display their uniforms when they stop by to visit friends and former teachers.”

Several members of Semper Fi Families, an organization that offers guidance and support to families of those serving in the military, joined McIlhinney in Harrisburg for today’s vote.

Senate Bill 206 will now go to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Rep. Santarsiero proposes legislation that would streamline local government offices

HARRISBURG – State Rep. Steven J. Santarsiero (D-31) today announced plans to introduce legislation that would give counties such as Bucks the ability to streamline local offices for greater transparency and taxpayer savings.

Santarsiero’s legislation would allow second-class counties to abolish the office of Jury Commissioner and consolidate the offices of Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts by way of county ordinance or ballot referendum.

Further, the legislation would regulate the payment of benefits to county solicitors, assistant solicitors and row office solicitors by prohibiting such benefits for solicitors working fewer than 35 hours per week. Santarsiero said the bill also would make the process of retaining outside counsel more transparent.

“These are tough times, with homeowners struggling to make ends meet,” Santarsiero said. “My bill would help counties such as Bucks save tens of thousands of dollars, directly benefiting taxpayers. I hope that there will be broad support for this measure in the state legislature and at home in Bucks County.”

Santarsiero authored the bill in response to recent news that Bucks county solicitors received full benefits packages despite working far fewer hours than full-time employees. He currently is seeking co-sponsors for the bill in the House.

Santarsiero’s main constituent service office is located at 2 N. State St. in Newtown. Office hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and the phone number is 215-968-3975. Additionally, staff is available in the Lower Makefield Township Building, located at 1100 Edgewood Rd. Office hours there are noon to 4:30 p.m. on Fridays, and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. the first Saturday of every month.

The 31st Legislative District includes Newtown Township, Newtown Borough, Lower Makefield Township, Yardley Borough and part of Upper Makefield Township.

Rep. Petri: Proposed bills would develop new energy, create jobs

HARRISBURG — Rep. Scott Petri (R-178) has introduced two bills to rebuild the state’s ailing infrastructure and develop new sources of energy while creating family-sustaining jobs in the Commonwealth.

At a public hearing at the state Capitol, Petri said House Bills 1117 and 1118 would clear the way for private investment in an Energy Independence Bond program and an Infrastructure Bond program.

“The two programs will allow the state to obtain funds that will be used to address our 21 st century energy needs as well as address the deficiency in the Commonwealth’s transportation networks,” said Petri. “The infrastructure bond program will also include funding for water and sewer improvements, which many Pennsylvania communities need. This will all be accomplished without raising the tax burden on Pennsylvanians — now or in the future.”

In the current state of the economy, Petri said many citizens are feeling frustrated and powerless. However, he said, his plan would give citizens a direct stake in the Commonwealth’s recovery by giving them the opportunity to invest in their own communities and in projects that affect them directly.

“Much like the U.S. Savings Bond program that offers a guaranteed rate of return, under my plan, citizens would have the opportunity to buy bonds at their local bank in modest $100 increments,” Petri said. “The Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) would administer the program, accept loan applications and set interest rates, as well as provide assistance in overseeing the projects funded by the two programs.

“My legislation will assist in growing our economy and will both save jobs and create new ones,” said Petri. “With these privately invested funds, no outsourcing should be allowed.”

To see Petri’s legislation, visit www.RepPetri.com and click on “Rebuild PA.”

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