Representative PRSRT STD

U.S. POSTAGE

CURT SONNEY
Serving the 4th Legislative District
PAID
HARRISBURG, PA
PERMIT NO. 529

WINTER 2010

Dear Neighbor,
The year 2010 has just begun and, hopefully, it
Sonney to Hold
will signify a new beginning for families that were Town Hall Meetings
negatively affected by the global economic reces-
sion in 2009. In an effort to reach out to
Following the burst of the national housing mar- all areas of the district, I have
ket bubble and the shake up in the banking sector, scheduled a series of town hall
America’s economy is still struggling to get back on meetings, which you hopefully
track. Pennsylvania families and our state govern- will plan to attend. These meet-
ment have not been immune to this international ings offer a chance for you,
economic meltdown. your friends and neighbors to
This newsletter contains information about the have your legislative questions
current state budget and ways for you to hold our and concerns addressed.
government accountable. The recession caused Here are the dates, times
budgetary difficulties in our state Capitol this year and places of my town hall meettings:
and will likely do so again as we prepare to approve
April 1, 7:30 p.m.
a spending plan for the year ahead. In 2009, the
North East Twp. Building
federal government enacted a recovery plan, send-
10300 West Main Rd, North East
ing billions of federal dollars to cash-strapped states
like Pennsylvania. These are your tax dollars and I April 5, 7:30 p.m.
encourage you to hold the federal and state govern- Corry Higher Education Building
ment accountable for how this money is spent. 221 North Center Street, Corry
This newsletter also contains information about
some of the state programs available to Pennsylva- April 6, 7:30 p.m.

Mark
nians. Of course, we couldn’t list every program in Union City Area Middle School
this short publication, so I encourage you to visit my 107 Concord Street, Union City
Web site at RepSonney.com or call my district of-
fice to learn more about all of the programs and ser-
vices Pennsylvania state government has to offer.
April 8, 7:30 p.m.
Green Twp. Building Your
It continues to be an honor and a privilege to
serve as your state representative. I will continue
9333 Tate Road, Erie

April 12, 7:30 p.m.

Calendars!
to stand up in Harrisburg for the priorities of the citi-
zens of the 4th Legislative District in Erie County. Wattsburg Social Hall
9716 North Street, Wattsburg
Sincerely,
April 13, 7:30 p.m.
Wesleyville Borough Building
3421 Buffalo Road, Wesleyville

Curt Sonney May 11, 7:30 p.m.

State Representative Harborcreek Twp. Building
4th Legislative District 5601 Buffalo Road, Harborcreek
 Sonney Introduces Wood-Fired Burner Legislation
I recently introduced House Bill 2219, legislation that
would prohibit the Department of Environmental Protec-
tion (DEP) from implementing regulations on the use of
wood-fired furnaces and boilers. I recently testified in
Coudersport at a Pennsylvania Environmental Quality
Board hearing on the matter.
The regulations that DEP is proposing represent ev-
erything our citizens despise about big government. The
department is attempting to force Pennsylvanians to un-
necessarily reach deeper into their pockets during difficult
economic times, and is overstepping its boundaries in
trying to enact laws while many of our municipalities are
already confronting the issue in their own backyards.
DEP wants to regulate the height of burner stacks, the
level of particulate matter emitted by these burners, their
distance from property lines and the time of year these
furnaces and boilers can be used. My legislation challenges each of these mandates, as well as the need
for regulations in light of the numerous local governments that already address the issue within their own
municipalities.
Wood-fired furnaces and boilers are being used by many people as a low-cost method of heating their
homes and running their businesses. With family businesses and finances already stretched, the last thing
we should be doing is asking them to spend more of their hard-earned money, meet further standards with
regard to their energy needs or force them to look for other more costly means of heating.

Table Games Roll into Erie County

On January 6, the House voted to ap-
prove the Conference Committee Report
on table games legislation, paving the way
for expanded gaming to be introduced into
facilities such as Presque Isle Downs Race-
track and Casino. As a result, you will be
able to play blackjack, craps, roulette and
mini baccarat in Erie County sometime this
summer.
Management at Presque Isle expects to
hire 400 to 500 new employees because of the approxi-
mately 50 table games that will be added as a compliment
to the 2,000 slot machines already in existence. This sig-
nificant increase in our area’s workforce was more than
enough reason for me to vote in favor of table games.
With double-digit unemployment as part
of a difficult economy, jobs are our number
one concern. Voting for Senate Bill 711
meant casting a ballot in favor of the many
Erie countians who are in search of employ-
ment.
An added bonus in this piece of legisla-
tion is the two percent local share that will
go toward the funding of a new community
college. These are trying times, and one of
the challenges we have in the General Assembly is bal-
ancing frugal spending with investment in our future. Ef-
forts to support education allow us to continue laying the
groundwork for the time when our economy is once again
thriving.

$ Sonney to Discuss 2010-11 Budget on WQLN

State government is in the process of formulating a
spending plan for the 2010-11 Fiscal Year. With that
in mind, I will be part of a state budget panel discus-
these are difficult circumstances, raiding this fund and
completely doing away with our reserves leaves us with
very little to fall back on. The citizens of Pennsylvania are
sion to be broadcast live on WQLN starting at 8 p.m. already digging down deep enough into their wallets, and

$
on Wednesday, April 7. Erie County members of the
General Assembly will examine the issues, and there
will be an opportunity for viewers to ask questions of
the panelists. I hope you will join us that evening.
As you know, I voted against the budget for the cur-
my vote meant standing up against efforts to ask them to
reach down even further.
We have now marked the 21st consecutive month in
which Pennsylvania has failed to reach General Fund
revenue projections. This shortfall increases the year-to-

$ rent fiscal year. My decision was based on a need for

state government to mimic the spending habits of those
of you at home who have been forced to tighten your
belts and make difficult choices with regard to spend-
ing. I did not feel the proposal on the table went far
$ enough in reigning in state government spending.
I was also opposed to completely draining the Rainy
date deficit to $374.4 million, which is more than three-
quarters of the $450 million shortfall the governor pro-
jected the state would reach by June 30.
We are still very early in the effort to put together a
state budget; however, I can safely say at this point my
message with regard to state spending will reflect my

$
continued effort to be a good steward of taxpayer dollars,
Day Fund and essentially removing the safety net that with the hope that the actions of my colleagues in the
was put in place for times of emergency. While I agree General Assembly will follow suit.

Tune in to WQLN starting at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 7

PUC Approves Program to Help Local
Electric Customers
In my last newsletter (available on my Web
site at RepSonney.com), I provided you with
information about a new state energy plan de-
veloped to help consumers deal with rising energy
costs.
With the deregulation of Pennsylvania’s electric
industry in the 1990s, electric rate caps are set to expire
across the Commonwealth by 2011. Similar deregula-
tion activities and the subsequent expiration of rate caps
in other states have led to large increases in consumer
electricity costs. In Pike County, Pennsylvania, commer-
cial and industrial customers saw rates soar by 85 per-
cent after rate caps were lifted.
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) ap-
proved a plan submitted by Penelec, the electricity ser-
vice provider in our area, to help consumers plan ahead
for any price spikes that may occur as rate caps expire.
Penelec’s Voluntary Pre-Payment Plan will help
qualified customers gradually phase in future generation
price increases, simply by making pre-payments in 2009
and 2010 toward a portion of their future electric bills.
These pre-payments will earn 7.5 percent interest and
will be applied as credits to reduce bills each month in
2011 and 2012. As a result, the impact of rate changes
would be spread out over four years, rather than an un-
predictable, one-time change in 2011.
In addition, customers can participate in the program
no matter who they choose as their supplier. For more
information, visit Penelec online at Penelec.com.
Follow YOUR Money
$ The federal government is spending billions of your tax dollars in an effort to stimulate America’s
economy. Federal lawmakers also provided billions of dollars to cash-strapped states across the country
to fill mounting budget deficits. This is your money and you have a right to know how it is being spent.
You can track the federal stimulus money by visiting Recovery.gov and the money provided to Penn-
sylvania by visiting Recovery.PA.gov.
Growing Our Future
Our school districts will receive a $300 million
boost in basic education funding. Schools in the
4th Legislative District receive the following
increases:
Corry Area School District: 13.7%
Fort Leboeuf School District: 14.9%
Harbor Creek School District: 9.1%
Iroquois School District: 14.3%
North East School District: 9.5%
Union City Area school District: 8.3%
Wattsburg Area School District: 10.4%
Check us out on the web www.RepSonney.com
Low-Income
Home Energy Assistance Extended
Pennsylvania’s Low-Income Home Energy Assis-
tance Program (LIHEAP) is now open until April 2.
LIHEAP helps low-income people pay their heat-
ing bills through home energy assistance grants and
crisis grants. Cash grants are awarded based on
household income, family size, type of heating fuel
and region. Crisis grants are provided in the event of
a heating emergency, including broken heating equip-
ment or leaking lines that must be fixed or replaced,
lack of fuel, termination of utility service or danger of
being without fuel or of having utility service terminat-
ed. In most counties, assistance with home heating
crisis situations is available 24 hours a day.
Applications are available at the Erie County As-
sistance Offices. Applications are also available from
local utility companies and community service agen-
cies, such as Area Agencies on Aging or community
action agencies. LIHEAP cash grant applications are
available online at compass.state.pa.us.
Income eligibility for cash grants begins at $33,075
for a family of four.
For complete eligibility requirements and additional
information on LIHEAP, visit my Web site at RepSon-
ney.com and click on “LIHEAP Information.”
Representative Curt Sonney
District Offices:
4457 Buffalo Road, Erie, PA 16510
Phone: (814) 897-2080 Fax: (814) 897-2083
707 East Columbus Ave., Corry, PA 16407
Phone: (814) 664-9126 Fax: (814) 664-5857
Harrisburg Office:
PO Box 202004, 149 B East Wing
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2004
Phone: (717) 783-9087 Fax: (717) 787-2005
Email: csonney@pahousegop.com
Web: RepSonney.com

Searching for Vietnam Veterans
My office is planning a ceremony
to honor veterans of the Vietnam War.
Anyone interested in attending or who
knows a Vietnam War veteran to be
honored should contact one of my dis-
trict offices.
Be prepared to include the following
information on the veteran: name, home
address, phone number, branch of ser-
vice, rank and time of service. Contact
information is needed in order to send
out invitations.
Sonney Legislation Would Transfer
Ownership of Six Mile Creek Park
I have introduced House Bill 2231 that would allow
Erie County to transfer ownership of Six Mile Creek
Park to Harborcreek Township.
In the late 1960’s, Erie County purchased the land
for this park with state Project 70 funds. The Project
70 Land Acquisition and Borrowing Act requires the
General Assembly to authorize the sale of any lands
purchased with Project 70 funds.
Six Mile Creek Park consists of 450 acres of mostly
forested land. Six Mile Creek flows through the park,
creating a deep gorge with steep bluffs. The park will
not be developed beyond improvements to parking
and public access and will be made available to the
public for passive recreation purposes.
The Project 70 land use restrictions will remain on
the Six Mile Creek property upon its transfer to the
Township. Thus, this unique property will remain pro-
tected as open space.
Applications Now Available for
Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program
Applications for the state’s Property/Tax Rent Re-
bate program for tax year 2009 are now available. Eli-
gible participants can receive a rebate of up to $650
based on their rent or property taxes paid in 2009. The
program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians who are 65
years or older, widows and widowers 50 years or older,
and those 18 years or older with disabilities.
Eligibility income limits for homeowners are set at
the following levels, excluding 50 percent of Social
Security, Supplemental Security Income, and Railroad
Retirement Tier 1 benefits:
• $0 to $8,000, maximum $650 rebate
(Homeowners and renters)
• $8,001 to $15,000, maximum $500 rebate
(Homeowners and renters)
• $15,001 to $18,000, maximum $300 rebate
(Homeowners only)
• $18,001 to $35,000, maximum $250 rebate
(Homeowners only)
Six weeks after a resident submits an application,
he or she may visit the site to check the status of the
rebate by entering the following information:
• Social Security number
• Date of birth
• Anticipated rebate amount
The service will allow applicants to confirm the sta-
tus, rebate amount and the date a rebate is expected
to be mailed or direct deposited.
The Property Tax/Rent Rebate program is one of
many initiatives supported by the Pennsylvania Lot-
tery, which dedicates its proceeds to support programs
for older Pennsylvanians. Since the program began in
1971, more than $4 billion has been paid to qualified
applicants.
Residents are reminded to provide all the necessary
income, property tax or rental information required to
process claims quickly and accurately. Applications
are due by June 30.
Property Tax/Rent Rebate claim forms are available
by contacting my office at (814) 897-2080 or (814) 664-
9126, or by visiting my Web site at RepSonney.com.

State Game Land Maps Available Online

Rep. Sonney holds a black bear
cub during a visit to Renovo, Clin-
ton County, where he helped
Pennsylvania Game Commission
officials as they tagged cubs for
monitoring. Sonney made the trip
with other representatives from the
House Game and Fisheries Com-
mittee, of which he is a member.
State game land maps from the Pennsylvania Game Commission are
available online.
The topographic maps depict contour lines, parking areas, trails, food
plots and other useful features. The maps are readily viewed and printed
on an individual’s home computer.
State game lands are listed on the Web site by county. If portions of
a game land are situated in more than one county, it will be listed with all
involved counties. From the table of contents, visitors can select either a
low or high-resolution map. The high-resolution maps offer better quality,
although they take longer to download for certain users.
The online maps showcase most of the more than 300 state game
lands. As new maps are created or updated, they will be added to the
Web site.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission began buying state game
lands in 1920 and has greatly expanded since then. Today, the system
is greater in size than the state of Delaware.
For more information or to view a map of state game lands, visit my
Web site at RepSonney.com and click on “State Game Land Maps.”