Senator Ted Erickson - Pennsylvania's 26th District

I have developed this e-newsletter to keep residents of the 26th District updated on state and local issues. It is a more timely and less costly way to keep constituents informed than traditional mailers, and I hope you find it useful. If you know of someone else who might want to receive it, please feel free to forward this email. If you'd prefer to not receive the e-newsletter, just click the unsubscribe button at the bottom of the page.

Pennsylvania's 2009 Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program application deadline was extended to December 31, 2010 to ensure sufficient time for eligible Pennsylvanians to apply for the rebate program.

The program helps seniors and citizens with disabilities remain in their homes and make ends meet through property tax or rent relief, with rebates of up to $650.

Homeowners:		Renters:
$0 - $8,000	$650	$0 - $8,000	$650
$8,001 - $15,000	$500	$8,001 - $15,000	$500
$15,001 - $18,000	$300
$18,001 - $35,000	$250
NOTE: Applicants can exclude one-half of Social Security Income

Residents receiving rebates last year should have received a new application form in the mail. Eligible residents may obtain Property Tax/Rent Rebate form (PA-1000) and related information online at www.revenue.state.pa.us under "Individuals," or by calling 1-888-222-9190.

Applications are also available in our office and the staff will be happy to provide assistance in completing the application.

Every year, the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program helps those on fixed incomes make ends meet and keep a roof over their heads. But many citizens still don't take advantage of this assistance. I urge individuals who are living on fixed incomes to look into the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program.

The coming winter driving season brings special challenges for Pennsylvania motorists, especially when they're sharing the roadways with school buses. Drive Safe PA is posting a series of animated traffic situations involving school buses to serve as a refresher for both the novice and veteran motorist.

Penalties for violating Pennsylvania's School Bus Stopping Law include a 60-day driver's license suspension, 5 points on the violator's driving record, and a $250 fine.

Impaired Driver Strikeforce Prepared for Holiday Checkpoints and Roving Patrols

With the holiday season upon us, the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) reminds motorists of the continuation of the Checkpoint Strikeforce Program initiative started in 2008 to reduce crashes, prevent injuries, and save lives by identifying and arresting impaired drivers on our roads.

Each of Pennsylvania's 15 regional PSP troops will conduct sobriety checkpoints within its enforcement area on at least 20 weekends through August 2011. During inclement weather, troops conduct roving DUI patrols rather than a checkpoint.

To date, the Program has resulted in 4,652 DUI arrests during the first two years. The checkpoints yielded 3,347 arrests while roving patrols are responsible for the other 1,305 DUI arrests. DUI arrests made during the first two years of the Checkpoint Strikeforce Program include 350 arrests by Troop K (Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties) and 531 arrests by Troop J (Chester and Lancaster counties).

An increase in whooping cough or pertussis is prompting the Pennsylvania Department of Health to issue a reminder about preventing transmission of the highly contagious bacteria often spread by older children, adults, and others only partially protected by the vaccine.

The disease, spread through face-to-face contact, direct contact with respiratory, oral, or nasal secretions, or being in the same hospital room or open ward with a coughing pertussis case, is best controlled by adequate vaccinations of children, according to the PA Department of Health.

Medical protocol calls for an immunization schedule at ages 2, 4, 6, and 15 - 18 months old and again between years 4 – 6. A booster immunization is recommended between 11 and 12 years of age and for adults under 65 years of age. Children less than 6 months of age and individuals of any age with immune-compromised systems are most at-risk.

Frequently presenting as would a case of the flu, the often tell-tale "whooping" cough may be indistinguishable from other upper respiratory infections during the first week of infection. Left untreated, an infected person can spread the contagion for up to 3 weeks after coughing begins. A secondary bacterial pneumonia is the most common complication and the cause of most pertussis-related deaths. More than 200 cases of whooping cough are reported in Pennsylvania annually.

Hunters who are successful in the upcoming deer hunting seasons are encouraged by the Pennsylvania Game Commission to consider participating in the Hunters Sharing the Harvest (HSH) program for needy families.

Each year, Hunters Sharing the Harvest helps to deliver almost 200,000 meals to food banks, churches and social services feeding programs for meals provided to Pennsylvanians in need.

Hunters donating their harvest contribute a $15 tax-deductible fee toward each processed deer. The remainder of the processing fee is covered through HSH sponsors and donations.

Anyone interested in donating venison to the HSH program should call 1-866-474-2141.

To learn more about the program and obtain a list of participating meat processors and county coordinators, visit the Game Commission's website and click on "Hunters Sharing the Harvest" in the "Quick Clicks" box in the right-hand column of the homepage, or go to the HSH website.

An average-sized deer will provide enough highly-nutritious, low-cholesterol meat for 200 meals.

Groups and individuals interested in the preservation and promotion of Pennsylvania's history, including its people, places and events, are invited to submit by January 5, 2011 nominations for a PA Historical Marker.

Among the most popular and visible historical programs in the Commonwealth, according to the PA Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC), more than 2,100 of the familiar blue and gold markers peppering our highways and byways impart the significant impact of local citizens, sites, and milestones on statewide or national history.

Recent markers include one for railroad air brakes, developed by George Westinghouse of Allegheny County, which revolutionized rail transportation, enabling trains to be longer, heavier, and faster while also being safer.

The Heisman Memorial Trophy was named after Titusville's John William Heisman who was also the founder of the American Football Coaches Association. His marker notes that Heisman's innovations included legalizing the forward pass, the center snap, the scoreboard and game quarters, as well as promoting player safety by advocating gear improvements and rule revisions.

Another marker highlights the Wills Eye Institute of Philadelphia, the first U.S. medical facility dedicated to the treatment of eyes and the first to train residents in ophthalmology. Today, Wills is known worldwide for its surgical and medical innovations in eye care.

Transportation, recreation, and healthcare are just a few of the advancements rooted in Pennsylvania history. Review the criteria for approval of state historical markers and submit a completed nomination form to Historical Marker Program, Bureau for Historic Preservation, Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Commonwealth Keystone Building, 2nd Floor, 400 North Street, Harrisburg, PA 17120-0053.