Harrisburg Happenings

June 2010

Dear Friend,

I am pleased to send you this edition of my electronic newsletter. These e-newsletters enable me to provide information about issues, events and activities in Harrisburg and around the 50th 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.senatorrobbins.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,

Bob Robbins

Senate Approves Bill Honoring Local Veterans

I am pleased to report that the Senate recently approved Senate Bill 1072, legislation I introduced that designates U.S. Route 62 in Mercer County as the "Mercer County Veterans Highway" and directs PennDOT to install and maintain appropriate signs displaying the name of the highway to traffic in both directions.

The Senate approved this bill in honor of Mercer County residents who have served in the defense of freedom as members of America's Armed Forces. This is a lasting token of our appreciation for their service and the sacrifices they have made for all of us.

Senate Bill 1072 is now before the House Transportation Committee for consideration.

Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol

I recently had the pleasure of meeting with local student Kaitlyn McConville, attending Westminster College, and hearing about her research project during the "Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol."

Report Potholes for Repairs

Spring has sprung and so have the potholes. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is reminding motorists to call the toll-free number 1-800-FIX-ROAD (1-800-349-7623) to report the location of potholes.

Motorists are also encouraged to report other problems and information, including:

shoulder and drainage concerns;
signage issues;
other maintenance needs;
animal carcass removal; and
brush and tree removal.

Since its inception in July 1997, the year-round hotline has received between 500 and 1,000 calls per month statewide. Callers are asked to be as specific as possible when providing locations of maintenance problems. PennDOT requests the report include the county, municipality, street name, and the traffic route or the state route (SR) number to assist Engineering Districts & County Maintenance Offices in making prompt repairs. State Route numbers are located on small black-and-white signs posted along state highways. Callers should also provide a description of any familiar landmarks to further help PennDOT locate the problem area.

Helping Kids Fight Crime

One of my most pleasant events this past spring was a visit to Mercer Elementary School to read to students as part of the "Fight Crime: Invest in Kids Program."

State Tax Amnesty Program Now Open

For a limited time, the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue is waiving 100 percent of penalties and half the interest for anyone who applies for Tax Amnesty online at www.PATaxPayUp.com and pays eligible delinquent taxes between now and June 18.

This is only the second time in Pennsylvania's history a Tax Amnesty program has been offered to those who owe the state back taxes.

According to the Department of Revenue, there are a number of local residents who owe tax money to the state. The breakdown by county in the 50th Senatorial District is as follows: Butler, 8,185; Crawford, 4,201; Lawrence, 4,564; and Mercer, 5,523.

After PA Tax Amnesty ends on June 18, eligible individuals who do not take advantage of the PA Tax Amnesty program to settle back taxes will have a 5 percent non-participation penalty added to delinquencies and may face other enforcement actions.

Taxpayers must apply for PA Tax Amnesty online at www.PATaxPayUp.com by June 18; no paper applications are available. The tax amnesty website features commonly asked questions and answers, step-by-step application instructions and links to forms and publications taxpayers may need.

A toll-free hotline and call center featuring extended customer service hours has been dedicated to the PA Tax Amnesty program. Taxpayers may call 1-877-34-PAYUP (1-877-347-2987) from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on some Saturdays.

Shorter-Term Licenses, Photo IDs, Discount Registrations Available

As you probably know, Pennsylvania's regular driver's licenses are valid for four years. However, older Pennsylvanians have the option to request a shorter-term driver's license.

All Pennsylvanians at least 65 years old and who are not under a suspension have the option of obtaining a two-year license, which is less expensive than a four-year license. The two-year license fee is $17.50 ($27.50 for a license with a Class M motorcycle license) as compared to the regular four-year license fee of $28 ($48 for a license with a Class M motorcycle license).

After you send your renewal along with the fee(s) to the Bureau of Driver Licensing, you will receive a camera card, which is valid for 60 days as a temporary driver's license, and a list of PennDOT's Photo License Center locations. Visit one of the centers to have your photograph taken, and you will receive your photo license at that time.

Photo ID cards are available free to drivers ordered by PennDOT to surrender their driver's license for medical reasons or those who voluntarily surrender their driver's license for health reasons that may affect their ability to safely operate a motor vehicle.

Free photo ID cards are also issued to drivers ordered by PennDOT to retake the driver's exam and who cannot pass the driving, knowledge, or vision portion of the test. Individuals who have never held a Pennsylvania Driver's License may apply for a photo ID card at any Driver's Licensing Center. When submitting an application, you must provide your Social Security card as well as proof of identity and residency.

Lower-income retired Pennsylvanians are eligible to register their vehicles at a discount rate. Those individuals who are retired and receiving Social Security or other pension and have a total annual income from all sources of $19,200 or less qualify to register a passenger vehicle or a light truck (9,000 lbs or less) for just a $10 processing fee per year instead of the annual registration fee.

Under this discount, you may save $26 a year on the annual registration fee for a passenger vehicle and even more for a light truck. The discount does not apply to title fees, transfer fees or sales tax. Under this plan, you may register only one passenger vehicle or light truck that you own for the $10 processing fee and you should be the principal driver of the vehicle, unless a physical or mental disability exists that makes you incapable of driving.

For more information about shorter term licenses, photo IDs and the registration discount, visit PennDOT's website at www.dot.state.pa.us/