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Senator Mike Brubaker

June 2011

Dear Friend,

Thank you for taking the time to read the latest edition of the 36th Senatorial District newsletter. These e-newsletters enable me to provide information about issues, events and activities of interest to local residents without any cost to taxpayers for printing and mailing.

If you do not wish to receive these e-newsletters in the future, please feel free to click the "unsubscribe" button at the bottom of the page. If you would like to contact my office, please go to my web page at www.senatorbrubaker.com and click on the "contact" button. Please do not "reply" directly to this e-mail.

I am hopeful that the information included in this newsletter will foster greater public awareness of the issues affecting our communities and promote a mutual dialogue on the most important issues facing our state and region. As always, please feel free to contact me with any comments or questions pertaining to any state government program or agency. I deeply appreciate the opportunity to serve you.

Sincerely, 

Mike Brubaker

Brubaker Introduces Legislation to Freeze COLAs for Legislators, Government Officials

The recession has placed a serious strain on the state budget, and spending cuts on a number of budget line items will require many groups who rely on state funding to forgo annual pay raises. I recently introduced legislation that would require leaders of all branches of government to share in this sacrifice by eliminating annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for the next two years.

The COLA freeze would apply to members of the General Assembly, the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, cabinet members, state row offices, various boards and commissions and the judicial branch.

Members of the General Assembly have a responsibility to those who elected us, and we should never forget that it is a privilege and an honor to be elected to serve our constituents. The General Assembly should never ask others to do something we are not willing to do ourselves, and I am hopeful we will pass this legislation to demonstrate our willingness to share in the sacrifices that many other families are being asked to make as part of this year's budget cuts.

Brubaker Proposal Would Direct Milk Premiums to Dairy Farmers

Dairy farmers across the state have suffered through historically low prices for their product in recent years, and this crisis has had a serious impact on one of the most important sectors of our state and local economies. I introduced legislation recently that will make fundamental changes to the state's Milk Marketing Law to ensure dairy farmers receive their fair share of existing milk premiums paid by consumers.

Current law intends for a 27-cent over-order premium paid by consumers to be directed to dairy farmers. However, a portion (estimated to range from $15 million to $25 million per year) of this premium is not reaching producers. My legislation would require this premium to be deposited directly in a new Producer Settlement Fund and distributed to all qualified dairy producers based on the total volume of milk they produce. This proposal would create a more equitable system for distributing these premiums to dairy farmers.

Local Legislators Announce Plans to "Take a Swing Against Breast Cancer"

Senator Brubaker

It is estimated that one in eight women will develop invasive breast cancer in her lifetime. The disease claims tens of thousands of lives each year, and the number of women who are fighting this disease in Pennsylvania alone is staggering.

I recently joined the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition and Representatives Boyd and DePasquale to announce our partnership in the "Take A Swing Against Breast Cancer" Homerun Derby campaign to raise awareness and funding to support breast cancer victims. I had an opportunity to participate in this program last year, and I look forward to working with the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition and all of the participants to make this year's event a success.

More information on this event is available online at www.pabreastcancer.org.

Lititz District Office Open for Donations for Troop Care Packages

Last weekend, Memorial Day observances throughout the region paid tribute to the men and women in our Armed Forces who have made tremendous sacrifices for our nation. I recently joined Lititz VFW Post 1463 and Lititz American Legion Garden Spot Post 56 to help collect donated items to create care packages for our troops serving overseas in Afghanistan, Iraq and Africa.

Local residents who would like to participate in the project can drop off items at my Lititz office at 301 E. Main Street through July 5. Suggested items to donate for the care packages include soap, toothpaste and toothbrushes, travel-size shampoo and body wash, deodorant, socks, puzzles and handheld games, candy (no chocolate due to the heat during this time of year) and gum.

These care packages are an outstanding way to show our appreciation for those who are fighting for our freedom far from home, and I would strongly encourage district residents to contribute to this effort.

 

Today's Fun Fact

Did you know that Pennsylvania was the first state to produce potato chips, pretzels and scrapple?

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