For Immediate Release
June 4, 2008
Contact:  Lisa Landis
Legislative Director
717-787-6709
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A Conversation with Senator Brubaker

Senate approves educational support to military families

The state Senate recently made the complete Legislative Journals from 1993 to 2004 available online.

Legislative Journals are a transcript of floor action that has taken place on any given day that the Senate is in session, including votes and debate among the members. Journals from 2005 on have been available since the beginning of 2007 as part of the new rules the Senate adopted to make the legislative process more open and transparent.

Many important policy decisions have been made over the last fifteen years, so the Legislative Journals are an excellent educational and historical resource. Other journals prior to 1993, as far back as 1802, are available in the Senate Library at the Capitol.

The Senate has made additional resources available online this session, including a record of all floor and committee votes, text of all amendments offered on the Senate floor, and a live video feed of Senate sessions.

Legislative Journals and other information are available by going to the Senate's web site at www.pasen.gov, and several important links are also posted to my web site at www.senatorbrubaker.com, where readers can find information about my activities in the 36th District and Harrisburg as well.

Senate Republicans unveil tax stimulus plan

Senate Republicans recently revealed a tax stimulus package to provide relief to lower-income working families, small businesses looking to expand and other employers and job creators, a package I am pleased to support.

The four bills are designed to best be able to stimulate Pennsylvania's economy and help its citizens. Together, they would:

• Expand the cap on the Net Operating Loss provision of the Corporate Net Income tax, which would offer additional incentives for business expansion and development (Senate Bill 1385)
• Increase the eligibility limits for special income tax forgiveness for low-income working families (Senate Bill 1386)
• Double the amount of deductions allowed by small businesses for machinery and equipment used for business purposes, helping those businesses make investments and upgrade facilities (Senate Bill 1387)
• Amend the Corporate Net Income Tax to expand the sales factor to 85 percent, helping Pennsylvania companies that are based here and employ our citizens (Senate Bill 1388)

I look forward to further discussing these proposals as part of the General Assembly's consideration of the 2008-09 state budget, as well as many other matters of importance to Pennsylvania's economy and fiscal health.

Grants to help local governments reduce emissions

A new grant program through the Department of Environmental Protection will help local governments reduce emissions, conserve energy and lower operating expenses.

Under the Local Government Greenhouse Gas Pilot Grant Program, municipalities or regional partnerships can apply for grants to hire technical service providers who can help establish greenhouse gas inventories and then develop plans to reduce emissions. Recommendations can be tailored to the specific needs of a community, and if implemented, can help a municipality improve its energy efficiency and reduce energy costs.

Individual municipalities can qualify for up to $20,000; regional applicants may request greater amounts, but no more than $20,000 per participating community. Applicants are encouraged but not required to provide matching or in-kind contributions. For more information or to download an application, visit www.depweb.state.pa.us, keyword: Grants. The submission deadline is August 29.

With the cost of energy continuing to rise, I believe conservation will be a key part of helping to control those costs, and encourage all municipalities in the 36th District to take advantage of this program.