March 3, 2015: Sen. Art Haywood gives remarks following Gov. Tom Wolf's Budget Address.

Building a Pipeline to Opportunity with a Bold Budget

Governor Wolf just announced a budget for Pennsylvania that opens up the pipeline to opportunity by restoring funding to public school classrooms and higher education, raising the minimum wage and making homeownership affordable. In return, property taxes will be shifted to income and sales, and the energy industry will be asked to do its part to fund our shared future.

Governor Wolf’s budget proposal is a fair way to pay for what we need and to make investments to build a better Pennsylvania. It asks us each to re-commit to our shared vision for the commonwealth. Please call the Governor to show your support for his budget plan at 717-787-2500.

Legislative Updates

Shale for Our Future

February 5, 2015: Sens. Art Haywood, Hughes, and Farnese announced legislation to impose an 8 percent tax on Marcellus Shale gas

To support our schools, environment and pensions of retirees, I announced an 8% tax on extraction of natural gas from shale beneath the ground with Sens. Vincent Hughes and Larry Farnese. This rate is both sustainable and fair for the multi- billion dollar natural gas industry. Revenue raised from the proposed tax on shale would be used as follows:

• $100 million dollars  to environmental programs;
• 60 percent of the money  to educating children in public schools; and
• 40 percent to paying retiree pensions.

Within a few years $2 billion a year would be available. With the second highest shale production in the country, there is no reason schools in Pennsylvania should lack basic resources, while extraction goes untaxed. We cannot allow industry to exploit our natural resources without investing in our children’s future.

Special Prosecutor Bill in Committee

Each week there is an incident that undermines our trust in the criminal justice system.  President Obama’s Commission on policing recommended independent investigation of police involved incidents of death.  My special prosecutor bill, SB400, does just that.  My bill was referred to the Judiciary Committee, on 4 February. A coalition of Pennsylvania organizations and community leaders has formed to promote SB400 to restore trust in our justice system. Please contact my office to join the coalition to require the attorney general to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate police-involved deaths of civilians.

Constituent Services Corner

Rent Rebate Assistance

Older and disabled Pennsylvanians can now apply for rent and property tax rebates. Applications for 2014 rebates will be accepted until 30 June. Rebate distribution will begin the following day. My staff is happy to provide assistance with applications. Please stop by the office or give us a call with any questions.

I was happy to provide eligible constituents with free tax preparation services at events in Philadelphia and Montgomery County over the past few weeks. Do not forget to file your taxes by 15 April.

Community Engagement Connection

Raise the Wage PA 2015 Kick-Off A Success – Now What?

I joined over 300 Pennsylvanians in Harrisburg for the Raise the Wage PA 2015 Kick-off Day on 9 February. Along with Lt. Gov Mike Stack and a bipartisan group of my fellow legislators, I stood in support of a minimum wage of at least $10.10 with a cost of living adjustment (COLA) – and against poverty paychecks. I would be glad to meet with you personally to discuss this and other issues. Please give my office a call to set up a meeting.

During the Raise the Wage 2015 Kick-off Day, I co-taught a Participation is Power workshop. Call Governor Wolf at 717--787-2500 to show your support for a $10.10 minimum wage with COLA.

Community Outreach Corner

Breaking the Pipeline to Prison with Literacy

The pipeline to opportunity starts with literacy.

Did you know that two of three children who cannot read at grade level by 4th grade will end up in prison or on public assistance? In our district, approximately 2,500 3rd, 4th,   5th and 6th grade students in Philadelphia public schools cannot read at grade level. We are in dire straits.

We must not surrender, but take ownership of teaching literacy in our community.

Will you be a part of the solution to help children read? I received feedback during Education Roundtables in my district over the past two months that has helped my office envision community-coordinated efforts to improve our children’s lives. Please call me to learn more about how you can make a difference.

Dare to care,

Art Haywood
State Senator
4th District

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