State Rep. Jesse White Winter 2014 Newsletter

Winter/Spring 2014

State Rep. JeSSe WHIteP.O. Box 202046 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2046

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I have successfully completed the “Senior Executives in State and Local Government” course at at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, where I spent three weeks this past summer in an intensive program for public officials from all over the world. The program challenged me to examine and address my strengths and weaknesses as an elected official and as a person.

This program was an amazing experience that truly had an impact on me, and I am excited to come home with a renewed sense of purpose, a broader perspective of the world, and a total commitment to be the most effective advocate possible for the people of the 46th District.

Rep. White recently completed a leadership program at Harvard University in an effort to become a better advocate for the residents of his legislative district.

Lesson in Leadership:Going back to school

Reapportionment and how it will affect youDear Friends,Thank you for taking the time to read my annual newsletter update, which includes the latest news and notes from our state capitol in Harrisburg as well as from within the 46th Legislative District here at home.Most notably, residents of the 46th District will soon see some significant changes that I thought you should know about, as a result of the final “reapportionment” plan that was approved this past summer.Every ten years the state goes through a process known as reapportionment in order to redraw the boundaries of legislative districts across Pennsylvania to reflect population shifts in the U.S. Census survey. The plan that was thought to be finalized for 2012 was overturned by the state Supreme Court, forcing the Legislative Reapportionment Commission to redraw the districts for implementation in 2014.Under the new plan:

The 46th District will gain Collier Township and the remaining portion of South Fayette Township, as well as Bridgeville and Heidelberg Boroughs.

The district will lose the townships of Buffalo, Chartiers, Cross Creek, Hanover, Hopewell, Independence, Jefferson and South Franklin, and the boroughs of Frankfort Springs, Green Hills and West Middletown.

The district will continue to include the municipalities of Burgettstown, Canton, Cecil, McDonald, Midway, Mt. Pleasant, Oakdale, Robinson and Smith.

In the meantime, while I continue to communicate new information about the district and help the residents of the region through this process, please do not hesitate to contact me with your questions. My offices are open and available to help you through any state-related government matter; after all, that’s why I’m here – to serve you.Respectfully,

Capitol Office: 112 Irvis Office Building

P.O. Box 202046 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2046

(717) 783-6437Cecil:

3855 Millers Run Road P.O. Box 285

Cecil, PA 15321 (724) 746-3677

Burgettstown: 1425 Burgettstown Plaza Burgettstown, PA 15021

(724) 947-4422Canton Township:

2403 Jefferson Ave., Suite C Washington, PA 15301

(724) 222-419246th Legislative DistrictWebsite: www.pahouse.com/White

Don’t forget:Property Tax/Rent Rebate ProgramSenior citizens, widows and widowers, and those permanently disabled may be eligible for hundreds of dollars in property tax or rent rebates through the state’s popular “property tax/Rent Rebate program,” supported by state Lottery revenue.

the application period for tax year 2013 will soon be open. Details on income qualifications and eligibility, applications, and more information about the program are available through my constituent services offices. Please contact me for more information. My office can help you with:

Car registrations, special tags, titles and license applications

Information on financial assistance for higher education

Unemployment compensation problems Birth certificate applications Problems with the Department of Public

Welfare (food stamps, welfare) Citations from the Pennsylvania House

of Representatives for outstanding local accomplishments and family milestones

Complaints or questions about utilities and the PUC

Consumer complaints Complaints about road conditions Problems or questions about PennDOT Tours of the State Capitol for individuals

or groups Disability plates and placards Any problem with state government!

I am conscientious about protecting tax dollars, which is why I send out very few newsletters. However, if you’d like to receive newsletters electronically in the future, please visit my website at pahouse.com/white to sign up for the e-version. You can also sign up for my weekly email updates.

Rep. White and pennsylvania veterans taking part in a State Capitol rally to discuss legislation affecting local american Legions and VFW clubs.

Rep. White recently visited the Bridgeville-South Fayette Rotary Club to discuss local Rotary programs within the community.

Rep. White and George Coppola, service officer for Oakdale american Legion post 171, pose with donations collected by White’s office over the holiday season for area veterans.

Rep. White toured local areas, including Oakdale Borough, hit by the July 2013 flood, and is currently

working with local, state and federal officials on a long-term solution to regional flooding problems.

Rep. White recently held his annual “pet expo” event in South Fayette Township to provide information of specific interest to pets and their owners, and raise awareness of animal issues in our state. Rep. White has taken a strong interest in animal-rights legislation and last year was named “Humane Representative of the Year” by the Humane Society.

MaRceLLus shaLe uPDaTes

Drilling Waste Impoundments – What you need to knowDrilling waste impoundments are huge open-air waste pits that store flowback materials and cuttings from the gas drilling process. Recently, it was discovered that the Worstell impoundment in Cecil Township was quietly converted from a freshwater impoundment to a 12-million gallon waste dumping ground that measures 597-ft. long by 300-ft. wide. The usage of similar impoundments in Mt. Pleasant Township is currently being questioned by township officials and nearby residents, as well.

In Cecil, I filed a Right-to-Know request with DEP to find out what they know about the Worstell impoundment. Although DEP refused to release over 100-pages of documents, those that they did give me confirmed that there was a leak at the impoundment. Additionally, test results showed dangerous levels of barium, strontium, chloride, benzene and methane in the groundwater surrounding the impoundment. To date, DEP never issued any violations to impoundment operator Range Resources and refuses to further discuss the issue.

These open-air waste pits are not an industry best practice. In fact, most drilling companies in Pennsylvania don’t use them, instead opting for closed systems with sealed tanks to prevent air emissions and other problems to residents who in many cases are living less than 1000-ft. away from

the pits. As a result, I have introduced legislation, H.B. 1542, that would ban the practice of using open-air waste impoundments.

house Bill 1130: social Media Privacy Protection actMy bill that would prohibit employers from requiring social media users to reveal usernames and passwords as a condition of employment was reported out of committee by a 25-0 vote and is headed to the full House of Representatives for consideration.

I introduced the “Social Media Privacy Protection Act” after the practice made headlines when a state agency in Maryland sought an employee’s password to search personal Facebook posts. As a result, Maryland became the first of seven states to ban the practice.

Facebook and Twitter users should always use caution about what they post online. However, employers should not take advantage of a tough job market by forcing employees or prospective employees to give away this personal information, which is an invasion of fundamental privacy rights.

house Bill 809: Newborn heart screeningsI introduced House Bill 809 that would require hospitals to perform a Pulse Oximetry screening on newborn babies within 24 hours of birth. Although some hospitals perform the screening, current law does not require them to do so. Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says congenital heart defects account for 24 percent of infant deaths.

This issue was brought to my attention by a constituent who had his newborn daughter rushed to the hospital because of a heart defect, which would have likely been detected had this test been done at birth. It’s a simple and painless procedure that places sensors on the baby’s skin to determine the amount of oxygen in the blood and measure the pulse rate. And, the test costs less than $10 to perform.

Rep. White’s Legislationefforts to protect Marcellus landowners and leaseholdersThe Marcellus Shale boom has exposed many holes in state law when it comes to the specifics of how drilling will impact landowners who sign leases in order to earn royalties from the minerals under their property. After years of dealing with concerns of constituents who are leaseholders, I have narrowed down a few simple ideas that would give Pennsylvanians who have - or are looking to sign - a natural gas lease some fair and solid financial protections under the law.

In other related news, Gov. Corbett recently and disappointingly signed a bill into law containing forced pooling language, even though he explicitly said he wouldn’t, and despite clear objections from landowners across the state and the National Association of Royalty Owners.

“Forced pooling” is the process in which a company is able to drill under your property even if you own the mineral rights and refuse to sign a

H.B. 1442 – requires companies to clearly show on royalty check stubs, payment forms, or other remittance, details of the well’s productivity and any deductions taken by the company.

H.B. 1443 – mandates a “Pugh Clause” in gas and oil contracts to define what happens to the portion of acreage leased that either does not contain a well or is not included within a producing pool or unit, allowing landowners to sell or re-lease the property.

H.B. 1444 – provides a process by which a property owner can petition the courts to have mineral rights rejoined with surface rights in instances when those mineral rights are deemed “abandoned.”

H.B. 1650 – prohibits drillers from deducting from royalties any severance taxes, impact fees or other post-production costs.

H.B. 1700 – prohibits the practice of forced pooling or unitization of property for natural gas drilling in Pennsylvania.

Drilling waste being dumped into the Worstell impoundment on Swihart Road in Cecil. White’s H.B. 1542 would ban the use of these open-air waste pits.

lease, taking away your negotiating power and leverage for lease terms. Act 66 enables a form of forced pooling by permitting a drilling company to force people with old leases that were signed for shallow wells years ago to allow their land to be pooled into larger

drilling units without having full power to negotiate better deals.

To address these problems and to protect Marcellus landowners and leaseholders, I have introduced the following bills:

...and what it means for Marcellus shale moving forwardNow that the Supreme Court has affirmed local communities can continue having a say about certain aspects of gas drilling operations in our towns, it is time for the natural gas industry to work with – not against – our local officials.

Before the Act 13 ruling, some drilling companies bullied local governments to get what they wanted. They packed meetings with employees, staged boycotts of local businesses, and even lied to leaseholders by claiming the municipality was the reason they weren’t drilling. They threatened lawsuits constantly, and didn’t hesitate to file suit to prove a point.

Unfortunately in the Act 13 decision’s aftermath, the gas industry’s strategy is becoming clear. Instead of working with municipalities to find solutions, the industry is doubling down on bullying and scare tactics that haven’t previously worked. This is despite the fact that the same regulatory environment that allowed Pennsylvania to become the fastest-growing natural gas producing state is the same regulatory environment that we have now, after the Act 13 decision.

No one can deny that the early years of Marcellus Shale development left scars on many of our communities, from both a policy and a political standpoint. But the Act 13 decision offers a unique opportunity for a fresh start, a rare do-over that we need to seize and embrace.

To do so, the industry should take steps to work with, not against, local officials. They should show more respect towards the people of Pennsylvania and be responsive to the concerns of local residents, instead of simply dismissing them as enemies. Above all, when the industry screws up, they should admit to it and do what is necessary to prevent the problem from happening again. Lots of us have learned that lesson, and they should, too.I believe this is a straightforward strategy, and one that will pay dividends to the companies and to our communities. Will it happen? Only time will tell.

as a result of the public’s continued skepticism of the state Department of environmental protection’s handling of Marcellus Shale issues, Rep. White hosted a public hearing on his H.B. 268, requiring Dep to disclose full water testing results to pennsylvania residents. Currently, the Dep can hide test results from landowners and leaseholders who are concerned about water impacts from nearby drilling operations.

The ‘act 13’ supreme court ruling...Act 13 is Gov. Corbett’s controversial natural gas drilling law that sought to prevent municipalities from using local zoning ordinances to regulate drilling, allowing drilling operations and things like waste impoundments to be placed 300-feet from residential homes and schools without towns having any say.

Several local municipalities, including Cecil, Mt. Pleasant, Robinson and South Fayette, sued the Commonwealth over the unconstitutional zoning provisions. Recently, the state Supreme Court ruled in favor of the municipalities and their constitutional right to use local zoning ordinances to help protect communities.

As you may know, I support the responsible development of Marcellus Shale. However, I had numerous problems with the way Act 13 completely eliminated local ordinances and replaced them with a ridiculously low standard that could not be strengthened by local elected officials.

I have given my unabashed and unwavering support to the municipalities that challenged this ill-conceived law, and I believe the Supreme Court’s recent decision was a historic victory for our local communities and the people of Pennsylvania.

house Bill 1926: Volunteer firefighter recruitmentI introduced legislation that would provide college tuition waivers for the children of volunteer firefighters in an effort to attract more Pennsylvanians to volunteer firefighting.

I was motivated to take up the issue after discussing recruitment and declining membership concerns with several local fire departments. Meanwhile, the Pennsylvania Fire and Emergency Services Institute estimates that nearly 400,000 volunteers dropped from the rolls since the 1970s.

Under my bill, active volunteer firefighters would earn one year of tuition-waiver credit for their son or daughter for every three years served. The earning of credits would be capped at 12 years of service – or the equivalent of four years of college for the child/student. The waivers would apply to tuition and fees at community colleges and state-owned institutions.

My bill is not a giveaway, and the tuition credits would have to be earned. But from the time a child enters the first grade to when he or she graduates high school, a volunteer firefighter could have enough tuition-waiver credits to pay their child’s college tuition costs. It would be helping to fix the recruitment problem, protecting our local communities, and helping kids to get a good education.

Are you or is somebody you know a volunteer firefighter? Do you have thoughts on other ways to help with this growing problem? If so, please contact me and let me know.

Reforming harrisburg: cutting the size of the legislatureLast month, bipartisan legislation designed to reduce the size of the state legislature passed the House of Representatives. I was proud to co-sponsor and support the measure as part of my continuing efforts to reform the way Harrisburg does business.

H.B. 1234 would reduce the size of the House from 203 to 153 members. A separate bill that I also supported, H.B. 1716, would reduce Senate membership from 50 to 38. I was glad to see these reform measures pass the House of Representatives, and I now urge my Senate colleagues to follow suit and pass these bills, as well.

While this alone will not address all of the cost savings needed in state government, my constituents have consistently told me that they want the legislature to show leadership in reducing its size, and I am glad that the House has taken this important first step. Whatever the outcome might be, this plan offers a good opportunity to take a closer look at ensuring better accountability and efficiency in state government – all while maintaining fair representation for the people of Pennsylvania.

MaRceLLus shaLe uPDaTes

Drilling Waste Impoundments – What you need to knowDrilling waste impoundments are huge open-air waste pits that store flowback materials and cuttings from the gas drilling process. Recently, it was discovered that the Worstell impoundment in Cecil Township was quietly converted from a freshwater impoundment to a 12-million gallon waste dumping ground that measures 597-ft. long by 300-ft. wide. The usage of similar impoundments in Mt. Pleasant Township is currently being questioned by township officials and nearby residents, as well.

In Cecil, I filed a Right-to-Know request with DEP to find out what they know about the Worstell impoundment. Although DEP refused to release over 100-pages of documents, those that they did give me confirmed that there was a leak at the impoundment. Additionally, test results showed dangerous levels of barium, strontium, chloride, benzene and methane in the groundwater surrounding the impoundment. To date, DEP never issued any violations to impoundment operator Range Resources and refuses to further discuss the issue.

These open-air waste pits are not an industry best practice. In fact, most drilling companies in Pennsylvania don’t use them, instead opting for closed systems with sealed tanks to prevent air emissions and other problems to residents who in many cases are living less than 1000-ft. away from

the pits. As a result, I have introduced legislation, H.B. 1542, that would ban the practice of using open-air waste impoundments.

house Bill 1130: social Media Privacy Protection actMy bill that would prohibit employers from requiring social media users to reveal usernames and passwords as a condition of employment was reported out of committee by a 25-0 vote and is headed to the full House of Representatives for consideration.

I introduced the “Social Media Privacy Protection Act” after the practice made headlines when a state agency in Maryland sought an employee’s password to search personal Facebook posts. As a result, Maryland became the first of seven states to ban the practice.

Facebook and Twitter users should always use caution about what they post online. However, employers should not take advantage of a tough job market by forcing employees or prospective employees to give away this personal information, which is an invasion of fundamental privacy rights.

house Bill 809: Newborn heart screeningsI introduced House Bill 809 that would require hospitals to perform a Pulse Oximetry screening on newborn babies within 24 hours of birth. Although some hospitals perform the screening, current law does not require them to do so. Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says congenital heart defects account for 24 percent of infant deaths.

This issue was brought to my attention by a constituent who had his newborn daughter rushed to the hospital because of a heart defect, which would have likely been detected had this test been done at birth. It’s a simple and painless procedure that places sensors on the baby’s skin to determine the amount of oxygen in the blood and measure the pulse rate. And, the test costs less than $10 to perform.

Rep. White’s Legislationefforts to protect Marcellus landowners and leaseholdersThe Marcellus Shale boom has exposed many holes in state law when it comes to the specifics of how drilling will impact landowners who sign leases in order to earn royalties from the minerals under their property. After years of dealing with concerns of constituents who are leaseholders, I have narrowed down a few simple ideas that would give Pennsylvanians who have - or are looking to sign - a natural gas lease some fair and solid financial protections under the law.

In other related news, Gov. Corbett recently and disappointingly signed a bill into law containing forced pooling language, even though he explicitly said he wouldn’t, and despite clear objections from landowners across the state and the National Association of Royalty Owners.

“Forced pooling” is the process in which a company is able to drill under your property even if you own the mineral rights and refuse to sign a

H.B. 1442 – requires companies to clearly show on royalty check stubs, payment forms, or other remittance, details of the well’s productivity and any deductions taken by the company.

H.B. 1443 – mandates a “Pugh Clause” in gas and oil contracts to define what happens to the portion of acreage leased that either does not contain a well or is not included within a producing pool or unit, allowing landowners to sell or re-lease the property.

H.B. 1444 – provides a process by which a property owner can petition the courts to have mineral rights rejoined with surface rights in instances when those mineral rights are deemed “abandoned.”

H.B. 1650 – prohibits drillers from deducting from royalties any severance taxes, impact fees or other post-production costs.

H.B. 1700 – prohibits the practice of forced pooling or unitization of property for natural gas drilling in Pennsylvania.

Drilling waste being dumped into the Worstell impoundment on Swihart Road in Cecil. White’s H.B. 1542 would ban the use of these open-air waste pits.

lease, taking away your negotiating power and leverage for lease terms. Act 66 enables a form of forced pooling by permitting a drilling company to force people with old leases that were signed for shallow wells years ago to allow their land to be pooled into larger

drilling units without having full power to negotiate better deals.

To address these problems and to protect Marcellus landowners and leaseholders, I have introduced the following bills:

...and what it means for Marcellus shale moving forwardNow that the Supreme Court has affirmed local communities can continue having a say about certain aspects of gas drilling operations in our towns, it is time for the natural gas industry to work with – not against – our local officials.

Before the Act 13 ruling, some drilling companies bullied local governments to get what they wanted. They packed meetings with employees, staged boycotts of local businesses, and even lied to leaseholders by claiming the municipality was the reason they weren’t drilling. They threatened lawsuits constantly, and didn’t hesitate to file suit to prove a point.

Unfortunately in the Act 13 decision’s aftermath, the gas industry’s strategy is becoming clear. Instead of working with municipalities to find solutions, the industry is doubling down on bullying and scare tactics that haven’t previously worked. This is despite the fact that the same regulatory environment that allowed Pennsylvania to become the fastest-growing natural gas producing state is the same regulatory environment that we have now, after the Act 13 decision.

No one can deny that the early years of Marcellus Shale development left scars on many of our communities, from both a policy and a political standpoint. But the Act 13 decision offers a unique opportunity for a fresh start, a rare do-over that we need to seize and embrace.

To do so, the industry should take steps to work with, not against, local officials. They should show more respect towards the people of Pennsylvania and be responsive to the concerns of local residents, instead of simply dismissing them as enemies. Above all, when the industry screws up, they should admit to it and do what is necessary to prevent the problem from happening again. Lots of us have learned that lesson, and they should, too.I believe this is a straightforward strategy, and one that will pay dividends to the companies and to our communities. Will it happen? Only time will tell.

as a result of the public’s continued skepticism of the state Department of environmental protection’s handling of Marcellus Shale issues, Rep. White hosted a public hearing on his H.B. 268, requiring Dep to disclose full water testing results to pennsylvania residents. Currently, the Dep can hide test results from landowners and leaseholders who are concerned about water impacts from nearby drilling operations.

The ‘act 13’ supreme court ruling...Act 13 is Gov. Corbett’s controversial natural gas drilling law that sought to prevent municipalities from using local zoning ordinances to regulate drilling, allowing drilling operations and things like waste impoundments to be placed 300-feet from residential homes and schools without towns having any say.

Several local municipalities, including Cecil, Mt. Pleasant, Robinson and South Fayette, sued the Commonwealth over the unconstitutional zoning provisions. Recently, the state Supreme Court ruled in favor of the municipalities and their constitutional right to use local zoning ordinances to help protect communities.

As you may know, I support the responsible development of Marcellus Shale. However, I had numerous problems with the way Act 13 completely eliminated local ordinances and replaced them with a ridiculously low standard that could not be strengthened by local elected officials.

I have given my unabashed and unwavering support to the municipalities that challenged this ill-conceived law, and I believe the Supreme Court’s recent decision was a historic victory for our local communities and the people of Pennsylvania.

house Bill 1926: Volunteer firefighter recruitmentI introduced legislation that would provide college tuition waivers for the children of volunteer firefighters in an effort to attract more Pennsylvanians to volunteer firefighting.

I was motivated to take up the issue after discussing recruitment and declining membership concerns with several local fire departments. Meanwhile, the Pennsylvania Fire and Emergency Services Institute estimates that nearly 400,000 volunteers dropped from the rolls since the 1970s.

Under my bill, active volunteer firefighters would earn one year of tuition-waiver credit for their son or daughter for every three years served. The earning of credits would be capped at 12 years of service – or the equivalent of four years of college for the child/student. The waivers would apply to tuition and fees at community colleges and state-owned institutions.

My bill is not a giveaway, and the tuition credits would have to be earned. But from the time a child enters the first grade to when he or she graduates high school, a volunteer firefighter could have enough tuition-waiver credits to pay their child’s college tuition costs. It would be helping to fix the recruitment problem, protecting our local communities, and helping kids to get a good education.

Are you or is somebody you know a volunteer firefighter? Do you have thoughts on other ways to help with this growing problem? If so, please contact me and let me know.

Reforming harrisburg: cutting the size of the legislatureLast month, bipartisan legislation designed to reduce the size of the state legislature passed the House of Representatives. I was proud to co-sponsor and support the measure as part of my continuing efforts to reform the way Harrisburg does business.

H.B. 1234 would reduce the size of the House from 203 to 153 members. A separate bill that I also supported, H.B. 1716, would reduce Senate membership from 50 to 38. I was glad to see these reform measures pass the House of Representatives, and I now urge my Senate colleagues to follow suit and pass these bills, as well.

While this alone will not address all of the cost savings needed in state government, my constituents have consistently told me that they want the legislature to show leadership in reducing its size, and I am glad that the House has taken this important first step. Whatever the outcome might be, this plan offers a good opportunity to take a closer look at ensuring better accountability and efficiency in state government – all while maintaining fair representation for the people of Pennsylvania.

MaRceLLus shaLe uPDaTes

Drilling Waste Impoundments – What you need to knowDrilling waste impoundments are huge open-air waste pits that store flowback materials and cuttings from the gas drilling process. Recently, it was discovered that the Worstell impoundment in Cecil Township was quietly converted from a freshwater impoundment to a 12-million gallon waste dumping ground that measures 597-ft. long by 300-ft. wide. The usage of similar impoundments in Mt. Pleasant Township is currently being questioned by township officials and nearby residents, as well.

In Cecil, I filed a Right-to-Know request with DEP to find out what they know about the Worstell impoundment. Although DEP refused to release over 100-pages of documents, those that they did give me confirmed that there was a leak at the impoundment. Additionally, test results showed dangerous levels of barium, strontium, chloride, benzene and methane in the groundwater surrounding the impoundment. To date, DEP never issued any violations to impoundment operator Range Resources and refuses to further discuss the issue.

These open-air waste pits are not an industry best practice. In fact, most drilling companies in Pennsylvania don’t use them, instead opting for closed systems with sealed tanks to prevent air emissions and other problems to residents who in many cases are living less than 1000-ft. away from

the pits. As a result, I have introduced legislation, H.B. 1542, that would ban the practice of using open-air waste impoundments.

house Bill 1130: social Media Privacy Protection actMy bill that would prohibit employers from requiring social media users to reveal usernames and passwords as a condition of employment was reported out of committee by a 25-0 vote and is headed to the full House of Representatives for consideration.

I introduced the “Social Media Privacy Protection Act” after the practice made headlines when a state agency in Maryland sought an employee’s password to search personal Facebook posts. As a result, Maryland became the first of seven states to ban the practice.

Facebook and Twitter users should always use caution about what they post online. However, employers should not take advantage of a tough job market by forcing employees or prospective employees to give away this personal information, which is an invasion of fundamental privacy rights.

house Bill 809: Newborn heart screeningsI introduced House Bill 809 that would require hospitals to perform a Pulse Oximetry screening on newborn babies within 24 hours of birth. Although some hospitals perform the screening, current law does not require them to do so. Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says congenital heart defects account for 24 percent of infant deaths.

This issue was brought to my attention by a constituent who had his newborn daughter rushed to the hospital because of a heart defect, which would have likely been detected had this test been done at birth. It’s a simple and painless procedure that places sensors on the baby’s skin to determine the amount of oxygen in the blood and measure the pulse rate. And, the test costs less than $10 to perform.

Rep. White’s Legislationefforts to protect Marcellus landowners and leaseholdersThe Marcellus Shale boom has exposed many holes in state law when it comes to the specifics of how drilling will impact landowners who sign leases in order to earn royalties from the minerals under their property. After years of dealing with concerns of constituents who are leaseholders, I have narrowed down a few simple ideas that would give Pennsylvanians who have - or are looking to sign - a natural gas lease some fair and solid financial protections under the law.

In other related news, Gov. Corbett recently and disappointingly signed a bill into law containing forced pooling language, even though he explicitly said he wouldn’t, and despite clear objections from landowners across the state and the National Association of Royalty Owners.

“Forced pooling” is the process in which a company is able to drill under your property even if you own the mineral rights and refuse to sign a

H.B. 1442 – requires companies to clearly show on royalty check stubs, payment forms, or other remittance, details of the well’s productivity and any deductions taken by the company.

H.B. 1443 – mandates a “Pugh Clause” in gas and oil contracts to define what happens to the portion of acreage leased that either does not contain a well or is not included within a producing pool or unit, allowing landowners to sell or re-lease the property.

H.B. 1444 – provides a process by which a property owner can petition the courts to have mineral rights rejoined with surface rights in instances when those mineral rights are deemed “abandoned.”

H.B. 1650 – prohibits drillers from deducting from royalties any severance taxes, impact fees or other post-production costs.

H.B. 1700 – prohibits the practice of forced pooling or unitization of property for natural gas drilling in Pennsylvania.

Drilling waste being dumped into the Worstell impoundment on Swihart Road in Cecil. White’s H.B. 1542 would ban the use of these open-air waste pits.

lease, taking away your negotiating power and leverage for lease terms. Act 66 enables a form of forced pooling by permitting a drilling company to force people with old leases that were signed for shallow wells years ago to allow their land to be pooled into larger

drilling units without having full power to negotiate better deals.

To address these problems and to protect Marcellus landowners and leaseholders, I have introduced the following bills:

...and what it means for Marcellus shale moving forwardNow that the Supreme Court has affirmed local communities can continue having a say about certain aspects of gas drilling operations in our towns, it is time for the natural gas industry to work with – not against – our local officials.

Before the Act 13 ruling, some drilling companies bullied local governments to get what they wanted. They packed meetings with employees, staged boycotts of local businesses, and even lied to leaseholders by claiming the municipality was the reason they weren’t drilling. They threatened lawsuits constantly, and didn’t hesitate to file suit to prove a point.

Unfortunately in the Act 13 decision’s aftermath, the gas industry’s strategy is becoming clear. Instead of working with municipalities to find solutions, the industry is doubling down on bullying and scare tactics that haven’t previously worked. This is despite the fact that the same regulatory environment that allowed Pennsylvania to become the fastest-growing natural gas producing state is the same regulatory environment that we have now, after the Act 13 decision.

No one can deny that the early years of Marcellus Shale development left scars on many of our communities, from both a policy and a political standpoint. But the Act 13 decision offers a unique opportunity for a fresh start, a rare do-over that we need to seize and embrace.

To do so, the industry should take steps to work with, not against, local officials. They should show more respect towards the people of Pennsylvania and be responsive to the concerns of local residents, instead of simply dismissing them as enemies. Above all, when the industry screws up, they should admit to it and do what is necessary to prevent the problem from happening again. Lots of us have learned that lesson, and they should, too.I believe this is a straightforward strategy, and one that will pay dividends to the companies and to our communities. Will it happen? Only time will tell.

as a result of the public’s continued skepticism of the state Department of environmental protection’s handling of Marcellus Shale issues, Rep. White hosted a public hearing on his H.B. 268, requiring Dep to disclose full water testing results to pennsylvania residents. Currently, the Dep can hide test results from landowners and leaseholders who are concerned about water impacts from nearby drilling operations.

The ‘act 13’ supreme court ruling...Act 13 is Gov. Corbett’s controversial natural gas drilling law that sought to prevent municipalities from using local zoning ordinances to regulate drilling, allowing drilling operations and things like waste impoundments to be placed 300-feet from residential homes and schools without towns having any say.

Several local municipalities, including Cecil, Mt. Pleasant, Robinson and South Fayette, sued the Commonwealth over the unconstitutional zoning provisions. Recently, the state Supreme Court ruled in favor of the municipalities and their constitutional right to use local zoning ordinances to help protect communities.

As you may know, I support the responsible development of Marcellus Shale. However, I had numerous problems with the way Act 13 completely eliminated local ordinances and replaced them with a ridiculously low standard that could not be strengthened by local elected officials.

I have given my unabashed and unwavering support to the municipalities that challenged this ill-conceived law, and I believe the Supreme Court’s recent decision was a historic victory for our local communities and the people of Pennsylvania.

house Bill 1926: Volunteer firefighter recruitmentI introduced legislation that would provide college tuition waivers for the children of volunteer firefighters in an effort to attract more Pennsylvanians to volunteer firefighting.

I was motivated to take up the issue after discussing recruitment and declining membership concerns with several local fire departments. Meanwhile, the Pennsylvania Fire and Emergency Services Institute estimates that nearly 400,000 volunteers dropped from the rolls since the 1970s.

Under my bill, active volunteer firefighters would earn one year of tuition-waiver credit for their son or daughter for every three years served. The earning of credits would be capped at 12 years of service – or the equivalent of four years of college for the child/student. The waivers would apply to tuition and fees at community colleges and state-owned institutions.

My bill is not a giveaway, and the tuition credits would have to be earned. But from the time a child enters the first grade to when he or she graduates high school, a volunteer firefighter could have enough tuition-waiver credits to pay their child’s college tuition costs. It would be helping to fix the recruitment problem, protecting our local communities, and helping kids to get a good education.

Are you or is somebody you know a volunteer firefighter? Do you have thoughts on other ways to help with this growing problem? If so, please contact me and let me know.

Reforming harrisburg: cutting the size of the legislatureLast month, bipartisan legislation designed to reduce the size of the state legislature passed the House of Representatives. I was proud to co-sponsor and support the measure as part of my continuing efforts to reform the way Harrisburg does business.

H.B. 1234 would reduce the size of the House from 203 to 153 members. A separate bill that I also supported, H.B. 1716, would reduce Senate membership from 50 to 38. I was glad to see these reform measures pass the House of Representatives, and I now urge my Senate colleagues to follow suit and pass these bills, as well.

While this alone will not address all of the cost savings needed in state government, my constituents have consistently told me that they want the legislature to show leadership in reducing its size, and I am glad that the House has taken this important first step. Whatever the outcome might be, this plan offers a good opportunity to take a closer look at ensuring better accountability and efficiency in state government – all while maintaining fair representation for the people of Pennsylvania.

Winter/Spring 2014

State Rep. JeSSe WHIteP.O. Box 202046 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2046

lpo.jil.0114

I have successfully completed the “Senior Executives in State and Local Government” course at at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, where I spent three weeks this past summer in an intensive program for public officials from all over the world. The program challenged me to examine and address my strengths and weaknesses as an elected official and as a person.

This program was an amazing experience that truly had an impact on me, and I am excited to come home with a renewed sense of purpose, a broader perspective of the world, and a total commitment to be the most effective advocate possible for the people of the 46th District.

Rep. White recently completed a leadership program at Harvard University in an effort to become a better advocate for the residents of his legislative district.

Lesson in Leadership:Going back to school

Reapportionment and how it will affect youDear Friends,Thank you for taking the time to read my annual newsletter update, which includes the latest news and notes from our state capitol in Harrisburg as well as from within the 46th Legislative District here at home.Most notably, residents of the 46th District will soon see some significant changes that I thought you should know about, as a result of the final “reapportionment” plan that was approved this past summer.Every ten years the state goes through a process known as reapportionment in order to redraw the boundaries of legislative districts across Pennsylvania to reflect population shifts in the U.S. Census survey. The plan that was thought to be finalized for 2012 was overturned by the state Supreme Court, forcing the Legislative Reapportionment Commission to redraw the districts for implementation in 2014.Under the new plan:

The 46th District will gain Collier Township and the remaining portion of South Fayette Township, as well as Bridgeville and Heidelberg Boroughs.

The district will lose the townships of Buffalo, Chartiers, Cross Creek, Hanover, Hopewell, Independence, Jefferson and South Franklin, and the boroughs of Frankfort Springs, Green Hills and West Middletown.

The district will continue to include the municipalities of Burgettstown, Canton, Cecil, McDonald, Midway, Mt. Pleasant, Oakdale, Robinson and Smith.

In the meantime, while I continue to communicate new information about the district and help the residents of the region through this process, please do not hesitate to contact me with your questions. My offices are open and available to help you through any state-related government matter; after all, that’s why I’m here – to serve you.Respectfully,

Capitol Office: 112 Irvis Office Building

P.O. Box 202046 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2046

(717) 783-6437Cecil:

3855 Millers Run Road P.O. Box 285

Cecil, PA 15321 (724) 746-3677

Burgettstown: 1425 Burgettstown Plaza Burgettstown, PA 15021

(724) 947-4422Canton Township:

2403 Jefferson Ave., Suite C Washington, PA 15301

(724) 222-419246th Legislative DistrictWebsite: www.pahouse.com/White

Don’t forget:Property Tax/Rent Rebate ProgramSenior citizens, widows and widowers, and those permanently disabled may be eligible for hundreds of dollars in property tax or rent rebates through the state’s popular “property tax/Rent Rebate program,” supported by state Lottery revenue.

the application period for tax year 2013 will soon be open. Details on income qualifications and eligibility, applications, and more information about the program are available through my constituent services offices. Please contact me for more information. My office can help you with:

Car registrations, special tags, titles and license applications

Information on financial assistance for higher education

Unemployment compensation problems Birth certificate applications Problems with the Department of Public

Welfare (food stamps, welfare) Citations from the Pennsylvania House

of Representatives for outstanding local accomplishments and family milestones

Complaints or questions about utilities and the PUC

Consumer complaints Complaints about road conditions Problems or questions about PennDOT Tours of the State Capitol for individuals

or groups Disability plates and placards Any problem with state government!

I am conscientious about protecting tax dollars, which is why I send out very few newsletters. However, if you’d like to receive newsletters electronically in the future, please visit my website at pahouse.com/white to sign up for the e-version. You can also sign up for my weekly email updates.

Rep. White and pennsylvania veterans taking part in a State Capitol rally to discuss legislation affecting local american Legions and VFW clubs.

Rep. White recently visited the Bridgeville-South Fayette Rotary Club to discuss local Rotary programs within the community.

Rep. White and George Coppola, service officer for Oakdale american Legion post 171, pose with donations collected by White’s office over the holiday season for area veterans.

Rep. White toured local areas, including Oakdale Borough, hit by the July 2013 flood, and is currently

working with local, state and federal officials on a long-term solution to regional flooding problems.

Rep. White recently held his annual “pet expo” event in South Fayette Township to provide information of specific interest to pets and their owners, and raise awareness of animal issues in our state. Rep. White has taken a strong interest in animal-rights legislation and last year was named “Humane Representative of the Year” by the Humane Society.

Winter/Spring 2014

State Rep. JeSSe WHIteP.O. Box 202046 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2046

lpo.jil.0114

I have successfully completed the “Senior Executives in State and Local Government” course at at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, where I spent three weeks this past summer in an intensive program for public officials from all over the world. The program challenged me to examine and address my strengths and weaknesses as an elected official and as a person.

This program was an amazing experience that truly had an impact on me, and I am excited to come home with a renewed sense of purpose, a broader perspective of the world, and a total commitment to be the most effective advocate possible for the people of the 46th District.

Rep. White recently completed a leadership program at Harvard University in an effort to become a better advocate for the residents of his legislative district.

Lesson in Leadership:Going back to school

Reapportionment and how it will affect youDear Friends,Thank you for taking the time to read my annual newsletter update, which includes the latest news and notes from our state capitol in Harrisburg as well as from within the 46th Legislative District here at home.Most notably, residents of the 46th District will soon see some significant changes that I thought you should know about, as a result of the final “reapportionment” plan that was approved this past summer.Every ten years the state goes through a process known as reapportionment in order to redraw the boundaries of legislative districts across Pennsylvania to reflect population shifts in the U.S. Census survey. The plan that was thought to be finalized for 2012 was overturned by the state Supreme Court, forcing the Legislative Reapportionment Commission to redraw the districts for implementation in 2014.Under the new plan:

The 46th District will gain Collier Township and the remaining portion of South Fayette Township, as well as Bridgeville and Heidelberg Boroughs.

The district will lose the townships of Buffalo, Chartiers, Cross Creek, Hanover, Hopewell, Independence, Jefferson and South Franklin, and the boroughs of Frankfort Springs, Green Hills and West Middletown.

The district will continue to include the municipalities of Burgettstown, Canton, Cecil, McDonald, Midway, Mt. Pleasant, Oakdale, Robinson and Smith.

In the meantime, while I continue to communicate new information about the district and help the residents of the region through this process, please do not hesitate to contact me with your questions. My offices are open and available to help you through any state-related government matter; after all, that’s why I’m here – to serve you.Respectfully,

Capitol Office: 112 Irvis Office Building

P.O. Box 202046 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2046

(717) 783-6437Cecil:

3855 Millers Run Road P.O. Box 285

Cecil, PA 15321 (724) 746-3677

Burgettstown: 1425 Burgettstown Plaza Burgettstown, PA 15021

(724) 947-4422Canton Township:

2403 Jefferson Ave., Suite C Washington, PA 15301

(724) 222-419246th Legislative DistrictWebsite: www.pahouse.com/White

Don’t forget:Property Tax/Rent Rebate ProgramSenior citizens, widows and widowers, and those permanently disabled may be eligible for hundreds of dollars in property tax or rent rebates through the state’s popular “property tax/Rent Rebate program,” supported by state Lottery revenue.

the application period for tax year 2013 will soon be open. Details on income qualifications and eligibility, applications, and more information about the program are available through my constituent services offices. Please contact me for more information. My office can help you with:

Car registrations, special tags, titles and license applications

Information on financial assistance for higher education

Unemployment compensation problems Birth certificate applications Problems with the Department of Public

Welfare (food stamps, welfare) Citations from the Pennsylvania House

of Representatives for outstanding local accomplishments and family milestones

Complaints or questions about utilities and the PUC

Consumer complaints Complaints about road conditions Problems or questions about PennDOT Tours of the State Capitol for individuals

or groups Disability plates and placards Any problem with state government!

I am conscientious about protecting tax dollars, which is why I send out very few newsletters. However, if you’d like to receive newsletters electronically in the future, please visit my website at pahouse.com/white to sign up for the e-version. You can also sign up for my weekly email updates.

Rep. White and pennsylvania veterans taking part in a State Capitol rally to discuss legislation affecting local american Legions and VFW clubs.

Rep. White recently visited the Bridgeville-South Fayette Rotary Club to discuss local Rotary programs within the community.

Rep. White and George Coppola, service officer for Oakdale american Legion post 171, pose with donations collected by White’s office over the holiday season for area veterans.

Rep. White toured local areas, including Oakdale Borough, hit by the July 2013 flood, and is currently

working with local, state and federal officials on a long-term solution to regional flooding problems.

Rep. White recently held his annual “pet expo” event in South Fayette Township to provide information of specific interest to pets and their owners, and raise awareness of animal issues in our state. Rep. White has taken a strong interest in animal-rights legislation and last year was named “Humane Representative of the Year” by the Humane Society.