Mike's Memo

Welcome to a new year of "Mike's Memo," an update on what's happening in the 48th Legislative District, the State Capitol, and the progress on my "Promise to Pennsylvania," a pledge to advance government reforms, enact meaningful lawsuit abuse reform, eliminate wasteful state spending, and cut taxes. If you haven't done so already, please take a few moments to visit my website at www.senatorfolmer.com to learn more about issues that may affect you and your family.

Week of August 18, 2008

Opposition to I-80 Tolling Expressed Again

Last week I joined nine other senators in writing to Mary Peters, U.S. Secretary of Transportation, to express opposition to the proposal to toll Interstate 80. The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation recently resubmitted an application to seek federal approval to toll the route.

My fellow senators and I expressed our continued concerns about the negative economic and financial impact the proposal would have on residents and businesses in the Commonwealth, and asked Secretary Peters to carefully consider those concerns as the Department reviews the Pennsylvania application. A similar letter was sent to Secretary Peters in December 2007.

Specific concerns cited in the letter include:

• Increased transportation costs and the negative economic impact it will have upon business and industry located along the I-80 corridor (specific costs are mentioned in the letter);
• Passage of Act 44, legislation authorizing the I-80 tolling plan, and how its implementation undermines the process envisioned by the federal government in its pilot Interstate tolling project;
• Failure of the proposal to meet any of three criteria required by the federal government to institute tolls on interstate highways (criteria include traffic congestion relief, reduction of vehicle emissions in non-attainment emission areas or the need to construct additional road infrastructure); and
• Findings of a 2005 study by the State Department of Transportation that concluded tolling Interstate 80 was not a viable option to fund the state's transportation needs. The resubmitted tolling application confirms this by the massive amount of debt obligation required under the plan.

Eligible Pennsylvanians Encouraged to Register to Vote Before Oct. 6 Deadline

Calling preparation the cornerstone of fair, accurate and secure elections, Secretary of the Commonwealth Pedro A. Cortés urged eligible Pennsylvanians not to wait until the Oct. 6 deadline to register to vote in the General Election on Tuesday, Nov. 4.

Registering in advance of the deadline will provide eligible Pennsylvanians ample time to complete their voter registration applications, and to receive confirmation from your local county. Voter registration applicants who do not receive their voter signature cards within 14 days of submitting an application should contact their county board of elections.

The Department of State's interactive voter education Web site, VotesPA.com, has more information about registering to vote, as well as voter registration applications, a polling place locator, voting systems demonstration videos, absentee ballot information and a sign-up for election-related text-message reminders.

Sportsmen and Agriculture Meetings Set

My Sportsmen's Advisory Committee and my Agriculture Advisory Committee will be meeting:

• Sportsmen's:  Monday, August 25, 7 p.m., at the Lebanon Valley Sportsmen's Association, 841 Sportsmen Road, Robesonia.  Discussion topics will include: Deer herd management and LB&FC study; a proposal to increase hunting license fees; Game Commission appointments and powers (House Bill 747); pigeon shoots (Senate Bill 151 and House Bill 1543); and cross bow permits

• Agriculture:  Tuesday, August 26, 7:30 a.m., in the auditorium of the Berks County Ag Center building, 1238 County Welfare Road, Leesport. Discussion topics include the Governor's Energy Initiative and its impact on Ag; raw milk update; and dog Law update.

For more information on these issues, and information on other legislative and state topics, visit the Pennsylvania General Assembly website at www.legis.state.pa.us.  If you are unable to open the bill links, please feel free to go directly to the Pennsylvania General Assembly website.

As always, please feel free to contact me on any state-related matter that may be of concern to you. I can be reached through e-mail, mfolmer@pasen.gov,or at any one of my district offices.