PRSRT STD
U.S. POSTAGE
R E P R E S E N TAT I V E
RANDY VULAKOVICH
Winter 2008
Dear Neighbor,
With the first year of my legisla-
tive term behind me, I would like to
thank you once again for the privilege
of serving as your State Represen-
tative. I would also like to take this
opportunity to update you on my
legislative priorities in Harrisburg and
my work on your behalf here in the
30th Legislative District.
In this newsletter you will find
important information on legisla-
tion I am working to advance to
freeze property tax rates for senior
citizens, reduce the number of
lawmakers and operating budget
of the Pennsylvania General As-
sembly, curtail lawsuit abuse and
several other initiatives to make our
communities a safer place to live,
work and raise a family.
Be sure to not to miss the
District Digest section on Page 4
for updates on upcoming district
events. If you have any questions
or would like to discuss a particular
state government issue in further
detail, please feel free to stop by or
contact my Glenshaw district office
at (412) 487-6600. My staff and I
are here to work with you.
Serving the 30th Legislative District,
Randy Vulakovich
State Representative
PAID
HARRISBURG, PA
PERMIT NO. 529
30th Legislative District
Vulakovich Joins Battle to End Frivolous Lawsuits
Last fall, I joined forces with former Pennsylvania Gov. Dick Thornburgh and many other
House Republicans to unveil a landmark package of legislation aimed at reforming the
Commonwealth’s frivolous lawsuit abuse crisis.
Lawsuit abuse is a crime that every Pennsylvanian pays for in higher insurance premiums,
less availability of specialty doctors and the loss of small businesses, manufacturers and
other job creators.
The major centerpiece of this package is the Fair Share Act, which reforms the state’s
joint and several liability law by ensuring that defendants found negligent or liable for an injury
are responsible for only their share of the damages.
This is common-sense measure will restore fairness and balance to the judicial system. It is
based upon the principle that compensation is fair when it is paid in accordance with one’s relative
fault, not one’s ability to pay. Under the current system, a defendant who is found to be even 1
percent responsible for an injury can be forced to pay for 100 percent of the damages.
In addition to the Fair Share Act, the House Republican Lawsuit Abuse Reform package
also includes:
• Constitutional amendments
to establish caps on both the
collection of non-economic
damages and attorney fees in
liability cases.
• Limitations on both the collec-
tion of punitive damages and
attorney fees in liability cases.
• Restriction on liability for inno-
cent product sellers to prevent
even more unfairness in the
courtroom and higher insurance On Oct. 22, Rep. Vulakovich joined with former Governor Dick
Thornburgh and many of his House Republican colleagues for the
costs for both employers and unveiling of a comprehensive lawsuit abuse reform package.
consumers.
Whether you are actually sued or not, the question is no longer “if” or “when” a lawsuit will
impact you, “but how much?” The loss of innovative products and services, life-saving medi-
cal technology, family-sustaining jobs and ultimately community goodwill are just some of the
unfortunate consequences that can be directly linked to the rampant abuse of Pennsylvania’s
civil justice system.
Passage of the House Republican Lawsuit Abuse Reform package is essential to turning
back the economic-deterring tide of frivolous litigation as well as protecting the legal rights
of those citizens who have been legitimately injured.
Visit RepVulakovich.com
Increasing Public Safety
Vulakovich Calls for 10,000 More PA Cops By 2011
Protecting our children, families through a state grant program which
and senior citizens remains of utmost requires participating municipalities
importance to building stronger and to provide matching funds in the
safer communities. amount of 50 percent of the awarded
As a retired Shaler Township state grant.
Police Department Sergeant with 27 An advisory board consisting of
years of law enforcement experience, president Judges, district attorneys
I was honored to host a recent press and local law enforcement represen-
conference at the Shaler Township tatives from the county chiefs of po-
Police Department to urge support for lice, state police and fraternal order
legislation that would add up to 1,107 of police will work with the Attorney
new police officers to Allegheny Representatives Vulakovich and Jim Marshall (R-Beaver) joined General to review grant applications.
County and the rest of Southwestern with local law enforcement officials at the Shaler Township Police Municipalities are also required to
Pennsylvania by 2011. Department to urge support for legislation (House Bill 1189) that pursue grant opportunities available
House Bill 1189, also known as the holds the potential to add up to 1,107 new police officers for Allegheny through the Pennsylvania Commis-
Commonwealth Officer Fund, will put and Beaver counties by 2011. Watch the entire 10,000 Cops press sion on Crime and Delinquency, and
conference at RepVulakovich.com.
up to 10,000 new police officers on may solicit funding from private busi-
the street statewide during the next four years. Unlike the unnec- nesses and organizations as well.
essary, ineffective, unconstitutional and repeatedly defeated gun All totaled, Allegheny County stands to gain a 40 percent
control mandates supported by Governor Rendell, this legislation increase in police presence if House Bill 1189 becomes law.
was unanimously approved by the House Judiciary Committee and However, this legislation is not a mandate and municipalities are
now awaits consideration before the full House. not required to hire the maximum amount of officers they may
Once enacted, $56 million in state funds would be allocated qualify to receive. For more information about “10,000 Cops”
from the House and Senate to hire new officers. Administered and many other House Republican public safety initiatives visit
by the State Attorney General, these funds would be distributed RepVulakovich.com.

Stay in touch with Representative Vula

Vulakovich Convenes Policy Hearing to Discuss
Chronic Flooding and Disaster Preparation Strategies
Areas to improve the prevention and cleanup of flooding among
local and state officials were among the topics for discussion at a
House Republican Policy Committee hearing I co-chaired at the
Bauerstown Volunteer Fire Department on Nov. 29.

It’s no secret the flooding has been an ongoing problem

throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania for a number of years.
There are no words to describe what it’s like to experience a flood.
It wipes you out. The primary purpose of this hearing was to firmly
establish the responsibilities of all agencies involved, as well as to
develop better flood prevention and clean-up policies.
Critical areas to improve the prevention and cleanup of flooding among local
The committee heard testimony from PennDOT representatives, and state officials were among the topics of discussion at a Nov. 29 House
Republican Policy Committee hearing co-chaired by Representative Vulakovich
local government officials and an official from the Pennsylvania at the Bauerstown Volunteer Fire Department.
Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

Several of these testifiers emphasized a very valid point that

the flooding issue is a regional one, not just one for local govern-
ments to handle on an individual basis. However, while PennDOT
is responsible for all state-maintained infrastructures, they are not
allowed to assist municipalities with flood prevention or cleanup until
the governor makes a disaster declaration concerning the area.

District 30 residents can watch this hearing in its entirety and

many other Legislative Report programs by logging on to the video
library at RepVulakovich.com. Representative Vulakovich tests out the Shaler Police Department’s 911 Emergency
Response Simulator.
 Reform Report
Vulakovich Among First PA Lawmakers to Support
Freezing Property Tax Rates for Senior Citizens
In October 2007, I became one of the first state lawmakers
to sign on to House Bill 1903 to provide much needed and long-
overdue property tax relief to qualifying seniors across the Com-
monwealth by freezing their property tax rates.
Property tax reform remains a hotly contested issue because to
eliminate or decrease this tax Pennsylvania must increase or shift to
another revenue source. While I remain fully committed to eliminating
this ever-increasing economic burden for all Pennsylvania property
owners, I support this legislation because it will deliver guaranteed,
tangible relief to those who need it the most by freezing the property
taxes of qualifying seniors at 2007-08 ‘base year’ rates.
In order to qualify, claimants must be over the age of 65, widows
or widowers over the age of 50 or permanently disabled persons
over the age of 18. In addition, their total household income must
be $35,000 or less. Claimants may exclude 50 percent of Social
Security or Tier-1 Railroad Retirement Benefits from the calculations
of income. The Commonwealth would reimburse school districts out
of gaming revenues for the amount of deferred property taxes.
Under House Bill 1903 an estimated 580,952 individuals state-
wide would qualify for the property tax freeze as well as the state’s
Property Tax/Rent Rebate program. Twenty-four states currently offer
some sort of property tax deferral. Pennsylvania is one of them, but
it does so only as a local option. House Bill 1903 would make this Representative Vulakovich is among the first state lawmakers to sign on in support of
incremental relief mandatory for all Pennsylvania school districts. Senior Citizen Property Tax Freeze legislation (House Bill 1903).

akovich by visiting RepVulakovich.com

Vulakovich Tightens Squeeze for Legislature Reduction
As expected, the discharge resolution I signed on to advance I firmly believe that an overall 20 percent reduction in the total
debate and discussion on legislature reduction legislation (House legislative branch operating budget is without question a giant
Bill 55) to reduce the size of the Pennsylvania General Assembly reform leap we must voluntarily pursue to bring the cost of our
by 20 percent was defeated on the House floor. General Assembly in line with other states.
However, the ongoing media attention that resulted from this “Har- I fully realize that in the end I have but one vote to cast. Ulti-
risburg establishment squeeze play” overwhelmingly succeeded in mately, my floor vote on this and every other reform issue reflects
giving the people of Pennsylvania a vote-by-vote opportunity to see back on my original voter commitments, and as a result are solemn
which PA House members are serious about advancing real reform, pledges I intend to keep.
and, more importantly, those who are not.
Regardless of how individual lawmakers feel about the issue of
legislative downsizing, at the very least the people’s voice needs to be Honoring his original
heard on the House floor. Rest assured, the fight to reduce the overall voter commitment
to work to reduce
size and operating budget for our nation’s second largest and second
the overall size and
most expensive state legislature has only just begun. spending levels
To keep the pressure on in late November, myself and another of the PA General
Allegheny County freshman Representative Matt Smith (D-Mount Assembly, Rep.
Lebanon) sent a letter to House Appropriations Chairman Dwight Ev- Vulakovich recently
sent a letter to House
ans (D-Philadelphia) calling for a 20 percent reduction in the funding
Appropriations
allocation for the General Assembly in the 2008-09 state budget. Committee
According to the Speaker’s Commission on Government Reform, Chairman Dwight
the cost to operate the General Assembly is $23.01 per Pennsylva- Evans (D-
nia taxpayer. Based on the 2007-2008 state budget appropriation, Philadelphia) calling
for a 20 percent
a 20 percent reduction in the General Assembly operating budget
re d u c t i o n ( $ 6 2
will result in taxpayer savings of approximately $62 million. million) in the 2008-
As one of 50 freshmen state lawmakers, I gave my word to the people 09 Pennsylvania
who elected me that I would do everything within my power to work to General Assembly
reduce the overall size and spending levels of the state Legislature. operating budget.
District Digest
ATTENTION World War II Veterans
If you are a World War II veteran living in the 30th Legislative District, I want to recognize you for your service to our country and
our Commonwealth.
Please contact my district office at (412) 487-6600 and provide your name, home address and phone number along with your
rank, branch of service, and time of service. I would also like to urge anyone who knows a family member or friend who should be
recognized to telephone my district office with the veteran’s information so we can honor their sacrifices as well.
The 30th Legislative District includes the following Allegheny County communities: Fox Chapel Borough and the townships of
Hampton, O’Hara, Ross and Shaler.

Vulakovich Presents
Seniors for Safe Driving Program
Local residents ages 55 or older who are looking for an affordable refresher
course offering updates on new driving laws, valuable pointers on how to react
in driving emergencies, helpful techniques to improve night driving and many
other automobile safety issues are encouraged to participate in my upcoming  PACE/PACENET applications
Seniors for Safe Driving improvement program.
Held at the Glenshaw Valley Presbyterian Church, 1520 Butler Plank Road  Property Tax/Rent Rebate forms
on Friday, March 14 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m, participants in this course will
receive a minimum 5 percent discount on their auto insurance as mandated  Copies and status reports of
More than 600 local seniors and their families attended Representative
by Pennsylvania state law. The course consists of classroom instruction only. legislation before the General
Vulakovich’s 2007 Senior Expo. District 30 residents can view
No exam or on-the-road driving will be required. highlights Assembly
of this event and many other Legislative Report programs
Tuition is $14 and is due prior to the class date. Light refreshments will by logging on to the video library at RepVulakovich.com.
be provided.  Voter registration forms and
Seating is limited. Don’t delay, pre-register today by calling 1-800-559-4880 absentee ballot applications
or by visiting sfsd-pa.com.
 Birth and death certificates
Upcoming Events  State tax forms

 Referrals to agencies to resolve

state-related problems

 Driver licenses and registrations

Free Child Identification provided by the Dormant Lodge CHIP team

was just one of more than 35 quality, family-oriented activities and
exhibits that contributed to making Representative Vulakovich’s
2007 Children’s Expo an overwhelming success. Stay informed
of upcoming Community Events by visiting RepVulakovich.com.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE RANDY VULAKOVICH

DISTRICT OFFICE: 1407 Mt. Royal Boulevard, Glenshaw, PA 15116 / Phone: (412) 487-6600 / Fax: (412) 487-6607
HARRISBURG OFFICE: 408 Irvis Office Building, PO Box 202030, Harrisburg, PA 17120-2030 / Phone: (717) 260-6407 / Fax: (717) 783-5740

Visit RepVulakovich.com