Winter 2018
Voters Approve Step Towards Property Tax Elimination
Our Commonwealth took a substantial step towards the
potential of a property tax overhaul on Nov. 7, when voters
approved a constitutional amendment which permits
legislation that could exempt homeowners from paying
property taxes.
With a 53.9 percent approval, it is clear that the people of
Pennsylvania want to see the elimination of property taxes. I
have met with numerous constituents, many of whom are senior
citizens, who cannot afford to pay their property taxes. These
are folks who have saved up for a comfortable retirement, but
given the soaring increase in these taxes, they find themselves
struggling to keep their homes. It is truly heartbreaking.
As it stands, the approved amendment allows taxing
authorities – counties, school districts and municipalities – the
ability to choose to exempt taxes for up to 100 percent of the
assessed value for primary residents. To replace the source of
revenue that property taxes accounted for, an increase in sales
or other type of tax would be required.
Our voters have made their voices heard throughout
Supporting Our Veterans
This August, I hosted my sixth annual Veteran’s Appreciation Picnic. With over 200 veterans in attendance, it was
an absolute honor to have the opportunity to meet and talk with these brave men and women.
RepSaccone.com
the state. This result puts our Commonwealth on the path
to changing or eliminating a problem that is widespread
throughout Pennsylvania. I’ve met with too many people who
are in a dire panic to keep their homes, which they worked
extremely hard to buy.
There is still work to be done in our state to completely
correct the problem of soaring property taxes. As I mentioned,
this result allows our state legislature to pass a law that would
permit taxing authorities to exempt residents from paying tax
on their primary residences.
I want to assure my constituents, many of whom are in
financial stress because of the burden of soaring property
taxes, that I will support ANY legislation which eliminates this
problem or changes it for the better.
I am confident that our General Assembly, in a bipartisan
effort, will join me in supporting legislation that changes or
eliminates this tax. Our voters have sent a clear message, and
it’s time that we as a state enact a bill that would put an end to
property taxes.
/RepSaccone
 Legislative Accomplishments
This year, I was honored to see three of my bills signed into law. I’d like to thank both Democrat and Republican members of the Senate
and House who supported my legislation. The bills that were signed by Gov. Tom Wolf in 2017 are listed below:
Act 9 of 2017: Stolen Valor Act: This act prohibits
anyone to economically benefit from lying about military service or
receiving decorations without merit, which was signed into law by
Gov. Wolf on Tuesday, June 27, 2017.
I’m pleased this bill was passed unanimously in the House and
Senate. I believe this piece of legislation will strengthen the honor
and valor of America’s veterans and their families.
Anyone who falsely claims veteran status with the intention
to economically benefit should face criminal charges. Our service
members deserve the utmost honor and respect, and criminals who
deceitfully masquerade as veterans degrade our true American
heroes and their families.
Those convicted of violating this law could be charged with a
third-degree misdemeanor.
In 2013 the Federal Stolen Valor Act was passed by Congress.
This legislation only addressed those who might lie about having
military decorations and not those who benefit economically.
I want to acknowledge and thank those who supported this bill
and especially those who voted for it. I’m glad to see this bill receive
support from across the aisle.
Strengthening Government
Efficiency
As a taxpayer, you expect the government to run as
efficiently as possible. However, for far too long, our
state government has been living beyond its means.
From its addiction to spending or increasing taxes,
government officials have not done enough to make
sure we are working for you. This session, I have worked
relentlessly to redesign our government. Several bills I’ve
introduced are listed below. I will fight tirelessly until all
this legislation becomes law.
House Bill 39 - Limit Gifts to Public Officials: My bill
would strictly limit gifts to public officials in effort to
restore the public trust in our government.
House Bill 1538 – Welfare Reform: This bill would
reform the welfare system in our state. Across the
Commonwealth, there have been many reports of
participants fraudulently selling their electronic benefit
cards to economically benefit.
House Bill 164 – End of Ghost-Teaching: This measure
would stop public school districts from allowing
educators to take time away from teaching to work
for local or statewide teachers unions while accruing
salaries, benefits and pensions from their home school
district.
House Bill 560 – Public Access to Collective Bargaining
Agreement: This bill would allow the public greater
access to information regarding school contracts. This
legislation also allows the public to offer their personal
input before contracts are agreed to.
House Bill 672 – Taxpayer Savings Plan: Reforms
Pennsylvania’s budget process to provide taxpayers with
greater accountability for how their money is spent.
Act 67 of 2017: Repealing the Sunset Provision for
Administrative Subpoenas: In an effort to safeguard children
and communities from online sexual predators, legislation that I
authored, which will give the state attorney general and district
attorneys the authority to use administrative subpoenas to identify
information pertaining to child sex predators transmitting child
pornography, was signed into law by Gov. Tom Wolf on Friday, Dec.
22, 2017.
This landmark legislation was originally enacted as Act 151 of
2014. It contained a sunset clause declaring that it would expire on
Dec. 31, 2017.
This legislation makes the law permanent. This law has been an
essential tool for law enforcement and makes their jobs easier. By
every measure, this legislation has been highly successful, resulting
in hundreds of child sex predators taken off our streets.
House Bill 561, now Act 67 of 2017, received support from both
Democrats and Republicans, as it passed the Senate and House
unanimously.
I’d like to thank the governor, as well as the House and Senate,
who have acted on this law, thinking about the safety of our children.
Because of their willingness to work across the aisle, we are making
our communities safer by protecting them from online predators
who prey on our youth.
Act 56 of 2017: Creation of Two New Military Decorations
– Originally House Bill 165, this act creates two new decorations
to the list of existing medals, badges and awards conferred by the
Commonwealth for heroic civilian and military service, which was
signed into law by Gov. Wolf on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017.
Pennsylvanians have been making the ultimate sacrifice for
our country since the American Revolution. It’s time we recognize
and honor the citizens of the Commonwealth who have put their
country before themselves.
Act 56 of 2017 will create two new decorations: the Pennsylvania
Medal of Achievement and the Pennsylvania Veterans Service Award.
The Pennsylvania Medal of Achievement will be ranked fifth, under
the Pennsylvania Commendation Medal, and the Pennsylvania
Veterans Service Award will be ranked 13th, under the Pennsylvania
Outstanding Aeronautical Achievement Award.
With the creation of these new medals, current and future
governors will have the ability to further recognize outstanding
service by both civilians and service members, honoring their
sacrifices in maintaining freedom and their dedication to the
Commonwealth and its citizens. These new decorations will inspire
the next generation of brave and courageous Pennsylvanians.
 Out and About!

This summer, I was honored to be a guest speaker at Rep. Jason Ortitay’s I had the privilege of presenting the Bethel Park Volunteer Fire Department
annual Veterans’ Breakfast. Talking to our state’s veterans is a cherished with a citation in October for its relentless dedication in protecting our
responsibility as your state legislator. community.

Back in October, I attended a memorial ceremony for the Washington I want to thank Rep. Justin Walsh for allowing me to address our state’s
County Firemen Association to honor our fallen firefighters. veterans during his event.

This summer, I presented an Eagle

Scout citation to Joshua Trey
Vitvitskly (above) and William
Joseph Hebda (right). The Eagle
Scout program provides an excellent
opportunity for our children to
learn the skill of leadership and hard
work. During my tenure as your
legislator, I’ve handed out 72 Eagle
During my August Veterans’ Day Picnic, I thanked one of our state’s veterans Scout citations and look forward to
for his selfless service to our great nation. doing even more!
 State Representative
Rick Saccone
Winter 2018
Rep. Rick Saccone
Serving the 39th Legislative District
MAIN OFFICE:
1002 Old Hickory Lane, Jefferson Hills, PA 15025
Phone: 412-653-1025
Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
District Office Manager: Char Tibbitt
Constituent Outreach Specialists: Lisa Gosliak
and Melissa Barclay
Email: rsaccone@pahousegop.com
Online at:
www.RepSaccone.com
www.Facebook.com/RepSaccone
SATELLITE OFFICES:
Elizabeth Township Municipal Building
522 Rock Run Road, Elizabeth
Second and fourth Tuesday of each month,
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Finleyville Borough Building
3515 Washington Ave., Finleyville
By appointment only; call 412-653-1025 to schedule.
Forward Township Borough Building
1000 Golden Circle Drive, Elizabeth
By appointment only; call 412-653-1025 to schedule.
Bethel Park Municipal Building
5100 W. Library Ave., Bethel Park
By appointment only; call 412-653-1025 to schedule.
Harrisburg Office:
Room 430 Irvis Office Building, PO Box 202239
Harrisburg, PA 17120
Phone: 717-260-6122
Harrisburg Secretary: Chelsea Harlfinger
PRSRT STD
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PERMIT NO. 432
Ending Driver’s License Suspension
for Non-Driving Related Crimes
At a press conference in October, I announced legislation to end
driver’s license suspensions for people convicted of a non-vehicle
related crime.
House Bill 42 would remove the driver’s license suspension for
non-driving related convictions such as theft, purchase of tobacco
or alcohol by a minor, or carrying a false identification card.
While this bill has generated support from a strong majority of my
constituents, I have had a few people reach out and raise concerns
such as, “Rick, how come you can lose your license for drunk driving
but not for driving on a controlled substance?”
I want to be clear that we are removing the driver’s license suspen-
sion for crimes that have absolutely nothing to do with driving. If
you are caught behind the wheel on a controlled substance, wheth-
er that’s on heroin or crystal meth, you are a threat to traffic safety
and you’re still going to lose your license.
Driver’s license suspensions for non-driving and drug-related of-
fenses create insurmountable barriers for people who have served
their time and are trying to become productive citizens.
While I agree with the fines and structure associated with these
crimes, I don’t believe the added penalty of a license suspension is
warranted, nor does it curb behavior. The individual convicted of
any non-driving offense would be better served by doing commu-
nity service.
House Bill 42 rests in the House Judiciary Committee.