Independent • Effective • Working to Make a Difference Summer 2016

Inside 18th District Highway & Bridge Update

Redistricting Reform

Road Transfer Bill To Bring FedEx Distribution Hub & Thousands of Jobs to the State Senator 2015 Newsletter Survey Results LISA M. BOSCOLA ast summer, I sought your input on numerous issues that are currently L before the General Assembly. Constituents responded on Offices to Serve You topics ranging from my proposal to change the way the Commonwealth draws its congressional and legislative districts, to privatizing the state store system, to BETHLEHEM OFFICE property tax relief and others. Over 1,200 responses were returned to my office. One East Broad Street • Suite 120 I was pleased that 80% of responses supported the need to reform how Bethlehem, PA 18018 Pennsylvania draws districts for both Congress and the General Assembly. My (610) 868-8667 proposal, SB 484, is currently in the Senate’s State Government Committee and Toll free: 1-877-535-1818 will hopefully be considered by the Legislature this year. Fax: (610) 861-2184 Divesting of state stores or modernizing the system was divisive. Respondents EASTON OFFICE opposed the selling of the state store system by 56%-44% margin, while selling 1701 Washington Boulevard beer/wine in grocery stores was supported by a 59%-41% margin. Easton, PA 18042 In April, Governor Wolf signed into law Act 16 to legalize medical marijuana in (610) 250-5627 Pennsylvania. 64% of respondents supported medical marijuana, while 36% Fax: (610) 250-1889 opposed. Temporary regulations are currently being developed and the full Monday, Wednesday, Friday implementation is expected to take 18 to 24 months from the date that Act 16 was 9 a.m. - 5 p.m signed. On a related issue, 66% of respondents supported the decriminalization of marijuana, which has been done in states such as Colorado and Washington. WHITEHALL OFFICE I have long championed the need for the elimination of local school property taxes West Catasauqua Professional Bldg. by shifting to other revenue sources. The survey asked residents if they supported an 2123 North First Avenue • Suite A-4 increase in the sales tax to allow for either a reduction in local school property taxes or Whitehall, PA 18052 for the total elimination of local school property taxes. 68% supported a sales tax (610) 266-2117 increase to provide relief while 67% supported an increase to allow for the total Fax: (610) 266-2169 elimination. Senate Bill 76, which would provide for an elimination of property taxes, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday was narrowly defeated when it was brought up for a vote in the Senate last year. I 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. am hopeful the Senate will soon reconsider this legislation given that two new HARRISBURG OFFICE members are in the Senate who were not in office when the vote was held last year. Senate Box 203018 Allowing internet casino gambling has been a hot topic across the country; Harrisburg, PA 17120-3018 however, in the 18th Senatorial District, the response was one-sided as part of the (717) 787-4236 survey. 81% of respondents opposed legalizing online gaming. Fax: (717) 783-1257 The survey asked if Pennsylvania should raise the minimum wage from $7.25 to $10.10 per hour. 72% of respondents said yes. When Governor Wolf took office, he placed a moratorium on the death penalty @SenLisaBoscola until a report was completed reviewing how the death penalty is carried out in the FACEBOOK Commonwealth. 65% of respondents opposed the moratorium and 73% facebook.com/SenLisaBoscola supported keeping the death penalty legal in Pennsylvania. I appreciated all who responded. If you didn’t take the survey and would still like to www.senatorboscola.com make your voice heard, contact any of my district offices. Hearing from my constituents makes me a better legislator, so please know your opinions matter to me! Survey Results

80% YES NO 81% 72% 73% 68% 64% 66% 67% 65% 56% 59%

44% 41% 36% 34% 32% 33% 35% 28% 27% 20% 19%

Change Liquor Store Sale of Beer Legalization Decriminalize Increase Increase Legalize Increase Keep the Place a Redistricting Privatization & Wine in of Medical Marijuana Income and/or Income and/or Internet Casino Minimum Death Penalty Moratorium Process Supermarkets Marijuana Offenses Sales Tax for Sales Tax for Gambling Wage to Legal in PA on the Death Reduction in Elimination of $10.10 Penalty in PA Property Taxes Property Taxes Ensuring All Voters

Have a Voice L Senator Boscola speaks during his year’s Presidential primary has once again ribbon-cutting Texposed a weakness in state law that disenfranchises ceremony for the some voters throughout Pennsylvania. By not allowing independents to vote in grand opening of primary elections, the will of Pennsylvania’s electorate is not being fully recognized. the Easton Public Earlier this session, I introduced Senate Bill 90, the Statement of Voters’ Market project. Rights. In addition to allowing registered independents to vote in primary The marketplace elections, the bill ensures a number of voter protections. One such protection builds on the is the bill ensures a person’s right to vote as long as they are in line while the success of the poll is open even if their turn to vote comes after the poll has closed. My Easton Farmers’ legislation requires the list of voters’ rights to be visible at all polls. Market, America’s By making these common sense changes, we would ensure that more oldest, continuous individuals have the right to participate in elections and have their voice heard. open-air market. We should encourage people to vote, not restrict their right to do so. Boscola Spearheads Redistricting Reform Movement

air Districts PA, a nonpartisan As I’ve said many times, we equal in population as possible with a Fstatewide citizens’ coalition that cannot hope to get politics out of the minimum range of deviation and advocates for fair elections and legislative reapportionment process respect municipal subdivisions and redistricting reform, has endorsed my until we get the politicians out of the communities of interest. legislative redistricting proposal. process. Voters should pick their I also formed a bipartisan, bicameral With member organizations representatives, not representatives legislative workgroup last June that is ranging from Common Cause to the picking their voters. It’s just that simple. working toward an agreement on League of Women Voters to the My bill does that by creating an redistricting reform that can make it Commonwealth Foundation, this issue 11-member independent citizens through the legislative process in time has broad support and appeal across reapportionment commission that for the 2020 redistricting cycle. The the political spectrum. Over 6,000 would draw congressional and workgroup members and I recently Pennsylvanians have signed a petition legislative boundaries in an open, announced a list of guiding principles supporting my bill, while a number of transparent and publicly that we believe must be part of any communities have passed resolutions accountable way. redistricting reform proposal. indicating their support as well. I’m Under Senate Bill 484, the citizens’ I am pleased that my bill contains proud to have citizen advocates and commission would use sound and these core principles and I look forward local communities in my corner and modern methodology when setting to continuing my work to finally bring hope their support will stoke additional district boundaries, ignore political real, meaningful reform to our

bipartisan backing for my proposal. considerations, make all districts as redistricting process. L Spearheading the charge for congressional and legislative Redistricting Reform Guiding Principles redistricting reform, Senator Boscola addresses the media with • Assign redistricting authority to an independent citizens commission; members from all four caucuses of • Reform both congressional and legislative redistricting; the General Assembly. • Prohibit districts from being drawn to favor or discriminate against a political party or candidate; • Use statistically sound methodology when setting district boundaries; • Ensure transparency in the process with meaningful opportunities for active public participation; • Make all districts as equal in population as possible with a minimum range of deviation; • Respect political subdivisions and communities of interest. LISA M. BOSCOLA Around the L Students of the field 18th District hockey team recently visited the state Senate. The Green Hornets won the 2015 state title in overtime, which marked the school’s seventh & Beyond straight undefeated field hockey team.

L Frank Lambert and son Matthew testify before the Senate Transportation Committee in support of Senator Boscola’s legislation to clear ice and snow from vehicles.

L Students from the Centennial School of L Senator Boscola Lehigh University recently participates at the met with Senator Boscola unveiling of the Vietnam during this year’s PAECT Veterans Memorial at Student Showcase on Easton Area High School, innovative use of which honors students technology in learning. who served in Vietnam,

especially remembering those who died. L Senator Boscola and fellow alumni hosted the Villanova University men’s basketball team at the Capitol to celebrate their 2016 NCAA National Championship.

L Senator Boscola and Governor Tom Wolf lead a discussion on combating Pennsylvania’s opiate and opioid addiction crisis at Northampton Community College. Road Transfer Bill Will Bring FedEx Distribution Hub & Thousands of Jobs to the Lehigh Valley

hile road transfers between the by the Lehigh Valley International At full build-out, the facility is WPennsylvania Department of Airport (LVIA) in Allen Township. I want expected to create 3,000 jobs and will Transportation (PennDOT) and local to thank and acknowledge Senators make this hub FedEx’s largest in the municipalities may seem like minor Pat Browne, Mario Scavello, and country. Moreover, the presence of the legislation moving through the state Reps. Julie Harhart and Dan facility will drive additional economic process in Harrisburg, very few will McNeill for their teamwork and development opportunities throughout have the significant economic impact bipartisan effort to help me expedite the Lehigh Valley. that legislation I introduced will have passage of this important legislation. An added benefit that is equally for the Lehigh Valley. FedEx Ground’s investment for important to the future growth of our Senate Bill 1064, which was the first phase of the project is region is that the sale of the land for signed into law as Act 11 on March projected to exceed $227.5 million, this project helped place the Lehigh 30, 2016, transferred a portion of which will be an 800,000 square foot Valley International Airport on solid Willowbrook Road in Hanover distribution hub. It is expected that financial footing. The proceeds of the Township, Lehigh County to the initial phase will create 282 new land transaction were used by LVIA to PennDOT. My legislation was one full-time jobs over the next three years, pay down existing debt that small but important piece that has along with 398 permanent part-time threatened the financial solvency of enabled Federal Express Ground to jobs. The project will also help retain the airport. A thriving airport will only move forward with plans to construct 1,652 existing employees statewide, serve to further enhance the prospect a new distribution hub here in the with over 300 construction jobs of continued economic prosperity Lehigh Valley on land formerly owned locally while the facility is being built. throughout our region.

Fire Commissioner Solobay Provides Update to Local Firefighters

arlier this spring, State Fire Commissioner Tim Solobay spent some time E in my district listening to the concerns of local firefighters and providing an update on what changes to expect out of Harrisburg. The event took place at the Chrin Community Center in Palmer Township and was attended by a number of local chiefs, firefighters and elected officials. The broad ranging conversation covered a number of critically important topics. Several members of the volunteer fire departments discussed the concerns about incentivizing volunteers to serve. Many reported the difficulty they are having securing the needed number of volunteers. Several ideas were discussed that are being reviewed by both chambers of the legislature. Volunteer and paid departments each shared similar concerns about the costs of equipment and the availability of grant money to help cover that equipment. Also, the potential expansion of fireworks sales with a special tax specifically for fire safety was covered. L Senator Boscola recently Overall, it was a detailed conversation and provided insight into the issues hosted State Fire Commissioner facing our paid and volunteer fire services which are so critical to our community. I Tim Solobay to meet with Lehigh appreciate the Fire Commissioner coming and sharing his time as well as those Valley firefighters. firefighters who attended to share their thoughts and concerns. PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID HARRISBURG, PA STATE SENATOR PERMIT NO. 603 LISA M. BOSCOLA Senate Box 203018 Harrisburg, PA 17120-3018

Printed on recycled paper Highway & Bridge Project Update in the 18th District

aintaining an efficient and safe Route 22 in Whitehall, which are the stage with the anticipated construction M road network is one of the upgrades to the Fullerton Ave. inter- contracts being bid in 2022. primary functions of state government. change and the reconstruction and The Fahy Bridge connecting the Throughout the 18th Senatorial widening of the Lehigh River Bridge. northside and southside of Bethlehem District, there are some major Two lanes of travel will be maintained is currently reduced from two lanes each construction projects underway. I want on Rt. 22 during peak travel times. direction to one lane each direction. It to provide you with a status update This project will include a widening will remain one lane in each direction on some of the road work in our area. of the Lehigh River Bridge to with the final phase being the The largest project currently accommodate a proposal to widen reconstruction of the center median ongoing in Northampton County is Rt. 22 between 15th Street and that is projected to be completed by the widening of PA Route 412 in Airport Road. The interchange and November 2017. Bethlehem. According to PennDOT, bridge project is scheduled to be If you have any questions about these the project will be completed this fall. completed by the fall of 2019, while or any other highway or bridge project PennDOT has begun the second the proposed widening project is throughout the 18th Senatorial District, phase of improvements along U.S. currently in the preliminary design please contact any of my district offices.

Recent Changes • Allows restaurants and hotels to sell up to four bottles of wine for take-out; • Allows grocery stores that currently sell beer to sell up to four bottles of wine; to the State’s • Allows for direct shipments of wine to homes; Liquor Law • Makes permanent gas station's ability to sell 6-packs of beer; • Removes Sunday restrictions and state-mandated holiday restrictions at ecently, Governor Wolf signed state stores; House Bill 1690 into law. The R • Enhances customer loyalty programs and opens up coupons for use at bill made historical changes to where state stores; wine and beer can be sold. Some of these changes include: • Provides options for flexible pricing to allow state stores to offer special discounts and sales.