FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Matthew Maciorkoski Office of Rep. Camille “Bud” George Phone: 717 787-7082 Fax: 717 783-8236 Email: mmaciork@pahouse.net	State Rep. Camille “Bud ” George D-Clearfield County www.pahouse.com/george

Ignore the Boilerplate

HARRISBURG, July 3 – If letter writer Tom Schroeder of Economy is going to disseminate boilerplate conservative screeds, ("Same old legislative stench," Thursday), he would be well-advised to stick to a script that has some semblance of truth.

House Bill 1200, a key part of the Energy Independence Strategy dealing with the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority, was approved June 20 in the state House, which recorded its last vote at 8:43 p.m. - hardly a "late-night legislative session." The House has concluded all legislative business by 11 p.m. this year.

The authority never had and never will have "unlimited powers" to borrow and spend without accountability. Its actions are governed by the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority and Emergency Powers Act, the Adverse Interest Act, the Ethics Act and the Governor's Code of Conduct. Its members include elected Republicans and Democrats.

The revenue bonds needed to move the commonwealth toward energy independence would be independent of the state budget, "not maneuvered around state budget limitations." The size of the bond issue would be governed by the bond market, a free-market aspect that Schroeder surely can appreciate.

No tax increases of any kind are being considered in any state budget plan.

My Clearfield County legislative district was subjected to anonymous and untrue robo-calls claiming increases in the state sales tax on smokeless tobacco and on gasoline were being considered as part of the budget.

All are untrue, and the only "familiar odor" is the source of all these lie.

State Rep. Camille "Bud" George
D-74
Clearfield County