Representative
U.S. POSTAGE
Bob Godshall
rd
FALL 2010
Dear Friends:
The state has a new budget
that spends $1 billion less than the
governor proposed in his original
budget, contains no new taxes
– and it was on time. While we
may have been able to avoid a
protracted state budget impasse
this year, there is no shortage of
hard work ahead.
The $28 billion budget assumed
that Pennsylvania would receive
$850 million in federal Medicaid
funding. It will not. Congress has
approved only $600 million, leav-
ing us to determine from where the
other $250 million will come.
The final budget contained a
commitment by legislative leaders
to revisit the issue of taxing natu-
ral gas extracted from Marcellus
Shale. This severance tax is being
counted on to fill funding gaps.
This year’s budget contains
$2.8 billion in federal stimulus dol-
lars that will not be available to
us next year. The Legislature must
also find solutions to a looming
state pension crisis and the state’s
transportation funding needs.
While we seek to address
these shortfalls, we must also do
everything possible to stimulate our
economy and get Pennsylvanians
back to work.
Having an on-time budget is a
positive sign that state lawmakers
recognize the need to work to-
gether. This is the kind of resolve
that is needed to stop our economic
decline and turn our economy
around.
BOBGODSHALL.COM
53 District
Godshall Bill to Prevent Insurance
Fraud Passes House
You may be aware that I serve on two commit-
tees in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
-- the Insurance Committee, on which I have served
since my election to the House in 1983, and I am
the Republican chairman of the Consumer Affairs
Committee. When it comes to insurance fraud, I
find myself wearing both hats because insurance
fraud has a dramatic impact on consumers and
the price we all pay for insurance.
In Pennsylvania, insurance fraud is estimated
to drive up claim losses by more than one-half
billion dollars annually – a cost that everyone
pays through higher insurance premiums.
I am sponsoring a couple of bills that are de-
signed to protect citizens against the unscrupulous
actions of dishonest public adjustors. House Bill
1736, which passed by a unanimous vote in the
House and is now pending in the Senate, amends
the Public Adjustor Licensing Law to increase the
criminal penalties for certain violations committed
by public adjustors.
The bill would change the classification of the
following crimes from misdemeanors to felonies
carrying fines as high as $15,000 and up to seven
years in prison.
Rep. Godshall receives the Fraud Fighter Award from
Ralph Burnham, executive director of the Insurance Fraud
Prevention Authority, at its annual meeting in Hershey.
PRSRT STD
PAID
HARRISBURG, PA
PERMIT NO. 432
 Misrepresentation of the terms and
effect of any insurance contract;
 Engaging or attempting to engage in
a fraudulent transaction with respect to
a claim or loss;
 Misrepresentation of services offered
or fees or commission charged;
 Misappropriation or improper
withholding of client funds;
 To pay or arrange compensation for
anyone as an inducement to influence
the contracting services of public
adjustors or public adjustor solicitors
with any insured;
 To engage in fraudulent practices.
While no remedy is foolproof, the deterrent
effect of this legislation alone should be sufficient
to keep people honest and to protect the interests
of consumers.
Another bill I am sponsoring involves health
care facilities and the public in the solution.
House Bill 1737 would authorize the Insurance
Fraud Prevention Authority to require health care
facilities to place posters announcing a reward of
up to $25,000 payable to persons who report
insurance fraud. These reports must
lead to an arrest and conviction. The
rewards will be paid out of the Insur-
ance Fraud Prevention Trust Fund.
It’s no secret that insurance fraud
is on the increase in Pennsylvania.
I hope these measures will help to
prevent insurance fraud, restore
public trust and bring down the cost
of insurance. It is important to protect
homeowners, insurers and the integ-
rity of the public adjustor profession
from the unscrupulous acts of a few.
I believe this legislation will go a long
way toward achieving this.
 More than 120 Farms Preserved New Website
in Montgomery County for Electric
County plays vital role in agricultural production Consumers
Residential, commercial and industrial elec-
tric consumers, who are served by PPL Electric
Company and are shopping for a competitive
electric generation supplier, can go to the
Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC)
website for one-stop shopping.
The website includes information about elec-
tric shopping, what it is, how to shop and which
suppliers are available, as well as the PUC’s
list of competing suppliers and the Office of
Consumer Advocate’s Shopping Guide pricing
According to the Montgomery County Planning Commission, 126 farms have been information. A ZIP-code search feature is also
preserved in Montgomery County, as of December 2009, through the farmland pres- available so consumers can see all suppliers
ervation program. and offers serving a given area.
These farms total 7,865 acres saved in Montgomery County, and are part of the Rate caps have not yet been lifted for Phila-
428,708 acres and 3,928 farms preserved in 57 counties in Pennsylvania. delphia Electric Company (PECO) customers.
In total, Montgomery County is home to 719 farms with 41,908 acres, according For a link to the website and further infor-
to the U.S. Census of Agriculture, and sales of agricultural products in the county reach mation about electric rate information, visit my
more than $30 million, and in the entire state, nearly $6 billion. Crop farming is the website at BobGodshall.com.
main type of agriculture in Montgomery County, but many other farms generate items
such as vegetables, nursery products, beef, hog, dairy and poultry products.
For more information on agriculture statewide, visit my website at BobGodshall.com. Highway
Fatalities
Autism Community Report Problems
Can Gain Valuable on State Roads to Decrease
Resources PennDOT During 2009
An autism-friendly website has been Motorists can contact PennDOT to The number of fatalities on Pennsylva-
established in order for family members report potholes and other problems with nia highways in 2009 dropped to 1,256,
and those living with autism to live with state roads. Based on the caller’s phone the lowest number since record keeping
less stress. This Web site -- www.autismre- number, calls are directed to local PennDOT began in 1928, according to PennDOT.
sources.com -- allows users to recommend maintenance facilities where problems can The previous low was 1,328 in 1944;
and/or search several autism resources receive the appropriate attention. in 2008 the Commonwealth saw 1,468
throughout Pennsylvania. Callers are encouraged to: traffic fatalities.
The site was first established because  Report the county and municipality
Pennsylvania’s 2004 Autism Task Force where the problem is located.
According to PennDOT, significant
recommended there be more access to  Report the state route number, decreases were noted in unrestrained,
information about autism. Keystone Au- which can be found on the small alcohol-related and aggressive driv-
tism Information Systems Inc. (KAIS) is the white-and-black signs posted ing fatalities. Unrestrained fatalities
non-profit organization that was created along state roads, where the decreased from 567 in 2008 to 451
specifically to extend public awareness problem is located. in 2009. Alcohol-related fatalities
of autism resources.  Describe familiar landmarks dropped from 531 in 2008 to 442 last
Knowing which medical providers spe- nearby in order to help PennDOT year. Deaths attributed to aggressive
cialize in autism is important in finding the crews locate the problem. driving dropped to 130, down from 141
right care specific to a family member’s The toll-free maintenance hotline can be in 2008.
needs. Anyone affected by autism can reached at 1-800-FIX-ROAD (1-800-349- PennDOT credits the decrease on the
also find local support groups, which not 7623). In addition to reporting potholes, more than $20 million in federal and
only provide support, but education as motorists may also report missing highway
well, and are run by master’s level clini- signs, shoulder drop-offs, roadway wash-
state funds it spends annually for educa-
cians. Local restaurants that meet specific outs and other potential hazards. tion, enforcement and safety engineering
dietary needs can also be found using the With the very cold temperatures and improvements.
site. In addition to the few resources listed consistent precipitation the state has seen The only group showing an increase in
above, there are many other resources in recent weeks, potholes are forming crash fatalities involved drivers age 65
available, including sensory-friendly more quickly than usual on several area and older. PennDOT offers information
clothing stores, psychiatrists, schools, roadways. Once notified, PennDOT will on approved Mature Driver Improvement
speech therapists, parks and pet stores. actively work to address pothole and other courses offered statewide, a brochure
These resources can also be accessed roadway concerns when the weather per- on talking with mature drivers and other
without using the internet by calling the mits. Motorists can also log on to 511pa. safety tips at its highway safety informa-
toll free number: 1-877-695-8495. This com or call 511 from any phone to check tion source at www.DriveSafePA.org.
site depends on users’ feedback. I strongly traffic conditions on major roadways be-
urge those in the autism community to fore traveling.
share their input and expertise.

BOBGODSH
 Help is Several guests from
the district stopped
by to see Rep. Kate
Available Harper and Rep.
Godshall during

for
June legislative
session. They
included (from left):
Vision Loss Bette Jean Gilbert
and Richard Gilbert
from Souderton and
Many people may not realize that Maureen McKee
the Montgomery County Association for and Robert McKee
the Blind helps provide services specifi- from Ambler. They
visited the Capitol
cally related to vision loss. Whether you
as part of a “Day
have macular degeneration, glaucoma, in Harrisburg”
cataracts or any other eye condition that prize donated
has had an impact on the quality of your by Rep. Harper
life, the association has resources and through the North
expertise available. Penn Education
Foundation.
A variety of services are offered,
such as teaching techniques for man-
aging your tasks more independently
at home and how to travel safely and Several
independently. Also offered are social homeschoolers from
work assistance, computer training, the Telford area had
the opportunity to
recreational activities, introduction to see state government
the talking book program and support in action during a
groups. visit to Harrisburg
The association can be reached at on March 26.
212 N. Main St., North Wales, or by
calling (215) 661-9800 or visiting the
web at www.mcab.org.

Deadline to Apply for

Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program Extended
Please know that the deadline to apply for the state’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate program for 2009 is being extended from June
30 to Dec. 31, 2010.
Eligible participants can receive a rebate of up to $650 based on their rent or property taxes paid in 2009. The program benefits
eligible Pennsylvanians who are 65 years or older, widows and widowers 50 years or older, and those 18 years or older with dis-
abilities. Eligibility income limits for homeowners are set at the following levels, excluding 50 percent of Social Security, Supplemental
Security Income, and Railroad Retirement Tier 1 benefits:
 $0 to $8,000, maximum $650 rebate (Homeowners and renters)
 $8,001 to $15,000, maximum $500 rebate (Homeowners and renters)
 $15,001 to $18,000, maximum $300 rebate (Homeowners only)
 $18,001 to $35,000, maximum $250 rebate (Homeowners only)
The Property Tax/Rent Rebate program is one of many initiatives supported by the Pennsylvania Lottery, which dedicates its pro-
ceeds to support programs for older Pennsylvanians. Since the program began in 1971, more than $4 billion has been paid to quali-
fied applicants. Residents are reminded to provide all the necessary income, property tax or rental information required to process
claims quickly and accurately.
Property Tax/Rent Rebate claim forms are available by contacting my office at (215) 368-3500, or by visiting my website at
BobGodshall.com.

HALL.COM
 Alternative Energy Update
As the Republican chairman of the House Consumer Af-
fairs Committee, I am actively engaged in many energy
issues, including renewable energy. In 2004, I voted for the
Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act (AEPS), which
requires electric companies to purchase renewable energy as
part of the electricity that they distribute to their customers.
This law, in conjunction with another law I voted for, called
the Alternative Energy Investment Act, is helping to grow an
industry that is important to Pennsylvania’s future.
The Public Utility Commission recently released a report
outlining how much alternative energy electric companies
are now delivering to their customers. In 2009, 1.2 mil-
lion alternative energy credits were purchased by electric
companies to comply with the law. This means 1.2 million
megawatt hours of alternative energy was produced. Each
year, the requirements for more alternative energy are
slightly increased. In 2010, the alternative energy require-
ment is estimated to be 4.2 million megawatt hours, which
is approximately 2.6 percent of Pennsylvania’s annual en-
ergy demand. By Jan. 1, 2021, an estimated 33.7 million
megawatt hours - 18 percent of total demand - will come
from renewable energy sources.
The benefits of alternative energy are clear: less pollu-
tion, opportunity for the development of a new industry and
less dependence on fossil fuels. However, these advantages
come at a higher cost than traditional forms of energy - Rep. Godshall visits a display in the state Capitol by members of
- at least initially. My role as the Republican chairman of the Energy Association’s Revenue Protection Task Force. On left,
the Consumer Affairs Committee is to ensure that electric Robert Engle, PPL Electric Utilities, and John Kratzinger Sr., PECO
customers get the best deal, which is why I closely monitor Energy Co. with Rep. Godshall. Engle and Kratzinger showed the
each alternative energy proposal that comes before my catastrophic consequences that can result from illegal hookups.
committee. Godshall is the Republican chairman of the House Consumer Affairs
Committee, which provides legislative oversight of public utilities.

Rep. Godshall received the Citizen of the Year Award from the
Perseverance Fire Co. in Souderton in recognition of his long-time
support of volunteer activity in the community and the fire company
in particular.
The annual trout fishing derby at Perkiomen Creek in Morwood
attracts about 300 children and family members. The event, sponsored
by Rep. Godshall and the Franconia Township Parks and Recreation
Commission, and now in its 19th year, introduces children to the sport
of fishing.

Representative Robert Godshall

Capitol Office: 150 Main Capitol District Office: 1702 Cowpath Road
Harrisburg PA 17120-2053 Hatfield, PA 19440
Phone: (717) 783-6428 / FAX: (717) 787-7424 Phone: (215) 368-3500 / FAX: (215) 361-4220
Website: BobGodshall.com