State Rep. Tom Quigley, R-Montgomery:

"Finding an alternative source of funding for public education has always been at the top of my priority list, so I am very pleased to serve on this committee. I am looking forward to collaborating with my colleagues to find a solution to this issue. It is something I often hear about from the residents I serve who struggle to afford their property taxes."

PA State Rep. Tom Quigley - Quigley to Serve on House Select Committee to Study Property Taxes

In the last-minute flurry before adjourning for the summer, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives approved a resolution by State Rep. Tom Quigley to set up a committee to study property tax reform. It's not the same as approving HB 1776 to eliminate school property taxes, but at least the issue will be kept alive in Harrisburg.

PA State Rep. Tom Quigley - House Approves Quigley Plan to Study Property Tax Solution

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives has approved legislation sponsored by Rep. Tom Quigley (R-Montgomery) that would impose harsher penalties for retail theft on repeat offenders who have completed an Accelerated Rehabilitation Program (ARD).

House Bill 1603 was introduced at the request of the Limerick Police Department, which has been dealing with a dramatic rise in retail thefts since the Philadelphia Premium Outlets opened in the township. Many of the people arrested for shoplifting are repeat offenders.

How bad is the problem? Reporter Brandie Kessler will have the following story in Wednesday's edition of The Mercury:

LIMERICK — Three men arrested for retail theft from the Philadelphia Premium Outlets over the weekend have extensive criminal histories and between them have prior arrests for rape, robbery and murder, with one of them being a registered sex offender, according to police.

That's just the latest of dozens of articles published in The Mercury about thefts from Philadelphia Premium Outlets.

From a press release issued by Quigley:

"The ARD program cannot be used as a shield for repeat offenders," said Quigley. "It is a very worthy program that helps people who genuinely made a one-time mistake, but the Legislature must close the loophole that is allowing repeat wrongdoers to be charged with multiple first offenses."

Quigley's legislation is in reaction to the case of Commonwealth v. Graeff, in which the Pennsylvania Superior Court ruled that because the definition of second offense in the retail theft statute did not include participation in ARD, a subsequent offense must be considered another first offense.

House Bill 1603 would correct this multiple first offense loophole, allowing prosecutors to charge defendants who participated in ARD but continue to break Pennsylvania’s retail theft law with a second-degree misdemeanor.

"This is an important bill that closes a loophole in the law which allows second-time retail theft offenders to receive a more lenient sentence reserved for first-time offenders. I would like to thank Representative Quigley for the expeditious manner in which he addressed this issue after it was brought to his attention by Limerick Township police detectives," said Limerick Township Chief of Police William J. Albany.

"House Bill 1603 is consistent with the manner in which our laws handle multiple DUI offenders who have completed ARD," said Quigley. "Enacting this measure will send the message that Pennsylvania will not tolerate continued and unabashed retail theft. Its cost to our businesses and society is too high."

The legislation, which was approved by a vote of 178-20, will now go before the Senate for its consideration.

State Rep. Tom Quigley (R-Montgomery) will host a town hall meeting via telephone for residents of Pennsylvania's 146th House District at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 19.

From a Quigley press release:

"I am hosting this town hall-style conference call to give everyone I represent the opportunity to find out what is going on in Harrisburg and our community and also ask questions without having to leave their home. In light of the recently passed state budget, I am interested to hear what people have to say."

At approximately 7 p.m. on July 19, automated calls will be placed to residents of the 146th District inviting them to participate in the hour-long call.

At any point during the phone call, people will be given the chance to ask questions by pressing *3, and he will try to get to everyone's inquires during the allotted hour.

It's crunch time in Harrisburg as the Pennsylvania Legislature works to meet the June 30 deadline for completing the 2010-11 budget, but there's always down time in the Legislature as the rank-and-file members wait for direction from the leadership.

During a break, State Rep. Tom Quigley, R-146th Dist., mugs for the camera with Light Heavyweight World Champion Bernard Hopkins, who was visiting the state Capitol this week.

Hopkins, a Philadelphia native, was honored by the House and Senate for his boxing achievements and community activities. The 46-year-old boxing legend recently won the WBC Light Heavyweight World Championship, becoming the oldest fighter in boxing history to win a world title.

The Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee today unanimously approved legislation sponsored by Rep. Tom Quigley that would grade repeat violations of retail theft with greater severity for individuals who have completed an Accelerated Rehabilitation Program (ARD).

The Republican lawmaker said the legislation was prompted by repeated arrests for retail theft at the Philadelphia Premium Outlets in Limerick, which is part of Quigley's 146th Legislative District.

"The ARD program is valuable for individuals who made a one-time mistake, but completion of the program should still be considered as a first offense if an offender shows repeated contempt for the law," Quigley said in a press release. "Retail theft is not a victimless crime. Businesses lose billions of dollars annually to retail theft, and it’s the paying customers who absorb those costs."

Quigley said his legislation is in reaction to the case of Commonwealth v. Graeff, in which the Pennsylvania Superior Court ruled that because the definition of second offense in the retail theft statute did not include participation in ARD, a subsequent offense must be considered another first offense.

House Bill 1603 would correct this multiple first offense loophole, allowing prosecutors to charge defendants who participated in ARD but continue to break Pennsylvania’s retail theft law with a second-degree misdemeanor, Quigley said.

Quigley noted that this is consistent with how Pennsylvania treats DUI offenses, where second and subsequent offenses recognize completion of ARD as a first offense.

Limerick Township Police Chief William J. Albany supports Quigley's bill.

"This is an important bill that closes a loophole in the law which allows second-time retail theft offenders to receive a more lenient sentence reserved for first-time offenders," Albany said. "I would like to thank Rep. Quigley for the expeditious manner in which he addressed this issue after it was brought to his attention by Limerick Township police detectives."

The bill now goes before the full House for debate and consideration, according to Quigley.

Rep. Tom Quigley (R-Montgomery) released the following statement regarding his support of the $27.3 billion General Fund budget for 2011-12 passed today by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives:

"I am very pleased that we are on schedule to pass a punctual and balanced budget, which will meet the Commonwealth’s responsibilities and sensibly allocate our limited resources. Our economy is still in a state of recovery and we have no reserve funds, so it is important for us to budget with caution and restraint. This budget proposal is reflective of the revenue we have on hand now and what we can realistically expect to collect next year.

"One aspect of this budget I am particularly supportive of is its restoration of some of the funds cut from basic and higher education. We were able to achieve this by rooting out fraud and waste in our welfare system. I believe this approach is in line with the priorities of most Pennsylvanians and appropriately represents the concerns of our citizens. Schools, however, must continue to seek out cost reductions, and the state must constantly look to streamline programs and increase efficiencies.

"This vote does not signify the end of the budget process. The legislation will now go before the Senate for its revisions, and negotiations will be ongoing. The final budget bill could still look very different, but I am hopeful it will be a plan that sets Pennsylvania back on the path to prosperity."

The House Republican budget plan was approved 109-92, primarily along party lines. House Bill 1485 now moves to the Senate for consideration.

Tony Phyrillas, The Mercury's award-winning political columnist and blogger, will be the featured speaker at the Sixth Annual Healthy Lifestyles Expo Friday, April 15, at Montgomery County Community College, 101 College Drive, in Pottstown.

Phyrillas, pictured here with state Rep. Tom Quigley, R-Montgomery, will be taking part in a Q-and-A from 11 a.m.-11.:45 a.m., followed immediately by a free lunch. (Get there early for a seat; last year, 570 lunches were served.)

The Expo, co-sponsored by state Rep. Quigley, Montgomery County Community College, the TriCounty Community Network and The Mercury, runs from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Other Expo highlights include caricatures by Alan MacBain, musical performances by the Pottstown Middle School Woodwinds Ensemble and Pottstown High School Show Choir, as well as five cash drawings for $100 each.

Dozens of vendors will have services and equipment on display. All programs, health screenings, demonstrations and entertainment are free to the public.

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives Tuesday approved a bill sponsored by Rep. Tom Quigley (R-Montgomery) to limit the ability of welfare applicants to shop for higher benefit amounts in neighboring counties.

The legislation would require the Department of Public Welfare to base benefit amounts on an applicant's county of permanent legal residence, according to Quigley.

From a Quigley press release:

"For the past eight years our welfare system has been a leaky faucet, but House Republicans are getting out the wrench and turning off the tap," said Quigley. "Our taxpayers could never afford this lack of oversight into state funds, but especially during this budget crisis, it is imperative that we account for every single dollar the hard-working citizens of this Commonwealth send to state government."

Quigley's House Bill 1261 was introduced as part of the House Republican's WelFAIR package, which will restore fairness, accountability, integrity and responsibility to welfare programs. Other bills in the package include:

· House Bill 1297, which would institute drug testing for applicants convicted of a drug felony within the past five years.

· House Bill 1251, which would increase penalties for welfare fraud.

· House Bill 1254, which would prohibit the purchase of tobacco products with Access cards.

· House Bill 392, which would require photo identification on welfare benefit cards.

· House Bill 960, which would create an Income Eligibility Verification System.

· House Bill 1301, which would implement new guidelines and restrictions on the existing Medical Assistance Transportation Program.

· House Bill 1312, which would assist people in moving from welfare to work with job transition loans, rather than the current grant program.

"Public funds should be held to the highest scrutiny and strictest standards – that is what our taxpayers deserve," said Quigley. "We must ensure that the people using Access cards are those for whom benefits are intended, that the people receiving assistance meet all eligibility requirements and that taxpayer dollars are not being spent to purchase drugs or tobacco. I am proud to be a part of this effort, and I am hopeful these bills will make their way to the governor's desk soon."

House Bill 1261 will now go to the Senate for consideration. The House also approved House Bills 960 and 1251.

More information about Quigley and the WelFAIR package are available at RepQuigley.com

Rep. Tom Quigley (R-Montgomery) will host a town hall meeting via telephone for residents of the 146th District at 7 p.m. on Monday, March 14.

From a press release issued by Rep. Quigley:

"In light of the recent budget proposal from Gov. Tom Corbett, I am interested to hear what people have to say," Quigley said. "I am hosting this town hall-style conference call to give everyone I represent the opportunity to find out what is going on in Harrisburg and our community and also ask questions without having to leave their home."

At approximately 7 p.m. on March 14, automated calls will be placed to residents of the 146th District inviting them to participate in the hour-long call. Quigley stressed that at any point during the phone call, people will be given the chance to ask questions by pressing *3, and he will try to get to everyone's inquires during the allotted hour.

If it passes, a bill to protect children involved in television and film production in Pennsylvania could be renamed the "Jon and Kate Plus 8 Law."

Rep. Tom Quigley (R-Montgomery) joined Rep. Tom Murt (R-Montgomery/Philadelphia) Friday in unveiling House Bill 2515, which was prompted by the recent controversy involving tabloid queen Kate Gosselin, a Berks County resident.

Murt's legislation address deficiencies in Pennsylvania's child labor law as it relates to television and film productions in the Commonwealth.

"Pennsylvania is becoming home to a growing number of television and film productions," Murt said in a press release. "As more productions come to the Commonwealth, we have a responsibility to examine our laws to ensure they are sufficient to enable these productions to occur safely and that the interests of all involved are protected."

Murt noted that between 2002 and 2008, 922 productions took place all or in part in Pennsylvania. In 2002, 31 films that were released took place in Pennsylvania. By 2008, that number increased to 175. That represents an average annual growth rate of 33 percent over that period.

Quigley was on hand to add his support at the press event at Hatboro Borough Hall.

"I want to congratulate my colleague, Tom Murt, for taking the lead in addressing this important issue," Quigley said. "When one thinks of Child Labor Laws it conjures up images of children working in coal mines or textile factories and that was the case many years ago. Now we must revisit and adjust those laws to address a new industry; television and film productions in Pennsylvania."

Murt developed House Bill 2515, which would:

Require all minors to have a work permit issued by the state Department of Labor and Industry to ensure all adequate provisions have been made for the minor’s educational instruction, supervision, health and welfare.

Restrict minors to work between the hours of 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. and set guidelines for amount of hours for work, recreation, school work, and activities per work day.

Require the presence of a "set teacher" on the set of any production. This person will serve as an advocate for the minor to ensure the minor’s health, education, and moral safety on the set. In addition, this person will monitor the working conditions, the minor's mental health, and the demands placed on the minor to ensure they are appropriate to the minor's age, strength, and stamina.

Require that 15 percent of a minor's gross earnings be set aside by the employer in a trust for the minor. At least one parent or legal guardian shall be trustee of these funds unless otherwise determined by a court.

Murt said his bill has been introduced and he is hopeful it will receive consideration by the full House and Senate before the end of the legislative session.

State Rep. Tom Quigley (R-Montgomery) will lead a hearing of the House Republican Policy Committee in its examination of special education policies in Pennsylvania's public schools.

The hearing will begin at 10 a.m. on Thursday, April 29, at the Spring-Ford Area School District’s Ninth Grade Center, located at 400 Lewis Road in Royersford.

From a press release issued by Quigley:

"Special education is a vital service our public schools provide, and we have to be sure we are providing those services effectively," said Quigley. "During these difficult economic times, we must also continue to ensure that we are allocating every public dollar to its maximum potential."

The committee will hear testimony during this public hearing from:

· Dr. Marsha R. Hurda, superintendent of the Spring-Ford Area School District.

· Pam Bateson, director of special education and student services of the Pottstown School District.

· Linda Adams, business director of the Pottstown School District.

· Jerry Oleksiak, treasurer of the Pennsylvania State Education Association.

· Andrew E. Faust, Esq. of Sweet, Stevens, Williams and Katz LLP, representing the Pennsylvania School Boards Association.

For more information about the hearing, call Quigley's office at 610-326-9563 or visit PAGOPPolicy.com

Tony Phyrillas, The Mercury's award-winning political columnist and blogger, will be the featured speaker at the Fifth Annual Healthy Lifestyles Expo Friday, April 16, at Montgomery County Community College, 101 College Drive, Pottstown.

Phyrillas will be taking part in a Q-and-A from 11 a.m.-11.:45 a.m., followed immediately by a free lunch.

The Expo, co-sponsored by state Rep. Tom Quigley, Montgomery County Community College, the TriCounty Community Network and The Mercury, runs from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Other Expo highlights include caricatures by Alan MacBain, Pipper The Clown, musical performances by the Pottstown Middle School Woodwinds Ensemble and Pottstown High School Show Choir, as well as five $100 cash drawings.

All programs, health screenings, demonstrations and entertainment are free to the public. A special section in The Mercury will list all the events as well as the full calendar of events.

Rep. Tom Quigley (R-Montgomery) released the following statement in response to Gov. Ed Rendell's annual budget address to the Pennsylvania Legislature:

"There were two aspects of the governor's speech that I was in agreement with, including the call to get this budget passed on time and the need to plan for the financial difficulties Pennsylvania will face in years to come. We cannot view our state budgets as documents that address only a single fiscal year, but must craft them with an eye on the future economic health of Pennsylvania.

"I differ with the governor on how best to address the pending funding cliff we face when the federal stimulus money ceases. Pennsylvania can do a better job of controlling spending. The governor is calling for a spending increase of $1.2 billion, while the state is up against a projected $525 million shortfall for the fiscal year. I do not believe such a spending increase is sensible at this time. We have to budget based on the conditions at hand, which means facing the fact that our citizens cannot afford a tax increase and our state cannot afford to raise spending."

School officials and some of the people who might decide on the consolidation of school districts will meet Monday at the Montgomery County Community College West Campus in Pottstown.

The House Republican Policy Committee is conducting the hearing at the request of state Rep. Tom Quigley, R-146th Dist.

The hearing takes place at 10 a.m. and is open to the public.

"Many people are interested in the proposal to consolidate Pennsylvania's school districts, but I have also spoken to those who are alarmed by the plan," Quigley said in written statement.

"School property taxes are a huge burden on people, but I am not convinced that school consolidation is the answer to lowering taxes," Quigley said. "Whatever method we choose to address the issue of school taxes, we must ensure that the priority remains providing the best education to Pennsylvania’s students."

Although the public is allowed into the hearing, it will not be an opportunity for the public to address the committee.

Five speakers have been scheduled to participate: John Armato, director of community relations for Pottstown School District; Reed Lindley, assistant superintendent of the Pottstown School District; Marsha Hurda, superintendent of the Spring-Ford School District; James Testerman, president of the Pennsylvania State Education Association and Greg White, an education consultant.

Consolidating Pennsylvania's public school districts from 500 to 100 was first proposed by Gov. Ed Rendell during his annual budget address in February. His plan involves creating a commission that would have on year to formulate two consolidation strategies. If the legislature does not approve either plan, Rendell would allow the state board of education to choose the strategy.

The issue of school consolidation was studied in 2006 by the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee and the study found that districts of less than 3,000 students offer the most cost-effective scenarios for merger, Quigley said.

Based on enrollment figures and geography, the commission only identified 80 districts for possible consolidation.

"Certainly, if consolidation would lower school district operating costs without impacting the quality of education, it deserves examination," Quigley said. "I am looking forward to hearing the testimony of those who are closes to the issue."

No one is sure if it was an appearance by Tony Phyrillas or the offer of free lunch, but the Fourth Annual Healthy Lifestyles Expo sponsored by state Rep. Tom Quigley attracted about 800 people.

Quigley said the 2009 event easily topped last year's attendance of 600.

On second thought, it must have been me because there was free lunch offered last year, too.

I had the privilege of addressing a standing-room only crowd at Montgomery County Community College West Campus in Pottstown on April 17 as part of the Expo events.

With the exception of a couple of Obama campaign workers in the crowd who attempted to hijack the program, I enjoyed talking to the crowd about state and national politics.

It may sound like a telemarketing call at first, but don't hang up.

State Rep. Tom Quigley, R-146th, is planning a town hall meeting via telephone for residents of the 146th District at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 15.

"I am hosting this town hall-style conference call to give everyone I represent the opportunity to find out what is going on in Harrisburg and our community and also ask questions without having to leave their home," Quigley said in a release.

At about 7 p.m. Wednesday, automated calls will be placed to residents of the 146th District inviting them to participate in the hour-long call, Quigley said.

Individuals who do not receive the call but would like to participate can do so by calling toll-free to 1-877-229-8493 and providing the pass code 13914.

Quigley stressed that at any point during the phone call, people will be given the chance to ask questions by pressing *3, and he will try to get to everyone's inquires during the allotted hour.

And you don't have to listen for the entire hour. You can hang up at any point if you have something else to do.

For more about Quigley, visit his Web site, www.RepQuigley.com