UPDATE

On the Payroll Tax Holiday:  President Obama has called out House Republicans for  supporting a year long extension of the Payroll Tax Holiday rather than the two month extension passed by the Senate.

Meanwhile, Eric Cantor (R-VA) has urged the Senate to return to DC and pass an acceptable bill.  A showdown seems almost certain. 

We urge you to call the number below and tell your Senators to stop kicking the ball down the road and pass the House version of the bill. 

(BTW, we know Frank Lautenberg (not Jon Corzine), is one of two 

Senators from New Jersey.  We were just checking to see if you were carefully reading our email.  Actually, it was a forced error as our attention has been so divided as we prepare for the 3rd Annual

December 27 Commemorative Christmas Tea Party.)

On Corbett Advancing ObamaCare:  One of our members reported that

a Corbett Administration official told her in a phone conversation that the Governor decided to implement the Health Insurance Exchange for PA to keep the Federal government from doing so. 

Considering that the Governors of Louisiana and Florida are refusing to

set up exchanges in their respective states (at least) until the US Supreme Court hands down a ruling on ObamaCare in July, 2012, we find the Corbett Administration's answer to be disingenuous at best. 

If ObamaCare is upheld, the states have until January, 2013 to comply with Federal law.

A more likely scenario:  The Governor is interested in the Federal kitty

given to states that implement the exchanges.  Also, big insurance and their lobbyists might be seeking an advantage. 

Please call the Governor at the numbers below and kindly ask him to refrain from doing Obama's dirty work.  There's still time to figure a way out of this mess.

December 21, 2011

Dear Members and Friends,

Thank you for your recent calls to the US Senate.  The Senators

seemed to have heard what they wanted to hear.

As many of you may know, the Senate decided to extend the Payroll Tax Holiday (HR 3630) for two months.  Two months?  What kind of policy is that?  

The House (especially freshmen members) is standing firm on its original bill and will not compromise.

Calls to US Senators in support of the House passed extension of the Payroll Tax Holiday (HR 3630) are still needed.

The House bill not only extends the social security payroll tax deduction, but would also require an expedited decision on the Keystone XL oil sands pipeline project which would add 20,000 jobs to the economy.

President Obama, who originally threatened to veto the bill, is sending mixed signals. 

The Democratic controlled Senate would cover the cost of the payroll tax holiday by raising taxes on "millionaires."  The plan, passed by the Republican controlled House, would be paid for by cutting discretionary spending (including a one year federal employee pay increase freeze).

Our position:  Tax increases on any Americans, at this time, would further hurt a depressed economy.

Please call 202.224.3121 or 202.225.3121 as soon as possible and

ask to be connected to your US Senators and/or Harry Reid.  Tell them to support the House passed extension of the Payroll Tax Holiday (HR 3630).

Delaware:  Carper (D),  Coons (D)

New Jersey:  Menendez (D), Lautenberg (D)

Pennsylvania:  Casey (D), Toomey (R)

(Casey, Menendez, and Carper are up for re-election in 2012.)

Also, use the same number to be connected to area Republican House members.  Thank them for supporting the extension of the Payroll Tax Holiday (HR 330) and ask them to stay firm!

New Jersey:  Lobiondo, Runyan, Smith  

Pennsylvania:  Barletta, Dent, Fitzpatrick, Gerlach, Meehan, Pitts

In a policy turnabout, it appears Governor Corbett's Administration is moving ahead with plans to jump start ObamaCare by establishing Health Insurance Exchanges.

It will be very disappointing if this is indeed the case, since, as Attorney General, Tom Corbett entered Pennsylvania in a Federal suit, along with 29 other states, against ObamaCare.

Here's why we're opposed to Implementing Health Care exchanges:  By doing so, the Corbett Administration could be undermining the credibility of the Federal suit brought by the states against ObamaCare and, at the same time, jeopardizing legislation pending in the PA Assembly to allow the Commonwealth to opt out of ObamaCare.  (Why isn't the Corbett Administration pushing Matt Baker's bill?).

Once such an exchange is created, it will be difficult to deconstruct. 

Please call or fax Governor Corbett and Health Secretary Eli Avila.  Politely ask them not to set up Health Care Exchanges pending a US Supreme Court ruling in July, 2012.  Also, ask the Governor to

back Matt Baker's bill allowing PA to opt out of ObamaCare. 

Governor Tom Corbett: 717.787.2500, 717.772.8284 (fax)

Dr. Eli Avila:  717.787.6436. 

On behalf of the Association Board of Directors,

Teri Adams, President