For Immediate Release
May 23, 2007
Contact:  Lisa Landis
Legislative Assistant
717-787-6709
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A Conversation with Senator Brubaker

Senate approves higher penalties for Sunshine Law violations

Pennsylvania's Open Meeting Law, better known as the Sunshine Law, has helped to make government more open and accessible by requiring all business meetings of government bodies to be open. Unfortunately, we have seen recently that violations of the Sunshine Law across the state are occurring much too frequently.

Under current law, the penalty for breaking the Sunshine Law was a fine of up to $100. To create a stronger deterrent to those individuals who consider such a violation, the Senate recently approved an increase in the fine to up to $1,000 for a first offense, and up to $2,000 for a subsequent offense. In addition, the legislation specifies that taxpayer dollars cannot be used to pay these fines.

I was very proud to be a cosponsor to Senator Armstrong's legislation, a measure that was recommended to us by the grand jury investigation into actions by the Lancaster County Commissioners. Raising the penalties shows that we are strongly committed to open government and that we believe violating this law should have serious consequences. I hope that our colleagues in the House will move quickly to give Senate Bill 467 the same due consideration.

Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Vouchers available

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is once again making its Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Voucher program available to the Commonwealth's senior citizens.

Eligible seniors who are age 60 or older can receive $20 in vouchers which can be used to purchase healthy and delicious produce from their local farmers' markets. The income limits for eligibility are $18,889 for individuals and $25,327 for married couples. Vouchers will be available on a first come, first serve basis beginning June 18 at local senior centers, including the following in Lancaster County:

• Cocalico Area Senior Center, 156 W. Main Street, Reinholds, 336-7489
• Columbia Senior Center, Columbia United Methodist Church, 510 Walnut Street, Columbia, 684-4850
• Elizabethtown Area Senior Center, 70 S. Poplar Street, Elizabethtown, 367-7984
• Lancaster Neighborhood Senior Center, 601 S. Queen Street, Lancaster, 299-3943
• LRC Senior Center, 525 Fairview Avenue, Lancaster, 399-7671
• Lititz Senior Center, Lititz United Methodist Church, 201 E. Market Street, Lititz, 626-2800
• Luis Munoz Marin Senior Center, 545 Pershing Avenue, Lancaster, 295-7989
• Millersville Senior Center, St. Paul Lutheran Church, 222 N. George Street, Millersville, 871-9600
• Solanco Area Senior Center, Quarryville Community Park, 184 S. Lime Street, Quarryville, 786-4770

"3 B's" raise money for Friendship Community

On Saturday, May 12, Representatives Scott Boyd and John Bear and I came together as the "3 B's" to serve as guest auctioneers at the Friendship Community Fest & Auction.

Friendship Community is a non-profit organization in Lititz that supports individuals with developmental disabilities. Its programs serve Lancaster and Lebanon Counties.

In a friendly contest, the three of us were each assigned to sell three items apiece to see who could bring in the highest bid. While Representative Boyd brought in the highest total at $1,185, I finished a strong second with a $1,035 total for my three items. The real winner of the day, though, was Friendship Community, which raised more than $75,000 through the event for its ministries.

I enjoyed the chance to take part in this activity and meet some of the members of Friendship Community, and look forward to supporting our other community organizations and businesses as your state Senator.