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“I have derived a significant return on
investment from my involvement in the
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where the outcome of one’s legal advice
is so public and the law is so fluid, the
Solicitors Association works hard to
keep its members current as the law
develops. With support and information
from the association, I have a greater
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based upon the best and most current
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Partner, Labor and Employment Group,
Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, LLC
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Pennsylvania State Association
of Township Supervisors
4855 Woodland Drive
Enola, PA 17025
Phone: (717) 763-0930
Fax: (717) 763-9732
Website: www.psats.org
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As a TOWNSHIP
SOLICITOR,
wouldn’t you
like to...
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legal issues better?
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to potential municipal
clients?
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Association of
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bi-monthly newsletter of the Township
Solicitors Association
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PSATS’ award-winning monthly magazine
 Online access to the Members Only content on
the PSATS website
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 A $100 discount on advertising in the Pa.
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NewsBulletin
PSATS
From newsletter and magazine subscriptions to
training and networking opportunities, membership is your ticket to
The p
information that can help you do
Townshi
your job better.
A MON TH LY
N E WS LE TTE R
CON TAIN IN G TH E
LATE S T
IN F OR MATION
ON LE G IS LATION
AN D N E WS OF
IN TE R E S T TO
TOWN S H IP S
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H / APRIL
67 A.3d
EWS
IAL N
LETTE
No. 2
• Vol. 47,
April 2015
March /
Trial
Penn
Shield of
n of
l Regulatio
OLICITOR
— MARC
Wolf Unveils Severance Tax Proposal
MAKING THE GRA
DE
Tips and Techniqu
es for Successful
Employee Evaluati
ons
EMPLOYMENT
LAW
Fo
Free Member Webinars on Wolf’s Proposed
Budget, 457 Plan Benefitsllow These
SEVEN ST
EPS
to Stay OUT
OF
HOT WATER
The following free webinars will be offered as a benefit to PSATS members in the
coming weeks:
 Analyzing the Numbers: What Gov. Wolf’s 2015-2016 State Budget Means to
Your Community — This members-only session will be hosted by the
Association’s legislative staff, who will help local officials understand the proposal,
which will be unveiled March 3, and its impact on local governments. The webinar
is scheduled from noon to 1:30 p.m. March 10.
 An Introduction to The Trustees’ 457 Plan — The PSATS Trustees Insurance
Fund is offering an introductory webinar on its 457 Plan to show how this “nocost” retirement option can be a valuable benefit for township employees.
Scheduled from 10 to 11 a.m. March 12, the webinar will feature Doug Johnson
of Summit Financial Corporation.
The 457 Plan allows pre-tax contributions that are taxable at distribution, Roth
contributions taxable now with tax-free distributions at retirement, or a
_____________________________________________
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DECEMBER 2014
Phone: (______)________________________________
Fax: (______)__________________________________
E-mail: _______________________________________
New Member Information:
� Yes, I would like to become a member of the Pennsylvania
State Association of Township Solicitors at an annual cost of
$250.
� Please send me a membership plaque at an additional cost
of $37, which includes tax and annual date strip updates.
FEBRUARY 2015
In February, Gov. Tom Wolf unveiled the outline of his proposed natural gas
severance tax. The proposal would enact a 5-percent severance tax plus 4.7 cents per
thousand feet of volume on natural gas extraction. He expects the levy to generate
$1 billion by 2017 and would use the revenues to fund public education. Wolf’s plan is
modeled on West Virginia’s severance tax. The proposal states that it would continue
payments made to impacted communities and exempt gas given away for free, gas from
low producing wells, and wells brought back into production after not having produced
marketable quantities of gas. It will also continue to prohibit any portion of the tax from
being deducted from royalty payments.
PSATS Executive Director David Sanko responded to the proposal. “PSATS is very
concerned about the potential loss of local impact fee revenues, which are invaluable to
our townships and their taxpayers. The natural gas industry has helped and should
continue to help communities that have been affected by drilling and the costs associated
with this economic development opportunity.
“That said, Gov. Wolf’s proposal represents a first step in the dialogue, and PSATS is
committed to ensuring that any plan presented doesn’t change the distribution model for
municipalities that are currently receiving impact fee revenues. We commend Gov. Wolf’s
commitment to this position as evidenced in his policy statement to the legislature, where
he said: ‘My proposal would continue the payments made to communities impacted by
drilling that are currently funded by the impact fee.’
“We look forward to working with the legislature and the governor to preserve this
valuable community resource that helps to keep local property taxes down.”
PSATS will provide more details about the proposal as they become available.
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FFIC
THE O
New Member Information:
 Lower member rate to attend all PSATS training
courses, including semi-annual seminars addressing current issues and topics of special interest to
township solicitors (courses eligible for CLE’s)
Your role as a township solicitor covers a lot of
ground and requires up-to-date information on the
latest court cases, laws, and regulations affecting your
municipal clients.
To join the Pennsylvania State Association of Township
Solicitors, go to solicitors.psats.org or complete this form
(front and back) and send to:
PSATS • 4855 Woodland Drive • Enola, PA 17025
Phone: (717) 763-0930 • Fax: (717) 763-9732
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newsletter that will keep you up to date
on legislation and other breaking news
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