Issues

• Education Must Be a Top Priority in Pennsylvania

  With the passage and signing of the 2010-2011 Pennsylvania budget, with its $250 million increase in education funding over last year's budget, Pennsylvania is moving in the right direction in support of public education.  The budget grants over $33 million to the Norristown, Methacton, Perkiomen Valley and Spring Ford districts, an increase of $1.86 million, or 6% overall.  But this increase does not cancel out state cuts to education of prior years, and local school districts still have less state (and federal) money to work with than in the past.  Many districts have had to cut important programs because of cuts in state and federal revenue. We need to make public education in Pennsylvania one of our top priorities again.  Pennsylvania students score slightly below the national average on standardized tests such as the SATs.  We can and must to do better.  No matter that the economic times are tough:  our children are our future, and their education is an investment in that future.  We need to work together across party lines to ensure that every child in this district and this state has access to quality education.  As your state representative, I will work hard to make that happen.

• Commitment to Business Revitalization

  Our campaign is committed to the revitalization of the business community through local development and job creation. While our state government has gotten off to a strong start with legislation aimed at economic growth, there is still work ahead of us. I pledge to focus on building business incentives for our local communities and communities throughout Pennsylvania.
  
  The key to economic growth is innovation. Right now, we are on the brink of major changes in regional businesses. Jobs in the “green”, biotechnology and telecommunications fields are growing rapidly and we need to invest in these forward-thinking ventures to ensure that Montgomery County is on the cutting-edge of the latest business models.
  
  Montgomery County also needs programs that provide lending to promising entrepreneurs hoping to start or grow their businesses. The Commonwealth Financing Authority awards grants to assist Pennsylvania’s businesses with site preparation and infrastructure improvements. As Representative, I will lead Montgomery County in the process to compete for these and other state-level grants for local development.
  
  I have experience as a Collegeville Borough Council chair of the Business Liaison Committee and as board member of the Collegeville Economic Development Corporation.  I have fought for years to keep businesses in our area and to encourage corporate responsibility and civic engagement. Working together, we can give our communities a brighter, greener, and more prosperous future.

• Create Local Jobs and Provide Support to Businesses

  Along with working to revitalize the economy,  I will work aggressively through public-private partnerships to drive economic development in the 150th legislative district in order to create well-paying jobs and a vibrant business community.

• Hold the line on Property and Income Taxes, and work toward reducing them

  With this severe economic downturn, the state is dealing with a budget shortfall.  I have a history of voting against raising taxes, and instead, will look for ways to cut costs in Harrisburg.  I will work to ensure that Harrisburg pays its fair share of school funding, reducing the burden on local homeowners and act as a fiscal watchdog in Harrisburg, including assuring that any windfall from the Marcellus Shale extraction provides benefits back to taxpayers and our schools, rather than to pad the state government’s coffers.

• Work Proactively Day-to-Day in a Non-Partisan Way to Improve the Health and Quality-of-Life of Each Local Resident

  I have demonstrated my collaborative style and unflagging commitment to get results through my work in the Collegeville Community.  I will be just as hard-working and proactive in the State Legislature on your behalf. I am committed to:

  • Supporting Governor Rendell’s “Prescription for Pennsylvania” to improve health care in the state;
  • Being a watchdog for enforcement of a clean environment and protecting and preserving green spaces; 
  • Reducing traffic congestion by working with Penn Dot to effect local road improvements; and
  • Working with the State and Federal Government on improving public transportation options

• Restore Trust in State Government

  Polls show the public is sick of the such nest-feathering attempts as the windfall raises the General Assembly voted for itself four years ago and the recent bickering that stalled the state budget for months, putting services and jobs in jeopardy.  A poll last fall showed only 33% of residents believe Pennsylvania’s government is moving in the right direction.
  
  You can be assured that I will work to end the partisanship and gridlock in Harrisburg to improve the lives of all Pennsylvania residents!