Thank you to all of my supporters for your help in my previous campaign. We ran on a promise to bring change to Harrisburg and we are doing just that.
I was the first legislator to testify in front of the Speaker's Reform Commission, voted in support of some very important reform measures, including the new Open Records law, and have aggressively pushed for more accountability and openness within our state government. I have also tried to lead by example. As I pledged to do during my first campaign, I have turned down the "per diem" payments offered to all legislators for the days spent in Harrisburg, saving taxpayers nearly $20,000 to date. I have also given up the annual Cost of Living Adjustment that legislators receive to start a college scholarship fund for graduating high school students from our area.
As I committed to in my campaign, I turned down these legislative perks because, in my view, serving in the state legislature is an opportunity to stand up for our community, not a chance for self-serving advancement.
That is why I continue to fight to bring back funds for our emergency service providers, municipalities and community organizations in our district. I am on track to bring back $250,000 to support critical services, not including the hundreds of thousands of dollars in Gaming revenues I fought to have released for the emergency service providers in Bucks County.
I am proud to report that the first legislative proposal I introduced provided for tax credits for volunteer firefighters. In a state-wide survey of volunteer firefighters released in 2008, this type of tax credit proposal was the top item of volunteer firefighters across the state. I continue my fight to support those that risk their lives to keep our communities safe and welcome your energy in this fight.
I have hosted a number of public hearings to discuss property tax reform and continue to push for legislation that will provide tax relief for all homeowners, while ensuring the middle class and small businesses of our community do not get stuck footing the bill.
I invite you to explore this website to learn about the issues I have been fighting for and the vision I have for our community. I ask that you hit the Contact Me button and join me in the fight to reform Harrisburg.