Issue Position: Reform

Issue Position

There are certain key events that have proven to be defining moments in the history of our Commonwealth. On July 7, 2005 at 2 in the morning, our Pennsylvania legislators passed an illegal pay raise for themselves. Within a few hours this event had became one of those moments.

Ironically, a similar event had occurred in 1995 when legislators, many of them the same people as 2005, had also voted for a double digit pay raise for themselves. Although voters were initially angered by the 1995 pay raise a year later when election time rolled around, only 2 incumbents of over 200 up for re-election were defeated. Oh, how times have changed.

When the 2006 election took place the voters not only remembered but showed they hadn't forgotten by creating what is known as a "legislative earthquake". On January 3, 2007 I, along with 49 other newly elected legislators, were sworn into office.

Our legislature has been going through a period of massive and historic change for the last 3 years. In 2005 when I announced my intention to run for this seat I also unveiled my "6-POINT INTEGRITY PLEDGE" (CLICK TO READ PLEDGE). That pledge was based on the examples that reform pioneers such as Rep. Katie True and Rep. Dave Hickernell had set.

The public was ready for more open and honest government. Since taking office I have fulfilled and continue to honor the promises outlined in the "Integrity Pledge". I have successfully worked for open records reform helping to make government more transparent. And I continue to support legislation that would call for campaign finance reform and more overall accountability. In order to more effectively represent you, we as legislators need to continue the fight to fix the system.