Reflections on my first year as State Representative

I cannot believe that my first year in office is already done.  It has been exhilarating, invigorating, exhausting and always worthwhile.  This has, so far, been an absolutely incredible experience, and I can truly say that I wake up every day excited to fight for the people of the 132nd District.

Due to redistricting, my district will change.  I lose most of Center City Allentown.  In exchange, I get most of the East Side of the city, as well as the 1st, 2nd & 7th precincts of South Whitehall.  If you vote at Greenawalds, Woodlawn or Krazter Elementary, I'll be running to be your State Representative in 2014.

There are two things that I am very proud of during my first year.  First, is my ability to bring money home for education.  In the past three years, the Parkland School District has lost more than 100 teachers due to funding cuts; in Allentown, that number is 370.  Working with Senator Pat Browne, I obtained an additional $9.6 million in education funding, money that saved 25 teaching jobs and reduced a proposed tax hike by 1/3.  I’m also very proud of my work on transportation.  As a member of the transportation committee, I worked to ensure that Allentown and South Whitehall received their fair share of transportation funding.  I voted yes on the final bill, which will result in more than $200 million in transportation improvements to my district over the next five years, as well as thousands of new jobs.  It wasn't an easy vote, and it wasn't a popular one, but it was the right one.

Reflecting on my first year, I've learned an incredible amount, more than I ever would have thought possible.  Here are some of the highlights:

1) Most people in Harrisburg are genuinely good people, regardless of their party:  I'm friends with plenty of Republicans and work with them all the time.  I eat lunch with them, spend off-hours time with them and collaborate with them on shared priorities.  I learned quickly that the vast majority of the people in Harrisburg are real, honest to goodness human beings who want nothing more than to serve their constituents. 

2) The majority of the people in elected office right now don’t believe in government investment like I do:  Pennsylvania is spending less per pupil today than we did in 2008.  More than 20,000 school employees have been laid off as a result of funding cuts, and do in no small part to this, our unemployment rate has been higher than the national rate for the past two years.  Many have argued that government should be run like a business.  I agree completely.  But what business doesn't invest in its future?  How can we not invest in early education that prepares children for the future?  In Small Business Development Centers that create jobs?  In Medicaid expansion that will save lives?  We've made foolish investment choices, and we'll pay the future in years to come.

3) You are useless if you only talk to your own party:  Whether I like it or not, Republicans control the House, Senate and Governor's office.  In the Lehigh Valley, six of my colleagues are Republicans.  Collaboration and constructive conversations are required for effective government.  I learned that from Representative Mann, my predecessor and mentor.  I've been successful because I am willing to work with anyone, including members of the opposite party.  In an age of ideological demagoguery, being a pragmatist gets results. 

4) You can make friends but still stand up for what you believe in:  Compromise shouldn't be confused with capitulation.  I still believe in stronger investments in education.  In using government funding to create jobs and grow the economy.  In expanding Medicaid to save lives and strengthen an overburdened medical system.  In protecting women's rights and expanding gay rights.  In taxing Marcellus Shale.  In reasonable controls on the availability of deadly weapons.  You don't accept

If you like what I have to say, than I hope you will support me.  And I hope you'll make it to my campaign kick-off on February 17, 5:30pm at the West End Youth Center.  We'll have food as well.

The past year has been an incredible honor, but my work is far from done.  I'd like another two years to do the job.