Democracy For Berks -

Since when are our working families “extremists?”

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 16:00:10 -0700

For Immediate Release
August 18, 2008
CONTACT: Liz Conroy
(610) 251-0550
liz.conroy@bobroggioforcongress.com

Since when are our working families “extremists?”

Jim Gerlach needs a reality check

MALVERN, PA – In explaining Jim Gerlach’s refusal of an invitation to attend several Working Families Win candidate forums, his campaign released a statement condemning Working Families as “‘a campaign group masquerading as an interest group’ — one that promotes ‘extremist views.’” Pottstown Mercury Article

Keystone Progress to Challenge Conservative Propaganda in Pennsylvania

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 17:01:46 -0700

For Immediate Release
Contact: Michael Morrill
Phone: 610-568-0937-cell
Email: info@keystoneprogress.org

Keystone Progress to Challenge Conservative Propaganda in Pennsylvania

Initial Campaigns Include the Stopping the Privatization of the PA Turnpike, Exposing the Bush War Tax, fighting for Universal Healthcare and Making the Case for Paper Ballots

Harrisburg, PA - Meet Keystone Progress, a new, multi-issue, progressive advocacy organization that combines cutting edge online organizing and communications with rapid and hard-hitting on-the-ground strategies. Year round, Keystone Progress will work to engage citizens from across the state around issues of immediate state or local concern.

Folmer Introduces Voters' Choice Act

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 15:13:47 -0700

For Immediate Release
July 24, 2008
Contact: Joe Sterns
717-787-5708
(Cell) 717-497-0806

Folmer Introduces Voters' Choice Act

Legislation removes unfair election barriers to non-major party candidates

HARRISBURG – Senator Mike Folmer (R-Lebanon) today introduced the Voters' Choice Act (VCA), which removes the Commonwealth's unfair hurdles that obstruct ballot access for independent and minor party candidates for public office.

"No state makes it tougher to get on the ballot than Pennsylvania, as independent and minor party candidates face significantly more difficult barriers than Republicans and Democrats," Folmer said. "My bill would enhance our democratic process by leveling the playing field."

Pa Treasurer Unveils State Government Contracts Online Database

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 13:23:00 -0700

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 22, 2008
CONTACT: Carrie Fischer Lepore
(717) 787-2991
news@patreasury.org
Pennsylvania Contracts e-Library

PA TREASURER UNVEILS STATE GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS ONLINE DATABASE

Created in accordance with new Right-to-Know law, provides increased government transparency

HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania Treasurer Robin L. Wiessmann today publicly unveiled a searchable database that allows the public greater access to state government contract information through the Pennsylvania Treasury Department’s Web site, patreasury.org.

Kessler bills to save taxpayers money signed into law

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 12:00:00 -0700

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
State Rep. David Kessler D-Berks
www.pahouse.com/Kessler

Kessler bills to save taxpayers money signed into law

HARRISBURG, July 16 – Two bills that state Rep. David Kessler introduced to save taxpayers money have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate and have been signed into law.

"A 2006 decision by the state Supreme Court threatened to impose an unlimited drain on taxpayers," Kessler said. "The court effectively ended the time limit for challenging local zoning ordinances, so townships and boroughs and their residents face the threat of legal expenses, typically well in excess of $25,000, to defend their zoning laws -- even when the municipalities have followed the letter of the law and the challenges are frivolous. That money would be coming out of people’s property taxes.

“Wine And Chocolates With Conscience” Fundraiser July 31st

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 13:58:35 -0700

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Slater for Congress
Greg Paulson, Campaign Manager
P.O. Box 3211
West Chester, PA 19381-3211
greg@slaterforcongress.com
(717) 419-4209 | (717) 207-9330

“WINE AND CHOCOLATES WITH CONSCIENCE” FUNDRAISER JULY 31ST

Benefits Democratic Congressional Candidate Bruce Slater

RONKS, PA-The Wenger Gallery, 2811 Lincoln Highway East, Ronks, is will host an evening of conversation featuring good wines and delectable chocolates for the benefit of the Democratic candidate for the 16th Congressional District, Bruce Slater on Thursday, July 31st, from 6:30 to 9:00 pm.

Lancaster Co. Dems' Annual Corn Roast July 26

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 13:54:02 -0700

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Jane Shull, Media Relations Coordinator, Lancaster County Democratic Committee
717-299-3334 (H) | 717-940-6131(cell) | jane_shull@yahoo.com | www.lancasterdems.com

LANCASTER CO. DEMS' ANNUAL CORN ROAST JULY 26

LANCASTER, PA-Food, music, and politics make an unbeatable combination at the Annual Corn Roast, which traditionally marks the beginning of the Lancaster County Democratic Committee's fall campaign season. This year's picnic will be held on Saturday, July 26, at Longs Park, Pavilion #2, starting at 4 pm. Democrats and their guests are asked to bring a salad or side dish.

Seip responds to veto of bans on 'spot appeals' of assessments

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 12:04:09 -0700

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
State Rep. Tim Seip D-Schuylkill/Berks
www.pahouse.com/Seip

Seip responds to veto of bans on 'spot appeals' of assessments

HARRISBURG, July 15 – State Rep. Tim Seip today responded to the governor's veto of legislation that would ban "spot" appeals of assessments (H.B. 1438 and S.B. 1247). Seip is the prime sponsor of H.B. 1438 and introduced a House version of S.B. 1247. The full text of the letter Seip sent to the governor today is below.

July 15, 2008

Governor Edward G. Rendell

State Rep. Josh Shapiro To Visit Lancaster Co. Dems, July 16

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 07:21:45 -0700

Jane Shull, Media Relations Specialist
Lancaster County Democratic Committee
717-299-3334 (H) | 717-940-6131(cell)
jane_shull@yahoo.com | www.lancasterdems.com

STATE REP. JOSH SHAPIRO TO VISIT LANCASTER CO. DEMS, JULY 16

LANCASTER , PA —On Wednesday, July 16, Pennsylvania State Representative Josh Shapiro, a Democrat representing the 153rd Legislative District in Montgomery County and Deputy Speaker of the House, will visit Democratic Campaign Headquarters at 151 N. Queen Street . He is expected to arrive about 11:00 am, following State Attorney General candidate John Morganelli’s remarks.

Attorney General Candidate Morganelli To Visit Lancaster County Campaign Headquarters July 16

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 07:17:55 -0700

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Jane Shull, Media Relations Coordinator, Lancaster County Democratic Committee
717-299-3334 (H) | 717-940-6131(cell) | jane_shull@yahoo.com | www.lancasterdems.com

ATTORNEY GENERAL CANDIDATE MORGANELLI TO VISIT LANCASTER COUNTY CAMPAIGN HEADQUARTERS JULY 16

Voters invited for Coffee with the Candidates

LANCASTER, PA—Endorsed Democratic candidate for Pennsylvania Attorney General, John Morganelli, is heading to Lancaster next Wednesday, July 16, for coffee and conversation with local candidates and voters. He will stop in at the Democratic Campaign Headquarters at 151 N. Queen Street (ground level, below the Brunswick Hotel) from 10:15 - 10:45 am.

Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals Endorse Roggio for Congress

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 10:26:48 -0700

For Immediate Release
July 14, 2008
CONTACT: Liz Conroy (610) 251-0550
liz.conroy@bobroggioforcongress.com

Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals Endorse Roggio for Congress

MALVERN, PA – Bob Roggio (D) today received the endorsement of the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals (PASNAP), the fastest growing union for nurses and health professionals in Pennsylvania.

“We are thrilled to endorse Bob Roggio’s candidacy for Congress in the 6th District,” said Patricia Eakin, RN, and President of PASNAP. “We believe Bob is an outstanding candidate and appreciate his support for healthcare reform and for legislative priorities, including safe staffing for nurses and banning mandatory overtime for healthcare professionals. We believe our healthcare system is in ‘critical condition’ and know that Bob Roggio will be a champion to improve it for the sake of our patients and our profession.”

Congressional Candidate Slater Says “Talk To Iran”

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 07:10:12 -0700

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Slater for Congress
Greg Paulson, Campaign Manager
P.O. Box 3211
West Chester, PA 19381-3211
greg@slaterforcongress.com
(717) 419-4209 | (717) 207-9330

CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE SLATER SAYS “TALK TO IRAN”

“Rigid and arbitrary pre-conditions counter-productive”

READING, PA-Speaking to an audience Sunday of Berks County Democratic committee people and other local Democrats, including several veterans of World War II and Vietnam, Bruce Slater, the Democratic Congressional candidate for Pennsylvania's 16th District, brought up the “elephant in the room”-Iran. The occasion was the annual picnic hosted by the Berks County Democratic Committee at the 18th Ward Democratic Club.

DeWeese reacts to grand jury findings

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 01:42:03 -0700

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Majority Leader Bill DeWeese
D-Greene/Fayette/Washington
www.pahouse.com/deweese

DeWeese reacts to grand jury findings; Discusses reforms made to improve caucus

HARRISBURG, July 10 – House Majority Leader Bill DeWeese issued the following statement regarding charges announced today by Attorney General Tom Corbett:

"Today’s announcement is an indictment of a culture that has existed in all four caucuses of the General Assembly for far too long, and which I committed to changing upon my re-election in 2006. I share the outrage felt today by taxpayers across the state; however, I can assure Pennsylvanians that the reforms we implemented this session will safeguard against future abuse of tax dollars.

Senate Passes Unconstitutional Spying Bill And Grants Sweeping Immunity To Phone Companies

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 16:58:02 -0700

ACLU Announces Legal Challenge To Follow President’s Signature
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: (202) 675-2312, media@dcaclu.org or
(212) 549-2666; media@aclu.org

WASHINGTON – Today, in a blatant assault upon civil liberties and the right to privacy, the Senate passed an unconstitutional domestic spying bill that violates the Fourth Amendment and eliminates any meaningful role for judicial oversight of government surveillance. The FISA Amendments Act of 2008 was approved by a vote of 69 to 28 and is expected to be signed into law by President Bush shortly. This bill essentially legalizes the president’s unlawful warrantless wiretapping program revealed in December 2005 by the New York Times.

Pennsylvania Avoids Tax Increase In Final Budget Accord

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 07:49:25 -0700

Harrisburg, June 30, 2008 -- A no-tax-increase state General Fund budget was hammered out by negotiators early today, averting state employee furloughs and avoiding any interruption of state services, said Senate Democratic Whip Michael A. O'Pake (D-Berks).

While noting that the final accord was made more difficult this year because of the nation's economic downturn and a resulting dip in state revenues, "the good news for Pennsylvanians is that we've balanced the budget without reaching into the pockets of Pennsylvania's taxpayers for more tax dollars," O'Pake said.

The final agreement, which trimmed spending $545 million below what the Governor originally proposed, still provided for a significant additional investment in education, the Senator noted.