For Immediate Release
Contact: Mai Shiozaki, 202-628-8669, ext. 116; cell 202-641-1906

On Equal Pay Day NOW Calls Attention to Persistent Gender Wage Gap

April 27, 2009

"The jury is in, the studies are done, and the conclusions are consistent: the gender pay gap is alive and well," said NOW President Kim Gandy. "The disparity between what women and men are paid stubbornly persists, even after controlling for years of education, work experience and type of occupation."

For full-time, year-round workers, women are paid on average only 78 percent of what men are paid, and the gap is significantly wider for women of color. These wage gaps remain despite the passage of the 1963 Equal Pay Act and a variety of legislation prohibiting employment discrimination.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
State Rep. Dante Santoni D-Berks
www.pahouse.com/Santoni

Santoni says Fajt is good choice for gaming board

HARRISBURG, April 22 – House Gaming Oversight Committee Chairman Dante Santoni, D-Berks, today said Gov. Ed Rendell made a good choice in selecting Greg Fajt to replace Mary D. Colins as chairman of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.

Colins confirmed today she would be stepping down from the board in a few weeks. Fajt, an attorney and certified public accountant, has been Rendell's chief of staff since 2007. Before that he served the Commonwealth as revenue secretary and representative for the 42nd Legislative District in Allegheny County.

"I served with Greg Fajt in the House and know him to be an independent-minded, honorable man who takes his job seriously and his commitment to the public sincerely," Santoni said.

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

Kessler mortgage reform bills advance to full House

HARRISBURG, April 22 – Two mortgage reform bills introduced by state Rep. David Kessler, D-Berks, were approved by the House Commerce Committee today and advanced to the full House of Representatives.

The bills are intended to protect consumers against situations such as the PFM mortgage scandal that severely affected Kessler's district.

"The PFM scandal has had a devastating impact on many Berks County homeowners. We have to do all we can to ensure that this never happens again," Kessler said.

Rohrer Appointed As House Finance Committee Chairman

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Rep. Sam Rohrer (R-Berks) has been named as the new Republican chairman for the House Finance Committee. Rohrer takes over the chairmanship from former Rep. Dave Argall, who recently vacated his House seat after his election to the Pennsylvania Senate.

“I am honored to become the new Republican House Finance Committee chairman,” Rohrer said. “In our current economic situation, I am fully aware of the heavy responsibility that this position entails. I pledge to work tirelessly in order to get Pennsylvania’s financial house in shape, and ensure that the interests of the taxpayers of this Commonwealth are fully represented in all fiscal and tax policy bills that come to my committee.”

The Finance Committee deals with revenue issues and determines where money is available for use for state appropriations.

04-15-2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT:  Susan Hooper, Budget 717-265-8067

BUDGET SECRETARY CERTIFIES $770 MILLION FOR SECOND YEAR OF STATEWIDE PROPERTY TAX RELIEF

HARRISBURG – Budget Secretary Mary Soderberg today certified that nearly $770 million in gaming revenue will be available for property tax relief in 2009, marking the second year of broad-based property tax relief for Pennsylvanians.

“As Governor Edward G. Rendell announced on Monday, we are able to provide the same level of property tax relief that homeowners received in 2008,” Soderberg said. “This is good news for Pennsylvanians who are struggling to pay monthly bills while coping with the effects of the national economic downturn. It is especially welcome news for older Pennsylvanians living on fixed incomes.”

Democrat Doug Pike Announces for Congress in Pennsylvania’s 6th District

Doug Pike, a former Editorial Board member for The Philadelphia Inquirer, announced today that he is running to represent Pennsylvania’s 6th Congressional District in the U.S. Congress.

“I am committed to listening to people and figuring out solutions that actually help,” said Pike. “I'm not a career politician. I won't play political games. I’m running for Congress to bring a renewed focus on the needs of everyday citizens; and to replace a partisan career politician who has failed the people time and again.”

3-25-09 Press Release
contact: Bill Mackey 570 386 2505
mackeyw@ptd.net
website: www.billmackey.us

Democrats choose Mackey for special election

Democrat Bill Mackey was selected Wednesday evening as the party's candidate in the 124th Legislative District special election. Mackey was selected by Democratic executive committee members over Steve Schickram in a secret ballot. A possible third candidate did not attend.

Mackey and Schickram spoke before the executive committee members, questions were then asked of both candidates by the members, before a secret ballot was held. Mackey, an executive committee member was entitled to vote, but chose to abstain.

After the selection process both candidates pledged to work together for a victory on May 19th.

PRESS RELEASE
John H. Schickram
99 Ryan Ave.
Tamaqua, PA 18252
Tel.: 570-668-0354

Statement by John Schickram on the 124th Special Conference

On Primary Day, May 19th, 2009, a special election will be taking place to fill the vacancy in the 124th State House District that resulted from the election of state Representative David Argall to the state senate. As the district encompasses more than one county, the Republican Party of Pennsylvania will preside over a conferee meeting to determine who will represent the Republican Party in this race. The meeting will take place in Schuylkill County on March 26th, 2009 at 6:00 p.m.

3-24-09 Press release
contact: Bill Mackey 570 386 2505 mackeyw@ptd.net
website: www.billmackey.us

Democrat Bill Mackey announces candidacy for 124th House seat

Early today Bill Mackey, West Penn Twp., announced his candidacy for State Representative in the 124th Legislative District. Mackey has submitted his name to the Schuylkill County Democratic Executive Committee for consideration as a candidate in the upcoming special election.

This will be Mackey's 3rd run for this seat. Mackey stated, I am not a quitter, my previous attempts to capture this seat were against a long time incumbent. This seat is now an open seat, and it is up for grabs. My name recognition is out there with the voters in the district.

PA GOP Details Process To Nominate A Candidate To Run In The Upcoming Special Election To Fill The Vacancy In The 124th State House District

Friday, March 20, 2009

Contact: Michael Barley
Press Release

HARRISBURG – The Republican Party of Pennsylvania (PA GOP) announced that a conferee meeting will be held on March 26th, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. in Schuylkill County to nominate a candidate to fill the Republican Party’s position on the ballot for the upcoming May 19th, 2009 special election. The special election was scheduled to fill the vacant seat in the 124th State House District caused by the election of Dave Argall to the Pennsylvania Senate.