Briggs Sponsors Earth Hour Resolution

Newly elected State Rep. Tim Briggs(D-149) sponsored House Resolution 154 honoring Earth Hour. This climate change advocacy campaign, initiated by the World Wildlife Fund, encouraged individuals and governments to turn out or dim their lights for one hour (8:30 to 9:30) on the evening of Saturday, March 28th. The dome lights on the Pennsylvania state capitol were turned off for that hour ("Capitol dome lights to go dark for Earth Hour," Times Leader Local News 3/27.

Over 4,000 cities and towns in 88 countries participated in the event, according to Earth Hour.

Tim Briggs in Main Line Life

Main Line Life ran a nice article ("Briggs thinks he's ready after working behind the scenes," by Cheryl Allison) on Tim Briggs, Democratic candidate for the open 149th state house seat. The site does not have permalinks (or at least as far as I can tell) but the article is reproduced on Briggs's campaign website. Here is an excerpt:

"When people talk about education in Lower Merion," for example, "it's more about the services, the special education needs, redistricting," he said. However, he said he backs Gov. Ed Rendell's program to infuse more state funding, and said that finding a way to get all districts to minimum funding levels "is a mission for the commonwealth."

The "rising cost of health care, gas prices, infrastructure improvements, political reform" all are concerns he is hearing from voters. And, as the country seemed mired in an economic crisis in recent weeks, that, certainly, has been their first topic, Briggs said.

"The last couple of weeks have really shown me why I want to go to Harrisburg and fight for working families and the future," he said. By "rescuing" banks and other financial institutions, "We're saddling generations to come with a huge burden. We need to deal with the situation, but not leave out Main Street." The way to do that, he said, is "to build jobs, invest in our infrastructure, build a green economy, and not just turtle up and wait till the next crisis."

Tim Briggs Campaign Kick-Off

Tim Briggs, Democratic candidate for the 149th state house district, formally kicked off his campaign today. Formally is the correct word to use politically but it is not an accurate description of the event itself. It was billed as “family friendly.” You must understand that normally at political events this means if your children can sit quietly and not fidget throughout the entire thing then you can bring them. My children, as one store clerk politely referred to them, are “spirited” and therefore left at home. But Briggs was serious; my kids could actually have attended this and not seem out of place. There were, as advertised, face painters. And good ones. I counted at least ten different designs, more than twice the number you usually see, and they were well done. Most children had at least one cheek decorated. There were also crafts for the kids to do. Children moved through the crowd with ease. Balloons and plastic airplanes were shared, horded, tossed, and otherwise dealt with.

There were, of course, other politicos in attendance. Montgomery County Commissioner Joe Hoeffel, State Senator Connie Williams, Dan Wofford, Frank Custer (candidate for the 61st state house district), Ed Cheri (who ran for county sheriff in 2007), and Councilwoman JoAnn Gadzicki of Bridgeport. Hoeffel introduced Williams who then reintroduced Hoeffel who introduced Briggs. My view was partially blocked but at one point when Hoeffel was talking I think a small child was trying to dive bomb his shoe with a plastic airplane. Joe didn’t miss a beat.

Briggs is a good but not overly polished speaker. He has a long record of public service and has worked for several elected officials. Briggs said he didn’t want to represent just the Democrats of the district but the entire district, and was reaching out to Republicans also. Briggs thanked his cousins for doing the face painting and his sisters and cousins for providing the desserts. I have to put in a word here for the rice krispie treats. I think they are the best I have ever eaten. Kudos to whichever of his sisters made them.

The event was well-attended by a diverse group, suits and jeans, a scattering of racial and ethnic groups, blue collar and white collar, old and young. What most impressed me, and I was impressed, was the attitude of the people there. All of the conversations I took part in or overheard were cordial and seldom dealt with politics. It was mostly just people talking. I had a great time. It was more like a church dinner or extended family gathering than a political rally. Judging a candidate or a campaign by one event isn’t a good idea so I’ll be looking for opportunities to try his sister’s rice krispie treats again.

Tim Briggs Launches Website

Tim Briggs, Democratic candidate for the 149th state house district, has a campaign website up and running, though enhancements may be added. Check out www.timbriggs.org.

Tim Briggs to Run in 149th

The 149th state house district is an open seat this year. The current representative, Daylin Leach, is running for the state senate. Democrat Tim Briggs has announced his candidacy. No mention of a campaign website. His press release reads as follows:

Democrat Tim Briggs of Upper Merion has announced his candidacy to succeed State Rep. Daylin Leach in the 149th legislative district, which includes Upper Merion, Bridgeport, West Conshohocken and a portion of Lower Merion.

On Monday, February 11th, Briggs filed over 500 nominating signatures with the Department of State in order to be placed on the ballot for the Democratic primary.

"I want to continue the tradition of excellent public service provided to this district by Sen. Williams and Rep. Leach," Briggs said. "They are examples of what a good public servant should be".

Briggs has been committed to public service for practically his entire adult life and has served reform-minded, committed public servants such as Joe Hoeffel, Leach, Williams and former Congresswoman Marjorie Margolies Mezvinsky.

Having a young family has framed the issues he most wants to tackle in Harrisburg, including better and safer public schools, affordable higher education, better and more affordable healthcare and a clean environment.

"Having children has really changed my perspective on politics and government, and they are the main reason I am taking this step to become a candidate," Briggs said.

Briggs has the support of Commissioner Joe Hoeffel, the campaign's Chair, as well as Congressman Joe Sestak, Senator Connie Williams and Representative Daylin Leach, who are serving as honorary Co-chairs. "In all of my years in public life, I haven't seen anyone that has been more committed to the Democratic party and supporting progressive issues and bi-partisan solutions than Tim". Hoeffel said.

A native of Montgomery County, Briggs has been an Upper Merion resident for the past decade. He is currently an attorney with Hamburg, Rubin, Mullin, Maxwell & Lupin, a prominent Montgomery county law firm in its real estate and municipal law departments. He is a graduate of West Chester University and Temple University Law School.

Upper Merion Township has recently appointed Briggs to an ad hoc committee to explore the feasibility of building a recreation and/or cultural center in the township. He also serves on the board of directors of the James A. Finnegan Fellowship Foundation, a statewide organization that provides scholarships, stipends and internships to Pennsylvania students who express an interest in state government. He has previously served on the board of directors for Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Montgomery County, and was a volunteer fireman for several years.

Briggs and his wife, Robyn, have two children, Emily and Jack, ages seven and five respectively, who attend public schools in Upper Merion . Both Briggs and his wife are active in school and township recreational activities.