Keystone Progress Voter Guide

Our friends at Keystone Progress have created a voters' guide.  It is very user friendly with colorful icons.

Give it a look see at:  http://www.paprogressivevotersguide.org/

Write in Campaign in District 142 (Bucks Co)

Bucks County Democrats are hoping to garner 300 write in votes in state house district 142, currently represented by Republican Frank Farry.  Democratic Middletown Party Chair Harry Arnold is hoping to get enough write in votes in the primary to be on the ballot for the general election in November. 

There is a small map of the 142nd district on Rep. Farry's site; you can check this if your aren't what your district is.  It looks like parts of Langhorne and Feasterville-Trevose and other nearby areas. 

Upper Darby Schools to Cut Arts and Music

Faced with massive mandated budget cuts the Upper Darby Public Schools has proposed cutting classes for art, music, library instruction, and gym at the elementary level.  Teachers would be laid off.  (Read more at "Upper Darby School District's cutback proposal hits sour note with parents," by Linda Reilly, Delaware County Daily Times, 4/12).  Foreign language and technology classes at the middle school would be eliminated. 

The Upper Darby Arts and Education Foundation issues this comment:

The Board of Directors of the Upper Darby Arts and Education Foundation understands that the decline of state subsidies has created difficult decisions for the Upper Darby School District Board of School Directors. We find the proposal to cut professional music and art instructors from the elementary schools disconcerting. The value of the arts in a child's life has been documented in numerous research studies. Because we see the necessity of the arts in the school district, we respectfully ask that the Upper Darby School District Board of School Directors look for other options. Eliminating elementary arts classes would have a significant, detrimental impact on the lives of the students.

Parents have set up a website:  www.saveudarts.org/ (note:  opening page has music / video).  As a parent one of the most common fears I have heard over the years is that in times of budgetary distress art and music would be cut.  In Upper Darby that seems to be happening.

Two Infographics

Two really interesting infographics have crossed my screen lately. 

One from Resurgent Republican, shows the importance of the Hispanic vote. (h/t The Fix)

How much more do women pay for healthcare?  This infographic will tell you (h/t Obama campaign)

Philly Bar Association Run

from the inbox, for the Support Center of Child Advocates:

 

The Philadelphia Bar Association 5K Run/Walk is a perfect fitness opportunity for the entire family.  Avid athletes, recreational runners, walkers, and even children participate in this annual event which attracts nearly 1500 area runners, lawyers, students, and families participate.

The race will be held on Sunday, May 20, 2012 starting at 8:30am at Martin Luther King Drive, just behind the Art Museum. 

Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney Kids' Dash!

Children ages 5-10 will love running in this FREE 200-yard non-competitive Dash! The Kids' Dash begins immediately after the Run/Walk start. All participants will receive a Race give-a-way. Child-friendly activities offered all morning. Registration is required for each child. A parent or guardian must be present. 

Team Competition
Law firms and companies may enter 5K Run teams. 

  

Neill Clark Challenge
Neill W. Clark has won the Legal Competition for a historic 13 consecutive years!! His friends at Philadelphia Runner will award $200 to the first registered Philadelphia Bar Association runner who beats Neill's 2011 time.


Win with Philadelphia Runner!
When you beat your 2011 Race time, you'll receive a Brooks gift at Philadelphia Runner. So, start training now to take Brooks home with you. All recipients who beat their 2011 Race time will be notified by email.


Packet Pick-Up
Pick up your Race packet in advance when you register by May 13, 2012. Packet pick up: Friday, May 18, 2012 10:00am-7:30pm Philadelphia Runner 1601 Sansom Street Philadelphia, PA 19103


20% off Brooks!
Receive 20% off Brooks footwear, apparel & accessories at all 3 Philadelphia Runner stores for registered participants. Visit www.philadelphiarunner.com for store locations.


Additional Information
For the 5K Run, silver bowls will be awarded to the 1st place male and female runners; Philadelphia Runner gift certificates will be awarded to the 1st place male and female runners in each age group; and commemorative awards will be given to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finishers, both male and female, in each age group. T-shirts will be given to all participants who finish the Run or the Walk.    

Registration Fees:
5K Run - General Registration $25.00
5K Run - Philadelphia Bar Association Members $40.00
5K Walk - General Registration $20.00
5K Walk - Family (Immediate family members in same household) $60.00
Kids' Dash (200-Yards) $0.00     

  

www.phillybarcharityrun.com 

Math and Polls

Kathleen G Kane, one of the Democratic candidates for Attorney General, released a poll today.  John Micek posted the full poll memo on his Capitol Ideas blog.  It doesn't have cross tabs so I can't drill down very far, but there are some interesting points.  The Kane campaign says the poll puts her ahead 42% to 33% (as reported by politicspa).  Math is not my strong suit but I'm not sure where those numbers come from.  Kane is listed as having a very favorable rating of 30%, her primary opponent Patrick Murphy 33%, for favorable it is 24% for Kane and 25% for Murphy.  That doesn't add up to 42/33 to me. 

The poll was a robocall poll, with recorded questions not live operators.  The poll memo states that only home phones were called, so those with only a cell phone would not be included.  It also states that results for the over 55 age range was overrepresented.  I hope they all have photo ids. 

Green Sleeves (Please)

Catching my usual daily news shows via CNN, Anderson Cooper and Erin Burnett.  Both had segments with two experts, one from each party.  Cooper's segment featured Mary Matalin and Cornell Belcher.  Burnett's featured one of Jon Huntsman's daughters and a former presidential speechwriter.  It's great to see more women among the talking heads on tv.  In this case one thing that struck me was that while both men wore a standard suit and tie, the women were wearing a sleeveless shirt or dress.  A jacket would have given the women a little more gravitas.  A sweater even. 

PayWatch

from the inbox:

According to data released by the AFL-CIO today, CEOs of S&P 500 Index companies were paid an average of $12.9 million in 2011 – a 14 percent raise. In stark contrast, the average wage for Pennsylvania workers in 2011 was $44,070 – a 2.4% percent increase that barely keeps up with inflation.

Pennsylvanians can see how their salaries stacks up next to Pennsylvania CEOs’ using the newly designed Executive PayWatch, a searchable online databank that provides direct comparison of top CEO pay to the average wages of workers.

The Paywatch database will also display a list of highest paid CEOs by state.

 

Special Election on Tuesday

This coming Tuesday Republican voters can select a presidential candidate.  Democrats have a choice between two Attorney General candidates.  There are other state level candidates on the ballot, including Auditor General.  Some districts have contested primaries (the Babette Josephs / Brian Sims race being one of these).

However, six state house districts have special elections.  If you live in the following districts, you will have the opportunity to elect someone who will take office immediately and serve until the end of the year.

22nd (Chelsea Wagner)

134th (Doug Reichley)

153rd (Josh Shapiro)

169th (Dennis O'Brien)

186th (Kenyatta Johnson)

187th (Jewell Williams)

CookieGate

I like to bake, not everyone does, but often don't have the time required to start from scratch.  It's odd the things we judge women by.  I'm old enough to remember Geraldine Ferraro's vice presidential run in 1984, and the news reports of someone asking her if she could bake blueberry muffins.  Is that a requirement for vp candidates? 

So perhaps I am a little oversensitive to references to women and baking.  Mitt Romney kind of stepped in it yesterday when he sat down at a picnic table in Pittsburgh and asked asked if the cookies were homemade.  He looked at one of the women at the table when he asked.  Then he said they probably came from a 7/11 bakery or something.  (see video here from wpxi).  

The optics of this are just bad.  Women may still be the household cook most of the time, but men are a lot more involved with meal preparation than they used to be.  There's no reason to automatically assume a woman was responsible for the food.  Also, why assume something had to be homemade?  When is the last time Romney cooked anything?  Time devoted to baking is a poor measure of a woman's worth.

And why diss 7/11 bakeries?  A lot of people, myself included, have been known to pick up baked goods at mass retail outlets.  As it turns out these particular cookies were from a well-known local Pittsburgh store, the Bethel Bakery.

It reminds me of John Kerry's "cheesesteak moment" in 2003 when he asked for Swiss cheese on a cheesesteak.  Incidents like that just demonstrate that a candidate is out of touch.  Many Americans have bought food at a 7/11 at some point.    Generally speaking national candidates try to fit in with the masses; this won't help Romney in that regard.

It bothers me that questions like "did you make these or pick them up at the 7/11?" still get asked, especially of women.  I like to bake but that isn't my greatest selling point as a person.  I know a lot of women who don't bake and they manage to contribute to society in a number of ways. 

Note to anyone going to a picnic or potluck:  Don't assume women are responsible for the food or that it's okay to look down your nose if something is store bought.  The most acceptable response when people put food in front of of you is "Great!  Thanks!"

New Babette Josephs Video

State Rep. Babette Josephs, who is facing a primary challenger for the 182nd district, has released a campaign video.  The video is a breath of fresh air in what has become a race of sharp elbowed attacks.  Josephs is filmed giving a travelogue of her district, stopping at her district office and a variety of places she has helped, including a dog park. 

The film was made by local filmmaker / politico David Scholnick.  The Campaign Group should take a look at his work.

Young Women Don't Like MItt Romney

Chris Cillizza wrote a blog entry for this "The Fixx" blog at the Washington Post, on the possibility of a permanent gender gap between the main political parties.  Looking at the demographic data accompanying a presidential poll, Cillizza noted:

The number that really stands out is that among women between the ages of 18-29, Obama is beating Romney by 45 points. Yes, 45. While Obama is leading Romney among all 18-29 years old by 28 points (61 percent to 33 percent), the fact he is down by such a vast margin among young women has to set off red flags in Republican world.

What GOP strategists have to hope is that as these women age, their views on the two parties change. Or, that this massive gender gap among young women is unique to Obama and Romney and won’t be replicated when other candidates run for president in four, eight or twelve years time. Or that the intense focus on contraception and other women’s issue during the Republican presidential primary process is temporarily skewing Romney’s numbers negatively among young women.

Read the entire post, "A permanent gender gap problem for Republicans?". 

Another PA Werewolf

Hollywood can keep it's sparkly vampires, all the hunky tv werewolves are from Pennsylvania.  Joe Manganiello, who plays Alcide Herveaux on HBO's "True Blood," is from Pittsburgh, and has a degree from the University of Pittsburgh.  NBC's Grimm also features a "blutbod" named Monroe, played by Philadelphian Silas Weir Mitchell.  He's a reformed werewolf, though, preferring pilates to predation. 

Our Cars, Ourselves

Cars, cars, cars.  They've been on my mind a lot lately, for various reasons.  So it seemed time for an automotively themed blog post.

PA Home to Fuel Efficient Cars

There will be more information on this released on Thursday but the teaser press release today was intriguing:

Motorists in Pennsylvania are fuming over exorbitant gasoline prices, but are paying noticeably less because of the more fuel-efficient cars they drive, according to a new study by the Natural Resources Defense Council to be released Thursday.

 I look forward to seeing the details on this, could be interesting.

Personal Experience

Rental cars give you the opportunity to do a long-term test drive.  A few years ago I had a rental Ford Fusion for a few days.  It was a great little car.  I liked it a lot but the back window was a bit restrictive for my comfort level -- it felt like I couldn't see as much as I'd like or could see in other cars.  When it was time to buy we looked at some Ford Fusions but, like everyone seems to, ended up with a Toyota Camry.  Just as a personal aside, if you need to buy a car and want a good deal without a lot of fuss or hassle, try buying a used rental car.  These are usually just a year old.  They have high mileage but have been well-maintained.  Our last two cars have been Enterprise Rental castoffs.  The one before that was a used rental as well but I can't remember what rental company it was.  Recently I had another rental for a few days.  It was a Chrysler 300.  I loved it.  The digital display was very cool and included a rear camera display so the driver can see what is going on behind the car when it is in reverse.  Just above the digital display there is a retro clock, complete with hands instead of a digital numbers.  If I had excess cash I would consider buying this car.

Caddy Owners -- Nice People

This interesting note from "Cadillac turns to a 28-year old to reinvent the 'standard of the world'," by Dane Slate in Fast Company 1/19/2012:

"It took us a while to get to this," Partalo says. "I needed to know what makes a man choose Cadillac over BMW or Lexus. So I traveled to nice restaurants around Chicago, Detroit, L.A., and New York. I interviewed the valets, those pimply 18-year-olds. What makes car owners different? They dress and tip the same. It's in how they react when the valet scratches their car. I heard consistent stories: Lexus owners don't say anything and immediately call the police and insurance company. BMW owners scream at him--'I'll have your job!' That sort of thing. But Cadillac owners pat him on the back, say, 'It's gonna be all right, kid; we'll figure it out,' and then tip him anyway and drive off."

How cool is that?

Philly Needs a Space Port

When I looked at Congressman Chaka Fattah's 2011 FEC reports there was something interesting in the 2nd quarter report.  There were donations from a number of big names in the private space flight industry.  The general counsel of Science Center, the VP of the United Space Alliance, Elon Musk who is the CEO of Space X, Gwynne Shotwell who is the president of Space X, and an executive from Space Exploration Technologies. 

Fattah is on the House Appropriations Committee and one of his subcommittees, Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies, where he serves as the Ranking Member, oversees NASA and the National Science Foundation. 

Today, Fattah tweeted a link to a Yahoo article, "NASA clears SpaceX for cargo run to space station," by Irene Klotz (Reuters 4/16). 

All this leads me to wonder, why doesn't Philly have a space port?  Granted our occasional severe winter weather could be a drawback.  However, we have some refinery space available now to handle whatever fuel these space planes use (I have no idea what kind of fuel this would be or how it is stored -- I'm just making stuff up here).   Several areas of the city could serve as our version of Mos Eisley, so we're covered there as well.

Space ports might need engineers but we have several engineering schools in the area.  Penn State has the only aerospace engineering program in the state but Rutgers has a Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering degree.  Rowan, Drexel, Univ of Delaware, and U Penn all have engineering schools. That should be enough to supply all the engineers a space port would need.  I imagine all those schools would add classes or areas of emphasis suited to the industry's needs. 

Manta, which keeps track of small businesses, lists 133 aerospace businesses in Pennsylvania.  That seems like enough to form a noticeable cluster.  Finding a place to put a rocket gantry might be tricky but wouldn't it be fantastic to see something like that on the edge's of the city skyline.  Yes, given the safety concerns that probably isn't feasible -- it would have to be further out away from high population areas. 

All the same, I ask again, why doesn't Philly have a space port?  If Rep. Fattah is on such friendly terms with people like Elon Musk maybe he can invite them out and have local engineering schools and relevant small businesses, along with government officials, talk with them and see what they can cook up.  Rocket scientists are smart people.  They should be able to come up with something.

Just a thought.

Romney on the Dignity of Work

This past January Mitt Romney, former Governor of Massachusetts, talked about his efforts to move people off the welfare roles, including the parents of young children.  Here are part of his remarks:

“I wanted to increase the work requirement,” said Romney in New Hampshire. “I said, for instance, that even if you have a child 2 years of age, you need to go to work. And people said, ‘Well that’s heartless.’ And I said, ‘No, no, I’m willing to spend more giving day care to allow those parents to go back to work. It’ll cost the state more providing that daycare, but I want the individuals to have the dignity of work.’” (Source:  "Romney:  Mothers on welfare need jobs to have the 'dignity of work'." by Pema Levy, TPM 4/15/2012

It always seems odd to me that when women with wealth stay home with children it is a virtue and when women without money stay home with children they are being lazy and lack dignity.

Shapiro: First 100 Days Report

Josh Shapiro, chairman of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners, has issued a statement / speech on the first 100 days of the new administration.  Text available on Facebook.  (You do not have to have a Facebook account to access this post).

Two National Constitution Center Events

Two interesting upcoming events at the National Constitution Center:

No matter their party affiliation, voters are invited to join fellow citizens to celebrate our freedom to vote during the Primary Palooza Party.  Beginning at 5:00 p.m., guests can submit their six-word stump speeches, experience the Center’s new exhibits and interactive programs, compete to win prizes during presidential trivia and election-themed quizzo games, and watch the returns.  Light fare and a cash bar will be available.  Admission to Primary Palooza is FREE and includes access to the Center’s main exhibition, The Story of We the People, and the award-winning theatrical production Freedom Rising.  For a special $5 rate, guests also can experience From Asbury Park to the Promised Land: The Life and Music of Bruce Springsteen.  Reservations for Primary Palooza are recommended

Throughout the 2012 presidential race, the National Constitution Center is serving as a hub of election activity, both onsite and online.  Address America: Your Six-Word Stump Speech will give museum visitors the opportunity to share their six-word stump speeches using new iPad touch screens and view them on projected displays in the Center’s main exhibition.  Entries also can be submitted online beginning on April 24 at addressamerica.constitutioncenter.org, where submissions will be displayed in dynamic charts, maps and word clouds that reveal information about election priorities across geography and party affiliation.  Online users will have the opportunity to “remix” their submissions as well as the submissions of other users, and connect to objective information about election issues, the candidates, and the Constitution.

Also

In an era of congressional gridlock, political polarization, and waning public trust in government, can congressional leaders overcome partisan divides for the benefit of all citizens?  Or do voters need to take action and change those who are serving in Congress? 

 

University of Pennsylvania President Amy Gutmann and Harvard Professor Dennis F. Thompson will discuss these issues and their new book, The Spirit of Compromise: Why Governing Demands It and Campaigning Undermines It, with NBC’s Andrea Mitchell on Wednesday, May 2, 2012, at 6:30 p.m. at the National Constitution Center.  Admission is $7 for members, students and teachers; $10 for non-members; and FREE for 1787 Society members.  Reservations are required and can be made online at www.constitutioncenter.org

Vote in DVRPC's Classic Towns Photo Contest

from the inbox:

Online voting for the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission’s (DVRPC) first ever “I Love Classic Towns” photo contest kicks off on Sunday, April 15.

The public can vote for their favorite images by visiting the Classic Towns website at www.classictowns.org.  The deadline to vote is May 14.

To date, more than 600 images by both amateur and professional photographers have been submitted for the contest, which launched on Feb. 14.

The contest is part of DVRPC’s innovative Classic Towns of Greater Philadelphia program and is designed to engage the community in showcasing the region’s unique neighborhoods in both the city and suburbs.

At present, there are 20 towns designated as Classic Towns by DVRPC. They are: Ambler, Ardmore, Bordentown City, Bristol Borough, Collingswood, Germantown, Glassboro, Haddon Heights, Kennett Square, Lansdale, Lansdowne, Manayunk, Media, Merchantville, Moorestown, New Hope, Overbrook Farms, Phoenixville, Souderton/Telford, and West Chester.

Photographers entered photographs from these towns in seven different categories including: community, local history, main street, parks and recreation, people, residential, and seasonal.

Once online voting has closed, the photos with the highest votes from each category will go before a panel of judges that will select winners in each category as well as the overall winner. Winners will be announced by July 31, 2012.

Each winner will be awarded $100 for the top image in each category. In addition, a $500 Judge’s Choice prize and $300 Voter’s Choice prize will also be awarded. The photographs will then become part of a traveling exhibit.

The “I Love Classic Towns” photo contest is co-sponsored by Perkins Center for the Arts, Moorestown, N.J. and Collingswood, N.J.

Judges include Karen Chigounis, director of Arts Education Programs and associate curator at the Perkins Center for the Arts; Meredith Edlow, visual assets manager for the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation, and David Maialetti, photojournalist at the Daily News and The Philadelphia Inquirer.
 

Notes from 153rd Debate (Dean / Mattiacci)

Yesterday, on Tuesday, April 10^th, the League of Women Voters held a debate between the two candidates for the special election / primary in the 153^rd state house district.  Democrat Madeleine Dean and Republican Nick Mattiacci are running to fill out Josh Shapiro’s term, and as their party's primary candidates for general election the November. 

I attended the debate and took notes.  This is not intended to be a full transcript.  Voters and other interested parties should research the candidates or contact the campaigns for clarification.  I apologize in advance for any errors or misconceptions.

Due to a directional mishap I missed the introductory comments and the first part of Madeleine Dean’s opening statement.  Comments later in the evening indicated that some questions were distributed to the candidates in advance and others were taken from the audience.

Opening Statements

MD:  I am a mother, former small business owner, teacher.  Concerns are education, economic environment and the elderly.

NM:  Asks how many LWV members are in the audience.   Asks how many are registered Republicans.  [Mattiaci is told by the moderator that this is an inappropriate question as the LWV is a bipartisan organization.]  I’ve knocked on 4,000 doors.  People want good jobs, good schools, good government.  Not running to be a Republican representative but happen to be a Republican.  Don’t agree with all Republican ideas.  Disagree with cuts to education.  Reduce corporate tax rate from 9.99 to 6.99.

Q1:  Campaign finance reform, references campaign contributions in previous elections from Marcellus Shale industry and educational voucher supporters

NM:  Polls show that Pennsylvanians favored Marcellus Shale drilling and vouchers but candidates and officials should not pander to special interests.

MD:  Campaigns are expensive.  Candidates are required to report large contributions from special interests.  Would like to see something like federal limits, but these do not limit outside organizations like superpacs.

Q2:  privatizing services, for example the Turnpike, prisons, schools, should there be referendums on this?

MD:  Government has a role to play in some areas, references the Luzerne “kids for cash” scandal.  Shouldn’t privatize prisons.  State liquor stores brought in $100 million and PA has a low rate of underage drinking.

NM:  Privatization is not the solution, just a quick fix.  References privatization of Chicago Parking Authority.  Government regulation is warranted.

Q3:  Public education, 3 most important things you would want to improve.

MD:  As a teacher and a mother, education central to who our children become.  Corbett slashed education.  We need to wisely spend.  Restoring strong nutrition program, strong pre-K program, and full day kindergarten.   Bottom up review of education funding, not top down.  Funding right kinds of programs.  We have good schools.

NM:  We have good schools here because we care.  Accountability.  Education is 30% of the state budget.  Against Corbett cuts.  As a Republican and part of the majority I could make sure we get our fair share.  Cuts are because Gov. Rendell didn’t fund the pension fund.  Champion special education.  Teacher accountability.  Student accountability.  Challenge our children.

Q4:  Environmental protection

NM:  State has responsibility for clear air, and water and open space.  Studies show Marcellus Shale drilling has not negative impact on drinking water.  Concern about lack of transparency with fracking chemicals.   Since this involves interstate commerce the federal government could get involved. 

MD:  Very concerned about fracking.  Foolish to think slurry chemicals, not revealed, not having an impact.   Corbett signed Act 13 which includes a gag order for doctors – they can’t tell patients an illness could have been caused by natural gas drilling.  Clean air and water in the PA Constitution.

Q5:  Voter ID.  Anticipate challenge.

NM:  There will be a challenge and that is our right in a democracy.  Integrity of voter right is important.  Don’t believe it will disenfranchise voters.  References case of someone impersonating Eric Holder and voting.

MD:  Eric Holder case – person didn’t not sign in and could not vote.  There is a practice run for voter ID at the special election / primary.  Fully in place in November.  Zero cases prosecuted by Corbett.  Student IDs without expiration dates can’t vote.  Fewer than 10 cases in 10 years documented.  Elderly widows who don’t drive have to get birth certificate and marriage license to get proper ID.

NM:  PA not the first state to do this.  No study shows that this disenfranchises voters.  Ten cases is ten too many.

Moderator:  Eight counties don’t have DMV offices.

NM:  I will personally take care of this.

MD:  System not broken.

Q6:  If you had a magic want what legislation would you want signed?

MD:   Look at what has passed.  I would be the opposite of the current majority.  I would reverse a lot of it.

NM:  I do have a magic wand so if you want a representative with a magic wand you should elect me.  I would lower the corporate tax rate.  Close Delaware loophole.  Tax Marcellus Shale to hold line on school taxes for the elderly.

MD:  Corporate tax and real estate tax required a Constitutional change.

Q7:  Women’s right to choose, yes or no

NM:  Can’t give a yes or no.  Need to move away from this as a way to judge candidates.

MD:  Like C. Everett Koop I believe an abortion is a failure, but I believe in a women’s right to choose.

Q8:  Stand your ground laws

NM:  Believe in the Castle Doctrine.  Haven’t read Stand Your Ground.

MD:  PA has one more layer than Florida.  Only entitled to self-defense if opponent has a gun or other weapon.  Disagree with this legislation.

Q9:  School vouchers

MD:  I teach college freshman and see students prepared and not so prepared.  Went to Abington Public Schools.  Want full funding for public schools, not in favor of vouchers.

NM:  Oppose.   Vouchers would take money away from public schools.   However, there are bills that would take voucher money out of the general fund and only for lower performing schools.

Q10:  casino gambling

NM:  Doesn’t have the negative impact we thought.  Saves seniors money.

MD:  It is here.  Used for property tax relief.

Q11:  Fracking before impact understood

MD:  No.

NM:  More needs to be done to assure it is okay.  Studies have not shown any conclusive proof.

Q12:  Act 13, nominal tax on fracking, municipal rights

MD:  Can’t have just local control, but strong state oversight.  Legislation is troubling because reduces local oversight.

NM:  Wastewater – state needs to get more involved.

Q13:  Madeleine Dean, will you resign from Abington Township Board of Commissioners?

MD:  I’m the commissioner for Ward 7, enjoy that.  If you’d told me a year ago that I would be running for state rep I wouldn’t have believed you.  I don’t know when I’d resign.  Would not want any conflict of interest to arise.

Q14:  Abington Township passed a proclamation urging state to pass non-discrimination, HB 300.  Should the township pass such a law?

MD:  In favor of HB 300.  Basic question of human rights.

NM:  Discrimination should not be allowed.  Would support this on a state level not a township level.  Discussion has not shown any instance of discrimination on the local level.

MD:  State has failed to pass it.

Q15:  Salary of legislative body is 2^nd highest in country.  Should we have a part time legislature?

NM:  Salary is what it is.  I don’t know what it is.  Just to run had to give up job and benefits.  Have 2 young kids.  Gave up so much because committed to this job and this job only.  No longer has dental insurance and wife broke a tooth.

MD:  Reform of our state legislature.  Are we overstaffing our state legislature?  It is a full time job.

Q17:  Support dissolving state liquor board?

NM:  No.

MD:  No.

Q18:  Nick, where have you been?  Why getting involved now?

NM:  Got law degree, then job in Philly Parking Authority, got a masters degree in [missed this], with my wife for 13 years, 2 sons, ages two and a half and almost one.  Getting involved now  because want to represent interests of district.  Won’t toe party line.

Q19:  Madeleine, why declare candidacy just days after winning commissioner’s seat. 

MD:  Wasn’t only days.  Not opportunistic but seizing an opportunity.

Closing Statements

NM:  Dean always giving party line answers.  My candidacy is independent of ideology or party.

MD:  Lived here for 52 years, raised children here.  Honored for this chance to serve.