Babette designated 2011 legislative hero

Happy New Year! As we embark on the second year of the 2011-12 legislative session, I wanted to share some news with you regarding the votes I cast on your behalf in 2011.

The progressive advocacy group Keystone Progress recently named me among 20 lawmakers as a 2011 Legislative Hero for the votes I cast on issues ranging from education to women’s reproductive rights to Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling.

Rather than focusing on jobs, Republicans in Harrisburg squandered 2011 by drastically cutting funding for public education, health care and services for the poor and elderly; by fixating on divisive social issues like Voter ID, gun “rights” and abortion; and by giving big out-of-state drillers a pass on paying their fair share for drilling in and making millions off our state, including our state forests.

It's time for the Republican-controlled legislature to end their extreme ideological crusade and to begin leading on the issues that matter to working people. My votes in 2012 will continue to reflect that call to action.

For more information on this or any state-related issue, contact me. You also can sign up to receive my newsletter electronically instead of by mail to save trees and taxpayer money, if you haven't already done so. Additionally, I am available to speak to your civic association, faith-based group, apartment complex, or any other group about state government. Please keep in mind that I am not free on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday evenings in the weeks the House is in session. For a House session schedule, click here.