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COLUMN |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. John Siptroth |
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January 16, 2008
Continued advocacy while recovering at home
By state Rep. John Siptroth
As many local residents know, I suffered a heart attack in late 2007. Before I update you on the recent success of my school funding initiative, I wanted to again thank those who cared for me at the Pocono Medical Center. The doctors and staff at the facility were professional and kind, and I am sure they contributed to my comfortable and steady recovery.
As far as illnesses go, I managed to find the best time of year for a legislator to be under the weather. The way I see it, if I need to stay home recovering, the beautiful communities of the Poconos are the best place in the world to do so.
Even though I am still at home while my colleagues have returned to Harrisburg, I am keeping a close eye on what is happening at the Capitol and have also been promoting my initiatives and the measures I support by talking with staff and other legislators.
Just a day after legislators returned to session, legislation (H.R. 460) I introduced was overwhelmingly adopted by the state House. If you recall from my last column in the Community Express, H.R. 460 would establish a commission to study the results from the State Board of Education’s costing-out study and make recommendations for changing the state’s public education funding formula to make sure every district gets the funding it needs and deserves to educate our children.
I had submitted remarks to be delivered during the debate by the Education Committee chairman, Rep. James Roebuck, in my absence. My remarks highlighted the need for my resolution to be adopted. The plan will now move to the Senate for consideration.
I plan on returning to Harrisburg in February, which is a critical time of year for the legislature. The governor delivers his annual budget address in February, and I am a member of the House Appropriations Committee, which holds weeks of hearings regarding the proposed spending plan. That is one reason I want to ensure I am fully recovered before undertaking my vital responsibilities.
Look for updates on what is going on in Harrisburg, and comprehensive information about the governor’s budget proposal, on my Web site at www.pahouse.com/Siptroth.
Again, I thank all of you for your well wishes throughout my recovery; they helped me keep a cheery disposition and most assuredly contributed to my positive prognosis. I remain fully committed to representing the interests of my communities and improving the quality of life for all Pennsylvanians.
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CONTACT: Nicole Reigelman |