| HOUSE DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP LETTERS |
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HOUSE DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP LETTERS
Rep. Bill DeWeese, Majority Leader |
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Déjá vu all over again
This is not a "holiday rerun" even though we're telling you once again that House Democrats are back in the Majority in the State Capitol and that Barbara McIlvaine Smith has once again been announced as the winner in Chester County's 156th Legislative District. It's not a rerun; it's a reaffirmation of the ideals working families wanted lawmakers to fight for when they swept out more than a decade of Republican inaction and pandering to narrow special interest groups. It's a bright new day in Pennsylvania , and we're going to lead the fight and control the agenda to make sure working families come first. Lower property taxes, affordable healthcare, government that's accountable to the people - they're the top of your agenda and they're the top of OUR agenda, and we're ready to get to work! New slot licenses = more revenue to cut taxes This week thousands of people went to Bucks County to start playing slot machines at the state's second location where gaming has begun. Meanwhile, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board awarded more slot licenses to facilities in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Bethlehem and the Poconos. This means that we are closer than EVER to realizing the more than $1 billion in revenue that can go to cut YOUR property tax bill - to say nothing of the thousands of new jobs and the millions in tourism dollars coming along for the ride! Meet the newest House Democrats: Round 3 In an effort to help you become acquainted with the 27 new House Democrats, we're providing some brief information - to find out more, check out the House Democratic website for detailed bios on all the new members. We'll start with the member who just got her election certified this week! Rep. Barbara McIlvaine Smith (D-156, Chester) is a lifelong resident of Chester County whose family's roots date back to 1683. Smith taught fourth grade at Penn Wood Elementary Schoo l and also was employed by Brandywine Valley Association Inc. as an environmental educator for students in grades K-8. Now Smith is a small-business owner, operating Brandywine Water Systems Inc. since 1980. She has also served on Chester Borough Council and on many boards of community focused organizations. Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski (D-121, Luzerne) retired from the Greater Nanticoke Area School District after 38 years as a music teacher and director of Choral Activities. He's served on the state's PACE prescription drug committee and is a past president of his local Education Association, as well as former United Way board member. He resides in Wilkes-Barr e with his wife Millie. They have four children and seven grandchildren. Rep. Tony Payton Jr. (D-179, Philadelphia) worked as a housing counselor at United Communities in South Philadelphia, and, as part of his active community service career, helped to found the Icon Community Corp., a non-profit organization that helps bridge the gap in reading disparities among school-aged youth. Rep. Tim Seip (D-125, Schuylkill/Berks) is a lifelong Schuylkill County resident who attended Mansfield University where he obtained a degree in criminal justice administration, and went on to earn a master's degree in social work from Marywood University. Part of his service as a social worker and therapist included being lead therapist for the family support unit of ReDCo and coordinating the Schuylkill County Children and Adolescent Service System Program coordinator. Rep. Frank Andrews Shimkus (D-113, Lackawanna) is a familiar face to millions of people in northeastern Pennsylvania thanks to his years as lead anchor on the WNEP and WYOU evening newscasts, where he covered politics extensively. He also serves as a part-time pastor of Trinity Congregational Church in Scranton and as an adjunct professor of mass communications at Scranton University.
We'll update you on the
final new faces next week, but, until then:
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