Primary Election Date: 05/18/2010
General Election Date: 11/02/2010

Who Am I?

I am an eighth-generation Pennsylvania German, and grew up in the district, in Stowe, where my father worked at the Stanley G. Flagg Co. plant. I graduated from Pottsgrove High School, and went on to the University of Pennsylvania on a full scholarship, where I earned degrees in electrical engineering and law. There I met my wife, Coleen, a United Methodist minister and retired Army Reserve chaplain. We married in 1981.

Coleen and I raised two refugee foster children from Southeast Asia and two biological sons, who have autism. The experience of having disabled children led me into the field of special education law, where I represented parents advocating for better services from their school districts.

In 1997, I was elected tax collector in Limerick, where I’ve became known for giving back tens of thousands of dollars of my salary to Limerick's parks and fire companies. I attend St. James Lutheran Church in Limerick, where I also teach Sunday School, and am on the Board of Directors of the Royersford Free Public Library and Royersford Community Chest.

Why Am I Running?

I’ve always cared deeply about public policy and service. But the experience of raising two disabled sons has convinced me of the depth of Pennsylvania’s public education challenges. I know we can do more to fund our local schools, spur innovative learning techniques, and send more students to quality public universities. As Limerick’s tax collector, I’ve also seen many local residents struggle with property tax rates that are too high. As I’ve knocked on doors in my numerous campaigns for tax collector, I’ve talked to scores of local voters who all expressed to me a desire to see local taxes reduced, while funding schools and other important services. The state government has made some strides in this area, but I know we can go further by expanding current tax relief programs, streamlining and updating current tax collection methods, and eliminating antiquated taxes. I understand these issues, and know how to bring genuine property tax relief to Pennsylvanians. I’m tired of pointing the finger at Harrisburg, I want to go to the capital and do something about it.

Hold Me Accountable!

Job creation: Our district has faced a lot of economic pain in the past few years, with loss of jobs and declining property values. Commercial development continues to be unbalanced, with too much in Limerick and not enough in Pottstown. As state representative, I would dedicate myself at the local level to help new businesses start and existing businesses grow. With its wide range of living options, from Victorian charm to modern developments, our district has the potential to be a great place to live and work for people of many lifestyles. At the state level, I would support greater state assistance to help communities modernize, and job-training programs and infrastructure modernization to create and sustain high-paying jobs. The Marcellus Shale offers Pennsylvania an exciting economic opportunity, but careful consideration of environmental and local economic concerns is essential, and gas extraction must be subject to strict oversight.

Property tax relief: For too long, the legislature in Harrisburg has been balancing its books by shifting budget costs onto local school districts. This has resulted in excessive and unsustainable property tax rates, a problem I’ve seen firsthand as tax collector. State government needs to take responsibility for increased school funding statewide, with the benefits going to students, not buildings. Only then will Pennsylvania homeowners be able to get off the property tax treadmill.
Beginning in 2008, we’ve had the homestead exemption in Pennsylvania, which gives eligible homeowners some property tax relief. Under this system, revenue collected from the casinos is funneled directly to taxpayers in the form of tax reductions. In this district, homeowners save from $200 to $250 per year because of it. As representative, I would fight for increased funding for further local tax relief.

Education: I believe in investing in education, which in turn will lead to economic growth. I support early childhood education programs that have been proven to give students a boost throughout their school years. I support accurate metrics to measure student achievement. Schools should have some freedom to experiment with new educational approaches. Innovation should be monitored – successful programs should be replicated and unsuccessful programs should be discontinued. And public money should be spent on public schools. As the parent of two disabled children, I also emphasize the importance of innovative and inclusive practices in special education.

My DFA values:

I believe, like Governor Dean, that Democrats can be competitive everywhere. My district is one such example. Democrats have never won this seat, despite huge increases in the number of Democratic voters in the district in recent years. Democrats now hold a sizable registration advantage in the district, and yet no Democrat has yet been able to pose a serious challenge to the Republican incumbent. Consequently, my opponent has been able to vote significantly to the right of the values of his district in three terms as State Representative. I plan to expose his conservative voting record, and turn out the many Democratic voters in the district. I also plan to reach out to Democrats, Independents, and Republicans, and help restore accurate representation to the district.

My Campaign is People-Powered!

Without relying on people-powered techniques, I never would have been elected to office. Through four elections as tax collector, I’ve persuaded many local residents in Limerick, the most heavily Republican area in my district, to support me. I’ve done this by knocking on doors, making phone calls, and being accessible to local voters and constituents. I am supported by Republicans and Democrats alike. Active in my local church, historical society, and various local political organizations, I am going to rely on the support of many individuals in the community to help me win this race.