Barbara McIlvaine Smith for State Representative, District 156

Written by: Kevin Shaw on Jul 3, 2008 7:44 AM EDT

Linked to groups: Montco DFA, Philly for Change, Lower Merion Grassroots, PA for Democracy, Gettysburg Area DFA Meetup, Lower Bucks for Democracy

RE-ELECT Barbara McILVAINE SMITH TRUSTED. TESTED. PROVEN.
Smith156.org
Barbara McIlvaine Smith • State Representative, District 156

Dear Fellow DFA Members,

This has been an exciting 18 months in Pennsylvania. Our state just participated in a very exciting Primary election, calling attention to the needs of our Commonwealth and our Country. In December 2006, my highly contested race for State Representative decided control of the state legislature. I am proud to report many accomplishments in my freshman year in Harrisburg. I have co-sponsored legislation dealing with healthcare, education and energy. These are the issues I campaigned on in 2006, and I have kept my promise to address them in the legislature.

The 2008 election cycle has begun, and I am now running for re-election. I intend to run a positive, issues-oriented contest, and hope my campaign will be a source of pride for all who get involved. Although I may not be the State Representative for your district, please know that I will continue to be an advocate in the legislature for the progressive causes we all care so deeply about. At this time I am requesting that your DFA chapter formally endorse me and support me for endorsement by DFA National.

As a "reformer," I have demonstrated my support for open and transparent government, working for the people, by voting for the Open Records legislation, which passed the House and Senate. Since I made this a personal commitment in 2006, I continue to post my expenses on my legislative website for all to see.

Because I care about the environment and wasteful government spending, I take public transportation to and from the Capitol, whenever possible, without asking for reimbursement. I also co-sponsored a bill to cut legislative spending by 20%.

As the Chairwoman of the Special Education Sub-committee (an honor for a freshman), I have held numerous hearings on Autism and Transition Services. I also recently sponsored two bills that will give COLAs to MH/MR and Special Education.

I am proud of what we have been able to accomplish in the Democratic controlled State Assembly. It is important that I win re-election and that Democrats remain in the majority to continue the progress we've made in my first term. I will continue to work with legislators on both sides of the aisle to pass legislation that will benefit all the citizens of Pennsylvania. Your public expression of support for my re-election will ensure that I am able to continue to work for the improvements in our state.

I would appreciate your support for this very important endorsement.

Yours sincerely,

Barbara McIlvaine Smith

DFA members can express their support for Barbara by visiting her campaign page on democracyforamerica.com.

Tags:
Location: PA