Toomey Receives Endorsement from Fmr. Navy Sec. John Lehman
Allentown, PA – Today in Harrisburg, U.S. Senate candidate and former small business owner, Pat Toomey, received the endorsement of former Secretary of the United States Navy, John Lehman.
Secretary Lehman was appointed Secretary of the Navy by President Reagan at the young age of 38. Lehman was unique in serving as a Commander in the Naval Reserve while also occupying the seat of Navy Secretary.
“Pat is a man of principle and integrity,” said Secretary Lehman at today’s endorsement event at the Hilton in Harrisburg. “His commitment to the principles of limited government, individual freedom, and personal liberty are unwavering. Pat has tremendous respect for our armed services and a great love for this country. I know he will always put the security of our country first. I look forward to helping him win his race in November.”
“I am honored by Secretary Lehman’s visit to our State Capitol this morning and I’m grateful to have his endorsement,” said Toomey. “Secretary Lehman and I share the belief that a strong military requires a strong economy. Congressman Sestak has taken positions on key national security and economic policies that are well outside the mainstream – even among most Democrats – and have hurt Pennsylvania. It’s time we get our economy back on track and Pennsylvania taxpayers back to work.”
Congressman Toomey’s Recovery Plan: Help the Rich, Forget the Rest
Fights for Tax Breaks for Wealthy, Proposes Eliminating Tax Cuts for the Middle Class
MEDIA, Pa. – Congressman Toomey likes to say that the unspent portions of the recovery bill should be repealed but what he doesn’t tell you is that the unspent portion is largely tax benefits for the middle class. Of the roughly $110 billion left, almost half ($45 billion) goes directly to tax cuts for the middle class. Once again, Congressman Toomey proves he is against middle class tax relief and is only in favor of benefits for the super-rich.
During his interview with Ted Koppel, Congressman Toomey insisted that there were at least a couple hundred billion dollars that could be rescinded. “I think we’re on, we’re still a couple hundred billion dollars.” [Interview with Ted Koppel, Chamber of Commerce, PCN 9/27/10]
According to the New York Times, “[of] roughly $260 billion left, contracts have already been signed for $150 billion. Another $45 billion is tax cuts that will soon be claimed, and $33 billion is for safety-net spending, like food stamps. That leaves $31 billion in investment projects – like roads and rail systems – still up for grabs.” [New York Times, 9/26/10]
As Toomey proposes rescinding middle class tax relief, the Associated Press reports that “the income gap between the richest and poorest Americans grew last year to its widest amount on record as young adults and children in particular struggled to stay afloat in the recession.” [AP, 9/28/10]
“With Congressman Toomey, it’s a question of priorities,” said U.S. Senate candidate Joe Sestak. “Working families in Pennsylvania are reeling from an economic collapse caused by the same reckless economic policies he supported, but rather than support efforts to get America moving again, Congressman Toomey would rather hand over billions in gifts to the wealthy and let the rest of America pick up the tab.”
His proposal to rescind middle class tax breaks builds on his refusal to extend middle class tax cuts unless the wealthiest few get even bigger breaks. Two weeks ago, Congressman Toomey was asked whether he would be willing to compromise on breaks for the top two percent of earners if it meant preserving middle class tax relief. His answer? He would fight for tax cuts for the rich. [KDKA, 9/20/10]
“Congressman Toomey is in lock-step plan with the extreme wing of his party that wants to provide more giveaways to the wealthy at the expense of ordinary Americans,” said Joe. “Our representatives in Washington should be dedicated to helping all Americans recover from the recession, not catering to the privileged few. As Pennsylvania’s next U.S. Senator, I will always fight for the working family.”
MAYOR NUTTER ANNOUNCES MARK MCDONALD AS PRESS SECRETARY
Philadelphia, September 30, 2010 – Today, Mayor Michael A. Nutter announced that Mark McDonald will be appointed as Press Secretary for the Mayor’s Office. In his position, Mr. McDonald will be the Administration’s primary liaison to the media and will work closely with the Mayor and top Administration officials. He previously served as the Mayor’s Speechwriter and joined the Administration in January 2008.
“I have known Mark for many years, and while he worked at the Daily News, I learned that he was a fair, thoughtful, and unrelenting reporter. After working directly with him for the past two and a half years, he is an indispensable and valued member of my Administration,” said Mayor Nutter. “No one has a more thorough understanding of the relationship between the media and municipal government in Philadelphia than Mark. I look forward to working even more closely with him in the months and years to come.”
“I’m honored to serve Mayor Nutter and the citizens of Philadelphia in this new position,” Mr. McDonald said. “The Mayor is committed to an open and transparent government, and I look forward to working with news organizations focused on city government and services.
Before joining the Mayor’s Office, Mr. McDonald was the City Hall bureau chief of the Philadelphia Daily News for seven years. During his 21-year career with the Daily News, he primarily reported on city government and three different mayoral administrations. Mr. McDonald has an A.B. degree in history from College of the Holy Cross and a M.A. from Boston College. He also spent several years studying Soviet politics at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. A resident of Mt. Airy, he is married and has two daughters.
Mr. McDonald’s appointment is effective Friday, October 1, 2010. His salary will be $120,000, which is subject to a five percent salary reduction.
Corbett to Patriot-News: I Don’t Really Know What I’m Talking About
GOP nominee ‘has not yet looked at the state budget’ he talks about cutting
PITTSBURGH: Tom Corbett’s ongoing struggle to understand the state budget crisis hit another rough patch yesterday when Corbett deviated from the controlled environments he prefers and appeared before the Patriot-News editorial board.
Venturing into a forum that rejects superficial talking points, Corbett demonstrated yet again that when it comes to Pennsylvania’s fiscal problems, he simply doesn’t know what he’s talking about – a fact he practically admitted in the interview. This time Corbett demonstrated that he: Has never looked at the state budget (or at least doesn’t know what’s in it) Can’t find one wasteful program worth cutting, despite envisioning an existing government teeming with them
Advocates proposals to shift costs to local government and increase property taxes The evidence from Corbett’s performance:
Tom Corbett again insisted he will cut state programs… but acknowledged that he has no idea which ones. Corbett told the Patriot-News that budget cuts “could well be directed back to programs that the people of Pennsylvania have become accustomed to” but “he has not yet looked at the state budget or spoken to legislative leaders in detail about what programs might be on the chopping block.”
Tom Corbett suggests cutting one state agency… but can’t think of a single wasteful program in that agency. According to the Patriot-News, “One agency that faces scrutiny under a Corbett administration would be the state Department of Community and Economic Development…. Corbett said the department’s list of programs — about 300 different items — could be ripe for consolidation to save taxpayer dollars.”
But speaking to a different group this summer, Corbett couldn’t identify any DCED programs that are wasteful – revealing to an audience of Pennsylvania mayors that: “I can’t tell you right now that we are funding programs that aren’t working….” [Pennsylvania League of Mayors, 7/18/2010]
Tom Corbett rules out state tax hikes… but not local ones.Pressed by the Patriot-News on whether some state cuts might result in local property tax hikes, Corbett – who cast the deciding vote for a 20% property tax hike in Shaler Township – demurred: “Corbett said that how state and local officials handle issues of shifting program costs would depend on the individual program. ‘You work at it the best you possibly can.’”
Corbett has repeatedly struggled when talking about the state budget and fiscal crisis. While Corbett has at various times advocated conflicting approaches to the budget – including limiting spending growth to the rate of inflation, cutting spending across the board and targeted budget cuts – he has requested more money for his Attorney General office every year since his election.
Corbett says he advocates cutting the budget, but he has also said that he wants to increase spending for welfare cash assistance grants and supplemental security income, addiction programs, public education, pre-school, the educational improvement tax credit, workforce development, court administration and funding, venture capital investment, agriculture, economic development and infrastructure.
And Corbett’s most recent campaign ad includes criticism of “the $45 million Harrisburg spent [to renovate] their office building.” Yet news reports have accused Corbett of “misleading voters” and being “factually incorrect” because the spending did not in fact occur. [WGAL-TV, 9/29/2010]
“Tom Corbett has openly admitted that he’s never even looked at the state budget, despite making budget cuts the centerpiece of his agenda,” said Onorato communications director Brian Herman. “Corbett doesn’t know what’s in the budget, can’t explain what he’d cut from it and doesn’t care if his policies increase local property taxes. Pennsylvania voters are looking for a candidate with the knowledge, experience and vision to balance the budget, turn around the economy and create jobs. The more Tom Corbett speaks, the more he demonstrates that Dan Onorato is the best choice for Pennsylvania governor.”
A life-long Pennsylvanian, Dan Onorato was raised in a working class neighborhood on Pittsburgh’s North Side. He graduated college from Penn State and received his law degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. Onorato has served as Allegheny County Executive since 2004 and was unopposed for re-election in 2007. Prior to being elected County Executive, Onorato served as Allegheny County Controller and a Pittsburgh City Councilman. Dan and his wife Shelly reside in the Brighton Heights neighborhood of Pittsburgh with their three children.
MAYOR, STAKEHOLDERS OFFICIALLY OPEN NEW ‘MIKES AUTO BODY AND VOCATIONAL CENTER IN THE HEART OF LARIMER
Sent 09/30/2010 @ 11:24 am
(PITTSBURGH) Sept. 30 Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, City Councilman Reverend Ricky Burgess, Senator Jim Ferlo, and representatives from the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) and U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) this morning officially cut the ribbon for the new Mikes Auto Body and Vocational Center, located in the City’s Larimer neighborhood. The $1.8 million state-of-the-art, ‘green’ automotive repair facility is now a certified education and training center with a drive-in insurance claim service. The expanded facility brings with it 10 new full-time jobs.
“This marks the first substantial private investment in Larimer in more than 40 years,” said Ravenstahl, “and speaks to the direction this neighborhood is headed. Mike is a pillar of the community, and his investment in his business and commitment to the neighborhood is to be commended. With this expansion, he is improving the quality of life in Larimer, creating new jobs and preparing our youths for future job opportunities.”
Mikes Auto Body is a family-owned and operated direct repair specialist, collision center and custom body shop. For the past 40 years, Mike Fiore has been working with the youths of Larimer, providing job training and mentoring. This expansion formalizes Mike’s vocational program and triples his operational capacity.
Mike’s old shop, located across the street and still functional, is 5,000 square feet. In the past, he had to take his trainees off-site for instruction and certification. Now, with his new, 14,500-square-foot facility’s vocational center, he can hold those classes on-site. The new training center seats 36 students and will feature a state-certified instructor on staff, new paint and manufacturing technique seminars four times a year, Hertz I-CAR classes, and Jobs and Labor in the Automotive Workplace series training. Mike’s goal is to be able to train and certify a minimum of 30 young people a year.
The new space also applies sustainable development principles, and incorporates specific green building features such as a rain-garden, enhanced day-lighting features and tree-planting to take advantage of natural cooling. In addition, the training space will serve as a community amenity, and the Carnegie Mellon University Charge Car project is interested in Mike’s as a community partner that will retrofit gasoline powered cars into electric cars.
“Mike’s really weathered the storm in Larimer, and the success of this project is a testament to the community-driven transformation taking place there,” said Senator Ferlo.
Mike Fiore was 20 years old when he decided to open his first auto repair garage in Pittsburgh and has been on Meadow Street since the ‘70s. He started tending to other residents’ vacant property and parked his race cars out on the street around the late ‘70s when people started moving out of the neighborhood. He continues both practices today, and still gives the neighborhood kids candy money for good report cards.
The $1.8 million in funding for Mikes was provided by loans from the URA, U.S. SBA, Fidelity Bank and private investment. Design was completed by Robert J Worsing Assoc., and construction by Just-Mark Contracting.
“There are so many people who have helped to make this dream come true,” said Fiore. “From Mayor Ravenstahl and Senator Ferlo, to my family and friends, to the late Bob O’Connor and his family, thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your encouragement, guidance and support. I couldn’t have done it without you.”
Lentz Breaks Another Campaign Promise; Takes $26,000 in Per Diem Payments After Vowing He Wouldn’t
How can he reform Washington if he refused to do it in Harrisburg?
DREXEL HILL, PA – After vowing he would not take per diem payments during his campaign for State Representative in 2006, records show that Bryan Lentz accepted over $26,000 in per diem reimbursements during the first three years of his tenure in Harrisburg.
Lentz made opposition to legislative perks such as taxpayer-funded vehicles and per diem reimbursements a cornerstone of his 2006 campaign. In a 2006 interview, Lentz said “I don’t intend on collecting a $128 a day per diem. I think I’m supposed to go out there to serve the people.” (Ed Mahon, “Tom Gannon, a 28-year legislator, faces challenger in 161st District”, News of Delaware County, 10/16/2006)
The revelation comes a day after it was revealed that Bryan Lentz took a taxpayer-funded car after repeatedly vowing in his campaign to pay for his own vehicle and expenses.
“Bryan Lentz wasted no time reneging on his campaign pledge — he submitted for a per diem reimbursement the day he was sworn into office. He isn’t a reformer; he’s a hypocrite,” said Kendro. “Voters need to ask themselves, how can we change Washington with a politician who refused to reform Harrisburg?”
Documentation is available of Bryan Lentz’s per diem reimbursements for those interested.
About Pat Meehan
A former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and the former District Attorney of Delaware County, Pat Meehan has a proven record of rooting out government waste and corruption, prosecuting tough criminal cases, and implementing innovative new programs to make our communities safer. As U.S. Attorney, Meehan helped coordinate the region’s terrorism preparedness and response, held manufacturers responsible for illegally discharging hazardous materials into the region’s waters, and established a group to crackdown on predatory lending. Pat, his wife Carolyn and their three sons Patrick, Jack and Colin, reside in Drexel Hill, Delaware County. For more information, please visit www.meehanforcongress.com.
Citizens Trade Campaign Endorses Patrick MurphyGroup cites former Congressman Fitzpatrick’s vote to ship American jobs overseas
(Levittown, PA) – Today, the Patrick Murphy for Congress campaign announced it had picked up the support of the Citizens Trade Campaign, a group dedicated to fighting against bad trade deals that lead to the outsourcing of American jobs.
“We are proud to endorse Patrick Murphy’s candidacy for the 8th District of Pennsylvania,” said Andy Gussert, Director of the Trade Brigade PAC. “His opponent, Mike Fitzpatrick, had his chance as a Congressman to stand up for American workers. But after promising to vote no on NAFTA-style trade deals that shipped American jobs overseas, he caved to pressure from the Bush administration and flipped. We need leaders in Congress whose word still means something, and Patrick Murphy is that leader for Bucks County.”
Citizens Trade Campaign started in response to passage of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The group is dedicated to fighting against job-killing trade deals like CAFTA, and advocating for trade policies to better serve the interests of a majority of people, rather than the agenda of corporations seeking to outsource jobs in order to exploit cheap labor overseas.
Patrick Murphy thanked Citizens Trade Campaign for their endorsement and reaffirmed his commitment to protecting American jobs for American workers by fighting against job-killing trade deals. Murphy has broken with the Obama Administration in standing up against trade deals that would give American workers a raw deal, such as the Korea Free Trade Agreement that he felt put U.S. auto workers at a disadvantage.
“Mike Fitzpatrick says he wants to take our country back – back to the same failed Bush-Fitzpatrick policies that outsourced American jobs. Middle-class families can’t afford another term under Congressman Fitzpatrick,” said Patrick Murphy.
House adopts his resolution designating Fire Prevention week and month in Pennsylvania
HARRISBURG, Sept. 30 – The state House of Representatives unanimously adopted Rep. Tim Solobay’s resolution (H.R. 967) designating October 2010 as “Pennsylvania Fire Prevention Month” and Oct. 3 through 9, 2010 as “Fire Prevention Week” in Pennsylvania.
“Each year in the United States, 3,000 people die in home fires,” said Solobay, D-Washington. “This resolution will remind Pennsylvanians to follow all safety measures to prevent fires, including installing smoke alarms and checking their batteries to make sure they are in working order.”
The National Fire Protection Association picked “Smoke Alarms: A Sound You Can Live With” as the theme for the 2010 National Fire Prevention Week to educate the public about the importance of having working smoke alarms in their homes.
“According to a 2008 telephone survey, 96 percent of homes in the U.S. have at least one smoke alarm,” Solobay said. “Smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a reported fire in half. I’d like to see 100 percent of homes having smoke alarms.”
According to an NFPA survey, in 2003-2006:
Roughly two-thirds of home fire deaths were in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms; In 23 percent of the home fire deaths, smoke alarms were present but did not sound; In more than half of the reported home fires in which the smoke alarms were present but did not operate even though the fire was large enough, batteries were missing or the device was disconnected.
Smoke alarm batteries should be replaced twice a year, in the fall and in the spring, and smoke alarms themselves should be replaced every 10 years.
Solobay is also the sponsor of H.B. 1445 that would require carbon monoxide alarms in all new construction and rental properties that have fossil-fuel heating systems or attached garages. Pennsylvania leads the nation in the number of carbon monoxide deaths.
BREAKING: Toomey Endorsed by Another Republican Investment Banker
Joe Sestak still only candidate who has stood up for Veterans and working families
MEDIA, Pa. — In a move that shocked absolutely no one, Congressman Toomey today accepted the endorsement of yet another Republican former public official and current investment banker.
Former Navy Secretary John Lehman served honorably under the Reagan Administration, and as a Naval Reservist. But as a longtime investment banker, including chairman of a private equity investment firm in New York, board member of a number of conservative think tanks, and part of Presidential campaigns for George W. Bush and Sam Brownback, Secretary Lehman’s stances on key issues have consistently placed him, like Congressman Toomey, to the right of mainstream Republicans. [http://www.rightweb.irc-online.org/profile/Lehman_John]
“Admiral Sestak respects Secretary Lehman’s honorable service, both in uniform and as a civilian leader, even though they could hardly disagree more about the Secretary’s views on the Iraq War and his controversial statements regarding the war on terrorism,” said Sestak campaign spokesman Jonathon Dworkin.
“But working Pennsylvanians – and particularly Veterans – simply won’t be fooled into thinking Congressman Toomey is on our side after he voted against more than $1 billion to fund mental health treatment for Veterans and even opposed a $1,500 bonus for our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. We know he’ll always join his friends on the far right to stand up for Wall Street bankers – while Admiral Sestak will always fight for Veterans and the middle class.”
All Veterans should be concerned about Congressman Toomey’s extreme record. No matter who he stands next to, Pennsylvanians know he will always do what’s best for Wall Street at our expense:
Toomey voted to underfund the VA by $1.3 billion, even though we had troops returning from two wars in 2003. [S Con Res 95, #198, 5/19/04]
As a Congressman in 2003 under the Bush Administration, he did nothing as more than one million “Priority 8″ Veterans making as little as $29,000 a year were excluded from VA health coverage. He voted against increasing funding for Veterans, including increased funding for the Veterans Health Administration [H J Res 107, #478, 9/29/04] and against an additional $1.3 billion for veterans’ health care. [HR 3289, #600, 10/30/03]
Meanwhile, Admiral Sestak has always been a strong supporter of those who wear the cloth of this nation – and, as the highest-ranking military officer ever elected to Congress, would be a strong ally for Veterans in the Senate:
In 2007, he helped pass the largest funding increase in the history of the Veterans Administration, which was underfunded for so long. [HR 2764, #1186, 12/19/07] He authored a bill that reversed a Bush Administration policy that excluded more than a million Priority 8 veterans from the VA health system. [HR 7167, 2008] Voted with the Disabled American Veterans 100% of the time [Disabled American Veterans: http://bit.ly/bqWxZI, http://bit.ly/aUo9Ho, http://bit.ly/9gz8xD] Passed the Wounded Warriors Assistance Act to give Veterans better treatment of mental health issues, post-traumatic stress disorder, and substance abuse [HR 1538, #208, 3/28/2007]
Background on Secretary Lehman
In 1992, Lehman founded the private investment equity firm J.F. Lehman & Company, which has New York, Washington and London offices. [http://www.jflpartners.com/contact/index.html]
Lehman is a member of the ultra-conservative Heritage Foundation among other conservative think tanks. He was part of Presidential campaigns for George W. Bush and Sam Brownack. [http://www.nndb.com/people/230/000043101/] In 2004, Lehman claimed in an address to the Naval Institute that the U.S. is not at war against terrorism, and is instead engaged in “a religious war” against Islamic fundamentalism. [http://www.military.com/NewContent/0,13190,NI_Meeting_0504,00.html]
As a member of the Project for a New American Century, Lehman signed onto a letter sent to President Bush in the days after 9/11, calling for the United States to take action against Iraq, regardless of whether they had any involvement: “. . . even if evidence does not link Iraq directly to the attack, any strategy aiming at the eradication of terrorism and its sponsors must include a determined effort to remove Saddam Hussein from power in Iraq. Failure to undertake such an effort will constitute an early and perhaps decisive surrender in the war on international terrorism.” [http://web.archive.org/web/20070807153905/www.newamericancentury.org/Bushletter.htm]
Murphy Bill Protects Troops from Early Termination Fees
Rep. Patrick Murphy’s bill passes in House; Allows servicemembers leaving for deployments to terminate cell phone contracts without penalty
(Washington, DC) – Pennsylvania Congressman Patrick Murphy (D-8th District) praised yesterday’s passage of the 21st Century Servicemembers Protection Act, included in the Veterans’ Benefits Act of 2010 (HR 3219), to protect deploying servicemembers from fines incurred if they have to break cell phone contracts early or need to reconnect their service upon return.
“The last thing our troops should have to deal with as they prepare to deploy overseas and fight for our country is haggling with their cell phone company about early termination fees or be worried about coming home to a pile of unpaid bills,” said Murphy, an Iraq war veteran who served with the 82nd Airborne Division in Baghdad from 2003 to 2004.
The 21st Century Servicemembers Protection Act addresses problems with telecommunications companies that troops may experience when leaving for or returning from overseas deployments. Servicemembers frequently have trouble suspending or breaking their contracts, even if they present deployment orders. Murphy’s provisions in H.R. 3219 expand the existing Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to allow troops with deployment orders to terminate their contracts without fee or penalty. It also provides troops the opportunity to reconnect these services hassle-free when they return home.
Murphy said that he decided to introduce the legislation after hearing countless stories of veterans returning home from overseas deployments only to spend hours fighting through red tape.
The 21st Century Servicemembers Protection Act has been endorsed by the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), the Association of the United States Army (AUSA), the Reserve Officers Association (ROA), the Fleet Reserve Association (FRA), the National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS), and the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA).
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