RCCC Update

Rep. Dan Truitt: Truitt comments on Gov. Corbett's reforms for the Legislature

2011-01-25T16:09:00.001-05:00

Rep. Dan Truitt: Truitt comments on Gov. Corbett's reforms for the Legislature.
Text of Jan. 25 press release.

Rep. Dan Truitt (R-Chester) released the following statement on Gov. Corbett's recommendations to reform the legislature:
"We must treat the legislature the way we would a business," Truitt said. "That means cutting excess and inefficiency. This is exactly what we must do with the state budget. So it's imperative that we lead by example. That's why I have declined the state car, the per diems, and pension, and I'm making a very deliberate effort to minimize my district office expenses, travel expenses, and Harrisburg office expenses.

Contact: David Foster, 215-744-2600
-30-

QUESTION: If you had the opportunity to comment on Governor Corbett's reforms, what would you say?

Senator Pileggi Pledges Openess in Redistricting

2011-01-14T15:18:00.002-05:00

Today an article came out from the Tribune Review revealing some of PA Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi's thoughts on the redistricting process.
Please review the article online and tell us what you think!
Would you be in favor of implementing a website for the general public to view the process?
Would you take advantage of the public hearings that the Senator speaks of in the article?
Let us know your thoughts!
CLICK HERE to view the article.

Democrat Controlled West Chester adopts 20 percent tax hike

2010-12-29T13:46:00.000-05:00

By JENNIFER MILLER, Staff Writer

WEST CHESTER — Borough Council on Tuesday formally agreed to increase property taxes 20 percent in 2011 and to switch health care providers for borough employees.

At a Dec. 15 meeting, council approved a 2011 budget. And in a 5-2 vote, council agreed to eliminate its original proposal for a 7 percent tax increase, parking fee changes and a "pay as you go" trash bag system in exchange for a 20 percent property tax increase and various parking alterations.

To make the new tax rate official for 2011, council had to hold a special meeting by Dec. 31 to approve a tax rate ordinance. Council approved the new rate with a 5-1 vote, with Councilwoman Susan Bayne opposed and Councilman Jim Jones absent.

Following the Dec. 15 meeting, Bayne said many residents had told her they were concerned about the tax increase.

"They are really upset with this," Bayne said. "They do feel like it's a hardship."

The approved tax increase would move the real estate tax rate from

5.8 to 6.96 mills.

A mill is $1 of tax paid for each $1,000 of a property's assessed value, so the tax hike equates to an additional $130, or a total of $828, a year for the average single-family residence with an assessed value of $119,000.

The tax increase is part of officials' efforts to fill in a $1.5 million hole in an $18.1 million budget.

Councilman John Manion proposed the 20 percent tax increase at the Dec. 15 meeting after residents spoke out against proposed $2 and $4 trash bag fees. Manion said Tuesday the 20 percent tax increase was the borough's "only viable option."

Some on council also said the property tax increase would be comparable to the proposed trash fees. Councilman Tom Paxson said the tax increase is extreme, but necessary.

"I agree, it's ridiculous, but it's the only option we have," Paxson said.

Councilwoman Cassandra Jones said she has received significant criticism from residents over the tax increase, even by members of her church. She said someone recently described those on council as "devils." Despite the criticism, she said council has no other choice. She pointed out that council members are subject to the same taxes and fees.

"We're all residents too, so it affects everyone," she said.

After approving the tax increase, council agreed with a 6-0 vote to switch health care providers for all union and non-union employees beginning Feb. 1. Council made the decision after the West Chester Police Department union urged council not to do so.

Borough Manager Ernie McNeely said switching from Amerihealth to United Healthcare will not affect any benefits employees are already receiving, but will prevent the borough from paying "shock claims," which significantly impacted the budget this year. The unpredicted claims could cost the borough $4,000 to $300,000 in any given month, McNeely said.

But the change in carriers could mean an employee's current primary physician may not be covered by the new provider.

Union President Det. Andrew McFarland accused council and administrators of failing to properly convey the possible benefit changes to the union in a timely manor before the vote. Specifically, McFarland criticized officials for waiting until November to have the union weigh in on the proposed changes.

"You guys have had financial problems all year," McFarland said. "This is not the way to treat your employees."

McFarland said the union, on previous occasions, has agreed to make changes to the current contract at the request of officials. He questioned why officials are once again going to the police department to save money.

"Now, when things are tight, you want to take from them?" McFarland said as he pointed to the roughly 25 officers present.

McFarland also asked council to consider extending the police union contract by a year or two years. Councilwoman Holly Brown said later in the meeting she suspected the union wants the extension to avoid significant benefit cuts during tough economic times.

"They don't want to face that at contract negotiations, I would guess," she said.

McFarland and other members of the police department left the room before council finished the discussion and voted on the matter.

The police union has a contract with the borough that outlines benefits and salaries. The measure council approved will go against what the contract states; therefore, the union could fight the decision by filing a grievance and the matter could potentially go into arbitration.

McNeely said arbitration could cost the borough $4,000 to $6,000.

Manion said he preferred the cost of arbitration versus possible "shock claims."

"It's pennies for dollars," he said.

To contact staff writer Jennifer Miller, send an e-mail to jenmiller@dailylocal.com.

Truitt Lauds Boy Scouts for Food Collection Effort

2010-12-29T13:44:00.000-05:00

Scouts collected enough food for nearly 100 Christmas meals

WEST CHESTER – Rep. Dan Truitt (R-Chester) issued a special thank you today to Chester County Boy Scouts for their efforts to collect food for The Salvation Army of West Chester after it lost all of its perishable items when a refrigerator malfunctioned.

“This effort by the Boy Scouts goes to the very heart of scouting – fostering civic responsibility,” said Truitt. “When the scouts heard about the devastated Salvation Army food program, they came through in a big way, collecting approximately 100 turkeys, along with non-perishable food and monetary donations. Their actions will help to feed local families during the holidays and make Christmas a little brighter for those in need.”

Truitt, a merit badge counselor with Troop 14, facilitated the collection with 11 Boy Scout troops in Chester County. More than 40 individual scouts and their families participated.

The Salvation Army will supplement part of or the entire meal for 750 families in Chester County. The food donations will help to provide holiday meals and enough provisions through the Christmas break from school. Additionally, The Salvation Army provides served meals on major holidays and throughout the week.

“The community has certainly risen to the occasion, and we are overwhelmed by the generosity of those who made donations. Our prayers have been answered,” said Major Gerald Morgan, commanding officer with The Salvation Army of West Chester. “We are determined to provide enough food to sustain those we serve through the holiday season. The Boy Scouts have made all the difference in ensuring a successful mission for Christmas 2010.”

Chester County has seen a 54 percent increase in food requests this year. Nearly 30 percent of requests are coming from individuals and families who have never sought assistance in the past. Much of the increase is due to the difficult economy, and The Salvation Army is helping many people who are out of work or facing other financial difficulties.

“As I begin my first term as a state representative, this is a wonderful reminder of the caliber of citizens I am serving,” said Truitt. “When we are faced with a challenge that seems insurmountable, we pull together and work through it. Knowing that so many families will be helped this year is proof that the Christmas spirit is alive and well in West Chester.”

County adopts 2011 budget, no property tax increase

2010-12-23T13:39:00.000-05:00

By MICHAEL P. RELLAHAN
Staff Writer

WEST CHESTER — The Chester County commissioners adopted a 2011 budget Tuesday that calls for no county property tax increase, but makes cuts in spending at Pocopson Home, reduces the amount of planned borrowing for the county's open space preservation program, and forgoes staff salary increases for the second year in a row.

The unanimous decision by the three-member board came after county administrative and financial staff were able to pare down a proposed 3.9 percent tax increase to fill a budget gap from increased debt service, lease payments, and reduced state and federal funding, among other changes.

The commissioners said they were pleased to be able to deliver a budget with no increase in taxes, but warned that the budget outlook at the state and federal level will pose financial challenges for the county in 2011, if those governments cut spending that flows to the county.

All three also defended their decision to cut in half the annual $20 million bor

rowing for open space projects in the county in 2011. The county could not afford to borrow the full amount, the commissioners said, but they also maintained there is less pressure to fund the same level of preservation projects in the coming year because the real estate market has dried up locally.

"Our staff heard a clear message from our citizens, that there should be no tax increase in Chester County," said Chairwoman Carol Aichele, noting that the county had not raised taxes in four of the past five years. "We heeded that message. Our challenges will be difficult in the coming years, but if anyone can do it, Chester County can."

All three commissioners heaped praise on the county staff and department heads for coming up with a budget that kept taxes down.

"Everyone came in prepared to make reductions, in line with their strategic goals," said Commission Terence Farrell. "The public should know that we are going to return value to the taxpayers. "

Commissioner Kathi Cozzone said that the county continues to face the financial burden of paying for unfunded mandates made by the state, which passes the cost of government on to local entities instead of paying for state services, like the Common Pleas courts.

"When we are talking about the pressures (those costs put) on property taxes in the county, the public needs to understand that it runs the gamut of services," Cozzone said.

The total county operating budget is shrinking this year from 2010's plan, down to $507. 1 million from $542.3 million. Real estate taxes — the only tax available to third-class counties in Pennsylvania like Chester County — account for 35 percent of the county's overall revenue, about $149.8 million.

The county cuts its full tax millage of 3.965 into four slices. In 2011, the taxes dedicated to the parks fund will stay the same at .156 mills, and the library taxes will also remain level at .190 mills. The general funds taxes will shrink to 2.730 mills from 2.853 in 2010. The amount dedicated to debt service — the amount of interest principal and interest paid on county bond issues — will increase to 0.889 from 0.766.

A mill in taxes equals $1 for every $1,000 of assessed property value. The county has said that a taxpayer with a property assessed at $299,657, the median market value in the county, will pay $658 in county property taxes.

The budget challenges that the commissioners said they faced this year, in addition to the reduction in revenue from the state and federal government, included a continuing drop in interest income, and increased costs in public safety, the courts, debt service, building lease payments, and county health care contributions.

The county will begin leasing a new office building for administrative and non-court related departments on West Market Street in West Chester at a cost of $2.4 million in 2011. The county signed the lease in 2007 before the current economic downturn that began in 2008.

The commissioners said they had heard a number of comments from land preservation advocates, organizations, and municipalities that the county should not turn away from a commitment made in the county election of 2007 to borrow up to $20 million a year to fund open space projects in the county. They decided to cut that to $10 million, and thereby decrease the pressure to raise taxes, because of the county's general economic outlook.

"There is no way in 2007 that we could have predicted this kind of a downturn in the economy," Aichele said. "Our taxpayers are struggling through this recession."

Mark Rupsis, the county's chief administrative officer and point person on the budget, said he had never seen an era in the county in the past 30 years when the real estate base was either flat or in recession. That, and the loss of interest revenue, put the county in the position of having to cut non-mandatory program funding across the board.

Aichele said that when the economy begins to improve, the county can return to its previous level of support for open space and other programs feeling the pinch.

"We can restore these programs as money becomes available," she said. "We are committed to open space preservation, and we will be the first ones back in the game." She contended that the county is still on pace to meet its goal of preserving 30 percent of its acreage by 2015.

To that end, Cozzone asked Rupsis to begin preparing some form of measurement so that the commissioners can see when development pressures on open space return. "I'd like us to be in front of the return of development, rather than behind it," she said.

To contact staff writer Michael P. Rellahan, send an e-mail to mrellahan@dailylocal.com.

Republicans = Good Management

2010-11-29T15:35:00.000-05:00

November 29, 2010

EDITORS: The following is for immediate release. If you have any questions, please contact Rob Brooks, Executive Director of the Republican Committee of Chester County, at 610-696-1842.

Good Republican Management
of County Departments
Leads to More Taxpayer Savings

WEST CHESTER _ Again, good management provided by our Republican, County Commissioners saves taxpayer dollars. Recently, our Commissioners announced a merger between the Parks and Recreation Department and our Facilities Department which will amount to major savings each year.

“The combination of the two successful departments will result in a savings of taxpayers’ dollars and continued great service to the community,” said Commissioner Terence Farrell. “The estimated savings in maintenance services is $400,000 per year through combined use of equipment and personnel.”

“With the challenges that we knew we would be facing for next year’s budget, we tasked the county’s senior staff and department heads to search for ways in which savings can be made without cutting services. The merger is a great example, and will allow our Facilities personnel to do what they do best, and our Parks and Recreation people to focus on the wonderful programs and services that they provide to the public,” said Chair of the Chester County Commissioners, Carol Aichele.

The merger is already in effect under the direction of the facilities department. In addition to a better use of staff and equipment, taxpayers will see savings through coordinated capital planning and joint purchasing of the newly merged departments.

“This should come as no surprise,” said Chester County Republican Committee Chairman, Skip Brion. “Our Republican County Commissioners are great managers of our county government who continually look to save taxpayer dollars and make government more efficient.”

###

Chester County is the first county in Pennsylvania to initiate a strategic planning process. Because of its fiscally responsible practices, Chester County is the only county in Pennsylvania and one of twenty-three in the nation to have three Aaa bond ratings from Moody’s Investors Service, Standard & Poor’s and Fitch Ratings. Moreover, Chester County has been recognized by Moody’s Investor Service as “One of the Top 24 Best Managed Counties in America,” and by Forbes.com as “One of the Top 10 Places in the Country to Raise a Family.”

RCCC Sweeps 2010 Election

2010-11-03T11:32:00.000-04:00

EDITORS: The following is for immediate release. If you have any questions, please contact Robert Brooks, Executive Director of the Republican Committee of Chester County, at 610-696-1842.

Republican Committee of Chester County
Sweeps 2010 Election

WEST CHESTER _ Skip Brion, Chairman of the Republican Committee of Chester County released the following statement:

“Last night was a wonderful night for Chester County Republicans. Because of the hard work of our candidates, committee and volunteers, we were successful in turning out an overwhelming number of supporters which led to sweeping victories in Chester County.”

“I specifically want to thank all of our volunteers and committee members. They answered our call all year and without their hard work our success last night wouldn’t have been possible. I would like to also thank our local tea party groups for assisting in our grassroots plan. I am grateful for all of their support.”

“In addition to winning all of our Congressional, State Senate and State House seats this year, we were very happy to help in winning a Republican Majority in the Pennsylvania State House, electing Pat Toomey as our next US Senator and Tom Corbett as our next Governor.”

“It’s now time for our newly elected officials and re-elected incumbents to go to Harrisburg and Washington and work to reduce spending and focus on job creation, economic recovery, and keeping our taxes low. I am excited that the voters chose to give us this opportunity and trust that our Republican elected officials will do just that.

Listed below are all of the critical victories in Chester County:

U.S. Senate
Pat Toomey

Governor
Tom Corbett

Lieutenant Governor
Jim Cawley

Congress
Jim Gerlach (PA-6)
Pat Meehan (PA-7)
Joe Pitts (PA-16)

State Senate
Ted Erickson (SEN-26)
Mike Brubaker (SEN-36)
John Rafferty (SEN-44)
Mike Folmer (SEN-48)

State House
John Lawrence (LEG-13)
Tim Hennessey (LEG-26)
Curt Schroder (LEG-155)
Dan Truitt (LEG-156)
Warren Kampf (LEG-157)
Chris Ross (LEG-158)
Steve Barrar (LEG-160)
Duane Milne (LEG-167)
Tom Killion (LEG-168)

What PA Newspapers are Saying about the Senate Race

2010-10-31T13:06:00.000-04:00

For Immediate Release—October 29, 2010

Contact: Nachama Soloveichik • Communications Director • 484.809.7994 • 646.528.1029
Contact: Kristin Anderson • Deputy Communications Director • 484.809.7994 • 612.280.5196
Contact: Tim Kelly • Press Secretary • 484.809.7994

Allentown, PA – While Pennsylvania newspaper editorial pages as a whole are widely known for their preference for liberal Democratic candidates, this year, an unusual number of newspapers are coming out in favor of Pat Toomey and his commonsense policies that will bring political balance and fiscal responsibility to Washington.

Bucks County: “Running a small business since he left Congress, Toomey would seek to revive the economy by reducing business tax rates to levels similar to major trading competitors, simplifying the U.S. tax code, cutting the capital gains tax and better protecting American intellectual property rights. These are common sense positions, not extremism in our view. Indeed, members of our editorial board who expected to hear over-the-top right-wing rhetoric from Toomey, found him to be clear, succinct and reasonable instead. Sestak, on the other hand, rather than answering questions tended to segue to prepared talking points that often were off target.” (Bucks County Courier Times, Doylestown Intelligencer, 10/29/10)

Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: “He [Toomey] says he’s also alarmed over ballooning federal debt, the increasing government control of our lives, long-term joblessness and gargantuan new laws that are hard to understand. So are we and so are the residents of the Cambria-Somerset region. We believe that Pat Toomey will join others in Congress who want to stop the nonsense in Washington and take our nation in another, more sensible direction.” (Johnstown Tribune-Democrat, 10/28/10)

Lancaster New Era: “Sestak not only voted in favor of the pork-laden Obama stimulus, he wishes the federal government would spend more. ‘I would have voted for a trillion dollars (in stimulus money),’ he has said. A trillion dollars? Now who's being extreme? . . . Pat Toomey has solid conservative views; small government, low taxes, fiscal restraint, strong military; and he seeks high public office at a time when those views are desperately needed.” (Lancaster New Era, 10/27/10)

Altoona Mirror: “Many people agree that the ship of our nation has sailed into dangerous waters. Now we need a crew, including a U.S. senator from Pennsylvania, who can help right the course. In our opinion, that person is Republican Pat Toomey . . . Toomey's Democratic opponent, Rep. Joe Sestak, has been part of crew that has steered the ship of state under the direction of President Barack Obama and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Electing Toomey as Pennsylvania's senator will send an unmistakable message to the Washington establishment that change is needed.” (Altoona Mirror, 10/27/10)

Williamsport Sun-Gazette: “Toomey would be an important addition in the Senate of one more voice for private business incentives and fiscal discipline in government. That's never been more needed than now.” (Williamsport Sun-Gazette, 10/24/10)

Easton Express-Times: “More than anything, we believe Congress is in need of a new class of deficit hawks, and Toomey tops this list. The Express-Times endorses his candidacy for the sake for the generations of Americans who will be paying down our debt, and we hope his message is heard in Washington . . . That’s the kind of restraint Congress needs to enshrine — and Toomey is the candidate who won’t brook any dissent in a war on wasteful spending.”

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: “Pat Toomey is another good and decent man. No, there's not much ‘flash’ but Toomey is no shrinking violet. He understands fundamental economics and government's role in facilitating economic growth. His scholarship and demeanor will serve Pennsylvanians well in the U.S. Senate.” (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, 10/17/10)

Sestak Embroiled in Yet Another Earmark Scandal

2010-08-30T16:33:00.003-04:00

For Immediate Release—August 30, 2010

Contact: Nachama Soloveichik • Communications Director • 484.809.7994 • 646.528.1029
Contact: Kristin Anderson • Deputy Communications Director • 484.809.7994 • 612.280.5196
Contact: Tim Kelly • Press Secretary • 484.809.7994

Sestak Secures Forbidden Earmark for For-Profit Company in Violation of House Rules

Allentown, PA – As news of Congressman Joe Sestak’s latest earmark scandal hit the Allentown Morning Call on Saturday, U.S. Senate candidate Pat Toomey called on Congressman Sestak to come forward and answer the many questions surrounding his latest scandal.

Only a month after news of Congressman Sestak’s violation of his own earmark-related ethics pledge, the Allentown Morning Call discovered that Sestak is violating House rules by requesting an earmark for a for-profit organization while surreptitiously trying to funnel it through a non-profit group.

According to the Morning Call, Congressman Sestak requested a $350,000 earmark for a small, non-profit atheist group called the Thomas Paine Foundation for the stated purpose of developing a prototype Vertical Axis Wind Turbine project.

The Thomas Paine Foundation is a Philadelphia-area group dedicated to sponsoring “activities, events and speakers to educate the public about the non-theist life stance,” not exactly the likely recipient for a $350,000 energy earmark. The address for the Foundation was a home address listed in Media, PA even though the earmark description on Congressman Sestak’s website said the money would be spent in Aston, PA.

The Morning Call discovered that the Sestak earmark was never truly intended for the Thomas Paine Foundation, but for a for-profit company in Aston, PA called New Way Air Bearings, founded by a man named Drew Devitt. Mr. Devitt was the sole officer listed for the Thomas Paine Foundation on the group’s last IRS filing in 2004. Since House rules prohibited earmarks for for-profit companies in 2010, the Thomas Paine Foundation was used to funnel the money to the for-profit New Way Air Bearings.

Mr. Devitt admitted as much to the Morning Call, saying “One of the things Obama did for 2010 was to eliminate for-profit filing for line items, so obviously New Way wasn’t qualified. But Thomas Paine wasn’t for-profit, so it was eligible to file for a line item.”

Congressman Sestak now joins many of his Washington colleagues who have adopted the shady practice of using sham non-profits to circumvent House rules as documented recently in the New York Times (New York Times, 07/04/10). This practice was decried by Steve Ellis of the watchdog group Taxpayers for Common Sense: “Lawmakers not knowing is not a good enough answer. They are saying these earmarks are worth spending taxpayer dollars … they should know soup-to-nuts everything about these earmarks.”

This raises several critical questions for Congressman Sestak. The people of Pennsylvania deserve to know the truth.

1) Why is Congressman Sestak steering hundreds of thousands of tax dollars to an atheist group with no history of working on wind turbines to develop a vertical axis wind turbine project?

2) Why is Congressman Sestak circumventing House rules banning earmarks for for-profit corporations?

3) Does Congressman Sestak research earmark requests coming into his office or does he happily dole out hundreds of thousands of tax dollars to anyone who asks?

4) How is it possible that a $350,000 wind turbine earmark for a small atheist group that does no work on wind turbines and hasn’t filed with the IRS in six years didn’t raise suspicions for Congressman Sestak?

5) Does Congressman Sestak think Congressional rules banning for-profit earmarks should apply to everyone but himself?

6) Why did Congressman Sestak think this project was worth spending tax dollars on when Senators Casey and Specter refused to request funding for this earmark?

7) When will Congressman Sestak return the $119,000 he took in violation of his own ethics pledge to return contributions from people he requests earmarks for?

This is not the first time Congressman Sestak has been embroiled in an earmark scandal. A month ago, the Philadelphia Inquirer discovered Sestak had accepted over $119,000 in violation of his own ethics pledge listed on his campaign website. According to his website, Sestak pledged to return contributions from people who requested earmarks from his congressional office. But instead of returning the contributions discovered by the Philadelphia Inquirer, Congressman Sestak offered a series of excuses and hollow denials, prompting the Philadelphia Daily News to call Sestak’s ethics pledge “a vague disingenuous attempt to polish his own credentials.”

Toomey Communications Director Nachama Soloveichik commented: “It’s bad enough that Joe Sestak repeatedly wastes Pennsylvanians’ tax dollars on outrageous earmarks like a Mule and Packers Museum in California. It got worse when Sestak trotted out a phony ethics pledge against taking campaign contributions from people he funneled earmarks to, only to flunk his own ethics test. Now, Sestak is violating House rules by using a non-profit as cover for doling out tax dollars to his pet project. Joe Sestak and the Washington wasteful earmark game are so out of control that you can’t make this stuff up. It would almost be funny if it wasn’t such a tragic waste of tax dollars. Congressman Sestak, please tell Pennsylvanians why it’s okay to break House rules to fund a wind turbine project for an atheist group with our tax dollars.”

Polls show Tom Corbett and Pat Toomey way up!

2010-08-19T10:00:00.007-04:00

Awesome news---

The latest polls show Tom Corbett enjoying a massive lead on Drink-Tax Onorato for the race for Governor. In the race for U.S. Senate, Pat Toomey is 9 points ahead of Joe Sestak or is it Sestax?

For more detailed analysis of the polling, please see the links below:

PPP - Gubernatorial Polling

PPP - U.S. Senate Polling

Rasmussen - U.S. Senate Polling

Stay Tuned!

Chairman Brion on the Coburn/McCain Report on Stimulus Waste

2010-08-04T10:01:00.002-04:00

Greetings Committee:

I thought you might find the following information useful. Senators Coburn and McCain released a report yesterday detailing 100 wasteful stimulus projects. McCain and Coburn wrote in their report, “Eighteen months since the passage of the stimulus bill, millions of jobs are still gone and the economy is as uncertain as ever. The only thing getting a boost is our national debt. The stimulus has helped push it 23 percent higher, to $13.2 trillion, a new record.” Listed below are some examples of the mismanaged, to put it lightly, stimulus dollars allocated.

• $554,763 for the Forest Service to replace windows in a closed visitor center at Mount St. Helens
• $762,372 to create “Dance Draw” interactive dance software
• $62 million for a tunnel to nowhere in Pittsburgh, PA that even Governor, Ed Rendell called “a tragic mistake”
• $1.9 million for international ant research
• $1.8 million for a road project that is threatening a pastor’s home
• $308 million for a joint clean energy venture with…BP
• $89,298 to replace a new sidewalk that leads to a ditch in Boynton, OK
• $3.8 million for a “streetscaping” project that has reduced traffic and caused a business to fire two employees
• $16 million to help Boeing to clean up an environmental mess it created in 2007
• $200,000 to help Siberian communities lobby Russian policy makers
• $39.7 million to upgrade the statehouse and political offices in Topeka, Kansas
• $760,000 to Georgia Tech to study improvised music
• $700,000 to study why monkeys respond negatively to inequity
• $193,956 to study voter perceptions of the economic stimulus
• $363,760 to help NIH promote the positive impacts of stimulus projects
• $456,663 to study the circulation of Neptune’s atmosphere
• $529,648 to study the effects of local populations on the environment…in the Himalayas

Please let your constituents and volunteers know of this ridiculous use of our tax dollars. The report in its entirety can be viewed by clicking here. Now, more than ever, we need your help and the help of the volunteers in your areas to work hard for our candidates. The best use of our grassroots volunteers’ time is by joining us at Republican HQ, 15 South Church Street in West Chester, to make calls to ID Voters for November. Our phone banks are now open Monday through Thursday from 5:00pm to 8:00pm and on Saturdays from 10:00am to 4:00pm. Also, we are going Door to Door across the county. If you would like to go Door to Door in your area or join a group of people going out elsewhere in Chester County, please contact us at 610-696-1842 or e-mail Ashley Skidmore, Chester County Victory Director, at askidmore@pagop.org.

Your efforts and the support of our volunteers will lead us to victory on November 2nd. Thanks for all you do, and let me know if you have any questions or if I can be of any assistance.

On to victory,
Skip

Corbett/Toomey Volunteer Opportunities

2010-08-03T14:16:00.003-04:00

Please join our fight to elect Tom Corbett as our next Governor and Pat Toomey as our next U.S. Senator.

Volunteer Opportunities:

Phone banks at Republican HQ, 15 South Church Street in West Chester
Monday through Thursday from 5:00pm to 8:00pm
Saturday from 10:00am to 4:00pm

Interested in going door to door for our nominees? Contact Ashley Skidmore, Chester County Victory Director, at askidmore@pagop.org.

For more information contact us at 610-696-1842 or e-mail me at rbrooks@republicanccc.com.

Eric Cantor's "YouCut"

2010-06-28T15:29:00.001-04:00

YouCut – a first-of-its-kind project - is designed to defeat the permissive culture of runaway spending in Congress. It allows you to vote, both online and on your cell phone, on spending cuts that you want to see the House enact.

Interesting concept, please check it out and make your opinions heard.

http://republicanwhip.house.gov/YouCut

Chester County's First Super Saturday

2010-06-27T15:34:00.004-04:00

Yesterday's Super Saturday in Chester County was a huge success. Over 30 volunteers turned out to knock on doors in support of Tom Corbett for Governor, Jim Cawley for Lt. Governor, Pat Toomey for US Senate, and Pat Meehan and Joe Pitts for Congress. The Republican Committee of Chester County appreciates everyone for their help. Thanks a million! There will be other opportunities to get involved soon. We will be hosting phone banks every Wednesday starting in July through August at HQ from 5pm to 8pm. Also, we will host 4 more Super Saturdays through July and August. Stay tuned for more information!

Republican Committee of Chester County Elects Party Officers

2010-06-23T12:15:00.002-04:00

EDITORS: The following is for immediate release. If you have any questions, please contact Rob Brooks, Executive Director of the Republican Committee of Chester County, at (610) 696-1842.

WEST CHESTER _ The Republican Committee of Chester County met last night for their County Re-Organization Meeting at Rustin High School to elect Party officers.

Out of the six offices elected, only the office of Chairman was challenged. Skip Brion defeated opponent Steve Kantrowitz by a super majority on the first ballot to be re-elected to his fifth term as Chairman. Marian McGrath was elected Vice Chair; Paul Andriole was re-elected Treasurer, Nancy Toner was elected Secretary, Michelle Kichline was elected Assistant Secretary; and Lenny Rivera was re-elected as Finance Secretary.

“I would like to thank this committee for its vote of confidence in electing me to my fifth term as County Chairman,” Brion said, “We have a great team of candidates this year and this committee is united in its resolve to elect good, qualified Republicans to office on November 2nd.”

Toomey/Corbett Volunteer Opportunities

2010-06-16T11:56:00.005-04:00

The Toomey and Corbett campaigns will be holding multiple volunteer events throughout the summer so please reach out to the volunteers in your precincts and encourage them to help out.

The first volunteer event of the summer will be Super Saturday on June 26th. Super Saturday is a door knocking event that will focus on targeted voters in the West Chester Area. We will be meeting at Republican HQ, 15 South Church Street in West Chester, at 10:00am to distribute walking lists/surveys/literature door bags to our committee people and volunteers. Following the door knocks, we will all meet back at Republican HQ to have pizza and refreshments at 1:00pm.

Please come out and help the Toomey and Corbett campaigns and bring out any volunteers you can. Also, for those that dislike surveys, we promise they will be very, very short (10 seconds long). If you have any questions or would like RSVP for the event, please e-mail me at rbrooks@republicanccc.com or call HQ at 610-696-1842.

We will continue to update everyone as more events are scheduled.

Thanks for all of your help!

RCCC Re-Organization Meetings

2010-06-11T14:52:00.003-04:00

After every even year Primary Election (eg. 2006, 2008 + 2010), all Area Committees are required under our by-laws to hold Re-Organization meetings for the election of its officers (eg. Chair, Vice Chair, etc.). In addition to these meetings, the County Committee must also hold a Re-Organization meeting to elect our County Officers. Our 2010 RCCC Re-Organization is being held on Tuesday, June 22nd beginning at 7:00pm at Rustin High School, 1100 Shiloh Road in West Chester. (Registration begins at 6:00pm.) Notices and proxies have been sent out to all committee people as per our bylaws. If you haven't received a notice or have questions regarding the process of re-organizing our committees, please feel free to contact headquarters at 610-696-1842.