Support Alosi for State Representative

[AmbRider]

I saw this story today in the public opinion and thought I share it with all of you. We need to show our support for Andrew Alosi. Andrew is for more increased funding to help local first responders! Show your support on November 7th and vote for Andrew Alosi. He is a hard working citizen like ourselves and not a career politician both as an aide or Representative like our current Representative.

From 10-24 edition of PublicOpiniononline.com

Guest essay: Rep. Kauffman accepts perks that I won't
By ANDREW ALOSI
Public Opinion endorsed Republican Rob Kauffman for state representative in the 89th Legislative District.
We invited candidates who did not receive the newspaper's endorsement to write responses. Today we feature the response from Kauffman's opponent, Democrat Andrew Alosi:

The assertion Rob Kauffman is a reformist is not entirely correct. He boasts of voting against the pay raise (24 of 25 freshman legislators voted against it); however, takes part fully in the costliest perks and privileges of the Legislature.

For compensation, Article 2, Section 8 of the Constitution states salary and mileage only -- nothing about a free car lease and per diem. Kauffman took over $20,000 in perks on top of salary. I will not accept any perks as a legislator.

I began this race claiming I would not accept special interest money. Nine months later I am a man of my word. The people will guide my votes, not special interests. Kauffman accepted over $200,000 of special interest money.

Walking to Kauffman's office with the press to challenge him not to accept the annual COLA raise, the answer to us was the COLA is the law and Rob is required to accept it. (I applaud Superior Court Judge Joan Orie Melvin for filing a lawsuit to not receive her raise. ...)

Second, I will vote against wasteful spending but keep in mind there is a point where a legislator crosses the line from being frugal to becoming an obstructionist:

Amendment 6631 to House Bill 2499, April 4, 2006 -- Kauffman voted against a $200,000 appropriation for hospice and respite care for medically fragile children (Passed 161y-35n).
Amendment 6575 to HB2499, April 4, 2006 -- Kauffman voted against $300,000 for Child Victims of Sexual Abuse Advocacy Program (Passed 176y - 22n).

Amendment 6639 to HB2499 --Kauffman voted against $8 million for municipal firefighter and emergency service grants (Passed 174y -24n).

Kauffman says he is for cost reduction in state government but voted against Amendment 6486 to House Bill 2499 that requires all state agencies to cut spending by 5 percent (Passed 178y-19n).

When elected, I will put your needs before mine and set a high standard for public officials. I will serve you. This area has been my home for 28 years and it would be an honor to fight for you (www.alosi2006.com

[MAYTAG]

Now when someone says an elected official voted "NO" to a certain Bill, I get inquisitive.

So I did some checking on HB 2499 and found the following items that raised some serious questions in my mind and may have caused me to vote against them;

1. $442,531,000.00 (That's over 400 mil) appropriated to finance
the "Traffic Control and Traffic Safety Facilities Program"
(Not sure what the heck this is, but over $400 mil, WOW !!)

2. $1,000,000.00 to groom snow mobile trails. (WHAT when there are only 44,000 registered snowmobiles versus 250,000 registered ATV's)

3. $8,000,000.00 to finance develop and implement a
new system for drafting new legislation ($8 mil for a
system to draft new laws).

4. $924,000.00 for the Philadelphia Traffic Court. (Why are
they any different than any of the Magistrates courts?)

5. $8,800,000.00 for "Homeland Security Personal ID"
(For ID Cards)

6. $2,000,000.00 for security at historical sites located
throughout the state. ??

7. $10,751,000.00 for the Statewide Public Safety Radio
System. (How much did we already spend on this and it still
ain't working?)

8. $979,000.00 to pay expenses of the Lt. Governors mansion.

9. $5,734,000.00 to promote INTERNATIONAL TRADE !!!

So PLEASE, before you get all worked up because an elected official voted NO, maybe check to see why they voted NO.

I mean look at the new EMS Tax, that one REALLY stumped some people into thinking it was for EMS but in reality, very, very little is going towards that purpose. It's as easy as going to
www.legis.state.pa.us and typing in the bill number in the window about legislation.

If they introduce a Bill to increase the State Vol Fire & Amb grants by 200% but they tack on to that Bill an $1.00 per gallon gas tax, $2.50 tax per case of beer, 50% salary increase for Senators and Representitives or something else so outrageous, should they just pass it because of the 200% increase in the VF&AC Grants, I would think not !!

And yes, I supported Rob in his election as Twp Super, his first election as Rep of the 89th Dist and will again in 2 weeks. I don't know why he voted NO in these cases, but I know it was for a valid reason. I will support him because I know what he has done, is doing and will do for the Emergency Services.

Thank you and now stepping down from my soap box.