Campaign issues Anderson PA 154th

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On tuesday, January 31, 2006 Bruce G. Anderson, Cheltenham 4-4, declared his candidacy for the PA 154th legislative district at the monthly Cheltenham Township Republican Organization (CTRO) meeting. He also asked for the support of his fellow committee people. State regulations require 300 valid signatures for a General Assembly candidate to be on the ballot, and at the meeting petitions and personal information packs were given to those in attendance.

Jeff Belford, Springfield Township 6-1, the previous candidate in 2004 declined to run again after losing to Curry and has offered his enthusiastic support to the Anderson campaign.

The PA 154th Legislative District comprises all of Cheltenham Township, Springfield Township, and Jenkintown Borough as well as a small section of Philadelphia (35th Ward, Division 1) off Cottman Ave. The seat is currently held by Democrat Lawrence H. Curry, 70, who is seeking re-election.

On thursday, February 23, 2006 Bruce received the endorsement of the CTRO at its monthly meeting. Pizza was served. Attendance has improved.

Sunday, February 26, 2006 was a day to relax at the annual CTRO luncheon. Petitions were still being circulated and many state committee candidates introduced to Bruce were in attendance. Bruce was introduced by chairman Gilbert W. Cox, Jr. and asked to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Among the many dignataries in attendance were Montgomery County Commissioner Jim Matthews, candidate for PA Lt. Governor, and Ken Davis who is current chairman of the Montgomery County Republican Committee (MCRC).

On thursday March 2, 2006 Bruce received an endorsement of the MCRC at the annual convention at the Westover Country Club outside Norristown, PA. Although Bruce was not invited to speak, an additional 10 signatures were collected among attendees as the deadline for circulating approached on tuesday March 7, 2006.

Despite several evenings of bitter cold later in the week Bruce continued knocking on doors in Cheltenham township meeting republicans and gathering signatures.

"This is the year to upset the Democratic money machine and put the 154th back on economically stable ground. Our neighborhoods need stable property taxes if not reform."

As reported in the Times Chronicle, March 8, 2006, several individuals pursued grant money for a 'DOG PARK' in Curtis Arboretum from both state senator Washington (D) and state representative Curry (D). Originally, it had been reported that this project was to be privately funded. In any event, the grants were awarded. Now, is this a valid use of taxpayer funds ? (This is not to say that I don't like your DOGS...and I know alot of you have them!)

VOTERS GUIDE question:

What changes in the current structure for funding public schools would you recommend to ensure that all students have equal access to a high quality public education ?

Candidate Anderson:

" Funding for our public schools is adequate if not overly generous. Measures to conserve energy and financial resources should be taken before we ask our already hard pressed taxpayers to make any more sacrifices. Gambling revenue should be distributed to the school districts and steps should be taken to ensure those tax dollars actually represent meaningful tax reform. As the earned income tax has failed to deliver its intended benefit we should be wary of promises made regarding gambling tax dollars. "

Is state grant money being used for 'Pork Barrel' projects ? Remember those pictures of Curry and Shapiro with the 'BIG CHECKS' ? Pennsylvania dishes out more than $ 40 million to the General Assembly districts every year. Hopefully, this type of spending doesn't influence your pre-vote sentiment.

Candidate Anderson supports the Swann Matthews team and their plans to reduce the state income tax. Unfortunately, we are all now paying a combined 4.07% in both 'local earned' and 'state personal income' taxes. It's bad policy, it's not what America's about, and Anderson will work to make Pennsylvania the land of opportunity and not the land of taxation. Should we be locked into an economy where it takes an $80,000 double-income household to live in the PA 154th ? Between the tax liabilties we face on both real property and income it may well turn out that way

See the letter that was sent to residents of the PA 154th

Senior citizens, I hear you. You are concerned about increasing property taxes and your ability to continue living in your house. Frankly said, "the current representative and township officials don't care". They are raising taxes so that our current employees get their 'long overdue' salary hikes. I've been told by many people that Curry is popular because he lets the school districts and townships do whatever they want. Curry will not intervene in the school district or township budget battles because he doesn't think it's politically correct ! Both you and I know that is where local leadership could begin. Rest assured that Anderson will be a champion for the local interests of senior citizens, no matter what income bracket they might find themselves in. It is ironic that the federal government tells us there is no inflation and yet the local tax authorities do their utmost to create it.

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