Friends of Tim Seip Committee - PA

Vote For Tim On Tuesday

Thank you so much for your support during my first term and this first re-election campaign. With your help, I have been able to do many great things at your state capitol.

-15 bills introduced

-6 bills passed the House of Representatives

-2 bills signed into law to increase the prescribing authority for physician's assistants

-6 hearings of House Committees in the 125th District

-5 amendments to make the bills of other legislators better laws

-And, I was the ONLY member of the House to pass property tax legislation the entire 2007-08 term.

I kindly ask for your continued support and for your special consideration as you cast your ballot on election day, this Tuesday, November 4th.

For more information about my campaign, please visit my website.

One Month To Go!

The fire company block parties and church picnics have concluded for the year and Schuylkill Haven Borough Day has passed us by as well. Now we’re moving into parade season. Many Halloween parades will be marching forward in the near future, watch for me to be in your parade lineup again this year.

I have been in constant motion since my last update and much has occurred in the campaign since then. The Schuylkill County Labor Night "Meet the Candidates Forum" was held at the Humane Fire Company in Pottsville. It was great updating my constituents and supporters on the status of the 13 different pieces of legislation that I have authored, 6 of which have been passed by my colleagues in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

Yet another hearing of a committee of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives was held in the 125th District. I was proud to chair the House Democratic Policy Committee meeting on health care, at the Schuylkill Medical Center- South Jackson Street Campus. This was the 6th committee meeting that I have brought to the 125th District, in an effort to make state government much more accessible to my constituents.

Unfortunately, September brought with it another year of spot appeal hearings. I attended over 60 hearings, collecting data and observation to put to work in the legislative process to combat this incredibly unfair practice. My bill to eliminate spot appeals currently is in the Senate Appropriations Committee. I am hopeful that we can get this legislation passed next week to keep people in their homes, a forceful punch in the stomach of this unjust practice that will be a striking blow for working class Pennsylvanians who have been victimized by this horrible practice.

I was proud to be in Hamburg with my constituent, 1SG Kirkpatrick of Schuylkill Haven, to wish the soldiers well as they leave for training to prepare for a fast approaching deployment to Iraq. I also wanted to commend the family members and friends and the community, as they prepare to support their soldiers by insuring everything at home is taken care of so the soldiers can focus on their military mission.

The Schuylkill Friends of NRA Banquet was held at the Ramada in Pottsville. When the committee asked, I was happy to work with them and this year’s chairman, Register of Wills Mike McCord, to ensure the success of this vital event to help preserve our constitutional right to bear arms. Being the NRA Endorsed Candidate with an “A” rating, it was my pleasure to be there.

I have also received a number of additional endorsements. Most recent additions include; Berks FOP Lodge #71, PA State Troopers Association, Trooper Melley FOP Lodge #65, and state-wide AFSCME Council 13. Please check the endorsements section of the website for a complete list.

As the campaign presses on, I will need your ongoing support. Please continue to watch the website for information on the campaign.

p.s. Want to know where I stand on the issues? Have a look at the new issues page of my website.

In Full Swing

I have been quite busy in Harrisburg, representing your interests and fighting for legislation to; attack property taxes, improve health care, increase energy independence and address other issues important to the 61,513 constituents of the 125th Legislative District.&#160; &#160;

I was able to move legislation to eliminate unfair “spot appeals” through the General Assembly and to the Governor’s desk on Independence Day.&#160; After months of work, having introduced my bills to outlaw “spot appeals” in September 2007, I was stunned to have the legislation vetoed.&#160; However, this is not over.&#160; I vow to pursue every legislative avenue available to me to enact laws against “spot appeals”, including the override of the vetoes.&#160; &#160;

I am happy to report that legislation that I authored was signed into law and will allow physicians assistants to broaden their scope of practice and expand their prescribing authority, to free up physicians and reduce health care costs

Support of the energy independence strategy has led us closer to freeing our dependence on foreign oil.&#160; Work I did on the House Energy Committee and on the floor of the House of Representatives cleared the way for a $650 million dollar investment in our energy independence.&#160;&#160; &#160;

It’s great to have the chance to spend more time in the district, to focus on issues important to you.&#160; Now that summer is in full swing, I have been spending time with many of you at community events like;&#160; St John’s Summer Festival in Pottsville, Hegins Community Day and the Klingerstown Fireman’s Carnival.&#160; &#160;

Watch my website – www.seipforstatehouse.com – for upcoming community events and your chance to share your views with me.&#160;&#160;&#160; On Friday 25 July 08 we will be in Klingerstown at Benigna’s Creek Winery for our 2nd Annual Wine Fest.&#160; I look forward to seeing you all at this wonderful event.

100 Days To Go!

We are now less than 100 days from November 4, 2008 (Election Day) and busy is just what I expected to be. This last week was just that.

I had an opportunity to meet voters in Tremont Borough as I did door to door and we also were able to take in a great lunch at the Theater restaurant while we were in town.

Joe Jones Way was dedicated at Highridge Business Park and I was able to attend a wonderful gathering of community leaders to mark this important event.

The west end of the 125th was a real focus of the weekend. Friday marked the 2nd Annual Seip for Statehouse Winefest at Benignaʼs Creek in Klingerstown. It was great to have so many supporters, including Congressman Tim Holden, on hand for the event that could not have been more beautiful. I really enjoyed talking with everyone as we sampled double gold medal winning wines and took in the picturesque views of the vineyard and mountain ridge backdrops.

Saturday I was again in the Mahantongo Valley for the Pitman firemanʼs parade and carnival. The chicken platter was excellent and the Friendly Nursing Home banana split was wonderful.

Sunday I put on a lot of miles in the Sacramento Community Fire Company Motorcycle Poker Run. We crisscrossed the west end of the 125th, dipping into Dauphin County and touching Lebanon County for a few minutes as well. The ride was a great way to talk to voters and support the great work of the firefighters and fire police of the Sacramento Community Fire Company.

Following the Poker Run, I was off to meet Charlie Zimmerman at the North End Fire Company Car Show in Pine Grove. I enjoyed meeting everyone who took so much time to make their cars show perfect.

To cap off the night, I opened the Schuylkill County Fair with the fair committee and many other community leaders and past fair officers. I always look forward to seeing the meticulous care that our young people take in reading their animals for judging.

I will be at the fair all week to talk with folks from the 125th district and guests visiting my legislative district too.

See you at the fair!

Two Weeks Of Highlights

Racing, award winning animals at two fairs, cruisers on Market Street, coal miners in the valley, veterans at Moon Lake, Troopers at Rotary Field, Charity Golfing in Wayne Township and an Apache Helicopter landing in Centerport. That was just a quick rundown of the highpoints since my last update, just two weeks ago.

I was at the Schuylkill County Fair for every day of the fair. I participated in the opening ceremonies on Sunday and spoke to constituents and visitors all week long. I drove a 1947 Allis Chalmers in the tractor parade and even worked the gate one night for the Cressona Lions Club. But there were many events to get to, before the start of the fair, everyday.

I was “locked up” on July 30th …..for MDA. I raised over $300.00 for Jerry’s Kids.

I had the pleasure of emceeing the auction for the Disabled Veterans of America at Moon Lake. The auction saw many nostalgic items, as well as more modern things, sold to benefit the DAV and their phone cards for the troops program.

I caught a tremendous performance of The Troopers- “America’s Corp”- drum & bugle corps as they entertained in Schuylkill Haven.

The Reading Fair was held just this past week. I enjoyed speaking to some of my Berks County constituents and also looked over some prize winning vegetable entries from the 125th district.

Centerport hosted the Patriotic Order Sons of America tribute to the troops either returning from or leaving for deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as past veterans. One of the highlights was the landing of an Apache helicopter, piloted by 1LT Hoppes a Centerport native, to mark this important occasion.

The David A. Lucas Independent Coal Miners Picnic was held in Hegins Park. The Breaker Boys played away to entertain the many that gathered around, after enjoying the famous David A bean soup and a wonderful meal that was highlighted by the best sweet corn in the world. We also talked about the hardships that the MSHA regulations cause the miners, unnecessarily in these economic challenging times.

Friday night at the races means just one thing, Big Diamond action. I enjoyed meeting fans at the gates for the 2008 Chad Miller Memorial. I am proud to say that I led quite a few laps at Big Diamond….in the pace truck. I also captured quite a few citizen endorsements while at the track. Please check out the Citizens For Tim page on my website. I hope that you too will send me an endorsement.

The Great Pottsville Cruise, despite the rain and hail, marked another great year. The visit by Dennis Gage and Genevieve Chappell helped to make this cruise extra special. As usual, I walked the cruise. I started at Sheetz and made my way down West Market Street, meeting many supporters and even joining their porch parties for just a few moments along the way.

There are a tremendous amount of photos on the website for you to enjoy. As always, I appreciate your support and look forward to talking with you soon.

See you in Yorkville for the Block Party tonight,

It's Reunion Season

Signals are pointing toward summer’s end, but REUNION was the theme for this past week. The Yorkville Hose Block Party is in the book. Tim Holden’s Pig Roast is over too and the Schuylkill County Firefighter’s Convention is underway.

As usual, the Yorkville Block Party was a great opportunity to see old friends and enjoy food and fun. The weather was absolutely perfect for the occasion.

The ribbon cutting at Genesis Health and Rehabilitation was cut on Thursday for the new short stay wing. It was another reunion of sorts for me, as it wasn’t long ago that I was the Geriatric Social Worker at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center. There were many times that I worked with the staff at Genesis to help patients.

Wishing Charlie Bressi well was the order of business on Thursday evening. Charlie’s farewell from the District Attorney’s office party was yet another chance to speak to friends and past co-workers. I testified and worked with many of the attorneys and judges present, when testifying at mental health hearings and also at the county courthouse for Children & Youth matters.

Friday I began laying the groundwork for an upcoming hearing of the House of Representatives Majority Policy Committee. The hearing will center on health care and will be the very first at the Schuylkill Medical Center.

Plenty of people were on hand at the Tim Holden Pig Roast at the St Clair Fish & Game Friday evening. Again there were a tremendous number of supporters, past coworkers and friends on hand. I think the place was just as packed as it was when I was making my first run for the State House in 2006, when then PA Treasurer Bob Casey was there to campaign.

Saturday meant a lot of door to door campaigning in Landingville and Cressona, where I again saw many constituents and friends. Eric and I even had time to join a family picnic at a home on Railroad Street in Cressona, at the invitation of the Ellex family. Islandfest in Schuylkill Haven was also held on Saturday. It was nice to talk with Mayor Hess about positive accomplishments, like the more than $250,000.00 job that the Operating Engineers Local 542.....did on the Island to ready it to become a top notch recreation area. It was my first trip back to The Island since the Schuylkill River Sojourn launched from there in April.

On Sunday it was off to the Tremont Fire Company Car Show at the park in Tremont. Again, what great weather we had for the show. The weather allowed me to enjoy a motorcycle ride into Tremont for the show. Then it was back to Schuylkill Haven for the opening of the Schuylkill County Firefighters Convention. Following the procession of firefighters accompanied by bagpipers, the service opened at Grace Evangelical Congregational Church. It is wonderful to have this week long tribute to our heroes in my legislative district.

There are plenty of photos on the website for you to enjoy. As always, I appreciate your support and look forward to talking with you soon.

See you at the convention,

p.s. Have a look at all the new endorsements on my Citizens For Tim page.

Welcome To September

A week long celebration of Schuylkill County firefighting and “100 years of Liberty” in Schuylkill Haven, bio fuel, charity pig roast at the Roedersville Gun Club, a constituent older than the Liberty Fire Company, Cressona Fire Co #1 wings, the Center for Rural PA Board summer meeting, St Pat’s end of the summer picnic and Football Friday are some of the highlights from the past two weeks of the campaign.

The Schuylkill County Firefighters Convention and the 100th anniversary of the Liberty Fire Co was celebrated all week long - August 17-23. I was able to attend every event of the convention, except Tuesday.

Following the Firefighters Parade for the County Convention, I went to the charity pig roast at the Roedersville Gun Club. Fred Berger, who is recovering from serious health challenges and in need of financial help due to a lack of health insurance, was the beneficiary of the kindness of those who turned out to help. In all, $6,325 was raised to help Fred. The event also raised $477 for Dale and Shirley Krause who were the recent victims of a horrible fire in Washington Township.

Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning I was the host for the Center for Rural PA Board meeting. I was honored to have the board meet in the 125th district and was pleased to see how impressed they were with the great strides our communities have taken over the past few years, like; Main Street and Elm Street projects, Yuengling Brewery, and the Sovereign Majestic Theater in Pottsville. The board also enjoyed the tour of the Schuylkill Haven High School Classrooms of the Future and a trip to Cabela’s.

The group that I have formed to create energy assistance through bio fuel production is continuing to meet and now includes ACES (Area Citizens for Economic Success). The group is mobilizing to prepare to meet the emergency heating challenges that lye ahead in the winter of 2008-09.

I was honored to be one of the party goers at Laurel Center in Tilden Twp on August 25th. We were celebrating the 109th birthday of Helen Stump. It was amazing to meet a woman that has; lived in 3 different centuries, witnessed the world at war twice and also lived through the great depression.

Civil Air Patrol Cadet 2LT Mark Durick of South Manheim Twp, won the Billy Mitchell Award and I was honored to be a part of the award ceremony at the Lebanon VFW.

Chicken wings and high school football Friday kicked off my Labor Day weekend. After stopping at Cressona Fire Co #1 for their wing day, it was off to Rotary Field to see the Schuylkill Haven Hurricanes and Tri Valley Bull Dawgs open the football season.

A few picnics with family and friends and then it was off to the St Patrick’s End of the Summer Picnic at South Cass Picnic Grounds. Weather was ideal. People from all over the 125th district had descended on the event. There were thousands at the day long event and I had the pleasure of talking to most of them.

Labor Day, I was again at the South Cass Picnic Grounds for Steelworkers Local #9999 picnic. Another great day spent with some of my hardest working constituents. What a fitting way to wrap up the Labor Day holiday.

I am looking forward to the Central Berks Fire Company Breakfast on September 13th. I plan on attending with friends to support the firefighters and should arrive by 9am.

Hope to see you there,

p.s. Have a look at all the new endorsements on my Official Endorsements page.

Saint Patrick’s Day '08

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day.&#160; Nine weeks of the 2008 Campaign season have passed.&#160; Remember 24 March is the last day to register or make changes to your voter registration.&#160; I continue to work hard for all of the constituents of the 125th Legislative District. &#160;

Monday morning I was at the Capitol to start a week of vigorous discussion on health care and energy. &#160;

Tuesday was a busy morning in Harrisburg.&#160; Prior to session, I attended the Right to Life Coalition Breakfast and meeting with FFA high school students from Tri Valley and Pine Grove Area.

Wednesday a legislative week that saw key legislation moved on energy and health care, concluded.&#160; The Eachus amendment, which will expand adult basic medical coverage for working families, passed.&#160; A final vote is expected on the entire bill today.&#160; With energy costs out of control, as rising prices for heating oil, gasoline and diesel hit record highs, the house has passed a energy bill to help Pennsylvania's.&#160;&#160; &#160;

Thursday I again was in Harrisburg for a public hearing on HB 1594 (Rep Bishop) before the House Health and Human Services Committee.&#160; The bill deals with mandated treatment for those affected by substance abuse.

Friday I enjoyed meeting with the Farm Bureau to discuss issues that are important to farmers and non farmers alike; conservation, energy and food labeling.&#160; Friday evening I attended the Swatara Valley Friends of the NRA banquet at Fort Indiantown Gap.&#160; It was a wonderful event and a real opportunity to talk with constituents, while supporting the Constitution of the Commonwealth and the United States.

Saturday the green was out in Pottsville for the Saint Patrick’s Day parade.&#160; It was my honor to march in the parade with my daughter Elisa.&#160; There was a festive gathering at the Human Fire Company, the host for the annual post parade event.&#160; It was a wonderful opportunity to meet with constituents. I spent the day in Pottsville at meeting with constituents at traditional gatherings.&#160; I also was able to take time out to attend the Pottsville Gymnastics Training Center Friendship Classic.&#160; Prior to the event kick off, I welcomed spectators, competitors and volunteers to the 125th Legislative District.&#160; I presented the directors of the event, Barbara Kost-Lonergan and Sandy Kost-Sternerwith a citation from the House of Representatives for their dedication and service to this wonderful event, which sees people from all over the world converge on Martz Hall to compete and spectate.

Thank all of you for your help and support.&#160; During this busy past week, I registered five new voters and one person changed parties.

Thoughts for March 31

OK it’s after Easter and 11 weeks have really gone by quickly.&#160; These past two weeks have gone particularly fast.&#160; I hope that everyone had a wonderful Easter and Saint Patrick’s Day.&#160; With the completion of the Girardville Saint Patrick’s Day Parade, the Schuylkill County Saint Patrick’s celebration has now officially concluded.

Health care continues to be a tremendous issue, in the 125th District, as well as across the Commonwealth and the entire USA.&#160; The Eachus amendment (A6103) was added to Senate Bill 1137, which will expand adult basic medical coverage for working families.&#160; The bill has passed the House of Representatives and has been sent to the Senate.&#160; We have witnessed incredible health care cost increases and even those who have coverage are likely seeing drastic increases in co-pays and benefit costs.&#160; This bill will work to drastically reduce the $1.4 billion uncompensated care, which I believe is one of the primary cost drivers in our health care system. &#160;

I addressed the Schuylkill County Realtors Association, speaking a lot about HB1438 and HB1439.&#160; These two bills would change current law and would limit property tax appeals to those who actually own the property.&#160; This would end discrimination against purchasers of homes, that are being singled out for tax increases as similar homes remain taxed at the 1995-96 rate.&#160; I expect these bills to be voted on in the House Local Government Committee. &#160;

I want to thank Representative Neal Goodman for inviting me to the 123rd District to participate in the Girardville Saint Patrick’s Day Parade, which welcomed the 42nd President of the United States, Bill Clinton, to Schuylkill County.&#160; It was my honor to be part of the biggest event in Schuylkill County since Mother Teresa visited us well over 10 years ago. &#160;

I also attended a number of community events; The Association of Schuylkill County Services Breakfast, Berks County Grange Dinner, the Church Celebration of Pastor Rose Hoffman’s 80th Birthday and 80 years of service to others in Schuylkill Haven, Pine Grove ACES Bingo, First Anniversary of the Grateful Thread which is operated by Schuylkill Women in Crisis and the Schuylkill Haven tree dedication to Pastor Rose Hoffman.&#160; &#160;

Thanks all of you for your help and support.

Spring '08 Update

14 weeks of the 2008 campaign have really passed quickly. Tuesday- 22 April 08 is the Primary Election Day in Pennsylvania. Polls are open from 7am to 8pm. I have represented all of you in Harrisburg and across the 125th Legislative District to the best of my ability and humbly ask for your vote.

To continue to make every effort to have your state government accessible to you, I proudly hosted my 5th hearing in the 125th Legislative District for a committee of the House of Representatives. On Monday 14 April 08 the House Insurance Committee was in my district, at Schuylkill Center, for a hearing on HB 1121 to create a healthcare insurance consumer advocate.

Prior hearings included;

House Labor Committee in Tower City- State Uniform Construction Code

House Finance Committee in Pottsville- Property Taxes

House Aging Committee in Tilden Twp- Property Taxes

House Local Government Committee in N. Manheim Twp- Property Taxes

I have prime sponsored 3 bills, all to improve our health care system in PA, that have passed the House and are now in the Senate. We have witnessed incredible health care cost increases and even those who have coverage are likely seeing drastic increases in co-pays and benefit costs. I continue to lead the charge on health care in the House, as one of the only licensed health care professionals currently in the General Assembly.

On Thursday (17April) I was at the Reading and Berks Area Realtors Association, speaking a lot about HB 1438 and HB 1439. These two bills would change current law and would limit property tax appeals to those who actually own the property. I expect these bills to be voted on the Floor of the House soon, as they both passed out of the Local Government Committee on 1 April 08 with bipartisan support.

I want to thank Representative Neal Goodman for inviting me to the 123rd District to participate in the Girardville Saint Patrick’s Day Parade, which welcomed the 42nd President of the United States, Bill Clinton, to Schuylkill County. It was my honor to be part of the biggest event in Schuylkill County since Mother Teresa visited us well over 10 years ago.

I also attended a number of community events;

* 3rd Annual Maple Syrup Breakfast at Sweet Arrow Lake (5April08)

* Blue Mountain Eagle Foundation Banquet (2April08)

* 28th Division of the PA Army National Guard Freedom Salute (6April08)

* Penn State Schuylkill Scholarship Dinner (9April08)

* Pine Grove Area School District “Flip the Switch on Classrooms of the Future” Ribbon Cutting at Sheetz- N. Manheim Twp (10April08)

* Pine Grove Lions Meeting (10April08)

* Family Fun Festival (12April08)

* Chorus of the Chesapeake and Schuylkill Express Barber Shop Quartet Concert (13April08) * Landingville Fire Co Breakfast- where I ate and also bussed tables, (13April08)

* Washington Township Supervisor’s Meeting and Recreation Committee meeting (14April08)

* Reading and Berks Area Realtors Breakfast, Schuylkill County Rape and Victim Assistance Center 25th Anniversary open house (16April08) and the Luncheon (18April08)

* Pottsville Maroons Debate (18April08), Pottsville Rotary Little League opening day

* Schuylkill County Building Trades Picnic (18April08), Pine Grove High School play “Back to the 80’s” (18April08)

* Matthew Haslam Eagle Scout Ceremony (19April08),

Thanks all of you for your help and support. Please remember to vote on Tuesday 22 April '08.

testing

something