For too long, state legislators in Harrisburg found themselves under the iron firsts of senior lawmakers who ran the two parties' chambers brooking little dissent from within. Call it the "sit-down-and-shut-up" school of legislative management.

Those who tried to form independent courses when it came to important ethical reforms in the General Assembly were stifled, even punished. For evidence of how venal the system could be, look no further than the case of Delaware County state Rep. Greg Vitali, D-166th, who found himself stripped of a subcommittee assignment because he had the temerity to vote against the infamous legislative pay raise some years ago.

But we are pleased to report that cracks have begun forming in the walls surrounding the Harrisburg castle. In two cases involving Chester County legislators, party leaders have been publicly rebuked.

The first involved state Rep. Curt Schroder, R-158th, of East Brandywine. He was among those fed up with the reign of disgraced Speaker of the House John Perzel, R-172nd, of Philadelphia, and who dared to speak out against Perzel's continued service in that post. Schroder's opposition to Perzel played a role in the move that ultimately brought about the elevation of a new speaker, state Rep. Denis O'Brien, R-169th, of Philadelphia, who came to office promising a number of reforms.

The latest to break the old "keep-your-mouth-shut" mold is state Rep. Barbara McIlvaine Smith, D-156th, of West Chester.

Both Schroder and McIlvaine Smith are running for re-election this year, asking voters to send them back to Harrisburg. We believe that the voters in their districts should take notice of their willingness to break the tradition of intra-party silence when deciding whether they deserve another two years in the state capital.

(West Chester, PA) — Two Chester County Democrats running campaigns for the State House of Representatives held a press conference today in West Chester to discuss their priorities for reform measures that would make the state legislature more accountable to the public and end the culture of corruption and unethical behavior revealed in recent weeks.

State Representative Barbara McIlvaine Smith (PA-156) is running for reelection this year, and Paul Drucker, is a candidate for the State House District 157. Both have been outspoken leaders on the need for reform in Harrisburg.

McIlvaine Smith detailed a number of reform measures, ranging from a proposal to set term limits and a call for a constitutional convention, to making government transparent and accountable to the people it serves by posting all legislative and caucus expenses online, (McIlvaine Smith currently posts hers on her legislative website, www.pahouse.com/bsmith/Expense-Report.asp) and to ending gerrymandering by reforming our redistricting system.

"As we all know, two wrongs don't make a right, especially when they come at the public's expense," said McIlvaine Smith. "As a freshman legislator from the 156th legislative district, I do not believe in using state employees for campaign-related work, nor do I support paying any bonuses to state workers whatsoever."

McIlvaine Smith also announced that she has signed on as a supporter of the Pennsylvania Candidates Platform for Reform (PennCPR), which was introduced by Drucker in mid-July. PennCPR includes 12 specific reform measures that address lobbying reform, campaign reform and ending perks for legislators.

Drucker, who led a press conference with 16 candidates running for the State House on July 16th announcing PennCPR, thanked McIlvaine Smith for her support, and said that the most important thing that those running for the legislature can do is create an environment for change in how state government does its work.

"Recent events have made it clear that the way business is done in the state capital cannot be allowed to continue," said Drucker. "Those of us who want to serve our communities in the legislature need to continue to press for reform and build momentum for change. There are many good ideas about how to clean up the system — what is needed is a broad-based consensus to move forward with reforms."

"I want to thank Rep. McIlvaine Smith for her leadership on this issue, said Drucker. "I am especially pleased that she is the first incumbent who has signed on in support of the PennCPR platform, and I look forward to working with her on this important issue."

Both McIlvaine Smith and Drucker said at the press conference they do not support Majority Leader Bill DeWeese continuing as the leader of the caucus beyond this current term, which ends in November.

West Chester—Sierra Club Southeastern Pennsylvania Group has endorsed Barbara McIlvaine Smith, State Representative for Legislative District 156, which includes East Goshen, West Goshen, West Chester Borough, and the southern half of East Bradford Township. In 2006, McIlvaine Smith was also endorsed by the group, which acknowledged her lifetime commitment to preserving our environmental resources that are essential for the health, safety and welfare of our citizens.

As the incumbent, Barbara McIlvaine Smith stands out as a leader with a clear record of service fighting for critical environmental issues. Her efforts helped secure $650 million in the recent State Budget for investment in alternative renewable energies and research, and sponsored programs to provide incentives for the purchase of hybrid vehicles and energy efficient appliances. She also stood with the southeast delegation to demand that the state provide money for hazardous waste clean up while protecting the Keystone Fund.

While on West Chester Borough Council, McIlvaine Smith was the person responsible for gaining the early, unanimous support for Governor Rendell’s Growing Greener II initiative. As the Parks, Recreation, and Environmental Protection committee chair, she was responsible for the borough’s initial participation in the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI).

For several years, McIlvaine Smith taught “stream study” to children in grades K-8 at the Brandywine Valley Association. She holds certification in numerous state environmental education programs and is a certified master composter in Chester County. She is a long-time member of the Sierra Club, as well as other environmental groups, including West Chester Fish, Game, and Wildlife, Trout Unlimited, Green Valleys Association, and PA Environmental Council.

HARRISBURG, Pa.—The Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare plans to make more information available on its Web site about personal care homes for the elderly and disabled... Read full article

McIlvaine Smith said she introduced the bill in response to Richman's disclosure in March 2007 that nearly 75 percent of the state's roughly 1,500 personal care homes were operating with expired licenses because their inspections had not been completed.

The department subsequently hired retirees as temporary inspectors to help eliminate the backlog and has also bolstered its complement of full-time inspectors. Richman pledged during a February state budget hearing that the state would "never again" fall behind on the inspections.

Besides helping consumers, the information will also enable lawmakers to evaluate the department's inspection and licensing performance, McIlvaine Smith said.

"It helps us to know, are they going to need more money, more help?" she said.

I was honored recently to receive the Cyber Families Leadership Award from the Pennsylvania Families for Public Cyber Schools.

Pennsylvania is a leader in the development of online charter public schools. The state’s first cyber public charter school began in 1998 and now more than 20,000 students are enrolled in these schools.

As chairwoman of the House Subcommittee on Special Education, and a member of the House Education Committee, I will continue my efforts to ensure the future of cyber schools in Pennsylvania and to improve public education for all children in the Commonwealth.

We are at a pivotal point for redistricting reform.

Redistricting legislation will produce: Read more...

On Tuesday's Primary Day, the Dems came out in record numbers to vote for the Right Side of Politics. They cast their votes for their presidential favorites and for their congressional and state representatives. As the Representative for House District 156, I want to thank each and every one of you 8,635 people who voted for me. I will not let you down!

I also want to thank all of my friends and supporters who carried petitions to secure my place on the ballot, who put up yard signs, who stood at the polls on my behalf, and who have made donations to my campaign in order for my message to be heard by the people for whom I work - YOU!
Thank you one and all!

Because of you, we will succeed in continuing to make a significant difference in politics. Remember, it's not about Right or Left, it's about making the Right decision at the Right time for the Right reasons. It's about the Right Leadership...Leadership you can Trust in Harrisburg.

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

The Pennsylvania Coalition of Charter Schools (PCCS) applauds state representatives Barbara McIlvaine Smith and Duane Milne for supporting charter school families in spite of special interest group pressure. Recently, the House Education Committee, of which these representatives are members, voted down legislation that would have paved the way for school districts to shutter charter public schools ... schools many districts see as unwelcome competition. Read more...

Timothy Daniels
Executive Director of the
Pennsylvania Coalition of Charter Schools

Every ten years after the Federal Census is taken, the district lines for the General Assembly, as well as the U.S. Congressional districts, are redrawn according to population changes. Currently, the process for redistricting involves bringing together one member in leadership from each party and both chambers, plus one who is appointed as a non-elected, nonpartisan chair. Then they put their heads together and carve up the map of PA according to their party’s wishes to protect incumbents or to get rid of members who fell out of favor with leadership. [What is that shape? Mouseover for answer.]

Why should you care? Because your ability to choose your representative is being negated by that small group of insiders. And if nothing is done about the process by June 23, 2008, we’ll have to wait another 10 years before we have another opportunity. The League, AAUW, and Common Cause PA, among others, are campaigning hard to change that process. We need the electorate to join that effort to ensure that the process is transparent and that your voices are heard.

Please visit http://www.palwv.org/issues/2008Redistricting.html to learn more.

When it was my turn to speak, I prefaced my comments by stating that I had been a business owner for nearly 28 years. And health insurance was our largest expenditure per month. I shared how much that cost was per year, and then I stated how much the cost would be under this plan—about half. (See testimonial of business owners across the Commonwealth.)

In later testimony, a woman representing the largest chamber in the state proffered that the "tax on business" would impact low income and entry level workers the most. When I asked her to explain, she said that restaurants would have to let their dishwashers go. I asked, "Then who would do the dishes?" (meaning, of course, restaurant and other business owners will not lay off workers needed to run their businesses just to avoid a minimal tax for insurance coverage).

Our low income and entry level workers are already being impacted by lack of health coverage. But none of us can be sure we have enough coverage or the right kind of coverage until we need it. It's time that we as a society put the health, safety, and welfare of our fellow citizens at the forefront of our policy-making.

In a letter to House leadership this week, Rep. Curt Schroder (R-East Brandywine) and a bipartisan group of 22 other House members requested a 20 percent reduction in the Legislature’s 2008-09 budget. Schroder said the line item, which covers the operational costs of the Legislature, amounts to a taxpayer savings of about $66 million. Read more...

WEST CHESTER — The Pennsylvania Department of Welfare recently announced a new round of mini-grants for individuals with autism or families who have a member with autism.

The mini-grant program awards up to $500 to eligible applicants, and applications must be received by April 18.

State Rep. Barbara McIlvaine Smith, D-156th, of West Chester, urged people to apply for the limited funds. Read more...

STATE REPRESENTATIVE COMES OUT OF THE GATE WITH SUPPORTERS EAGER TO CONTINUE HER POLITICAL CAREER

By ANNE PICKERING, Staff Writer

WEST CHESTER — State Rep. Barbara McIlvaine Smith, D-156th, of West Chester, kicked-off her re-election campaign Thursday before an enthusiastic crowd at the Chester County Historical Society.

Introducing her campaign slogan, McIlvaine Smith said, “I stand before you tonight as the state representative from the 156th District who is trusted, tested and proven.”

“I believe that without trust we cannot move this country, or our great state, forward. And trust cannot be achieved without communication.”
As she pledged in 2006, she said she has reached across the aisles to find like-minded colleagues to work with on common goals.

Two bills she introduced have been passed by the state House of Representatives and are now awaiting consideration by the state Senate. Read more...