Malcolm Derk, a Republican candidate for the 10th Congressional seat, today criticized U.S. Rep. Christopher Carney, D-10, for voting against House Resolution 1194, which Derk contends called for an up or down vote on the health care bill.
A spokesman for Carney fired back, saying that Derk's facts are incorrect.
Carney joined with Republicans in voting against another resolution (House Resoution 1190) which prevents debate on whether there should be an up-or-down vote. That resolution was adopted 222-203, but Carney's "no" vote supported debate on the up-down vote, the spokesman pointed out.
House Resolution 1194, which failed by a vote of 232-181, states that the Democratic leadership "willfully abused its power to chart a legislative course for the Senate health care bill." and that the "House disapproves of the malfeasant manner in which the Democratic Leadership has thereby discharged the duties of their offices," but it does not include language about an up-down vote.
Yeager attends Crime Watch meeting in Danville
Ted Yeager, a Democratic candidate for the 107th state House district, visited the Danville Crime Watch meeting Thursday night in the Danville Middle School. He was introduced by Danville Mayor Ed Coleman.
Having taught 20-plus years in the Danville district, Yeager said he is familiar with that area as well as the coal region, allowing him to transend the parts of the district. The Elysburg resident urged people to vote in the May 18 primary election, saying shortly he will have signs going up and a website.
Bartos outlines his platform
Democrat Steve Bartos, a candidate for the 107th district seat, recently visited The Daily Item to share his campaign platform, which he calls "Six Steps to Prosperity."
His platform includes creating 400 new positions in the construction, renewable energy, manufacturing, medical and telecommunications sectors in his first two years of office; continuing to improve higher education in the area, as well as expanding those facilities, and creating local relationships with major universities; working to develop the Keystone Energy Technology Enterprise Center (KETEC) to enable new businesses can continue growing; developing new services for veterans and the elderly; working with police, fire and rescue and ambulance services to determine where additional funding is needed, and focusing on child care, unemployment insurance, education and job training.
Specter pleased with Marcellus Shale study
U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter, D-Pa., said he was pleased that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will conduct a comprehensive research study to investigate the impact that hydraulic fracturing, a process used to release underground natural gas, may have on water quality and public health.
βI am pleased that the EPA is undertaking this study pursuant to language in the Appropriations Bill which I helped to include. Natural gas is a crucial part of our clean energy future and efforts to achieve energy independence,β Specter said. βIn Pennsylvania, the Marcellus Shale has the potential to create nearly 200,000 jobs and generate nearly $15 billion in the next decade, but the gas must be extracted in a way that does not endanger our water supply, the most precious natural resource of all. I look forward to this study's progress and the lessons it will give us for how to best manage this important activity.β
