Why I’d Like to Earn Your Vote on Tuesday

I don’t need to tell you how important it is to vote on Tuesday. But I’m not here to talk about President Obama or Governor Romney. I want to talk about the race 8th down on the ballot … mine. I’m running for State Representative in the 150th district.

While the presidency is immensely important, there are several offices up for election this week that affect our daily lives even more. In addition to President and Vice President, we are also voting for PA Attorney General, Auditor General, Treasurer and our representatives in the U.S. Congress and PA Legislature.

The state legislature is our direct connection with the creation of our state budget, which affects all levels of government in our communities. Our representatives oversee many state and local issues that matter to people’s lives the most. Being born and raised in this district (from Upper Providence and now in Norristown), I am hoping to do some good for our area.

The job of state representative requires multitasking of several different objectives.  Not only is the function of a state rep to vote on issues that affect the whole state, they have to look out for the best interests of their constituents back at home.  

I’m from here, my family’s here, I bought a house here – this is my home, and I want to see positive things happen here. I hate driving up and down Ridge Pike and seeing empty shopping centers and storefronts. And I know too many good, hard-working people who are unemployed or under-employed and struggling with bills.

I want to bring more businesses and jobs to the district, keep tolls off 422, hold the gas drilling companies accountable and make them pay their fair share and restore cuts to our education system. In the past 2 years since Gov. Corbett’s taken office, I’ve seen my property taxes go up, transparency in government go down, along with $5.6 million in cuts to the four school districts in the 150th (Spring-Ford, Methacton, Perkiomen Valley and Norristown).

I want to keep questioning and finding solutions for these problems by reaching across the aisle and working with members of both parties. I don’t want to see political moves like the ultrasound bill taking up the legislature’s time and energy.

And I want to see more women in office. Only 16% of the state legislature is made up of women. If we had more women in office, bills like the “just close your eyes” ultrasound bill wouldn’t even come up.

During this campaign over the past nine months, I have knocked on thousands of doors, talking and listening to voters and hearing the same thing from people. Most are worried about their future – the funding for their children’s education, the growing property taxes and the job market.

In Harrisburg, the concern is budgets. I’ve worked on large-scale project budgets in the corporate world where there is zero tolerance for mis-management. As a local newspaper reporter, not only did I report about the actions of government – planning, zoning, supervisors, etc. – but also the reactions of the people. As a homeowner and lifetime resident of the district, I share these same concerns, such as property taxes and economic recovery. I’ve served on professional boards such as Women in Cable Telecommunications, and I’m the head of a county-wide organization.  But more importantly, I’m qualified because I’m ready to listen to new ideas.

If you choose to elect me as your State Representative, I promise to work for each and every one of you – the people of the 150th. I promise to legislate fairly and to be honest about why I vote for any bill.  Finally, I swear to be there and fight for anyone who wants to help create a better community, a better economy and better life for all Pennsylvanians.

Kelly Devine is the Democratic candidate for the 150th District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, which includes Collegeville, Trappe, Upper Providence and parts of Lower Providence, West Norriton, Norristown and East Norriton. For more information about Kelly and her campaign, visit www.votedevine.com.