SARAH SPEED ANNOUNCES CANDIDACY FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE

By Sarah D. Speed

Pledges Emphasis on Prudent Stewardship of Public Trust

In the words of President John F. Kennedy "It is my determined purpose to be a prudent steward of the public funds." Most people with whom I have spoken agree that prudent stewardship of public funds and other public resources needs to be restored in both our federal government and in our State Legislature.

After working with Legislators and Administrations on both sides of the aisle in Harrisburg for the past four years, I have learned that they all want to do what they believe is best for their constituents. However, I have also seen too many instances where voting the "party line" has taken precedence over speaking up for the prudent stewardship of public resources.

Prudent stewardship of public resources requires more than simply being a "nice guy." It requires more than being a "veteran" legislator. It requires more than voting in lock step with the party line.

Prudent stewardship of public resources does not mean tax and spend. Nor does it mean slash and hoard. It means balancing taxation and expenditures in the fairest way possible to address the public needs of education, health care, safety, highways, and other basic functions of the Commonwealth.

Make no mistake; the Independent Finance Office reported on January 18th that unless the Legislature addresses both the expenditure and revenue sides of state government, the Commonwealth is doomed to face ongoing annual budget deficits through at least 2017.

Is it reasonable to expect that the same people who quietly led us into this circumstance will now be able to lead us out of it? Nearly everyone with whom I have spoken agrees that change is needed in our legislature. That is why I have filed petitions to be a candidate for State Representative.

This was not a decision lightly made. During past weeks I have spoken personally with numerous residents of the 47th District who encouraged me to become a candidate and who have signed petitions to place my name on the ballot. I am most grateful for their advice, their encouragement, and their support. I will continue to seek them out as we move forward.

I believe firmly that by rededicating ourselves to the value of prudent stewardship, by demanding accountability, performance, and effectiveness for every dollar we spend and every program we administer, we can again raise our Commonwealth from the doubts of economic recession to the strengths of citizen confidence.

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