My Vision

The Pennsylvania I grew up in was remarkably different than the one we live and work in today.  Our state was a national leader, with real purpose, and its own unique identity. 

Pennsylvania was one of the best states in the country for families.  We had jobs and growth and a strong economy. There was never a question about whether the public schools were good or our students were competitive.  We invested in our children, our future, and ourselves.

But somewhere along the way, we got lost, and when we did we sacrificed our place as a national leader.  We became a state that was satisfied with “good enough.”

Well, I’ve never been satisfied with “good enough.” 

I grew up in Scranton as one of eleven kids.  Today my wife Donna and I have six kids of our own and we chose to stay in Scranton because we believe it’s the best place in the state to raise a family.

And I’m not the only one who feels that way.  Just last year Business Week magazine put Scranton on a list of the best places in the state for raising a family.

We’ve worked hard to earn that sort of recognition and we did it by refusing to be satisfied with “good enough.”  We put the old politics aside and we made the tough decisions to put us back on track.

That’s why I’m running for state senator.  I want Pennsylvania to again be the best state in the nation to raise a family.

That means putting the old, failed politics behind us.

Anyone who’s watched the budget debate in Harrisburg knows the old ways don’t work.

It means being willing to make tough decisions. 

I learned pretty quickly on this job that doing the right thing doesn’t always mean doing the most popular thing.  But I’ve done what I thought was right for Scranton and I think our success is the proof positive.

And it means that we make smart investments in ourselves.  After all, if we’re not willing to invest in our area, why should anyone else?

If we want to make Northeastern Pennsylvania the best place in the country to raise a family, then we need to give people a reason to call Pennsylvania home. 

I’ve seen what’s possible when we come together around a shared vision of success and prosperity.  I know it works because it worked right here in Scranton.