Pa. House Dems Pour More Than $1 Million Into Warren's Bid to Unseat Emrick

I live in Nazareth, where NorCo Council member Jeff Warren (a Democrat) is trying very hard to unseat incumbent Joe Emrick (a Republican) in Pennsylvania's 137th state house district. This district includes the townships of Bethlehem, Hanover (5th ward), Palmer, Upper and Lower Nazareth, and the boroughs of Nazareth and Tatamy. It is supposedly a purple district, but in recent years, the townships have become more Democratic. I believe this is the most competitive state house race in Northampton County. The cascade of mailers and social media ads indicates that both parties are pouring money into this contest. So far, I have received over 40 pieces of mail in this race alone. On Friday, the final campaign finance reports were due before the election. I was able to see Warren's report on Sunday. Emrick's report is still unavailable on the state website, but I should be able to get it on the state or county site on Monday. Until then, let me tell you about Warren's campaign finances.

The House Democratic Campaign Committee (HDCC) has poured more than $1 million into Jeff Warren's effort to unseat Republican state Rep. Joe Emrick in Pennsylvania's 137th Legislative District, according to Warren's latest campaign finance report. The extraordinary expenditure suggests that House Democrats have identified this Northampton County contest as an important battleground in the November 3 election.

Warren's 75-page Second Friday Pre-Election Report, covering June 9 through October 19, discloses $1,078,837 in in-kind contributions from HDCC, the political organization devoted to electing Democrats to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

The Pennsylvania Democratic Party provided another $128,324.69 in in-kind assistance.

Together, these two Democratic organizations supplied $1,207,161.69 in campaign assistance, accounting for more than 99% of Warren's reported in-kind contributions.

This support dwarfs the $359,078 Warren received in direct monetary contributions during the same reporting period.

Combining cash and in-kind assistance, Warren's campaign reported $1,575,646.77 in contributions between June 9 and October 19.

That figure does not include a subsequent $11,314.28 contribution from a Massachusetts resident disclosed in an October 20 late-contribution report.

The financial disclosures paint a picture of a legislative race that has attracted resources extending well beyond Northampton County.

### What HDCC's $1 Million Actually Purchased

The HDCC in-kind contributions are goods or services provided to a political campaign without the campaign itself necessarily paying for them. They were overwhelmingly associated with media. The reported contributions began during the summer with expenditures including $25,000 for media production on July 1 and a series of $8,000 digital media contributions throughout July and August. 

The amounts subsequently escalated considerably. Individual HDCC entries include $57,500 for media production, $67,385 for linear and digital media, $118,692.50 for media, and three separate contributions of $131,192.50 each for media. The three $131,192.50 entries alone represent $393,577.50 in assistance.

These in-kind contributions represent approximately 68.5% of Warren's entire $1.576 million in reported monetary and in-kind contributions during this period. For every dollar Warren reported receiving in direct monetary contributions, HDCC supplied approximately $3 in additional campaign assistance. The investment strongly suggests that House Democrats believe Emrick's seat is competitive and worth defending or pursuing with substantial institutional resources.

### Political Committees Dominate Warren's Cash Fundraising

Warren's direct monetary fundraising was also heavily dependent on political organizations. His latest filing identifies $359,078 in monetary contributions, including $241,150 from political committees. That represents approximately 67.2% of all cash contributions received during the reporting period.

The largest disclosed monetary contributor was Philadelphia-based Committee for a Better Tomorrow, which gave Warren $100,000 on August 29. That single contribution represented nearly 28% of his entire monetary fundraising for the reporting period. This committee is made up of Phill-area trial lawyers who oppose attempts to restrict personal injury lawsuits. 

Other major political committee contributors included:

| Contributor | Amount |

|---|---:|

| AFSCME PEOPLE | $25,000 |

| Conservation Voters of PA Action Fund | $25,000 |

| PAC for America's Future | $25,000 |

| PSEA PACE | $15,050 |

| Change PA | $15,000 |

| IBEW Local 375 PAC | $5,000 |

| Climate Cabinet PAC | $5,000 |

| Friends of Matt Bradford | $5,000 |

The contributions reflect substantial support from organized labor, environmental organizations and Democratic political committees. 

AFSCME PEOPLE, PSEA PACE and IBEW Local 375 are among the labor-related political organizations appearing in the filing. 

Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania Action Fund and Climate Cabinet PAC represent another identifiable source of support: organizations interested in environmental and climate-related public policy.

### Out-of-State Contributions Are Substantial

Although Warren is seeking to represent a Northampton County legislative district, a significant portion of his campaign contributions comes from outside Pennsylvania. An examination of the geographic information associated with larger contributions identifies at least $131,889.63 in monetary contributions from individuals and political committees listing addresses outside Pennsylvania.

That represents approximately 36.7% of his $359,078 in monetary receipts. This is a minimum figure because it does not include a complete geographic accounting of smaller contributions or the $14,684.99 in unitemized donations.

Among the significant out-of-state political contributors are AFSCME PEOPLE and PAC for America's Future, both listing Washington, DC, addresses. Each contributed $25,000.

Climate Cabinet PAC, Active Ballot Club General Fund, States Win, Vote Save America and Everytown for Gun Safety are among the other organizations listing addresses outside Pennsylvania.

Individual contributions also came from California, Texas, New York, Oregon, Massachusetts, Washington and several other states.

The geographic distribution underscores the fact that this is no longer simply a campaign financed by residents of the legislative district. It has attracted support from organizations and individuals with interests extending beyond Pennsylvania.

There is an important qualification, however. A contributor's mailing address does not necessarily establish the ultimate geographic origin of every dollar. A Pennsylvania-based political committee, for example, may itself receive money from outside the commonwealth.

Similarly, HDCC's $1.08 million in assistance is attributed to a Pennsylvania political organization, regardless of where individual advertising vendors or service providers might be located. 

It would therefore be inaccurate to characterize all HDCC assistance as out-of-state money.

### Another $11,314 Arrives After Reporting Deadline

Warren's fundraising has continued after the October 19 closing date of his regular pre-election report. 

A separate 24-hour contribution filing identifies an $11,314.28 contribution from Peter Francis of Marion, Massachusetts, received October 20.

### Warren Spends Heavily, Ends Period With $40,539

Despite the extraordinary resources being directed toward his election, Warren's own campaign reported a relatively modest cash balance at the close of the reporting period. 

He began June 9 with $105,285.85. After receiving $359,078 in additional monetary contributions, his campaign had $464,363.85 available. It spent $423,824.58, leaving $40,539.27 on October 19. The campaign reported no outstanding debts. So Warren spent most of the cash available to him during the reporting period.

### A Campaign That Has Changed Dramatically

Warren's previous campaign finance report showed him entering the summer with $105,285.85 in available cash. Emrick, by comparison, had approximately $140,340 available as of June 8, according to the earlier review of his campaign finances.

At that point, Emrick held a cash advantage of approximately $35,054. The latest Warren filing illustrates how dramatically the financial circumstances surrounding this contest have changed since June. Warren has received hundreds of thousands of dollars in direct contributions and more than $1.2 million in additional in-kind assistance. His campaign has also attracted major contributions from organized labor, environmental organizations, political committees and individual donors from across the country.

Warren's filing establishes that Democrats have committed substantial institutional resources to the 137th District.

### Why This Race Matters

The 137th District contest pits Warren, a Democrat, against Emrick, the Republican incumbent.

The House Democratic Campaign Committee's role is especially noteworthy given the importance of individual legislative seats in determining control of the Pennsylvania House. The organization's investment of more than $1 million in a single candidate suggests that Democratic strategists see an opportunity worth pursuing aggressively.

Whether this influx of money translates into sufficient votes to defeat Emrick will be decided November 3. It certainly should help.

Gracedale's Administrator Resigning

On Friday, I shared part of an email or letter that the state Department of Health sent to Gracedale Administrator Michelle Morton as a result of a visit that week. She was informed that the facility has failed to correct several deficiencies and that if this pattern continues, "the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the state Medicaid agency must deny payments for new admissions. A remedy of a civil money penalty and/or directed in-servicing may be imposed. Additionally, we will recommend that your provider agreement be terminated six months from the enforcement cycle start date. Remedies already imposed for this enforcement cycle remain in effect." [Emphasis added by blogger].

This effectively means that Gracedale would have to close. 

So much for moral obligation. 

How has Morton responded? On Friday, she notified NorCo Council that she is resigning, effective November 14. This has also been confirmed by Executive Tara Zrinski. 

Hopefully, this will spur Zrinski to do what she should have done when she assumed office - get an Administrator who actually knows how to run a nursing home. Listen to people on County Council like Dave Holland, who was part of the administration team at Gracedale that turned a failing nursing home around. 

Gracedale is on the agenda for this week's budget hearing. That should be interesting. 

Gracedale Warned Feds Will Deny Reimbusement Unless Deficiencies Are Corrected

The following is from a 10/22 letter to Gracedale Administrator Michelle Morton from the state DOH. Any plan of correction submitted by the county should include the termination of its administrator. 

Representatives of the Division of Nursing Care Facilities conducted a Revisit and Abbreviated Survey on October 20, 2026 to determine if your facility meets the requirements to participate in the federal certification program. All references to regulatory requirements contained in this letter are found in Title 42 CFR Part 483, Subpart B, Requirements for Long Term Care, and the 28 Pa. Code.

Based on the findings of this revisit, it was determined that your facility failed to correct the identified deficiencies, whereas continuing and/or new areas of noncompliance with the following participating requirements were identified:

F580 42 CFR §483.10(g)(14) Notification of Changes-New

F689 42 CFR §483.25(d) Accidents – Continuing – D

State Tag 1040 Responsibility of Licensee – New

The enforcement cycle start date is 09/10/2026.

If you do not correct the cited deficiencies within 90 days from the enforcement cycle start date, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the state Medicaid agency must deny payments for new admissions. A remedy of a civil money penalty and/or directed in-servicing may be imposed. Additionally, we will recommend that your provider agreement be terminated six months from the enforcement cycle start date. Remedies already imposed for this enforcement cycle remain in effect. [Emphasis added by blogger].

You must submit your plan of correction electronically. The deficiencies will be available for review and development of your plan of correction on October 23, 2026. This plan must be available for our review on the Department of Health Facility Site at https://sais.health.pa.gov/commonpoc/Login/Login.aspx, by November 1, 2026. If the deficiencies are not available on October 23, 2026, please notify the field office. Failure to submit an acceptable plan of correction within the required time frame may result in the recommendation of the imposition of additional remedies.

Your plan of correction must contain the following:

What corrective action(s) will be accomplished for those residents found to have been affected by the deficient practice?

How will you identify other residents having the potential to be affected by the same deficient practice and what corrective action will be taken?

What measures will be put into place or what system changes will you make to ensure that the deficient practice does not recur? How the corrective action will be monitored to ensure that the deficient practice will not recur; i.e., what quality assurance programs will be established?

Dates of when the corrective action will be completed.

If your plan of correction fails to contain these components for each deficiency cited, it will not be accepted. The specific target dates that you identify for your facility to achieve correction should reasonably reflect your facility's concern for the health and safety of your residents in relation to the deficiencies cited. If we conclude that your date of presumed compliance does not meet these criteria, it will not be accepted. The latest date identified for the completion of corrective actions will be accepted as the facility's allegation of compliance.

If we determine that subsequent to the date of presumed compliance identified by your facility that you have failed to achieve and maintain substantial compliance, additional remedies may be imposed.

Please note that this notice does not constitute formal notice of imposition of alternative remedies or termination of your provider agreement. Should the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services determine that termination or any other remedy is warranted, they will provide you with a separate formal notification of that determination.

The remainder of the letter provides informal dispute options. 

Bob Brooks FRAUD Signs Blossom in Pa. 07 Congressional District

Along with chrysanthemums and marigolds, a batch of new political signs are blossoming throughout the Pa. 07 Congressional district. They are "Bob Brooks FRAUD" signs, some of which are planted next to Brooks' own signs. Paid for by the Ryan Mackenzie campaign, the signs contain the web address BobBrooksFraud.com. 

The webpage starts with "Meet the Real Bob Brooks", and asserts he has a "documented history of putting himself and his personal profit before others." It then goes on to list eight verifiable examples, including links

1. "Bob Brooks signed an agreement to pay his family for a property, lied about it in court, was found liable, and ordered to pay back over $130,000.

2. "Despite claiming to stand up for workers, Bob Brooks didn’t carry legally required workers’ compensation insurance for his own employees at the company he owns… for four years. That means Brooks pocketed the savings and his employees got stiffed."

3. "As a union president, Bob Brooks took big extra money for himself at the exact same time he cut the services he was supposed to provide to union members. Once again, more money for Brooks while others got denied."

4. "Bob Brooks lied on official government documents to get himself a $15,000 taxpayer-funded COVID grant. The penalty? Up to 5 years in jail and a $250,000 fine." (Blogger's Note, Brooks actually got $30,000 and appears to have lied twice on two separate applications.)

5. "If you want to know about Bob Brooks’ real character — or lack of it — imagine this: Bob Brooks called volunteer firefighters in our community “shitbags” and “scabs.” That’s people who volunteer to run into burning buildings for all of us."

6. "Bob Brooks has been credibly accused of racism for enforcing a “white-only” membership policy as the Steward (manager) of a local social club."

7. "Bob Brooks says he’ll ban stock trading in Congress. But in his own life Brooks is a millionaire who is getting richer from trading stocks — including in the mega-corporations he says he’s against."

8. "Bob Brooks likes to act like he’s a working-class everyman. The fact is he’s a longtime political insider and registered lobbyist who was hand-picked by the political bosses. Brooks even admits they “called me into a backroom meeting” to be their candidate."

DA Baratta Proposes Early Intercept Program at Jail

During last week's interview with NorCo DA Steve Baratta, he told me he had just completed and submitted a proposal for an early-intervention program at the jail. Tise program would use approximately $400,000 in opioid-related funding, not tax dollars.

Under this program, casweorkers will interview newly admitted inmates during classification to identify defendants whose criminal behavior is primarily the result of substance abuse or ongoing mental health problems.

For appropriate defendants present no public safety risks, Baratta wants to develop treatment plans and bring them before a judge for reconsideration of bail.

For peoplke who sit in jail with drug and mental health problems, and wait for six months to a year to get their case resolved, no one benefits from that," he remarked.

According to a 2018 assessment done by NorCo's health provider at the jail, 72% of inmates either are or were suffering a mental illness. A whopping 23% suffer from severe mental illness with current and acute symptoms.

That's what happens when you close state hospitals. Many of the people who belonged there end up at the jail or Gracedale.

When someone is jailed, the county bears the cost of housing and feeding an inmate. Moreover, incarcerated individuals are generally ineligible for Medicaid coverage, which means the county has to pay for medical expenses.

Baratta added that even though the jail is at half-capacity, it is "in turmoil because they can't manage their operations."They don't have enough corrections officers.

Lafayette Journalist Slams Gracedale Spending at NorCo Budget Hearing While DOH Pays Another Visit

Yesterday, NorCo Council conducted the first of four scheduled budget hearings to review Executive Tara Zrinski's proposed 43.5% tax hike next year. No amendments will be offered until next month, but it's pretty clear that Council is unhappy with Zrinski's spending plan. Several members of the public spoke in opposition as Jeff Ward reports in Lehigh Valley News Briefs. I was particularly struck by comments from Alexa Krabbe, a student journalist at The Lafayette. 

Lafayette's Landis Center provides Gracedale with student volunteers, but she reports that some have become wary as a result of patient safety and staffing issues that were never communicated to them.

We've heard numerous times from Executive Tara Zrinski and Council member Kelly Keegan that Gracedale must be great because they did such a good job of caring for their family members. But just as there is positive anecdotal evidence, there is also the negative. Krabbe stated, "One of the first things that I heard about Gracedale, when I got here, was never sent anybody that you care about to that home, because they will be subject to horrible treatment."

"One in 10 Americans over 60 years old is subject to abuse and mistreatment, and a nursing home that adds to that abuse is not useful in this county," she added. She argued that county tax dollars should be spent on things that actually benefit people.

As she spoke and Council listened, the state Department of Health was wrapping up yet another visit to the home. Hopefully, County Council will be told what's going on this time. From what I'm told, it's more bad news.

Details Emerge for Two of Three Deficiencies at Gracedale in September

Earlier this month, at the first-ever meeting of NorCo Council's Gracedale Oversight Committee, it was learned that the home, which is currently operating with a Provisional II license, was cited by the state Department of Health on September 10 and again on September 24 with three deficiencies. Two of these were "G" level deficiencies, meaning there was actual harm to a resident.

There was little detail about these violations at the meeting, but the September 10 deficiencies are now posted on the Department of Health website. 

The first violation involved a resident with dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), traumatic brain injury, and spastic hemiplegia (a neuromuscular condition that causes muscle tightness and involuntary contractions in the limbs and extremities on one side of the body resulting in muscles on one side of the body). He has a swallowing problem and was placed on a special diet of soft food. Direct supervision is required when he eats.

On August 28, he began choking on a meal that was supposed to be pureed. Although he was supposed to be under supervision while eating, another resident slipped him part of a sandwich without notice by a nurse. He began to choke and the Heimlich maneuver failed. The resident had to be laid on his side and was subject to back thrusts until he spit out pieces of the sandwich. He was rushed to the hospital, where it was determined that he had acute respiratory failure with hypoxia from aspiration pneumonia. He remained in the hospital for four days.

Gracedale's nursing director admitted that the facility failed to provide adequae supervision.

The second violation occurred on August 22, and involves a resident suffering from ALS. Her medical plan requires that a gait belt be used when she is walking or moving from his wheelchair to a bed. A nurse's aide was assisting this resident in getting from his wheelchair to his bed when the resident began to cry and fall down. The nurse's aide had failed to use the required gait belt, but had the presence of mind to lower herself to the floor with the resident to break the fall and reduce injury. There is no indication that the resident suffered any harm.

Although one of these incidents is a "G" level deficiency, I'd agree that they pale in comparison to some of the other deficiencies found at Gracedale since Michelle Morton has been its Administrator. But deficiencies are still deficiencies, and even Executive Tara Zrinski concedes that the home will be in Provisional status a bit longer than had been hoped.

The details of the third incident are still unavailable for public review.

According to the CMS website, there is no indication that Gracedale was fined over either of these incidents.

Baratta Warns About NVE, a Disturbing New Form of Online Child Exploitation

During last week's interview with NorCo DA Steve Baratta, he warned of a new trend in crime called Nihilistic Violent Extremism (NVE), associated with online networks such as 764. Baratta said his office has encountered several cases involving the online grooming and exploitation of minors. Perpetrators, frequently young males, will manipulate teenage girls into self-harm, sexual exploitation and other disturbing conduct.

He described a recent investigation involving a juvenile male who allegedly persuaded a girl to cut herself, collect her blood, mix it with water and use it to paint a so-called blood wall containing images and slogans.

The girl recorded the activity and transmitted it electronically. The material was intercepted, allowing authorities to identify the juvenile male. Unfortuantely, at the time of the interview, investigators had yet to locate the girl and provide appropriate services.

In December or January, Baratta will begin training local police departments and school districts about this emerging threat, with the help of federal authorities. He wants to educate police, school personnel and children about online grooming, coercion and exploitation.

NorCo Council President Ken Kraft Unilaterally Decides to Stop Executive Reports

NorCo's Home Rule Charter specifically provides that County Council can require periodic reports from the Executive branch. Ron Angle, when he was Council President, suggested to fellow Council members many moons ago that it would be good for them, the administration and the public they serve, to provide an opportunity at every meeting for the county's top official to tell us what's going on. Council agreed. And so, the county executive report was born. It became a feature of every County Council meeting agenda. Until now. County Council President Ken Kraft has unilaterally decided to remove this feature from county council agendas

This tradition lasted through several Executives, starting with John Stoffa. Sometimes they had a lot to say. On other occasions, nothing at all.vs. 

Kraft has the authority as Council President to preside at meetings. By tradition, Council Presidents also set agendas and appoint county council committees. But he has no actual authority to make appointments or set agendas. He is little more than a first among equals. 

After she became Executive, Zrinski took the opportunity to deliver informative reports about what was going on in different county departments. Anyone with an actual interest in county government, instead of county politics, would find these useful. Not Kraft. He preferred that we know as little as possible, and pressured Zrinski to speed things up. When I complained, it was played off as a running joke. 

Not anymore. 

Although Zrinski has continued to provide these updates, she has also spent perhaps a bit more time than she should talking about herself. That's who she is, and she is far from the first politician to have a massive ego. During her report at last week's meeting, she went too far. She directly confronted several audience members who are understandably critical of her planned 43.5% tax hike. She also got emotional and had to choke back tears during the remainder of her report. 

It made her and County Council look bad.  

Kraft seized on that poor display to make a change. In an email sent to County Council members on Friday that has Lamont McClure's fingerprints all over it, Kraft made the unilateral decision to remove the Executive Report from future County Council agendas. "The objective is not to restrict questions or diminish accountability; it is to eliminate an unnecessary standing agenda item while preserving every Commissioner’s ability to obtain the information needed to perform their duties."

This is nonsense. When the county executive exercises the option of reporting on what is happening throughout different departments, she is providing accountability and transparency that also reaches members of the public who have no ability to ask questions of obtain this information any other way. 

This also enables both Council and the public to evaluate the kind of person who is speaking. Is she informative? Knowledgeable about county operations? A little too juvenile? Or instead, is she too pompous? Is she sincere? 

Kraft lacks the authority to do what he did. He is depriving both fellow Council members and the public from an opportunity to see their Exec in action and judge for themselves.  If he hates the idea that it adds 15 minutes to a meeting, he should resign. Hopefully County Council will reverse him at their next meeting. 

Let me tell what I've learned about watching and listening to her. She is working hard and grows more and more familiar with each department. She is a bit too jocular and laughs at the strangest times with very odd facial expressions. She talks a bit too much about herself. But she also has a deep desire to make the county a better place, is empathetic and is certainly sincere. 

We learn a lot from watching the Execs. What did I learn? John Stoffa displayed a deep sense of personal integrity combined with a wry humor. Brown was very knowledgeable about finance but had no empathy and hated saying more than was necessary. McClure by far was the most brilliant of the Execs and was often responsive to members of both Council and the public. He often would focus on one or two matters and sometimes used the Exec report to honor people. He was the first Exec to recognize that this report was a very useful too that combined good politics with good governance. Zrinski should have the same opportunity as other Execs.  

NorCo DA Steve Baratta Concerned About Three Suicides at Jail

During my interview with NorCo DA Steve Baratta last week, he expressed particular concern about the jail. That facility has experienced three inmate suicides in approximately three months, including two in one week. "And they don't call us," noted Baratta. "They don't call Easton police. They don't even call the coroner [except for the last suicide]. They just clean them up, call the EMT and make them go to the hospital with the dead body. And that's how we find out about it." He indicated that law enforcement should alwayus be summoned to investigate and make sure no crimes were committed. "It's part of transparency in government."

He believes part of the problem is the result of a critical shortage of corrections officers. The county has only been able to fill about half of these m[ositions, which leads to mandated overtinme, 16-hour shifts and exhausted guards.

He believes Executive Tara Zrinski is well aware of the problem.

Baratta believes that Zrinski took office with "rose-colored glasses," but is beginning to understand "how overwelming some of the issues are right now."

He acknowledged that the county is at a "low point right now", but adds that Zrinski understands that, and we'll see."

He believes Zrinski was getting bad advice from former Exec Lamont McClure. "I believe he was motivated to have her undertake his problems and shield himself from criticism because once she understands the problem and acts, people turn away from the last administration and say 'Well, now it's your problem, get it done.'"

Baratta believes that Zrinski was led to believe that the county's financial problems were manageable, but no longer has that view.

Congressional Candidate Bob Brooks Cancels Only Debate ith Incumbent Ryan Mackenzie

Bob Brooks, the Democratic nominee in the race for the Pa.-07 Congressional seat, has canceled his one and only debate with incumbent Republican Ryan Mackenzie. 

During the primary, Brooks received no accolades for his rhetorical skills. Mackenzie, on the other hand, did well in debates with former Congress member Susan Wild. 

The Brooks' campaign decided to drop out as a result of criticism over stealing from his own family, cheating his workers by paying no workmen's compensation insurance and lying on two separate applications for $30,000 in federally funded COVID grants. Brooks has issued a "cease and desist" letter to Mackenzie, which is probably sitting in a trash can right now. 

I suspect there would be two good reasons for Brooks to refuse to debate.

One, he is so far ahead in polling that it makes little sense for him to give any visibility to his opponent. Given that Mackenzie is an incumbent Congressman whose campaign is well-funded, he's already visible.

Two, Brooks will do very poorly. That's the more likely explanation. This is a guy who basically cheated his own family and lied about a judgment they obtained against him when he applied for COVID money. That's pretty sleazy. 

I also am disappointed that anyone who believes in our democratic republic would refuse to let the people see him for what he is, bad or good. 

Zrinski's Proposed 43.5% Tax Hike a Factor in Emrick-Warren State House Race

NorCo Exec Tara Zrinski's proposed 43.5% property tax hike has worked its way into the state house race between incumbent Joe Emrick and challenger Jeff Warren. While I would expect Warren to be part of a blue wave that sweeps Republicans out of office in this year's local races and midterms, Zrinski's unpopular proposal could cost him the election.

Warren, along with Ken Kraft and Kelly Keegan, have thus far been Zrinski's loyal lapdogs, as they were for former Exec Lamont McClure. But loyalty in politics can be very short-lived if it has political consequences. But he now claims that "she blind-sided the community, and she blind-sided county leadership as well, without seeking input or working towards solutions before announcing it."

Zrinski, in fact, has told County Council repeatedly that the tax man cometh. She has also hinted that a reassessment is needed.  

Warren has previously stated that he would be very troubled by a county council that provides "oversight," although they, and not Zrinski, are actually the governing body. 

What has happened is precisely what can be expected when Council members like Warren abdicate their responsibility. His failure to provide that oversight is precisely why Zrinski, and McClure before her, felt they could operate with impunity. 

Warren has said on his Facebook page that he opposes Zrinski's 43% tax hike. "When Executive Zrinski brushes this off as just $25 more a month, it does show how out of touch she is with household budgets."

There have been 30 mailers in this state house race, and most are garbage. But this one will hurt.