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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Tuesday, July 10, 2018

Dean Donaher Will Reject State Rep. Pension

Dean Donaher
The annual salary for a rank-and-file State Representative is $87,180. It goes up every year with the Consumer Price Index. In addition, legislators who live 50 miles away can charge taxpayers for meals and living expenses while in the land of midnight payraises. Finally, they get a pension for all their hard work as back-benchers, doing as they're told. But if you send Dean Donaher to Harrisburg, he's made clear he'll take no pension.

Dean M. Donaher of Hanover Township, Northampton County is the Democratic nominee for State Representative in the 138th Legislative District. His opponent is incumbent Marcia Hahn, who has been sleeping there since 2010. Prior to that, she was a secretary in that office. She has no education beyond a high school diploma. She is used to doing what she's told. Her former boss, Craig Dally, took a bipartisan approach. Not Marcia. She does what the Republican leadership tells her to do.

She has forgotten or more likely has never realized that her real bosses are the people who live and vote in her district. That's why, unlike many of the Republican peers, she refused to sponsor a bill to reform the gerrymander.

Donahaer announced yesterday that he has no interest in a pension and will reject it. “As someone who already receives a pension, there’s no need for me to ‘double dip,’ he said. "I’m running for State Representative to make a significant and positive difference in my community, not to receive another pension check.”

Donaher wants to do his part to ensure that the Commonwealth’s taxes are being directed to initiatives that matter in our local communities: job creation programs and educating our youth.

32 comments:

Anonymous said...

Contact info for Mr Donaher? I have something of interest for him.

Anonymous said...

Another Bernie man-crush. Hahn has hardly been sleeping on the job. She is easily re-elected every two years because of her excellent constituent service. And you have shown your ugly elitist side by looking down on her high school education. She has done more with her limited education and life experiences than you have done with your JD, O'Hare.

Bernie O'Hare said...

12:07, His webpage contact form is here. https://www.deandonaher.com/contact

If you do not get through, drop me a line at bohare5948@aol.com

Anonymous said...

Yes, Marcia makes it very clear how to get a fishing license and where to get docs shredded. BFD!! She and Emerich have done nothing during their time in Harrisburg! Donaher will expose the fraud that public funding of for profit Charter School has supported.
—-Mother Jones

Anonymous said...

This is misogynistic hater against another woman. He is an empty suit an d a privileged insider, Ms. Hahn is a servant of the people not the insiders.

Bernie O'Hare said...

Marcia Hahn is a back_bencher who does as she is told - the ultimate insider.

Anonymous said...

I like Marcia. She enjoys lots of support. For a high school diploma holder, she’s achieved more than you. She’s also a delightful and kind person. Your education didn’t make you either of those things.

Anonymous said...

Many state reps bunk up together in Hbg, or stay at low cost hotels for under $100 (e.g. Red Roof Inn) b/c they take the full day per diem (something around $175), pay the cheap hotel rate or split it with another rep, and then pocket the difference. Then they get most meals/drinks paid by lobbyists. And they also get vehicle leases or stipends. Jim Wansacz, a Democratic representative from Lackawanna County, socked away more than $160,000 in per diems over a 10-year period. He used the money to buy a house within walking distance of the Capitol. He divided the house into apartments and rented some of the units — brace yourself — to other legislators. State reps and sens should have to provide receipts for all expenses and get reimbursed for what they actually pay, which would also allow the public to fully see what they are spending our tax dollars on. From what I understand, Marcia likes the Staybridge Suites for around $120 per night, where they provide free breakfast and happy hour food/drinks.

Anonymous said...

Marcia continued to win reelection because the county D's either capitulated or ran substandard candidates against her. Maybe now she will have to run instead of walking to another victory in November.

Anonymous said...

"She has no education beyond a high school diploma."

Mercy me! A woman without letters has no place in the state legislature! How dare she! Deplorables voting for a deplorable! Save us Bernie, man of letters!

She wins in a landslide because liberal/progressive/elitists like Bernie still haven't figured out why they've been getting their asses handed to them for the last 6.5 years, losing over 1,100 state and federal legislative seats. Posts like these are a blessing to Marcia Hahn.

And back bencher? You've been up Bob Freeman's ass for decades, while many think Easton's invisible, decades-long-do-nothing-straight-party-line-rubber-stamp is deceased. I think he claims a degree, though. It may have been bestowed posthumously? But he's your guy.
Sal Panto claims several degrees - including a couple in education, of all things. He can barely compose a grammatically correct sentence. Education doesn't equal intelligence. You, Bob, and Sal are perfect examples.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"Mercy me! A woman without letters has no place in the state legislature! How dare she! Deplorables voting for a deplorable! Save us Bernie, man of letters!"

Are you suggesting that someone with no education deserves $87,000 per year plus per diems from taxpayers simply bc she is a woman? I would much rather see an educated person in that role than an exalted secretary who has no understanding of the issues and simply does as she is told.

Anonymous said...

Hahn is safely ensconced in a strong/likely Republican district. I've voted for her in the past, but am completely disheartened with her ambivalence towards redistricting reforms. I've had some correspondences with her on this issue, she is seemingly aware of the various legislation efforts out there, but has been pretty consistent with what is at best, essentially non-committal support. Her most recent newsletter mentioned the 600 amendments that buried SB22 and it was sort of a shoulder shrugging "what can you do? Maybe next time..." attitude.

She is an able public servant, she has the right letter next to her name on election day for her district and has probably gotten very comfortable with her place. That simply isn't enough for me anymore, we need leadership and representation that is out to improve the lives of everyone in the district and state - not just themselves or their party.

Barring some radical pivot to full throated, hair on fire support on this issue and other Harrisburg reforms by Hahn, I will vote for Donaher. I will give him 2 years to make some noise, and if he turns into a similar party or just a status quo hack, will boot his ass too.

Scott of Lower Nazareth

Anonymous said...

Good point, 9:39. Freeman is the Invisible Man. But he gets a pass from misogynist O'Hare. Steve Samuelson is another "back bencher" who has lived off the public teet for years with no opposition. But he's a Dem too, and is immune from Bernie's criticism.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"And back bencher? You've been up Bob Freeman's ass for decades, while many think Easton's invisible, decades-long-do-nothing-straight-party-line-rubber-stamp is deceased. I think he claims a degree, though. It may have been bestowed posthumously? But he's your guy."

Actually, I have not written about Freeman for years. He has been in office too long and has done nothing. They should all be gone after five terms, Democrat or Republican. We need term limits for that office.

"Sal Panto claims several degrees - including a couple in education, of all things. He can barely compose a grammatically correct sentence. Education doesn't equal intelligence. You, Bob, and Sal are perfect examples"

I am no Sal Panto fan, as readers pf this blog know. In addition to being ignorant, he is dishonest and used two false identities on Lehigh Vallet Live.

But having said that, Marcia Hahn has no intelligence and no education. Shje is a back bencher in office simply bc she does as she's told. She has no business voting either way on whether high school students should study civics. She's a woman who is rated 0% by Planned Parenthood. She has voted to repeal SNAP benefits to feed our hungry. She has vooted to reinstate mandatory minimum sentences. She votes to eliminate buffer zones aroubd streams when she represents a township hit very g=hard by storm waters. She has voted for payday loans so that the poor can be kept that way. https://votesmart.org/candidate/119614/marcia-hahn?categoryId=&type=V,S,R,E,F,P,E&p=3#.W0TAVdVKgy4

sezary said...

Bernie,

"...Marcia Hahn has no intelligence and no education..."

I know Marcia Hahn is not unintelligent. A "formal" education itself doesn't mean much. I know many who are "book smart”, but lack common sense or the ability to apply their knowledge in a practical way. There are also those with letters after their name who lack the people skills necessary to relate to the average "Joe". Marcia Hahn is no dummy. The value of a "formal" education is in the eye of the beholder and depends upon what the individual does with such. Of course, there is also the education which experience provides. Your political philosophy may be different than that of Marcia Hahn and support Mr. Donaher. That’s why three are D’s, R’s and others. I see no good reason to tear someone down in order to build someone else up.

sezary said...

CORRECTION:

That’s why three are D’s, R’s and others.

That's why there are D’s, R’s and others.

Anonymous said...

She has "no intelligence." Really? Are you now a licensed psychologist as well as a disbarred bottom-feeding blogger? You are a miserable misogynist, pure and simple.

Bernie O'Hare said...

"Marcia Hahn is no dummy"

She supported and gave $ to Zach Mako, who has to be the dumbest person I've ever seen in office, That tells me all I need to know about her own intelligence.

sezary said...

"She has no business voting either way on whether high school students should study civics."

Voting on bills, as determined by leadership, the law and the rules, is one of the duties of a state representative. After reading the amended bill, which was signed into law by Governor Wolf on June 19, 2018, HB 564, Act 35, I found nothing objectionable in the bill. A lack of basic civics knowledge contributes to the deterioration of civil discourse which occurs today.

"She's a woman who is rated 0% by Planned Parenthood."

A 0% rating by PP would be a shining star for some and a rallying cry for others.

“She has voted to repeal SNAP benefits to feed our hungry.”

To move Pennsylvania back to the principles of requiring able-bodied adults without dependents (ABWADs) to work for their welfare benefits, HB 1569 prohibits HHS from applying for waivers of the work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). As a condition for SNAP benefits, recipients would be required to work, perform community service, participate in a work program or be enrolled as a full-time student. This requirement would be in place for ABAWDs and would not apply to single parents with custody of a child under the age of twelve.

The bill was passed in the house and currently sits in the Rules and Executive Nominations Committee. HB 1569 was referred to this committee on June 21, 2018.
Marcia Hahn did vote “yea” on this bill on third consideration and final passage in the house. The intent of the bill, as well as Marcia Hahn’s vote was not to “…repeal SNAP benefits to feed our hungry.” That statement is party rhetoric meant to demonize the opposition.

sezary said...

“She has vooted to reinstate mandatory minimum sentences.”

Several years ago, Pennsylvania’s mandatory minimum sentences were invalidated on procedural grounds by the United States and Pennsylvania Supreme Court. The decisions held that the procedures for imposing a mandatory sentence in these statutes violated a defendant’s procedural right to have a jury determine any fact affecting the minimum or maximum term of incarceration. HB 741 was passed in the house. It is now languishing in the senate, after being referred to the senate judiciary committee on April 6, 2017. I am not a fan of mandatory minimum sentences. HB 741 was more to synch the judiciary with the laws of the commonwealth and avoid problems which may result from the wording of the law. Although not a fan of mandatory minimums, I believe the statement “She has vooted to reinstate mandatory minimum sentences.” paints an inaccurate and simplistic picture of the vote.

“She votes to eliminate buffer zones aroubd streams when she represents a township hit very g=hard by storm waters.”

The most recent legislation I came across on Vote Smart amended the Clean Streams Law (Act 394 of 1937) to clarify that riparian buffer and riparian forest buffers shall not be required under the act but may be used as a choice among best management practices or design standards to minimize pollution from erosion and sedimentation.

Businesses and landowners alike expressed frustration with 25 Pa. Code, Section 102.14 riparian buffer requirements and the negative impacts they have on development and land use in many areas of the Commonwealth. This regulation has resulted in a major shift of state policy, which in effect, amounts to a taking of property without legislative oversight or approval.

HB 1565 of 2014, allows those seeking erosion and sedimentation approvals to have greater flexibility in protecting water quality in Pennsylvania. I do not see where the buffer zones around streams have been eliminated. HB 1565 was signed into law by Governor Corbett on October 22, 2014 as Act 162. The statement “She votes to eliminate buffer zones aroubd streams when she represents a township hit very g=hard by storm waters.”, is inaccurate and simplistic and represents partisan political rhetoric which demonizes the opposition. Statements such as these only contribute to the promulgation of the inaccurate picture that one side hates the environment, clean air, land and water and one side is the protector of such. It is simply untrue.

“She has voted for payday loans so that the poor can be kept that way.”

HB 2191 of 2012 passed the house on June 6, 2012. This bill authorized “payday loans”. A look at the text of the bill finds that the bill offers many protections for the consumer regarding these loans. The bill did pass in the house. Marcia Hahn voted “nay”. In the senate it was referred to the Banking and Insurance Committee on June 18, 2012. That bill never made it out of the senate. This is the latest bill regarding the subject of payday loans that I found on Vote Smart. I highly doubt that the motivation in voting for such loans would be to keep the poor that way. Hyperbole and rhetoric contribute to the lack of civil discourse which is so prevalent today. It is highly doubtful that anyone wants the poor to stay that way. There may be differing philosophies on how to lift them out of poverty. However, no one wants to keep anyone poor, hopefully.

Anonymous said...

Is Mr. Donaher the same Dr. Dean Donaher who is a member of the Bethlehem Area School District Board? How many times has he voted to raise the taxes of the municipalities in the BASD. What's he been doing since he started collecting his teacher's pension. Teaching in NJ to collect another pension. Already double dipping?

sezary said...

"She supported and gave $ to Zach Mako,..."

No defense for the Zack Mako thing. However, I do not think it wise to base an opinion of someone based solely on one specific instance. I don't want to be judged that way and I doubt you do either. This is not a defense of all things Marcia Hahn. We have certainly had our differences. There are just too many people basing their opinions, thoughts and views on assumptions based on inaccurate information or simplistic statements, hyperbole and rhetoric. I am just trying to address that issue.

Anonymous said...

Jeff Fox brought his A game today !.Looking forward to Professor O'Haire's response.

Anonymous said...

Breaking News: LV Ramblings endorses Democrat in contested race.


Shocking, simply shocking!

Anonymous said...

Donaher may have been demoted at Liberty High School during his tenure with the Canes.

Bernie O'Hare said...

2:00, alas, I must let Jeff have his say as I try to search a title and pay my bills. He definitely brought his A game.

Anonymous said...

Bernie keeps digging. He seems to really hate secretaries. They are administrative assistants, you creepy misogynist, and are more accomplished than you, in most cases. My company is run by a person who started sweeping floors in the parts department. Your elitist blather is music to the ears of those who enjoy that you still don't get it. Bernie will call Marcia a Nazi by the end of the week. It's game on for the histrionic movement.

Bernie O'Hare said...

4:25, I believe we all can see who engages in histrionics.

Anonymous said...

Donaher is a good guy,not sure your support will help him.I checked your blog numerous times today and you ignite controversy for a smart guy.

Anonymous said...

Thank god Alteri is not running again!

Anonymous said...

Hahn and Emrick are both back-benchers.

Anonymous said...

Donaher already receives a pension on the backs of the taxpayers. To praise him for not taking a second reveals your ignorance. Regardless of one’s thoughts on Mako, he’s a PhD compared to the hungry guy who ran against Emrick last time around...