Lisa Boscola is the incumbent State Senator for the re-drawn Pa. Senate 18th District. Her opponent is Bethlehem Tp Comm'r John Merhottein. I'll be voting for Merhottein. Let me explain why.
I got to know Mehottein when I covered Bethlehem Tp for a local weekly. I found he was always transparent and very responsive to concerns raised by residents. He was one of the Commissioners responsible for making sure that those all-important budget hearings were conducted openly and with painful attention to detail. As a result, his board has eliminated about half of the township's debt. Almost single-handedly, he managed to save the Bethlehem Area Public Library from the budget axe by having a satellite set up in the township. He's a Marine Corps combat veteran who served his country in both Desert Storm and Desert Shield. He also coaches both basketball and baseball for his son's recreational leagues.
Merhottein has always responded to my emails. I consider him a centrist.
Boscola is currently finishing her fifth term as a State Senator. Prior to that, she was a State Representative for four years. She's been in Harrisburg for 24 years.. That's long enough for her to have accomplished whatever she set out to do. It's time for some fresh eyes on our state problems.
In addition to being in Harrisburg for far too long, Boscola has a problem with alcohol. Those problems first surfaced in 2000, which should have sounded the death knell to her political career. But she survived, mostly because her opponents have been terrible. Reports of her continued use of alcohol have continued over the years. In fact, in 2014, she was ejected from a bar in Harrisburg after she allegedly struck another woman.
As a recovering alcoholic myself, one of the first things I was told is to avoid the people. places and things that tempt me to drink. Boscola needs to avoid Harrisburg, for her health and ours.
She was livid when she lost Fountain Hill and gained much of Slate Belt in the most recent redistricting. And I doubt the citizens of Upper Mont Bethel or Stockertown will be anxious to give her another term.
Now you can slam me for being opposed to the re-election of an incumbent Democrat. But if truth be told, Boscola is pretty much a Republican. So much so that she spoke out against those who desired to save the Green Pond from development. She raises money as well as any country-club Republican, too. Her most recent campaign finance reports shows her sitting on a pile of over $400,000.
I could write about her per diem abuse, but think I've made my point.
We need a fresh voice in Harrisburg.
71 comments:
No real good reasons cited for voting against a life long centrist. I'll stick with Lisa, thanks anyway. Her struggles with alcohol just make her human.
So vote Boscola? Over the last year or two I think its time to realize the opposite is always the better choice of what you say.
NO WAY!
Your a sexist bastard Bernie! Picking on Lisa’s personal problems.
What issues does John have? After all he was in Desert Storm and these guys have issues,
We need more strong Democratic leaders in this country and my vote will cancel out yours.
Due to the political climate with your Republican population who are trying to take over this country, I will never vote for a Republican or a centrist Democrat, and this guy most likely voted for trump.
"She's been in Harrisburg for 24 years."
In our citizens' legislature? She's been parked there forever and that's bad for Pennsylvanians. Now do Bob Freeman. He's been around since 1983 and has been a ward of the taxpayers for 34 of those 39 long years. His accomplishments? NADA. Just because he's not a per diem-abusing drunk, doesn't mean he gets to stay for four decades while hall-walking and collecting his check. Enough of this guy.
I have found Boscola to be very responsive and supportive of her district. Right or wrong..seniority counts in Harrisburg. They Valley is taking a big hit to lose Pat Browne as appropriations chair. Even some Dems recognize that. Boscola is another powerbroker that, imo, has served the LV well. In all reality, Bethlehem Township was able to pay down some of its debt because some of their expenses and cost liabilities were offset by some of the grants it recieved that Boscola championed for.
"Boscola is another powerbroker that, imo, has served the LV well. In all reality, Bethlehem Township was able to pay down some of its debt because some of their expenses and cost liabilities were offset by some of the grants it recieved that Boscola championed for."
Boscola is so powerful that when BT was struggling to find $ to fix Brodhead Rd, which was destroyed by the truck traffic, she was unable to find any money.
Like Browne, she has a drinking problem. Like Browne, she's been there long enough. Voters retired Browne and should do the same to Boscola.
"After all he was in Desert Storm and these guys have issues,"
Wow! A Boscola supporter is so nutty she slams a Marine who served his country in combat. He risked his life for you while Boscola was getting tossed out of bars.
Boscola, like Browne, has had 24 years to get done whatever she needed to accomplish. Time to let someone else have a chance while she focuses on her drinking problem.
He is the only Republican on the Board of Commissioners and they voted him President, that says something to me.
You got me at ‘she’s been there for 24 years’
In my mind that’s a career politician. Time to go…just like Pat Browne.
I’ll drink to that
"After all he was in Desert Storm and these guys have issues,"
TFW a Boscola drone who is lost in the TDS vortex slams a Desert Storm veteran. Disgraceful. Lisa's Desert Storm was getting shitplow hammered in a Harrisburg bar and bragging about her her preference for oral vs vaginal sex. That any of us know these things about her is as disgraceful as the guy who slams our veterans.
I would love to hear about her Per Diems! Merhotteins press release said he will not accept them. I bet she makes tens of thousands of dollars in addition to her bloated pension. Not to split hairs Bernie, but she has been in the Senate for 24 years and the house for 4 years. She has been in Harrisburg for 28 years. This term will make it 32 years. Bet her pension is more than a lot of our salaries!!
OK, I will do a piece on her per diems, which are ridiculous.
She is out of touch and a career politician. Spends more time tanning at the country club and the bar than serving her district. She never attends anything until it is time for an election. She did NOTHING to push back as business closures crushed our local small businesses while the big boxes raked in record profits. She does nothing for the average everyday person. Another career politician that needs to retire! But don't worry, she'll be fine collecting her FAT pension on our dime while we pay more and more for energy this winter because of her backroom deal with Wolf for her vote on RGGI! Remember hers was the deciding vote that put that little gem of a bill over the top when the legislature was trying to stop it. Can your family afford 30% higher energy this winter on top of gas and food? She hit us while we were all down and didn't think twice!
Didn't Bethlehem Twps get $400K for the Broadhead Road Rehabilitation Project 2016. Now you know budget impasse affects funding of project's. Was Broadhead Road ever on LV TIP?
Attending some BT meetings led me to the opposite conclusion about Mr. Merhottein.
At a recent meeting, residents voicing concerns about a dangerous intersection in the township shared stories of harrowing accidents and genuine fear for the safety of their children. Mr. Merhottein claimed to agree with their position, yet he responded to their concerns with sarcasm and condescension. This same attitude and demeanor are standard practice for him, particularly during courtesy of the floor.
The complete disdain displayed toward constituents and anyone else presenting to the board leave no doubt in my mind that he is unfit for his current role and should never be elected to a higher office.
9:06... I have low respect for people that say they will for go perdiems or donate their salary. All that means is that their bread is buttered elsewhere and I want them working for the people and not special interests. These give backs are a slight of hand scam. I want to be represented by common people, not silver spoons.
Lisa has forgotten her Dem base long ago. She's there for power which is why she co-sponsors bills and votes with Republicans on things Dems oppose. The Repubs have had power for the last 12 years and she's played their game. Reps like Freeman and Samuelson remember what they stand for and stick with it. THAT'S why they keep getting re-elected. The Repubs throw Lisa a money bone now and then which is what she touts to get re-elected.
Boscola recently secured grant money for our beloved Hellertown library and when my neighbor was recently laid off, his company was dicking him around with collecting Unemployment benefits for 5 months. I told him to contact her office for assistance . After her office inquired about the situation, it was remedied.
But, I hear you about Boscola's negative qualities. Still, I'll hold my nose and vote for her anyway. Before Trump, I may have crossed party lines, but no more; at least not for the foreseeable future.
Most of the current Republican party are Qrazy wackos, and I'm being kind.
Bernie
Is it true that Harrisburg elected officials do not have to provide per diem receipts to substantiate their expense reports?
Bernie, I enjoy reading your Blog and always find it interesting when people put your opinion down on your Blog. That said I couldn't agree more on this subject.
I like Lisa and feel she has done many good things for the valley, however it's time to move on.
When Browne was voted out my first thought was "the R's did their job, now will the D's do same"! No political job should be more than 10 yrs. Since the politicians will never give up their own gravy train the voters need to cut them off.
I'll vote for Merhotteins.
Lisa takes 55-60% of the vote and wins another term. She is a popular centrist who gets Rs to vote for and the Ds will vote for her as the less of two evils. Merhotten is tax raising Republican, that does not play well.
I might consider voting for a republican if they are truly centrist (which I haven't seen since Dent), but I can't seem to find any info about how he feels about Trump. Supporting a wannabe dictator would be a red flag with sirens for me.
If you don't want to look at her issues with alcohol, how about her vote of a 30% increase on our utilities! It is hard enough for families to buy groceries and gas these days, so lets make it harder for them. She has no concept of our struggles, while she is off sunning at the country club!!! She is out of touch, time for a change!
I think I like our chances with Merhottein, someone who served his country, coaches his sons sports teams and serves his township, who actually made a difference. The residents of Bethlehem Township asked for more library services and he got it done for them, plus reduced the budget! Im still waiting for a reply from Boscola from an message in 2020, so not sure how she is responsive? and WOW questioning a veteran who serves his community, please start voting for the person, not a party COME ON!
I like it but word on the street is Dent, at least while in office, paid you to write stories favorable to him and unfavorable against his enemies.
He hates Lisa. Did Charlie pay you something for this piece? If you’re truly concerned about alcoholism, you should’ve slammed Pat Browne in the primary election (he lost anyway).
But Charlie and Pat are BFFs so can’t do that! That’s why I think Dent pays you off.
11:32, I think Charlie Dent was a great Congressman and wish he had stayed in office and stood up to the Lee Snovers and Steve Lynches, as he did to Trump. No one pays me a dime for what I write. You baselessly slur my character in the vain hope to keep a person with a drinking problem in office. As for Pat Browne, it was time for him to go. Unfortunately, the choices for his successor are equally bad. One is a tea party nut and the other is a blatant opportunist. That's why I chose not to write about that primary.
Time for change. Lisa must go. But lack of quality in 2 parties real issue. Bernie do a piece on this. Voters feel Green Party and others a wasted vote? Solution? Time's up.
Again, unanimously elected president by 4 democrats! At the last township meeting, Merhottein received a standing ovation. Go see him for yourself or better yet, call or message him! I have and always will vote for the person, I cant image someone voting for someone who suns all day at the country club! I would not care about her alcoholism if she was recovering, but she is still boozing it up publicly! ENOUGH ALREADY and Im a Democrat!!!!
Really? Charlie was nothing but a show horse. If you really care about per diem and pension abuse, take a look at how much Dent racked up from 1990-2004 in the state legislature. Not to mention what he got in Washington. You’re not being consistent Bernie. If you’re going to go after per diem and pension abuse, go after all of them. Not just Lisa. (And I think you should go after all of them).
I don't like her. But Lisa's accomplished more during a single morning hangover than Bob Freeman has in nearly 40 years in Harrisburg. Be fair. This post sounds personal.
Agreed Boscola needs to go.
But unclear on Merhottein. His website is conveniently void of any policy substance, particularly around controversial issues. Where does he stand on abortion, guns, school choice, fracking, etc?
@Bernie, since he's always been responsive to you can you ask him where he stands on these things and repost?
"I don't like her. But Lisa's accomplished more during a single morning hangover than Bob Freeman has in nearly 40 years in Harrisburg. Be fair. This post sounds personal."
Actually, nothing personal. I don't think anyone should stay in state office beyond 10 years (as a State Rep) and 12 (as a State Senator). Also, I would oppose anyone who has a continual drinking problem. I could understand one instance. That's human. Not behavior that spans decades. That's a problem.
John Merhotten is in the Marine vernacular a “standup guy”. The ultimate compliment. He has nothing in common with the “far right” crazies, He is doing a good job in BT and has that rare ability in elected officials to listen to constituents. Lisa is about Lisa. She could care less about the citizens she represents. Twenty eight years of perks, booze, and cash has made her an embarrassment. Her office staff is competent save for Kelly the scumbag attorney inherited from Callahan. Defeating her would help clean up corruption in the Lehigh Valley and send out a clear message to other “permanent office holders” regardless of their party registration. Browne will be gone . Now it’s her turn .
"@Bernie, since he's always been responsive to you can you ask him where he stands on these things and repost?"
I've seen enough over the years to know he is a centrist who leans a little bit more to the right than I'd like. That's ok by me. If I had to agree with someone on everything, I'd be voting for no one.
I doubt he's much more conservative than Boscola. She voted NO to enabling municipalities to enact tighter gun laws. She voted YES to giving frackers a tax break. She was against wOLF'S mask ban at schools.
Like I said, she is basically already a Republican. So any Democrat who thinks she guarantees a progressive voice in Harrisburg is sadly mistaken. My opposition to her is that she's been there too long and has a drinking problem.
Well then you need to go after any state legislator locally that has been in office for longer than 10 years (Ryan Mackenzie, Bob Freeman, Steve Samuelson, etc).
Zach Mako is getting close to 10 years as well. That guy is a total stooge and dope.
John Merhottein is a tax and spend Republican who voted to raise taxes as Bethlehem Township Commissioner. Imagine what he will do in Harrisburg. Boscola has never voted for a tax increase and fights for the Lehigh Valley. It would be a mistake to replace her now.
"In a 4-1 vote on Monday, the commissioners approved the $19.4 million budget that raises property taxes from 7.09 to 7.59 mills and adds a 0.15 mill fire tax that brings the total tax rate to 7.74 mills."
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-nws-bethlehem-township-tax-increase-20181217-story.html
Time to send the Bimbo in the bottle down the drain. This political skank has the stench of old liquor. I'll vote her OUT! Time to go binge drinking Bimbo!
If Boscola loses I'll blame the Dems for not putting up someone to primary her, and leaving the base with no one to vote for. She voted with Republicans on every issue that progressives care about (guns, womans choice, environmental issues, covid issues, LBTGQ rights, etc).
The fact is we're getting a conservative no matter who wins this election. Maybe next time the Dems will put up someone the party base can get behind and then the people can have a choice rather than being forced to choose between two Republicans.
As a Republican (who would rather be an Independent if they would let me vote in the primary but I had to pick one), I have always liked Lisa and have voted for her sometimes (not always). As an old codger (is there such a thing as a young codger?) who has slowed down and backed off on things I use to care deeply about as the years pass, I think there comes a time to cast out the old and bring in the new. No rap on Lisa but I don't think she is as sharp and motivated anymore and Merhottein impressed me when he came to my door (Lisa never has) and he told me of his beliefs and plans when in office. He is without a doubt a centrist who believes in and will work for the good of Pennsylvania.
"She was against wOLF'S mask ban at schools."
She got that one right. Younger kids will never recover from what Wolf did to them at a critical development stage. Masks and shots failed us, badly.
2021 Per Diems
Browne,$16,727
McNeill $12,778
Mackenzie $12,354
Day. $8,886
Mako $7,998
Boscola $6,674
Scavello $6,167
Flood $5,811
Here is my issue with Lisa, she has been campaigning on the same issue for 20+ years, "Property tax reform". She has not done anything with it, except scream about it. I would be embarrassed if I was her by now. She had 20+ years, she put up a good fight, she failed. Time to move on.
Lisa should be complimented for not being a straight party voter. She stands up for the Lehigh Valley & was a staunch advocate for businesses no matter what party they represented during the pandemic.
The rest of the democrats in the Valley including Samuelson in the legislature stood firmly for fascist control over the people backing Wolf dictatorship. These are the same people that let Walmart & Home Depot stay open while small family owned hardware stores etc were closed.
Lisa stands tall in a very centrist democrat leaning position. If you want Pa to be a fascist left wing socialist state then Lisa is not your person but otherwise Lisa deserves to be re-elected.
Good Job Bernie get rid of as many as you can-- you finally saw the light.
Sadly, any republican who remains a republican after 1/6 and Trump, now that we know what we know, is complicit by association and should be ashamed of their party.
Time for new blood the bastards in PA> did nothing for the last 50 years. this new blood will be just as bad maybe even worse.
You've paid into Social Security and Medicare, with every job, every paycheck -- or you're now relying on those programs.
If Republicans win the midterms, they are committed to taking ALL of that away from you. It's literally in their platform.
Vote accordingly.
It’s the last paragraph of the post that tells the story. She’s voted for things and proposed things that have pissed you off Bernie. You cite an incident from 2014 lol. That’s 8 yrs ago. This post is what they call a political hit job.
"Sadly, any republican who remains a republican after 1/6 and Trump, now that we know what we know, is complicit by association and should be ashamed of their party."
That's ridiculous, the rant a mindless partisan. Liz Cheney is a Republican, you moron. I know many Republicans who held their nose and voted for Trump. They are complicit in nothing. People like you just keep us divided. And ironically, the only reason you support B is bc she is registered Dem, even though she votes R most of the time. I don't really care how she votes. My objection is (1) she has been in public office far too long; and (2) she has failed to address her problem with alcohol.
"It’s the last paragraph of the post that tells the story. She’s voted for things and proposed things that have pissed you off Bernie. You cite an incident from 2014 lol. That’s 8 yrs ago. This post is what they call a political hit job."
Read my comment above.
"Well then you need to go after any state legislator locally that has been in office for longer than 10 years (Ryan Mackenzie, Bob Freeman, Steve Samuelson, etc).
Zach Mako is getting close to 10 years as well. That guy is a total stooge and dope."
I completely agree.
I worked very briefly with Merhottein and Davis during a short BT stint and disliked both. Davis because she was a horn-blower and Merhottein because he was (and is) an obnoxious opportunist. Another person mentioned his condescending and sarcastic manner and I was happy to read at least one other person shared my opinion. As far as Boscola goes, she has always been helpful and responsive to the needs of those who I know. As for you, Bernie, cheap shot bringing up her trouble with alcohol. I thought alcoholism is a disease — would you criticize someone struggling with another disease. I am very disappointed that to make your points, you had to stoop so low.
Funny you mention Liz as she was the inspiration for the post as she just bravely announced that it Trump wins the nomination she will quit her party. That says to me she knows the party is really in the wrong place and beyond fixing
Great story. Lisa was doing her usual look at me," Betty Boop" acting in the Celtic parade. She has run for decades on helping the seniors with their school taxes. How has that gone? You are right on Bernie. It's come to having term limits. I am tired of hearing politicos sitting on hundreds of thousands of $$ claiming let the people decide. They have tilted the playing field with closed primaries and lots of money, open and hidden. Fact is all paid politicians should have term limits. For example, county council people are limited to three terms, and they have barely any power, yet the county executive that runs the county like a God can hold office forever. You have Samuelson and Freeman as well. What have they accomplished in decades in Harrisburg. They will of course all get fat public paid pensions and Cadillac healthcare benefits for life. It is the one thing that gets total bipartisan support in Harrisburg.
It's time to send these unemployables home, if they are halfway competent, they can cash in all the favors they did for the special interest groups and maybe they will give them a job like Callahan got.
By the way, it reads like Boscola had her entire staff writing posts on your blog all day. Your tax dollars at work. At least it wasn't to set up another golf tournament.
annon 4:12, you point??
Idiot.
You must be a far left lunatic.
Yes, property tax reform, get the property taxes out of the jurisdiction and control of the school districts. Seated political people should not last longer than new underwear. Look around .
As a recovering alcoholic it is hard not to empathize, perhaps too much, with Boscola's situation. But, as you noted, it might help save her life if she leaves Harrisburg and the spotlight for a while. As someone who was "functional," until I wasn't, I think it is nearly impossible for a person to do their job well suffering from our illness.
True. Liz Cheney is a Republican. She also does not support the now revealed fascist tRUMP. I hear that there were people in Germany at one time who were considered centrist who supported Hitler. Just got to "go along to get along" I guess.
"She has been campaigning on the same issue for 20+ years, "Property tax reform"."
Yes. This. I wonder of she remembers. When I was boozing, I used to forget entire weeks. She clearly has no appreciation of how pathetic she sounds at this point. But Bob Freeman has been stealing a state salary for far longer than Lisa. It's not even close. Here is a list of his accomplishments and achievements:
Opps, I miss two
Schewyer $13,449
Schlossberg $7,277
was Desert Storm/Shield even a war? It was a middle eastern live fire exercise
Thank you.
"Anonymous Anonymous said...
2021 Per Diems
Browne,$16,727
McNeill $12,778
Mackenzie $12,354
Day. $8,886
Mako $7,998
Boscola $6,674
Scavello $6,167
Flood $5,811
September 27, 2022 at 4:12 PM"
@7:38. Sure, a live fire exercise where over 300 people died and 1,000 were injured. What a jackass.
"I thought alcoholism is a disease ..."
I feel compelled to call out all the armchair quarterbacks here who have diagnosed the Senator's alleged alcoholism.
As a lifelong alcoholic, whose capacity and exploits rival Bernie's, and even Bernie's legendary father, I question anyone's ability to pass this judgment on the Senator. I have been in her company when she was sober, and when she had a cocktail in a social setting. I have considerably more experience than most in this arena, but I'm not going to give a diagnosis, nor should anyone on this blog.
I will say I intend to vote for her, because she's extraordinarily knowledgeable on a host of issues, she's a centrist, her staff is top notch and I've always found her to be kind.
Her clearly covered issues with alcohol have been known for a very long time..yet she prevails at the polls despite it. Again..PA voters are very troubling in their decision making abilities once inside polling places. The primary system props her up as much as anyone and she continues her travels to HBurg on a daily basis with watering hole stops well established along her route. She screams out for term limits.
Whoever posted... "I have low respect for people that say they will for go perdiems or donate their salary. All that means is that their bread is buttered elsewhere"
Lisa Boscola is a government employee for over 20 years and can somehow afford Northampton Country Club and lives in a million dollar home!? You have to be kidding me!
Merhottein is NOT a millionaire, but a middleclass family man. He is not taking perdiems because he feels its the right thing to do, get your facts straight people!!!
Whoever said "Attending some BT meetings led me to the opposite conclusion about Mr. Merhottein" I cant imagine someone feeling that way, because I attend most of those meetings and he is my favorite commissioner! Merhottein received a standing ovation at the last meeting I attended. He has always led a productive meeting and listened to his constituents. Ask the people of the township! You should call Merhottein, he has always answered my calls, Boscola never has!
Bernie - NEED TO READ ABOUT HER PER DIEMS!!!!!! Probably explains why she is at the Country Club every. single. day.
Senator Boscola was re-elected to a 7th term tying the late great Jeanetter Reibman for longest serving woman in Pennsylvania State Senate history...i am sure she will invite u BO to her record breaking celebration in 4 yrs when Lisa becomes the longest serving woman in Pennsylvania state senate history. History Counts!
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