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.
Another race between the least of the 2 evils
ReplyDeleteNorthampton county is in deep trouble especially the people in Easton.
ReplyDeleteIf.Dems can’t win in this cycle they’ll never win. The Trump hate is strong. Warren isn’t the best candidate but he’ll probably pull it off.
ReplyDeleteLook, Warren is a tax and spend liberal. If Ds take the state house he’ll vote for a tax increase if it’s proposed. Shapiro is going to run for president so he’ll reject and broad based tax increases hopefully.
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine WHY Jeff (or his political party) thought it was a good idea for him to run for the PA State House. Jeff has proven that he is easily influenced (or intimidated) by others. He doesn't think things through, it appears. He is all over the. place (sometimes he'll interact with constituents and other times there's crickets - more of the latter recently). His political signs are interesting (not sure whose idea the guitar was) but they are truly not in places of notice to the public. Hoping the public uses common sense in voting this race. There's no perfect candidate (we are humans) but Jeff definitely should have not entered this race.
ReplyDeleteEverybody bangs on Emrick. I used his constituent services twice and it was a good experience. I really don’t know him personally but his office helped me out.
ReplyDeleteHe's terrible- an arrogant do nothing Rep., but Warren is the worst possible candidate for the job, so we lose either way.
DeleteGone are the days of decent Pols like Grucela and Scavello. Freeman, Boscola, Emrick, & Flood are just terrible.
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