Dent Files Four Times More Petition Signatures Than Needed

Late last week, Jackson Eaton's Congressional campaign announced that it filed nomination petition with twice the number of signatures needed to get on the ballot. That would mean about 2,000 signatures. According to Eaton, that's a "a show of strength."

Really?

Well, then he better move over for someone who's twice as strong. LV Congressman Charlie Dent filed nomination petitions containing 4,000 signatures, which is four times the amount needed. Dent, I'm told, was particularly gratified by the support from three new counties (Berks, Dauphin and Lebanon) in the 15th District.

"I want to thank everyone who took the time to sign a petition for me and especially those who volunteered to circulate a petition to get their friends' and neighbors' signatures. This was a great effort that was outstandingly successful," said Congressman Dent.

Although I don't have an exact total for Rick Daugherty, the third candidate in this race. I do know he was able to garner petitions in big numbers from all counties. Eaton, in contrast, had only six signatures from Lebanon County. In Berks and Dauphin, he had none.

Updated Sunday, 2 PM:  Rick Daugherty tells me, "I received around 1880 total signatures with 100 from Lebanon, 200 from Dauphin, and 46 from Berks."


Updated again, Sunday, 8:26 PM: Turns out Jackson Eaton did have one Petition from berks with 50 signatures.

Dent's Summary of Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act

This summary comes courtesy of LV Congressman Charlie Dent.

Summary of H.R. 3630, the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act:

Extends Current Payroll Tax Relief

The bill provides a one-year extension of the temporary payroll tax relief enacted in 2010. The measure ensures taxes will not increase on the nearly 170 million Americans who currently pay payroll taxes, saving the average American family $1,000 in 2012.

Extends the Unemployment Insurance Program & Implements Common-Sense Reforms

The bill extends unemployment insurance (UI) program benefits while implementing permanent reforms to strengthen UI. Recognizing that unemployment services should focus on helping Americans get back to work, the bill uses a two-step process to gradually reduce current maximum weeks of benefits from 99 to 59 weeks, a common-sense level that is in line with past recessions and economic downturns. H.R. 3630 also requires all state and federal UI recipients to, as a condition of eligibility, search for work, enroll in a GED program if they have not finished high school (with exceptions for older workers), and participate in reemployment services to help them get back to work. Additionally, the measure allows states, if they desire, to perform drug screening and testing as a condition of providing UI benefits in order to improve prospects for future employment.

Helps Create Jobs

The bill accelerates a final decision on the Keystone XL energy pipeline – requiring a permit be granted within 60 days unless the President determines the project is not in the national interest. Similar legislation passed the House with bipartisan support earlier this year. The measure extends 100% business expensing through 2012 to make it easier for employers of all sizes to invest in new machinery and equipment, grow their businesses, and create jobs. The bill stops the onerous new boiler MACT rule and requires the Obama administration to develop a more sensible alternative that balances the need to protect both jobs and the environment. Similar legislation passed the House in a bipartisan fashion earlier this fall.

Includes Two-Year “Doc Fix”

The bill ensures Medicare beneficiaries maintain their current level of care by implementing a two-year “doc fix” that protects Medicare physicians from large reimbursement cuts scheduled to take place next year.

Offsets Payroll and UI Extension through Spending Cuts, Not Tax Increases

The bill includes spending cuts in government programs – not tax increases on job creators – to fully pay for extending current payroll tax relief and UI benefits. This includes extending the current pay freeze for federal workers, including Members of Congress, eliminating government benefits for millionaires and billionaires, and reforming entitlement programs – many ideas for which President Obama has already expressed support. 

Dent Votes to Avoid Gov't Shutdown

For the third time, Lehigh Valley Congressman Charlie Dent has voted to support a measure to keep the government in business until Congress finally gets around to adopting a 2011 budget. But this time, the House imposes $12 billion in new spending cuts. It also gets embroiled in social issues like abortion, banning funding for them in D.C.

Majority leader Harry Reid has already called the bill "dead on arrival" in the Senate. President Obama is hopeful, but claims abortion and clean air are issues that have no place in a budget bill.

Dent explains his vote:

“Our nation is on the brink of an avoidable and potentially destructive government shutdown. I voted for H.R. 1363 because the legislation will prevent a shutdown, supply long-term support for our troops, continue to cut excessive federal spending, and provide ample time for Congressional leaders and the President to finally reach an agreement on funding the government through the remainder of Fiscal Year 2011.

“First and foremost, it is unacceptable that members of our Armed Forces and their families face potential delays in receiving the pay they’ve earned simply because Congress has been unable to come to an agreement on spending. H.R. 1363 will fund the Department of Defense (DOD) through the end of the fiscal year, ensuring service members who risk their lives defending our nation are paid and providing Secretary Gates the stability he needs to conduct our military operations overseas.

“The American people rightfully demand Members of Congress work in good faith to ensure the federal government runs effectively and efficiently. Allowing even a temporary shutdown is a failure of our most basic responsibility as elected officials. If enacted, this weeklong Continuing Resolution will not only avert a shutdown, but give Congressional leaders the necessary time to finalize a belated long-term funding agreement.

“Illustrating our genuine commitment to reigning in excessive federal spending, this bill also cuts $12 billion in discretionary spending over the course of a single week. Nearly all cuts outlined in H.R. 1363 were included in the long-term Continuing Resolution (H.R. 1) that passed the House in February. Many of these cuts were also featured in President Obama’s budget requests and the Senate’s alternative to H.R. 1.

“Finally, let us not forget the reason we are in this otherwise preventable situation centers on the inability of the Democratic leadership in the House and Senate to pass a Fiscal Year 2011 budget or complete work on any of the 12 appropriations bills in 2010.”

A government shutdown will make it impossible for homebuyers to get a mortgage. Thats just what the housing industry needs, especially at a time of year when contractors are ready to go to work.

Updated 4:50 PM - No Planned Parenthood Cuts in House Bill. - I've just learned that, contrary to what I believed when I posted this blog, there are NO Planned Parenthood cuts in the House measure. Moreover, the prohibition on D.C. abortions is standard language in many appropriation measures and is nothing new.

Dent Votes With House to Extend Tax Relief

From LV Congressman Charlie Dent:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent (PA-15) last night voted for H.R. 4853, the Middle Class Tax Relief Act, which prevents a massive tax increase from taking effect on January 1, 2011. The bill extends many tax relief provisions established in 2001 and 2003 that are set to expire at the conclusion of 2010. Specifically, H.R. 4853 extends existing individual income tax rates for all Americans for two years, extends the child tax credit, preserves marriage penalty relief, protects middle-class families from the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT), institutes sensible estate tax rates, and maintains the current rate of 15 percent on capital gains and dividends to encourage investment.

“I am pleased Congress has finally ensured American families and businesses will not face a significant tax increase in the New Year,” Dent said. “Preventing a massive tax hike will support needed economic growth by encouraging greater investment. In the midst of a recession, our failure to prevent looming increases would have been an incredible disservice to the American people.”

A major component of the legislation is the modification of estate tax rates, which would have risen to an astonishing 55 percent with only a $1 million exemption in 2011 without Congressional intervention. H.R. 4852 establishes a lower tax rate (35 percent) and higher exemption ($5 million) than previous years, ensuring the government does not claim over half the value of estates at the time of one’s death. During House consideration of the bill, Dent opposed an amendment offered by Rep. Earl Pomeroy (ND) that would have taxed estates at 45 percent.

“Providing the best possible estate tax relief is essential to preserving Pennsylvania’s family farms,” Dent explained. “Following the death of a loved one, local family farmers are too often forced to sell their property simply to afford the federal government’s hefty tax. I believe the estate tax levels agreed upon when this legislation was crafted are appropriate.”

The bill passed by the House is identical to legislation approved by the U.S. Senate earlier this week with overwhelming bipartisan support. It is the product of an agreement developed by the Obama Administration and Congressional Republicans.

“The passage of this bill proves to the American people that elected officials can deliver positive results when committed to constructive dialogue and a cooperative legislative process.”