Press Releases

A Scout's Honor

September 23, 2008
Press Release from Tom Peterson
Candidate for State Representative 145th District
For immediate release

I’m Tom Peterson – candidate for State Representative and proud to have achieved the honor of becoming an Eagle Scout in my youth. Today my son is an Eagle Scout as well. As Eagle Scouts we both proudly pledge to uphold the Scout Law. I remember it well, including the section on being trustworthy.

“A Scout tells the truth. He keeps his promises. Honesty is part of his code of conduct. People can depend on him.”

I have never strayed from the values I learned as a scout and that is why I am compelled to refute recent claims made in your newspaper. Sadly, my opponent, Paul Clymer, who loves to have his picture taken with Eagle Scouts, has not learned the values that they aspire toward.

Recently my opponent claimed in The Free Press he didn’t question the need for alternative energy. Talk is cheap; the truth is that Paul Clymer has the lowest environmental rating of any legislator in Bucks or Montgomery County. (33% according to PennEnvironment.org)

Paul Clymer also continues to mislead voters about his record on education funding. His most recent newsletter (really just campaign material paid for with taxpayer dollars) claims he worked hard with his colleagues to increase education funding. The truth is that he actually voted against the budget that contained the education funding he claimed to support. He specifically voted against property tax reduction. That’s dishonest.

These are just two recent illustrations in the career of an ineffective legislator. When Paul had power and influence to help our district and our Commonwealth, he squandered his ability on fringe issues with no success. Paul Clymer has now lost his chairmanship of the State Government Committee. He is no longer on the Education Committee. And he has been relegated to the Gaming Committee, where he is totally ignored by a majority of his colleagues.

To cover up Paul Clymer’s failure, the Republicans have declared war on the truth.

But voters have a right to know the truth and your paper has a responsibility to publish facts. So let me share a few about my candidacy. I left a successful consulting practice where I saved billions of dollars for HP, VISA, Oracle, Comcast and Verizon Wireless. I left to return to the classroom as a physics teacher. Over 90% of my current students consistently go to college with a scholarship.

I know what it takes to build values in the next generation just like I know what it takes to make business more efficient. I have been a Republican and am now a Democrat because I cannot accept the irresponsibility in Washington.

I stand on my record as a successful business man, who decided to give something back by becoming an educator and now am prepared to bring a record of problem solving, success and fiscal responsibility to Harrisburg. And I still remember the values I learned as a proud Eagle Scout. I only wish my opponent shared them.
Reduce your property tax burden

Press Release from Tom Peterson
Candidate for State Representative 145th District
For immediate release:

It's back- to- school time, and State Representative Candidate Tom Peterson today is asking taxpayers, "What has Paul Clymer done to reduce your property tax burden? "

Paul Clymer has voted NO for the most effective tools in reducing property tax over and over again. Most importantly, during Paul Clymer's 28 years in Harrisburg, state funding for our schools dropped from, 41% to its current level of only 21%. The simple fact is that while Harrisburg cut back its statewide funding, local property taxes have soared. And this year Paul Clymer voted no on the budget which holds the promise of increasing the state's share of school funding.

Quite simply, Paul Clymer has repeatedly failed to deliver relief from the local property tax burden for the residents of Upper Bucks County. The economy is in a downturn, foreclosures are at record levels, and Quakertown has the second highest rate of foreclosures in Bucks County. We need Harrisburg to help our residents now by restoring statewide and equitable support for our schools so local property taxes can be reduced and taxpayers on fixed incomes can remain secure in the homes they have spent a lifetime to own.

In order to save Pennsylvania's taxpayers billions of dollars and also be able to afford further property tax reductions in the future we need to stop accepting business as usual in our state legislature. We need to run Pennsylvania with tested and accountable principles that have helped America prosper. Tom Peterson ran his own consulting business for 16 years and saved some of America's Fortune 500 companies billions of dollars. He has the experience and proven expertise to get the job done.

"As our district's new State Representative I will focus on saving money for our residents," said Tom Peterson. "Paul Clymer has been an out-of-step obstructionist, focused on peripheral issues, instead of a leader in the fight to reduce our property tax burden. I will spend my time and energy on providing tax relief for our seniors and ensuring that Pennsylvania remains attractive and competitive for business so our state revenues increase and our local tax burden is reduced."

Paul Clymer has repeatedly voted against property tax relief, Tom Peterson will champion a return to equitable funding that reduces our property taxes. Tom Peterson means business - for our legislative district and for a brighter future in Pennsylvania.
Healthcare Reform to Save Billions

July 28, 2008
Press Release from Tom Peterson
Candidate for State Representative 145th District
For immediate release

Tom Peterson, Democratic candidate for State Representative, called for quality, affordable healthcare for all Pennsylvanians.

Pennsylvania is in the top 20% nationally for high quality healthcare but in the bottom 20% for efficiency. Our delivery system is tops; our system to pay the bills is broken. I want to fix it as your state representative in Harrisburg. This year I am a strong Democratic candidate with a background of public service and a business background that has saved billions of dollars in my consulting practice.

For starters, let’s simplify the rules. When Medicare delivers 97% of a dollar towards healthcare and even our “non-profit” insurers keep a third from healthcare delivery, something is just wrong. Following the 80/20 rule I think a high quality affordable policy can be formed that all healthcare insurance providers administer. Everybody is in – universal coverage. Healthcare delivery units know they are going to get paid simply because they delivered that care. We already have a model – Medicare. Outside of the 80% that lowers healthcare costs and improves outcomes, we can have supplemental coverage. There will be arguments about splitting the pie, but supply and demand will level that playing field. Right now we need more supply. We need to save administrative costs to pay more.

When everybody is covered we can move the whole state toward proactive care not reactive care as the primary model. No cherry picking the “best” patients is allowed because all insurance companies have to provide this 80% coverage to all. That way the cost to administer a policy approaches the 3% to pay the bills like Medicare.

Healthcare costs are the largest out of control costs in the state. Everyone wants to get them under control, including the healthcare delivery teams. There is over $10 billion in savings to be found. With that in mind, Republicans and Democrats will fall into two groups – under the influence of special interests or not. To control healthcare efficiency we need to change the payment system.
May 10, 2008 Peterson Calls on Clymer to support alternate route, stop taking money from PPL

May 10, 2008
Press Release from Tom Peterson
Candidate for State Representative 145th District
For immediate release

Tom Peterson, Democratic candidate for State Representative, called on Paul Clymer today to join him and Republican Rob Wonderling in support of an alternate route for the PPL power lines and to stop taking campaign contributions from PPL.

“The alternate routes are logical and more environmentally friendly,” said Peterson. “The people have spoken and we need to support the concerned citizens under sbulu and the Richland residents who have opposed the PPL route through protected land and crucial waterways. I have reviewed reports involving potential chemical harm to our waterways not only in Springfield and Richland, but spreading down to other towns in Bucks County.” Peterson explained.

Peterson also expressed dissatisfaction with Clymer’s apparent conflict of interest on the issue. ”Paul Clymer has told these residents that he supports their efforts, he occasionally shows up at meetings and yet his campaign finance reports from February show a contribution from PPL," said Peterson. "The people are tired of the games and the inaction. You cannot serve two masters. PPL is a longtime contributor to Paul Clymer. Voters can rightly ask if a 28-year incumbent is truly on our side. When will he stop taking money from PPL and start to actually fight these power lines?"

"I am ready to step up to the plate when it comes to extending deregulation and am prepared to fight to keep electric rates low,” said Peterson. "I don't owe PPL a thing. My duty is to the residents and the ratepayers, not the special interests and the corporations. I look forward to Mr. Clymer's announcement that he is returning the PPL donation and that he will join me and Sen. Wonderling in supporting the alternate route."