LETTER: Rep. Kate Harper's 'No' Vote On Budget Is Not Heroic

The following letter to the editor was submitted to Patch. Letters to the editor are not written by Patch and do not reflect the opinions of Patch or its employees. Their aim is to foster dialogue around important issues and to give local residents a voice. If you would like to submit a letter, please email justin.heinze@patch.com.

Dear Editor:

I’m writing to express my frustration that, yet again, because our governmental representation is putting politics before people. Recently I read an article where Montgomery County State Rep. Kate Harper (R-61) is praised for her “heroic” no vote, on the budget revenue proposal. The bill aimed to cut the$2.2 billion dollar deficit in PA by pulling special funds from our public transportation and our shared environmental space. This is more smoke and mirrors from a seasoned politician. Kate Harper opposed the budget at the final vote, but constituents need to know that she could have killed this bill at an earlier vote and didn't.

She voted along party lines to allow this budget to go to the floor in a procedural vote, only nine minutes before her “no” vote. She was then praised for her “courage.” That’s not courage. At best it’s showmanship, at worst dishonesty. Kate Harper and the Southeast Republicans could have helped kill the bill on this procedural vote, The Fiscal Code.

On the House Republican leaders’ budget proposal, the Leadership developed the play. Kate snapped the ball to the quarterback then ran to the sidelines and pretended she wasn’t on the field. Her party has complete control of the budget process in both chambers, and has for a while. They are only voting for short term proposals, at our expense. We keep getting credit downgrades because of their “leadership.” These downgrades cost each of us money. It appears the legislature is more concerned about special interests than constituents.

In the last 17 years of her service to Montgomery County there could have been a lot of bills killed procedurally, instead of creating smoke and mirror games. I urge your readers to contact State Legislator Kate Harper, and ask her to pass a people’s. Urge her to stop cuts to our public transportation and public parks from coming to full vote.

Sincerely,

Kim McCollum

Note: The 61st legislative district covers parts of Towamencin, North Wales, Lower Gwynedd, and the nearby area.

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