“I have always stood with our men and women in uniform,” Stainthorpe said, “and it’s a tremendous honor to have them stand with me in this election.”

State and local lodges have endorsed Stainthorpe.  The Fraternal Order of Police, State Lodge, and the Bucks County Police Officers, Lodge # 53, are supporting Stainthorpe.  The combined lodges represent more than 41,000 law enforcement officers state-wide.

“Pete Stainthorpe has always been an active supporter of the law enforcement community, the officers, and their families,” Les Neri, President of the Pennsylvania State Lodge said.  “He has our highest endorsement.”

Stainthorpe has been an avid supporter of the DARE program that helps educate elementary school children about the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse.  That program is run through the Lower Makefield Police Department.  He is also a member of the Emergency Management Advisory Board in the township and works closely with the police department to formulate emergency management plans.

As a member of the House, Stainthorpe has vowed to support tougher and longer sentences for violent offenders and will push for legislation to do the following:

• Eliminate parole for violent offenders convicted of rape, robbery, murder, aggravated assault or any crime with a gun
• Eliminate early release programs for offenders convicted of a violent crime or a crime involving a gun
• Require that all mandatory five year sentences for gun offenses be served consecutively and not concurrently with sentences for other crimes
• Require at least a majority vote of parole board members for parole – currently it only takes 2 votes out of 9.

“The recent murder of police officers in southeastern Pennsylvania could have been prevented with just a few reforms to our parole system,” Stainthorpe said.  “While I may differ with Governor Rendell on issues like spending and leasing the turnpike, his call for a moratorium on all paroles until the system is fixed is 100% correct.  I look forward to joining his effort to keep violent criminals in jail where they belong.”

In addition to the FOP, Stainthorpe has been endorsed by out-going Representative Dave Steil and former Congressman Jim Greenwood, as well as the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), the PA Chamber of Business and Industry, Pennsylvanian’s for Effective Government (PEG) and many local organizations committed to honest, open government and independent-minded leaders.

“I’ve known and worked with Pete Stainthorpe for years.  He’s the honest and independent voice we need in Harrisburg now more than ever,” Greenwood said.  “I know he’s the best choice for State Representative in the 31^st – and that’s why he’s the only candidate I’ve endorsed anywhere in the country this year.”

The 31st District comprises all of Lower Makefield and Newtown Townships, Yardley and Newtown Boroughs and a portion of Upper Makefield Township.

Pete welcomes Cindy McCain to Lower Makefield and Shady Brook Farm.

October 1, 2008 215 378 0400

YARDLEY, PA – Pete Stainthorpe was joined today by Dave Patti, the President & CEO of the Pennsylvania Business Council, and Kevin Shivers, the State Director of NFIB, to discuss business issues and accept the endorsement of their organizations and the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry.

“In these challenging economic times, we need a government that tightens its belt and lets hard working American families keep more of what they’ve earned,” Stainthorpe said. “And I’m grateful that every one of these organizations understands my commitment to that – to job creation, economic growth, and cutting government spending.”

Stainthorpe owns his own marketing firm and knows personally the need to meet a budget and control spending. He’s a businessman who’s created jobs and has dedicated his campaign to making Pennsylvania’s business climate friendlier.

“I’m honored to receive the support and endorsement of Pennsylvania’s leading economic development and small business organizations,” Stainthorpe said. “My promise to every business owner is to fight for them in Harrisburg. I’ll put taxpayers first and add fuel to the job creating engines of our economy – small business owners and entrepreneurs.”

–30–

Contact: David W. Patti For Immediate Release

Office: 717-238-1764 October 1, 2008

Cell: 717-329-7207

BUSINESS PAC ENDORSES PETE STAINTHORPE

(Harrisburg) The PEG Political Action Committee (PEG PAC), the affiliated PAC of the Pennsylvania Business Council (PBC), today announced its endorsement of Pete Stainthorpe in his General Election bid for the 31st House District seat. The district is located in Bucks County.

“Pete Stainthorpe understands the issues facing the Pennsylvania business community because he faces them every day as the owner of Evergreen Marketing Group. Pete supports pro-growth policies that will allow Pennsylvania job creators to flourish,” said David W. Patti, President & CEO of the Pennsylvania Business Council in endorsing Stainthorpe’s candidacy.

“Pete Stainthorpe believes that Pennsylvania must improve its overall business climate,” added Patti. “He strongly opposes government picking winners and losers and feels that government incentives should only be offered to seal the deal with new businesses, not as a means of opening the door.”

According to Patti, Stainthorpe believes the way to a better business climate is through lower business taxes, less burdensome government regulation, enactment of the Fair Share Act to curb lawsuit abuse, and investment in infrastructure. He also believes the state’s worker’s compensation system needs to be reformed to make it more fair and affordable, and investments must be made in worker re-training programs.

“Pete Stainthorpe has a vision, and that vision is a more competitive, more business-friendly Pennsylvania, where job creators can thrive and communities can grow. “He will work hard for the residents of the 31st District in Harrisburg,” concluded Patti.

The PEG Political Action Committee supports candidates for office with financial contributions, campaign consulting, and grassroots action. The PEG PAC seeks to elect candidates for office who offer the best capacity to create and sustain a better Pennsylvania. PEG PAC supports candidates who are best for the business community without regard to political party membership. PEG PAC focuses its efforts on open seats races where there is no incumbent running.

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Thursday, Sept. 25, 2008

Dear Members of the Media,

Citizens and job creators in the 31^st Legislative District would be well served by Pete Stainthorpe as their state representative.

Stainthorpe’s local government experience, both as Lower Makefield Township supervisor and Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority chairman, will serve his would-be constituents well at the state level. His election to the state General Assembly would be a natural and deserved extension of his proven service to the region and its residents.

As a business owner, Stainthorpe is well attuned to the challenges job creators face every day in their effort to effectively and efficiently operate their businesses and provide jobs for residents. He understands that in order for local communities to prosper, businesses must prosper, and that Pennsylvania’s unbalanced legal system and tax structure are among the factors hindering job creation and business growth.

He also supports viable, long-term health-care solutions that will ensure accessibility and affordability.

Pete Stainthorpe will make decisions in Harrisburg that are truly in the best interest of the 31^st District. That is why the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry is proud to endorse his candidacy for state representative.

Sincerely,

Floyd Warner

President

Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry

YARDLEY, PA – Pete Stainthorpe announced his opposition to teacher strikes and decried the union-first PSEA questionnaire today at Charles H. Boehm Middle School in Lower Makefield Township.

“We must put our children and the taxpayer first again,” Stainthorpe said.  “Nearly three quarters of our nation’s states have laws that end teacher strikes – so should Pennsylvania.   That’s why I vow to vote for the Strike-Free Education Act, HB, 1369 in Harrisburg.

“With Souderton students being held ransom by this union as we speak, and Neshaminy’s children under threat of a strike from the American Federation of Teachers – and the recent memory of our own tragic strike in Pennsbury, I am here today to pledge my support for taxpayers, students, parents, and teachers.  But I am not, and will not be, supportive of what has frankly become Pennsylvania’s most powerful political special interest – the PSEA.”

Pete pointed out that the PSEA questionnaire had at most five questions related to children in the classroom – but a dozen more that had nothing to do with students at all. 

“To get the support of the PSEA I would need to oppose a Pennsylvania law designed to protect payers, one that requires a voter referendum on raising local taxes above a certain threshold,” Stainthorpe said.  “I would have to oppose eliminating property taxes, oppose a Taxpayer Bill of Rights, support as a right the ability of teachers to strike, and oppose any “merit pay” legislation.”

“The PSEA spends millions of dollars to influence elections,” Stainthorpe said.  “The union organizes phone banks, door-to-door canvassers, and puts union members at polls to greet voters each election day.  These are clearly political activities.”

At his announcement, Pete was joined by Richard Johnson of the Pennsbury School District and Dennis McMenamin from the Council Rock School District and concerned local citizens.

If you live in Newtown, Yardley, Upper Makefield or Lower Makefield and would like to arrange for transportation, please contact Campaign Manager Scott Fegley at (215) 493-8287 or scott@fegleylaw.com.  Because transportation will be provided door-to-door from the home to the poll and back, voters must make a specific appointment for transportation.

Pete Stainthorpe has actively supported issues important to the elderly and disabled including property tax relief and creation of Lower Makefield Township’s Disabled Persons Advisory Board.

Date: September 5, 2008

Section: Opinion

Page Number: 8A

YARDLEY, PA – In the wake of a dozen indictments alleging the theft of taxpayer resources to aid the election victories of Democrat candidates, Pete Stainthorpe called for the resignation of House Democratic Leader William DeWeese and outlined major reforms he wants enacted to ensure public confidence in the General Assembly.

“This is not a matter of Republican vs. Democrat,” Stainthorpe said. “This is clearly a matter of right and wrong where once again the taxpayer is left holding the bill – in this case at least $1.3 million worth – for politicians who put their own interests ahead of the common good.”

Last week after a 17-month grand jury investigation, Attorney General Tom Corbett charged former Democratic Whip Michael Veon, Democratic state Rep. Sean Ramaley of Beaver County and 10 current and former House Democratic staffers including Majority Leader William DeWeese’s former Chief of Staff. Sadly, Corbett said there are still more indictments to come.

“Bill DeWeese might deny knowing about the activities of his top staffer, but either way, he simply should not continue as a leader of our House,” Stainthorpe said. “Either he’s covering up allegedly illegal activities in his own office or he’s letting his staff run wild with our tax dollars. Regardless, he’s completely lost the public trust.”

Beyond calling for the resignation of DeWeese, Stainthorpe outlined a series of reforms he thinks must be established in Harrisburg. These reforms include the following:

o Prohibiting all bonuses for House and Senate employees

o Limiting the terms of House and Senate Committee Chairs and elect Chairs by a vote of the Committee members

o Prohibiting House and Senate employees from serving as Treasurers or officers of campaign committees or political action committees

o Abolishing the seniority system in all aspects of House and Senate operation

o Limiting the number of bills introduced

o Requiring governmental salary information to be posted online

o Requiring all legislation to be considered within a specified timeframe

o Strengthening penalties for violating Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Law

o Banning taxpayer money for the use of robo-calls

o Placing all House and Senate operations staff under the control of the Chief Clerk

These goals form the basis of a plan to restore integrity to the legislative process in Harrisburg, but Stainthorpe knows there is much more to be done beyond these measures. Stainthorpe will continue his meetings with Representative Dave Steil (PA-31), the recognized longtime House leader on reform initiatives, to continue to identify areas in the legislative process that need repair.

“I have dedicated much of my career to seeking ways to restore public trust in our government in Harrisburg,” Steil said. “I have pushed for major reforms like open records throughout the legislative process, leveraging the internet to allow citizens to know how we vote within an hour of voting, and requiring at least 3 days to review legislation before voting occurs.

“I would be honored if Pete Stainthorpe succeeded me in Harrisburg, especially today as he outlines his goals in reforming our legislature,” Steil continued. “These common-sense approaches are exactly what the voters of the 31^st District should demand of their next State Representative.”

Stainthorpe vowed that even if these measures aren’t passed into law, he will enforce those initiatives he can in his own office.

“I will refuse gifts from lobbyists – both to me and to my staff – and I will not award bonuses to my legislative staff nor will I allow them to serve as officers or paid staffers in any campaign or political action committee,” Stainthorpe said.

Today, we stand at the entrance to Five Mile Wood, the first land preserved as open space in Lower Makefield Township in 1980.  Just a short walk from here is a unique environment where the Piedmont plateau meets the Coastal Plain.  On your walk, you’ll see a variety of native plants and animals that have inhabited this area for centuries and hopefully will for centuries to come.

I am proud of the farms and natural areas we have preserved in Lower Makefield during my time in the majority on the Board of Supervisors.  I voted to add acreage to these woods in 2003.  Since the Five Mile Wood Purchase, Republican leadership has preserved more than 1600 acres of open space.  I am deeply troubled that not one acre has been added in the last three years since the Democrats have been in the majority.  More than $1 million in voter approved open space funds sits idle.

I will bring leadership to Harrisburg on this issue.  One of my highest priorities will be to create a dedicated and continuous funding source for land conservation throughout the Commonwealth.  I support making programs like Growing Greener permanent so that counties and municipal governments can count on the State to help preserve wild and natural spaces, productive family farms, and important watersheds to mitigate flooding.  I also support giving local goverments more resources and authority to restrict development of natural areas by reforming the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.

Standing up for the environment can be a win-win for everyone.  We can create jobs, preserve open space and leave the world a better place than we found it, not just enviromentally but economically as well.  As a State Representative, I will call for a new approach to energy needs and the environment, a market based environmentalism based on facts, not fear.  We need solutions created by entrepreneurs rather than government bureaucracies. 

We need only look to the developing debacle caused by the federal government’s mandate to add a certain percentage of ethanol to gasoline.  Ethanol was supposed to be the answer to creating an abundant new source of fuel that was better for the environment and reduced our dependence on foreign oil.  The folly of that government mandate is now coming home to roost.  We are still dependent on Mideast oil.  Gas prices have skyrocketed and we have seen little improvement in air quality.  Meanwhile, the price of corn has also climbed to the point it has caused disruptions in the food supply chain and created shortages of vital crops and commodities.  The consumer pays the price at the pump and the grocery store for a poorly though out program.

Pennsylvania has a great history in the development of low cost, reliable energy sources.  Oil was discovered here and our leadership in the production of coal created the mighty industrial machine that was the hallmark of American power.  Pennsylvania can lead again.  We can become the Keystone of a new green industry that will create thousands of jobs and bring about an economic revival of our towns and cities. 

One of the first things I intend to do as State Representative is introduce legislation that will create Green Enterprise Zones.   These Green Zones will attract entrepreneurs and industry needed to create new energy and environmental platforms.  Companies that locate their facilities within the Green Zones will receive a package of tax credits and cuts as an incentive to make these zones an incubator for new technologies.  Government should not decide which new technology is best, be it solar, wind, geo-thermal, fuel cells or an idea yet unknown.  The role of government is to create the right environment where new ideas can flourish and then get out of the way and let the market work.

The greatness of America can be attributed to two things:  free people and free markets.  If we let them both work to their fullest capacity, we can solve our energy problems, create a new industry for our Commonwealth and ensure a better future for generations to come. 

 ”One of my highest priorities will be to create a dedicated and continuous funding source for land conservation throughout the Commonwealth.”  Stainthorpe said.  “I support making programs like Growing Greener permanent so that counties and municipal governments can count on the State.”

Under Republican leadership, including four of the seven years Stainthorpe has served as Township Supervisor, the Lower Makefield Board aggressively pursued open space preservation including the 230-acre Patterson Farm and the land that is now the home of the 911 Memorial.  Since the Board has been under Democratic leadership, not a single acre has been preserved while more than $1 million in voter approved funds remains available.  Stainthorpe’s opponent responded by calling his speech “election tactics.”

Stainthorpe also outlined his plan to encourage the development of green technologies and, consequently, economic growth in Pennsylvania.  “I am proposing that Pennsylvania take the lead in developing new energy technologies that will eventually eliminate our dependence on foreign oil.”  Stainthorpe said.  “I intend to introduce legislation that will create Keystone Green Enterprise Zones in order to attract the entrepreneurs and industries needed to create these new energy and environmental platforms.  I propose a package of tax credits and tax cuts to businesses locating in the zones to turn them into an incubator for new technologies.”

“We are, each of us, stewards of our natural resources and must commit to passing onto future generations a cleaner earth than the one we inherited.”  Stainthorpe said.