INDIVISIBLE Lambertville NJ / New Hope PA

Category: Pennsylvania

  • Pennsylvania Voters! Our Upcoming May 21st Elections

    I was dressed up to go to court with my mommy. I usually waited outside on a hard wooden bench. Today was different.  Mommy took me into a big room with a big desk, where a man in a black asked me who I liked better, my mommy or my daddy?.  Without hesitation, I said, “My daddy.” The man asked me why. “Because he buys me dolls and gives me candy.”

    Custody cases are presided over by the 13 judges on the Bucks County Court of Common Pleas, 11 of whom are Republicans and 11, men, some with little to no background in family law, making decisions that can have significant, life-long ramifications.  

    With a three-month backlog in family court, we as citizens must show up and vote for judges with the knowledge, experience, and compassion to make wise choices for our families and, most especially, our children in need of legal care and protection. Here’s what you need to know to make your own informed decisions on these vital issues:

    What’s at Stake for the Court of Common Pleas?

      1. Two new seats on the Judiciary, plus one resignation.  In hopes of addressing our overburdened court system, in 2017, the legislature created two new openings in Bucks County plus a slot made available by one Republican woman’s resignation.
      2. Significant backlog of family and criminal cases. The Bucks County Court of Common Pleas hears Civil Cases.  As examples: based on the latest comprehensive data from 2017, of the 1,896 cases involving child custody/partial custody/visitation, only 727 or 42.1% were handled by a judge; of the 416 cases of child abuse or neglect, a total of 262 were adjudicated, with 57 still pending at year end.
      3. Judges serve for ten years. These lengthy terms give the Court stability and allow judges to fully develop.  But, it also represents a significant commitment to a set of values that may or may not reflect our communities.  It’s vital that we show up and vote for those judges who best uphold the values we embrace.

    Who’s Running? From the Bucks County Unofficial Candidate List, several of the candidates for open seats are listed here with links to their pages.

    • Court of Common Pleas – For the Bucks County Court of Common Pleas, several candidates are running, three of whom have received Democratic Party endorsements:

    Democrat                    Republican

    Charissa Liller                     Allen Toadvine

    Jessica VanderKam                Grace Deon

    Jordan Yeager                     Chris Serpico

    Dawn Dinato-Burke           

    Diane McGee                    Gary Gambardella

    Who else? In addition to the open seats on the Court of Common Pleas, the following races include:    

    • Bucks County Commissioner – four year terms

    Democrat            Republican

    Diane Ellis-Marseglia     Gene DiGirolamo

    Bob Harvie             Robert Loughery

    • Bucks County Treasurer – four year term

        Democrat            Republican

        Kris Ballerini            Tom Panzer

    • Bucks County Coroner – four year term

    Democrat            Republican

    Meredith Buck            Joseph P. Campbell

    2019 Key Election Dates for Pennsylvania

    • April 22  — Last day to REGISTER before the primary
    • May 14  — Last day to apply for a civilian absentee ballot.
    • May 17  — Last day for County Board of Elections to receive civilian absentee ballots
    • May 21  — MUNICIPAL PRIMARY
    • Nov. 5    — MUNICIPAL  ELECTION

    For more information, additional resources, and ways to get involved:*

    • Bucks County Blue:  Great source for info on all races and candidates in Bucks, including upcoming events and voter registration.
    • Solebury Democrats: Lively, up-to-date site, with excellent content.
    • Indivisible:  Provides a wealth of information and ready-made materials, ranging from Elections 101, Voting Rights, and Voting Suppression, Voter Registration, Endorsement Guides, and more.
    • SwingLeft: Nationwide organization dedicated to flipping Congressional districts like ours.
    • Flippable: Mounting a Blue Wave Tsunami across the states.

    Special thanks to Charissa Liller and her team for their time.

  • Make a Run for It! Resources and What You Need to Know (WYNTK)

    Contributed by Amara Willey. 

    Running for office in Hunterdon County – WYNTK: County Clerk Mary Melfi is your go-to resource. Here’s a link to a page with tons of helpful information. Mary has a very extensive packet of information at her office for political hopefuls. She is also willing to sit down with a potential candidate and go over what needs to happen to get on the ballot. She would like to see more women take on governing roles. “Women bring a totally different dynamic to politics. I think women are more analytical, solution-oriented, and think outside of box,” she says.

    • Important date! Monday, April 1st — deadline for all Partisan Candidates to File Petitions for the June Primary. State Candidates file with the State Division of Elections, County Candidates with the County Clerk’s office and Local Candidates with their Municipal Clerk. (N.J.S.A.19:23-14)

    Running for office in Pennsylvania – WYNTK: The Pennsylvania Department of State provides a wealth of information on this site: Running For Office

    • Important dates:
      • February 19 — First day to circulate and file nomination petitions
      • March 12 — Last day to circulate and file nomination petitions

    Candidate training resources

    General

    • Emerge is a candidate training program for Democratic women:
    • Moms Running is a coaching business run by Clinton Councilwoman Rielly Karsh and others to help mothers who want to get into politics
    • National Democratic Training Committee runs a self-study program https://www.traindemocrats.org/home/
    • Rutgers’ Center for American Women and Politics has their nonpartisan candidate training program, Ready to Run scheduled for March 15-16
    • She Should Run offers free online courses and an incubator for women considering a run for office. Have a younger woman interested? They even offer a parents or mentor’s program for activities to do with them. https://www.sheshouldrun.org/incubator

    Pennsylvania

    • Bucks County Dems will be having a forum at their next meeting on how to complete the petition to become a candidate. http://bucksdemocrats.org/. Working Families Party will be sponsoring training on March 30 for Democratic candidates that have submitted petitions (Deadline: March 12). http://workingfamilies.org/
    • Training is planned but not yet scheduled for using Votebuilder and specific topics like how to present a stump speech (Sign up for email lists with Solebury Democrats, Bucks County Democrats and check Helen Tai’s Facebook and website for these upcoming topics).

    New Jersey

    • In conjunction with the National Democratic training, New Jersey Democrats are planning candidate trainings on March 23rd and 24th. The 23rd is in Morris County and the 24th is in Bergen. The location has not been confirmed yet. https://njdems.org/our-events/

  • Your State Legislature and Judiciary

    New Jersey

    The NJ Legislative branch is comprised of the Senate and General Assembly. The Senate has 40 members, and the General Assembly has 80 members. One senator and two assembly members are elected from each of the 40 districts of New Jersey. The Senate and General Assembly meet for about 40 sessions a year on Mondays and Thursdays.

    Senators face election every four years, with the next election coming in Nov. 2021. Democrats currently control the NJ Senate, led by Senate President Stephen Sweeney. Loretta Weinberg is the Majority Leader; Thomas Kean Jr. is the Minority Leader. Assembly members face election every two years. In November 2019, the entire NJ Assembly is up for election. Democrats also control the Assembly, led by Craig Coughlin; Louis Greenwald is the Majority Leader, and Jon M. Branmick is the Minority Leader.  Senators and Assembly members are paid $49,000/yr for their work in the legislature.

    Committees from each party draft and review proposed legislation, along with several other bipartisan and non-partisan entities. (Learn more about the role of committees and the process of making a law in “How a Bill Becomes a Law”. In addition, the Office of Legislative Services (OLS), a non-partisan agency, provides legal advice and research support to both houses. OLS staff also drafts the bills and resolutions. For a map of NJ’s state legislative districts, please go here.

    In NJ, Congressional and state legislative district boundaries are drawn by two distinct politician commissions. The congressional redistricting commission comprises the following 13 members:

    • The majority and minority leaders of each chamber of the New Jersey State Legislature appoint two commissioners a piece (for a total of eight members).
    • The chairs of the state’s two major political parties each appoint two members to the commission (for a total of four members). Commissioners appointed by the political parties cannot be members of Congress or congressional employees.
    • The first 12 commissioners appoint the last member. This member cannot have held public office in the state within the previous five-year period. If the first 12 commissioners cannot agree on an appointment, they must submit two names to the New Jersey Supreme Court. The court must then appoint the final commissioner.

    If the congressional redistricting commission fails to reach an agreement about a redistricting plan, it must submit two plans to the state Supreme Court, which must in turn select from those two plans a final map.

    The state legislative redistricting commission comprises 10 members. The chairs of the state’s two major political parties each appoint five members to the commission. In the event that this commission is unable to reach an agreement about a redistricting plan, the state Supreme Court may appoint a tie-breaking member.

    The NJ Judiciary decides how state laws should be applied. Judges are appointed and serve seven-year terms, but after they have been re-appointed once, they can serve until they are 70.

    The highest court in the Judiciary branch is the state Supreme Court, which consists of a chief justice and six associate justices, who hear cases related to the NJ Constitution and other major issues. The state Superior Court is where most trials take place and is divided into the Appellate, Law, and Chancery divisions. The Appellate Division hears appeals of decisions from lower courts and state agencies. Law hears cases in its Criminal Division and Civil Division. Chancery consists of a General Equity Division and Family Division. General Equity cases involve matters such as contracts. The Family Division deals with family and children’s legal matters.

    Pennsylvania

    The Pennsylvania Legislative branch includes the Senate with 50 members and the House of Representatives with 203 members. The President of the Senate is the Lieutenant Governor, currently Jon Fetterman (D), who only votes in the case of a tie. Pennsylvania state senators serve staggered, four-year terms and half of the Senate is up for election every two years. In 2018, 25 PA Senators were elected, with Republicans maintaining majority control of the Senate, but losing some seats to Democrats. Jake Corman is Senate Majority Leader; Jay Costa is Senate Minority Leader.

    The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is up for election every two years, with 2020 as the next election year for the House. In 2018, the chamber’s Republican majority decreased from 120-79 (with four vacancies) to 110-93. House Speaker is Mike Turzai, Majority Leader is Bryan Cutler, and Minority Leader is Frank Dermody.

    In Pennsylvania, the statutory authority to draw congressional district boundaries is vested with the Pennsylvania General Assembly. These lines are subject to gubernatorial veto.[34]

    State legislative district lines are drawn by a politician commission. Established in 1968, the commission comprises five members: The Majority and Minority Leaders of both Houses each appoint one member, and the four appointees then appoint a fifth member to serve as the commission’s chair.

    Pennsylvania has 60 Judicial districts,  most of which (except Philadelphia) have Magisterial District Judges, who preside mainly over minor criminal offenses and small civil claims. Magisterial District Judges also preside over preliminary hearings in all misdemeanor and felony criminal cases. Most criminal and civil cases originate in the Courts of Common Pleas, which also serve as appellate courts to the district judges and for local agency decisions.

    The Superior Court hears all appeals from the Courts of Common Pleas not expressly designated to the Commonwealth Court or Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth Court is limited to appeals from final orders of certain state agencies and certain designated cases from the Courts of Common Pleas. The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania is the final appellate court. All judges in Pennsylvania are elected; the chief justice is determined by seniority.

    In total, 439 judges preside over the Court of Common Pleas, 9 judges preside over the Commonwealth Court, 15 judges preside over the Superior Court, and 7 justices preside over the Supreme Court. Elected judges run in 10 year terms, at which point they are required to run in a non-partisan retention election if they wish to continue to serve.

  • What the Heck is Going On In Our State Legislatures?

    Contributed by Amara Willey.

    Pennsylvania

    Although Democrats picked up a few seats in the Pennsylvania legislature and Governor Tom Wolf stayed in office, Republicans retained control of the House and Senate. We see the Republican caucus moving in a more conservative direction as moderates lost seats to Democrats.

    Nevertheless, there are several interesting bills to watch this year in Pennsylvania in the areas of fair pay, the environment, and legalization.

    • Changes to overtime pay – A bill mandating “white collar” employees be paid overtime if their weekly salary is under $610 per week. The salary minimum would increase after the first and second year respectively, forcing employers to pay overtime or increase wages. The state projects that the change would affect 460,000 workers.
    • Limiting methane from existing gas and oil wells – Stricter emissions standards were applied last year to new gas and oil wells. This bill would limit VOCs including methane gas from existing wells. Even though federal Environmental Protection Agency standards may be withdrawn, the state’s Department of Environmental Protection intends to push forward with this bill. Concerns about the bill involve potential costs.
    • Nuclear power – Lawmakers in the Energy Caucus recommended in a Nov. 2018 report that nuclear power be added to the list of alternative energy sources in the Alternative Energy Performance Standards program, which requires power distributors and generators to get 18 percent of their electricity from alternative sources such as wind, solar or biofuels by 2021. Two nuclear power plants are scheduled to close in the near future, the Three Mile Island plant outside Harrisburg in September 2019 and the Beaver Valley Nuclear Power Station outside Pittsburgh in 2021. PA’s current 9 reactors at 5 plants provide 42% of the state’s electricity. Decommissioning these plants would increase carbon dioxide emissions.
    • Marijuana legalization and expansion of medical cannabis – Since New York and New Jersey are likely to legalize recreational marijuana this year, Pennsylvania is taking another look at this issue, due to economic pressure from neighboring states. Governor Wolf has indicated he would sign this bill, but State Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman is opposed to the bill.

    New Jersey

    In New Jersey, hot issues also include the environment, fair pay and legalization. While a small minimum wage hike from $8.60 to $8.85 was achieved in 2018, Governor Phil Murphy failed to get the state legislature to pass the proposed $15/hour minimum wage or marijuana legalization that he had thought was a slam dunk. Both are being revisited in 2019.

    • Minimum wage – A bill, introduced in December, calls for a gradual increase in the minimum wage to $15/hour. The concern is that the higher wage will put N.J. at a competitive disadvantage though people might engage in more discretionary spending.
    • Earned sick leave – Regulations are proposed to a 2018 law requiring employers to allow eligible employees to accrue one hour of sick time for every 30 hours worked. Certain of the guidelines contradict the original statute and could provoke legal challenges.
    • Marijuana legalization – Legalization of recreational marijuana would include licensing production and sale of the substance and create the Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) as an oversight organization. Outstanding issues include tax structure, how much power the CRC would have, and unionization of the industry.
    • Wind power – N.J. became the biggest single-state solicitor of offshore wind energy last year and will seek to expand the program in 2020 and 2022. The goal of the legislation is to provide 3,500 megawatts of offshore wind by 2030. The program will create jobs, boost regional economy, and help mitigate the effects of climate change, according to BPU president Joseph L. Fiordaliso, as reported in Law 360.

    While federal focus may have been diverted from these issues during the current administration, N.J. and Pennsylvania. at least are addressing these important liberal agenda items.

    Sources

    For PA: https://www.law360.com/articles/1113861/pennsylvania-legislation-and-regulation-to-watch-in-2019

    For NJ: https://www.law360.com/articles/1112578/nj-regulation-and-legislation-to-watch-in-201

  • GOTV PA – Lock in the Keystone State!

    As the summer of our discontent veers toward the fall elections, it’s time to kick up our activism. Distractions abound. Beachcombing, picnics, lounging poolside, relaxing time with family and friends, all provide a necessary antidote to the toxicity that threatens to envelope us, but one thing is for sure – burying our heads in the sand will not make “IT” go away.

    More, with the student volunteers soon heading back to school, there will be a void in the campaigns that needs to be filled. From the increasingly palpable impacts of climate change on the environment to the outright horror of toddlers and children separated from their parents and imprisoned to what can only be called “Traitorgate”, we must take a stand now.

    CALL TO ACTION*
    Wherever you live, now’s the time to organize your neighbors and community. Go on out and knock on doors, invite friends and neighbors over for a fundraiser or meet and greet, be it a coffee klatch or a cocktail party. We need to get together and WIN!

    PA candidates running for election that can turn PA blue include:
    Helen Tai for State Rep in the 178th Assembly District
    Steve Santarsiero for State Senator in the 10th Senatorial District
    Scott Wallace for Congress in the 1st Congressional District
    Bob Casey for US Senator
    John Fetterman for Lt. Governor
    Tom Wolf for Governor

    PA Upcoming Events, Activities & Fundraisers*:
    August 5th, Sun., 2-4pm – Meet & Greet with Meredith Buck Down on the Farm at Three Fawn Farm, 77 Walter Rd, Chalfont.Activities for Kids!$25 for admission (kids under 15 -free!)

    For more info please email Mary Chalich

    Aug. 15th, Wed., 6-8pm – Helen TaiHosted by Steve & Sue Saddlemire and Colin Unsworth & Sparky MorrisonAddress given upon RSVP

    Please RSVP to Rachel at 215-908-1792 or rachel@helentai.com or click HERE

    September 15, Sat., 6-8pm – Helen Tai Hosted by Judy and Jim Finn, Jason and Allison Glickman, and Elissa and Jeffrey DatzAddress provided upon RSVP

    RSVP to Rachel at 215-908-1792 or rachel@helentai.com

    Click HERE to purchase your tickets in advance

    For more information click HERE

    If you can’t make any of the events or volunteer, but would still like to contribute: Donate to the Bucks County Democratic Committee

    *Resources and calendar of events will be updated monthly. If you are planning events or activities, or want to get involved, please contact LisaBergson0@gmail.com
    .
    For more information, additional resources, and ways to get involved*:
    Bucks County Blue: Great source for info on all races and candidates in Bucks, including upcoming events and voter registration.
    Warwick First: Site for this fledgling group in an entrenched red community. Can we flip it? Ride the Blue Wave!
    Buckingham Voices: “Concerned citizens, empowered and in motion.” Smart, active team committed to educating and empowering folks in our area. buckinghamvoices@gmail.com
    Newtown Democrats: Newly energized by their victories in November, this organization is working to widen its reach.
    Solebury Democrats: Lively, up-to-date site, with excellent content.
    Indivisible: Provides a wealth of information and ready-made materials, ranging from Elections 101, Voting Rights, and Voting Suppression, Voter Registration, Endorsement Guides, and more.
    SwingLeft: Nationwide organization dedicated to flipping Congressional districts like ours.
    Flippable: Mounting a Blue Wave Tsunami across the states.