Senator Speaks to Truckers

Trying to make good on promises he made during last summer’s election, Sen. Mike Folmer held an informal meeting with a group of independent truck drivers yesterday in an attempt to get a first-hand glimpse of the issues important to his constituents.

“This was part of my campaign,” Folmer, who represents all of Lebanon County, told the group of about 20. “I said that this is your government and your voices would be heard.”

Two topics in particular — the economics of the trucking industry and the public’s perception of truckers — dominated much of the conversation.

To read more of David Mekeel’s article from the Lebanon Daily News…click here.

‘Citizen Mike’ Refuses Pension

Freshman Sen. Mike Folmer, R-Lebanon County, is doing the unthinkable in the Pennsylvania General Assembly. He’s turning down a state pension — the Holy Grail of Legislative Perks.

It’s what taxpayer-financed, incumbency-protection programs and partisan redistricting are all about: returning to office term after term to build up service to draw down on one of the most lucrative legislative pensions in the nation. For many, it is the end game. It’s like hitting the lottery at taxpayers’ expense. Thirty-six outgoing legislators last year had average annual pensions of $43,000, according to The Associated Press. Former Rep. Elinor Z. Taylor is collecting the most at $131,000 per year. Taylor, a former educator before winning election to the House in 1976, also got a lump sum payment of $187,000.

To read more of Brad Busted’s article from the Pittsburgh Tribune…click here.

Running as Outsider, Salesman has Opportunity to Bring Reforms

Both candidates for the 48th Senatorial District seat find themselves in unexpected positions.

Until about 15 months ago, this was one of the most entrenched seats in the state — held for 24 years by Senate Majority Leader David J. “Chip” Brightbill.

As he has done on several other occasions in heavily Republican Lebanon County, Democrat John Liss thought he’d be serving merely as the loyal opposition to a heavily favored GOP opponent. Republican Mike Folmer, abreast of issues but never immersed in politics, figured the rounds he’d be making this fall would be the usual ones for a tire sales man, not knocking on doors looking for votes.

To read more of this editorial from The Patriot News online…click here.

Double Take: Debate on 48th District’s State Senate Seat

November 7 of this year, Pennsylvanians in the 48th Senate district will be electing a new state senator. Many people will view this as a new beginning, considering the current Republican state senator for the district was responsible for one of the most unpopular legislative pay raises in the history of the commonwealth.

Voters will have to decide whether they want the same old corruption in Harrisburg or a better change for all Pennsylvanians in the 48th district.

To read more of this opinion column from The Etownian online…click here.

Citizen Mike Endorsed by the PA Pro-Life Federation

The Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation has endorsed Republican Mike Folmer for State Senator in the 48th District.

“I am honored to have this endorsement,” Folmer said. “I believe that government must do everything it can to protect the innocent unborn, and to foster a culture of life.”

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Citizen Mike Endorsed by The National Rifle Association

The National Rifle Association (NRA) has endorsed Republican Mike Folmer for State Senator in the 48th District.

“As State Senator, I will do everything I can to protect the right of law abiding citizens to own and bear arms,” Folmer said. “Our federal and state constitutions are very clear on this right, and it should be vigorously guarded.”

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Citizen Mike’s Statement on Supreme Court’s Pay Raise Ruling

Greetings,

The Supreme Court’s ruling on the legislative pay raise fiasco was a mixed bag for taxpayers.

Certainly the court got it right when it ruled as unconstitutional the act of passing mid-term pay raises in the form of so-called unvouchered expenses.

But unfortunately, the court missed a landmark opportunity to put an end to the legislature’s long train of abuses to the constitutional provisions on how legislation is to be properly passed. Consequently, the House and Senate can still sneak through legislation – including pay raises – in the dead of night, without due process and without appropriate review by legislative committees and, more importantly, the citizens of the Commonwealth.

As a State Senator, I do not intend for one minute to sit idly by and wait for the court to right these matters with subsequent decisions; rather, I will make good on my Promise to Pennsylvania by holding my colleagues’ feet to the fire, and by introducing legislation to address iniquities in the lawmaking process.

Sincerely,

Mike Folmer

Term Limits

Greetings,

Thomas Jefferson once said, “When a man casts a longing eye on offices, a rottenness begins in his conduct.” Truer words were never spoken.

Jefferson, in fact, was a vociferous advocate for limiting the terms of Congressmen. Had he been present when the issue of term limits was being debated in the Constitutional Convention (at the time he was on a diplomatic mission in France), term limits might have been included in the US Constitution.

Like Jefferson, I am a strong advocate of term limits, and part of my Promise to Pennsylvania platform of reforming government, is this: I will serve no more than three terms in the Pennsylvania Senate.  Additionally, I will support an amendment to the Pennsylvania Constitution stating that no legislator can serve longer than 12 years in either House of the General Assembly.

Like Jefferson, I believe term limits keep politicians on their best behavior. Studies have shown that politicians who are term-limited, either voluntarily or by statute, vote according to their conscience with a much stronger propensity than politicians who make a career out of serving in one particular legislative body.

It is time to put the “service” back in public service. As your State Senator, I will do just that.

I thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,

Mike Folmer

FOAC Backs Mike Folmer

Mike Folmer – A Standout Choice (48th District Pennsylvania Senate) – Firearms Owners Against Crime is pleased to announce its highest recommendation for Mike Folmer, Republican Candidate for the 48th District of the PA Senate in the November 2006 – general election. Pennsylvania citizens residing in this district will have a ‘clear’ choice on their ballot for a man who is an ardent opponent of more government control over our personal freedoms and who will fight to ensure that government respects the rights of all Pennsylvanians, including an individual’s choice on how to protect their families and property OR for a candidate whose knowledge of the issues lacks the necessary development to qualify him for this position. The right choice is clearly Mike Folmer.

Mike Folmer understands the issues and the consequences of misdirecting public policy. He will champion the cause of civil rights, government accountability and holding the guilty responsible for their actions. “It is fundamentally wrong to predicate the rights of law-abiding citizens on the misdeeds of a few”, said Kim Stolfer Chairman of Firearms Owners Against Crime. “Mike Folmer has convinced us that he has the wherewithal to make the tough decisions”, says Stolfer.

The legislature will have to deal with important and divisive issues, and legislators must be willing to embrace the facts and the views of all citizens of Pennsylvania. It is common knowledge that the enforcement of Pennsylvania gun laws has imposed unintentional, as well as unnecessary, hardships and consequences on law-abiding citizens of this Commonwealth. It is also a fact that in the most crime ridden urban areas of our state the courts routinely disregard the imposition of these very same laws on the career recidivist violent criminal. We must elect legislators who understand that it is time to redirect law enforcement resources to focus attention on the truly violent criminals who repeatedly prey upon the unsuspecting and vulnerable citizens of this state.

Pennsylvanians need senators who will have the courage to place individual freedoms and the law above unproven ‘feel good’ social experiments. Mike Folmer will be this kind of Senator! Mike Folmer has the kind of independence and dedication that will be of immense benefit to not only his constituents but ‘all’ Pennsylvania citizens as well. The residents of this district will be well served by Mr. Folmer in his capacity as their senator and we encourage everyone in this district to examine the issues and the candidates as we have, the choice is a clear one.

To learn more about Mike Folmer please visit www.citizenmike.com.

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Gambling Law Must Be Reformed NOW

Noting that Pennsylvania’s two-year old gambling law is loaded with loopholes and defects that invite corruption and the maladministration of taxpayers’ money, Republican State Senate candidate Mike Folmer today called on Governor Ed Rendell to stop blocking reform.

“The General Assembly has at least taken action by passing a body of important reforms to the gambling law,” Folmer said. “But Governor Rendell vetoed these reforms, in what amounts to the appearance of gross impropriety.”

Folmer said the following reforms must be passed immediately:

➢ Barring public officials and their immediate family members from holding any ownership interest in slots licenses.
➢ Tightening the accountability of the Gaming Control Board.
➢ Broadening oversight by the Attorney General and the General Assembly.
➢ Closing ethics loopholes.

Folmer noted that twelve Senate Republicans recently unveiled a comprehensive plan that would make these major structural reforms to Pennsylvania’s gambling law. “Putting aside the fact that Pennsylvania’s gambling law was ill conceived to begin with and hastily passed, it has become clear that change is sorely needed to immediately correct these problems,” Folmer said.

For more information, log on to www.citizenmike.com.

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