Cumberland county District Attorney David Freed has announced the start of his campaign for Attorney General. Due to weather, his announcement was moved to the lobby of The Cumberland County Courthouse in Carlisle. The large crowd that had gathered to hear Freed’s announcement jammed into the tiny lobby. Ed Marsico, the DA for Dauphin County, opened the event describing the surrounding counties DA’s support for David Freed. When Freed stepped up to the podium he thanked his supporters and family before describing why his experience would make him a good Attorney General. Freed promised to be tough on criminals going after drug dealers and child rapists. He promised to bring the same strong attitude he has had in Cumberland County to the entire state.
The best part about Freed running is that he could actually win. The only other Republican currently in the race is Senator Rafferty who was the former assistant AG but other possible candidates do not have Freed’s experience, his fundraising abilities or his connections (his wife’s father is Leroy Zimmerman the first elected AG in the state). While the lead Democratic challenger former Congressman Patrick Murphy might have serious cash on hand the AG office has been dominated by Republicans. Freed’s strong stance against crime will make him a solid challenger against Rep Murphy’s anti-Marcellus shell talking points. It is difficult to know who the candidate will be or which way the election will go but it is obvious that Freed’s entrance will have a big effect on this race.
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Alexander Egner
Representative Stephen Bloom (R-199), a freshman Congressman for the 199th, is taking great steps in promoting local agriculture. He represents the center of Cumberland County, a district with large rural areas. He is currently the Secretary of the House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee. His first two major pieces of legislation have revolved around helping local farmers and the economy. Outside of legislation, he is also using his position to promote an agricultural summit, on November 18th, the purpose of which is to allow farmers to share information and hear from agricultural leaders and specialists.
Bloom has a strong agricultural background; he graduated from the Penn State agriculture economics program. Later, as an attorney he worked with farmers on land use and estate issues. While working with estate issues, Bloom got to see firsthand how the death tax can make a bad situation worse. The death of a loved one can lead to serious financial obligations and as Bloom learned heavy taxes can force a family into selling valuable assets and put the farm in major jeopardy. Bloom saw this issue and is doing everything he can to elevate the financial burdens and help grieving families.
Bloom has recently introduced a short bill to repeal part of the death tax. His press release states “House Bill 1864 would exempt transfers of agricultural assets from the Pennsylvania inheritance tax when the receiving heir is a sibling or child of the deceased farmer.” The very short house bill is specific. Bloom uses his legal prowess to use precise and technical language that will close all loop holes. Bloom has stated that “[t]he last thing the government should be doing is punishing farm families with a special tax during a time when they are most economically vulnerable. Too often the death tax is the difference between a hard-pressed farm family continuing to farm and being forced to sell out.” The bill recently was unanimously passed by the finance committee and is awaiting action on the house floor, where it is receiving lots of support from House leadership.
Recently, Governor Corbett publically signed another of Bloom’s agriculturally focused pieces of legislation. Bloom’s Preferred Agriculture Bill (H.B. 1424), ensures protection for farmers who can voluntary enter the Preferred Program, the goal of which is to increase the connection between consumers and producers through use of a trademark. This was his first major step in assisting local farmers and the economy. Bloom has been quite active for a freshman year congressman. He’s looking out for his district, and the farmers of Pennsylvania.
