‘Marcellus Works’ Creates Jobs, Promotes Clean Energy

PA. State Rep. Justin J. Simmons, 131st District, reports on the latest happenings in Harrisburg.

Dozens Leave Upper Saucon Poll Without Voting After Waiting Hours

With some waiting as much as two hours to vote, several leave Calvary Bible Fellowship without casting a ballot.

For voters at Upper Saucon Township polling station number 3, the 2012 electoral process brought nothing but frustration.  While many polling stations reported short wait times, those who voted at Calvary Bible Fellowship faced extended wait times. Dozens of voters reported waits approaching two hours to take their turn at the polls. Several dozen left the polling station in frustration without taking their turn to vote.  Voters reported that inside, the check-in table slowed the process, leaving as many as six of the 10 voting machines sitting empty at any given time.  Lehigh County election official Tim Benyo sent additional poll workers to Calvary Church in the late afternoon to try and alleviate the situation. "The longest part is …

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Letters to the Editor

Letter: Simmons is 'Dangerous' to Women's Health

Letter writer Gloria McVeigh says some of state Rep. Justin Simmons' votes have been "insulting and downright dangerous" to women. Simmons, a Republican, represents Pennsylvania's 131st legislative district.

To the editor: Women are not single-issue voters. We care as much about education as so-called “women’s” issues. But when politicians threaten havoc on women and their families just to appeal to knee-jerk right-wing voters, you’d better believe we pay attention. How is it possible that, in the 21st century, a major party candidate like Republican Justin Simmons can be so insulting and downright dangerous in his votes affecting women’s most intimate lives? Simmons is state Representative for District 131, which includes western Lower Saucon Township, Upper Saucon Township, Coopersburg, Upper and Lower Milford townships, eastern Salisbury Township and southeast Allentown. Simmons co-sponsored PA’s infamous law requiring that women submit to …

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John Fox

10:18 pm on Tuesday, October 23, 2012

You are right I did mean Gabby Gifford   more ›

Letters to the Editor

Letter: Simmons Denies Truth About Education Funding Cuts

Mark Spengler criticizes state Rep. Justin Simmons (R-131) in the following letter to the editor.

To the Editor: In 2011 Governor Tom Corbett and the Republicans enacted massive cuts to public education. According to the incumbent representative from the 131st district, it is all just a lie. Justin Simmons has repeatedly claimed that he and his party actually increased education spending while the one-time federal stimulus money simply ran out. A simple review of the facts shows otherwise. Two significant examples of state education dollars being eliminated were the $259 million block grant ($100 million was eventually restored) and the total elimination of the 30 percent charter school reimbursement. Other programs that were axed included duel enrollment, tutoring assistance and the distinguished educator program. It should also be …

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careless fills

4:24 am on Friday, October 12, 2012

of course there's no drug testing   more ›

Tell Us: What Do You Think About the Simmons/Deely Race?

As the race for the 131st PA House seat heats up, we want to know what you think, how you're voting, and why?

As we head into October, the campaign trail for the 131st House seat is blazing with election detrius. Since being named a "Race to Watch" by Politics PA, the Simmons Deely race has heated up.  Earlier this week, Rep. Justin Simmons re-election campaign launched a series of political ads aimed squarely at challenger Kevin Deely. Deely, in turn, lashed back with a fiery op-ed questioning incumbant Simmons leadership.  Read more below:  What did you think of the race for the 131st seat? Tell us in the comments section below.

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Election 2012

Op-Ed: Kevin Deely 'I'm Responding to Simmons' Lies'

In an op-ed, Kevin Deely, challenger for the 131 district seat responds to a recent round of advertisements released by incumbent Rep. Justin Simmons campaign.

Justin Simmons cannot hide from his extreme, Tea-Party agenda. His record of cutting funding from our schools and giving huge tax breaks to special interests, like big corporations and his own campaign donors, demonstrates that Simmons' priorities are not in-line with our community, and it is time he be held accountable.  In 2011, Justin Simmons voted for a State Budget, which cut over $16.7 million from Lehigh County schools, and cut over $1 billion in health care services for middle class families and children. Additionally, in 2012 Simmons supported a budget that gives giant corporations $2.4 billion in tax breaks. Justin Simmons' numbers don't add up and Lehigh families know the truth - our schools are suffering from massive cuts; our …

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Simmons: Challenger "Living in a Fantasy World"

Kevin Deeley will run as a democrat for the 131st District

Easton Area School District English teacher Kevin Deeley has confirmed a run for Rep. Justin Simmons seat in the upcoming election. According to the Express-Times, Deeley will run as a democrat and hopes to change the culture in Harrisburg." Deeley accused Simmons of being absent from votes, as well as working for big business. The article states that Simmons pointed to his record of breaking ranks with party members on several key votes, including unemployment benefits as well as raising taxes. Simmons also voted against redistricting this past year. He also stated that Deeley was "living in a fantasy world."

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