WILLIAMS OPPOSES LEGISLATIVE RECESS

HARRISBURG, July 30, 2003 - - Senator Connie Williams (D-Montgomery/Delaware) Monday voted against the recess of the Senate session, citing that many important issues have been left unresolved and that Pennsylvanians will suffer as a result of the unfinished business.

“The citizens of Pennsylvania have voted for a Governor who brought with him new ideas for a new Pennsylvania. They expect their legislators to address the issues that impact their families and communities. Unfortunately, my colleagues on the other side of the Senate have chosen to delay these important discussions and go on vacation until September. I regret to report that we have failed the people of Pennsylvania.”

Williams said that she was looking forward to seeing an ambitious agenda of early childhood education initiatives, education funding equity, funding for full-day kindergarten, and property tax reform come to fruition through a process of negotiation.

“Politics seem to be more important than people. Pennsylvania is stuck in the same rut that it has been stuck in for too many years now. I recognize that change can be difficult, however I sincerely doubt that there is a citizen out there who has told their Senator to give up and go home,” Williams said.

Williams said that she has heard from hundreds of her constituents who support Governor Rendell’s vision and urged the Legislature to come to a compromise that provides a new future for Pennsylvania school children.

“I can’t help but think that the Republicans don’t want to admit that Pennsylvanians have elected a new governor with a new vision for Pennsylvania. It’s time to stop running last fall’s governor’s race and start preparing for this fall’s school opening.”

“We haven’t come to an agreement on reducing property taxes, full day kindergarten, prescription drug costs, funding for the M-care payments, or economic stimulus funding, all important issues that we have left hanging,” Williams said.

“I am prepared to remain in Harrisburg and work toward a new Pennsylvania. I can only hope that my colleagues will change their minds and join me in that vision.”