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Community Corner

Registered Nurse Battles to unseat Washington

Cheltenham, PA April 19, 2014: Robin Gilchrist, a local area Registered Nurse, is leading a grass roots campaign for the Pennsylvania 4th Senatorial District to unseat Sen. LeAnna Washington who is charged with theft of services and conflict of interest. Both violations are felonies carrying maximum sentences of seven years’ prison along with hefty fines.

 “Like many, I've grown frustrated with uncontrolled spending and increasing corruption in our government. I have decided not to wait for the leadership that our state urgently needs. I would like the voters to know that I will fight those benefiting from the status quo.” Now having been placed on the ballot and unopposed in the Republican Primary, Gilchrist identifies the legislative priorities of education, tax and economic reform to be the main issues addressed. "I believe these issues go hand in hand. We can't grow the economy without controlling taxes and providing an educated workforce in order to attract good paying jobs to Pennsylvania. Our 257 Philadelphia public schools are only graduating at a 53% rate with some district schools only graduating at 36%.That is unacceptable and I don't think it's fair to subject one more child to be cheated out of a quality education. Allowing parents to choose the best educational option for their children is the only real chance many of these kids have to escape poverty, and I have come to see they get it. At the current rate, most aren’t prepared for higher education and are only qualified for low paying jobs. The result of this will be that many will be exposed to higher rates of crime, drug use and violence which only places the burden back to tax payers in the end game." He says, “Win or lose, one term or two, I will have the hard conversations and fight the tough fights for Pennsylvania's citizens." Gilchrist further states," Opponents of school choice blame recent federal funding cuts for decades of failure but the true problem isn't a funding one, it’s a spending one. Every group that has a financial interest in Philadelphia public schools has been cashing big paychecks with only a fraction of tax dollars actually reaching the children. Our complacency as voters has delivered us failing results. We must change the way we fund our schools by making all Pennsylvanians partners in our children’s education and in doing so, securing our Commonwealths economic future. I feel that if everyone has to put some skin in the game that we will be better focused to address the real problem. Our goal of improving education is not attained by uncontrolled spending and zero accountability Find out more at: www.GilchristforPASenate.com or write to Friends of Robin Gilchrist PO Box 54 Cheltenham, PA 19012, and (800)215-4337 Ext. 1100


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