Run for Governor?

By FRIENDS OF JOE HOEFFEL

I am thinking seriously about running for governor next year in the Democratic primary because I fear our party is poised to embrace conservative views that will doom us to defeat.

While I have not decided whether to run, I know what the next governor has to do: help the Democratic party find and hold the progressive center in Pennsylvania politics.

If we want continued public support, we must stand for an open and honest government based on progressive policies, sustainable financing and balanced budgets. If we turn to the right and offer mere echoes of conservative dogma as some are urging, the public will leave us behind.

We know what the agenda is for the Republican right-wingers. Cut taxes and shrink government. Then cut taxes again and shrink government more. They proudly call it “starving the beast”.

We know better. Government is not the enemy. We know government has an active role to play in creating opportunities and improving the quality of life for all.

We also recognize that only government can end discrimination in public life—discrimination against the sick and uninsured in health care, discrimination against poor women and young women in restrictions on reproductive freedoms, discrimination against poor children in underfunded public schools and against poor communities in environmental policies, discrimination against people in love from freely marrying regardless of their gender.

We are all children of God, and we are all equal in Her eyes. Our job is to make sure that our laws reflect and protect that equality.

Government has an important and active role to play in leveling the playing field and creating opportunities for hardworking families and for the least, the last and the lost among us.

Our state must offer opportunities for all citizens through better public schools, a growing economy with better paying jobs, and better access to health care. We must continue to make wise investments in our future. We must fight equally hard to serve every citizen in need and to protect every taxpayer.

Ed Rendell is a terrific governor, fighting tirelessly and successfully for progressive policies in the face of hyper-partisan obstructionism in Harrisburg.

But the legislative process in broken in Harrisburg and state government is not working well. The state budget stalemate is a clear and sorry example.

I am a pragmatic progressive. I am socially liberal and fiscally responsible. I have fought for 23 years in Norristown, Harrisburg and Washington for economic development, public education, government reform and social justice, all within balanced budgets.

I believe government has to learn how to deliver more services cheaper, smarter and better. I believe that government works best with coalitions that cross party lines and bridge rural and urban communities. I will sponsor summits to bring competing interests together and I will hold town meetings in every county every year. Pennsylvanians ought to have the chance once a year to come down to the town hall and yell at their governor.

So there you have it. Hoeffel for Governor? What do you think? Should I get into this race? I am very interested in your advice, so please let me hear from you.

Sincerely,

Joe Hoeffel

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