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Charlie Dent’s Public Safety Hypocrisy

By CALLAHAN FOR CONGRESS

Congressman Charlie Dent is shamelessly touting critical federal resources for Lehigh Valley law enforcement agencies that he voted against just last week.  The reality is, however, if Dent had his way, Lehigh Valley police departments wouldn’t be scheduled to receive $1.3 million in critical crime fighting resources.

Less than a week ago, Congressman Dent voted against the Consolidated Appropriations Act of FY 2010, a bill that had $3.71 billion in grants to aid state and local law enforcement agencies and crime victims.  Included in that legislation was $1.3 million to help local police departments increase communication and with construction of the proposed Lehigh Valley Regional Crime Center. Now, Dent is hypocritically trying to take credit for funds in a bill that he voted against..

Dent claimed this $3.71 billion dollar funding for Main Street was “simply unacceptable and unsustainable,” yet the $850 billion dollar bail out of Wall Street was somehow more acceptable when he voted for it.

“Charlie Dent’s hypocrisy leaves him with no credibility,” said Justin Schall, campaign manager for Mayor Callahan, “Dent voted against the very funding he took credit for today on the front page of the Morning Call. Clearly funding for our local first responders is less important to Dent than voting lock step with the national Republican agenda.  It’s just more typical Washington games from a career politician at the expense of our local police and fire departments.”

BACKGROUND:

Last week, Dent voted against the Consolidated Appropriations Act of FY 2010 (HR 3288), which provided $3.71 billion for grants to aid local and state law enforcement and crime victims. [HR 3288, #949, 12/10/09].

Included in the legislation that Dent voted against was $800,000 for the Allentown Police Department, “which will be split among itself and 35 other police departments in the Valley to overhaul radio technology and allow officers to communicate on the same radio frequencies.” In addition, $500,000 was included in the bill which will be used to help build the proposed Lehigh Valley Regional Crime Center. [Allentown Morning Call, 12/15/09]

Despite the fact that he voted against the funding, Dent’s office shamelessly tried to take credit for the funding on the front page of yesterdays Morning Call, claiming that this is an “ongoing priority” for the Congressman. [Allentown Morning Call, 12/15/09]

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December 15, 2009 at 4:52 pm

--pa2010.com Staff

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