I'm from the Government. I'm here to help.

• The blog is moving- time to update your lawsuits, kids!

  Here’s an important safety tip for those of you who enjoy this blog (as well as those of you looking to criticize or sue me). My blog is moving to my all new website, www.supportjesse.com. Not only will the blog be there, but also tons of new stuff I’m working [...]
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  Posted: November 30, 2009, 7:32pm EST
  by Jesse White

• Want corruption exposed? This is what it looks like.

  Last week, the Pennsylvania Attorney General finally issued the next round of indictments in his ongoing “Bonusgate” investigation of corruption in the Pennsylvania Legislature. Last year, twelve individuals (two representatives and ten staffers) were indicted for a variety of charges, mainly dealing with the use of public money for political [...]
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  Posted: November 24, 2009, 4:38pm EST
  by Jesse White

• Concordia Discors, Cecil Township Style

  On Tuesday, I joined a room full of concerned constituents at a meeting of the Cecil Township Municipal Authority, where I addressed the Board about my concerns with the Millers Run Sewage project and my efforts to secure refunds for residents through the $5 million H2O PA grant I helped [...]
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  Posted: November 19, 2009, 11:50pm EST
  by Jesse White

• Heartbreaking

                    Take a few minutes out of your time to check out this blog: http://callapitter46.blogspot.com/ It’s a blog written by a local woman who lost her two young children in a car accident earlier this year. Be warned, it’s not for the faint of heart. God bless her for having the courage to [...]
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  Posted: November 18, 2009, 12:35am EST
  by Jesse White

• Mt. Pleasant Township… where the water flows like, well, like water.

  I just came back from a ceremony commemorating the completion of a 28 mile water line extension in Mt. Pleasant Township. As part of my ongoing ventures into new media, here is the video of the speech I gave at the Mt. Pleasant Township Municipal Building. [...]
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  Posted: November 13, 2009, 11:33am EST
  by Jesse White

• To Police or Not To Police? You Decide.

  Number of comments: 1
  My phones have been ringing lately as constituents call and voice their opinion on House Bill 1500, which would assess a fee of $156 per person to pay for State Police protection in every municipality that does not have their own police force. I want to  take a few minutes [...]
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  Posted: November 10, 2009, 9:44pm EST
  by Jesse White

• ‘Wonderboy’ trudges on…

        Nice article in today’s Almanac about the ongoing issues in Cecil Township. White wants grant to go towards tap in fees At the same time, White said that if the refund is not granted to homeowners, he will ask the Cecil Township Board of Supervisors to request the resignation of the municipal [...]
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  Posted: November 04, 2009, 8:19am EST
  by Jesse White

• A New Location with a Familiar Face

  In addition to going to Harrisburg and dealing with constituent issues back home, I am also in charge of staffing and running my district offices in Cecil, Washington and Burgettstown. For most people, the first and sometimes only impression they get about me is their experience with constituent services, so [...]
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  Posted: November 02, 2009, 10:26pm EST
  by Jesse White

• Nearly gone, but not forgotten

  I have been a slacker on this blog lately, but I do have a somewhat legitimate excuse. I’m in the final stages of moving the whole blog and incorporating it with a ton of other stuff in a brand new site, so keep your pants on. In the interim, here’s a [...]
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  Posted: October 28, 2009, 7:46am EDT
  by Jesse White

• Seriously, two Adam Sandler-themed posts in a row? What are the odds?

  More potentially great infrastructure news in the 46th. After literally years of work, there is a proposed settlement agreement to bring public water service to approximately 60 residents in Mt. Pleasant and Avella, including the Meadowcroft Rockshelter. The proposed settlement between the Office of the Consumer Advocate and Pennsylvania American Water [...]
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  Posted: October 16, 2009, 5:59pm EDT
  by Jesse White

• Now if I could only find a way to get Carl Weathers to move into my district…

  Number of comments: 1
  You know you live in a rural area when a new place to grab a sandwich is newsworthy. Tonight I stopped down at the new Subway sandwich shop in Hickory, near the intersection of Routes 50 and 18. Located minutes from my office in Cecil, the restaurant is the first phase [...]
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  Posted: October 14, 2009, 9:32pm EDT
  by Jesse White

• Game over.

  After 101 days, Pennsylvania finally has a state budget. Interesting perspective from Brad Bumstead of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, particularly in regards to the role played by rank-and-file members in the process. Broken Budget Trust Long-term relations between the House and Senate were severely damaged by the budget battle, casting a cloud over future [...]
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  Posted: October 11, 2009, 7:18pm EDT
  by Jesse White

• “It’s not to easy to become a law, is it?”

  With the unbelievable procedural Olympics going on with the dueling, never-ending budget saga, I thought I would offer up a refresher course on how a bill becomes a law, courtesy of Schoolhouse Rock. Oddly enough, I watched it like three times and couldn’t find anything about what happens when the Conference [...]
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  Posted: October 06, 2009, 1:14pm EDT
  by Jesse White

• Respect My (Municipal) Authority!

  Number of comments: 1
  Today, I formally requested an investigation by state Auditor General Jack Wagner of the Hanover Township Municipal Authority for actions I find to be repulsive and unacceptable. It has recently come to my attention that a board member, who is an appointed official, billed the authority $20 per hour for his [...]
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  Posted: October 01, 2009, 7:08pm EDT
  by Jesse White

• I got to say “boob” in the newspaper- cross another item off the Bucket List!

  Number of comments: 1
  I have a letter to the editor in today’s Washington Observer-Reporter. Here is the original letter that prompted my response: Voters put these boobs in office 9/20/2009 3:33 AM Let’s have a show of hands. How many of you believe that the date when the budget for the Commonwealth expires is a secret, revealed to [...]
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  Posted: September 25, 2009, 8:08am EDT
  by Jesse White

• I Got My Wii Whipped in Avella

  Number of comments: 2
  This has not been the most relaxing summer on record. I spent far more time than anyone would have wanted in the State Capitol, on the muggy shores of the Susquehanna River. It is hard to plan any sort of a vacation when you are on near-constant “6 hour call [...]
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  Posted: September 21, 2009, 11:58pm EDT
  by Jesse White

• Good Grief, It’s a Budget Update

  Number of comments: 3
  I could make a case here for being Charlie Brown, Lucy, the football or even the “Aaugh!” Sadly, that is all. [...]
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  Posted: September 15, 2009, 10:51am EDT
  by Jesse White

• “Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of a budget…”

  Breaking News: Tentative Budget Agreement Reached I am happy to announce that a tentative budget agreement has been worked out to give Pennsylvania a prudent spending plan for the 2009-10 fiscal year. The best part of the news is that, as so many of my constituents made loud and clear, it contains [...]
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  Posted: September 11, 2009, 3:56pm EDT
  by Jesse White

• A Low Mark for the Uninsured

  I have deliberately tried to steer clear from commenting on the ongoing health care debate, primarily because the legislation is at the federal level. But recent events have forced me to speak up. This afternoon, a woman sat across my desk. She was near tears; her husband died suddenly last year, [...]
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  Posted: September 10, 2009, 7:18am EDT
  by Jesse White

• Breaking Ground is Hard To Do… But Raining on a Parade is Apparently Pretty Easy

  Number of comments: 2
  First, the happy blog post I had been working on about the new sewage project we broke ground on in Avella. Then some comments from a constituent. I stood in the late summer sun, just a touch too warm to allow me much comfort in my suit and tie, and took [...]
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  Posted: September 02, 2009, 5:09pm EDT
  by Jesse White

• “The state is based on this contradiction. It is based on the contradiction between public and private life, between universal and particular interests. For this reason, the state must confine itself to formal, negative activities… You know, putting

  Number of comments: 5
  Tremendous letter to the editor in today’s Observer-Reporter. 8/31/2009 3:32 AM What, no protests over sewers? “President Barack Obama’s economic stimulus bill couldn’t have come at a better time for a costly rural sewerage project in Washington County” (O-R, Aug. 28). Is this the same President Obama that some people have been depicting [...]
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  Posted: August 31, 2009, 8:25am EDT
  by Jesse White

• Stoosh don’t eat the daisies.

  Number of comments: 1
  Last week, my staff and I made our annual pilgrimage to the Washington County Agricultural Fair, located in the heart of the 46th District. Every year we pack up and take our district offices out on the road for a week, allowing us to talk to constituents who may never [...]
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  Posted: August 26, 2009, 12:11am EDT
  by Jesse White

• A Response, But No Answers

  Number of comments: 4
  Since being elected, I can’t begin to count how many letters and emails I have received on just about every topic you can imagine. I try to personally answer every one, which can get difficult this time of year as I literally receive hundreds of budget-related emails per day. As I [...]
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  Posted: August 12, 2009, 10:24pm EDT
  by Jesse White

• Unthinkable

  As just about everyone is now aware, last night a man entered the LA Fitness gym in Bridgeville and opened fire, wounding and killing many of the women in an aerobics class. The story is even more horrific for me; not only do I live less than twn minutes from [...]
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  Posted: August 05, 2009, 2:28pm EDT
  by Jesse White

• PIT = RIP

  From today’s Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Proposal to hike Pa. income tax ‘off table’ Blue Dogs wield power to force budget compromise Tuesday, August 04, 2009 By Tracie Mauriello and Tom Barnes, Post-Gazette Harrisburg Bureau HARRISBURG — A proposal for a 16 percent increase in the state income tax is dead because of strong opposition from Western [...]
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  Posted: August 04, 2009, 12:48pm EDT
  by Jesse White

• orbis of vita est universa iam ut proficiscor record rectus contemplor political quisquiliarum ex contradictio

  (Yes, the title actually means something.) It has been an active week in the ‘Letters to the Editor’ page of the Washington Observer-Reporter. A few days ago, the O-R ran a letter from a Republican colleague of mine from York County, which was in response to an op/ed piece that ran in [...]
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  Posted: July 31, 2009, 5:51pm EDT
  by Jesse White

• Back onto the Battlefield with Marty’s Army

  After being asked back to respond to some political trickeration from the other side of the aisle regarding the budget impasse, I ventured back onto the airwaves of KDKA Radio. Despite what Representative Christiana said, I absolutely did not vote for a tax increase. Marty Griffin Show, 7/23/09 (mp3 file, will open in new [...]
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  Posted: July 26, 2009, 8:44pm EDT
  by Jesse White

• How 253 Horrible Human Beings Spent Their Summer Vacation

  Number of comments: 4
  Until recently, I never knew how worthless I really was. I mean, I had always suspected I was no good, but all it took was a quick glance at almost any newspaper in Pennsylvania to make me realize I was officially the bane of humanity’s existence.  You may be asking yourself, [...]
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  Posted: July 21, 2009, 9:49am EDT
  by Jesse White

• Now we’re governing! (Updated, with less cowbell)

  3:00 PM I can’t believe what I just saw. We’re on the floor of the House of Representatives debating final passage of the budget bill, and one of the Republican representatives was speaking against the bill. When he finished, he came down the aisle and starting yelling at a Democratic member because [...]
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  Posted: July 17, 2009, 3:00pm EDT
  by Jesse White

• Hanging and banging with Marty Griffin

  It took a few days, but here is the audio of my appearance on the Marty Griffin Show on KDKA Radio earlier this week. Good times. Marty Griffin Show part 1 Marty Griffin Show part 2 Marty Griffin Show part 3 [...]
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  Posted: July 15, 2009, 5:28pm EDT
  by Jesse White

• “Hey, somebody’s stealing our gum!!!”

  Here are some slightly belated but highly amusing videos of my experience in the Canonsburg Fourth of July parade, including the amazing throwing skills of my niece Ava and commentary by State Representative (and possibly US Senator) Bill Kortz. Plus, someone stole our gum and got caught on camera. [...][...]
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  Posted: July 15, 2009, 10:06am EDT
  by Jesse White

• No guns, no butter, no budget. Nothing.

  I normally strive to remain relatively non-partisan on this blog, mainly because I represent all of my constituents, not just the ones who voted for me. But every once in a while, an issue comes up where I feel the need to cut through the bull and give it to [...]
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  Posted: July 14, 2009, 10:05am EDT
  by Jesse White

• The kids got 24 buckets of Double Bubble and I got clean socks and underwear. God bless America.

  During a brief break in session here in Harrisburg, I headed home to reload on clean socks and underwear and to get some local input on the budget issues we’re dealing with. I had the opportunity to meet with Senator Arlen Specter and local Democrats in Washington County. It was [...]
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  Posted: July 09, 2009, 1:43pm EDT
  by Jesse White

• And the award for best dramatization of a political process…

  Number of comments: 1
  Just when you thought some common sense might prevail as we struggle through the dynamics of a $3.2 billion budget shortfall, reality slapped us in the face. I’m sitting on the House Floor right now, watching members of the Republican caucus prevent legislation from coming to a vote in favor of [...]
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  Posted: July 01, 2009, 11:54am EDT
  by Jesse White

• “Help me… help you. Help me, help you.”

  Go ahead, give it a shot. http://www.youbudgetpa.org/ [...]
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  Posted: June 30, 2009, 2:21pm EDT
  by Jesse White

• “Follow Me. Follow Me to Freedom!!!”

  That’s right. It’s budget time in Harrisburg, which means the Capitol Propaganda Machine has gone into overdrive. Or maybe even the stage past overdrive. It seems like things are going to get considerably worse before they get any better, and if you think for a minute I’m not taking this seriously, [...]
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  Posted: June 25, 2009, 8:25pm EDT
  by Jesse White

• If you see the Mango Man, shake his hand for me…

  I’m at my desk in Harrisburg, which means I am missing one of my very favorite days of the year back home. That’s right, it’s Jimmy Buffett concert day at the Post-Gazette Pavillion. This is only the second show I’ve missed in the past twelve years, and there’s nothing fun [...]
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  Posted: June 23, 2009, 5:34pm EDT
  by Jesse White

• Yeah, it’s budget season all right.

  Number of comments: 1
  I’m sitting on the floor of the House of Representatives right now, and I think it’s safe to say we’ve reached to point of no return. From now until we pass a budget, it looks like every bill and resolution that comes to the floor will be a chance for [...]
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  Posted: June 17, 2009, 1:29pm EDT
  by Jesse White

• Requiem for the Prom

  I spent the better part of my high school years pursuing the unrequited love of a certain girl. We were friends, but despite my relentless efforts and an occasional glimmer of false hope, things never went much further. The night of my junior prom, I stood by and watch her [...]
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  Posted: June 15, 2009, 10:26pm EDT
  by Jesse White

• Different rat, same rat race

  Number of comments: 2
  When I was in high school and college, I worked at Chuck E. Cheese’s for four years. I fixed the games, worked in the kitchen, ran kids’ birthday parties… and of course dressed up like the iconic rat himself. In my Chuck E. Cheese costume, I attended events, marched in [...]
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  Posted: June 09, 2009, 1:00am EDT
  by Jesse White

• “Come Care With Me”

  Number of comments: 2
  Hey, who is that tall, cool drink of good-looking kid in the green tie? In all seriousness, this was a great event- very eye-opening. [...]
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  Posted: June 02, 2009, 1:10pm EDT
  by Jesse White

• Let’s Get Down to ‘Gas Tacks’ on Marcellus Shale Drilling

  Last week I attended a meeting of concerned citizens from the Mount Pleasant Township area with a wide variety of views on the natural gas drilling activity from the Marcellus Shale play in our region. I spent two hours discussing the current laws and how they affect property owners who [...]
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  Posted: June 01, 2009, 11:03pm EDT
  by Jesse White

• A Man in the First Group

  If you have ever received a handwritten note from me or had me show up at an event you were involved with, odds are the whole operation originated with a meticulously crafted Post-It note on the corner of my desk or a timely memo placed in my portfolio where I [...]
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  Posted: May 28, 2009, 11:56pm EDT
  by Jesse White

• Winner Winner, Tripe Dinner

  Congratulations to my good friend Andy Schrader, who captured the Democratic nomination for Cecil Township Supervisor with a huge win in Tuesday’s Primary Election. Assuming he goes on to win in November, I look forward to working with him on the myriad of unresolved issues I have been struggling with [...]
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  Posted: May 21, 2009, 8:54am EDT
  by Jesse White

• All Politics Really Are Local

  Former Speaker of the House of Representatives Tip O’Neill famously declared that “all politics is local”. You can take such a statement in a variety of ways, but there are some profound truths hidden in there. The 2009 Municipal Primary Election is on Tuesday, May 19, and voter turnout is expected [...]
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  Posted: May 17, 2009, 9:40pm EDT
  by Jesse White

• Let’s Focus on Catching the Bad Guys Instead of Going After the Good Guys

  Here is a nice article that appeared on the Pennsylvania Legislative Service website (www.mypls.com) after I spoke at the Fourth Annual Second Amendment Rally at the Capitol recently. Democrat advocates for gun rights, but wants less-heated rhetoric April 27th, 2009 by Alex Roarty Last Tuesday’s Right to Bear Arms rally in the Capitol featured [...]
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  Posted: May 15, 2009, 4:29pm EDT
  by Jesse White

• See? It’s not all bad news!

  From today’s Pittsburgh  Tribune-Review: Gambling begets property tax relief for southwest Pennsylvania By Bill Zlatos TRIBUNE-REVIEW Tuesday, May 5, 2009 Property taxes for residents of Southwestern Pennsylvania will fall by as much as $407 next year, offset by taxes on casino profits that will go to school districts, officials said Monday. “They should see that change [...]
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  Posted: May 05, 2009, 12:19am EDT
  by Jesse White

• I DO NOT HAVE THE SWINE FLU!!!

  I had the unfortunate coincidence of contracting a stomach virus at nearly the same moment the fear over the swine flu pandemic began to spread. Now no one will come into my office or get anywhere near me (not that I had hordes of clingy admirers before) because they are [...]
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  Posted: April 28, 2009, 4:51pm EDT
  by Jesse White

• 46 Hours in the 46th District: My Sycophantic Pet Goat, A Statue of a Farmer Holding a Calf, and the Power of the Rally Cap

  Number of comments: 2
  I said I was going to get back to more of the day-to-day stuff I do, and like all politicians, I would never break a promise. Here’s what I’ve been up to over the past couple of days. On Friday, I read to children at a local preschool. The book I’m [...]
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  Posted: April 19, 2009, 9:39am EDT
  by Jesse White

• “Somebunny” doesn’t like me very much

  Number of comments: 1
  When something happens to me, I always have a tough time trying to figure out whether or not my job as a public servant had anything to do with it. For example, last weekend was Easter, and I was very excited for the Easter Bunny to come to my house. [...]
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  Posted: April 14, 2009, 12:20am EDT
  by Jesse White

• ‘Wonderboy’ goes up against the Cecil Sewage Authority

  There is nothing worse than being stuck in a nasty political battle with your own municipal government, which is exactly what has happened with Cecil Township and their municipal authority. My issues with the municipal authority began before I was elected state representative, primarily stemming from the Millers Run Sewage project. [...]
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  Posted: April 09, 2009, 6:43pm EDT
  by Jesse White

• White asks for probe of Millers Run sewer project funding

  White asks for probe of Millers Run sewer project funding HARRISBURG, April 6 – State Rep. Jesse White has formally requested an investigation by state Auditor General Jack Wagner of the Cecil Township Municipal Authority’s handling of the Millers Run sewer project. In financing the project, White said, the authority did [...]
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  Posted: April 06, 2009, 4:04pm EDT
  by Jesse White

• What’s so terrific about Twitter?

  Number of comments: 1
  I have always considered myself to be up on the latest technology. I never really got into MySpace, but I have made Facebook a regular part of my political and personal life, plus I’ve been blogging for about three years now. And my Blackberry has literally changed the way I [...]
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  Posted: April 03, 2009, 12:01pm EDT
  by Jesse White

• Hey Wall Street- Lose the Attitude

  Number of comments: 1
  Like most Americans, I have been keenly focused on the crumbling of many of our nation’s financial institutions, and I certainly have chimed in with my share of outrage over unconscionable executive bonuses and other shady business practices that border on sheer insanity. But to me, one of the most [...]
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  Posted: March 24, 2009, 2:11pm EDT
  by Jesse White

• “The Rumors of My Demise Have Been Greatly Exaggerated”

  Number of comments: 1
  A couple of weeks ago, I underwent some minor surgery. I developed complications from the anesthesia and found myself in the Intensive Care Unit at St. Clair Hospital with my lungs filled with fluid and an oxygen level of 46%, which I quickly discovered was not very good. After a [...]
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  Posted: March 16, 2009, 10:00pm EDT
  by Jesse White

• Let’s see Tim Horton put together a cake like this.

  Yesterday I took my staff out to lunch to celebrate the birthday of Nick (a.k.a. Ralphie), and they surprised him with the most wonderful and ridiculous cake ever. Made of nothing but glazed Krispy Kreme donuts held together with the sweetest frosting you can imagine, this was one of the [...]
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  Posted: March 14, 2009, 11:46am EDT
  by Jesse White

• New Slack City.

  Yeah, yeah, yeah. I’ve been slacking on the blog front lately. I do have some legitimate excuses, such as a quick yet unexpected hospital trip (I’m fine), and all of the time I’ve been putting into my Economic Resource Program throughout my district. But you aren’t here for excuses. One of [...]
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  Posted: March 11, 2009, 8:13pm EDT
  by Jesse White

• Maybe he really did lose his shirt at the casino…

  Number of comments: 3
  Yesterday, I was driving on I-79 towards WashPa and I saw one of the most bizarre things I’ve ever witnessed. On the northbound side of the road, near the exit for the Meadows Casino, there was a man hitchhiking, wearing nothing but a pair of boxer shorts. He looked to [...]
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  Posted: February 25, 2009, 8:37am EST
  by Jesse White

• Stimulate, Don’t Simulate

  In government, we often talk about the “unintended consequences” of a piece of legislation, usually as a way to be against something without being directly against it. One of the most magnificent unintended consequences of our American system of government is the development of the “loyal opposition” party. Think about it. [...]
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  Posted: February 19, 2009, 10:45pm EST
  by Jesse White

• “Everybody funny. Now you funny too.”

  After yesterday’s post about no more free refills on fountain drinks at the Capitol Cafeteria, this is what greeted me back in my district office this morning. Apparently I can no longer get free refills on water I pay for as well. [...]
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  Posted: February 12, 2009, 10:19am EST
  by Jesse White

• Bad Times at the Capitol Cafeteria.

  As if we needed another reminder that our economy is in a free-falling whirlwind, this sign greeted me at the Capitol Cafeteria this week. God help us all. [...]
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  Posted: February 11, 2009, 11:14am EST
  by Jesse White

• The Budget: How Much “Worser” Can It Get?

  Number of comments: 2
  Last week, I sat through a briefing in Harrisburg regarding the staggering budget deficit we will be forced to deal with in the coming months. The news proceeded from bad to worse to worser; that’s right, it was so bad, I had to make up a word to describe the [...]
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  Posted: February 09, 2009, 3:58pm EST
  by Jesse White

• Welcome to Sixburgh

  Number of comments: 1
  As everyone knows by now, our Pittsburgh Steelers won their sixth Super Bowl last week in thrilling fashion over the Arizona Cardinals. I was lucky enough to watch the game downtown, allowing me to venture onto Carson Street in the South Side for the post-game celebration. It was unlike anything [...]
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  Posted: February 04, 2009, 7:01pm EST
  by Jesse White

• The Never-Ending Adventures of “Wonderboy” vs. the Evil Sewage Monster

  Number of comments: 2
  Another day, another snub from the Cecil Township Municipal Authority. With the possibilty of recouping money spent on the Millers Run Sewage Project through the PA H20 Grant Program we passed in the Legislature last year, I decided to reach out to Cecil Township and their Municipal Authority by offering [...]
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  Posted: January 29, 2009, 8:28am EST
  by Jesse White

• “Change” is here. Now what?

  Number of comments: 1
  “It is common sense to take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something.” Those words were spoken by a hero of mine, Franklin Delano Roosevelt. They personify a philosophy of government that I personally subscribe to; that when people [...]
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  Posted: January 21, 2009, 12:43am EST
  by Jesse White

• Untangling the Unemployment Compensation Mess

  A constituent recently called one of my district offices about a problem he had calling in to make an Unemployment Compensation claim. He told me that he called the number over 1,200 times in one day and never got through to a real person. This gentleman is not alone. As a [...]
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  Posted: January 19, 2009, 9:14am EST
  by Jesse White

• Why do they always have the fat guy playing the tuba?

  Number of comments: 1
  I’ve always been a big Saturday Night Live fan, and last week’s episode hosted by Neil Patrick Harris was one of the more consistently funny shows I’ve seen in a while. I haven’t seen much of him since Doogie Howser, MD, but he is one funny guy. Here is one [...]
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  Posted: January 12, 2009, 8:07am EST
  by Jesse White

• “I haven’t got a brain… only straw. But some people without brains do an awful lot of talking… don’t they?”

  Number of comments: 1
  State Rep. Jesse White, D-Cecil, shook his head and gave a quick retort. "If my dad got $2 million a year, I wouldn't want to be that separate," he said, causing an outburst of laughter from fellow panelists. [...]
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  Posted: January 08, 2009, 8:45am EST
  by Jesse White

• For the record, I’m not going to certify Roland Burris to fill Barack Obama’s Senate seat, either. Take that, Governor Blagojevich!

  Number of comments: 1
  If you are a regular reader of this blog, then you probably already know that I am not the first Jesse White in politics. The Secretary of State of Illinois is also named Jesse White, and he’s been around quite a bit longer than I have. As a primer, here [...]
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  Posted: January 03, 2009, 11:59am EST
  by Jesse White

• “They called her ’shaghala,’ or servant. Their five children called her ’stupid.’”

  Number of comments: 1
  This article makes you really think about the world that’s going on around us and how easy it is to get lost in the minor details of our daily lives. How could this be going on in America today??? Child maid trafficking spreads from Africa to US By RUKMINI CALLIMACHI – 3 [...]
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  Posted: December 28, 2008, 11:50pm EST
  by Jesse White

• “As I rained blows down upon him, I realized there had to be a better way.” Happy Festivus, everyone.

  I want to wish everyone a belated Happy Festivus. Here’s hoping you have a Festivus miracle of your own. [...]
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  Posted: December 24, 2008, 10:22am EST
  by Jesse White

• When they get water in Hickory, we should use it to wash Bob Dump’s mouth out with soap.

  Great article in yesterday’s Pittsburgh Post-Gazette about the never-ending struggle to bring water to Hickory in Mt. Pleasant Township, which is finally coming to an end. This situation has seemingly been going on forever, and I’m just glad to see that the end of the tunnel is finally in sight. $12 [...]
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  Posted: December 22, 2008, 8:31am EST
  by Jesse White

• Keep your crumbling politics out of our crumbling economy

  A few months ago, I voiced my displeasure with the $700 billion bailout passed by the federal government to “save Wall Street”. But the feds went ahead and passed the bailout anyhow, which gave virtually no oversight and no checks or balances to distributing this massive sum of money. Now, the [...]
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  Posted: December 19, 2008, 9:06am EST
  by Jesse White

• Dog Day Afternoon.

  Number of comments: 1
  It’s been a dog-centric day around the house. First off, let me introduce you to the newest member of the family, Delano, who is a Cavalier King Charles spaniel. All I know is that he is about as cute as a puppy can be, although I generally do not endorse the [...]
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  Posted: December 18, 2008, 9:50am EST
  by Jesse White

• Deja vu all over again, and it smells funkier the second time around.

  Saturday’s Observer-Reporter carried yet another article about the ongoing problems with the Millers Run Sewage project in Cecil Township. This time, the Township is planning on holding financial workshops to help people with the $6,200.00 tap-in fee. Here’s the article: Cecil supervisors take on challenge of $6K tap-in fee By Amanda Gillooly CECIL [...]
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  Posted: December 15, 2008, 2:58pm EST
  by Jesse White

• Grandma always said you can catch more flies with honey than you can with an ethics investigation, but I guess some people didn’t get the memo.

  There was a disconcrting article in yesterday’s Observer-Reporter dealing with the ongoing situation between myself and the Cecil Township Board of Supervisors. The situation stems from the fact that I did not write a letter of support for an application for $400,000 in Local Share gaming money for a $3.5 [...]
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  Posted: December 11, 2008, 5:10am EST
  by Jesse White

• The Un-COLA, and why I’m not taking it.

  In 2005, the General Assembly passed an ill-fated and uprise-inspiring pay raise for themselves. This bill gave a substantial raise to members of the legislative, executive and judicial branches of government. In the wake of public protest, the Legislature repealed the raise later that same year. The only exception is [...]
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  Posted: December 07, 2008, 10:49am EST
  by Jesse White

• “The worst-tempered people I’ve ever met were people who knew they were wrong.”

  This one has been brewing for awhile now, and it has finally come to a head. The lead story in today’s Washington Observer-Reporter is an in-depth look at the ongoing problem I’ve been dealing with in regards to the Millers Run Sewage Project in my hometown of Cecil Township. All that [...]
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  Posted: November 30, 2008, 9:52am EST
  by Jesse White

• “The front of the bus is afraid of us!”

  Just wanted to let everyone know that I am hosting a Holiday Bus Tour to the Harrisburg on Monday, December 15. The trip includes a tour of the state Capitol and the governor’s residence, a visit to Hersheypark’s Chocolate World and lunch, plus snacks on the bus. The cost is [...]
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  Posted: November 26, 2008, 2:42pm EST
  by Jesse White

• Bye Bye Burgh Blog

  I was very sad to see the news earlier this week that the infamous “PittGirl” has pulled the plug on The Burgh Blog. Apparently someone had finally figured out her identity and was afraid that her cover would be blown. In the world of blogs, The Burgh Blog held a special [...]
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  Posted: November 21, 2008, 2:54pm EST
  by Jesse White

• CBK, RIP

  I would be remiss if I didn’t comment on the passing of Lieutenant Governor Catherine Baker-Knoll, who died of neuroendocrine cancer last week at the age of 72. Not only was she the first woman elected Lieutenant Governor in Pennsylvania history, but she was also a Pittsburgh native who was [...]
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  Posted: November 17, 2008, 11:55pm EST
  by Jesse White

• Jasper says “yes” again. White: 64%, Yuvan 36%.

  Number of comments: 2
  Well, in some ways it’s all over and in other ways it’s all about to begin. I was blessed to receive 64% of the vote yesterday to be elected to my second term as State Representative in the 46th district. The overwhelming show of support surpassed my expectations and left me [...]
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  Posted: November 05, 2008, 9:01am EST
  by Jesse White

• SAVE GUS THE LOTTERY GROUNDHOG, SAVE THE WORLD.

  Number of comments: 3
  In less than 24 hours, the polls will finally be open. Good times all around. I woke up to learn that I had received a crucial last-minute endorsement from my friends at the Pensblog. I’ve been spending the past few days attending events, dropping literature with volunteers, and generally doing whatever is [...]
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  Posted: November 03, 2008, 7:57am EST
  by Jesse White

• King of the Road

  I was looking back over this blog and I realized that there have been a TON of events going on that I haven’t mentioned here. So I’m going with the “picture’s worth a thousand words” theme and giving you a brief rundown of what I’ve been doing lately, just so [...]
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  Posted: October 30, 2008, 10:26am EDT
  by Jesse White

• An article, a video and a postcard from the NRA; it’s like a political Gordie Howe Hat Trick.

  With only one week left until Election Day, the crazy will undoubtedly be flying fast and furious, but I’m going to do my best to get as much posted as possible. I’ve got three items for you today. First, thanks to my friends at the National Rifle Association for mailing out [...]
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  Posted: October 28, 2008, 10:55am EDT
  by Jesse White

• Beware the Ides of Bish

  Number of comments: 1
  If you live in the 46th Legislative District like I do, there is one sure-fire way to know that Election Day is almost here. If you see this guy running around your neighborhood in a red pickup truck bashing me to anyone who will listen, then you should probably get [...]
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  Posted: October 27, 2008, 12:24pm EDT
  by Jesse White

• “Acceptance of dissent is the fundamental requirement of a free society.”

  I received this very nice email earlier today in response to my regular e-mail updates on constituent issues. I omitted the gentleman’s name for privacy reasons, but I thought the email was a respectful, well-intentioned message that has been all too rare during this campaign season.   To me, there is no [...]
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  Posted: October 24, 2008, 10:41am EDT
  by Jesse White

• Reform: Coming soon to a television near you.

  Here is another little ditty you just might be seeing on your television in the next few days.        [...]
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  Posted: October 23, 2008, 10:50am EDT
  by Jesse White

• Bet someone wishes they hadn’t disrespected gun owners by blowing off the NRA questionnaire now, huh?

  Number of comments: 3
  Here’s a little chestnut that you just might see on television over the next two weeks. More later.        [...]
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  Posted: October 21, 2008, 9:01am EDT
  by Jesse White

• That’s funny, because everyone keeps telling me he looks like a master debater.

  Number of comments: 2
  I love to debate. I love to discuss issues and argue and persuade people. Since entering public life, I have never backed away from a debate. Often the incumbent tries to avoid debating a challenger to keep him from gaining any name recognition, but I believe that the voting public [...]
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  Posted: October 18, 2008, 2:08pm EDT
  by Jesse White

• Observer-Reporter: Re-Elect White in the 46th. Sounds good to me…

  Number of comments: 4
  I am happy to announce that with this morning’s endorsement from the Washington Observer-Reporter, coupled with endorsements from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the National Rifle Association, Firearms Owners Against Crime and of course my friends in organized labor, I think it is safe to say that I have pretty much swept [...]
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  Posted: October 14, 2008, 7:54am EDT
  by Jesse White

• It’s easier to get good press when the newspaper isn’t being run by your opponent’s campaign. Welcome to the NFL.

  Number of comments: 4
  I am proud to announce that I have received the endorsement from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: White in the 46th: A young reformer deserves a second term Monday, October 13, 2008 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Voters in the 46th District sent Democrat Jesse White to the state House in 2006, and in the past two years he [...]
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  Posted: October 13, 2008, 1:29am EDT
  by Jesse White

• What Makes a Politician a Maverick?

  As I watched the recent vice presidential debate, I couldn’t help but cringe every time I heard Gov. Sarah Palin describe herself and running mate John McCain as a “couple of mavericks.” Political views aside, it just didn’t make much sense to me that you get to be a maverick [...]
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  Posted: October 11, 2008, 1:35am EDT
  by Jesse White

• Bringing Hannah Montana to the masses- that’s good lawmaking.

  Number of comments: 7
  Earlier today, House Bill 2011, which I have come to affectionately call the “Hannah Montana bill”, passed the House of Representatives unanimously. I came up with the idea for this bill last year when stories surfaced that no one was able to buy tickets online to the Hannah Montana concert [...]
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  Posted: October 06, 2008, 11:56pm EDT
  by Jesse White

• Midday Mixer in Midway

  Today I spoke at the monthly meeting of the Midway Senior Citizens group; the talk primarily centered on how the Legislature has delivered on property tax relief from legalized gaming, plus a clarification about the use of the Washington County Local Share money from the Meadows Casino. We had a [...]
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  Posted: October 03, 2008, 1:19am EDT
  by Jesse White

• I’ve Got Your Bailout Right Here

  So, apparently the world economy is about to collapse as the result of the failed attempt to bailout financial institutions who spent years getting obscenely wealthy by giving out bad loans to people who couldn’t repay them. Let me first say that as a State Representative, I have no say in [...]
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  Posted: September 30, 2008, 1:15am EDT
  by Jesse White

• Time to “take a deep breath” on the attack ads

  “You can win if you run a smart, disciplined campaign. If you studiously say nothing; nothing that causes you trouble; nothing that’s a gaffe; nothing that shows you might think the wrong thing; nothing that shows you think. But it just isn’t worthy of us, is it?” I wish I could [...]
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  Posted: September 25, 2008, 5:00pm EDT
  by Jesse White

• My fellow Americans… it’s Time for the Mother of All Endorsements

  Number of comments: 6
  I have managed to steer clear of Presidential politics for months now, but I feel as though I can go no further without commenting on the upcoming election. I have spent many sleepless nights deciding which candidate best deserves my endorsement, and I am finally ready to make my views [...]
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  Posted: September 24, 2008, 2:13am EDT
  by Jesse White

• The epic tale of how my opponent and his loyal Dungeon Master ruined a perfectly good blog post by casting their “hypocrisy spell”

  Number of comments: 4
  This was supposed to be a post to celebrate milestones. This was supposed to be a post about Good Times. I was all hyped up to talk about how my campaign volunteers and I knocked on our 2,000th door this weekend, roughly the same time this blog celebrated its 20,000th unique [...]
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  Posted: September 16, 2008, 10:24am EDT
  by Jesse White

• 9/11: A Day to Take Off the Gloves and Hold Hands in Unity

  Number of comments: 2
  Earlier this evening, I had the privilege of speaking at the Annual 9/11 Memorial Ceremony at the Veterans Memorial in Eldersville, Jefferson Township. This is the second year in a row I have joined the community in a solemn remembrance of the catastrophic events of September 11, 2001. The main point [...]
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  Posted: September 12, 2008, 12:41am EDT
  by Jesse White