Santarsiero in the 31st

One inspired reform in the way government operates in Lower Makefield. The other promises to carry on the legacy of respected state Rep. Dave Steil. A leader in the fight to reform the state Legislature, Steil isn’t seeking re-election.

Of all the races on the ballot in next week’s general election, the state House race in the 31st House district stands out because of the quality of the candidates.

In our view, Democrat Steve Santarsiero, a public school teacher, has a record of reform as a supervisor in Lower Makefield — exactly the kind of spirit that’s needed to make the state Legislature more responsive to Pennsylvania residents. He deserves credit for: getting all township supervisor meetings televised; requiring public interviews of board appointees; developing an open space inventory; and generally fostering a culture of change and openness in local government. He also led the successful drive to stop the Matrix Corp. from building a shopping center on critical open space in the township, and preserved development-threatened farmland by converting it into a very successful public golf course.

Republican Pete Stainthorpe, like Santarsiero, is committed to needed reforms in the Legislature and has embraced Steil’s long campaign to change Harrisburg. Stainthorpe, a respected local businessman and township supervisor, says he won’t comprise on vows to end seniority for chairmanships, do away with bonuses, require all legislative bills to go to a vote, and allow the chief clerk to run the House, not the party caucuses.

In our view, Santarsiero has a convincing, proven record of government reform that Stainthorpe does not. He also points out that his opponent stifled public comment during the Matrix hearings and opposed televising supervisor meetings — not exactly the mark of a reformer. We believe Steve Santarsiero will be a crusader for public access in Harrisburg — just as he has been in Lower Makefield. For this reason, the Courier Times strongly recommends him for election.