E mail from Sen. Wagner


Good Afternoon -
 Today is a special day.

Exactly one year ago today the 28th PA State Senate District had a Special Election for the Senate office I now hold.

Winning the Special Election was historic where you the voters elected me the first Pennsylvania State Senator via a write-in election.

Since taking office:

- I introduced a resolution that was passed which resulted in the installation of plaques underneath the portraits hanging in the Capitol of former lawmakers that were convicted of abusing their office. The plaques tell the story of the lawmaker’s conviction so that viewers are made aware of the shame brought to the Commonwealth by these individuals.

- My staff and I engineered a floor vote on Paycheck Protection legislation in October, which would prohibit the automatic deduction of government union dues from employee’s paychecks, through a floor amendment to a School Code bill. This is the first time this legislation was able to be voted on by the full Senate. While the amendment failed, it forced members to go on the record.

- This past March the Senate voted on an amendment to SB501 which would have eliminated the deduction of union dues from public sector union employee paychecks. The vote in March was a tie vote at 24 - 24. I feel confident that during 2015 paycheck protection will pass in the Senate.

- We formed a political action committee called Reform PA PAC, which assisted in the election of Senator Camera Bartolotta - SD46 - over an incumbent thought to be unbeatable, electing a Republican to this Senate seat that has been held by a Democrat since 1946. Camera is also the first female ever elected to this position in the 46th District. Our effort assisted the Senate Republican caucus in attaining a 30-20 seat majority.

- I led the effort that resulted in a change of the Senate Majority Leader due to the previous Senate Majority Leader's unwillingness to conduct caucus business in an open and transparent fashion and to hold up-or-down votes on caucus priorities.

- I have been appointed to some of the most prestigious standing committees in the Senate which include: Chairman of the Senate Urban Affairs and Housing Committee, Vice Chairman of Labor and Industry and also serving on Appropriations, Intergovernmental Operations, Transportation, Law and Justice, and Majority Policy.

- At my request, I was appointed as the Cycle Chairman for the SRCC (Senate Republican Campaign Committee) and tasked with recruiting Republican candidates for the PA State Senate and to raise funds needed to support these candidates in an effort to grow our Republican majority in the PA State Senate.

The 10,595 individuals who wrote my name in during the Special Election, 13,214 who voted for me in the Primary election, and the 46,247 who voted for me in the General Election, put their trust in me to represent them in Harrisburg.

During my campaign speeches I pointed out that I am not a polished politician.

What you see is what you get with me - it always has been and I believe it is one of the main reasons why I was elected to the PA State Senate.

Over the course of the last year I have been criticized for not conforming to what is expected of a "normal" elected official.

I do not consider myself a "normal" elected official.

Nothing about my situation and how I was elected to the Senate is "normal".

I am direct. I tell the truth. I have a career outside of Harrisburg.

I do not need the paycheck, health benefits, retirement plan, government car, reimbursement for mileage, or any of the other perks.

I pay for my own dinners - I do not need lobbyists or special interest groups to wine and dine me.

My frankness and occasional slip of a curse word throw people off.

But most importantly - you never have to wonder where you stand with me.

I do not make promises, but I can assure you this:

Despite the criticism from the left for not adhering to some unwritten set of "professional rules" senators are supposed to conform to, I will not change who I am.

I take my job as your Senator very seriously.

Over the past year, I have met with hundreds of constituents to discuss their issues.

I have also met with many business owners to better understand their issues.

I was elected to the PA State Senate because of who I am and I do not ever want to be considered a "normal" elected official.

So on this very special day I want to THANK YOU for electing me during the Special Election and continuing to support my efforts over the last year.

It is YOUR support, feedback and criticism that has helped me grow and find my stride in the PA State Senate.

Thank you for being an integral part of our campaign team.

Thank you,

Scott Wagner