News
Local 8 of IATSE Endorses Vera Cole for Pennsylvania State House
Vera Cole, candidate for the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives, District 145, is honored to announce the endorsement of Local 8 of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) and its more than 700 members in the Philadelphia area.
“The proud members of Local 8 are privileged and proud to support Vera Cole for District 145 of the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives,” said Matt McIntyre, Vice President of Local 8, IATSE. “Vera is a true candidate of labor, and somebody who knows what it is to stand for and behind working people.”
Local 8 members work in all forms of the entertainment industry, including live theater, motion picture and television production, broadcasting, concerts and more. Cole says, “I appreciate Local 8’s contributions to the entertainment industry and to the quality-of-life for workers and their families. I am proud to have Local 8’s support in my race for a seat in the Pennsylvania State House and our shared commitment to livable wages and safe working conditions for all workers.”
Bucks County Beacon - April 2, 2024 - Elections, News, Top 5
Democratic Candidate Vera Cole Looks to Unseat 2020 Election Denier Craig Staats from Pennsylvania’s 145th House District
Great crowd at campaign kickoff party!
Wow, what a great crowd at our kickoff party last night! Overflowed into second event area! So many people, so much enthusiasm, and energy! Thanks to everyone who came to support Vera Cole’s campaign to represent the 145th district in Pennsylvania’s State House. It was a rip roaring good time and a powerful send off for our race to win this seat and help hold our majority in the State House. Your support and contributions are important and appreciated. And a shout out to Elvis! Great performance!
Staats votes against Kayden's Law, named after Bucks County girl killed by her father
Yesterday, our representative, my opponent Craig Staats was the only representative from Bucks County to vote against Kayden’s Law, a bill to protect children in child custody situations. Mind boggling. The bill is named for a seven-year old girl in Bucks County who was killed by her father during an unsupervised visitation. In spite of known risks, the court ordered the unsupervised visits. After brutally killing the child, the father left a note on her body, "You all get what you deserve." Kayden's Law establishes common sense measures to put the well being of the child first in custody decisions. The measure passed the Senate unanimously and by a large majority in the House. Staats voted against.
For more info,
see, Bucks County Courier Times, Kayden's Law in honor of slain Bucks County girl heads to governor's desk
see, PA State Legistature, Senate Bill 55
"Haycock Camp witnesses fail to allay concern over expansion plan"
Like many of you, I attended the last two Springfield Township conditional use hearings to consider the Haycock Camping Ministries expansion plans. To accommodate crowds, the meetings were held in the Springtown Fire Company. The meetings were on Tuesdays, a workday for many of us. The public part of the first meeting I attended lasted 3 hours, ending at 10:00 pm. The second one lasted 3 1/2 hours, ending at 10:30 pm. Of all the important questions and information shared at these meetings, one of my biggest takeaways was the remarkable dedication of the supervisors and residents. Over and over, neighbors spoke up asking questions and sharing concern for the environment, wildlife, road safety, peace and quiet, and preservation for the heritage and character of the community they know and love, often for generations. To me, this kind of civic involvement is love of country (literally!) at its humble and honest best. The Bucks County Herald provided this sound coverage of the last meeting, "Haycock Camp witnesses fail to allay concern over expansion plan." Thanks for the reporting Barrie-John Murphy.
Staats votes against students getting fair shot for AP credit they have earned
On Tuesday, Democrats and Republicans* in the PA State House joined together to pass a bill giving all students fair access to credit for Advanced Placement (AP) courses. Succeeding in one of these challenging courses is worth college credit, but only if a student takes and passes an AP test at the end of the course. Students, or their families, must pay out of pocket for these tests. For those without financial means, students often miss out on the opportunity for college credit just because they can't pay for the test. And it's a frustrating double whammy for these students, because AP credits can increase scholarship money they receive from colleges. The house bill that passed this week, with large bipartisan support, covers 80% of the costs of AP tests. For the first time, all students who have earned the opportunity will get the opportunity to take AP tests. Our current representative, Craig Staats*, voted against this bill. He represents students and families in Quakertown, Palisades and Pennridge school districts, but does not support all students getting a fair shot at the AP credit they have worked for and certainly deserve. I worked for many years at Penn State as a faculty member and student adviser. I know first hand the difference AP test results can make in a student's life and future prospects. I would have certainly voted for this bill, HB1875, supporting our students and their families. *Staats did not.
A man is known by the company he keeps
This week my opponent emailed us, “THANK YOU CPAC. Recently, CPAC recognized me with its Award for Conservative Achievement. I am proud to have been recognized in this way…” This, CPAC, is who he’s proud about: “Nazis mingle openly at CPAC, spreading antisemitic conspiracy theories and finding allies” and “January 6 insurrection glorified at pro-Trump CPAC gathering” and “Far-right speaker tells CPAC attendees that his goal is to 'overthrow' democracy”. Craig Staats himself attempted to overthrow the 2020 election. This is not a personal attack. I won’t do that. It’s about the facts. And the fact is, a vote for Staats is a vote with CPAC and extreme right-wing plans to overthrow government. Staats doesn’t deny it. He is proud of it. Think about that for a sec: overthrowing the government. Imagine that, for real. Is that what we want for our families, communities, businesses? A vote for me, Vera Cole, is a vote for democracy, social order, and economic stability.
Vera Cole for PA Campaign Kickoff Party!
Who knew politics could be so fun?
We'll be taking care of business and getting this race all shook up with special guest, ELVIS!
Click here for Tickets! Thank you, thank you very much.
Light fare, cash bar -- first round on Vera
Monday, Mar 25
5:30 - 7:30
McCoole's Arts and Events Place
4 South Main Street
Quakertown, PA 18951
Vera Cole: On Her Qualifications
Vera Cole: Why I Am Running
I am asked, why are you running? (My grandfather would’ve surely said, “Someone chasing you?”!)
Who Does That?
Maybe you saw the excellent article in this morning’s Intelligencer (2/25/24), “Proposal could save Bucks Schools $16 Million.” It didn’t mention that our representative Craig Staats voted against it. Hello? Against saving county schools $16 million? The savings come from fixing the way school districts are charged for students going to cyber charter schools. Legislation passed the house easily, with bipartisan support. It’s a good common sense bill, check it out, HB1422. I would’ve certainly voted for it. Yet our current representative did not, snubbing financial benefits to Quakertown, Pennridge, Palisades, and Souderton school districts and residents. What the heck? Craig Staats has been in office for ten years. It is time for change. I will not take your votes for granted and I will not cater to special interests. I will vote for what is good for us, all of us. - Vera