INEFFECTIVE REP. JOHN FICHTER- A RECORD OF INACTION AND OBSTRUCTION

Matthew Gordon is hoping to serve the residents of the 70th District as Representative in the General Assembly. Driven by a devotion to improving the environment, education, and economy, Matthew wants to end the gridlock and partisan political games in Harrisburg, and move forward with an agenda of property tax relief, open space protection, and urban revitalization that will benefit all of the residents of this diverse district. As a citizen, and not a professional politician, he sees service in the legislature as fulfilling a civic duty, rather than as a career in itself. Matthew is seeking to unseat 6-term, 12-year incumbent John Fichter.

Should we award John Fichter a 7th term of inaction and obstruction?

John Fichter has been in office for 12 years, but has not introduced a single piece of significant legislation on the issues important to this district. He is considered one of the most ineffective legislators in Harrisburg. For example, let's look at his last 2 terms (4 years):

In the 2003-2004 term, John Fichter introduced not a single bill that has been signed into law. Not one!
In the 2001-2002 term, John Fichter introduced only one bill (HB1923) that has been signed into law. Fichter's bill raised the fee for deed recording from $2 to $5.

He has a similar record for the 4 terms previous to this, too.

John Fichter believes in using taxpayer dollars to pay for Band-aid solutions to systemic and structural problems, rather than fixing the underlying causes.

Fichter's solution to urban blight?
Spend taxpayers' money on yet another unnecessary paper study on urban blight, rather than take action to address it. Fichter helped block Growing Greener II, which would have preserved open space, cleaned up the environment, and devoted money and energy to downtown revitalization.
Fichter's solution to the medical malpractice insurance crisis?
Make taxpayers pay the outrageous premiums for doctors, rather than take the initiative to structurally reform the system to cap attorney fees and reduce frivolous lawsuits.
Fichter's solution to overdevelopment?
Make taxpayers pay for forced hookups of individual homeowners to public sewers, rather than the developers.
Fichter's solution to skyrocketing property taxes?
After several votes opposing it, Fichter eventually voted to use gaming revenue for an average expected $330 property tax reduction..... but on the same day, Fichter voted against legalizing the gaming to fund it!

Rather than touting any legislative accomplishments over his 6 terms of service, Fichter publicly brags about bottling up bills in Committee to prevent them from coming to the floor for a fair, open vote by our statewide elected Representatives.

Fichter's service consists of sitting on the sidelines, collecting a paycheck, and sending out useless "newsletters" at taxpayers' expense, reminding us to use seat belts when driving. It is a waste of our money!

No wonder our taxes keep going up!!

It's time for New Energy for the 70th District.

Matthew Gordon for State Representative

Matthew with Governor Ed Rendell

Matthew is looking forward to working with Governor Ed Rendell to assure that every child receives an outstanding education. Matthew will work hard to strengthen the voice of our municipalities and residents in reducing suburban sprawl and increasing the economic vitality of Main Street businesses and improving the quality of life on our residential "Elm Streets". As a groundwater hydrologist with a Master of Science in engineering from MIT, Matthew's experience in environmental consulting provides an excellent background for working with the various stakeholders in industry, small business, government regulators, and residential neighborhoods to develop creative and sound solutions that place the public interest as the highest priority.

Please explore this site to learn more about Matthew and his goals in serving you, to jump-start state government towards real progress in all of the areas of importance to our well-being as members of a shared community.

See also June 20, 2004 Op-Ed piece by Matthew which appeared in the Sunday Times Herald)

To new voters: Please note that you will need to bring one of these forms of identification to the polls. This rule only affects voters who were registered AFTER November 2003.

Matt Gordon



			Matthew Gordon is hoping to serve the residents of the 70th District as Representative in the General Assembly. Driven by a devotion to improving the environment, education, and economy, Matthew wants to end the gridlock and partisan political games in Harrisburg, and move forward with an agenda of property tax relief, open space protection, and urban revitalization that will benefit all of the residents of this diverse district. As a citizen, and not a professional politician, he sees service in the legislature as fulfilling a civic duty, rather than as a career in itself. Matthew is seeking to unseat 6-term, 12-year incumbent John Fichter. Should we award John Fichter a 7th term of inaction and obstruction? John Fichter has been in office for 12 years, but has not introduced a single piece of significant legislation on the issues important to this district. He is considered one of the most ineffective legislators in Harrisburg. For example, let's look at his last 2 terms (4 years): In the 2003-2004 term, John Fichter introduced not a single bill that has been signed into law. Not one! In the 2001-2002 term, John Fichter introduced only one bill (HB1923) that has been signed into law. Fichter's bill raised the fee for deed recording from $2 to $5. He has a similar record for the 4 terms previous to this, too. John Fichter believes in using taxpayer dollars to pay for Band-aid solutions to systemic and structural problems, rather than fixing the underlying causes. Fichter's solution to urban blight? Spend taxpayers' money on yet another unnecessary paper study on urban blight, rather than take action to address it. Fichter helped block Growing Greener II, which would have preserved open space, cleaned up the environment, and devoted money and energy to downtown revitalization. Fichter's solution to the medical malpractice insurance crisis? Make taxpayers pay the outrageous premiums for doctors, rather than take the initiative to structurally reform the system to cap attorney fees and reduce frivolous lawsuits. Fichter's solution to overdevelopment? Make taxpayers pay for forced hookups of individual homeowners to public sewers, rather than the developers. Fichter's solution to skyrocketing property taxes? After several votes opposing it, Fichter eventually voted to use gaming revenue for an average expected $330 property tax reduction..... but on the same day, Fichter voted against legalizing the gaming to fund it! Rather than touting any legislative accomplishments over his 6 terms of service, Fichter publicly brags about bottling up bills in Committee to prevent them from coming to the floor for a fair, open vote by our statewide elected Representatives. Fichter's service consists of sitting on the sidelines, collecting a paycheck, and sending out useless "newsletters" at taxpayers' expense, reminding us to use seat belts when driving. It is a waste of our money! No wonder our taxes keep going up!! It's time for New Energy for the 70th District. Matthew Gordon for State Representative Matthew with Governor Ed Rendell Matthew is looking forward to working with Governor Ed Rendell to assure that every child receives an outstanding education. Matthew will work hard to strengthen the voice of our municipalities and residents in reducing suburban sprawl and increasing the economic vitality of Main Street businesses and improving the quality of life on our residential "Elm Streets". As a groundwater hydrologist with a Master of Science in engineering from MIT, Matthew's experience in environmental consulting provides an excellent background for working with the various stakeholders in industry, small business, government regulators, and residential neighborhoods to develop creative and sound solutions that place the public interest as the highest priority. Please explore this site to learn more about Matthew and his goals in serving you, to jump-start state government towards real progress in all of the areas of importance to our well-being as members of a shared community. See also June 20, 2004 Op-Ed piece by Matthew which appeared in the Sunday Times Herald) To new voters: Please note that you will need to bring one of these forms of identification to the polls. This rule only affects voters who were registered AFTER November 2003. Matt Gordon
















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Should we award John Fichter a 7th term of inaction and obstruction?

John Fichter has been in office for 12 years, but has not introduced a single piece of significant legislation on the issues important to this district. He is considered one of the most ineffective legislators in Harrisburg. For example, let's look at his last 2 terms (4 years):

In the 2003-2004 term, John Fichter introduced not a single bill that has been signed into law. Not one!

In the 2001-2002 term, John Fichter introduced only one bill (HB1923) that has been signed into law. Fichter's bill raised the fee for deed recording from $2 to $5.

He has a similar record for the 4 terms previous to this, too.

John Fichter believes in using taxpayer dollars to pay for Band-aid solutions to systemic and structural problems, rather than fixing the underlying causes.

Fichter's solution to the medical malpractice insurance crisis? Make taxpayers pay the outrageous premiums for doctors, rather than take the initiative to structurally reform the system to cap attorney fees and reduce frivolous lawsuits.

Fichter's solution to overdevelopment? Make taxpayers pay for forced hookups of individual homeowners to public sewers, rather than the developers.

Fichter's solution to skyrocketing property taxes? After several votes opposing it, Fichter eventually voted to use gaming revenue for an average expected $330 property tax reduction..... but on the same day, Fichter voted against legalizing the gaming to fund it!

Rather than touting any legislative accomplishments over his 6 terms of service, Fichter publicly brags about bottling up bills in Committee to prevent them from coming to the floor for a fair, open vote by our statewide elected Representatives.

Fichter's service consists of sitting on the sidelines, collecting a paycheck, and sending out useless "newsletters" at taxpayers' expense, reminding us to use seat belts when driving. It is a waste of our money!

No wonder our taxes keep going up!!

It's time for New Energy for the 70th District.

Matthew Gordon for State Representative

Matthew with Governor Ed Rendell

Please explore this site to learn more about Matthew and his goals in serving you, to jump-start state government towards real progress in all of the areas of importance to our well-being as members of a shared community.

To new voters: Please note that you will need to bring one of these forms of identification to the polls. This rule only affects voters who were registered AFTER November 2003.

Campaign Staff Login:

Fichter's solution to the medical malpractice insurance crisis?
Make taxpayers pay the outrageous premiums for doctors, rather than take the initiative to structurally reform the system to cap attorney fees and reduce frivolous lawsuits.

Fichter's solution to overdevelopment?
Make taxpayers pay for forced hookups of individual homeowners to public sewers, rather than the developers.

Fichter's solution to skyrocketing property taxes?
After several votes opposing it, Fichter eventually voted to use gaming revenue for an average expected $330 property tax reduction..... but on the same day, Fichter voted against legalizing the gaming to fund it!