State Rep. Rick Mirabito, D-Williamsport, has announced his intention to seek the Democratic nomination in the spring primary.
"I began this process six years ago when I ran against the midnight pay raises that had been enacted in Harrisburg by incumbent legislators. At that time, I set forth a 'Contract with the Voters of the 83rd District.' Among the goals in my contract were to bring transparency and accountability to government by providing honest and effective representation; to be a citizen-legislator and not a career politician; to make sure that we did not have midnight pay raises or votes to toll Interstate 80; and to work to create decent paying jobs and to keep the ones we have."
Mirabito said he has sought transparency in government by providing honest and effective representation.
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MIRABITO
In particular, he worked to create a website that puts all state spending on the Internet to allow the public to see where tax dollars are spent.
"They ended up passing a weaker bill than I would have liked, but it's a step in the right direction," he said.
He has held town hall meetings to educate the public about issues facing them - especially around the Marcellus Shale and the budget.
"My staff and I have worked hard to communicate with the constituents of the 83rd District to educate them so that they have the information to make informed decisions," he said. "I continue to believe that the problems we face need to be solved by more grassroots citizen involvement in government. Those we elect must be held accountable to the voters for their actions."
Mirabito noted he has worked to reduce state spending while ensuring investment and protecting the most vulnerable citizens, including seniors, veterans, the disabled and children.
He said that there is continued work to be done to bring jobs and economic development to his district, while still maintaining its quality of life.
Mirabito said in his first two terms of office he was able to obtain Redevelopment Assistance Capital Project grants for Susquehanna Health in the amount of $1.5 million; Lycoming Engines, $1 million; and the Kohls Department store project, $500,000.
Mirabito said he has worked to bring two Keystone Opportunity Zone designations in the 83rd District, support the Williamsport Hospital expansion project and retain the Penn Street Armory in Williamsport.
"I spoke out vociferously against moving the Penn Street Armory when there was an effort by private special interests and other elected officials who live outside the district to move this $20 million construction project out of the City of Williamsport," he said.
Mirabito recently was appointed as a representative to the Center for Rural Pennsylvania, an agency of the Legislature.
"Too often elected officials in rural communities are voting along party lines and not on the basis of what is best for rural constituents," he said. "We need to continue to work to try and build unity among rural representatives."
He said he hopes to make a positive contribution, especially in terms of bringing jobs and economic development to this area.
Mirabito is a member of the house finance, local government, commerce and economic development, and agriculture and rural affairs committees.
He is a graduate of Cornell University and Boston College Law School, where he was the recipient of the St. Thomas More Award and editor-in-chief of the Boston College International and Comparative Law Review.
Mirabito owns several businesses.
He is married to Sara M. Rider, of Williamsport, the daughter of Betsy and the late John Rider. They live in Williamsport with their son, Rocco, and are members of St. Boniface Church.
