PRESS RELEASES

Sanders Calls For Full Investment in Mid-State Infrastructure Overhaul

"I welcome federal seed money -- $50 billion worth -- to investment in our community infrastructures in York, Cumberland and Adams County," Sanders says.

(York, PA) -- Democratic Congressional Candidate Ryan Sanders said today he will join President Obama, Governor Rendell and local community leaders to argue for a major initiative to expand infrastructure development in Adams, York and parts of Cumberland County. "My opponents Mr. Monighan and Mr. Platts will no doubt oppose further investment in our communities," Sanders said. "But the hard reality is that we have to invest in more jobs and continuous improvement in our roads, water systems, bridges, rail, and related infrastructures or fall even further behind."

A new report from Treasury economists and the Council of Economic Advisers concludes that this is the optimal time to invest in public infrastructure because high unemployment and lower prices in the construction sectors, already hit harder than any others by the collapse of the housing and commercial real estate markets. "Despite an $8 return on every $1 invested in infrastructure, my opponent continues to vote against infrastructure develop which means job development, expanding tax bases, and loans to small business." Sanders said. "We have to be more creative and aggressive now to address these critical problems."

Sanders said this may not be popular in some sectors, but "we cannot simply allow the economy to drift downward." Sanders, who helped organize an national infrastructure summit in Summerdale, PA in August, said he totally supports the infrastructure public-private funding initiatives developed by Republican California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Independent New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Democratic Governor Rendell.

"This is a wise bi-partisan approach for developing private investment to match public funding for infrastructure projects right here in York, Hanover, Gettysburg, Carlisle, and Camp Hill."

Sanders also said he would like to see more alternative technologies brought to local infrastructures. "We cannot continue to rely on fuel taxes as funding sources," he said. "We have to look to new technologies -- from water management to natural gas extraction -- already developed by the private sector in Pennsylvania to increase state and local efficiencies, and apply resulting savings to infrastructure investment."

Sanders noted that major investments in infrastructure now would both help create jobs for construction and manufacturing workers now and, for the long term, increase economic growth, productivity, and land values across the 19th Congressional District. "I think 60% more jobs would be created in those sectors, which now has an unemployment rate of more than 15% in our area which currently has a high unemployment rate of more than 9.5%. We simply have to change this scenario and change it fast." He said.

19th Congressional District candidates to debate in Shippensburg

Sanders Welcomes Continued Debate With Platts And Monighan

"Voters'choices have never been more clear: More of the same in the last decade; something completely unknown; or traditional, community-oriented, pragmatic Democratic values."

(York, PA) -- Democratic Congressional Candidate Ryan Sanders said today he welcomes a series of debates with incumbent candidate Todd Platts and Independent Josh Monighan on the important issues and fundamental choices facing voters in the November election.

Sanders, a small business person and community leader, said that the essence of democracy is open debate between candidates on the real issues facing communities across Adams, York and Cumberland counties. "I have a lot of respect for Mr. Platts and Mr. Monighan. It isn't easy to be about the people's business, particularly given what the people in the PA 19th District have been through in the last decade." Sanders said today.

"The voter's choices have never been more clear. We can have more of the same the failed policies of the last decade, a change in a completely new and unknown direction; or choose the Democratic traditions my campaign brings to the discussion for dealing pragmatically with the hard issues facing our communities today."

Following the well covered Dickinson College Debate earlier this week, Sanders said that the issues are becoming very clear and so are the options the voters will have on election day.

"Mr. Platts has made it clear he favors more of the same old business -- continued tax cuts for the wealthy, pulling back government investment in infrastructure and jobs, limiting capitalization for small business, undoing health care progress made by going back to the flawed system of privatized rationed care." Sanders said.

Sanders said a second and third debate will be held in York and Gettysburg in the next few weeks. "We're working together, looking for a convenient date right now." Sanders added that he has already agreed to debate Mr. Monighan in any forum of the Independent's choice in the coming weeks. Sanders, a 10th generation central Pennsylvanian, said he felt the Monighan candidacy brings an important point of view to the public debate in this congressional race.

"Mr. Monighan represents the new Republican party, a revitalized grass roots popularism, while Mr. Platts represents the old party, the Bush-Cheney-Platts party that had literally brought America to the brink of depression." Sanders added. "I represent a new direction, a new generation of leadership, but one rooted in the traditional values of our region, like respect for others, hard work, and smart practical decision-making to benefit real people, not elites or political ideology."

Sanders said that anyone with a sense of history knows what happened after the crash of 1929. "Concern for the working people of America energized a do-nothing government to rein in big business and Wall Street and mobilize the nation to create jobs and build communities and infrastructure across the county. There's no reason we can't do this again today." Sanders said. "Ask any senior citizen. We just need the kind of leadership, with the vision that can get the system working for us again, right here in central Pennsylvania."

Sanders Supports Infrastructure Investment In Adams, York And Cumberland Counties, Promises Action On Permanent Regional Infrastructure Funding Bank

"The key to future development is permanent, comprehensive funding, and that means directing and leveraging our share of the feds' $50 billion short-term funding into our communities now." Sanders says.

(Camp Hill, PA) -- Democratic Congressional Candidate Ryan Sanders told supporters today that he endorses President Obama's Labor Day plan for an initial $50 billion infrastructure investment as part of a six-year program of transportation improvement.

"The president is moving in the right direction," Sanders said. "Estimates indicate we need about $3.5 billion in PA to generate about 50,000 new construction, retail, health care, and manufacturing jobs across the state. Our fare share of that federal funding should be around $1 billion."

Sanders, who was instrumental in bringing national and state leaders together in Summerdale for the American Infrastructure at a Crossroads seminar last month, said that while Governor Rendell has pledged $1 billion dollars in his budget, "we're still short $1.5 billion to jump start the program and we should be focused like a laser on making sure PA and the 19th District gets its fare share of investment from the federal plan."

Sanders said that will take leadership in Washington, "and we haven't seen any leadership from the incumbent on this issue in the last decade." He said that solid research shows that a $2.5 billion investment would boost PA economic outcomes by $6.5 billion and create and sustain an annual payroll of $2 billion as well as increase tax revenue by $20 million in payroll taxes, and $60 billion in income tax revenue.

"When we look at the numbers across the 19th Congressional District," Sanders said, "We can see the scope of the problem as well as the opportunity for development facing us." Adams, York and Cumberland counties have a total of about 5,600 full-time jobs directly supported by transportation infrastructure, and another 150,000 full time tourism, retail, agriculture, and manufacturing jobs are dependent on the 19th District's transportation infrastructure network.

"We need to be organized at the District level with planning, and we need to be opening up investment sources and revenue streams to fund development," Sanders said.

"There are huge capital formations shaping up in the private, corporate, financial, and investment sectors," he added, "we have to pool capital resources and create incentives to move that capital to regional infrastructure development." Congressional districts are the logical way to build regional planning and manage an infrastructure investment market, he said.

The need for regional infrastructure banks

Sanders noted the return on infrastructure investment to direct community economic development and local tax bases justifies, "unprecedented actions nationally and important regionally coordinated planning and investment" locally. "It's evident we have to accelerate investment in job development and the economy," he said, "and long term infrastructure development is one key strategy to strengthen and assure America's future at the same time."

Sanders said one key is to be able to leverage very limited public funds so as to attract much large amounts of private investment, which would demand a reasonable return on investment. "An infrastructure bank, organized to reduce politically motivated earmarks, and open regional infrastructure projects to a 'market test,' might attract broad global support for this kind of investment. When we talk about global migration of capital to local markets, this is a perfect example."

Sanders said there are no easy answers, but the solutions will have come out "new leadership" and a new approach to public - private infrastructure development. He praised President Obama for opening the discussion of need for regional infrastructure banks as good starting point. "It will take an aggressive, motivated congress working in step with the President on these key issues over next two years to get us out of the mess created over the last decade by the opposition."

Check it out:

Here's Ryan Sanders speaking out on this important issue on YouTube:http://www.youtube.com/user/jkman614#p/u/4/SNQolIBjBeA

On The Road Again, Around The 19th For Labor Day

"We are building as we go. One step at a time. With a little help from our friends."

(YORK, PA) -- Democratic Congressional Candidate Ryan Sanders has been on the move around the proud and beautiful PA District 19 meeting and greeting highly motivated Democrats, moderate minded Republican and Independent voters as Labor Day Weekend approaches. We've attended more than dozen fund raisers and community events in the last few weeks and "we've passed the 100 count on our field volunteers," Ryan told a group of students in York today.

"We're working closely with other campaigns in Adams, York, and Cumberland locations and we're especially pleased with the growing student support at Shippensburg University, Dickinson and Gettysburg Colleges." Kudos to field organizers John Dadamo, Jenna Clancy (fresh from the Rep. Murphy campaign), George Sanders, Mary Holt, Sara Cray, and Jeff Kayer for the field organizing and creative thinking in the last month.

Very special thanks go to York Mayor C. Kim Bracey for her help in organizing the first in a series of Community Leadership Forums to focus on important issues facing our elected officials, community and business leadership in the next couple of years. "Our first forum will focus on the growing number of workplace discrimination complaints in the mid-state area," Ryan said. "PA Human Relations Commission Chair Stephan Glassman and Executive Director Homer Floyd join Mayor Bracey and I in a special 2-hour forum discussion at The Yorktowne Hotel on Tuesday, September 14, click here for more information and to register for this free event. Register early because seating is limited to 100 and the press will be attending.

New polling indicates what most of us already know. If it weren't for the stimulus package developed by a Democratic President and a Democratic Congress, we'd still be sinking into a deeper recession as a result of the mismanagement of the last administration and the current incumbent in the House. New research finds PA unemployment would be approaching 15% right now instead of the state wide 8.5%. Even so, 9.6% unemployment in York as a result of disastrous and unfunded wars, tax cuts for the wealthy, corporate incentives to outsource jobs, and ever-escalating health care costs and declining incomes for the rest of us, is simply not good enough for the future of our communities. "As I move around the district," Sanders added, "I hear more voters call for real change in the way Washington does business. That's exactly what I intend to do."

"Very special thanks to Gov. Ed Rendell as well for including me in the PA Infrastructure Summit in Summerdale earlier this month." Great of the Governor to bring that outstanding forum, which included Transportation Sec. Ray LaHood and former U.S. House Majority Leader Dick Gephardt, into the 19th District.

Look for the campaign's new YouTube social media campaign to launch after Labor Day featuring Ryan Sanders in a variety of venues outlining his campaign and the most important issues facing the hard working families across the Adams, York and Cumberland counties today. Thanks to a great creative crew -- Taylor Mercedes, Natalie Flick, Jill Bartoli, and Jeff Kayer.

"My alma mater Dickinson College has agreed to host the first debate of the campaign at 7:00 PM, Monday, September 13, at the Clarke Forum." Sanders said. "Both my opponents have agree to appear, so this is the opportunity I've been looking for to get out campaign issues out in front of the public in a debate format." Special thanks to the organizers at the Clarke Forum for Contemporary Issues for make this event happen early in the campaign.

As we move into Labor Day Weekend, I look forward to seeing and talking with you at one of the many great end of summer events coming up in the Gettysburg, Carlisle, York areas in the next few days. If you've got a question, when you see me, just come up and ask it. Please remember we can't accomplish anything in November without your continued hard work and support. So please contribute what you can today, and volunteer to get on board a winning Democratic ticket on Election Day!

Sanders Moderates York Workplace Discrimination Leadership Forum

"Regardless the size of any business, or the level of the job, the American workplace is a secure, safe, creative environment within which all Americans have a right to flourish." Sanders said.

(York, PA) -- Democratic Congressional Candidate Ryan Sanders will moderate a special leadership forum, "Stop Workplace Discrimination Before it Starts," Tuesday, September 14, 2010, 2:00 - 4:00 PM, at The Yorktowne Hotel in downtown York PA. "I have asked a distinguished panel of experts to visit York for this special presentation," Sanders, a York area businessperson, said in downtown York today.

In addition to Sanders, who will moderate the open discussion, the panel includes Hon. C. Kim Bracey, Mayor of the City of York, Hon. Stephan A. Glassman, Chairperson, The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, Mr. Homer C. Floyd, Executive Director of The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, and Corporate Attorney and discrimination expert Benjamin C. Dunlap, Jr., Esq., Nauman Smith, Shissler & Hall.

"The pressures of the current recession have increased the number of discrimination complaints filed in York and across Pennsylvania and this forum is designed to present the scope of the current situation, as well as human resource management and legal strategies to help prevent workplace discrimination before it starts." Sanders said. "There will be an open question and answer period as well."

Invitations will be distributed electronically throughout the business community this week. The press will be attending, and seating is limited to the first 100 registrants. The appropriate audience for this forum is Human Relations Vice Presidents, CEOs and COOs of any size business in the York area.

Sanders noted that this is a non-partisan, non-political event organized to assist the business community. "We anticipate similar leadership forums in Adams and Cumberland County." He added.

Sanders Announces Fall Debates Kick-Off

"Dickinson College Debate, September 13, kicks-off series of congressional debates across the 19th District." Sanders will debate in each county in a series of debates with both incumbent Platts and Libertarian Monighan.

(Carlisle, PA) -- Democratic Congressional Candidate Ryan Sanders told supporters today that he will debate incumbent Todd Platts and Independent candidate Joshua Monighan in a series of debates in Cumberland, York and Adams county.

"The first debate is scheduled at the Clarke Forum for Contemporary Issues at Dickinson College, Monday, September 13, 2010 at 7:00 PM," Sanders said today. "I have agreed to debate both candidates in forums of their choice on the most important issues facing our communities today."

Sanders campaign said that he has agreed to debate Libertarian candidate Joshua Monighan in at two venues of Monighan's choice in September. "Mr. Monighan and I will debate at least twice next month at venues organized by his supporters." Sanders added. "I have asked these groups to invite Mr. Platts as well and I'm sure they will."

Sanders said that he has communicated with Platts and there is agreement to at least two, possibly three, debates, one in each county in the fall. "We don't have all the venues lined up yet, but things are falling into place." Sanders said. "I look forward to an informed debate on all the major issues facing the citizens and communities of Adams, York and Cumberland counties moving into the fall campaign."

Sanders said there has never been a clearer choice for leadership in the PA 19th congressional district. "The voters in each county will be able to see and hear what their choices are in November and it's great to kick-off the debates at my alma mater Dickinson College."

OP-ED: Platts should face economic reality

Once again U.S. Rep. Todd Platts, the Republican representing Pennsylvania's 19th Congressional District, shows a shockingly poor understanding of the state of our economy and fiscal responsibility.

I would hope that Todd saw the reports that noted the Great Recession was deeper than previously thought. It has been the sharpest crash since the second world war, wiping out jobs, wealth and hope itself.

The updates on the economic downturn show an economy that was weaker in 2007 going into this recession than we thought, and it declined much more steeply in the immediate wake of the fall 2008 financial crisis. This makes it the worst of the post-war years.

Economic activity declined by 4.1 percent, easily outstripping the 3.7 percent dip we saw in the downturn of 1957-58 (in the 1981-82 recession, which more people will remember, the drop was just under 3 percent). The decline in real GDP in 2009 was far and away the worst annual performance since 1946, when America was having a hangover from the end of its wartime economy.

Of course Todd won't take any responsibility for this mess, despite being in office since 2000 when he had the chance to hold the Bush Administration to true fiscal responsibility by ensuring the Pay-As-You-Go rules, enacted in the mid-1990s, were extended. Instead he caved to the Party Line and allowed the Bush Administration to run up the largest deficit the United States had seen in the history of the country.

And now he's trying to blame the mess on Obama, and when the Democrats use Pay-Go rules he complains about cuts to the Food Stamp program. Really?. If he had been fiscally responsible and saved during the boom times we would have the room to do what the vast majority of economist agree is working (Read former McCain adviser Mark Zandi's testimony to Congress in early July plus his follow-up report, attached for your convenience): Use federal money to support the economy until the private sector is able to resume growth.

This prevents massive layoffs, social unrest and keeps the economy from crashing in the spiral of deflation and lack of confidence that made the Great Depression so extensive. And we need to be clear --this crisis is not over. The York County Economic Development Corp. just completed its on-site interviews for the state's Business Retention and Expansion Program (BREP) for York County and reported that nearly 75 percent of private businesses are not looking to hire or are decreasing payrolls this year.

We need to make sure we keep in place the policies that prevented our country's economy from collapsing. The private sector, and our economy as a result, is not stable yet. So Todd's shortsighted comments as usual have no vision and no correlation to the reality of the practical needs of practical Pennsylvanians.

We need jobs, and Todd is trying to tear apart policies that economists agree protected the jobs of at least 8 million people. Yet at the exact same time I see Todd out accepting credit for stimulus projects like upgrades to Route 15, Interstate 83 and the bypass on Route 11 by Kingstown. That's the height of irony.

Why do Todd and his leaders continually deny reality? The policy response that was put together by the Bush and Obama administrations was successful and we need to direct more assistance to small businesses, cut taxes more for the middle class and support the extension of unemployment insurance until businesses are able to start hiring again. It's the common sense response. It has been proven through history. It has been proven through economic analysis.

Why do Todd's leaders insist he vote against the best interests of central Pennsylvania? The state and local governments need the support from the federal government to prevent more layoffs and maintain basic services (i.e. police, firefighters, teachers, etc). Yet Todd decides to play a typical lawyer game and misdirect by complaining that food stamps might be affected by this new stimulus. That's rich given that the amount would be larger and would cover food stamps if he would stand up to his leadership and follow the smart economic policy path. A vote against that policy is a vote against not just the middle class, but the best interest of our national security.

I hope Todd takes a moment to reflect on economic reality. If not, it's time for a change to someone who will.

Sanders Works With Governor Rendell to Organize PA Infrastructure Initiative in 19th District

Investing in infrastructure is a priority for all levels of government in the 19th Congressional District of Pennsylvania and it is a high priority of my campaign.

Water, roads, bridges, communications, internet access and mass transit connect our communities and economy creating the vibrant framework for intelligent growth, job creation and environmental management in York, Adams, and Cumberland counties.

Infrastructure investments generate a huge return, sometimes $8 for every $1 invested, but it takes long term planning and significant capital commitment over many years, as well as close cooperation at every level of local, state and federal government, not to mention coordinating across the public and private sectors. This takes leadership and experience in working with business and community leaders.

For this reason, at the request Governor Edward G. Rendell, I am happy to invite you to a special national forum in Summerdale hosted by the Governor, Building America's Future, and TechQuest PA, to discuss future challenges we all face in Adams, York and Cumberland County. This event will open and maintain a dialogue between Local, State and Federal officials and capital investment sources necessary for the long term planning of our infrastructure needs.

Leadership in Pennsylvania begins with creating the environment within which levels of government can coordinate planning, investment and development together. If elected to represent you in Congress in the fall, I will work everyday to make sure this kind of leadership happens in our area. Please mark your calendar today for August 10, 2010, 9:00 - 11:30 A.M. and join Governor Rendell and I for this very special free two-hour open discussion. Attendance is limited, and open to the media, so please register below today.

Location
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Central Pennsylvania College
College Hill and Valley Roads
Summerdale, PA 17093

Speakers

• Ray LaHood, U.S. Secretary of Transportation
• Governor Edward G. Rendell
• Jon Corzine, Chairman, MF Global Holdings, former US Senator, Governor New Jersey
• William Stout, Chairman and CEO, Gannett Fleming Engineering
• Andrew Moore, Director, Google Pittsburgh Pennsylvania
• Marcia Hale, President, Building America’s Future
• Terry O’Sullivan, General President, LIUNA
• Kelly Lewis, President and CEO, TechQuest PA

CNN will broadcast live remote from this event starting at 8:30 a.m.
For further information, please visit http://tqpaaug10.eventbrite.com/

(Summerdale PA) -- Democratic Congressional Candidate Ryan Sanders and his campaign worked closely with Gov.Edward G. Rendell over the last two weeks to bring a national infrastructure summit of experts into the 19th Congressional District for a Town Hall summit on the issue. "We wanted to demonstrate the kind of action real leadership on a critical issue could produce locally." Sanders, a small business person, said.

The event, co-sponsored by BAF, a bi-partisan organization created by Gov. Ed Rendell, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, was covered globally by CNN and locally by PCN and Witf-PBS Television.

On other issues, in response to the incumbent's vote against campaign finance reform and supplement payments for local school teachers, police and first responders, Ryan Sanders said if elected he will support campaign finance reform to appropriately limit corporate and foreign interest influence on U.S. elections so that we can focus on what is most important: "the people's interest in infrastructure development, small business job development, maintaining public education, police and safety jobs, and improving lower cost health care."

I need your support today to win in November, so please volunteer and donate to help build better future for you, your neighbors, and your family today.
Best wishes,
Ryan

Sanders Distributes Healthcare Consumer Help Site HEALTHCARE.GOV

Platts agrees with McChrystal ouster, Democratic challenger Sanders backed firing, said Pakistan is key to Afghanistan.

Candidate Ryan to outline business plan

Ryan Sanders, the Democratic candidate for Pennsylvania's 19th Congressional seat, plans to "outline his small business loan development, tax relief and jobs development strategy" at 11 a.m. Friday at Weldon Solutions, 425 E. Berlin Road, West Manchester Township, according to his campaign.

Weldon Solutions, which makes grinders and "designs and integrates robotic automation solutions," according to the company, will be open to the public at the time of Sanders' visit to offer tours as part of this year's "Made in America" factory tour series, according to the York County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Sanders will face the incumbent, U.S. Rep. Todd Platts, R-York County, in the November election.

Sanders Praises Democrats for Voting for Change and Healthcare Reform

Reporter's Notebook: Congressional candidate stops in Cumberland County from The Sentinel