Gerlach Sworn In for Sixth Term

In a statement, the congressman said his focus is on creating jobs and simplifying the tax system.

Editor's note: The following release comes from Rep. Jim Gerlach's office. Washington -- Congressman Jim Gerlach took the oath of office on Thursday marking the start of his sixth, two-year term serving the residents and communities in Pennsylvania's 6th Congressional District. He issued the following statement after a swearing-in ceremony on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives: "I am extremely honored by the trust that the residents of the 6th District have placed in me and look forward to continue working tirelessly on their behalf while voting on legislation in Washington and providing constituent service throughout every community I represent. Putting Americans back to work remains among the most urgent challenges. As a …

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Gerlach to Keep Congressional Seat

Several sources have confirmed Gerlach's victory over Manan Trivedi.

Jim Gerlach will represent the U.S. District in Congress for a fifth term, according to several news outlets. Currently, with just under 85 percent of the state reporting, Gerlach is up 32,000 votes - 15 points - over challenger Manan Trivedi. This is the second time the two battled for the spot - in 2010, Gerlach won by 14 points. Going into the 2012 election, Trivedi was considered a promising Democratic challenger, due in part to his early fundraising numbers. During last year's congressional redistricting, Trivedi was drawn out of the new 6th District, which is considered a more Republican district than it was during the 2010 election. This election cycle, Trivedi linked Gerlach's policies to the conservative agendas of Romney and …

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Gerlach: Raising Taxes Would Cut Jobs

Sixth District Congressman warns bad news for employment will result if Bush-era tax rates are not continued.

It is one of the hotly debated issues of this presidential election year. Should taxes be raised on the so-called rich? Congressman Jim Gerlach (R-PA6) has sent an email to constituents, which is also posted here on his website,  stating his opposition to any tax increases, and citing a new report by the accounting firm Ernst & Young that Gerlach says indicates that "raising the top tax rates next year would cost 710,000 Americans their jobs and shrink the paychecks of workers by 1.8 percent." According to the Gerlach newsletter and website posting: The study examined what would happen if some of the tax cuts enacted in 2001 and 2003 -- and extended for two years by President Obama in 2010 -- were allowed to expire. The President and some …

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Chester County SPCA Holds Ribbon Cutting

The Chester County SPCA celebrates its renovated facility.

The Chester County SPCA has a newly renovated facility that takes it from looking like "a prison" to state-of-the-art. The SPCA held a ribbon cutting ceremony at its facility near West Chester Thursday to celebrate the completion of a multi-million dollar, three-year renovation. “This was a group effort,” said Chester County SPCA board president Conrad Muhly.  “Before the renovation this place reminded me of a prison.  Three years later there’s a huge difference.  I think we’ve raised the bar for what a shelter can be in the 21st Century.” Elected officials across the county attended the ceremony including, U.S. Rep. Jim Gerlach and State Sen. Andy Dinniman. “This is was a terrific project,” Gerlach said.  “The before and after is just …

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Campaign Starts for Safety Training Center

New facility would allow Chesco's first responders to train together in one centralized location.

A campaign is underway to raise almost $3 million to complete funding for a new Chester County Public Safety Training Center. The center would allow first responders with different responsibilities like firefighters, police, EMT's, and ambulance corps staffs to train together in a coordinated effort "under one roof." Congressman Jim Gerlach's office says $16.2 million has already been raised for the center.  Gerlach was among the dignitaries participating in a kick-off ceremony last week at Shire Pharmaceuticals in Tredyffrin. A email newsletter from Gerlach's office describes the project and the event this way: On Friday, Jim joined emergency responders, public officials and members of of the Chester County Public Safety Training Center …

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Chesco First Responders to Get New Pagers

Federal and County grant money will provide new pagers to help alert thousands of volunteer first responders to calls for help all over Chester County.

Chester County first responders, including volunteer firefighters and EMT's in Tredyffrin and Easttown will be getting new, upgraded pagers under a grant announced by Congressman Jim Gerlach (R-PA6). The new communications system will outfit volunteers across the county with state of the art pagers that can alert them to fire, ambulance and other emergency calls. Federal money will be combined with a grant from the county for a total of nearly $700,000 to be used for buying the new pagers. Gerlach's office issued the following press release about the grant. A project to upgrade the regional public safety paging system used by Chester County’s volunteer fire departments and emergency medical services personnel will receive a $554,157 …

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State of the Union 2012

State of the Union: U.S. Rep. Jim Gerlach

"The President failed to lead and opted to block a project that has the potential of creating up to 20,000 jobs,"

U.S. Representative Jim Gerlach (R-PA6) didn't wait for President Obama to deliver his State of the Union Address Tuesday night before taking him to task on energy. Gerlach's statement is included in a newsletter issued by the Republican Sixth District Congressman Tuesday afternoon in the hours leading up to the speech.   "Organized labor and centrists House Democrats believed that if you build it, jobs would be created. Canada warned that not building it could send oil from Alberta's Tar Sands to China rather than to American refineries. But President Obama decided to listen to those on the fringe left opposed to the proposed Keystone XL Pipeline and rejected an application to begin construction on the project. Jim called the President's …

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Gerlach:Senate Tax Extension Bill "A Gimmick"

Congressman issues a statement on his vote on extending the payroll tax rate.

The Democrat-controlled U.S. Senate voted for a two month extension to the current payroll tax rate of 4.2 percent which is due to jump to 6.2 percent on January 1. Tuesday the Republican-controlled House of Representatives voted to reject the short-term approach and call on Senate Democrats, who have left Washignton for the Holidays, to return to Capitol Hill to negotiate with the House. U.S. Representative Jim Gerlach (R-PA6) issued a statement on the issue and his vote to reject the Senate Bill. Here is Gerlach's Statement on House Vote Congressman Jim Gerlach (PA-6th District) voted Tuesday to require Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to come back to work and give 160 million American workers a full one-year payroll tax cut extension…

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New Congressional Map Passes PA Senate

After a squeaker majority vote, political website predicts tougher road than ever for Democrat congressional candidates facing Jim Gerlach.

A plan that would shift the borders of Pennsylvania's Congressional Districts is one step closer to reality after a narrow victory in the Pennsylvania Senate Wednesday night. The redistricting bill squeaked by the senate a 26-24 vote and now goes on to the Republican controlled house where a vote is scheduled on Tuesday. Uner the plan, the 6th and 7th Congressional District lines would change, shifting all of Easttown and Tredyffrin into the 6th District, a seat currently held by Republican Jim Gerlach. A portion of Easttown is currently in 7th District, a seat now held by freshman Republican Pat Meehan. The Congressional district re-mapping under consideration in Harrisburg would make it tougher for Democrats win seats in Pennsylvania, …

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