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State House hopeful says he'll bring idealistic view to Harrisburg

By Mary Young

Reform would serve as his guide, if he would be elected to represent the 130th Legislative District in the state House of Representatives, Russell J. Diesinger said, announcing his intention to seek the Democratic nomination in the May 20 primary election.

The two-year seat is held by Rep. David M. Maloney Sr., a Pike Township Republican.

Special interests are skewing legislative priorities, so Diesinger said he would regulate lobbying activities and reform campaign finance.

"I want to go there not owing anybody anything," he said. "I want to run a campaign on small contributions from people who believe the same thing I believe - that government has lost sight of what the real priorities are."

He also would be an advocate for public education, said Diesinger, a Reading High School government teacher about to retire.

As part of that, he would support school property tax elimination and make education funding a priority, Diesinger said.

"Public education provides hope to kids where there's no hope," he said. "It provides the ability to change and have a better life than their parents. That's the American dream. We can't afford to kill the dream. There needs to be real opportunities for kids."

Education along with improvements to transportation and infrastructure would aid the state with its economic recovery, he said.

Constituent services would be another priority, and he would help the people in the district in any way he could, Diesinger said.

The Legislature needs people like him, who can look at an issue from the view of what's best for everyone, no matter which party introduces a bill or what the party caucus says, he said.

"I have an idealistic view of the way this should work," Diesinger said. "I have seen examples of things that could be fixed real easily. I have a real solid grasp of how it's supposed to work without the evolution that has taken place to where it's manipulated to the advantage of special interest groups.

"We need people in government who haven't been corrupted by the system and believe that it can work. I would like to restore trust in government. I believe I can make a difference and that my integrity is high enough that I can go there and do it the way it should be done. It's time for change."