Either Mr. Deely (a teachers' union representative) is ignorant or intentionally misleading the facts. Basic Education Funding for Pennsylvania has not decreased, but has increased from 2011 to 2013. The decrease came during the Rendell years (2009 to 2011). Federal stimulus money came in from 2009 to 2011 which skewed funding. School districts chose to misuse the stimulus funding, which was intended to allow schools to make "once and done" improvements to schools, such as major improvements to crumbling school buildings, etc. Some schools, however, chose to increase teachers' and administrative numbers and salaries. Now that federal stimulus funding is no longer available, the teachers' unions are crying crocodile tears for the teachers. Over the past 10 years, our real estate (school) taxes have risen 70%, while our income (mostly Social Security) has risen only 27%. As you can see, due largely to insurance and increased retirements for teachers and administrators, as well as the high unemployment rate in this area, these costs are unsustainable. Mr. Deeley, please return to Easton.

He isn't even hosting this press conference in the 131st District! Instead he hosts it at the Allentown School District's Administrative Building. (The same Allentown school district that got nearly an eight million dollar increase in state funding over last year) I wonder if the school district is okay with a candidate using school property to host a political press conference?

Either way Mr. Deely is showing who he would represent, the teachers union, not the constituents of the 131st district.

How will Mr. Deeley handle the unsustainable state pension problem in Harrisburg? Will he use his union connected influence to do a better job than his opponent? What is so obvious is the attempt to use union influence (i.e. $'s) and power to get elected.
Who was it said. Do you think we're all stupid.

"Hundreds of hard-working teachers and staff in Easton and Reading schools have already been furloughed."

Too bad. MILLIONS have lost jobs in the private sector. I love how Democrats always think that teachers, police and fire fighters should be immune from economic downturns, while having the best in health care (for which they pay virtually nothing), raises when the public gets none, and gold plated pensions that don't exist in the private sector anymore.

How long has Rep Simmon's opponent been a resident of the 131st district? Not long. Was this opponent head of the Easton teachers union? Yes. After the federal stimulus for education stopped, Gov Corbett INCREASED state funding for education. Hopefully this means more education for children not teacher perks. With a priority for the teachers union, Mr Deadly may head us toward a Chicago situation. Rep Simmons is responsive to all his constituents not one particular faction. His opponents back round of theater arts and English is a questionable asset to political aspirations. It may however contribute toward "acting" the politician role. Rep Simmons has not taken a pension, a government car, a government provided cell phone, or per diem money. He advocates term limits. He wants to save taxpayers money and seniors and other constituents appreciate that and his ethical approach to legislation. How many other politicians do you know of this caliber? Carol Kozelnicky Upper Saucon

Thank you for calling attention to the misprinted address that was posted in the “event details” section. The address has since been corrected.

Please refer to the event description that was originally posted for additional details.

Just to clarify, the press conference will be held on a public sidewalk. It will take place outside of South Mountain Middle School, and not the administration building. South Mountain Middle School is located in the heart of the 131st district, which includes Allentown, where about 40% of the district’s population reside.

I thought his number one issue was free marijuana for teachers. He seems to be one step a-"head" of everyone.

Rep Simmons helped get $4 million in distressed school funding for Allentown School District. Somehow, Allentown found $1 million for a new turf field. School boards run by union hacks like Deely are the problem, not Rep Simmons who represents the entire 131st district, not just teachers and their benefits. Anybody notice that the only yard signs that Deely has up are where teachers live or left wing loons? http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/allentown/index.ssf/2012/08/allentown_school_board_approve_2.html

Mr.Deely.....I am still waiting for you to respond to my email concerning a local school district and what you would do about the situation if given the chance. If this is how you respond to constituents I am sticking with Rep. Justin Simmons...he responded to us immediately!

You gotta wonder how many email addresses Simmons had to construct in order to put up the comments.