Feb 25, 2016 3 min read

It is an honor and privilege to represent the people of the 48th Legislative District who are intelligent, engaged and well-versed on the important issues facing our communities. As an elected representative, I expect a certain amount of criticism for my actions in the Legislature. However, there are times when I feel it is important to defend those actions publicly when criticism is based on erroneous accusations.

In recent letters to the editor, I was criticized for my decision – back in the 2011-2012 session of the Legislature – to co-sponsor and vote for bipartisan legislation placing a temporary moratorium on court-ordered countywide property reassessments. The letter writers deemed my actions “an embarrassment and an assault on the commonwealth’s constitution” and “extremely offensive to the Constitution of Pennsylvania.”

For the record, the prime sponsor of the bill was Rep. Rick Saccone, a Republican who represents the 39th Legislative District. Those who know Saccone will confirm he is one of the staunchest defenders of our state constitution in the Legislature. As one of 26 Democratic and Republican co-sponsors, I was glad to join him in supporting a bill that put taxpayers first.

The purpose of the bill was to address a fragmented and non-uniform property reassessment process that potentially provides little protection for homeowners who might experience sudden and dramatic increases in their property assessments as a result of the countywide reassessment mandate. I was not, and still am not, embarrassed for trying to help and protect my constituents, especially our senior citizens.

Apparently, many of my colleagues shared that view. The bill was passed overwhelmingly by the full House of Representatives, 189 to 7 and then by the Senate. Unfortunately, the Senate added an amendment that jeopardized the bill and left the House with no other option than to accept the amended version, which Gov. Tom Corbett reluctantly vetoed.

The fact remains the bill Saccone introduced, and I supported and voted for, was an important bipartisan effort to protect the homeowners and taxpayers of this region. Accusations that I helped lead an “assault on”, or acted in a manner that was “extremely offensive to the Pennsylvania Constitution” are unfounded and ridiculous.

I always have time to answer questions or have reasoned discussions on any issue of importance to our residents. I will continue to work in a bipartisan fashion to do what is best for the constituents of the 48th Legislative District.

Brandon P. Neuman

North Strabane

Neuman represents the 48th Legislative District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.