Hopkins calls 50th district a "welfare society"

WAYNESBURG - October 17, 2008 - At a forum hosted by the Uniontown Herald Standard on September 30th, Republican Greg Hopkins said the people of Pennsylvania's 50th Legislative District live in a "welfare society."

His assertion was immediately challenged by Democrat House Majority Leader Bill DeWeese, who said, "I reject (Hopkins') statement that we have created a welfare society here in Southwestern Pennsylvania. We have hardworking people here who realize our potential and I don't think that we have anything but a very good future."

Commenting after the debate, DeWeese said "I'm not surprised by what Hopkins said. He's out of touch with the folks in Southwest Pennsylvania. He hasn't voted in 11 elections, hasn't really lived here, and does not show up for the taxpayer funded job he already has here."

"It also shows why Hopkins has refused to confront me in a series of live debates," DeWeese continued, "he does not want the voters of the district  to learn about his utter lack of knowledge of state and local issues."

Bill DeWeese has fought for the working people in the 50^th Legislative District for 33 years. He has the experience to deliver for the rural communities in Southwestern Pennsylvania.

Tomorrow the Bill DeWeese Campaign will begin airing two new commercials highlighting Hopkins' lack of experience and how he is out of touch with the values of Greene County.

For a preview of the commercials, please visit: http://www.billdeweese.com/content/page/title/Videos.

To download the Herald Standard Debate, please visit:

http://www.heraldstandard.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20146299&BRD=2280&PAG=461&dept_id=604123&rfi=6.