What's the big deal with local politics?
When you think "politics", you probably think of national or statewide elected officials that get the screen time and attention on cable news networks and in newspapers. However, to us politics is much more than that. While national and statewide officials do control a lot of the policy decisions in our communities, our local leaders can set extremely relevant policy here at home.
Local property taxes, earned income taxes, police and public safety spending, school district curriculum, decisions about parks, roads and the township budget: these are all policy issues that our local elections decide. We want to ensure that Upper Providence Township stays the safe, prosperous and family-first community that it has been for decades, and local politics have a big say in that matter.
The issues here in Upper Providence and Delaware County
As discussed above, there are several key issues and policy decisions at the local level that we are focused on specifically in the Upper Providence Republican Party:
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Local taxes - Taxes are a necessary evil. We need to pave roads, repair pipes and maintain a great police force. However, the UPT GOP will always stand by staunch fiscal conservatism - we believe that the residents of this Township work too hard and pay too much tax to the Federal and State governments already. The Township budget should reflect conservative spending and widely supported projects and public works, not pet projects and silly expenditures that will drive property taxes and earned income taxes up for minimal benefit. Despite promising residents during their campaigns that EIT was just a GOP talking point, the Township's Democratic leaders have now committed to installing one in 2025 and beyond.
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Police and public safety - Upper Providence Township has been rated one of the safest places to live in the entire country for the better part of 30 years under UPT GOP leadership. We're extremely proud of this feat. When families move to Upper Providence, they do so very often because of our outstanding public safety record. One thing we'll never waver on is supporting and funding our police and public safety efforts in the Township; and we've done so even in the face of calls to reduce funding in recent years.
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School curriculum - Parents deserve the final say in what their children are learning in the schools that their taxes pay for. Too often, lately, we have seen school board officials voice opinions that they are not beholden to the taxpayers, voters and residents of their school district. The UPT GOP firmly believes that is wrong - school board officials must always listen to the will of the parents they were elected to represent, and the UPT GOP will always endorse candidates to do just that. You deserve the final say in what your children learn.
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Preservation - As the population of the metropolitan area increases, so too does the pressure to develop and add housing to Upper Providence and the surrounding areas. While we love to add neighbors and business to our community, we'll always remain focused on keeping Upper Providence the family-first, green area that we fell in love with. The UPT GOP has always been dedicated to conserving open-space (such as the purchase of the Lavin Tract, now called Scott Park) and we intend to keep Upper Providence the open, green community we love.
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Getting Things Done - Above all else, we need local leaders that get things done for us. When PA-252 needed to be widened and made safer to support traffic flow, UPT GOP leadership got it done. When a large parcel of land in the heart of the Township went up for sale, UPT GOP leadership got the deal done to conserve open-space. When the Township needed a massive overhaul to its public works and sewer systems, again, UPT GOP leadership got the job done. We nominate and elect great leaders, because that's who we need going to bat for us.