Thursday, February 10, 2011

Tea Party Head Announces County Exec. Bid

Local tea party organizer Patti Weaver has officially thrown her hat into the ring, the first of several Republicans expected to vie for the Allegheny County Executive’s office.

Weaver, a Harvard M.B.A., says her first priority would be to create jobs. She says she’d do this by making a better environment for business, including a possible change in the tax code and the “responsible development” of natural gas resources on County land.

The Fox Chapel native says she also wants to reduce County spending.

“Under Dan Onorato’s administration, the County is operated at a loss, the pension funding at 58%. He’s tarnished our credit rating, he’s taken on debt of $20 million, and he’s increased our taxes by initiating the drink tax,” says Weaver. “We could easily cut our spending by 10%.”

Weaver created the local tea party movement last year and has led it since then, but she’s quoted by the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review as saying she’ll step down now that she’s a candidate.

Weaver also has the support of Allegheny County Republican Chairman Jim Roddey, a former County Executive.

In addition to Weaver, County Councilmen Chuck McCullough and Matt Drozd are expected to enter the Republican primary race, along with Mt. Lebanon commissioner and businessman D. Raja.

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