CHADDS FORD, PA –
Small business owner Tom Killion, a candidate for the Pennsylvania Senate in
the 9th Senatorial District, has earned the endorsement of three
major business organizations representing job creators in Pennsylvania, as well
as in Delaware and Chester Counties. Today, Killion announced that he has
received the backing of the Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry
(CCCBI); the Delaware County Chapter of SEPAC, the Political Action Committee
of the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce; and ChamberPAC, the political arm
of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry
Killion is running in a Special Election on Tuesday,
April 26th to fill the seat of former Senator Dominic Pileggi, who
was elected last year to the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas. The 9th
Senatorial Districts includes portions of Delaware and Chester Counties.
“Tom Killion’s vast career in both government and the
private sector will make him a great asset in the Pennsylvania Senate,” said PA
Chamber President and CEO Gene Barr. “As the founder of a small business,
he understands the burdens excessive government regulations and mandates place
on job creators. Throughout his career in public service, Tom has built a
strong record of supporting pro-growth policies that will improve the
Commonwealth’s competitive edge and economic climate.”
“Tom Killion owns a small business, served on our
Board and has a voting record of supporting job-creating legislation and
policies,” said Guy Ciarrocchi, President & CEO of CCCBI, who noted that
the CCCBI Board of Directors voted unanimously to endorse Killion. “He is the
only candidate running who has experience managing a business and creating
jobs, as well as a record of business friendly policies that we champion here
at the Chamber. We know Tom; we trust Tom.”
“Tom Killion knows the challenges facing job creators
because he has started two small businesses in the area,” said Trish McFarland,
President of the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce. “Killion knows what
it takes to strengthen our local economy and as a member of County Council, he
played a key role in attracting international companies like SAP – now one of the
largest employers in Delaware County – to our region. For the past three
years, Tom Killion has worked closely with state agencies to help save area
refineries and hundreds of local jobs. With such a strong record on economic
development, we are proud to support Tom Killion for the Pennsylvania Senate.”
“I believe strongly that
the key to well-paying, family supporting jobs is a strong, robust economy
where businesses are able to grow and expand,” said Killion. “In order to
create more jobs for local residents, we need to create an economic environment
where small and medium size businesses can thrive. I have always had a
strong relationship with the business community, as well as the Pennsylvania,
Chester County, and Delaware County Chambers and I greatly appreciate their
support.”
Killion has a strong
record on business and economic development issues in the legislature. He
has been a vocal opponent of the Governor’s proposal to increase and expand the
state sales tax, which would make it more difficult for local retailers and
other businesses to compete with businesses across the state border in
Delaware, where there is no sales tax. He has also introduced legislation
to create a waterfront development tax credit that would help to spur new
investment and economic development. Killion
has also supported the phase out of the capital stock and franchise tax and
reform of the state’s capital net income tax which is one of the highest in the
nation.
“Government should be
more mindful of the impact legislation and government regulations will have on
businesses and employers,” said Killion. “It cannot act in a
vacuum. Often, government policies can have a profound impact on local
businesses by driving up costs and impacting their ability to grow and hire new
workers. This is why we need to continue efforts to reduce the overall business
tax burden in Pennsylvania, which makes it more difficult for our state to
competitively attract new businesses and new jobs.”
About Tom Killion
Tom Killion is the founder and owner of a
small business and he has represented the residents of the 168th Legislative
District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives since 2003. Killion
is committed to keeping taxes low, fighting for fiscal responsibility in state
government, finding innovative funding solutions to preserve open space, and
improving our state’s healthcare. He has actively supported medical
malpractice reform, property tax reform, efforts to privatize the state’s
liquor system, and pension reform.
Tom has been involved in a wide range of
non-profit organizations and community groups with the goal of helping to
improve our communities and provide support to local residents. He and
his wife Eileen live in Middletown and have two adult daughters. Tom is a
graduate of Penn State University and Cardinal O’Hara High School. For
more information, visit www.killionforsenate.com
or follow his campaign on Twitter
and Facebook.
Contact: Pete Peterson, 215-990-8928
