PHILADELPHIA, PA -- Josh Cohen, Democratic candidate for State Representative in Pennsylvania’s 194^th legislative district, which includes Roxborough, Manayunk, Wynnefield Heights, West Parkside, and parts of Wynnefield and East Falls in the City of Philadelphia, as well as Lower Merion, Belmont Hills, Bala Cynwyd, Merion, and part of Merion Station in Montgomery County, has been endorsed by the League of Humane Voters (LOHV), an organization dedicated to creating, uniting, and strengthening local political action committees that work to enact animal-friendly legislation and elect candidates for public office who will use their votes and influence for animal protection.

 

“I am honored to have won the endorsement of the League of Humane Voters and look forward to the group’s support on May 18^th and beyond,” said Cohen.  “If I am fortunate enough to be elected State Representative of the 194^th legislative district, I will work to build consensus among my fellow legislators to make Pennsylvania.   As a long-time resident of the district, I know there are many pet lovers like me in our community.  I can no longer abide the status quo of routinely euthanizing innocent animals rather than working to better control the population through spay and neuter programs, and doing more to find them adoptive homes.  I have great compassion for animals and, as State Representative, will do everything I can to protect them.”

 

Cohen’s support of No-Kill legislation – defined as a community in which all healthy and treatable animals are saved – and his pro-animal platform has won him the support of the 194^th legislative district’s many pet owners.  Tonight, a group of animal activists is hosting a fundraiser for Cohen at Bourbon Blue Bar and Restaurant in Manayunk, at which cats, dogs and other animals will be available for adoption.  Cohen and his wife, Michele, are the proud owners of a cat named Charlie.

 

The members of the League of Humane Voters are political activists who recognize that animal protection requires laws and enforcement.  LOHB believes that animal exploitation is a political issue and not just a moral one, and intends to make animal protection a mainstream political issue by building support among citizens, other activists, political parties, candidates and elected representatives.

This year in the United States, it is estimated that more than 4 million cats, dogs and other pets will be destroyed.  Here in Philadelphia, groups such as the LOHV, Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), No-Kill Philadelphia, and Best Friends are doing laudable work to promote the passage of “No-Kill” legislation in the city.

 

The Primary elections are Tuesday, May 18^th.

DEMOCRATIC STATE REP CANDIDATE JOSH COHEN DETAILS AGENDA TO CREATE JOBS, STIMULATE ECONOMY IN THE 194TH LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT

PHILADELPHIA, PA -- Josh Cohen, Democratic candidate for State Representative in Pennsylvania’s 194th legislative district, today laid out his proposed legislative agenda to create jobs and stimulate the economy of the unique city/suburban district, which encompasses the communities of Roxborough, Manayunk, Wynnefield Heights, West Parkside, and parts of Wynnefield and East Falls in the City of Philadelphia, as well as Lower Merion, Belmont Hills, Bala Cynwyd, Merion, and part of Merion Station in Montgomery County. Cohen’s platform included drawing down stimulus dollars for infrastructure improvements, an emphasis on the emerging “green” economy, and tax breaks for small businesses and entrepreneurs to foster growth.

 

“There is no single solution to jump-starting our stagnant economy, but through the common sense, multi-tiered approach I am advocating, we can realize immediate gains that will help our region emerge from the national economic downturn quicker and in better shape than a lot of other regions across the country,” said Cohen. “First, the state legislature must do a better job of drawing down our fair share of federal stimulus dollars for much-needed infrastructure work that will improve transportation safety in our district and across the state, and create thousands of jobs in the process. I concur with Governor Rendell that Pennsylvania must find ways to generate billions of dollars in the next 20 years to build and repair roads and bridges and subsidize SEPTA and other mass-transit systems. Secondly, I will work to create more state grant opportunities, low-interest loans, and tax incentives, both to support companies already working in ‘green’ industries and to encourage more businesses to pursue opportunities in this rapidly growing sector, particularly in the fields of solar and wind energy. With electricity rate caps set to expire next year, consumer demand for these cost-efficient and environmentally-friendly alternative energy sources will skyrocket. The business sector needs to be ready to meet that demand and, as a State Legislator, I can help companies plan for success in this new arena. Finally, I believe the Legislature can and must offer small businesses and emerging entrepreneurs more financial assistance to stimulate growth and create jobs. With banks severely restricting their loan practices, it’s incumbent upon the state to fill that void through grants, low-interest loans and tax breaks. As State Representative, I will be a friend of small business.”

 

For more than a decade, Cohen has played pivotal roles in Philadelphia’s city government and has been a progressive, involved community member. A lifelong Democrat who is the son of two career Philadelphia public school teachers, Cohen’s first political experience was as a Committeeman in the city’s 52nd Ward. He served for three years as Assistant Press Secretary for former Mayor John F. Street before accepting a position as Deputy Chief of Staff to former City Councilman Juan Ramos, a position he held for four productive years. In 2008, Cohen’s sterling reputation for providing highly responsive and effective constituent services attracted the attention of newly-elected City Councilman Curtis Jones, who hired Cohen as his Deputy Chief of Staff, a position he held until he resigned to run for state representative.

 

Pennsylvania’s Primary Elections are Tuesday, May 18th.

DEMOCRATIC STATE REPRESENTATIVE CANDIDATE JOSH COHEN ISSUES FINAL DEBATE PLEA TO FOUR CHALLENGERS

Cohen Calls Out Challengers For Their Unwillingness To Publicly Debate The Issues

PHILADELPHIA, PA -- Josh Cohen, Democratic candidate for State Representative in Pennsylvania’s 194th legislative district, which includes Roxborough, Manayunk, Wynnefield Heights, West Parkside, and parts of Wynnefield and East Falls in the City of Philadelphia, as well as Lower Merion, Belmont Hills, Bala Cynwyd, Merion, and part of Merion Station in Montgomery County, today issued his second and final debate challenge to his four Primary challengers - Lou Agre, Billy Morris, Pam DeLissio and Keith Newman. Cohen first issued a debate challenge to the entire Democratic Primary field back on March 16, 2010 - with no takers.

"It's really a sad commentary on the character of my challengers that they refuse to engage me in a public debate on the issues that matter to the people of the 194th legislative district,” said Cohen. “We have had a handful of candidate forums in which we have had limited opportunity to share our viewpoints, but the format does not allow for an open, honest, and spirited exchange of ideas and counterpoints to our respective positions. As a result, my challengers have been afforded the opportunity to take credit for accomplishments for the district that they had no real involvement in and to talk in empty platitudes, as opposed to presenting actionable legislative priorities and real solutions for the problems we face in the district. Today marks exactly two weeks until Primary Election Day. We are quickly running out of time to give the voters of this district the opportunity they deserve to hear the five Democratic candidates participate in a meaningful debate. I repeat my challenge to debate my four opponents anywhere in the district at any time before the Primary.”

For more than a decade, Josh Cohen has played pivotal roles in Philadelphia’s city government and has been a progressive, involved community member. A lifelong Democrat who is the son of two career Philadelphia public school teachers, Cohen’s first political experience was as a Committeeman in the city’s 52nd Ward. He served for three years as Assistant Press Secretary for former Mayor John F. Street before accepting a position as Deputy Chief of Staff to former City Councilman Juan Ramos, a position he held for four productive years. In 2008, Cohen’s sterling reputation for providing highly responsive and effective constituent services attracted the attention of newly-elected City Councilman Curtis Jones, who hired Cohen as his Deputy Chief of Staff, a position he held until he resigned to run for state representative.

Pennsylvania’s Primary Elections will take place Tuesday, May 18, 2010.