Sturla, the 96th Legislative District's representative since 1991, announced his re-election bid Wednesday evening in front of cheering Democrats gathered at Bird's Nest Restaurant.

"We've been fortunate enough to have someone ... who never lost touch at the local level," Lancaster city Mayor Rick Gray said. "He hasn't forgotten where he comes from."

Waiting to battle Sturla in the Nov. 7 election is Republican Patrick Snyder, a member of School District of Lancaster's board.

Sturla also announced Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell -- facing a re-election battle against Republican Lynn Swann -- will be in Lancaster Friday to sign legislation that expands the state's prescription medicine program for seniors.

Sturla focused most of his speech on recent accomplishments high on the state Democrats' priority list, such as hiking Pennsylvania's minimum wage, boosting education subsidies to the state's more than 500 school districts and a new property tax-reform package.

Sturla, the Democrats' deputy whip in the state House, also touted the delivery of millions in state economic funding for city projects including Clipper Magazine Stadium and Pennsylvania Academy of Music.

"We want to get the word out that things are turning around," Sturla said. "And there are great things to come."

Snyder responded Wednesday by asking how Sturla would mark the anniversary of the controversial legislative pay raise Friday.

Lawmakers, including Sturla, voted late in the night July 7, 2005, to boost their pay 16 percent to 54 percent, but months later repealed the pay hike under heavy public criticism.

"I was wondering if he was going to hold an anniversary celebration for that," Snyder said. "He stole from taxpayers.

"This is just about being true to the voters and being fair to the voters. I look forward to a good race against him leading up to November."

Sturla did not mention the pay raise in his speech, but later said ugly attacks by city Republicans are expected in the coming months.

"Every campaign they've run against me there's been some nastiness," he said. "Some throw mud and see what sticks."

Sturla said he won't run out of positive talking points like property tax reform during the campaign

The reform package the state recently approved expands a rent-rebate program for senior citizens, allows for school districts to raise earned income tax rates in exchange for lower property taxes and would push for even lower property taxes by using revenue from future statewide slots parlors.

"A billion dollars is a whole lot better than zero," Sturla said, referring to projected slots revenue. "And we did it without raising a single (new) tax."

Snyder criticized the package as being inadequate.

"It was a Band-Aid at best, and while some senior citizens will benefit at best, (property taxes are) still a real problem," he said. "It was a lame attempt."

The 96th District covers all of Lancaster city and parts of Lancaster and Manheim townships.

Dave Pidgeon's e-mail address is dpidgeon@lnpnews.com. blog comments powered by Disqus