HARRISBURG – Senator Camera Bartolotta (R-46) issued the following statement today condemning Mayor Peduto’s disparaging comments about future development of the petrochemical industry in southwestern Pennsylvania:
“Mayor Peduto’s comments are another disappointing example of a politician prioritizing partisan politics over people. It is easy for him to disparage those future economic opportunities in the region when his is not one of the thousands of families who could benefit from future development. There is food on his table and a roof over his head either way.
“The petrochemical industry is an amazing partner with our region, not only in terms of the jobs it provides, but also the investments in our communities in education, job training, support for veterans, infrastructure and other critical priorities for the region. We should continue to support and nurture that partnership in order to create more job opportunities and a better standard of living in southwestern Pennsylvania communities. To dismiss the economic impact of the industry – and the family-sustaining jobs it provides – in order to pander to the extreme left wing of his political party is disappointing, to say the least.
“He is welcome to chase away future job growth in the energy sector within the City of Pittsburgh, even if it hurts the people he is supposed to represent. However, to pretend that he can speak for the interests of the entire region of southwestern Pennsylvania is breathtakingly arrogant and deeply insulting to the hardworking people I am proud to represent.“In the future, I encourage Mayor Peduto to focus on his own city’s problems and avoid spouting off about matters that are well outside the scope of his job and his area of expertise. If we want his opinion about what kind of industries we will support in Beaver County, we will ask for it. In this instance, his opinion about what happens outside the City of Pittsburgh is not worth the paper it is printed on.”
CONTACT: Katrina Hanna (717) 787-1463