Retired teachers support Hanna for Reelection

MILL HALL — Representatives from two retired teacher organizations today offered their support for the reelection of state Rep. Mike Hanna (D-Clinton/Centre).

With the Central Mountain Middle School as a backdrop, the retired educators called a press briefing to lend their support to Hanna, seeking a fourteenth term in Harrisburg. He is being challenged by a political newcomer in Republican Stephanie Borowicz, a McElhattan housewife.

Surrounded by retired teachers from the Pennsylvania State Education Association and the Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees, PSEA – Retired Central Region President Mary Coploff took Borowicz to task for her education plan, claiming it was “eerily” similar to a plan put forward by Patti Rodgers Morrisette, a realtor and a Republican candidate for the state House from the 161st district in Delaware County. Coploff said their platforms contained the same “buzz” words about eliminating unfunded mandates and the expansion of educational tax credits, a proposal to expand school choice.

Coploff challenged the content of those platforms and said the 76th district has different issues than Delaware County and said Hanna supports the type of vocational training that local students need to be successful. She said he has worked to increase public education funding and end the over- reliance on standardized testing.

She charged Borowicz is being “bankrolled by millionaires” from outside the area and as a former Florida resident does not have the “same feeling” for the area as does Hanna, noting his local roots.

Coploff was joined by Carmen Banfill representing the PASR organization and another 11 ex-teachers.