State Rep. David Maloney (R-130th) recently announced that he is seeking re-election for a third term serving the people of Amity, Colebrookdale, Douglass Berks, Earl, Oley, Pike, Rockland, Ruscombmanor, and Union townships, and parts of Exeter Township, along with the Boroughs of Birdsboro, Boyertown and Fleetwood.
Maloney was elected to his first two-year term on Nov. 2, 2010.
In a recent interview, Maloney said the significant part of his job as state representative is being available to as many of his constituents as possible.
More than just being available, he said it involves listening to constituents and helping them navigate through all of the state agencies and identifying the easiest measures to acquire the services they need.
‘I have heard constituents of the 130th District say they have never heard the information as they get now and the service and access from this office,’ said Maloney, adding that there are separate state issues from federal issues.
‘One word that best sums me up is ‘protection,” said Maloney.
He recently introduced House Bill 434 and 2063, which seek to keep sexual predators out of public and private schools.
‘I have introduced two bills that are very significant to child protection. They are working their way toward the Governor and are very important components of protecting kids.’
He said HB 434 would apply the same standards for reporting suspected child abuse to school employees as those that exist for other employees of other workplaces.
‘What drives me, and what I’m very passionate about, are the constitution rights to liberty and freedom — especially after Jerry Sandusky — as well as property tax rights.’
He said parents — and the community — entrust their children’s protection to school, sports, and other authority figures, but oftentimes now find that that trust was misplaced.
Maloney discovered while serving a four year term on the Oley School Board — from 2005 through 2009 — that many of the district employee ‘resignations’ were individuals identified by the district as sexual predators.
Those facts, however, weren’t disclosed to school board members, even during executive sessions, and the practice became known as ‘passing the trash.’
HB 2063 would require public and private schools in Pennsylvania (and their independent contractors) to conduct a thorough employment history review prior to offering employment to any applicant for a position involving direct contact with children.
Maloney represents six school districts within the 130th District: Boyertown, Brandywine, Daniel Boone, Exeter, Fleetwood, and Oley.
One of his goals is to make it harder for school districts to raise property taxes.
He has succeeded in removing seven of the Act 1 exceptions.
‘That has tremendously hindered their [school districts] ability to randomly or recklessly raise taxes,’ said Maloney. ‘School districts have realized they’ve expanded programs without the funding.’
‘I have cut $600 million out of welfare fraud and abuse to refund the schools. There has to be accountability of behavior in the classroom. Daniel Boone has experienced a lot of mismanagement of money. There needs to be a combined effort of everyone in the community to make a budget work.’
‘The Daniel Boone School District has $7 million of debt each year until 2034, and you can’t return it [the money or the facilities built with the money],’ said Maloney.
He said school districts’ realization that a bubble is occurring in its student enrollment, and making it a part of its strategic plan, would enable districts to survive the bubble without unnecessary long-term consequences.
‘ . . . could get a little crafty to realize the bubble will go through and then get back to normal,’ said Maloney.
Maloney was raised in the Boyertown area and has lived in the Oley Valley for 31 years.
Prior to entering public office when he was 50-years-old, Maloney was a self-employed carpenter.
He said his age has helped him in serving his constituents, and he understands firsthand the challenges faced by Pennsylvania’s employers and small businesses.
Maloney aims to remove barriers to private sector job creation, as well as the creation of workforce programs.
‘I’m proud that we are making Pennsylvania job-friendly again by supporting small businesses and job creators. More than anything, our families need good-paying jobs and I’m fighting everyday to help those who create them.’
Maloney graduated from Boyertown High School in 1978 and has been active in many non-profit community efforts. He is a PIAA track official and has worked with athletes and their parents all across Berks County. He is also active with the PA Game Commission.
He and his wife, Debby, reside in Pike Township. They have three daughters, one son and two sons-in-law. He is an avid hunter and outdoorsman. Fitness and athletics have always been an important part of Maloney and his family’s lives.
