Saying he’s kept his promises to constituents but there’s still work to do, state Sen. Bob Mensch is asking voters to send him back to Harrisburg for another four years.
“Serving our communities in Harrisburg is a true honor,” Mensch said in announcing his 2018 reelection bid. “I am thankful for the opportunity given to me. Hardworking taxpayers want a government that answers to them. My priorities are those which make government work efficiently and effectively, all the while working for the people.”
Mensch, 72, a Republican who has represented the 24th Senatorial District since 2009, previously served in the state House of Representatives. The 24th District includes communities in Berks, Bucks and Montgomery counties.
Mensch believes he has been an effective lawmaker who deserves reelection.
“I have kept the promises I’ve made to voters to get things done,” Mensch said. “I want to build on that success because there is more work to do.”
A self-proclaimed fiscal watchdog, Mensch said he is always looking out for the taxpayers.
“Out-of-control bureaucratic spending must end,” Mensch said. “Just last month, (Gov. Tom Wolf) signed my bill to require all state government departments and agencies to justify every single dollar in their budget requests. This reform puts taxpayers first. We can’t grow our economy and create jobs until government spending is under control.”
A longtime businessman before entering politics, Mensch said job-creation remains a priority.
“Also to create jobs, the governor just signed my bill to boost manufacturing,” Mensch said. “Manufacturing careers provide family-sustaining employment. Reducing taxes on manufacturers while making it easier for them to grow is a source of pride, as making things in America puts our country first.”
Mensch points to several important legislative accomplishments during his time in the Senate:
* Signed into law on October 30th, 2017, Act 48 of 2017 requires the Secretary of the Budget and the director of the Independent Fiscal Office (IFO) to create mandatory, performance-based budget reviews for each department and agency.
* Signed into law on October 30th, 2017, Act 43 of 2017 helps Pennsylvania manufacturers to make large-scale investments to grow manufacturing capacity. Manufacturers making significant investments will be able to claim a tax deduction thus providing the company’s ability to expand jobs. Act 43 removes the $5 million cap on Net Operating Losses (NOL) deductions and increases the cap of 30 percent of taxable income and brings our NOL law into Constitutional compliance.
Mensch is also a strong proponent of funding research to find a cure for cancer.
Mensch was honored with the Pink Ribbon Award by the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition for his work to fight breast cancer and authoring the Breast Density Notification Act, which became law. He also holds an annual event to raise funds for research into cures for prostate and breast cancers.
“I firmly believe that the road to ending the disease of cancer runs through Pennsylvania’s cancer research facilities,” Mensch said. “I will continue to fight to ensure families get access to the resources they need to prevent and fight cancer.”
Mensch has risen quickly to a leadership position in the Republican-controlled Senate.
Mensch is currently the Majority Caucus Chairman, where he presides over Republican caucus meetings to discuss bills and amendments and to develop caucus strategy. He also serves as vice chairman of the Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee and sits on the influential Senate Appropriations Committee. Mensch is also a member of the Senate Majority Policy Committee and is a member of three more committees: Health and Human Services; Game and Fisheries; and Aging and Youth.
He co-chairs the bipartisan Senate Life Science Caucus, Economy, Business and Jobs Caucus and the Community College Caucus. He also chairs the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee, which makes recommendations on eliminating unnecessary government spending.
A graduate of Upper Perkiomen High School and Valley Forge Military College, Mensch previously served as a Marlborough Township supervisor. During his time as supervisors’ chairman, he led a successful effort to preserve over 100 acres of open space in the township. He was also chairman of the Upper Perkiomen Regional Planning Commission. He served in the U.S. Army Engineers Reserve from 1966 to 1972.
Prior to running for the Legislature, Mensch was a successful businessman and believes his 35 years of real-world business experience has helped him focus on job creation and economic revitalization.
A native of Pennsburg and resident of Marlborough Township since 1975, Mensch has been married to his wife JoAnn for more than four decades. They have two children and now enjoy being grandparents to grandson Zackary.
The 24th District includes parts of Berks County consisting of the townships of Colebrookdale, District, Earl, Hereford, Longswamp, Pike, Rockland and Washington and the boroughs of Bally, Bechtelsville and Boyertown; and parts of Montgomery County consisting of the townships of Douglass, Lower Frederick, Lower Salford, Marlborough, New Hanover, Perkiomen, Salford, Skippack, Towamencin, Upper Frederick, Upper Hanover, Upper Pottsgrove, Upper Salford and West Pottsgrove and the boroughs of East Greenville, Green Lane, Lansdale, Pennsburg, Pottstown, Red Hill, Schwenksville and Trappe.
The district also includes parts of Bucks County consisting of the townships of Bridgeton, Durham, Milford, Nockamixon, Richland, Springfield and Tinicum and the boroughs of Quakertown, Richlandtown, Riegelsville and Trumbauersville.
