Group of 14 Legislators Applauds Commonwealth Court’s Decision

Court Upholds the Pennsylvania and U.S. Constitutions Strikes Down Act 77 as Unconstitutional

January 31, 2022

CLOVERHILL, PA – On January 28, 2022, the Commonwealth Court ruled Act 77 was unconstitutional. 14 House Members, Timothy R. Bonner, Mike Jones, David H. Zimmerman, Barry J. Jozwiak, Kathy L. Rapp, David Maloney, Barbara Gleim, Robert Brooks, Aaron J. Bernstine, Timothy F. Twardzik, Dawn W. Keefer, Dan Moul, Francis X. Ryan, and Donald “Bud” Cook, filed a Petition in their individual capacities, asking the court to strike down Act 77, which allowed no-excuse mail-in voting, as unconstitutional, because the Pennsylvania Constitution limits the circumstances when absentee or mail-in voting is permitted.

These legislators brought this challenge to Act 77 because the law effectively amended the Pennsylvania Constitution without providing the citizens of our Commonwealth the right to vote on this amendment. The Pennsylvania Constitution clearly grants the people of our state the right to vote on these changes through the proper amendment process.

“We are pleased the Commonwealth Court ruled to uphold the Pennsylvania Constitution, and did so with such a strong, well-written opinion.” stated the legislators. “There are two big winners from this important decision. The voters of Pennsylvania win because the Pennsylvania Constitution is clear, they have the final say in whether an amendment to our constitution is permitted or not. This ruling protects citizens‘ rights by ensuring that the voters will have the final say on whether no-excuse mail-in voting is permitted. The other important winner is the Pennsylvania Constitution. Along with the United States Constitution, we believe it is the keystone of our democracy.”

These legislators brought suit as a non-partisan action focused on following the Pennsylvania Constitution. Every citizen in the Commonwealth should be pleased that the Commonwealth Court upheld their voice and their rights.

In closing the legislators stated, “While we all are State Representatives, we are citizens of the Commonwealth first, who are honored to represent our fellow citizens across Pennsylvania. We the People must not only have confidence in our elective process, but also confidence that the Constitution was followed in developing that process. We are confident the Supreme Court will uphold this decision on appeal in faithful application of the law and the Constitutions.”

This case is Bonner, T. et.al. v. Degraffenreid, V. et. al. (293 MD 2021).

For media inquiries please contact Greg Teufel at 412.253.4622 or gteufel@ogclaw.net

Cook Supports "Rights" of Struggling Restaurants to Choose

December 17, 2020

Cloverhill PA - Rep. Bud Cook (R-Washington/Fayette) is supporting a “Rights for Restaurants Rally” as new mitigation efforts were announced that required restaurants to suspend indoor dining as of Dec. 11. This rally aims to show support to restaurants and their freedom of choice to remain open or close.

“I received a call from Rod Ambrogi, owner of Al’s Café concernedabout what he was going to do if the new mitigation efforts were announced,” said Cook. “He wasn’t even worried about himself, or staying open, but his 40 employees. It was then that I knew we had to stand behind these restaurants and their Constitutional Right to choose whether to stay open or not.”

Elected officials, small business owners, restaurant owners and the public are all encouraged to attend. The event will be held on Dec. 21, at 2 p.m. Come to Al’s Café’ 435 McMurry Road, Bethel Park, to show your support. RSVP at www.keepcook.comWe will be taking all the necessary precautions to ensure the rally is appropriately socially distanced and safe for all who attend.

“In addition to planning this rally, I will be reaching out to Gov. Wolf and requested he work with us “WE THE PEOPLE,” continued Cook. “I will be asking the governor to end both of his state of emergency declarations. One state of emergency was declared on January 10, 2018 and renew by Governor Wolf 12 times! That is all of 2018, 2019 and 2020! Since the start of this pandemic, he has chosen to ignore members of both the House and Senate who have stated several times that constituents agree action is needed, but they still need their freedom and right to choose.

“Our businesses deserve the right to thrive during the most important time of the year. They have obeyed orders long enough, but now it is time for them to exercise their rights as Americans. Our freedoms and rights are being taken from us little by little, and we cannot allow it to happen any longer. I hope you’ll stand with our local businesses as they choose to make a living not only for themselves but their employees during this holiday season.”

“This is a time that we must first be there for our family, then our neighbors/friends and finally do whatever we can do help and serve our communities!” Said the Representative. The sooner we all start working together the sooner we can get this behind us!

Remember to do the five simple steps to help stop coronavirus, wash your hands, remember to Cough into your elbow, don’t touch your face, keep a safe distance between yourself and others, stay home if you can!

It’s your Choice

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Cook seeks 3rd Term Vows to continue to
work for “We the People” not
the “Politically Connected”

March 4, 2020

Cloverhill PA - “From the 49th District, Parts of Washington and Fayette Counties, THE MON VALLEY, State Representative Bud Cook” is how I’ve introduced myself in Harrisburg and across our great Commonwealth. Today, I come before you again to seek the employment from my constituents, my bosses in the 49th. Once again, I am asking you to rehire me for a 3rd term so that we can KEEP transforming our District, continue to GROW The Mon Valley, and provide a BETTER future here for your family and future generations.

Since 2014, my three guiding principles to government have remained the same:

1. Government MUST be FAIR, ACCOUNTABLE and TRANSPARENT;

2. We must Put Progress Ahead of Politics; and

3. We must Work Together Regionally

History….In 2014, after 40 years of failed leadership in our area I asked the voters of the 49th District to consider hiring me to represent them in our District and in Harrisburg. With a Democratic/Republican voter registration of 6:1, I came within 2000 votes of replacing the 32-year incumbent legislator.

In 2016, after defeating a “Politically Connected” primary opponent, who outspent me by 11:1, the voters of the 49th elected me in the General Election when the Democratic/Republican registration in the 49th was 4:1.

In 2018, the “Politically Connected” convinced my challenger to switch parties to oppose me in the General Election, spent approximately $400,000 in a campaign against me, and after more than forty days of challenges to the election results, I was rehired by voters who want progress over politics. I was rehired by voters who want a fair, accountable, and transparent government. I was rehired by voters who want to work together regionally for a better future for their families and future generations in the 49th District and the Mon Valley.

The 2020 Primary ... The 2020 Primary Election is much more than a contest between two candidates for the Republican Nomination for the 49th District. It is a choice between two competing groups “We the People” vs. “The Politically Connected.”

The first task of any candidate is to choose a name for his or her campaign. I chose “4WethePeople” followed by my name “Bud Cook.” Why? I chose this name, so everyone would know who is boss and who always come first. “We the People” come first. My promise has been and will always be to put the constituents first. The “49th District” is ALWAYS before my name on every document that comes from our office, including my business cards. “We the People” come first.

My Opponent? My opponent chose to name his campaign “Friends of.” Who are the “Friends of” my opponent? And, even more importantly, what is their motivation?

Motivation… The “Friends of” my opponent described him as a “welcomed challenge” to my candidacy. I believe that this “welcomed challenge” is a self-serving response by the “Friends of” of “The Politically Connected” to our research over the past three years into the LSA (Local Share Account) review process in Washington County! Local Share was established from a portion of the proposed “Significant Property Tax Relief Moneys” in exchange for casino gaming in the Commonwealth. Over the past eleven years, this represents approximately $70 million dollars approved by the Washington County Commissioners. Contrary to our first guiding principle and contrary to the LSA’s own guidelines, we found that the LSA review process is not FAIR, ACCOUNTABLE or TRANSPARENT. If you are a Borough, Township City, Non-Profit, Volunteer Fire Department or any other organization seeking funding, everyone should have a fair and equal shot at all public funding. We found this process so flawed that on January 13th of this year, we asked both the Auditor General and the Attorney General to review the facts and data that we gathered as part of our research. It is our position that short of a forensic audit going back at least eleven years, we cannot trust that this government process is fair, accountable or transparent. In a letter from the Redevelopment Authority of the County of Washington dated January 17th, 2020 “The Redevelopment Authority has not ever received minutes from the LSA Review Committee meetings. RACW has no knowledge of any financial disclosures nor of any discussions regarding “rotating Review Committee Members” as the RACW is not a member of the LSA Review Committee.

What to expect… A troubling and unacceptable culture of “Nothing to see here; We will tell you what you need to know” and “It’s the way we’ve always done it here” exists in the 49th District and Washington County. If you challenge the “Politically Connected,” you can expect a personal attack, attacks on your reputation, attacks on your family, and attacks on your business or employment. Based on data from the 2019 primary contest, we expect that the “Politically Connected” will spend at least $250,000 to support a Representative that the “Politically Connected” can control!

We the People will never get representation we deserve in Washington, DC, Harrisburg, or Washington County until we get and keep individuals in office that are“There To Do the Job for the People” instead of “There for a Job, doing the bidding of the “Friends of” the “Politically Connected.” I am privileged and blessed to have served as your Representative for the past three and one-half years. As your Representative for the 49th, I pledge to my Bosses of the 49th and the citizens of the Commonwealth that I will continue to seek government for the people that is FAIR, ACCOUNTABLE and TRANSPARENT, I will always PUT PROGRESS AHEAD OF POLITICS, and I will WORK TOGETHER REGIONALLY.

Letter from the RACW (PDF)

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Support Bud Cook in the 49th District

February 2, 2020

There are political entities in Fayette and Washington County who want the power of their own, regardless of the success of the present 49th District Legislator, Bud Cook. Out of +1- 253 Pennsylvania Lawmakers, Representative Cook was among a select group of 17 who received a 100% rating for voting most consistently with the ideals articulated in our state and federal Constitutions, i.e., limited government, personal responsibility and lasting cultural values.

Bud Cook’s efforts for his constituents in the 49th Legislative District are a matter of record. They can be verified through local newspapers, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and several truthful local organizations. However, don’t expect any local traditional political organization to tell you the truth. Local political organizations want their Individual (puppet) in power, so unknown entities or groups can control them. But Bud Cook has entered the political scene as a conservative without the benefit of traditional party support, something new in politics.

Bud Cook has developed new streams of revenue for local private and public organizations that have been ignored for too long. Representative Bud Cook was and is responsible for generating grant monies totaling several millions of dollars for some of the following organizations; the Mon Valley and Steel Heritage Trail. Community Conservation Funding. School Grants to Charleroi and Rlnggold School Districts, District 49 Rural Firefighters, Safety and Security Grants Awarded to District 49 Schools, Safe Water and Sewer Grants, 2.5 Million Dollars Grant to Rebuild Furnace at Pyrex Glassware Manufacturing Facility, Grant to rebuild Financial Management for Donora, State Grants for multiple Towns in the 49th Legislative District, Grants to assist Financially Distressed Charleroi Borough, a $4 million redevelopment funding for former Wheeling- Pittsburgh site for new manufacturing Jobs, 49th District Volunteers Fire and Ambulance Companies Award, etc.

It would be much appreciated if you would please continue to support and vote for Bud Cook as your Representative in the 49th Legislative District of Pennsylvania. Thank you.

Jacob Ely

Perryopolis

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I first met Bud Cook several years ago at a legislative luncheon at the Presbyterian Home. I was struck by his genuineness and integrity. He was clearly the newest representative as he spoke last. Even then, he spoke about being “hired.” He was clearly intent on working for the people.

Bud’s idea of service and working for the people has never left him. He still feels privileged to serve the people. He also isn’t short -sighted. He knows that all of Pennsylvania needs to advance and that positive changes must occur throughout the region. Not just in parts of the tn-county area. Not “our friends.” Not our “contributors.”  

What would the public think about companies giving thousands, yes thousands of dollars to sitting elected officials before and after elections who then get LSA grants or other favorable treatments? Why can’t the public know exactly how much money the casinos deliver to Washington County and just who decides and where does the money go? It’s millions of dollars, yes millions. Why don’t the papers investigate and report on it? Ah, yeah, the days of hard-hitting, investigative, objective reporting seem to he gone.

Why would sitting elected officials “endorse” anyone? I feel the same way about those endorsements as I do about the Hollywood endorsements. No body cares. Sit down. Keep working. For the people, I am a woman. I have always been a woman. And I have always found Bud to be a decent, polite, and respectful person. Bud doesn’t play the games of politicians. He doesn’t smile while he stabs you in the back. I don’t live in the 49th District, but it doesn’t matter. Did you know the representatives we elect are supposed to serve all of us? I spent plenty of time in the Mon Valley, so much so that my wedding dress and bridesmaid dresses came from there 30 years ago.

Read the campaign finance reports. They are all public information and available for your review. Look who gives money to who and who gives money to each other. Then ask yourself, who do I want representing me? Someone endorsed by another elected official or the guy I can count on to never stop fighting for me. The choice is clear, keep Bud Cook.

Joyce A. Hatfield Wise

Washington, PA

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Defending Bud Cook

To the Editor:

In a recent column Jamie Protin wrote about home and love and that they are in and where your heart is. Every place we go and every place we live are always in constant change. Some changes are good and some are not so good. The steel industry’s boom and busts were the Mon Valley’s boom and busts.

For many years, the Mon Valley has remained stagnant, while other pans of the 49th District have moved on. Bud Cook looked at the community he loves and knew it held the potential to rise again. So he ran for office with the vision of raising the standard of living in the entire 49th District. Rep. Cook has a love and passion for this district. His determination to make a positive difference in the 49th has sometimes been interpreted as angry. but its a tight he is willing to take on to ensure that the entire 49th rises to its potential.

With all this excitement and drive, prominent people felt their power threatened, so hurdles were placed in front of what he was trying to achieve. Sometimes Rep. Cook would go around those hurdles, sometimes over them and sometimes he’d just knock them out of the way, perhaps not always the best strategy. However the best thing about Rep. Bud Cook is his deep love for the 49th District, his love of honesty and Los love of the people who live here.

One of the biggest hurdles placed in front of him now is that ocher prominent people in the district have a greater love for money and power. rather than the good of the people. These prominent people feel deeply threatened by a simple question he’s asked regarding transparency. It’s a simple question, “Where does the ISA money go and how does the committee decide who gets it.

The LSA money has become the old WAM money. or corruption by another name. Grants are awarded and no one knows how the decisions are being made. It certainly looks good for the people awarding the grants and wins them friends, power and influence.

This was never the intention of these grants. It was always to be for the good of the people/community, not like the historic grant provided for a non-historic building [or the good of a private individual.

The biggest argument this election is do the people want transparency and honesty and a representative like Bud Cook who loves the 49th District and its people, or do they want people representing them who love their money and power more? I’ll work to get Rep. Bud Cook rehired because I know him to be honest, respectful and hard working and because he has a deep love for the people of the Mon Valley and the 49th District.

Gregory Chrash

Vice Chair

Fayette County Republican Committee