State Rep. Dan McNeill, D-133rd, surrounded by family and friends, announced he is seeking re-election for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, a seat he has held for the past two terms. The kick-off announcement was held at Palace Pizza, Hokendauqua, Jan. 27.

During his re-election announcement, McNeill said paychecks for legislators should be put on the back burner if a state budget fails to pass by June 30. He said for the second time, he has proposed legislation on this matter.

McNeill first introduced the bill June 17, 2015, but was able to get only two co-sponsors, so he pulled the bill. Since the budget has dragged into a new year and forced school districts and human services agencies to borrow money to stay open, he is hopeful more members will be willing to sign on to the bill to prevent a similar impasse in the future.

“We still have a lot of work to do, including passing two budgets, which is the fiduciary responsibility that I was elected to do,” McNeill said. “We need to properly fund our schools so that every child in the state receives the quality education that they deserve.

“I’m tired of the partisan politics that runs Harrisburg, and I’m committed to serving the residents of the district and passing legislation that helps working families in the Lehigh Valley.

“I may not be well liked by my fellow legislators, but this isn’t about me. It’s about doing the job that the people voted me into office to do, and I’m going to continue to do it as long as they want me out there fighting for them,” McNeill said.

Another priority McNeill mentioned was retaining state-run spirits stores, which employ more than 4,000 people and create economic development.

Several times, the crowd burst into applause when McNeill said taxpayers are being let down by partisan politics in Harrisburg, adding that schools and students are pawns in the stalemate from not adopting the budget that should have been approved June 30, 2015.

The 133rd district includes the boroughs of Catasauqua and Coplay; Hanover Township; Whitehall Township districts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 12; the Lehigh County portion of Bethlehem; Fountain Hill Borough; and Salisbury wards 1, 2 and 3 (div 2).