Diamond to Seek Re-election to 102nd District Seat
State Representative Russ Diamond (R-Annville) announced today he would seek re-election to represent the 102nd District in the Pennsylvania General Assembly.
"I'm proud to be a part of Lebanon County's conservative legislative team in Harrisburg. I'm proud of our accomplishments and our fight against higher taxes and bigger government. I look forward to continuing to represent Lebanon County's values in the General Assembly," said Diamond.
Among Diamond's accomplishments during his second term in office are House passage of his HB1588, to combat welfare fraud and abuse by preventing state agencies from offering state benefits to deceased individuals, and his efforts to secure a $280,000 increase in gaming local share for Lebanon County.
"We still aren't receiving what I believe is our fair share of proceeds from Hollywood Casino, but I will continue to argue the case for equity to my colleagues on the Gaming Oversight Committee," added Diamond.
Diamond's Industrial Hemp Research Act, which was signed into law during his first term in office, is now serving to make Pennsylvania a leader in the growing industry.
"The Department of Agriculture was a bit reserved when it first rolled out the program for the 2017 growing season, but based on that successful experiment we are now looking forward to a much more aggressive and expanded program for 2018, which will include unlimited acreage and commercial opportunities," Diamond said.
Diamond pledged to continue to vote against bad budget policy and to seek out better and more modern methods of funding state government.
"Pennsylvania's tax systems – no matter which one you look at – are completely antiquated and based on the realities of the early 20th century. The world has changed and we need to start having honest and frank conversations about how to rebuild those systems to better serve the needs of today and beyond," Diamond added.
In addition to his standing assignments to the House Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Gaming Oversight, Tourism and Recreational Development, and Local Government committees, Diamond is also a member of the bipartisan Pro-Life and Second Amendment caucuses.
Prior to being elected to the General Assembly, Diamond worked in manufacturing for seven years, ran an audio/video production business for over two decades and worked as an over-the-road trucker. He is a lifelong resident of the 102nd District, which includes Annville, Bethel, Cold Spring, Heidelberg, Jackson, Millcreek, North Lebanon, South Lebanon, Swatara, Union and West Lebanon townships and the boroughs of Cleona, Jonestown, Myerstown and Richland.
