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Homepage

http://www.pahouse.com

E-Mail

mcohen@pahouse.net

About Me

I am a longtime Democratic state legislative leader (currently Majority Caucus Chairman) and an occasional blogger at Young Philly Politics and the Daily Kos. While the sites were in existence, I contributed frequently to Phillyblog from 2003 to 2009, and to The Blogging of the President in 2004.

I was Pennsylvania's only elected delegate for Howard Dean in 2004, and one of many elected delegates for Barack Obama in 2008. I was also a recruiter of Obama delegate candidates. I also serve as a member of the Democratic State Committee and as a Democratic committeeman in my election division.

I have been a legislative leader for a higher minimum wage and greater workers rights; for mail registration, motor voter, and expanded voter rights; for more affordable health insurance, subsidized prescriptions for senior citizens, and expanded organ donation.

Positions I have formerly held include Democratic Majority Whip, Chairman of the Labor Relations Committee, Chairman of the Public Utilities Subcommittee, Vice-Chairman of the Consumer Affairs Committee, Chairman of the Education Subcommittee on Medical School Admissions, and Chairman of the House Special Committee to Investigate the Feasibility of a Law School in Harrisburg, and member of the Speaker's Commission on Legislative Reform, and member the Crime and Corrections Subcommittee investigating the prevention of police brutality and official corruption.

In the current legislation session, I have served as a member of the the Executive Committee of the Eastern Regional Council of State Governments, the PA Council on the Arts, the Rules Committee, the State Government Committee, the Intergovernmental Affairs Committee, the Urban Affairs Committee, and the Committee on Children and Youth.

I live with my wife and daughter in the Castor Gardens section of Northeast Philadelphia. My wife is a Philadelphia special education teacher, and my daughter, as of September, 2009, is a junior at Central High School.

I am a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania (B.A., Political Science), Widener University School of Law (J.D.), and Lebanon Valley College (M.B.A.).

When community newspapers affected my district folded, I formed the monthly non-profit newspaper Your Community Voice, a volunteer-driven effort which I serve as the volunteer publisher.

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