The Mundy Legacy

On December 2, Phyllis Mundy announced her retirement from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives after 24 years in the General Assembly. In the last four summers, I had the privilege of getting to know Phyllis quite well. In 2010, I served as her campaign manger. In 2011, I worked part-time in her district office. In 2012, I worked full-time in her district office and, outside of the office after work, assisted her on her reelection campaign. In 2013, I again worked in her district office. It was an honor because I got to see, up close, how much this state legislator valued the interests of the people over petty politics. Though it may sound cliche, the truth is that the legacy of Phyllis Mundy is one of placing the interests of her constituents above any political considerations. As such, she demonstrated strong leadership in advocating for and securing progressive policy outcomes that materially improved people's lives. Phyllis did not care much about the pesky politics of these issues because, in her view, "good public policy is good politics."

This attitude was reflected in her signature legislative achievements, her work in battling large corporations on behalf of consumers, her efforts to tighten regulations on natural gas drilling, and in the excellent constituent service in her district office. She will forever be remembered for the Ounce of Prevention program to assist low-income, at-risk expectant mothers with greater home visitation services, the establishment of a foster children's bill of rights, closing a DUI loophole, facilitating the expansion of Pre-K under Governor Rendell, and helping expand PACE and PACENET programs that help senior citizens afford prescription drugs. For many families, these accomplishments resulted in safer, securer, and more stable lives.

Fighting for the interests of the poor and the middle class defined Phyllis' entire political philosophy and motivation to serve. She frequently spoke of the difficulties that plagued many of her constituents in their ability to pay their bills, put food on the table for their families, or to find a job after the Great Recession hit. It's why she fought tirelessly against Blue Cross Blue Shield, utility, and electric companies when they tried to raise rates. She stood up above and beyond other legislators in continually speaking out against rate increases and occasionally these efforts were successful, making life easier for real people in her district. It's that same spirit of caring for the plight of regular people that inspired Phyllis to fight for a moratorium on new Marcellus Shale drilling permits and to push for other common sense rules and regulations with regards to drilling. Her passion for using the levers of activist government to create effective change in the economic well-being of people was embodied in the work of her legislative assistants, Sara Karlowicz and Lana Mulvey, and most recently, Eileen Cipriani. Their exceptional work in the district office ensured that the constituent service in Phyllis' office became almost legendary.

Ultimately, Phyllis leaves behind a legacy of numerous legislative achievements for which she ought to be proud. When she leaves office on November 30, 2014, she'll know that she is exiting the Pennsylvania House with a record of real results and with a sterling, progressive reputation. There are people who worked very hard to make sure it wouldn't be like that. Republican candidates consistently put up formidable challenges to Phyllis as they were fundamentally disturbed by her pragmatic progressive politics. When she first ran in 1990 and when she was easily reelected for the first time in 1992, Republicans scoffed at the notion she could win and then win reelection, respectively, but she proved them wrong because she did what every state legislator ideally should do: work hard for the interests of your constituents, lead the people in a new direction, and convince them of the merit of your work on their behalf. It's that legacy of accomplished progressive leadership on behalf of real people for real results that will define Phyllis Mundy's tenure.