Letter to the editor: Grateful for Lamb's focus on real issues

With so many competing priorities in Washington and Harrisburg, we’ve been fortunate to have leadership here in the Pittsburgh area that hasn’t forgotten about the real issues that matter to our community.

While the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate didn’t break his way, we’re glad that the rest of the commonwealth had a chance to see what Conor Lamb has been delivering for the people of Western Pennsylvania for the last four years: a pragmatic approach to the pressing challenges facing our country. Lamb has been a champion in this regard, and it has been refreshing to see a legislator from our backyard, especially someone who has his sights trained on higher office, focus his attention on the everyday issues — jobs, the economy, inflation, health care — that keep us all up at night.

On the other hand, we are seeing many voices in Washington get caught up in political crusades, namely a recent push to get anti-tech legislation through Congress. These tech-centric bills present no real solutions to the problems people are concerned about, and they are serving as an unnecessary distraction at a time when there is plenty of important work to be done.

More of Pennsylvania’s elected leaders, and politicians across the country, would do well to follow Lamb’s example. Spending time on policies that do little to help real people are a waste of precious time and resources, both of which could be redirected to make a positive impact on families here in the commonwealth.

Mark Longietti

Hermitage

The writer is a retiring Mercer County state legislator.