I call on Rep. Simmons to publicly support a repeal of Act 13. The law, supported by Rep. Simmons, allows big gas companies to circumvent local zoning ordinances in order to expand natural gas drilling, as well as continue controversial fracking procedures throughout the state. The hazards of fracking are not yet well known. I’ve spoken with several concerned local citizens who own property in the Marcellus region. They are dismayed by the lack of forethought among our representatives. Our roads are being destroyed, our water supplies are threatened, and our homes are losing their value. We want recourse. People in our towns don’t want to risk losing value in the homes they spent their life building. We need to make sure the interests and the needs of the people are placed first; we need to protect the environment, and we need to make sure we are beholden to the interests of people, before the interests of the big gas drillers and their profits.