William C. “Bill” Kortz’s decision to become a politician was made at the middle of the night in July 5, 2005. A thirty-year member of U.S. Steel as a manager and senior process leader. He cited a pay raise as an incentive as a reason, but he believed government at all levels was in a bad place.
“The answers I was getting about [why everything was so bad with government] were nonsense, so I threw my hat in the ring,” said Kortz.
On Jan 21, Kortz announced his retirement as the State Representative of the 38th District of Pennsylvania. He will serve out the rest of his term, which ends November 30.
Kortz was won the three-way race for 38th district in the 2006 Democratic Primary, beating out then incumbent Kenneth W. Ruffing and C.L. Jabbour. He won the 2006 General Election, against Daniel J. Davis.
He doesn’t have a favorite moment as state representative, but he was always happy when the job got done. He’s happy with the most recent bill signed into law. Senate Bill 147 permits additional hunting on three Sundays per calendar year.
The bill, takes effect in February 2020, covering one Sunday during the archery and firearms deer hunting seasons. An additional Sunday is covered with the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s consent.
“I’m glad we were able to do that for folks who only work six days a week like I did at U.S. Steel,” said Kortz. “This is going to be a godsend for people who enjoy hunting with their children.”
Another bill that put a smile on his face, the Act 89 Transportation Bill, passed in 2013. Giving funding to fix roads, bridges and mass transit issues in PA. According to Kortz, this decreased the amount of structurally deficient bridges statewide from 6,600 to less than 3,000 at last count.
His decision to retire was focused on his health. A surgery from a torn rotator cuff, leaving him with a frozen shoulder.
“I have 50 percent movement in my shoulder”, said Kortz. “I’m going to get this fixed, I’m going out on my own terms.”
There was no opposition from the democrats, republicans, no one was going to oppose him. It shows the respect that he’s attained from the communities he serves and his constituents.
“The man is phenomenal about working with the communities”, said Chris Kelly, the mayor of West Mifflin. “I hope that whoever decides to run for his seat has the same commitments that he displayed over the last thirteen years.”
Kortz recently helped the West Mifflin Community Foundation and convert a local park into a dog park. He helped the foundation by getting U.S. Steel involved with the project. The company donated $20,000 to the nonprofit.
“He facilitated a transaction to improve the community at no cost to the taxpayers,” said Nick Pisciottano, the president of the West Mifflin Community Foundation. “It’s one of the quintessential stories of Bill’s career. He's a facilitator to make me do better.”
Piscottano is running as the successor to Kortz in the next election. He called him one of the hardest working representatives in the entire state.
“He works incredibly hard for every one of his residents in the district and will do anything for them”, said Piscottano. “I could never, ever replace Bill Kortz.”
In addition to working on his health, Kortz is looking forward to spending time with his family and his four-year-old granddaughter.
“I want to thank the people 38th district. It's been very enjoyable. I've made tremendous number of friends. Over the years we've been doing this, and I can't say enough about the talented staff I've had working with me here in the district and in Harrisburg. But the people in the district are great, hardworking people.”
Published in The Valley Mirror.