2006 - Stopped the sale of delinquent tax liens to outside business, reinstituting the practice of county tax lien collection.  This has saved thousands of dollars annually by eliminating the fees and charges imposed by outside firms.  Sale of tax liens is similar to a paycheck advance – a quick and costly loan.  Within three years, the city collects 98% of the delinquent tax liens along with interest and penalties, with no fees to outsiders.

2006 – Researched and led Council’s decision to appoint (as stated in PA Law) members to the Harrisburg Authority.  This has stopped the practice of using the Authority as a conduit for the purchase of historical (western) artifacts.

2006 – Pushed for a balanced budget, but settled for a reduction in borrowing from $14M to $7M; required the sale of all western artifacts.

2006/2007 – Initiated and developed procedures for residents to obtain residential parking permits by mail – for the first time ever.  The program has been a great success for both residents and the city parking enforcement department.

2007 – Worked to bring Harrisburg into the Pa. Early Intervention Program for distressed cities.  Harrisburg has the highest per capita debt of any city in Pa.  The program completes a comprehensive study of city finances and operations, then maps as a program for sound financial and operational success.  To date administration has refused to participate in the program, despite Council’s July 2007 Resolution to apply.

2007 – Exposed the truth about the Harrisburg Senators dismal financial results.  It took him a year to get the Senators audited financial statements but they clearly stated combined losses of $3.5M instead of $2.7M of income per the Mayors published “statements”.

2007 – Researched and exposed the tremendous city debt.  Harrisburg is first in Pennsylvania with $9,500 of per capita debt, followed by Philadelphia at $3,100. (Pa. Community & Economic Development statistics)

2007 – Instrumental in enacting a balanced budget.  He exposed the “gimmick” of selling land under the parking garages as a slick form of borrowing and increasing Harrisburg’s already tremendous debt load.

2007 – The only Council member to vote against the increase in borrowing for the incinerator and increased trash fees.  Dan advocated for a real solution to allow a competitive sale of the incinerator. 

2008 – Successfully led the fight against the 75 year lease of the parking garages, saving the city millions of dollars in long-term parking authority income.

2008 – Led the passage of an ordinance requiring the posting of a bond to be payable if Historic Buildings are demolished more than 60 days before construction commences. This helps to stop the demolition of historic buildings when a developer has no certain plan to rebuild on the location.

2008 – Led the charge for the first line item budget in years that will allow true transparency, accountability, direction and control of spending.  All prior budgets with only total amounts were almost meaningless.

2008 – Drafted, introduced and passed the Life Partner Registry allowing basic equality for unmarried couples.