{"title":"Mike A. Walsh","description":"\u003cp\u003eMike A. Walsh has been in public service for over 27 years.  He became interested in government and politics during his early grade school years by reading about presidents and American history, and began to volunteer on campaigns in high school.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter graduating from Saint Vincent College, Mike spent six years as Director of Policy and Communications in the office of Senator Allen Kukovich, and for the last two decades has served in various appointed roles under four governors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOutside of his career, Mike enjoys writing and producing short documentary films, reading about history and politics, gardening, and spending time with friends and family\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"the-work-is-never-done","title":"The Work Is Never Done","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e“One of the greatest legislative careers in the history of Pennsylvania.” –Governor Edward G. Rendell\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e…\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHow do we strengthen our democracy in times of deep division? What does it really take to improve people’s lives through public service?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrom Allen Kukovich, architect of Pennsylvania's pioneering Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)—which became the model for the national program now providing health care to millions of children—comes a powerful and inspiring call to service.  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDrawing on three decades in the Pennsylvania House and Senate, Kukovich takes readers behind the passage of CHIP and other landmark legislation, revealing how ideas become laws through negotiation, compromise, and perseverance. He recounts victories won on behalf of children, seniors, people with disabilities, steelworkers, LGBTQ+ Pennsylvanians, and others whose voices too often went unheard. Just as candidly, he reflects on the causes he championed that never became law—including campaign finance reform and criminal justice reform—and the lessons learned through defeat.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDeeply influenced by the political upheaval of the 1960s and the tragedy at Kent State University, Kukovich entered public service convinced that politics should be about people, not power. Through stories of both success and setback, he shows how principled leadership, bipartisan cooperation, and perseverance can transform lives and leave a lasting legacy.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBuilding consensus instead of division, leading with compassion, and never losing sight of the responsibility to use power for good, Kukovich's story is a call to action for the next generation of leaders. Whether you're a student, an aspiring public servant, or simply someone who believes government should be responsive to needs and help improve lives, this inspiring account offers practical wisdom and a reminder that the responsibility of strengthening our democracy belongs to all of us.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eby \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.sunburypress.com\/collections\/allen-kukovich\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAllen Kukovich\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.sunburypress.com\/collections\/chris-papst\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePage Count: 216\u003cbr\u003eTrim Size: 6 x 9\u003cbr\u003ePublish Date: August 26, 2026\u003cbr\u003eImprint: Radio Free Press\u003cbr\u003eGenre: Public Policy\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePOLITICAL SCIENCE \/ Civics \u0026amp; Citizenship\u003cbr\u003eSOCIAL SCIENCE \/ Activism \u0026amp; Social Justice\u003cbr\u003ePOLITICAL SCIENCE \/ American Government \/ State\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Allen Kukovich","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":44946196398173,"sku":"9798888194768","price":22.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Hardcover","offer_id":44945929863261,"sku":"9798888194751","price":39.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0294\/8484\/3101\/files\/twind_fc.jpg?v=1787707865"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.sunburypress.com\/collections\/mike-a-walsh.oembed","provider":"Sunbury Press Bookstore","version":"1.0","type":"link"}