Affordability
Affordability is my top priority. I hear this often when meeting with voters, and polls show more than half of Pennsylvanians, both Republican and Democrat, are struggling to afford utilities, groceries, and everyday needs. There are things legislators can do to help. Pennsylvania has one of the highest gas taxes in the state. I would support a tax holiday to provide immediate relief. I would also oppose unnecessary tax increases, and work to keep energy supply up and costs down. My district should be represented by someone who is careful with taxpayer dollars and responsive to their concerns, not someone who supports higher taxes and energy bills.
Education
As a teacher, I support strong public schools, educational choice, and empowering parents and teachers to have a voice in their children’s education. We should be expanding opportunities for students, not taking away millions of dollars of scholarship programs, or taking decisions on educational materials away from parents and teachers, and giving them to politicians and bureaucrats in Harrisburg. We should expand opportunities for students and schools.
Responsible Budgeting
This year’s four month state budget impasse stalled funding to schools, non-profit organizations, and human services. I would like to see everyone playing by the rules we have all agreed to in the Pennsylvania Constitution. This includes finding new sources of revenue rather than going into debt, and providing responsible budget plans. No one wants to see late budgets, but no one wants to see tax hikes either. I will support enacting a responsible budget by the end of the fiscal year as required by our Constitution.
Government Accountability
I believe government must be transparent, deliver results, and answer to the people—not outside interests. I will demand honesty and hold officials accountable.
Elections
I believe state laws should give access to elections that are free and equal. Our elections must be a robust process that protects the integrity of the voting system and where citizens can exercise their constitutional right to vote. We should empower our election directors with better data sources to perform voter list maintenance, and encourage citizens to participate both in voting and in working the polls.
Data Centers
I have heard loud and clear from neighbors and voters that data centers are an area of real concern! I share those concerns. I don’t want to start immediately rejecting something that could benefit a community by providing jobs, revenue, and economic stability, but I also don’t want noisy warehouses that take more than their share of local resources. IF data centers are allowed, they must be good neighbors, and that begins with transparency, and good stewardship of our utilities and resources.