Pennsylvania State Senator District 17
Description of office: The General Assembly is the legislative branch of government in Pennsylvania. It is composed of two houses: the Senate is the upper house, and the House of Representatives is the lower house. A majority vote in both houses is necessary to pass a law. The PA Senate consists of 50 members, representing one district each, with an equal number of constituents. Senators must be at least 25 years old, have been a citizen and a resident of the state four years and a resident of their respective districts one year before their election, and shall reside in their respective districts during their terms of service. The Senate develops budget packages, makes taxation decisions, allocates spending, and passes laws (including redistricting in collaboration with the House of Representatives). In addition, the Senate tries officials impeached by the House and authorizes executive appointments. Senators serve on various policy committees that may propose legislation. Term: 4 years Salary: $106,422 Vote for ONE.
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Amanda M. Cappelletti
(Dem)
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Greg Harris
(Rep)
What do you see as the most pressing issues facing Pennsylvanians, and how would you address them?
What changes would you support making to Pennsylvania’s voting laws to expand access, ensure security, and support local election officials and processes?
What legislation would you support to comply with the Commonwealth Court's ruling that Pennsylvania’s school funding system is unconstitutional and must be reformed?
What changes, if any, would you support making to Pennsylvania’s abortion laws?
County
Montgomery
Occupation
Legislator
Education
Juris Doctorate / Master's of Public Health - Temple University
Qualifications
Currently service in the State Senate, previously Supervisor in East Norriton, Former Director of Policy for Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania Advocates
As the Minority Chair of the State Government Committee, I can say with absolute certainty that our democracy is hanging in the balance. Election deniers and individuals who would make it harder to vote control this committee and often seek to sow doubt regarding election results. I am working hard to combat this narrative and remove barriers to participating in the democracy. Also, I am the former Director of Policy for Planned Parenthood and a new mother to a little girl. Reproductive health continues to hang in balance of partisan politicians who have no medical education. I actively develop legislation to secure these rights and improve maternal and infant health outcomes. Finally, I am working towards a renewable energy future.
I support improving access to mail-in voting, same day voter registration, requiring and supporting counties to complete ballot curing, and expanding pre-canvassing for counties. This entails allowing county election officials to open mail-in ballots and prepare them for counting, allowing us to know results the night of the elections. Additionally, our counties need better funding to ensure that they can run elections smoothly and efficiently. In some counties there is, currently, a single election official running these programs.
The bi-partisan Basic Education Funding Commission report that came out in 2023 indicated specific data to be used in determining how to distribute education funds. Unfortunately, this past budget cycle Senate Republicans blocked the use of it. I will continue to fight to use the appropriate data to run through the funding formulas. Additionally, we simply need to increase the amount of money our state invests in public education.
I am introducing a bill called the Reproductive Freedom Act. This bill will move abortion regulations from the crimes code to the health care code. It will remove all barriers to accessing abortion, including medically unnecessary regulations of clinics and providers, the provision of medically inaccurate information to patients, and restrictions on patients. This will allow health care providers and patients to have open and honest dialogues about the best course of care for the individual, and allow the practitioners to work without of fear of being criminalized for providing healthcare.
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