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Pennsylvania State Senator District 10

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: $113,591Vote for ONE.

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  • Candidate picture

    Steve Santarsiero
    (Dem)

  • Candidate picture

    Greg Bankos
    (Rep)

Biographical Information

What do you see as the most pressing issues facing residents of your district, and how would you address them?

What changes, if any, would you support to enable better access, ensure security, and support the processes of our elections?

What are your thoughts on the state budget process? What changes, if any, would you support so that the budget is enacted in a timely manner?

Should the state legislature enact laws concerning the impacts on water, energy, or land use from the development and operation of data centers? Would state regulation of data center development and operation interfere with the authority of municipalities to establish ordinances under the MPC (Municipal Planning Code)?

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County Bucks
Occupation Consultant
Education BS Management Information Systems
Qualifications Supervisor - Plumstead Township
The most pressing issues facing residents are the rising cost of living, high energy prices, and a growing sense that government is not focused on everyday people. Families are paying more for housing, groceries, and utilities while Harrisburg often spends too much time on partisan fights. I support an all-of-the-above energy policy to keep electricity affordable, responsible budgeting to avoid unnecessary tax increases, and bipartisan cooperation to solve problems. My goal is to focus on common interests, not special interests, and make this district a place where families and seniors can afford to live and work.
Elections must be both accessible and secure so voters can trust the results. I support clear and consistent rules for mail-in ballots, earlier processing of ballots so results are reported more quickly, and uniform procedures across counties. Voter rolls should be kept accurate, and I support reasonable voter identification requirements, just as ID is required for many everyday activities. Election laws should be followed as written, while eligible voters must be able to vote without unnecessary obstacles. Giving counties the resources they need and improving communication with voters will help ensure elections that are fair, transparent, and trusted.
The state budget should be transparent, responsible, and completed on time. Too often budgets are negotiated behind closed doors and finalized at the last minute, creating uncertainty for schools, municipalities, and taxpayers. Over the past eight years, the state budget has grown by roughly 50%, which is not sustainable and makes timely agreements more difficult. I support earlier public hearings, more open debate, and giving lawmakers and the public time to review spending before a final vote. Keeping spending under control and starting bipartisan negotiations earlier will help ensure budgets are passed on time and put the Commonwealth on a more stable financial path.
The legislature should address the impacts large data centers have on water, energy, and land use, but it must not take away the authority municipalities have under the Municipal Planning Code. These projects can use enormous amounts of electricity and water, strain local infrastructure, and change the character of our communities, while mostly benefiting large corporate developers. Decisions about zoning should be made by local governments, not Harrisburg politicians. I do not support forcing data center projects onto towns that do not want them, and I will oppose any state law that overrides local ordinances or weakens the ability of municipalities to protect their residents, their resources, and their quality of life.