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Pennsylvania State Senator District 44

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

    Katie Muth
    (Dem)

  • Candidate picture

    Melissa Dicranian
    (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)?

County Chester
Occupation State Senator
Education M.S. Athletic Training
Qualifications State Senator representing Senate District 44 since 2018
X Handle @muth4pa
The most pressing issue in my district is the rapid expansion of hyperscale data centers and the massive power infrastructure they require. Residents face rising utility costs and communities bear long term health, safety, and environmental impacts while corporations profit. I have proposed a moratorium on new data center development and introduced the Ratepayer Protection Act to prevent these costs from being shifted to families. I will continue demanding transparency, holding corporations accountable, and ensuring that residents, not special interests, shape decisions that affect our communities, health, and future.
Every eligible Pennsylvanian should be able to vote easily, securely, and without obstacles. At the state level, that means expanding streamlining mail-in and absentee ballot processes, and making sure polling places are accessible and properly staffed in every district. It also means modernizing voter registration, and ensuring that state election oversight protects against interference without creating barriers for voters. I will push for laws that put people first and make it clear that elections belong to the voters, not to special interests or politics.
Every year we are supposed to have a balanced plan by June 30, but too often it drags on for months, leaving schools, social services, and local governments without funding. In 2025 the budget was more than four months late, forcing providers to cut programs or borrow. Many negotiations happen behind closed doors, leaving most legislators and the public out while special interests quietly provide input and feedback.

We need reform, so that critical funding automatically goes out if the budget is late, and deadlines should have consequences for party leadership. I will continue fighting for transparency, accountability, and a process that puts Pennsylvania families first, not politics or corporate interests.
Yes, the state legislature should enact laws addressing the impacts of data center development on water, energy, and land use. These facilities require enormous amounts of electricity and water, strain local infrastructure, and are already contributing to rising utility costs for residents. Without clear statewide standards, communities are left to absorb the impacts while corporations benefit. That is why I have proposed a moratorium to allow time for real impact studies and the development of enforceable rules, based on health and safety standards.

State action must not override municipal authority under the Municipal Planning Code. Local governments are on the front lines and must retain the ability to protect their communities.
County Chester
Occupation Small business owner.
Education Bachelor of Science - Wentworth Institute of Technology, Boston
Qualifications Charlestown Twp -Architectural Review Board, Chair. PA Farm Bureau Legislative Committee member. Environmental steward to 46 - acre historic farm, Chester County. Equine outreach partner. Charlestown Chair for AMERICA250 Celebration planning.
Campaign Website http://melissafor44.com
Affordability. Since Pennsylvania is an energy producer, affordability begins with the energy we produce, so this energy should benefit our citizens first. Affordable energy creates jobs in a strong free-market economy. The economy, begins with the foundation of academic education.

The Save Act.
The state budget should have pre-determined and specific deadlines for the process of completion.

Every state budget should be goal-oriented toward serving the prosperity of the people in the free-market. The goal would be that Pennsylvania is better every year, thus being a leader state, working with other states for combined betterment.

Transparency for one-time funding sources so that these sources keep their intended function, rather than create a new perpetual tax-funded source.

Keep regulations that have been deemed unconstitutional by Commonwealth Court from finding a way back into the budget under a new name.
This question is truly whether or not to maintain the current authority of the municipalities with the new, controversial topic of data centers. The question then becomes what is the ask of data centers in terms of land, resources, etc. that comes with the development of them. Is this ask significant enough to warrant this change of authority. From that lens, this becomes a generalized question, as data centers can greatly range in what is required for their development, perhaps suggesting it should be analyzed from on a case-by-case basis. The best approach may stem from coordination in efforts between state legislatures and municipality members, as more awareness on this topic becomes accessible.