Pennsylvania State Representative District 4
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 House of Representatives consists of 203 members representing one district each, with an equal number of constituents. Representatives must be at least 21 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 House develops budget packages, makes taxation decisions, allocates spending, and passes laws (including redistricting in collaboration with the Senate). The House also has the exclusive authority to impeach public officials. Representatives also serve on various policy committees that may propose legislation.Term: 2 yearsSalary: $113,591Vote for ONE.Note: On Democratic and Republican primary ballots, voters will also choose members of the State and County Committees. We do not list these candidates on Vote411. For information on these candidates, we suggest you contact your local Democratic or Republican Party committee.
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Kathryn DiVittorio
(Dem)
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Jake Banta
(Rep)
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
Erie
Occupation
Executive Director- DiVittorio Center for Autism; Assistant Director- Corry Higher Education Council
Education
Bachelors Degrees
Qualifications
Serves as school board director; JCLA Cohort Alumni, Community leader serving multiple roles across nonprofits, boards and committees, grant writing and finding experience
Within our district, we are seeing a massive housing crisis, inequities in education, and workforce needs that are contributing to the brain-drain within our region. Seeking clearer policies for housing and pushing to make sure that residents are protected is a major first step regarding housing. Sitting within committees for education and being part of that conversation while advocating for districts that have needs is a major game changer for education. Regarding workforce, partnering with organizations that specialize in providing workforce development and diversifying where we're putting our focus in relation is imperative.
Just as we have poll workers, we should have reliable transportation solutions to ensure access of voters. Throughout district 4, transportation is a massive barrier to many for multiple reasons (workforce, education, voting just to name a few). Having reliable, nonpartisan transportation services to and from polls is a must. In addition, for those who have restricted access to voting, such as those hospitalized, those in nursing homes, or those similarly restricted, should have secure access to mail in ballots with systems in place to ensure the authenticity of their votes.
State budget process should be reflective on the most amount of good for the most amount of people. I believe that if there is a basis that all parties agree on, but there are partisan issues that cannot be agreed on, a budget should be passed while withholding partisan issues separately. In addition, I do not feel that political representatives should receive pay if those depending on state budget are not being paid.
I believe this may be too broad. I think that it is incredibly important for regulations to be put into place regarding data centers. Right now, the technology is so new, there have been no regulations enacted to be able to reference whether or not state or municipal planning codes should operate over this. I think that the topic should be approached at a large level, the state should create certain legislature and policy, and once this is complete, municipal planning code should operate accordingly.
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