Pennsylvania State Representative District 57
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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Rob Francis
(Dem)
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Eric Nelson
(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
Westmoreland
Occupation
Program Manager (group home for individuals with autism)
Education
B.A., English & Political Science
Access to quality healthcare that is affordable and accessible is a top priority. I am a strong advocate of Medicare For All and will support/introduce legislation that guarantees both healthcare and the means to obtain it for all in our commonwealth. Housing is also a significant issue. I would support and introduce legislation that caps rent costs, expands the rights and protections of tenants, assists individuals in purchasing a home, and provides local means to house and otherwise support unhoused individuals. The general cost of living also remains unlivable, and we need vigorous legislation that will increase labor wages, bolster local economies, and support the rights and protections of workers in all settings and fields.
I would introduce/support legislation to require automatic voter registration upon becoming legal age. I also support providing drop boxes for mail-in ballots at easily accessible areas throughout the commonwealth, per needs of the local area. Making voting more remotely accessible is also a measure I would support, providing significant safeguards were in place; if we can file taxes, process medical and financial information, and complete other state and federally required forms online, then we can do it for voting. Elections must be kept free and fair; as such, I would introduce/support legislation that limit the contribution abilities of Super PACs, close the loopholes around corporate PACs, and enforce a campaign contribution limit.
There is a lot of back-and-forth with the extensive budget process, and this has led to regularly missed deadlines, exacerbated partisan conflicts, and the growing inability to balance our structural deficit. The only people that suffer for this incompetency are the taxpayers. Examining the budget proposal/approval window, enacting stopgaps to offset gridlocks, expediting the hearing process, and holding officials accountable for missed deadlines (rather than punishing citizens and public services) are a few actions I would take to address this ongoing issue. Pennsylvania has a highly paid full-time legislature; there is no reason for missed deadlines.
The Environmental Rights Amendment of the PA Constitution (Article 1, Section 27) already entitles citizens of the commonwealth to "clean air, pure water, and to the preservation of the natural, scenic, historic and esthetic values of the environment." Data centers have destroyed the drinking water of entire communities and ruined the natural environment. Lawmakers are obligated to oppose their construction within the commonwealth. This does not interfere with the MPC because of the ERA Public Trust Doctrine: "Pennsylvania's public natural resources are the common property of all the people, including generations yet to come. As trustee of these resources, the Commonwealth shall conserve and maintain them for the benefit of all the people."
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