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.
County
Perry
Occupation
Homemaker
Education
B.A. Cultural Anthropology, Master's Certificate GIS Archeology, A.S. Veterinary Technology
Qualifications
Work with children, teaching, and animal medicine. Previous volunteering in local communities and overseas with women, children, animals and environmental organizations.
Lack of affordability with food, housing, electricity, and healthcare. In addition, the declining public education system and a need for greater support of local agricultural endeavors. First, the minimum wage must be increased. Affordability in housing can be addressed by incentivizing building low-income housing, rehabilitation of derelict buildings, and allowing mixed zoning. Food affordability can be achieved through strengthening local food systems (e.g. Farm to School program) and conservation of farmland. Access to alternative power sources, such as solar and wind, can help lower the price of electricity. Healthcare access should be expanded through federally qualified health centers and increased subsidies for insurance.
I would support easier access to voter registration and voting by helping with transportation, childcare, and paperwork that may be barriers. Nonpartisan voter guides and educational material should be readily available through government websites, public libraries, and government organizations.
While the budget process is complex, it is necessary to ensure accountability of dollars spent. However, streamlining business licensing and ensuring more diverse revenue streams such as the legalization of marijuana and taxing skill games will increase budgeting resources.
I believe the state of Pennsylvania should legislate laws for the protection of land and water in respect to the building and operating of data centers. The Pennsylvania Constitution, section 127 guarantees “the people have a right to clean air, pure water, and to the preservation of the natural, scenic, historic and esthetic values of the environment”. Data centers should not be allowed on farmland, public land, or land of important historical or environmental value. Water usage should be limited to recycled wastewater so as not to use limited fresh water sources, and all electricity used should be produced by the data center (preferably with renewable resources).
County
Perry
Occupation
Magazine Editor and Farmer
Education
B.A. Penn State University
Qualifications
Member of the PA House of Representatives since 2021
Elimination of school property tax; broadband access expansion
Require voter ID each time voting
Enact a Taxpayer Protection Act amendment; don’t spend more than revenue forecasts provided by the PA Independent Fiscal Office.
Local municipalities should have say over land-use planning. State government should not interfere with those considerations.
