Pennsylvania State Representative District 174
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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Ed Neilson
(Dem)
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No candidate filed
(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
Philadelphia
Occupation
Electrician
Education
St. Joseph’s University Comey Institute, Apprenticeship Training Electrical Institute (ATEI),Abraham Lincoln High School
Qualifications
Elected by the District - Everyone is qualified in their own way to run for office.
The most pressing issues facing residents of my district are the day-to-day quality of life concerns that directly impact families, neighborhoods, and local businesses. These challenges are constant and require ongoing attention. Everything from policing concerns to potholes the residents of 174th district expect their government to be responsive, accessible, and effective. In a city, challenges like public safety, road conditions, and reliable services require constant attention. While many fall under local government, I serve as a bridge, ensuring residents voices and concerns are addressed timely. All while I remain focused on statewide priorities like fair education funding, infrastructure investment, and responsible us
Access and security, while related, require different approaches. We should always work to make voting more accessible so every eligible citizen can participate, but that must be balanced with strong safeguards to protect election integrity. There is a cost to doing both well, but it’s necessary. Looking ahead, I can envision secure electronic voting options supported by verified identification. As we advance technologies like electronic driver’s licenses and ID cards, our election systems should modernize too—improving access while maintaining trust and security in the process.
It is the only process that is defined in the PA Constitution. Every year it seems to be getting more difficult and there needs to be a time that the legislators cease to get paid until a full budget is passed. That includes receiving back pay, it shouldn't happen.
Passing a budget is the only responsibility explicitly defined in the Pennsylvania Constitution, yet each year the process seems to become more difficult and prolonged. I believe there must be greater accountability. Legislators should not continue to receive pay when a full budget is not in place and that should include eliminating any retroactive back pay once an agreement is reached. Each chamber elects leadership to negotiate and deliver results. If they are unable to fulfill that responsibility, there should be consequences. This approach would help restore urgency, accountability, and public trust in the process.
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