Pennsylvania State Representative District 176
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.
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Thomas Kucer
(Dem)
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Jack Rader
(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
Monroe
Occupation
Union Sheet Metal Worker
Education
Bachelors - Construction Management (National Labor College)
Qualifications
23 year resident in the 176 district. Bachelors Degree Construction Management, 43 year Union Member, Aquashicola-Pohopoco Watershed Conservancy member. Supporter of Indivisible Poconos events
Our district is in a stranglehold from the outlying areas. Data Centers and Warehouses are destroying our natural resources (air & water supplies), diminishing our greenery, wildlife, & farmlands in the 176. As a Representative I promise to put stricter guardrails on DC's and Warehouses before they get to the County and Township boards. DC's using Pa funding must adhere to Prevailing Wage laws and invest in our community by using an accredited apprenticeship so our younger generation will be productive in the community after the DC's are built and the contractors have moved on to other areas of the State. New and existing warehouses should have filtered drainage systems to flow back into our waterway resources along with Solar panels.
As a thirty year resident in the Poconos, I've never encountered any issues during the election process. I believe our Constables at the polls do a fantastic job of providing security. Access at the polling location in Hamilton North is well organized and I feel secure voting there.
The House needs to find common ground, there has to be a starting point to work from. In all probability both sides have well intentions for the State. Fiscal responsibility should be the utmost priority. The taxpayer's needs should be respected as we continue to grow the Commonwealth. Instead of the Senate waiting for the House proposal, why can't both branches work on their own budgets simultaneously and present them to their counterparts in a timely manner, from there, mediation can begin just like in any standard contract negotiation. I believe this would shorten the timespan by eliminating the wait period between the two branches and stop the back and forth process that can take weeks for decisions to further delay the process.
State legislature should most definitely enact guardrails on these DC's because most of the impacts affect other communities. Water contamination from a proposed facility in Ross Twp. flows down the Aquashicola Creek into the main water supply in Bethlehem, it becomes no longer a Ross Twp's problem. State and municipalities should work together, one should not enforce codes and ordinances in their own zones if the issues concern other municipalities.
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