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 Senate consists of 50 members, representing one district each, with an equal number of constituents. Senators must be at least 25 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 Senate develops budget packages, makes taxation decisions, allocates spending, and passes laws (including redistricting in collaboration with the House of Representatives). In addition, the Senate tries officials impeached by the House and authorizes executive appointments. Senators serve on various policy committees that may propose legislation. Term: 4 years Salary: $106,422 Vote for ONE.
County
Chester
Occupation
State Senator - 19th District
Education
Master of Science in Education, Widener University, 1989. Bachelor of Science in Education, West Chester State College, 1974.
Qualifications
Vast experience in public service, including serving as State Senator for the 19th District (2020-current), State Representative for the 156th District (2016 – 2020), Mayor of West Chester Borough (2010 – 2016), and on West Chester Borough Council (2006 – 2010). Longtime member of the LWV!
1. Addressing Climate Change: I’m working to reduce harmful emissions, cut pollution, invest in clean energy, build a climate-resilient infrastructure, protect our air and water from dangerous contaminants, and support environmental justice communities.
2. Defending Reproductive Freedom: I’m dedicated to keeping abortion safe and legal in Pennsylvania and ensuring that reproductive healthcare, including quality maternal, prenatal, and perinatal care, is accessible to all individuals and families.
3. Supporting Public Education: I support investments in all levels of public education, including historic investments in basic education to meet recommendations of the Basic Education Funding Commission (BEFC).
I support legislation to open primary elections to all voters, including the 1.2 million Pennsylvanians who are not registered with a political party.
I support free, safe, and fair elections, including defending vote-by-mail and access to mail-in ballot dropboxes, as well as protecting private voter information.
We have taken steps to expand access to voting, including online registration and automatic voter registration. And I will continue to work to keep voting accessible for all eligible voters, including removing unnecessary barriers to voting and opposing measures designed to suppress voters.
I also support investments in protecting election workers and poll workers and introduced a bill to update the poll worker oath.
I support the Governor's proposed investment of $1.1 billion in new funding to address the landmark Fair Funding decision in the 2024-25 state budget. That includes more funding for early childhood education and special education, as well as nearly $900 million to be distributed in a new adequacy formula as recommended by the BEFC.
I also support key investments in building a strong pipeline of teachers and childcare workers, including increasing student-teacher stipends, establishing a Grow-Your-Own educators program, and helping recruit educators by covering tuition, fees, supplies, or other costs related to teacher training.
I will also continue to oppose measures that divert precious funding and resources from our public schools.
It's been two years since a divided Supreme Court made the extreme decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Tens of millions of women now live in states with dangerous abortion bans. We continue to face a concerted and well-organized campaign to erode access to reproductive freedom and healthcare in the Commonwealth and across the nation.
I will keep fighting to keep abortion safe and legal in Pennsylvania. I support legislation to protect and expand access to contraceptives, remove targeted restrictions and mandates on abortion providers, and codify into state law the personal right to make decisions about health and reproduction, including abortion.
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