Pennsylvania State Representative District 187
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 years Salary: $106,422 Vote for ONE.
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Stefanie Rafes
(Dem)
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Gary Day
(Rep)
What do you see as the most pressing issues facing Pennsylvanians, and how would you address them?
What changes would you support making to Pennsylvania’s voting laws to expand access, ensure security, and support local election officials and processes?
What legislation would you support to comply with the Commonwealth Court's ruling that Pennsylvania’s school funding system is unconstitutional and must be reformed?
What changes, if any, would you support making to Pennsylvania’s abortion laws?
County
Lehigh
Occupation
Physician Assistant
Education
Bachelor of Science, Physician Assistant Studies
Qualifications
As a Physician Assistant for the last 20 years, I have developed the skills to work collaboratively, and think critically. I am a problem solver who leads and advocates with compassion and empathy. I am able to assess complex situations and take decisive action to ensure positive outcomes.
First, a significant issue affecting Pennsylvanians is financial stress as we combat inflation. While the economy recovers, it is essential that we work together to provide support to small businesses, create job opportunities, and implement measures to stimulate growth in our Commonwealth. Second, the lack of affordable healthcare options continues to be a concern for many Pennsylvanians. We must work towards improving healthcare affordability, lowering medication costs and expanding access to essential services. Finally, we cannot ignore the inadequate funding of our education system. PA ranks among the lowest in the country for state funding per student. We must prioritize education and invest in our students, teachers and staff.
The most significant way we can expand voting access in Pennsylvania is by allowing unaffiliated voters to vote in primary elections. Independent voters are the fastest growing cohort, yet they cannot participate in choosing candidates in the primaries, leaving voters of each party alone to pick their candidates. To ensure election security, we must invest in modern and secure voting technology. A paper ballot system makes for easy auditing since there is a verifiable paper trail. Election officials must be appropriately trained on best practices for safeguarding sensitive data. We can enhance transparency and accountability by conducting audits to verify the accuracy of election results, and to detect discrepancies and irregularities.
I would support the basic education funding commission. We must ensure equitable education funding for all students across the Commonwealth. Disparities in funding undermine the quality of education for students in underfunded districts which perpetuates systemic inequalities in the Commonwealth. We will need to address the root causes of the funding disparities, such as over-reliance on local property taxes. Growing districts such as East Penn and Parkland need resources to adequately accommodate the student populations and reduce the burden on property taxes. By implementing a fair and transparent funding formula, and complying with the court's ruling, we can ensure that all children in Pennsylvania have equal access to quality education.
The right to abortion is not guaranteed in Pennsylvania's constitution. I support enshrining a statute of protection for abortion as a fundamental right. I will always advocate for a woman's right to control her own body and make her own healthcare decisions. The government should not be in exam rooms or have the ability to access confidential medical information. Currently, only physicians can provide abortions and not other qualified healthcare professionals. As a Physician Assistant, I understand that many rural communities may only have access to an allied health provider such as a PA/NP or Midwife. Expanding the pool of available providers would increase access and reduce wait times, while still providing safe and high quality care.
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