Pennsylvania State Representative District 136
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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Robert Freeman
(Dem)
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
Northampton
Occupation
legislator
Education
Easton Area High School; Moravian College, BA History & Political Science, magna cum laude; Lehigh University, MA History.
Qualifications
State Representative, 1982-1994, 1998-present; Majority Chairman, House Local Government Committee, serve on State Planning Board and Local Government Commision; created Elm Street program to revitalize older urban neighborhoods; expertise in smart growth, farmland preservation, land use planning.
Increase the minimum wage, provide for paid Family & Medical Leave, increase funding for public education. Enact my Tutoring bill to provide academic credit to high school seniors and juniors who tutor lower grade students. Promote affordable housing by passing my Lease to Purchase legislation providing a pathway for families to purchase the homes they rent. Build on the expansion of the Property Tax Rent Rebate program that I voted for by allowing for Property Tax Circuit Breakers to ensure property taxes never exceed a set percentage of household income. Enact my legislation for a public option for affordable health care insurance. Protect women's right to reproductive health. Address climate change. Reduce negative impact of warehouses.
Provide for same day voter registration on election day with proper safeguards. Allow for pre-canvasing of mail in ballots up to seven days before the election. Allow early voting starting 15 days prior to election day. Provide better protocols on programing computer voting machines to ensure accuracy. Require the counties to notify electors of minor issues with their mail in ballots so they can be corrected. Increase transparency for viewing the pre-canvasing and canvassing of ballots.
Adopt the recommendations of the Basic Education Funding Commission Majority Report to reduce the volatility in the current basic education funding formula, calculating adequacy targets for each school district and phase in additional funding for poorer school districts to address the court's ruling. Invest in repairing and modernizing school facilities. Examine charter school funding, enacting broader reforms to help school districts save money and ensure funding for cyber charters is calculated appropriately to reduce the amount school districts are currently required to pay. Make investments to grow the Commonwealth's education workforce, investing in student support programs, support staff, and improving the mental health of students.
I have consistently supported protecting women's right to reproductive health. I would support legislation to remove unnecessary obstacles to safe abortion access under current Pennsylvania law.
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