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.
County
Allegheny
Occupation
Policy Analyst
Education
The Catholic University of America - M.S., Business, Busch School of Business & B.A., Philosophy, St. Thomas Aquinas School
Qualifications
United States Small Business Administration Human Resource Specialist, US Govt. Level 5 Security Clearance; Teacher - Early Childhood Development; Legal Intern for Pittsburgh Law Firm; Staff Auditor for CPA Firm; Wrote & Published 9 News-Based Blogs; Restaurant Server
Pennsylvanians in the 38th District and surrounding communities face an ongoing issue of small businesses moving away from the area and taking well-paying jobs with them. I will incentivize businesses to come to our district by using my knowledge from the U.S. Small Business Administration and power within the State House to administer low-interest rate loans and rezone critical areas in the neighborhoods to be more accommodating. I will also work with the community college in the district to incentivize residents to further their career prospects and build a better future for our residents.
The first thing the state can do when it comes to voting access and security is to continue funding county election departments so that they have the necessary resources to facilitate fair and impartial elections. Next, with an influx of residents who speak and read different languages, it is essential to accommodate these different needs. Funding should be prioritized to provide translation devices and literature at polling places.
I will only support legislation that fixes the broken system that currently funds our schools. This legislation needs to be fair and on solid footing that ensures each community of every means receives its due share. However, every community is different, just like every school and every student. This is why I support funding allowing every student to receive an Individual Education Plan. These plans will ensure that the students, teachers, and guardians remain on the same page regarding the child's educational path.
The first step to protecting the right to family planning is writing it into the state constitution. I will then eliminate the 24-hour waiting period for people seeking medical treatment. A thorough conversation between them and their medical provider is sufficient to determine all options and if they are there of their own free will. The inconvenience of taking additional time away from their responsibilities and spending time and finances on travel will deter vulnerable populations from making the right decision for them. I will also offer a robust sexual education program throughout my district that encompasses all ages and appropriate topics.
County
Allegheny
Occupation
Educator
Education
I have a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education from Duquesne University and a Master’s degree in School Counseling from Westminster College.
Qualifications
Public Educator (2009 - Current), West Mifflin Borough Councilman (2018 - Current), South Hill Area Council of Government Member (2018 - 2022), West Mifflin Community Foundation Board Member (2014-2018) & Council Liaison (2018 - Current)
Education, providing jobs, and keeping our community safe. Education is the root of all opportunity. Right now, our public schools are being unlawfully underfunded here in Pennsylvania. My first priority is fixing that budget gap. After we fund our schools, we must make sure that our community has good paying jobs. The best way we can do that is to expand the union way of life. Organized labor built Allegheny County, and we have to support it. Finally, to keep our community safe we need to better support our first responders. Our local volunteer fire departments are seeing some especially challenging circumstances right now. They need state help and investments.
I think we have made a lot of progress in recent years, but there is still work to do. First, I would enact same day voter registration. Arbitrary deadlines should not stop our citizens from participating in elections. A person should be able to register and vote all on the same day. Second, I would make sure the state is providing adequate resources to county election departments. Local budget shortfalls should never be allowed to harm the security of our elections. Finally, I would look into legislation to crack down on threats made against election officials. No one should be able to intimidate the hardworking men and women who make our Democracy work.
I am in support of the proposed Pennsylvania constitutional amendment to change our state income tax to a progressive format, making it more fair and equitable. This will benefit public education and help fill the funding gap. We also should be willing to tap into the rainy day fund. The fund currently sits at a massive 6.1 billion dollars. We can’t use all of that to address the education shortfall, but it is the public’s money and the education of our children should be one of the state’s top priorities.
There must be an explicit guarantee for the right to an abortion in Pennsylvania law. Preferably, this would come in the form of a constitutional amendment, but failing that, legislation should be passed to the same effect. We are fortunate that our current state court system leans towards recognizing the right to an abortion, but as we saw on the federal level, the courts may fail in the future to uphold that right. We also must make sure that no Pennsylvanian or other American will be punished by other states for exercising their rights here in the Commonwealth.
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