Occupation: U.S. Representative

Age: 38

Municipality of residence: Swissvale

Party: Democratic

Campaign issues webpage

Question: What actions, if any, should Congress take to support, oppose, change or conduct oversight over the executive branch’s push to arrest and deport some immigrants?

Answer: Congress must use its full power to rein in an immigration enforcement system operating with far too little accountability. I’ve conducted unannounced oversight at Moshannon [Valley Processing Center], demanded answers about inadequate medical care and retaliation against detainees, and fought to strengthen congressional access to ICE facilities. But oversight alone is not enough. We have to abolish ICE and end its cruel, inhumane detention apparatus. No president should have unchecked power to tear families apart, deny people due process, or funnel taxpayer dollars into detention for profit. We need an immigration system rooted in human dignity, due process and real accountability.

Q: What actions, if any, should Congress take in relation to the ongoing conflict in Iran?

A: Congress needs to end this war. I opposed it from the beginning, and I’ve supported War Powers efforts to stop unauthorized U.S. participation. The Pentagon now says this war has cost taxpayers $43.6 billion, and families are paying again through higher fuel and shipping costs that show up in the price of damn near everything. That money could be feeding folks, housing families, lowering healthcare costs and investing in our communities. Congress cannot treat war spending like a blank check while telling families there is no money to meet basic needs at home. We need de-escalation, diplomacy and peace.

Q: Do you support changing the federal minimum wage? If so, how high should it be, and why?

A: Yes. I support raising the federal minimum wage, with a path to $25 an hour. For far too long, working-class families have been left behind by a rigged system that rewards the ultra-wealthy and leaves the rest of us struggling to make ends meet. I support the Raise the Wage Act and am an original co-sponsor of the Living Wage For All Act, which would phase in a $25 minimum wage. Nobody working full time should struggle to afford rent, groceries, healthcare or basic needs. A living wage should actually let people live with dignity.

Q: What changes, if any, would you like to see in the country’s voting laws? Are there proposed changes that you oppose? Why?

A: Our democracy cannot work when politicians get to choose who is able to participate in it. I support restoring the full Voting Rights Act, ending partisan gerrymandering, automatic and same-day registration, nationwide early and mail voting, and making Election Day a federal holiday. I also helped reintroduce the Right to Vote Act to establish a statutory right to vote in federal elections. I strongly oppose the SAVE Act and other Republican-backed efforts that would create new barriers for eligible voters. At a time when voting rights are under attack, Congress should be expanding access to the ballot, not restricting it.

Q: Are there actions you believe Congress can and should do to address affordability of basic needs including food, healthcare and utilities? If so, what would be your top priority in that area?

A: Congress needs to decide who this economy is supposed to work for. Families were promised lower prices, but they’re still getting crushed on groceries, housing, healthcare and everything in between. Congress must crack down on price-gouging, stop Wall Street from buying up homes, lower prescription costs and protect Medicaid and Social Security. But we also have to address who gets heard in Washington. When wealthy interests can pour unlimited money into elections, they get to decide who this country works for, and who it works over. That’s why I’ve introduced legislation taking on corporate landlords, Big Pharma and super PACs.

Q: What actions, if any, should Congress take to regulate artificial intelligence and/or data center development?

A: Congress should act now to establish meaningful federal oversight of artificial intelligence and data center development. AI is advancing faster than our laws, creating serious concerns involving privacy, surveillance, deepfakes, energy costs and the growing influence of powerful technology companies. Congress should create a comprehensive regulatory framework that protects the public and ensures democratic accountability over decisions that could reshape our economy and society. Until those safeguards are in place, Congress should impose a federal moratorium on the expansion of AI data centers. Technological progress should serve the public interest, and we should have a meaningful voice in shaping its future.

Occupation: Member of Congress

Age: 42

Municipality of residence: Aspinwall

Party: Democratic

Campaign issues webpage: None found

Question: What actions, if any, should Congress take to support, oppose, change or conduct oversight over the executive branch’s push to arrest and deport some immigrants?

Answer: Our immigration system needs substantial changes, so people working hard and following the rules can earn permanent status and citizenship while we secure our borders.

As for Donald Trump’s gruesome and unpopular mass deportation regime, serious reform is needed. When conducting oversight at Moshannon [Valley Processing Center], Pennsylvania’s largest ICE detention facility, I learned most people there hadn’t been charged with violent crimes. That’s not what the American people were sold. ICE agents have hidden their identities, detained and even killed U.S. citizens, and ignored our Constitution. Congress must put a stop to these abuses and end the chaos on American streets.

Q: What actions, if any, should Congress take in relation to the ongoing conflict in Iran?

A: LIke the American people, I think the Congress should end the Iran War and bring our troops home. Neither the American people nor Congress ever approved Trump’s reckless Iran War, which has cost American lives and billions of dollars, while driving up
gas costs and more right here at home.

My generation of veterans will bear the costs for the disastrous Middle East wars we were sent to; I do not want the same mistakes repeated for another generation of patriotic Americans.

Q: Do you support changing the federal minimum wage? If so, how high should it be, and why?

A: Here in Western Pennsylvania we value hard work – that means everyone who works hard and plays by the rules should be able to afford the good life for their families. It should not require working several jobs to just make ends meet, like the current federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. That is why I support raising the minimum wage through bills like the Living Wage for All Act, which would raise the minimum wage to
$12 per hour in the first year, and then gradually by 2032 (2039 for smaller employers) up to $25 per hour.

Q: What changes, if any, would you like to see in the country’s voting laws? Are there proposed changes that you oppose? Why?

A: The right to vote is sacred, and it is the freedom that makes possible government of, by, and for the people. I support bills – like the Freedom to Vote Act and the
John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act – that secure our elections, end partisan gerrymandering, give eligible Americans more convenient options for
registering to vote and for voting and strengthen voting rights.

Q: Are there actions you believe Congress can and should do to address affordability of basic needs including food, healthcare and utilities? If so, what would be your top priority in that area?

A: We have a lot to do to tackle the cost-of-living crisis, which Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans made worse through the reckless Iran War, foolish trade wars and healthcare cuts. Congress should begin by changing course on those fronts. But that is the floor, not the ceiling, of my ambition. I want to build a country where your hard work delivers the good life – unlocking the American Dream for everyone. That
means being unsparing and vicious against the corruption and monopoly power that ripped it away and made our lives more expensive: from housing to healthcare, gas to groceries, and more.

Q: What actions, if any, should Congress take to regulate artificial intelligence and/or data center development?

A: For those who do not believe in the risk of superintelligence to humanity: Wake up! Even people inside AI companies are sounding the alarm about the risks, and Congress needs to act.

Americans are rightly concerned about data centers — whether it’s about AI, clean water and air, rising electricity and water prices, or lack of local, union labor in their construction. That’s why communities should have the power to reject bad data center construction. I also think it was disastrous for Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” to give tax breaks for data centers while cutting healthcare for the American people.

Occupation: State senator

Age: 43

Municipality of residence: West View

Party: Democratic

Campaign issues webpage

Question: Last year’s state budget was delayed in part over the question of whether the state should increase aid to transit agencies, including Pittsburgh Regional Transit. Would you change state funding for transit? If so, how?

Answer: I’m the prime sponsor of the Transit for All PA Funding Package supported and endorsed by Pittsburghers for Public Transit. This funding package includes the governor’s proposed increase in the percentage of sales tax revenue to transit that has bipartisanly passed the House, a tax on companies like Uber and Lyft, and other small increases to public transit funding mechanisms that haven’t been updated since the early 90’s.

Q: With the federal government aggressively pursuing arrests and deportations of some immigrants, how should state police and other state employees interact with federal immigration authorities operating in the commonwealth?

A: State police policy says they may not stop, search, investigate or attempt to arrest someone based on their immigration status, citizenship or nationality and that an immigration detainer cannot form the independent basis for any detention or arrest.

Q: Do you support changing Pennsylvania’s minimum wage? If so, how high should it be, and why?

A: Yes, it is embarrassing that we have not raised the minimum wage in more than a decade. The minimum wage should be raised to at least $15 and it should be indexed for inflation so the livelihood of working families is no longer a political football for Harrisburg to negotiate over.

Q: What, if any, changes would you like to see in Pennsylvania’s voting laws? Are there proposed changes that you oppose? Why?

A: I’m working on a package of bills to combat misinformation and efforts to undermine our free and fair elections. The federal agency charged with securing our elections has been effectively dismantled and billionaires are buying unprecedented political influence. There are real pressures posing a threat to the future of our democracy.

Q: Do you support the legalization of recreational marijuana? Why or why not?

A: Yes, marijuana should be legalized and safely regulated. It is an obvious source of potential tax revenue and regulation would make its consumption safer for Pennsylvanians than the current system. We should also ensure that those currently incarcerated under arcane drug laws are centered in a plan for reparation for past harm.

Q: Would you change the way the state is handling data center proposals? If so, how?

A: I have a data center going into a community in my district and one of the challenges we are seeing with it is that it directly borders another municipality which had no input on the zoning of the data center. I have authored legislation to invite communities within a 10-mile radius of a data center to be included in decision making. My legislation would require data center developers to invest no less than 10% of the total project cost back into the community through a community benefits agreement. My bill, Senate Bill 724, also prioritizes renewable energy, makes data centers provide their own energy, creates new transparency and accountability measures, and ensures residential customers are prioritized in emergencies and are not paying for data center buildout.

Occupation: State representative

Age: 39

Municipality of residence: Pittsburgh (Brighton Heights)

Party: Democratic

Campaign issues webpage

Question: Last year’s state budget was delayed in part over the question of whether the state should increase aid to transit agencies, including Pittsburgh Regional Transit. Would you change state funding for transit? If so, how?

Answer: I have voted ‘Yes’ on at least five different plans to fund public transit. Despite the rhetoric that public transit is only PRT and SEPTA, public transportation exists in all 67 counties and the proposed funding would benefit those smaller transit authorities to a much greater degree. But I am OK with that because everyone deserves access to public transit. So, yes, I would change state funding for public transit by making the funding permanent, reliable and sustainable. Tax income from skill games, legal cannabis and/or digital advertising could easily be used for this purpose.

Q: With the federal government aggressively pursuing arrests and deportations of some immigrants, how should state police and other state employees interact with federal immigration authorities operating in the commonwealth?

A: For as long as the federal government continues to target not the “worst criminals” but literally any and every immigrant, regardless of their legal status, then it is imperative to state police and other state employees to refuse to cooperate. Immigrants built our nation. They are not the cause of all of the problems. When the government perpetuates injustice, it becomes the duty of every patriotic citizen to resist it.

Q: Do you support changing Pennsylvania’s minimum wage? If so, how high should it be, and why?

A: Yes, I support changing Pennsylvania’s minimum wage. How high it should be is certainly up for debate but I think it’s pretty well established that the floor should be $15 per hour. For me, it seems pretty obvious that raising the minimum wage to a level where people working full time would not require anti-poverty programs would not only help individual families, but also would bring down the costs to taxpayers who are currently providing welfare to businesses that make their profits by relying on government programs to supplement the wages and benefits of their employees.

Q: What, if any, changes would you like to see in Pennsylvania’s voting laws? Are there proposed changes that you oppose? Why?

A: Election Day should be a holiday. There should be same-day voter registration. Counties should be able to pre-canvass mail-in ballots so that they can more quickly release election results. I vehemently oppose voter ID laws because it is a solution in search of a problem — voter fraud is not a real issue in our elections. Voter disenfranchisement is. Voting is a right, not a privilege, and we should make it as easy as possible to exercise that right.

Q: Do you support the legalization of recreational marijuana? Why or why not?

A: Yes. I have the first bipartisan House bill (H.B. 20) to legalize recreational cannabis. Cannabis is not the extremely harmful substance we once thought. In certain ways, it is less harmful than alcohol. People are already flagrantly violating the law and enforcing the law more strictly takes up resources that could be focused on addressing more serious crimes. All other Northeastern states and every state that touches Pennsylvania except West Virginia already legalized and we are watching hundreds of thousands of dollars in tax revenue flow from Pennsylvania to those other states when we could use that money right here.

Q: Would you change the way the state is handling data center proposals? If so, how?

A: Yes, I would actually handle data center proposals. The House has passed numerous proposals to put guardrails on data centers and to help municipalities develop ordinances that would protect their citizens from the negative impacts of data centers. All of those proposals are sitting in the Senate, awaiting action by the Senate Republican majority. Meanwhile, it’s the wild west for data centers and the average Pennsylvanian is paying the cost of the inaction.

Occupation: State representative

Age: 33

Municipality of residence: Monroeville

Party: Democratic

Campaign issues webpage

Question: Last year’s state budget was delayed in part over the question of whether the state should increase aid to transit agencies, including Pittsburgh Regional Transit. Would you change state funding for transit? If so, how?

Candidate did not respond to questionnaire

Q: With the federal government aggressively pursuing arrests and deportations of some immigrants, how should state police and other state employees interact with federal immigration authorities operating in the commonwealth?

Candidate did not respond to questionnaire

Q: Do you support changing Pennsylvania’s minimum wage? If so, how high should it be, and why?

Candidate did not respond to questionnaire

Q: What, if any, changes would you like to see in Pennsylvania’s voting laws? Are there proposed changes that you oppose? Why?

Candidate did not respond to questionnaire

Q: Do you support the legalization of recreational marijuana? Why or why not?

Candidate did not respond to questionnaire

Q: Would you change the way the state is handling data center proposals? If so, how?

Candidate did not respond to questionnaire

Occupation: Vice president, Frankferd Farms Foods, Inc.

Age: 48

Municipality of residence: Richland

Party: Democratic

Campaign issues webpage

Question: Last year’s state budget was delayed in part over the question of whether the state should increase aid to transit agencies, including Pittsburgh Regional Transit. Would you change state funding for transit? If so, how?

Answer: The struggles of public transportation are here to stay. A century ago we shifted city planning away from walking and streetcars and towards automobiles, and in turn we’ve pushed public transit to the fringes. Rather than continue to waste money trying to squeeze a square peg into a round hole, we need to re-envision a plan that compensates for the weaknesses of a car-centric lifestyle; poor mass transit, high gas demand and crowded roads that require a lot of maintenance. Trains complement our driving, not compete with it. Let’s use them to connect the region we all call home.

Q: With the federal government aggressively pursuing arrests and deportations of some immigrants, how should state police and other state employees interact with federal immigration authorities operating in the commonwealth?

A: The litmus test is a simple one. Have ICE or other immigration agents obtained a criminal warrant from a commonwealth judge? If yes, our police should be involved. The security of our communities is paramount and maintaining the order of our justice system is a required aspect to law enforcement. The law must be followed by all, including those enforcing it. This is both a legal and practical consideration. I have no desire to use our officers’ valuable time pursuing non-criminal cases. That’s time they could be spending actually making our great state safer.

Q:Do you support changing Pennsylvania’s minimum wage? If so, how high should it be, and why?

A: A $15 minimum wage is in danger of losing its status as a living wage, but it is where much of the discussion has centered and I believe makes a fine starting point. The United States, and Pennsylvania specifically, are economic powerhouses due in large part to our well-trained workforce. It’s time we remembered that and reinvest into the middle class that built our country into a superpower. For decades I’ve heard flawed arguments about how raising the minimum wage would be disastrous for inflation. Instead we’ve got runaway inflation with stagnant wages, the worst of both worlds. 

Q:What, if any, changes would you like to see in Pennsylvania’s voting laws? Are there proposed changes that you oppose? Why?

A: I was just speaking to my campaign manager about the problem of Pennsylvania’s closed primaries. He registered as an Independent but was quickly dismayed by his inability to vote in the primary elections, a key part of our democratic process. Over a million voters across the commonwealth are excluded, further driving moderate voters away from engaging with our system. Our elections are extremely secure, but if my constituents rest easier knowing that voting ID is required, I am open to discussing this. The caveat is that we must then deliver this state identification, driver’s license, etc. to voters free of charge. 

Q: Do you support the legalization of recreational marijuana? Why or why not?

A: Adjacent states have legalized it and now collect revenue that could be ours. Like any drug, there are risks with consumption, but that is part of regulating it, which is far safer than the wild west we currently have. I am wary of industrialization leading to monopolization, so I’d want regulation that allows for entrepreneurial innovation that allows smaller operators and producers the same opportunities for success in the new industry. 

Q: Would you change the way the state is handling data center proposals? If so, how?

A: While I respect that my opponent generally shares my interest in regulating data centers, I think he made an error in not voting for Rob Matzie’s bipartisan House Bill 1834. If passed, it would, among other things, impose disclosure and clean energy generation requirements (which should be even higher) to benefit all Pennsylvanians. These should be a given, especially considering that we the taxpayers are currently subsidizing data center construction through a sales tax exemption. If AI is the way of the future, I think they can stand on their own two legs. I’m in favor of repealing this exemption.

Occupation: State representative, emergency physician

Age: 52

Municipality of residence: McCandless

Party: Democratic

Campaign issues webpage

Question: Last year’s state budget was delayed in part over the question of whether the state should increase aid to transit agencies, including Pittsburgh Regional Transit. Would you change state funding for transit? If so, how?

Answer: I have voted multiple times for dedicated funding to support public transit in our region and
across the commonwealth by using a portion of sales and use tax revenue. I will continue to support such efforts. I strongly believe that we need comprehensive reform of the funding of transportation and infrastructure in Pennsylvania, including public transit, roads, and bridges.

Q: With the federal government aggressively pursuing arrests and deportations of some immigrants, how should state police and other state employees interact with federal immigration authorities operating in the commonwealth?

A: I am currently one of two immigrants/naturalized citizens serving in elected office at the state or
federal level in Pennsylvania. The only source of population growth in our region and Pennsylvania as a whole is from the immigrant population. I strongly believe that we need to enact legislation that limits state police and state employees’ interaction with federal immigration authorities to when there is evidence of violent criminal activities by undocumented immigrants. Beyond that, it is not a state responsibility to enforce immigration laws.

Q:Do you support changing Pennsylvania’s minimum wage? If so, how high should it be, and why?

A: I have supported raising the minimum wage over a three-year period of time to $15 per hour and indexing to inflation beyond that. Raising the minimum wage is a matter of economic fairness and ensuring that all workers share in the prosperity generated by their labor.

Q:What, if any, changes would you like to see in Pennsylvania’s voting laws? Are there proposed changes that you oppose? Why?

A: I believe that we should be making voting easier for all eligible voters. I support pre-registration of those 16 and older to make sure they are registered when they turn 18, establishing early in-person voting as is conducted in other states, removal of the dating requirement on mail-in ballots, counting mail-in ballots even if they do not include the inner secrecy envelope, paying for postage or waiving postage requirements for returning mail-in ballots, more ballot drop boxes across the county and state, and allowing precanvassing of mail-in ballots. I oppose efforts to repeal mail-in voting.

Q: Do you support the legalization of recreational marijuana? Why or why not?

A: I have supported the legalization of recreational marijuana if it is done in a manner that regulates potency, packaging and marketing. I believe that marijuana is less dangerous than tobacco and alcohol, both of which are legal, regulated and taxed. I also recognize that marijuana is not benign and therefore requires strict regulations as I have outlined.

Q: Would you change the way the state is handling data center proposals? If so, how?

A: The opposition to data centers is related to anger and fears over artificial intelligence and whether the technology is being deployed for the public good. I have supported a 180-day pause to allow local communities to update their zoning ordinances on data centers and efforts to ensure that data center costs are not conveyed to the public, that local communities can
decide if they want a data center or not and under what conditions, and that local union workers are used in these facilities’ construction. I also support repealing the sales and use tax exemption for data center equipment.

Occupation: State representative

Age: 36

Municipality of residence: Verona

Party: Democratic

Campaign issues webpage: None found

Question: Last year’s state budget was delayed in part over the question of whether the state should increase aid to transit agencies, including Pittsburgh Regional Transit. Would you change state funding for transit? If so, how?

Candidate did not respond to questionnaire

Q: With the federal government aggressively pursuing arrests and deportations of some immigrants, how should state police and other state employees interact with federal immigration authorities operating in the commonwealth?

Candidate did not respond to questionnaire

Q:Do you support changing Pennsylvania’s minimum wage? If so, how high should it be, and why?

Candidate did not respond to questionnaire

Q:What, if any, changes would you like to see in Pennsylvania’s voting laws? Are there proposed changes that you oppose? Why?

Candidate did not respond to questionnaire

Q: Do you support the legalization of recreational marijuana? Why or why not?

Candidate did not respond to questionnaire

Q: Would you change the way the state is handling data center proposals? If so, how?

Candidate did not respond to questionnaire

Occupation: State representative

Age: 49

Municipality of residence: Fox Chapel

Party: Democratic

Campaign issues webpage

Question: Last year’s state budget was delayed in part over the question of whether the state should increase aid to transit agencies, including Pittsburgh Regional Transit. Would you change state funding for transit? If so, how?

Answer: Pennsylvania must provide reliable, sustainable funding for public transit. In Allegheny County and the Allegheny Valley, Pittsburgh Regional Transit connects workers, seniors, students and families to jobs, healthcare, schools and essential services.I support increased state investment and a long-term funding structure that allows transit agencies to maintain service, improve reliability and avoid disruptive cuts or fare increases. Public transit is essential infrastructure and an important economic development tool that supports workers, businesses and communities. Pennsylvania should fund it accordingly.

Q: With the federal government aggressively pursuing arrests and deportations of some immigrants, how should state police and other state employees interact with federal immigration authorities operating in the commonwealth?

A: State and local law enforcement should focus on protecting our communities, not acting as an extension of federal immigration enforcement. Dangerous criminals who pose a real threat to public safety should be held accountable and, when appropriate under the law, deported. At the same time, immigrants who are working, paying taxes, raising families and contributing to Pennsylvania should not live in fear because of their immigration status.

Q: Do you support changing Pennsylvania’s minimum wage? If so, how high should it be, and why?

A: Absolutely. Pennsylvania should raise the minimum wage to at least $15 an hour. The current $7.25 wage has not kept pace with rising costs for housing, groceries, healthcare and other necessities. Every neighboring state has a higher minimum wage, and Pennsylvania should not continue falling behind. No one working full time should struggle to afford basic needs. Raising the wage to $15 would put more money in workers’ pockets, strengthen families and support local businesses and communities across the commonwealth.

Q:What, if any, changes would you like to see in Pennsylvania’s voting laws? Are there proposed changes that you oppose? Why?

A: I support moving Pennsylvania toward an open primary system so independent voters can have a meaningful voice in choosing the candidates who may ultimately represent them. I also support same-day voter registration to make it easier for eligible Pennsylvanians to participate in our elections. I would oppose efforts to restrict or roll back mail-in voting, as well as other proposals that create unnecessary barriers to the ballot. Our election laws should protect election security while expanding access and making it easier for eligible voters to participate in our democracy.

Q: Do you support the legalization of recreational marijuana? Why or why not?

A: I support legalizing recreational marijuana in Pennsylvania, but it must be done responsibly. Legalization should include strong safety standards, appropriate age restrictions and safeguards against impaired driving. Pennsylvania should also establish a fair tax structure that generates revenue for the commonwealth without creating taxes so high that they encourage an illegal market. A well-regulated system should prioritize public safety, consumer protections and responsible use while ensuring that the revenue generated benefits Pennsylvania communities.

Q: Would you change the way the state is handling data center proposals? If so, how?

A: I believe local communities should have meaningful oversight when data centers are proposed. In the Allegheny Valley, residents and municipal leaders should have a real voice in decisions that could affect electricity costs, water resources, infrastructure, traffic and surrounding neighborhoods. I support strong state standards for transparency and environmental protection, while ensuring local governments have the authority and information they need to evaluate these projects.

Occupation: State representative

Age: 41

Municipality of residence: McKeesport

Party: Democratic

Campaign issues webpage

Question: Last year’s state budget was delayed in part over the question of whether the state should increase aid to transit agencies, including Pittsburgh Regional Transit. Would you change state funding for transit? If so, how?

Candidate did not respond to questionnaire

Q: With the federal government aggressively pursuing arrests and deportations of some immigrants, how should state police and other state employees interact with federal immigration authorities operating in the commonwealth?

Candidate did not respond to questionnaire

Q: Do you support changing Pennsylvania’s minimum wage? If so, how high should it be, and why?

Candidate did not respond to questionnaire

Q:What, if any, changes would you like to see in Pennsylvania’s voting laws? Are there proposed changes that you oppose? Why?

Candidate did not respond to questionnaire

Q: Do you support the legalization of recreational marijuana? Why or why not?

Candidate did not respond to questionnaire

Q: Would you change the way the state is handling data center proposals? If so, how?

Candidate did not respond to questionnaire

Occupation: State representative

Age: 35

Municipality of residence: Pittsburgh (South Side Slopes)

Party: Democratic

Campaign issues webpage

Question: Last year’s state budget was delayed in part over the question of whether the state should increase aid to transit agencies, including Pittsburgh Regional Transit. Would you change state funding for transit? If so, how?

Answer: Since the last funding package expired without replacement, I don’t think we can keep asking transit agencies to do more without stable state funding. I have voted many times to redirect an existing portion of the sales tax to transit and was a leader in introducing part of the Transit for All PA funding package. However, I am not particularly picky about the exact funding source, but believe that we should fund transit without drastically increasing the tax burden on residents, which is why I tend to support legislation that would redirect existing revenue or would primarily impact non-residents.

Q: With the federal government aggressively pursuing arrests and deportations of some immigrants, how should state police and other state employees interact with federal immigration authorities operating in the commonwealth?

A: State employees and public safety officials should stay in their lane and focus on serving Pennsylvanians and keeping us safe. State employees should be taking steps to resist federal overreach, safeguard Pennsylvanians’ data from inappropriate access by federal officials, and not cooperate with unlawful federal actions.

Q: Do you support changing Pennsylvania’s minimum wage? If so, how high should it be, and why?

A: I do support increasing Pennsylvania’s minimum wage. For me, the precise figure is less important than tying it to inflation moving forward so that it’s not continually reliant on legislators to act. I’ve voted for legislation that [would have] raised it to several different starting points, but would love to see the House leadership team put the bill tying it to inflation up for a vote. There is no reason that wages shouldn’t keep pace with the rising costs of goods and services.

Q:What, if any, changes would you like to see in Pennsylvania’s voting laws? Are there proposed changes that you oppose? Why?

A: I favor open primaries, automatic voter registration for citizens, and more opportunities for early voting. I support other policies that also impact our elections, like limits on contributions to campaigns and full disclosure of all spending meant to influence the outcome of elections.

Q: Do you support the legalization of recreational marijuana? Why or why not?

A: I do support the regulation and taxation of recreational cannabis. It’s already very easy to get a medical card in Pennsylvania and with several states that have legal recreational programs bordering our commonwealth, Pennsylvania residents are spending their money elsewhere. That tax money should benefit Pennsylvanians, not Ohio.

Q: Would you change the way the state is handling data center proposals? If so, how?

A: I have voted many times to change the way that Pennsylvania handles data center proposals, including eliminating any access to state tax credits, requirements around utility use, and giving local communities more power over what happens near them. A corporation shouldn’t be able to effectively dictate the terms of development while residents are left to absorb the costs. I want to make sure Pennsylvania’s economic development policy serves Pennsylvanians, and my voting record reflects that priority. I remain very concerned about data centers and believe that House leadership should give us the opportunity to vote on even stronger protections.

Occupation: State representative

Age: 39

Municipality of residence: West Mifflin

Party: Democratic

Campaign issues webpage

Question: Last year’s state budget was delayed in part over the question of whether the state should increase aid to transit agencies, including Pittsburgh Regional Transit. Would you change state funding for transit? If so, how?

Candidate did not respond to questionnaire

Q: With the federal government aggressively pursuing arrests and deportations of some immigrants, how should state police and other state employees interact with federal immigration authorities operating in the commonwealth?

Candidate did not respond to questionnaire

Q: Do you support changing Pennsylvania’s minimum wage? If so, how high should it be, and why?

Candidate did not respond to questionnaire

Q:What, if any, changes would you like to see in Pennsylvania’s voting laws? Are there proposed changes that you oppose? Why?

Candidate did not respond to questionnaire

Q: Do you support the legalization of recreational marijuana? Why or why not?

Candidate did not respond to questionnaire

Q: Would you change the way the state is handling data center proposals? If so, how?

Candidate did not respond to questionnaire

Occupation: Educational staffing professional, EdD student

Age: 33

Municipality of residence: Elizabeth Township

Party: Democratic

Campaign issues website

Question: Last year’s state budget was delayed in part over the question of whether the state should increase aid to transit agencies, including Pittsburgh Regional Transit. Would you change state funding for transit? If so, how?

Answer: Yes. Reliable public transit is basic infrastructure: It connects people to jobs, schools, health care and local businesses. I support increasing predictable, recurring state operating support for transit agencies, including Pittsburgh Regional Transit, so riders are not repeatedly threatened with major service cuts or unaffordable fare increases. Funding should reflect ridership and community need while requiring transparency and responsible use of taxpayer dollars. Southwestern Pennsylvania also needs better connections between communities outside Pittsburgh, including the Mon Valley and South Hills, where transportation can be a major barrier to employment and opportunity.

Q: With the federal government aggressively pursuing arrests and deportations of some immigrants, how should state police and other state employees interact with federal immigration authorities operating in the commonwealth?

A: State police and state employees should follow the law and cooperate with valid judicial warrants and lawful court orders, but Pennsylvania should not turn state agencies into a substitute federal immigration force for routine civil immigration enforcement. State resources should remain focused on public safety and essential services. People should be able to report crimes, seek medical care, send their children to school, and cooperate with police without unnecessary fear. When federal authorities operate in Pennsylvania, state employees should respect constitutional rights, due process and clear legal limits on using state personnel and resources.

Q: Do you support changing Pennsylvania’s minimum wage? If so, how high should it be, and why?

A: Yes. Pennsylvania’s $7.25 minimum wage is far too low for today’s cost of living. I support raising it to at least $15 an hour, then indexing it so wages don’t fall behind inflation again. Work should provide a path to stability, not force people to choose between rent, groceries, utilities and health care. Raising the wage floor also strengthens wages above the minimum and helps local economies because working families spend more of their income in their communities. Pennsylvania should reward work and stop relying on a wage floor that has been frozen for years.

Q: What, if any, changes would you like to see in Pennsylvania’s voting laws? Are there proposed changes that you oppose? Why?

A: I support practical reforms that expand access while strengthening confidence in our elections.

Pennsylvania should establish true in-person early voting, give counties more time to pre-canvass mail ballots, and create a clear statewide process for voters to correct minor mail-ballot errors. We should continue investing in secure election equipment, trained poll workers and county election offices. I oppose changes that make voting unnecessarily harder without improving election security, including rules that could disqualify eligible voters over minor technical mistakes. The goal should be simple: secure elections in which every eligible voter can participate and every lawful vote is counted.

Q: Do you support the legalization of recreational marijuana? Why or why not?

A: Yes. I support legalizing cannabis for adults 21 and older through a safe, regulated and taxed system. Pennsylvania should allow legal possession, purchase and home cultivation while establishing strong consumer-safety standards and keeping cannabis away from minors. I do not support a state-store monopoly. I favor a privately operated, state-regulated market that gives Pennsylvania small businesses, local entrepreneurs, independent operators and family farmers a fair opportunity to participate. Legalization should also address the harms of past prohibition through appropriate record-clearing and reinvestment in communities disproportionately affected by marijuana enforcement.

Q: Would you change the way the state is handling data center proposals? If so, how?

A: Yes. Pennsylvania should put enforceable guardrails around data centers before communities bear the costs. I support strong standards requiring developers to pay for the power and infrastructure they need, protect water and air, disclose energy and water use, address noise, and avoid shifting utility costs onto residents. Local governments and residents must have a meaningful voice before projects move forward. State incentives should be tied to local tax benefits, community benefit agreements, good-paying union jobs, apprenticeships and responsible energy use. I support making strong statewide data-center standards permanent in law while preserving meaningful local review and zoning authority.

Occupation: Technology sector

Age: 45

Municipality of residence: Bethel Park

Party: Democratic

Campaign issues webpage

Question: Last year’s state budget was delayed in part over the question of whether the state should increase aid to transit agencies, including Pittsburgh Regional Transit. Would you change state funding for transit? If so, how?

Answer: I believe we’ve relied for too long on putting “Band-Aid” solutions together when it comes to transit. I would support increasing state funding and make it more stable. PRT is part of our region’s necessary infrastructure as thousands of our residents use it to get to work, school, events and even healthcare. If we dedicate more funding to transit, organizations like PRT can not only plan better but mitigate the need for major fare increases or cuts to service. Ultimately, we need transit funding to reflect just how important it is to our communities. 

Q: With the federal government aggressively pursuing arrests and deportations of some immigrants, how should state police and other state employees interact with federal immigration authorities operating in the commonwealth?

A: I believe that the federal immigration system has been weaponized in a way that is dangerous and unfair. I support responsible immigration enforcement, but I do not believe that state police or other state employees should be an automatic extension of federal enforcement. I believe our state resources should instead be focused on serving Pennsylvania’s residents, and as such I support prohibiting state employees from assisting federal immigration agents. This also helps to rebuild damaged trust with our immigrant communities, which is crucial for the diversity that makes our state so vibrant.

Q: Do you support changing Pennsylvania’s minimum wage? If so, how high should it be, and why?

A: I support raising Pennsylvania’s minimum wage. The affordability crisis is real and we are severely behind our neighboring states when it comes to the minimum wage. It’s unacceptable that the cost of living gets higher each year, yet our minimum wage hasn’t increased since 2009. I would be in favor of a gradual increase over the next three years to $15 per hour. I believe people work harder when they are happier with their pay. This also means less people have to take advantage of state programs like SNAP, and would provide a boost to our economy through greater spending ability.

Q: What, if any, changes would you like to see in Pennsylvania’s voting laws? Are there proposed changes that you oppose? Why?

A: First, I am a supporter of open primaries, as under our current closed system, many voters can’t truly vote for a candidate that they support without a registration change. I also support expanding earlier mail-in ballot processing times to help speed up the election results. I would oppose any proposed changes that would restrict mail-in voting access or other things that make voting accessible and convenient for residents. We can maintain trustworthy elections while at the same time broadening the ease by which someone can securely vote. 

Q: Do you support the legalization of recreational marijuana? Why or why not?

A: I do support the legalization of recreational marijuana. It is beneficial for the state as it would provide for funds that are currently leaving Pennsylvania. The tax revenue could help us balance our budget as well as help with things like property tax relief, school funding and more. It would also allow police resources to be diverted to crime that has real negative effects in our state. All over the country this has become a bipartisan issue, and with more than 70% of adults in the county supporting legalization, it’s time for us to represent the people.

Q: Would you change the way the state is handling data center proposals? If so, how?

A: I understand that the topic of data centers is one that is moving rapidly. If data centers are to be built, I align with Governor Shapiro’s GRID plan that would require, in his words, the strictest standards of accountability and transparency. I believe that these centers, if built, should utilize union labor and meet environmental and economic standards. Most of all, I believe that this is an issue where it’s incredibly important to involve localities in the conversation as well as the residents who could be directly impacted by data centers. We can’t make these decisions in a silo.

Occupation: Community advocate

Age: 54

Municipality of residence: Glen Osborne

Party: Democratic

Campaign issues webpage

Question: Last year’s state budget was delayed in part over the question of whether the state should increase aid to transit agencies, including Pittsburgh Regional Transit. Would you change state funding for transit? If so, how?

Answer: Finding sustainable funding for public transportation remains a critical issue for our state legislature, and I would support changing the way we go about it. I favor creative solutions like Rep. Lindsay Powell’s legislation that would allow local governments to take part in public-private partnerships to improve transportation infrastructure. Regulation of skill games could be another important revenue stream to support public transit. I look forward to exploring new ways to fund public transit so that folks can trust it to get them where they need to go. 

Q: With the federal government aggressively pursuing arrests and deportations of some immigrants, how should state police and other state employees interact with federal immigration authorities operating in the commonwealth?

A: I believe we need compassionate, comprehensive immigration reform in this country. However, I am very concerned about the reckless and inhumane actions of federal immigration enforcement agencies under the current administration. Their conduct undermines the safety of our communities and the trust citizens have in law enforcement, and it creates undue chaos on our streets. As a result, I do not support any state resources being used to assist federal immigration enforcement operations here in Pennsylvania. 

Q: Do you support changing Pennsylvania’s minimum wage? If so, how high should it be, and why?

A: Yes, I enthusiastically support raising the minimum wage to $15, which is in line with neighboring states like New Jersey and Delaware. It is embarrassing and unacceptable that our minimum wage hasn’t increased since 2009 and is lower than all of our neighbors. In fact, studies have shown that raising the minimum wage would boost our economy and reduce taxpayer subsidization of low-wage work. Plenty of our neighbors depend on minimum wage jobs, and they deserve to make a livable income. Raising the minimum wage should be the first step the next legislature takes to make life more affordable in Pennsylvania. 

Q: What, if any, changes would you like to see in Pennsylvania’s voting laws? Are there proposed changes that you oppose? Why?

A: I support efforts to keep our elections secure, to make voting more accessible, and to increase voter participation. These include early voting, mail-in voting, and multilingual voting resources. I believe 16- and 17-year-olds should be able to pre-register to vote, and that voters who will be 18 by the day of the general election should be eligible to vote in the corresponding primary. I support making the mail-in voting process as straightforward and secure as possible and believe we should find a way for all registered voters, regardless of party affiliation, to participate in primary elections. 

Q: Do you support the legalization of recreational marijuana? Why or why not?

A: We must find new, creative sources of revenue to sustainably fund public transportation, roadway infrastructure, education and other critical state programs without increasing the average consumer’s tax burden. I support legalizing marijuana as one way to do that. 

Marijuana legalization is long overdue, and by delaying it, we miss out on hundreds of millions of dollars per year in tax revenue. It’s critical that these legalization efforts also restrict those under 21 from accessing controlled substances or products, and provide training resources to law enforcement so they can continue to keep our communities safe.

Q: Would you change the way the state is handling data center proposals? If so, how?

A: Statewide regulations that ensure electricity bills never increase as a result of data center construction and corporate greed are the most important pieces of the conversation. I support bills like Rep. Rob Matzie’s H.B. 1834, which would bar data centers from passing energy costs to consumers. 

Municipalities must have enough time to make informed decisions for their communities. Rep. Paul Friel’s bill, H.B. 2496, which would allow municipalities to enact a 180-day pause on data center construction, is another legislative measure I support. Policies like H.B. 2496 provide time to get up to speed on a fast-moving issue, hear from constituents and make educated decisions, which is critical.

Occupation: Attorney, Meyer, Unkovic & Scott LLP

Age: 40

Municipality of residence: Robinson Township

Question: Last year’s state budget was delayed in part over the question of whether the state should increase aid to transit agencies, including Pittsburgh Regional Transit. Would you change state funding for transit? If so, how? 

Answer: Yes, I believe that we need to fully and sustainably fund our public transit by creating new revenue streams. I support Rep. Jessica Benham and Rep. Aerion Abney’s Transit for All funding package, which designates new sources of funding to dedicate to funding our public transit.

Q: With the federal government aggressively pursuing arrests and deportations of some immigrants, how should state police and other state employees interact with federal immigration authorities operating in the commonwealth? 

A: I oppose using state money to fund the Trump administration’s aggressive overreach of federal power. State police and other state employees fulfill vital roles in our commonwealth, and should be able to focus on their jobs to protect public safety without participation in federal actions that undermine the public trust and upset the balance of power between the state and the federal government.

Q: Do you support changing Pennsylvania’s minimum wage? If so, how high should it be, and why? 

A: I support recent efforts by the state House of Representatives to increase the minimum wage in Pennsylvania (H.B. 2189). It’s beyond time that we caught up to surrounding states. I also support raising the tipped minimum; every worker in Pennsylvania deserves a fair living wage, and as costs increase, it is only fair that workers earn more.

Q: What, if any, changes would you like to see in Pennsylvania’s voting laws? Are there proposed changes that you oppose? Why? 

A: I’ve served as both an election protection volunteer and a poll worker on Election Day. I’ve seen firsthand that our elections are safe, secure and fair, and we must stop the unfounded efforts to undermine the public’s trust in these institutions. 

I support increasing access to the ballot by opening up our primaries, allowing same-day or automatic voter registration, pre-canvassing mail-in ballots and increasing the number of drop boxes to make it easier to vote.

Q: Do you support the legalization of recreational marijuana? Why or why not? 

A: Yes. I support the legalization of recreational marijuana with thoughtful regulation. Pennsylvania is surrounded by states that have legalized cannabis. We are losing money as our citizens purchase recreational marijuana in neighboring states. Further, legalization would allow us to ensure product safety, restrict access for minors, and bring transparency to an existing industry. It would also create a new revenue source for Pennsylvania to help fully fund transit or our public schools.

Q: Would you change the way the state is handling data center proposals? If so, how?

A: The biggest concern with data centers are the environmental effects and impacts on already-rising costs of energy. I support Gov. Shapiro’s efforts to regulate the data center industry via executive order, but the state government needs to pass legislation to codify those regulations. I support H.B. 1834, sponsored by Representative Rob Matzie, which would regulate the growth of data centers and protect the power grid while also working to prevent energy cost hikes to Pennsylvanians.

Occupation: Semi-retired business broker

Age: 75

Municipality of residence: South Fayette

Question: Last year’s state budget was delayed in part over the question of whether the state should increase aid to transit agencies, including Pittsburgh Regional Transit. Would you change state funding for transit? If so, how? 

Answer: Public transit is a part of our public infrastructure — it needs to be considered as such, and prioritized. It also needs to be expanded into more suburban and rural communities. I think we need to create a dedicated funding source instead of the patchwork approach Pennsylvania currently uses. The past few budgets have withdrawn money from the so-called “rainy day fund.” This is not sustainable. I will work with transportation professionals to create a system that has dedicated funding and expanded services.

Q: With the federal government aggressively pursuing arrests and deportations of some immigrants, how should state police and other state employees interact with federal immigration authorities operating in the commonwealth? 

A: State and local police should not be co-opted into working for the federal ICE program. I will write legislation to control ICE in Pennsylvania. It is out of control now. Getting criminals off the streets is imperative, and I support that, but arresting and detaining individuals because of the language they speak or the way they look is un-American, and I will put an end to that ICE overreach.

Q: Do you support changing Pennsylvania’s minimum wage? If so, how high should it be, and why? 

A: Yes, Pennsylvania’s minimum wage should be raised to $15.00 an hour and tied to inflation so that it increases automatically. The research proves this does not have a severe negative impact on businesses or inflation. It actually increases business volume because people have more spending power.

Q: What, if any, changes would you like to see in Pennsylvania’s voting laws? Are there proposed changes that you oppose? Why? 

A: Pennsylvania voting laws are fine and working fine. Politicians should quit trying to manipulate voting to their advantage. The cases of fraud and impropriety are so small that it’s not worth debating. If anything, we should expand access to voting so that more people can vote.

Q: Do you support the legalization of recreational marijuana? Why or why not? 

A: I support the legalization of adult use of recreational marijuana. It is probably no more dangerous than beer. This needs to be regulated with the caution, safeguards and restrictions necessary. I also believe this could be a new source of revenue by the state government as the sales tax would create new revenue.

Q: Would you change the way the state is handling data center proposals? If so, how?

A: Data center development can provide a burst of new construction jobs, and our building trades would benefit from that. At the same time, we have to make sure it is done correctly. I would propose multiple restrictions, including setbacks, noise, water use and environmental protections. I am also opposed to any big tax exemptions or tax giveaways to these large corporations. I would prohibit non-disclosure agreements and make sure local communities cannot be bullied. I would also have strict revenue set asides for deconstruction and damages that might now be unforeseen. I would also make it clear that corporate executives could not hide behind corporate bankruptcy laws and are liable for their decisions they make as executives.