Issues

Affordable Health Care
As I campaign door-to-door throughout the 61^st Legislative District, voters are concerned about the economy, the high price of gasoline and many other important issues facing the Commonwealth, but the issue that seems to worry voters most is our health care system.

      Despite the fact that our area is relatively affluent, many of our neighbors either do not have health insurance, are afraid they might not have it in the future, or they have it, but are being priced out of the market.

      Not long ago, I introduced myself to a man washing his car in his driveway. He told me he was a self-employed mechanical contractor, but could not afford health insurance for him and his wife. His wife was six months pregnant and had not yet seen a doctor. A single mother told me that despite living in a comfortable home, she had no health insurance for her and her teen-aged son. Another woman living in a beautiful neighborhood said her health care payments were more than her mortgage.

      These are just a few of the stories I have heard while campaigning, and it has only strengthened my resolve that access to affordable healthcare will be my number one priority when I am elected to the state legislature.

      There are over 700,000 Pennsylvanians without health insurance, yet Republicans have stymied Gov. Rendell’s health care plan. Massachusetts worked in a bipartisan manner to pass a universal health care plan and it has been far more successful than any projections. We must pass Gov. Rendell’s plan that will be a good first step to insuring all Pennsylvanians. Health care must be accessible and affordable for everyone in Pennsylvania.
Women's Rights
I am proud to have the endorsement of Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania PAC, and I fully support a woman’s reproductive rights. In addition I also support comprehensive sex education programs and access to affordable contraception – two steps that would significantly reduce the need for abortions.

Should Roe v Wade ever be overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court, the question of reproductive rights would be returned to the states. If that occurred, I would fight for and vote to protect a woman’s right to choose.

You can also look at this article about comparing my stance on women's rights with my opponent's by clicking here.
Legislative Reform

LEGISLATIVE REFORM STARTS ON ELECTION DAY

      Harrisburg must be reformed, and the legislature is a good place to start.

      There is no doubt Harrisburg needs to be reformed, but it will not be reformed if voters keep returning those legislators who want things to stay the way they are.

      The so-called "Bonusgate" scandal that hit Harrisburg this past summer is just a symptom of what is wrong with the way business is done in the state capital. There is an environment of entitlement and arrogance in Harrisburg that must be changed, and that change will not happen until those who want to reform our state government outnumber those who want to retain the status quo.

      I will enthusiastically join with reform-minded legislators to make meaningful changes to the way business is conducted in Harrisburg. As a result of the "bonusgate" scandal, I have already said publicly that I will not vote for Democratic leader William De Weese should he run for leadership next year.

      Bonusgate sickened me. Taxpayer dollars should not be used for partisan political activities, and whether De Weese was involved or not, it happened on his watch, and that is not the type of leadership we need.

      I will fight for many legislative reforms when I am elected including:
- More Transparency in government
- Campaign finance reform
- Random selection of members to the ethics committee
- A non-partisan approach to redistricting House and Senate seats
- Eliminating costly legislative perks
- Eliminating the slush funds controlled by the legislative leaders, and redirecting those dollars to education, health care or property tax relief
More information coming soon...