I will be constantly vigilant in environmental matters. Green is not a color I have taken up to run for office, it has been my way of life. This is a passion of mine. There is a great deal that we can do to improve our environment and the lives of our residents. In 2001 we installed geothermal heating and air conditioning in our home. We did it for environmental reasons. Initially it cost us more than a traditional fossil fuel system to purchase and install. The savings and efficiency has been amazing, resulting in a rapid payback. At the state level we can encourage technologies like this to be installed in new construction and added in renovations. Tax incentives and rebates for the businesses that produce these technologies and the people that purchase them would go a long way toward advancing the technology.

Our resources must be protected. Water supplies cannot and must not be compromised by rampant development. Communities must be given the tools to further protect their resources without falling victim to the deep pockets of developers.

This area has seen more than its fair share of flooding in recent years. Pennsylvania needs to look seriously into the reservoir levels in New York and their impact on our area in flood events. Fair buyouts should be available to frequently flooded properties, but not forced on anyone who does not want to participate. We should be sure that we are not encouraging new development in flood prone areas. There must be more effective systems to assist those who are impacted and expedite the relief they deserve. In this area there are still people who have been years in the process and still have no relief.

Did You Know:

• There is a consistent and free source of heating and cooling right under our feet.  Geothermal systems tap the consistent underground temperatures of 50-60 degrees to provide heating and cooling for homes, businesses and schools.  In 2001 we installed a geothermal system in our home for heating, air conditioning and supplementing our hot water.  We need to make it possible for more people to install these systems so they too can enjoy the energy savings that is possible with geothermal.

• The most recent budget includes funding for the energy bill.  This should provide rebates and incentives for clean energy alternatives such as geothermal and solar.  We need to remain vigilant to be sure these funds reach the people in a timely manner to help them install systems that will help them save on energy costs.

• Electric Rate Caps are due to come off within the next two years.  Some companies across the state have already begun the process.  Electric rates are expected to rise anywhere from 30-70%.  READ MORE>

Pennsylvania’s legislators have health coverage while hardworking families, young people and those between jobs at any age are living without healthcare. This situation drags on year after year. The concept of single payer healthcare needs serious consideration. Medical malpractice is a piece of the healthcare dilemma - but it seems it is always a deal breaker. There must be some middle ground. Frivolous lawsuits and huge awards need to be controlled without taking away legitimate claims for compensation due to blatant wrongdoing. This is difficult, but doctors and legislators should be intelligent people, who can work with victims of malpractice, to come up with something that is fair to everyone. Healthcare for everyone in Pennsylvania would be one of my priorities. As legislators we have to get serious about this devastating problem.

Education provides opportunity and opportunity increases self esteem, reduces violence, increases leadership and leads to an informed citizenry. It can be the solution to so many of our problems. Education must be geared to different learning styles and we must work to catch those students that are falling through the cracks or feel outcast from the opportunities that education provides. At the state level we need to stop unfunded mandates, if the state wants programs to be enacted they must provide the funds. Unfunded mandates are an unbearable burden on the local taxpayer. My experience in serving my school district as a parent, community member and board member will allow me to be an advocate for education in Harrisburg.

NO- I am not doing this for the money, I consider this an extension of the public service I have done all my life. I will not support raises for legislators and I am in full support of legislative reforms, including campaign finance reform, open records, term limits on legislative leadership, and a serious look at the structure and workings of the legislature. This is an area that requires courage and the ability to be strong in pushing for change. I am up to that task. READ MORE>