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League of Women Voters of Washington CountyWashington County, Pennsylvania |
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FOR ELECTION INFORMATION ABOUT THIS GUIDE PURPOSE AND POLICY OF THE LEAGUE ABSENTEE VOTING ALTERNATIVE BALLOT PROVISIONAL BALLOTS IDENTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR NEW VOTERS WRITE-IN VOTING IN WASHINGTON COUNTY WASHINGTON COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS ONLINE VOTERS GUIDE CERTIFICATION NOTE US REPRESENTATIVE STATE CANDIDATES
ATTORNEY GENERAL AUDITOR GENERAL STATE TREASURER PENNSYLVANIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY
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LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
AND LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF PENNSYLVANIA NONPARTISAN VOTERS GUIDE
GENERAL ELECTION, NOVEMBER 4, 2008 © Copyright 2008 LWVWC and LWVPA - CEF Polls open 7 A.M. to 8 P.M. This Voters Guide may be taken into the voting booth. FOR ELECTION INFORMATION Contact the Washington County Board of Elections, 724-228-6750. The League of Women Voters of Washington County, 724-228-9889, and the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania Citizen Information Center, 1-800-692-7281, also provide election information. ABOUT THIS GUIDE The material in this Guide was compiled by the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania (LWVPA) and the League of Women Voters of Washington County (LWVWC). It may not be altered or reprinted without the permission of the League. Each candidate's reply has been printed as submitted, except to use standard abbreviations and to edit from the bottom when a candidate's reply exceeded the word limit. New paragraphs and the use of bulleted lists by candidates are represented by hyphens (-). The League of Women Voters of Washington County will include in its Voters Guide and Candidates Forums all candidates whose names will appear on the ballot for offices the League will cover in its Guide or Forum. Candidates are listed in the order in which they will appear on the ballot; the party of the governor is listed first. Information regarding candidates for state offices was collected by LWVPA. Its publication is made possible with help from the LWVPA Citizens Education Fund. Voters Guide information is taken directly from candidate replies to League questionnaires. In order to maintain League nonpartisanship and to allow the candidates to express themselves in their own words, the Voters Guide editors have not changed grammar or spelling in the candidates’ replies. Candidates’ replies have been cut after the word limit was reached. Cuts are indicated by ellipses (...). All candidates were given the opportunity to list a campaign website, if any, and one other way voters could contact them for more information (phone number, etc.). Such information supplied by the candidates is listed under the heading “For more information:” This information is made available for the sole purpose of providing voters with convenient access to additional information. Contact information does not in any way represent an endorsement by the League of such candidate or an approval of the information that may be provided by the candidate’s website or campaign. PURPOSE AND POLICY OF THE LEAGUE The purpose of the League of Women Voters is to promote political responsibility through informed and active participation of citizens in government. Its policy is one of nonpartisanship, that is, it does not support or oppose any political parties or candidates, but encourages its members to participate as individuals in the party of their choice. Nothing in this guide should be construed as an endorsement of any candidate by the League of Women Voters. ABSENTEE VOTING Registered voters who are ill or disabled, who are election workers, who will be absent from their municipality on election day, or whose religious holiday falls on election day may vote by absentee ballot. Completed APPLICATIONS for absentee ballots must be received by the county Election Office by 5 P.M., Tuesday, October 28. Completed absentee BALLOTS must be received back at the board of elections by 5 P.M. on Friday, October 31. If an emergency arises (unexpected illness or business trip) after the Tuesday application deadline, call the Election Office for information on emergency absentee voting. Proof of emergency may be required. An emergency application and ballot can be obtained and voted by 5 P.M. on Friday, October 31. Any disabled or elderly voter having questions regarding the accessibility of a polling place should consult the Election Office. ALTERNATIVE BALLOT Alternative ballots may be requested by any registered elector who is handicapped (with temporary or permanent physical disability) or elderly (65 years of age or older) and who resides in a precinct whose polling place has been declared inaccessible. Such electors may apply by mail or phone to the Election Office for an application to receive an alternative ballot, which is similar to an absentee ballot. Completed applications must be received at the Election Office by Tuesday, October 28. The completed ballot must be received at the Election Office by Friday, October 31. Further information is available from the Election Office. PROVISIONAL BALLOTS for ELECTION DAY PROBLEMS - If your right to vote if challenged at the polls - If you are in the right polling place - If the problem cannot be resolved by the judge of elections YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO ASK FOR AND RECEIVE A PROVISIONAL BALLOT. (If it is later determined that you were eligible to vote, your ballot will be counted. You will be given instructions on how to determine if your vote was counted.) IDENTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR NEW VOTERS If you are a new voter or if you are voting at a polling place for the first time, then you must bring your voter ID card or a photo ID such as a driver’s license, student ID or some other form of federal or state government-issued ID. Some forms of non-photo ID are also acceptable, such as a firearm permit, current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, or government check. If you do not have any acceptable ID then you must be allowed to vote by provisional ballot. WRITE-IN VOTING IN WASHINGTON COUNTY (For write-in voting information, check with the workers at your polling place before entering the voting booth.) To write the name of a candidate who is not on the ballot: 1. When the appropriate office comes up on the screen, press the box next to the line for Write-in. 2. An image of a keyboard will appear on screen. Using the keyboard, spell out the candidate’s name. 3. Press Accept and your write-in vote will be entered for the appropriate office, as you will see on the ballot screen. WASHINGTON COUNTY ELECTION OFFICE: (724) 228-6750 Room 206, Washington County Office Building, Courthouse Square, Washington 15301 ONLINE VOTERS GUIDE This Voters Guide can be found on the LWVWC home page: www.palwv.org/washingtoncopa. A statewide Voters Guide and other useful information for voters can be found at the LWVPA home page: www.palwv.org *CERTIFICATION NOTE* As of the publication date of this guide, the slate of candidates listed below is accurate based upon the Pennsylvania Department of State’s Bureau of Elections unofficial ballot. BALLOT QUESTION *** WATER AND SEWER IMPROVEMENTS BOND REFERENDUM Do you favor the incurring of indebtedness by the Commonwealth of $400,000,000 for grants and loans to municipalities and public utilities for the cost of all labor, materials, necessary operational machinery and equipment, lands, property, rights and easements, plans and specifications, surveys, estimates of costs and revenues, prefeasibility studies, engineering and legal services and all other expenses necessary or incident to the acquisition, construction, improvement, expansion, extension, repair or rehabilitation of all or part of drinking water system, storm water, nonpoint source projects, nutrient credits and wastewater treatment system projects? The Electoral College was a compromise written into the U.S. Constitution in 1787, with the result that the President and Vice President are not elected directly by the people, but by Presidential Electors. Electing the President indirectly through the Electoral College rather than directly by the voters was seen by the founders as a hedge against “popular passion.” The number of each state’s Electors is equal to the number of Senators and Representatives a state has in Congress. Pennsylvania has 21 and each political party’s presidential nominee has chosen that number of Presidential Electors committed to the nominee. The candidate receiving the highest number of popular votes gets the state’s entire electoral vote. While Pennsylvanians will choose the Electors and not the President and Vice President at this election, the names of the electors do not appear on the ballot. Instead, the paired names of the candidates for President and Vice President are on the ballot under the heading “Presidential Electors.” All votes cast for the candidates for President and Vice President are counted as votes for that party’s Electors. The Electors, in turn, will cast Pennsylvania’s vote for President and Vice President. (Vote for one) DEMOCRATIC President - BARACK OBAMA Vice President – JOE BIDEN REPUBLICAN President - JOHN MCCAIN Vice President – SARAH PALIN INDEPENDENT President - RALPH NADER Vice President – MATT GONZALEZ LIBERTARIAN President - BOB BARR Vice President – WAYNE ROOT JOB DESCRIPTION Congress, the legislative branch of the federal government, is composed of two houses, the Senate and the House of Representatives. A majority vote by both houses is necessary to pass a law. Every law concerning taxation must originate in the House of Representatives. House terms are two years. The Senate, made up of two members from each of the 50 states, also has the power to approve treaties and confirm presidential appointments. Terms are staggered, with one-third of the membership up for election every two years. Pennsylvania will not elect a Senator in 2008. Term: 2 years Salary: $169,300 QUESTION: What should the federal government do to ensure that every American has health insurance coverage? 12th DISTRICT Parts of Allegheny, Armstrong County, Cambria County, Fayette County, Indiana County, Somerset County, Washington County, Westmoreland County, and all of Greene County. Washington County municipalities include Cities of Monongahela and Washington and the Townships of Canton, Carroll Districts 2, 3 and 5,Chartiers Districts 3, 5, 6 and 7, East Bethlehem, FallowfieldDistricts 1, 2 and 4, North Bethlehem, North Strabane Districts2 and 3, Somerset, South Strabane Districts 2, 4 and 5,Union, West Bethlehem and West Pike Run and the Boroughsof Allenport, Beallsville, Bentleyville, California, CanonsburgWards 2 and 3 (Division 1), Centerville, Charleroi Districts 1,3 and 4, Coal Center, Cokeburg, Deemston, Donora, Dunlevy,East Washington District 2, Elco, Ellsworth, Finleyville,Houston, Long Branch, Marianna, New Eagle, NorthCharleroi, Roscoe, Speers, Stockdale, Twilight and West Brownsville. JOHN P. MURTHA Johnstown D.O.B.06/17/1932 Education: Univ. of Pittsburgh, Bachelor of Science in Economics Occupation: Has served in the Congress since 1974. Qualifications: Retired Colonel after 37 years in USMC. First Vietnam combat veteran to be elected to Congress. For more information: visit www.murtha.org or phone (814)539-8196 Response to question: I fully support the goal of ensuring affordable health care for every American. The rising cost of health care is an urgent problem we face as a nation and I’ve continually looked for solutions. I’ve funded programs to improve early diagnosis and treatment for a wide variety of diseases. This reduces health care costs by keeping people healthier and out of the hospital. REPUBLICAN WILLIAM RUSSELL NO RESPONSE 18th DISTRICT Parts of Allegheny County, Washington County, and Westmoreland County. Washington County municipalities include Townships of Amwell,Blaine, Buffalo, Carroll Districts 1 and 4, Cecil, Chartiers Districts 1, 2 and 4, Cross Creek, Donegal, East Finley, FallowfieldDistrict 3, Hanover, Hopewell, Independence, Jefferson,Morris, Mount Pleasant, North Franklin, North Strabane Districts1, 4, 5 and 6, Nottingham, Peters, Robinson, Smith,South Franklin, South Strabane Districts 1 and 3 and WestFinley and the Boroughs of Burgettstown, Canonsburg Wards1 and 3 (Division 3), Charleroi Districts 2 and 6, Claysville,East Washington District 1, Green Hills, McDonald, Midway,West Alexander and West Middletown. DEMOCRATIC STEVE O’DONNELL Monroeville D.O.B. 11/20/1945 Education: 1971, Duquesne Univ., B.S.; 1973, West Va.Univ., M.S. Occupation: Business Owner Qualifications: Navy veteran; 25 years Executive Director of Non-profits serving children, adolescents, and adults with mental retardation; Managing partner/owner of a private holding company for 9 years. For more information: visit www.electodonnell.com or phone (724) 216-6831 Response to question: I believe that the current health care system is broken and that a new paradigm needs to be created. The new system should be based on these three principals. First, health care should be universal. Next, the system should employ a single payer approach. Finally, the system should be not-for-profit in corporate structure. I also support allowing the Federal Government to use its bargaining power to negotiate the best possible prices for prescription drugs. REPUBLICAN TIM MURPHY Upper St. Clair D.O.B. 09/11/1952 Education: PhD, Psychology, Univ. of Pittsburgh, 1979; MA, Psychology, Cleveland State Univ., 1976; BS, Psychology, Wheeling Jesuit Univ., 1974. Occupation: US Congressman (2002 - present) Qualifications: As state senator (1996-2002) wrote PA’s Patient Bill of Rights. In Congress, serves on Energy and Commerce committee. Co-Chair of both Congressional 21st Century Health Care Caucus and the Congressional Mental Health Caucus. Psychologist. Faculty, Univ. of Pgh School of Medicine. For more information: info@electtimmurphy.com, www.ElectTimMurphy.com; phone (412) 892-8033. Response to question: Our healthcare system is broken. Simply funding a broken system will not solve the problems that result in rising costs and lives lost. With more than $400 billion in waste, redundancy, and errors in our healthcare system, it must be fixed as well as financed. Government must be a driving force for change and the system overhaul must include improving patient safety, eliminating infections, implementing disease management, electronic prescriptions and records technology, and integrated care JOB DESCRIPTION The Attorney General, as Pennsylvania's chief legal and law enforcement officer, represents the Commonwealth in legal actions brought against it, furnishes legal advice to the Governor or any state agency, and prosecutes organized crime and public corruption. The office's law enforcement program includes criminal investigations, drug law enforcement, direction of statewide and multi-county investigative grand juries, and a Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. Other duties include review of all proposed rules and regulations of state agencies and administration of provisions relating to consumer protection. Under the state constitution the Attorney General must be a member of the bar in Pennsylvania. Term: 4 years Salary: $141,565.00 (Vote for one) Question: What specific priorities do you have if elected to the office of Attorney General? DEMOCRATIC JOHN M. MORGANELLI Bethlehem D.O.B: 11/12/1955 Education: 1977, Moravian College, B.A., 1980, Villanova Law School, J.D. Occupation: District Attorney Qualifications: District Attorney – 16 years; Prosecuted Numerous murder cases; PA Commission on Crime & Delinquency – 5 years, President, PA District Attorneys Assn. – 2 years, Special Deputy Attorney General, Special Prosecutor Response to questions: - Pass a gang statute that makes gang membership a crime so as to attack the gangs before they commit their next murder or drug deal.- Address the proliferation of handguns into the hands of criminals, young children and those with mental illness. - Abolish parole for violent criminals. - Crackdown on illegal criminal aliens who have no respect for our laws, commit crime and use fraudulent identities. REPUBLICAN TOM CORBETT Harrisburg D.O.B: 06/17/1949 Education: 1971, Lebanon Valley College, B.A., 1975, St. Mary’s University School of Law, J.D. Occupation: Pennsylvania Attorney General Qualifications: Attorney General of PA – 4 ½ years, Assistant District Attorney in Allegheny County, 3 ½ years, US Attorney, 4 years, PA Army National Guard, 13 years, Commissioner, Shaler Twp, 2 years Response to questions: My top priority is making Pennsylvania a safer and better place to live, work, and raise a family. As Attorney General, I will continue protecting the most vulnerable of our communities such as our children and seniors from those who would do them harm, reaffirming the public’s trust in our elected officials, making sure that our communities are safe and free of drugs and gang activity and protecting Pennsylvania consumers from those who commit fraud. LIBERTARIAN MARAKAY ROGERS York D.O.B: 03/01/1962 Education: 1981, Wilson College, B.A.; 1984, Dickinson School of Law, J.D. Occupation: Attorney Qualifications: Practicing attorney with criminal defense and civil rights experience Response to question: My particular areas of concern are stopping the unnecessary, wasteful prosecution of victimless crimes, abolishing the death penalty, and the protection of citizens’ rights, including defending Pennsylvanians’ right to privacy from government intrusion. JOB DESCRIPTION The Auditor General is responsible for ensuring that all money to which the Commonwealth is entitled is deposited in the State Treasury and that public funds are disbursed legally and properly. the Department performs over 6,500 yearly audits of state departments, government agencies, state hospitals, universities, state pension funds, district justices and institutions receiving state aid. It also audits the approximately $9 billion in federal funds allocated to Pennsylvania programs. Special audits are performed by the department when deemed necessary by the Auditor General or requested by the Governor. Term: 4 years salary: $141,565.00 (Vote for one) Question: What specific priorities do you have if elected to the office of Auditor General? DEMOCRATIC JACK WAGNER Pittsburgh D.O.B: 01/04/1948 Education: 1974, Indiana Univ. of PA, B.S., Safety Management Occupation: Auditor General Qualifications: Auditor General since 2005, State Senator, 10 years (Allegheny Co.), Pittsburgh City Councilman, 10 years (President, 4 years), Certified Safety Professional, 10 years, Marine Corps, Vietnam combat veteran, husband and father, 2 children Response to question: I look forward to continuing to work in an independent and bipartisan way to protect the taxpayers’ hard-earned money and improve the lives of all Pennsylvanians. I will continue to focus on creating jobs, strengthening education, improving infrastructure, and protecting pensions. I am the only candidate with over 30 years of experience in both the public and private sectors watching the bottom line, reforming operations, and protecting working families. REPUBLICAN CHET BEILER Penn Twp. D.O.B: 05/19/1963 Education: 1987, Pepperdine Univ., B.S. Occupation: Business Owner, CEO Qualifications: 20 years of business building, County Chairman, 2 years, Rotary Club of Lancaster, 6 years. As a business builder, I know the value of a dollar and have experience developing systems that promote economic efficiency. Response to question: - Empower our auditors and honor their findings by systematically making more audit results public. - Expand performance audits. - Be an independent fiscal watchdog who does not play favorites; no government department or entity will be off limits as we seek to protect your tax dollar. - Hold quarterly press conferences to report on progress. - Ensure state agencies are receiving their appropriate allocated tax monies and that they are spending those funds correctly while operating effectively & efficiently. LIBERTARIAN BETSY SUMMERS Wilkes Barre NO RESPONSE JOB DESCRIPTION The State Treasurer, as chief executive officer of the Treasury Department, is official custodian of Commonwealth Funds. Fundamental duties of the department are receipt and deposit of moneys received from state agencies, investment in short-term securities of moneys exceeding the daily needs of more than 140 separate funds, management of securities within its custody, pre-auditing all requisitions for expenditure of state funds as to legality and correctness, and payment of state moneys to those entitled to them. Term: 4 years Salary: $141,565.00 (Vote for one) Question: What specific priorities do you have if elected to the office of State Treasurer? DEMOCRATIC ROBERT MCCORD Lower Merion D.O.B: 03/05/1959 Education: 1982, Harvard Univ., AB, 1989, Univ. of PA Wharton School, MBA Occupation: Full-time candidate after 15 years as a financial executive Qualifications: 15 year career in finance. Managed more than 1 billion dollars in assets. Raised money for start-up companies that have created more than 2,000 jobs in PA. Response to question: In these uncertain economic times, it is more important than ever to have a State Treasurer with appropriate business and financial expertise. As a business leader who has managed over $1billion in assets and helped fund startup companies that created over 2,000 PA-based jobs, I will serve as a catalyst for positive economic change. In addition to generating jobs, I plan to help improve pension performance, cut wasteful spending, and invest in environment-protecting technologies. REPUBLICAN TOM ELLIS Cheltenham D.O.B: 07/14/1959 Educations: 1982, Univ. of PA, B.A. (summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa) 1985, Univ. of PA Law School, J.D. (cum laude, Editor, Law Review) Occupation: Public Finance Attorney – Partner, Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll, LLP, 1985- Qualifications: Chairman, Montgomery Co. Board of Commissioners, 2004-07-reduced property taxes, saved $30million; Cheltenham Board of Commissioners, 1990-02 (Chair, Finance Committee); 22 years experience in finance. Response to question: - Use over 22 years of public finance experience to protect tax dollars and ensure financial responsibility in office of Treasurer. Saved over $30 million in debt service as County Commissioner. - Enhance 529 college savings program to make best in nation – Encourage college savings and provide incentives to save, such as matching funds (not taxpayers dollars). - Implement policy prohibiting investment in nations that sponsor terrorism (enacted as County Commissioner). LIBERTARIAN BERLIE ETZEL Ashland Twp NO RESPONSE PENNSYLVANIA
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
The General Assembly, the legislative branch of state government, is composed of two houses, the Senate and the House of Representatives. A majority vote by both houses is necessary to pass a law. Every law concerning taxation must originate in the House of Representatives. Term: 4 years Salary: $76,163 QUESTION: What should state government do to ensure that every Pennsylvanian has health insurance coverage? SENATE DISTRICT 37 Includes Peters Township. Dist. 37 ALLEGHENY and WASHINGTON Counties. Part of ALLEGHENY County consisting of the TOWNSHIPS of Aleppo, Collier, Findlay, Kilbuck, Leet, Moon, Mount Lebanon, North Fayette, Ohio, South Fayette, South Park and Upper St. Clair and the BOROUGHS of Avalon, Bell Acres, Ben Avon, Ben Avon Heights, Bethel Park, Bridgeville, Edgeworth, Emsworth, Glenfield, Haysville, Jefferson Hills, Leetsdale, Oakdale, Osborne, Pleasant Hills, Sewickley, Sewickley Heights, Sewickley Hills and Whitehall and Part of WASHINGTON County consisting of the TOWNSHIP of Peters. DEMOCRATIC AMY JUDE SCHMOTZER Whitehall Borough D.O.B. 11/14/56 Education: B.S. in Nursing, Carlow Univ.. Attended Univ. of Pittsburgh. Occupation: Licensed Registered Nurse; Program Manager/Oncology-UPMC/Pittsburgh Cancer Institute. Qualifications: I am not a career politician. I have real job and life experiences to reform and change Harrisburg. Member-PA State Democratic Committee and Allegheny Co. Democratic Committee. Active in community, charitable and professional groups. Member-St. Elizabeth’s Parish. For more information: phone (412) 884-7661 Response to question: here are 800,000 Pennsylvania residents without health care coverage. 108,000 live in Allegheny County. This is unacceptable. I would introduce a bill eliminating all health care benefits for all state elected officials. This would be a wake-up call to deal with the problem. I would work closely with Governor Ed Rendell who is committed to finding a solution. I would also commit the surplus from the M Care fund. This is a public need we have to tackle and solve. REPUBLICAN JOHN PIPPY Moon Township D.O.B. 12/10/1970 Education: 1992, B.S. United States Military Academy at West Point, NY Occupation: Pennsylvania Senator Qualifications: U.S. Army; PA House of Representatives; PA Senate For more information: phone (412) 854-5007 or email Jpippy@aol.com Response to question: While more research is needed to determine the best way to fund health care nationally, I believe that we can start in Pennsylvania by expanding the AdultBasic program for adults who are uninsured, making adjustments in insurance regulation to make small business and individual policies more affordable, increasing the portability of policies, and reducing the cost of health care by addressing issues like the high cost of malpractice insurance. Term: 2 years Salary: $76,163 QUESTION: What should state government do to ensure that every Pennsylvanian has health insurance coverage? HOUSE DISTRICT 39 Includes Carroll (part), Nottingham, Union, Finleyville and New Eagle. Dist. 39 ALLEGHENY and WASHINGTON Counties. Part of ALLEGHENY County consisting of the CITY of Clairton and the TOWNSHIPS of Elizabeth (PART, Wards 01, 03, 04 [PART, Division 01], 05, 07, 08 and 09), Forward and South Park and the BOROUGHS of Elizabeth, Jefferson Hills and West Elizabeth and Part of WASHINGTON County consisting of the TOWNSHIPS of Carroll (PART, Districts 01 and 02), Nottingham and Union and the BOROUGHS of Finleyville and New Eagle. DEMOCRATIC DAVID K. LEVDANSKY Forward Township D.O.B. 10/16/1954 Education: Elizabeth-Forward High School; 1978, Penn State, BA Political Science and BA Labor Studies; 1980, University of Notre Dame, MA Economics. Occupation: State Legislator Qualifications: Chairman, House Finance Committee; member of Environmental Resources and Energy; Game and Fisheries; Treasurer, Legislative Budget and Finance Committee; Democratic Policy; Reform Caucus, Campaign Finance Reform Co-Chair. For more information: www.levanskyforlegislature.com Response to question: Pennsylvania enacted adultBasic in 2002 which has provided health insurance to over 90,000eligible residents between the ages of 19-64. Currently 50,500 people are covered by adultBasic which received $163 million in funding in the budget. - I voted for Pennsylvania Access to Basic Care, or PA ABC, that would help nearly 300,000 uninsured workers get coverage, lower costs, reward small businesses that offer health insurance to employees and help doctors with medical insurance premiums. REPUBLICAN MONICA DOUGLAS Elizabeth Borough D.O.B. 12/31/1970 Education: 1992, Clarion Univ., B.A. Political Science & History Occupation: Executive Director, Republican Committee of Allegheny Co. Qualifications: Elected to Elizabeth Borough Council 2003. Re-elected to Council in 2007. President of Council Board of Directors-Twin Rivers Council of Government since 2004. Treasurer of Twin Rivers since Jan. of 2008. For more information: Visit www.monicadouglas.com or phone (412) 551-4891 Response to question: We must focus on finding ways to reduce the cost of health care, to provide more affordable health care. Significant medical malpractice reform must be a component part of any plan to lower the cost of health care. In determining a plan, we must work hand-in-hand with hospitals, health care providers, and health care insurers. Finally, we must create tax rewards not tax penalties for employers and employees to get or keep insurance coverage. HOUSE DISTRICT 40 Includes Peters Township. Dist. 40 ALLEGHENY and WASHINGTON Counties. Part of ALLEGHENY County consisting of the TOWNSHIP of Upper St. Clair and the BOROUGH of Bethel Park (PART, Wards 01, 02, 04, 05 [PART, Divisions 01 and 02], 06 [PART, Divisions 01 and 02], 08 [PART, Divisions 03 and 04] and 09) and Part of WASHINGTON County consisting of the TOWNSHIP of Peters. DEMOCRATIC No candidate. REPUBLICAN JOHN MAHER Upper St. Clair D.O.B. 11/04/1958 Education: Duke Univ. (AB, Magna cum laude), Oxford Univ. (scholarship studies), Australian Graduate School of Management (fellowship studies). Occupation: Legislator/CPA Qualifications: 20 plus years of real-world experience as CPA and founder of a successful business. Legislator since 1997 known for fiscal conservatism and initiatives to improve government accountability. For more information: e-mail RepJohnMaher@aol.com Response to question: Pennsylvania has among the lowest rate of uninsured in the nation. (Better, oddly enough, than states that have so-called universal coverage.) Let's build on this success – not tear it down! Compelling the administration to enroll children eligible for CHIP who still lack coverage will improve the rate further. Allowing ALL small businesses to deduct health insurance will help make it affordable. Reducing state obstruction of health insurance competition would maker considerably more affordable options available. HOUSE DISTRICT 46 Includes Buffalo, Canton, Cecil, Chartiers, Cross Creek, Hanover, Hopewell, Independence, Jefferson, Mount Pleasant, Robinson, Smith, South Franklin and the Boroughs of Burgettstown, Green Hills, McDonald (Washington County portion), Midway, and West Middletown. Dist. 46 ALLEGHENY, BEAVER and WASHINGTON Counties. Part of ALLEGHENY County consisting of the TOWNSHIP of South Fayette (PART, Ward 05) and the BOROUGHS of McDonald (Allegheny County Portion) and Oakdale; Part of BEAVER County consisting of the TOWNSHIP of Hanover and the BOROUGH of Frankfort Springs and Part of WASHINGTON County consisting of the TOWNSHIPS of Buffalo, Canton, Cecil, Chartiers, Cross Creek, Hanover, Hopewell, Independence, Jefferson, Mount Pleasant, Robinson, Smith and South Franklin and the BOROUGHS of Burgettstown, Green Hills, McDonald, Midway and West Middletown. DEMOCRATIC JESSE WHITE Cecil Township D.O.B. 06/24/78 Education: 2000, Washington and Jefferson College, B.S.; 2003, Duquesne Univ. School of Law, Juris Doctor. Occupation: Attorney-at-law and State Representative Qualifications: Cecil Township Supervisor, 2003-04; Cecil Township Board of Auditors, 2005-06; State Representative, 46th District of PA, 2006 to present. For more information: Visit www.supportjesse.com or phone 724-859-0665 Response to question: We must make health insurance affordable for every Pennsylvanian, which includes expanding access to AdultBasic for uninsured working families and continuing to support the S-CHIP program to provide care for every child who needs it. We must also contain costs by reducing hospital-acquired infections and using technology to make our hospitals more efficient. It is also critical to stand up and demand that doctors be permitted to make decisions, not insurance companies. REPUBLICAN FRANK P. YUVAN Washington D.O.B.: not available Education: Attended California Univ. of PA and the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. Trinity H. S. Graduate. Occupation: Small Businessman, Martial Arts Instructor and Certified EMT Qualifications: Ran for Republican Jury Commissioner. Assisted on the Steve Toprani campaign for District Attorney. For more information: None available. Response to question: Pennsylvanians should be guaranteed free choice of doctors, hospitals and health care plans. Individuals should be able to deduct from their taxes the cost of health care annually. Most importantly, we should be able to purchase health care across state lines. Care can be purchased cheaper and more efficiently in Ohio, for example, than in Pennsylvania. All health care providers should be required to disclose the real cost of health care to the public. HOUSE DISTRICT 48 Includes Washington, Amwell (PART, District 01), North Bethlehem, North Franklin, North Strabane, Somerset, South Strabane, Bentleyville, Canonsburg, Cokeburg, East Washington, Houston. Dist. 48 WASHINGTON County. Part of WASHINGTON County consisting of the CITY of Washington and the TOWNSHIPS of Amwell (PART, District 01), North Bethlehem, North Franklin, North Strabane, Somerset and South Strabane and the BOROUGHS of Bentleyville, Canonsburg, Cokeburg, East Washington, Ellsworth and Houston.DEMOCRATIC TIM SOLOBAY Canonsburg D.O.B. 03/20/1956 Education: B.S. Management, California Coast University; RT(R)CT, Washington Hospital School of Radiologic Technology Occupation: State Representative 48th District Qualifications: Incumbent State Representative for 10 years For more information: phone (724) 745-6974 Response to question: We need to enact “PA ABC Plan”. This comprehensive package of reforms would provide coverage for all Pennsylvanians. REPUBLICAN No candidate. HOUSE DISTRICT 49 Includes Monongahela, Amwell (PART, District 02), Blaine,Carroll (PART, Districts 03, 04 and 05), Donegal, East Finley, Fallowfield, Morris, West Bethlehem, West Finley and West Pike Run, Allenport, Beallsville, California, Charleroi, Claysville, Coal Center, Deemston, Donora, Dunlevy, Elco, Long Branch, Marianna, North Charleroi, Roscoe, Speers, Stockdale, Twilight, West Alexander and West Brownsville. Dist. 49 FAYETTE and WASHINGTON Counties. Part of FAYETTE County consisting of the TOWNSHIPS of Brownsville, Menallen (PART, District 03), Redstone and DEMOCRATIC PETER J. DALEY, II DID NOT RESPOND REPUBLICAN No candidate. HOUSE DISTRICT 50 Includes East Bethlehem and Centerville. Dist. 50 FAYETTE, GREENE and WASHINGTON Counties. Part of FAYETTE County consisting of the TOWNSHIPS of German (PART, Districts 02, 04, 05, 06 and 07) and Luzerne and the BOROUGHS of Brownsville, Masontown and Point Marion; All of GREENE County and Part of WASHINGTON County consisting of the TOWNSHIP of East Bethlehem and the BOROUGH of Centerville.DEMOCRATIC BILL DEWEESE Franklin Township D.O.B. 04/18/1950 Education: 1972, Wake Forrest Univ., B.A., History. Occupation: State Legislator Qualifications: Elected to State Legislature in 1976, served ever since. Minority Whip - 1988-1990, Majority Leader - 1990-1992, Speaker of the House 1992-1994, Minority Leader 1994-2006, Majority Leader 2006-present For more information: Visit www.billdeweese.com or phone (724) 627-0968 Response to question: Several months ago the House of Representatives sent to the Senate a proposal that we call Access to Basic Health Care, or Pennsylvania ABC. Pennsylvania ABC would expand health care to at least 270,000 working adults, continue the state’s commitment to helping doctors pay their medical malpractice premiums for 10 years, and help small business employers who already offer their employees health care. REPUBLICAN GREG HOPKINS Morris Township, Nineveh D.O.B. 11/16/71 Education: 1994, Slippery Rock Univ., B.S. Occupation: Self-employed Qualifications: Township Auditor, 8 years For more information: visit www.votegreghopkins.com or phone 724 852-1677 Response to question: I support Consumer-Driven Choice so that patients and doctors can make their own health care decisions. An increase in taxes and spending under Rendell’s health care bill is not the answer. It would only promote more Pennsylvanians to be put on a government run program. - We can redirect Tobacco Settlement money and increase Federal funds to bridge that gap for the uninsured. Also, frivolous lawsuits need to be addressed with reforming lawsuit abuse. |
Page posted 10-15-08 and corrected 10-25-08
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