Two candidates are seeking the seat representing the 124th Legislative District.

Democrat Taylor Picone will face Republican incumbent Jerry Knowles in the Nov. 3 general election. The 124th District includes parts of Berks, Carbon and Schuylkill counties.

Taylor Picone

Democrat

Town: Hamburg (Windsor Township)

Education: Associate Degree from Valley Forge Military College; Bachelor’s from Temple University; currently working on a master’s in public administration at Villanova University.

Qualifications for office: 14 years in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, including assignments domestically and overseas. Four years as a federal technician at Fort Indiantown Gap, including time assigned to the Property and Fiscal Office managing state and federal dollars in support of the Pennsylvania National Guard. Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certified.

Q: What would your top three priorities be if elected:

A: a) Cap prescription co-pays. Diabetes, cancer, asthma, allergies; these things don’t care about your political affiliation. No hardworking Pennsylvanian family should have to ration insulin to afford car payments. b) End gerrymandering. Our PA state house has been Republican controlled almost exclusively since 1995 including 12 Republican trifectas. My opponent sits on the state government committee that refuses to bring fair districts legislation forward for a vote. c) Addressing the post COVID-19 budget. We have a difficult road ahead of us and we need to both cut costs and generate new revenues without raising existing taxes on individuals and small business.

Q: If elected, what voting reforms would you support to ensure that all citizens who want to vote are able to securely, privately and independently cast a ballot?

A: Voting is the bedrock of our democracy. Our system of government depends on it and participation should be secure and easy. I support making Election Day a holiday, voting by mail as an option, and opening polling places for early voting. These things would make it easier for young people to be more involved as well. America is supposed to be the gold standard of elections and in some states this year people are waiting 12 hours in line to vote! That should disgust and upset anyone who believes in the sanctity of the vote.

Q: While there have been some positive legislative actions recently, partisan gridlock in Harrisburg has taken its toll, and many people feel that Pennsylvania’s state government is dysfunctional. What types of reforms, if any, would you support to make the legislative process in Harrisburg more effective?

A: There isn’t a legislative reform that will solve this problem, and if there was it would never make it out of committee because of the gridlock. Solving this problem will be done by electing new leaders to Harrisburg who are committed to working alongside each other, despite some differences, for the benefit of the people. Our current leaders are all too busy playing defense. We can disagree on things, but we should be able to recognize good ideas and work toward solutions. Voters would rather see a solution they agree with 75% of, as opposed to no solution at all.

Q: Removing blight and promoting economic development are such an important factor in your legislative district. What do you think needs to be done to help the area?

A: Blight is not the disease; it is the symptom of a lack of economic diversity and opportunity, of a drug problem not being addressed, of stagnant wages/fixed incomes coupled with rising property taxes that we were promised would be eliminated. To fight blight, we need to invest in our economic diversity and public transportation that can connect our regional economies and multiply opportunities. We need to stop allowing people who have lived in their homes for 40-plus years to be evicted because our legislators have failed to deliver on any kind of property tax relief or elimination.

Q: The territory you represent is genetically different from one end to the other. How will you balance small-town needs with the needs of the densely populated areas?

A: We saw with the response to COVID-19 that a one-size approach doesn’t work. The ability to balance the differences is being present and available in those different communities. I am committed to holding town halls once per month that will rotate throughout the district and establishing evening office hours to help ensure there are as few barriers as possible for people to share their voice with me. In Harrisburg it means seeking out and building relationships with other lawmakers who have similar districts and multiplying our voice on the floor of the house to advocate for our communities.

Jerry Knowles

Republican incumbent

Town: Tamaqua

Education: Graduate of Marian Catholic High School and Thaddeus Stevens Trade School

Qualifications for office: Former police officer and small business owner, proudly serving the residents of the 124th in the State House since 2009

Q: What would your top three priorities be if re-elected?

A: We must responsibly address the coronavirus to get life back to normal as safely as possible. While the state responded correctly at first to flatten the curve and protect our essential health care professionals, Gov. Wolf has gone too far and failed to lead in a meaningful and transparent way. Because of his failures, hardworking Pennsylvania’s have lost thousands of jobs while small businesses and schoolchildren - and their parents - have suffered. I will continue to stand up for small businesses, restaurants, students and homeowners - to eliminate school property taxes, cut wasteful spending and restore Pennsylvania’s economy as quickly as possible.

Q: If elected, what voting reforms would you support to ensure that all citizens who want to vote are able to securely, privately and independently cast a ballot?

A: I am deeply committed to ensuring every Pennsylvania citizen can cast their vote securely, privately and independently - and that voters know who won and lost in a timely fashion as we’ve become accustom to in modern times. That is why I supported common-sense legislation to allow County Boards of Election to start opening and counting ballots early - legislation Gov. Wolf has said he will veto. I will always fight to make sure each and every eligible voter can vote without extending Election Day to election month or beyond.

Q: While there have been some positive legislative actions recently, partisan gridlock in Harrisburg has taken its toll, and many people feel that Pennsylvania’s state government is dysfunctional. What types of reforms, if any, would you support to make the legislative process in Harrisburg more effective?

A: As a former local elected official and now a state representative I have a long history of working with Democrats and Republicans to focus on real priorities for real people. That remains unchanged in my day-to-day work in Harrisburg and here at home. While there can be disagreement on issues between us, there is almost always common ground to be found if we listen to each other and seek outcomes - not headlines and talking points. I will continue to reach across the aisle to find consensus.

Q: Removing blight and promoting economic development are such an important factor in your legislative district. What do you think needs to be done to help the area?

A: Economic development and helping create good-paying, private sector jobs in our region has always been a product of bipartisan cooperation - involving our legislative delegation, county commissioners, school board members and municipal leaders. I was proud to be involved in the early days of the Tidewood Industrial Park that today is home to over 450 jobs. In fact, right now Highwood USA is actively looking to hire as many as 35 new employees from $17 to $25 an hour - and struggling to find qualified candidates. I also helped launch High Ridge Industrial Park that now contains more than 4,300 jobs.

Q: The territory you represent is genetically different from one end to the other. How will you balance small-town needs with the needs of the densely populated areas?

A: One of the critical issues that must be addressed across the district - from the 7,400 residents of Tamaqua to more rural regions of the district - is access to high-speed internet in every business and every home. Now more than ever remote learning, teleworking and telemedicine are part of everyday life - and likely will continue to be well into the future. We must do more to bridge this divide, which is why I voted in favor of legislation to encourage telecommunication providers to invest in broadband equipment and additional legislation specific to expanding broadband access in rural areas through electric cooperatives.