District 176

Chestnuthill, Eldred, Jackson, Pocono, Polk, Tobyhanna and Tunkhannock townships and Mount Pocono

Term: 2 years

Salary: $90,335

Claudette Williams

Democrat

County: Monroe

Address: Mount Pocono

Education: Bachelor in Business Management Health Care Management/ Human Resources

Qualifications: President of Council for the borough of Mount Pocono, 30 years sergeant major, retired, U.S. Army.

Online: http://claudette4pa176.org, http://Claudette Williams for PA 176TH, http://@VoteClaudettePA

Q: What are your top three priorities if you are elected?

A: My top three priorities once elected is to work on a plan for property tax relief/funding education, sustainable wages and health care.

Q: Access to the ballot box is one of the most important rights for a citizen. Although Pennsylvania recently modernized its election code, there are other reforms that would further modernize Pennsylvania’s elections. If elected, what 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 will support expanding voting rights and making voting easier through means such as automatic voter registration, expanded early vote, and restoring voting rights to the formerly incarcerated; and by opposing new voter ID requirements and other forms of voter suppression. I would support legislation that would allow for youth preregistration, this allows young people ages 16 and 17 to complete a registration form, ensuring that they are on the voter roll. As well, I would work to expand the VBM system so that every Pennsylvanian automatically receives a VBM ballot for every election.

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: One of the biggest ways I believe Harrisburg could be more effective is if we could cut through all the political money in Harrisburg. All too often, pieces of legislation are blocked or delayed because of niche business interests of big money politics - even if the legislation is in the best interest of the people. I think we need to work harder to have transparency in our state government, and with transparency comes accountability. I am happy to know that the filibuster does not exist in Harrisburg, but there are certainly other ways to make the legislative process more effective. Largely, that means electing effective legislators!

Q: Do you support a state constitutional amendment to form an independent commission to redraw congressional and legislative districts? Why or why not?

A: I do support an independent commission to redraw congressional and legislative districts. Nothing is more fundamental to our society than the right to vote. Unfortunately, too often politicians or political parties try to gain advantage by disenfranchising voters by partisan tricks such as gerrymandering that upend the will of the voters. I will vote to support efforts to end partisan gerrymandering by creating clear guidelines or processes to protect the integrity of elections. We should be choosing our representatives, not the other way around.

Q: 2020 marks the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. However, many barriers still exist for people with disabilities. What will you do as a state legislator to improve accessibility for people with disabilities across the commonwealth?

A: I will join the fight to continue to fight for Disability Employment Initiative supporting job-driven approaches to equip people with disabilities to obtain in-demand jobs, increase earnings and advance their careers, while supporting accessibility. Thankfully, the ADA continues to be law, ensuring people with disabilities can access certain accommodations to work and live in society. I will work to help strengthen the ADA by removing barriers that restrict people with disabilities. I will support policies that support the transition of people with disabilities from school to a job, and abolish the sub-minimum wages. We also need to strengthen resources for these people so they can fully access our economy, health care and physical space.

Jack Rader

Republican incumbent

County: Monroe County

Address: Reeders

Education: Susquehanna University: Bachelor’s in business admin graduate, Pocono Mountain High School

Qualifications: Currently serve as state representative. Former Jackson Township supervisor, small-business man for 30 years

Online: http://jackrader.com, http://facebook.com/electjackrader

Q: What are your top three priorities if you are elected?

A: The first most important issue we must focus upon is responsibly addressing COVID-19 so we can safely return life to normal, get people back to the jobs they need and save our small businesses - all while protecting the health of our citizens. Second, the ongoing fight for property tax elimination that is so needed by the homeowners of Monroe County and Pennsylvania. Third is meeting the financial challenges our state faces from the impact of COVID without raising taxes on our citizens when they can least afford it.

Q: Access to the ballot box is one of the most important rights for a citizen. Although Pennsylvania recently modernized its election code, there are other reforms that would further modernize Pennsylvania’s elections. If elected, what 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 supported the recent election reforms, including shortening the voter registration time before an election, requiring hand-marked ballots, and allowing no-excuse absentee ballot voting. There are certainly other reforms that can be made to encourage voting (such as preregistering of 17-year-olds who will be 18 at time of election), and these should be considered in concert with efforts to stop voter fraud to ensure the integrity of our elections.

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: Good government doesn’t always mean seamless action, and debating ideas and approaches to issues is not necessarily gridlock, but the basis of our form of government. Of course there are reforms (i.e. limiting length of committee chairmanships, requiring more public input time to legislation) that could be enacted. However, now more than ever our goal must be to work together and focus on taking the steps necessary to safely restart our economy and every day life after the coronavirus crisis.

Q: Do you support a state constitutional amendment to form an independent commission to redraw congressional and legislative districts? Why or why not?

A: I support the idea of a redistricting commission provided that the commission truly removes politics from the process. When redistricting occurs, we should make sure that new districts are compact, contiguous, and do not take into account incumbency or party registration of electors.

Q: 2020 marks the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. However, many barriers still exist for people with disabilities. What will you do as a state legislator to improve accessibility for people with disabilities across the commonwealth?

A: The ADA provided more freedom and opportunity for disabled Americans and has continued to be improved upon over the past three decades. As a legislator, I would work with advocates for the disabled to investigate and pass possible additional improvements. In addition to helping address the unique issues individuals with disabilities face, the best thing we can do today for all Americans - disabled or not - is ensure they have access to good jobs and the ability to retain the money they earn. That is why my immediate focus in the Legislature will be restarting Pennsylvania’s economy and bringing strong fiscal discipline to Harrisburg to protect taxpayers.

District 189

Barrett, Hamilton, Middle Smithfield, Ross and Smithfield townships, Stroud township’s 7th precinct, Delaware Water Gap and Pike County’s Delaware, Lehman and Porter townships

Term: 2 years

Salary: $90,335

Adam Rodriguez

Democrat

County: Monroe

Address: East Stroudsburg

Education: Midland Park High School Graduate. Attended the Rhode Island School Of Design and School of Visual Arts in New York City. Graduated from the New York District Council of Carpenters Joint Apprenticeship Program

Qualifications: Exceptional leadership, management and interpersonal relationship qualities.

Online: http://adamforpa.com/, http://www.facebook.com/pg/adamforpa/posts, http://twitter.com/AdamForPA

Q: Access to the ballot box is one of the most important rights for a citizen. Although Pennsylvania recently modernized its election code, there are other reforms that would further modernize Pennsylvania’s elections. If elected, what 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 would support allowing eligible citizens to both register or change their registration status and cast a ballot on the day of a primary or election. I would allow 16- and 17-year-olds to preregister to vote. I would allow 17-year-olds who will be 18 years old on or before the date of a general election to register and vote for candidates in the corresponding primary. I would support automatic voter registration and universal automatic voter registration, as long as the process adequately addresses concerns over mistakenly registering noncitizens and others who are ineligible. Those who are preregistered should be able to opt out if they so desire, and they should be able to provide information that was missing on their voter registration.

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: I support the use of joint hearings; access to all pertinent information on executive programs through periodic reports of departments, agencies, and commissions; The use of a simple majority for Senate confirmation of all gubernatorial appointees, including those appointed to the judiciary and to state regulatory positions; changes in the rules of procedure that would limit the number of bills each legislator could introduce; set a deadline after which only bills addressing an emergency could be introduced; providing for an automatic calendar. Setting a limit of 5 legislative days for the Appropriations Committee to release bills requiring fiscal notes; Provide for committee membership that more closely reflects the ratio of party members

Q: Do you support a state constitutional amendment to form an independent commission to redraw Congressional and legislative districts? Why or why not?

A: Yes, an amendment to the Pennsylvania Constitution would put reapportionment of both congressional and General Assembly districts into the hands of a nonpartisan citizens committee that would redraw district lines determined by population of all voting districts, with additional consideration given to compact and contiguous territory and with respect given to municipal boundaries. It would be fairer and with no consideration for incumbency, party registration or other political agendas.

Q: 2020 marks the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. However, many barriers still exist for people with disabilities. What will you do as a state legislator to improve accessibility for people with disabilities across the commonwealth?

A: I would provide permanent absentee ballots for voters with disabilities who voluntarily wish to vote absentee. I would require the use of voting equipment accessibility for disabled. I would promote registration by mail and the use of electronic voting devices, and laws to make it easier for the disabled and the elderly to vote. I would provide DREs for disabled as required by HAVA, and I would allow the use of “curbside voting.” Curbside voting will allow a voter with a disability to vote at his or her assigned polling place by paper ballot or other means, but outside of the building where the polling place is located.

Rosemary Brown

Republican incumbent

County: Monroe/Pike

Address: Tannersville

Education: University of Scranton 1992 B.A. Communication Minors: Business, English

Qualifications: Real-world business/management/sales experience, mother of three, resident of Monroe County for 45 years, current state representative

Online: http://BrownForRep.com, http://Rosemary Brown for State Representative

Q: Access to the ballot box is one of the most important rights for a citizen. Although Pennsylvania recently modernized its election code, there are other reforms that would further modernize Pennsylvania’s elections. If elected, what reforms would you support to ensure that all citizens who want to vote are able to securely, privately and independently cast a ballot?

A: As representative, I voted for the recent state election reforms, including shortening the voter registration time before an election, requiring hand-marked ballots and allowing no excuse absentee ballot voting. There are certainly other reforms that can be made to encourage voting (such as preregistering of 17-year-olds who will be 18 at the time of an election), and these should be considered in concert with efforts to stop voter fraud to ensure integrity of our elections.

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: Our government is based on the idea of debating and how we approach issues. Because of this, “good government” does not always equal seamless action. Even with this in mind, there are reforms (I.e. limiting length of committee chairmanships, requiring more public input time to legislation) that could be enacted. Now more than ever however, our goal must be to work together and focus on staying healthy and in taking the steps necessary to safely restart our economy after the coronavirus crisis. We must also ensure the balance of power in government, intended by our founder to guarantee that no single politician can unilaterally make decisions without transparency that affects millions of Pennsylvanians.

Q: Do you support a state constitutional amendment to form an independent commission to redraw congressional and legislative districts? Why or why not?

A: I am, and have been a sponsor of legislation to create an independent redistricting commission and will continue that effort provided the commission truly removes politics from the process. When redistricting occurs, we should make sure that new districts are compact, contiguous, and do not take into account incumbency or any party registration of electors.

Q: 2020 marks the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. However, many barriers still exist for people with disabilities. What will you do as a state legislator to improve accessibility for people with disabilities across the commonwealth?

A: The ADA provided more freedom and opportunity for disabled Americans and has continued to be improved upon over the past three decades. As representative, I will continue to work with advocates for the disabled, strengthening independent living and opportunities as well as investigating measures for additional improvements. In addition to legislative efforts, I will continue to help build and facilitate relationships and opportunities within our local community with business partners and others, to improve job placement, accessibility and more for people with disabilities.