Election 2022: Your guide to the race for the 145th state House district
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Republican incumbent Craig Staats faces an election challenge from Democrat Jim Miller in the 145th state House race.
Here's where the candidates stand on the issues.
Jim Miller
Party: Democratic
Occupation: Retired
Town of residence: West Rockhill
Q: What steps would you take to reduce polarization?
As a former West Rockhill Township Supervisor, I gained the reputation of meeting and working with everyone to find a workable solution. When elected to the PA State House, my goal is to be an effective legislator by learning the most pressing concerns of constituents through interactive town halls and working collaboratively to address those needs.
How would you handle legislation regarding abortion?
Decisions concerning a woman’s reproductive health care should be made by the woman herself. There are many reasons why a woman will have to choose, but the government should not be enacting a one-size-fits-all solution.
How can we fund needed road and bridge improvements?
To date, Pennsylvania, through the Federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, has been allocated $2.2 billion in highway formula funding and $353 million in dedicated funding for bridges in 2022. In addition, Pennsylvania will receive more than $73 million through the Appalachian Highway Program in 2022.
What, if any, reforms to Pennsylvania's election law would you support?
In the 2020 election there were only 26 potential voter fraud cases in PA, and the security and accuracy of our election process was proven through court cases and recounts. I support pre-canvassing of mail-in ballots as it would provide for more timely election results. I also support automatic renewal of mail-in ballots, expanding online registration, extended registration deadlines, and early voting.
Would you seek the adoption of any new gun control measures? If yes, what? If no, why not?
As a gun owner I believe in responsible ownership and common sense gun legislation. We must insure the public is safe, and understand not everyone should be entitled to carry a weapon. There are those with mental health issues, previous convictions, or a history of violent acts that should disqualify gun ownership.
How would you position Pennsylvania to be a leader on environmental issues?
As Chairman of the West Rockhill Twshp. Board of Supervisors I led the purchase and installation of a solar array that now produces 100% of the municipality's electricity. The first in Pa to do so. The township cut carbon emissions by 155,000 lbs in the first year and will save $500,000 over the life of the system. I have spoken with more that 250 visitors from Bucks and all surrounding counties and many other municipalities are using this as their model. I will take this message to Harrisburg.
What should Pennsylvania’s minimum wage, now set at $7.25 an hour, be?
13 years without a raise. It is unthinkable that anyone can live on $7.25/hour. I would agree with an immediate raise to $12 followed by a gradual raise over 5 years to $15, Additionally, we need to talk more about a "livable wage".
What, if any, procedural rules would you suggest or support for the 2023-24 legislative session?
More than 81% of Bills introduced never leave committee. The current procedure leaves the decision up to the Chairman to make the final decision regardless of bipartisan or majority support. I will vote to reform the rules which would have the decision be made by majority vote, not by the Chairman alone whose actions could be influenced by lobbyists or special interests.
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Craig Staats
Age: 61
Party: Republican
Occupation: State eepresentative
Town of residence: Richland Township
Q: What steps would you take to reduce polarization?
I am proud to look across the aisle at men and women in the other Party who I can call my friends. I think that is an important first step in solving the problem of polarization. We need to start looking at each other as people, and not as pure representatives of a single political party or ideology.
There is common ground on the issues that challenge us most, and I am committed to working together to deliver real results for the people of the 145th District.
How would you handle legislation regarding abortion?
I believe that an issue as critical as this is best left in the hands of the people. That’s why I was proud to support putting a referendum on the ballot to begin addressing the question of abortion in Pennsylvania.
I am personally pro-life, but I do recognize the need to allow for some exceptions to protect the health and safety of the mother. I will always stand against allowing late-term abortions on-demand for no medical reason.
How can we fund needed road and bridge improvements?
Our aging infrastructure is in desperate need for repair, and I am committed to finding new and creative solutions to effectively fund these improvements.
Additionally, I will fight to ensure that your tax dollars are wisely spent, and that our district gets its fair share of the funding available through the recently passed federal infrastructure legislation.
What, if any, reforms to Pennsylvania's election law would you support?
The only way our representative form of government works is with an unquestioned confidence in the fairness and legitimacy of our elections.
I believe that it is critical that we implement common-sense reforms such as Voter ID, signature verification on mail-in ballots, and regular maintenance of the voter rolls.
These are simple reforms that would go a long way to ensuring that our free and fair elections continue to be the hallmark of our government of, for, and by the people.
Would you seek the adoption of any new gun control measures? If yes, what? If no, why not?
I believe in the right to bear arms enshrined in our Constitution, and believe that any regulation of this right, however well-intended, must be carefully considered and not done in haste. We must always do what we can to both protect the safety of our community, and the safety of the rights guaranteed to us as citizens.
My commitment to my constituents is, and always has been, that I will carefully review any legislation that comes before the House.
How would you position Pennsylvania to be a leader on environmental issues?
Living here in Upper Bucks County, I understand how important it is to protect our environment and the natural beauty of our community.
I believe that we can meet our obligations without burdening our small business job creators with unreasonable regulations and letting special interest groups drive record hikes in energy costs.
As with all things, we must strike a careful balance, and I am committed to working with community stakeholders and my colleagues in Harrisburg to do just that.
What should Pennsylvania’s minimum wage, now set at $7.25 an hour, be?
As someone who spent a career working with small businesses, I know how important it is that we get this right on the minimum wage. I recognize the need to look at raising the wage to support working families, but we cannot do it at the expense of our entrepreneurs who are working to grow, expand their businesses and create new jobs in our community.
I look forward to working with business leaders and stakeholders to carefully consider any proposals in the next legislative session.
What, if any, procedural rules would you suggest or support for the 2023-24 legislative session?
I am always open to pursuing rule changes that will lead to a more open, honest, and effective dialogue on the issues. I won’t stand for grandstanding or political maneuvering for its own sake, but am happy to review changes that allow us all to do our jobs better.
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Voters Guide 2022: Race for Pennsylvania's 145th legislative district
