APRIL 2016

SURVEY RESULTS 

Benjamin Long

(R) General Election Candidate

District 132

ENERGY POLICY

Would you support renewable energy purchase agreements or leases for government operations to take advantage of substantial Federal tax credits before they expire in 2016?

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Yes 

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Many pipelines have been proposed to transport fracked gas throughout the state of Pennsylvania; do you support pipeline construction through your legislative district?

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Other:  There will be no drilling in the 132nd district. This would affect areas of central and western PA

 

Do you support the institution of a severance tax on fossil fuels produced from hydraulic fracturing operations ?

 

Yes

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SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

 

Would you support initiatives (conservation easements, agricultural zoning, leveraging of local, county, and state dollars etc.) to protect open spaces, woodlands and wetlands from development?

 

Other: Absolutely, my father grew up in a dairy farm in this area. Looking farming should be promoted to reduce our dependence on factory farms. I love shopping at farmer's markets and supporting the local economy.

 

Do you support returning municipal funding for farmland preservation to previous levels to reach Lehigh Valley Planning Commission’s stated goal in the Comprehensive Plan of preserving 25% of land for agricultural purposes?

 

Yes

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Would you support waste policy initiatives that encourage commercial composting and create pilot programs for residential composting?

 

Yes

 

Are you in favor of tax incentives for businesses that employ sustainable practices?

 

Yes 

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Are you in favor of government initiatives that support the growth of small, local businesses?

 

Yes 

 

TRANSPORTATION

Do you support the creation of a light rail system connecting the cities of Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton?

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Yes 

 

Do you support a passenger rail system connecting the Lehigh Valley to New York City and/or Philadelphia?

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Yes 

 

In order to decrease traffic congestion and the negative health hazards associated with air pollution, are you opposed to the extraneous creation of parking garages and the widening of local roads and highways?

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No

 

Would you support allocating additional funds toward multimodal transportation solutions such as designated bike lanes and pedestrian sidewalks to reduce risk of accidents?

Yes 

 

Do you support the creation of a pedestrian bridge connecting North and South Bethlehem?

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Other : I would need to know more about this. My district does not cover any parts of Bethlehem

 

Would you support grants for local governments to provide carpool incentives, special parking for energy efficient vehicles, and electric car charging stations?

 

Yes 

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What are your personal recommendations for increasing sustainability practices in the Lehigh Valley?

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The most affective tool is education. Continue to educate those for the need to shop local to promote a healthy economy right within our own community. Being "green" is nothing to be ashamed of and I support your efforts 100%

 

 

What is your strategy to address the elevated levels of lead found in public water sources throughout the Lehigh Valley? Are you willing to offer at-risk constituents grants or compensation to have their water tested by DEP certified labs?

 

Thankfully the lead seems to be more related to lead paint in the area. With many older homes in my district, this is of course a concern. In regards to the water, it comes down to being willing to spend the money to ensure that we are keeping our water up to the levels laid out in the federally mandated Clean Water Act. I would hate to see another Flint, Mich. right here in Allentown. There should be no cutting costs when it comes to a basic human right, clean water.