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?

 

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: I’d need to know more details before saying yes or no

 

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

 

Yes

 

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

 

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?

 

Yes 

 

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

 

Yes 

 

 

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?

 

Yes 

 

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

 

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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Other: I’m not sure what “extraneous creation” of parking garages means

 

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?

 

Other:  This certainly makes sense on the surface, but I'm an Allentown State Representative and don't know enough about the issue to have an informed opinion.

 

 

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

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Everything said in this survey.  I'd also add that we should make it easier, on the state level, for municipalities to create appropriate zoning, rehabilitation and tax environments.

 

 

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?

 

I actually just introduced legislation related to this area.  My greatest concern is lead in pipes at the end use of a water system, but I believe that the greater threat is in lead found in paint in older rental homes.  To that end, I favor increased regulations at the local level, allowing for more frequent inspections, as well as a comprehensive funding program (similar to what we did for transportation in Act 89 of 2013) for water & wastewater infrastructure.