Election 2024: 2 competing in Pa. 11th Senatorial District
Voters in the 11th Senatorial District will have a choice when they head to the polls.
Democratic incumbent Judy Schwank will face Republican challenger and Cumru Township Commissioner Lisha Rowe in the Nov. 5 election.
The district includes 23 municipalities in Berks County, stretching from Spring Township in the southwest through Reading to Maxatawny Township in the northeast.
State senators serve a four-year term and receive an annual salary of $102,844.
We asked the candidates to respond to four questions:
Judy Schwank
Residence: Ruscombmanor Township.
Age:
Background: Schwank has represented the 11th Senatorial District since 2011. Before being elected to state government, she worked as a horticultural agent for the Penn State Cooperative Extension, served as director of the Berks County Cooperative Extension Program and was elected as the first female Berks County commissioner in 2000.
Website: judyschwankforstatesenate.com
Q. Name a single problem facing the district you are running to represent and how you would address that issue if elected.
A. Housing availability and affordability are serious problems in the 11th District as well as throughout Berks County. Much of our housing stock is very old and does not accommodate current needs. Whether it's skyrocketing rents, a lack of affordable homes to buy or unhoused families including children and teens, people are priced out of the housing market.
I supported funding and tax credits in the current budget year that would incentivize builders to renovate older homes and build new workforce housing. We can incentivize communities to increase housing opportunities without sacrificing land preservation goals. I was a strong advocate for the Whole Homes Repair Program that assisted homeowners and landlords in keeping homes livable and I am working to ensure it is funded again. I am a sponsor of legislation capping school property taxes for seniors so they may remain in their homes and increasing the Property Tax and Rent Rebate program as we did in last year's budget to assist more families with school property taxes.
Q. What specific actions should the state Legislature take to make life more affordable for the people living in your district?
A. As a state legislator, I am focused on helping my constituents afford the lifestyle they want and need. A primary way to accomplish this is assisting established and new businesses in creating and retaining more jobs with livable wages. I have worked with beleaguered families to fight the high cost of utilities like water, sewer and electricity imposed by corporate entities and have sponsored legislation to cap privatization of essential services. Supporting local farmers and providing them with resources to drive down production costs and help maintain profitability is key to keeping our local, reasonably priced food supply strong. As chair of the Senate Agriculture and Rural Development Committee, I have been at the forefront of drafting and implementing those policies.
I have been a strong proponent of the statewide medical insurance exchange so that individuals that must buy health insurance can do so at a reasonable cost. As previously mentioned, I support expanded state efforts to build our housing supply at all levels. The cost of child care has never been affordable for many families. I support expanding child care subsidies for more families and increasing the wages of child care educators as many are leaving the profession for more lucrative jobs.
Q. How will you gather feedback from the community regarding their needs and concerns?
A. An aspect of my position as your state senator that I truly find rewarding is interacting and communicating with my constituents. Good communication starts with active listening. Our population is changing, becoming more diverse and more technologically savvy. We are also aging, and we need to be sensitive to the communication needs of older residents. Multiple methods of communication are necessary to ensure that people feel heard and receive the information they need. Providing information in other languages is also important.
I sponsor telephone town halls, in-person seminars all over the district, daily social media posts, electronic newsletters as well as an occasional print newsletter, and I speak at various professional and social events. My staff and I sponsor booths at many community events, and I try to be as present as possible. I maintain a regular schedule of business, school, local government and nonprofit visits so I can hear directly from them and provide any assistance needed. I am very visible in the community and strive to acknowledge so much good work being done. My role is to celebrate the accomplishments of dedicated people and thank them for all they do to make our community better.
Q. What inspired you to run for office?
A. I have had the good fortune of being mentored by and working with individuals who are true public servants. I have observed so many selfless leaders in local and state government, health care, business and education who love their communities and want to make them better places to live. They often contribute in ways that are not outwardly visible but make a huge difference in so many peoples' lives. These folks and everyday ordinary citizens who are doing extraordinary things continue to inspire me to step up to serve as they have.
Lisha Rowe
Residence: Cumru Township.
Age:
Background: Rowe is a retired chemical researcher and environmental education specialist for various organizations. She continues to teach agricultural sciences to high school students and environmental education to homeschool students. She is a member of the Cumru Township Board of Commissioners, the Berks County Republican Committee and Reading Area Transportation Study.
Website: lisharowe4pa.com
Q. Name a single problem facing the district you are running to represent and how you would address that issue if elected.
A. There are many issues in the 11th District that concern the diversity of our residents such as the high cost of groceries, high gas prices, lack of affordable housing and high crime. But the one that I hear most repeatedly is that of high and ever-rising property taxes. Consider this: According to the Pennsylvania General Assembly, each year more than 10,000 Pennsylvanians lose their homes to sheriff's sales and many more are forced into selling to avoid seizure for non-payment of property taxes. Runaway property taxes are destroying Pennsylvania's economy and driving away residents. Entrepreneurs are discouraged from starting new businesses that would create jobs.
The elimination of property tax would result in true homeownership, help prevent foreclosures, restore real estate value to properties with excessively high taxes, boost housing market, attract businesses, increase personal wealth, create a massive stimulus for Pennsylvania and generate jobs. Eliminating property taxes can stabilize school funding. House Bill 76 and Senate Bill 76, the Property Tax Independence Act, creates predictable, stable and an equitable stream of revenue for public schools. No tax should have the power to leave you homeless.
Q. What specific actions should the state Legislature take to make life more affordable for the people living in your district?
The biggest issue for people is inflation and the high cost of living. Agriculture is Pennsylvania's number one economy, but it is struggling with high operational costs and regulations. Farmers are going out of business and farmland is disappearing. All of these things affect our food supply and drive up the cost of groceries. Pennsylvania's vast diversity of businesses are a major contributor to the economy. They are being attacked with high energy costs, high taxes, over regulation and red tape to obtain permits. As a result, businesses are leaving Pennsylvania for more business friendly states.
Pennsylvania is blessed with abundant natural energy resources. Opening up these resources will help these industries and our economy. When we lead in energy production, Pennsylvanians prosper. Natural gas and oil activity has a trickle down effect and contributes directly to our economy by boosting manufacturing, banking, logistics, construction, farming and more. The lowered cost to these industries is passed down to the consumer. We need efficient permitting and consistent policies at the federal and state levels that will encourage investment, support production, infrastructure and millions of skilled workers.
Q. How will you gather feedback from the community regarding their needs and concerns?
As an elected official, being an active part of the community is key to understanding its needs. The 11th District is host to a wide range of people with diverse incomes, businesses, organizations, schools, faiths, landscapes, families, values and more. Being available for questions, comments, complaints and requests is a basic duty as a public servant. Outreach is an essential part of democracy, shaping political life, engaging underrepresented communities, facilitating dialogue and increasing community participation. When local officials actively involve residents in local decision-making processes, they gain new knowledge and perspectives from the community. Inclusiveness fosters policies tailored to the real needs of the community and addresses the concerns of the public. Community engagement allows for a sense of transparency, trust, and partnership between the government and its citizens.
Outreach methods would include:
• Public information can be posted on websites, in the newspaper or in presentations.
• Social media.
• Public participation offers dialogue to formulate group recommendations and ideas.
• Interactive government websites.
• Digital forms and applications.
• Public consultation by asking for information and opinions through public hearings, telephone polls or surveys.
• Free community events.
• Meet and greets events.
• Building coalitions.
These methods and more can help create a cohesive community culture and a shared vision.
Q. What inspired you to run for office?
A. Many people in our community expressed concern over the current senator's extreme-left voting record in Harrisburg, and find it a threat to our medical freedom, girls sports, secure borders, businesses and energy independence. Let's consider her voting history. In 2021, she voted against Senate Bill 618, legislation that would prohibit government entities and state-funded colleges from requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination. In 2022, she voted no to House Bill 972 to protect girls-only sports in public schools. According to the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, the current senator voted against pro-economic growth policies and businesses 69% of the time. My opponent stood up for the interests of illegal immigrants when she voted against Senate Resolution 234, a resolution that called on President Joe Biden and our federal officials to help secure our border and provide the needed resources to protect American citizens. In 2021, she voted to keep parents in the dark about what their children are learning in school by voting no to House Bill 1332.
Our district needs common sense decision making.
