Abby Major, who won the election, gave these responses to our League of Women Voter questions.
1.) What is your position on redistricting reform? Would you support or oppose the Legislative and Congressional Redistricting Act (LACRA) currently under consideration in the General Assembly?
The drawbacks and failures in government caused by gerrymandering are apparent and I do believe the redistricting process must be fair and transparent. On the legislative side, the PA Constitution spells out clearly that districts must be compact and contiguious. Moreover, previous court cases have stated districts must avoid splitting counties and municipalities where possible. These are criteria I certainly support. When it comes to overhauling the process, I would need to take a closer look at the legislation and have certain questions answered before I can commit one way or the other. I have questions on how commission members are verified in their claims on non-partisanship, what are the transparency expectations, and how these unelected commission members are held accountable for their decisions.
2.) How should the legislature respond to cyber charter school tuition rates? In addition, how should the legislature respond to special education tuition rates in both cyber and brick and mortar charter schools?
3.) What is your position on the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI)?
I do not support the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. Armstrong, Butler, and Indiana counties are strong producers of Natural Gas and placing more burdens on this industry will hurt the hardworking people of our region. We must be doing more to not only keep people working, but to bring in family sustaining jobs so we can recover from the pandemic.
4.)What are your own legislative priorities should you be elected to the State House of Representatives?
My priorities in the State House are the priorities of the people in 60th District. In Harrisburg, I will focus on cutting wasteful spending and holding the line on taxes, push for economic development that creates family sustaining jobs and fight for government reforms that make it more transparent and efficient, so taxpayers can have a government that works for them.
Members of the League of Women Voters of Indiana County collaborate with community partners as well as lead voter registration events. Examples of voter registration events held in the past few years are listed below.
This official Pennsylvania government website contains information about all aspects of voting in Pennsylvania including the following: 1. Registering to vote; 2. Checking your voter registration status; and 3. Tracking your absentee and mail-in ballots.
This League of Women Voters of the United States website includes information about voting and elections including the following: 1. Checking your voter registration; 2. Identifying what is on your ballot; 3. Locating your polling place; and 4. Notifications of debates in your area.
The League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania provides an easy way for you to locate the contact information for your state and federal elected officials.
Members of the League of Women Voters of Indiana County (LWVIC) lead interviews with Indiana County legislators during the months of January and February. The League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania (LWVPA) provides a series of questions focusing on the priority issues for the current legislative session. Prior to the scheduled meetings, interview questions are provided to our legislators.
The interviews are an important part of the League’s work. The LWVIC shares what we learn through the interviews with the LWVPA. These Legislative interviews afford us the opportunity to educate our legislators about issues, identify legislation we intend to support or oppose, and they assist us in building and maintaining relationships with our local legislators.
Click here for the Legislative Interview Summary with Rep. Jim Struzzi on March 8, 2021.
Click here for the Legislative Interview Summary with Senator Joe Pittman on March 30, 2021.
Members of the League of Women Voters of Indiana County (LWVIC) host a forum titled “Candidates Night” to provide community members with the opportunity to learn more about candidates. This nonpartisan event allows candidates for office to respond to questions posed by audience members. A screening team of League members accepts written questions from audience members. The event is open to the public and is broadcast over radio station 1160 WCCS. Stayed tuned for 2021 events.
The program priorities for 2020-2021 are the following:
Information about Indiana County can be found at www.indianacountypa.gov including a directory of county government departments, services, contact information for offices and county officials and information on voter registration, elections and voting machines.
The presentation by members of The Constitution Center on the Electoral College on January 26th was recorded and is now available online. To watch, click here.
The Citizen Education Subcommittee was formed in January 2021 and is working to increase public awareness of voting, civics and government with the aim of empowering citizens to participate in the democratic process.
The subcommittee members have discussed how to improve and expand our current programs (e.g., voter registration, legislative interviews, candidate’s forums) as well as developing new programs (e.g., age-appropriate educational materials for students in pre-kindergarten through grade 5, voter registration events for high school seniors, community speaker series).
Committee members are divided into teams focusing on the following four audiences: 1. Elementary school students; 2. Secondary school students; 3. Community members; and 4. Elected officials. If you would like to join a team, please contact the team leader by email (Elementary: Misty Nocco – mistynocco@yahoo.com, Secondary: Anne Simmons – annesimmons447@gmail.com, Community/Elected Officials: Joyce Rizzo – rizzojoyce6@gmail.com)
Academics, historians, teachers, school administrators and state education leaders are working together on the Educating for American Democracy initiative. They are discussing how civics and history are taught to American K-12 students. The Educating for American Democracy group is raising funds for curriculum development and teacher training. The group plans to release a 36-page report and an accompanying 39-page road map that will provide guidance for the reimagining of the teaching of social studies, history and civics. Click here to read the article.
Social Studies is the integrated study of human society and its contributions, influences and impact on the world. There are many content areas which combine to create the overarching concept of social studies. The commonwealth of Pennsylvania has delineated the disciplines and developed academic standards in the social studies areas to be civics and government, economics, geography, history, and student interpersonal skills.
Civics and Government is the teaching and presentation of the principles and ideals of the American republican representative form of government as portrayed and experienced by the acts and policies of the framers of the Declaration of Independence, Constitution of the United States and Bill of Rights. Click here for the PA Academic Standards in Social Studies.
The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.
