The super rich and corporate elites determine how most politicians govern. We must take back our democracy and make our government work for all of us. This starts with getting money out of politics. I support small-donor matching, and constitutional amendments to overturn Citizens United and end corporate personhood. A gift ban for PA politicians and greater transparency around lobbying in Harrisburg are also good steps.
Ultimately, increasing the political power of working people is the best check on corporate control and corruption. To achieve this, we must protect and expand voting rights to make sure everyone can vote. Just as important, we must build local leadership to engage communities in the political process, demand more of politicians, and hold them accountable. I am proud to be running as part of a community movement and to use my candidacy and, if elected, the office of State Representative, to develop many more leaders.
As your representative, I will:
- Establish a public small-donor matching system or democracy voucher system to ensure that working people are able to run for office. I know first-hand how hard it is to run for office if you’re not an establishment politician or super rich.
- End partisan gerrymandering by establishing an independent citizens’ commission to direct the process of drawing district lines.
- Institute automatic, universal voter registration, which would automatically make Pennsylvanians eligible to vote,handle changes of address, and allow online and same-day voter registration.
- Make election day a public holiday and allow early voting and vote by mail to make voting accessible to everyone, regardless of income and work hours.