Pennsylvania’s elected state house representatives and senators are the third highest paid legislators in the country, surpassed only by California and New York.
Next year, salaries for Pennsylvania legislators may actually exceed six figures; their current salary is $95,432.
At the same time, Pennsylvania’s Republican Party has held hostage the $7.25/hour minimum wage since 2009, when the amount was increased by one thin dime from $7.15/hour.
Repeatedly, Democrats have introduced bill after bill in an attempt to increase wages across the Commonwealth, only to see them die a quick death in Republican controlled committees.
State Representative Craig Staats (R-145) of Bucks County is a good example of an elected official placing himself, and the distorted values of his party, before working class voters. Several of Staat’s votes served to marginalize or otherwise harm women, teachers, voters, future generations, and even place children at an increased risk for school shootings. Meanwhile, he has done nothing to help raise workers’ wages.
Here are some of his key votes:
Place Children at Risk by Increasing the Availability of Firearms
HB 2440: Declare firearm and ammunition product manufacturers, retailers, importers and distributors as “life sustaining” businesses
Voted: YES
Current Status: Vetoed by the Governor
SB 565: Allow firearms to be carried without a license
Voted: YES
Current Status: Vetoed by the Governor
Reduce Rights of Women
SB 106: Prohibit abortion
Voted: YES
Current Status: Potential voter referendum to appear on May 2023 primary ballot if successful in passing both the House and Senate next year
Encumber Teachers
HB 1332: Require educators to post all instructional materials online including everything from lesson plans to pencil boxes
Voted: YES
Current Status: Vetoed by the Governor
Disenfranchise Voters
HB 1300: Provide for legislative authority over elections
Voted: YES
Current Status: Vetoed by the Governor
HB 2146: Gerrymander legislative districts in favor of Republicans
Voted: YES
Current Status: Vetoed by the Governor
SB 106: Provide proof of identification with mail in ballots
Voted: YES
Current Status: Potential voter referendum to appear on May, 2023 primary ballot if successful in passing both the House and Senate next year
Disregard Future Generations by Ignoring Climate Change
HB 2025: Strip the DEP of its authority to regulate carbon dioxide emissions
Voted: YES
Current Status: Vetoed by the Governor
SB 790: Encourages fracking and coal mining with little to no DEP oversight
Voted: YES
Current Status: Vetoed by the Governor
Despite not fully representing his constituents, Staats is seeking his fifth term in office and is handsomely paid for what amounts to self-serving interests.
Democrat Jim Miller will face off with Staats on Nov. 8.
If you’re not registered to vote, you may do so online before Oct. 24. To check your registration or to request a vote-by-mail ballot, click here.
