We’re dealing with a lot right now in Pennsylvania, from the impact of data center expansion and ICE’s presence in our communities to the rising costs of healthcare, gas, and just about everything else.
With that in mind, we asked readers of The Keystone newsletter (subscribe here): If you could ask any Pennsylvania elected official one question, what would it be?
Answers have been edited for length and clarity:
“If the fuel tax generates millions in revenue, why are our roads in such deplorable conditions? Just moved back to Pa. from Florida after being gone for 10+ years and the roads are still a mess.”
— Renee G., Chester County (Ed. note: here’s an explainer on what funding from Pa.’s gas tax pays for, like road maintenance).
“How do you plan to stop the proposed ICE detention centers from being developed by the Trump administration here in Pa., including closing the Moshannon Valley Detention Center already in use? Other communities, even in red states, have blocked them.”
— Beverly Rolfsmeyer, Philadelphia
“Why does Pa. not have a cost of living adjustment for worker’s compensation? To expect an injured worker to live on what was awarded at the time of injury is ludicrous.”
— Cindy Wanamaker, Exton
“Why aren’t you funding the Affordable Care Act/Pennie so Pa. residents can have affordable health insurance?”
— Dan, Erie
“Why do fracking companies have more rights than residents?”
— Martha W., Torbert
“I would ask John Fetterman why he deceived Pennsylvania voters by running as a Democrat and spouting Democratic values, when he has been consistently voting with Republicans and spouting Republican values.”
— Showandah Terrill, Townville
“Why the heck the government can seemingly tax us for just about everything but can’t figure out how to tax the skill games that are everywhere across the commonwealth!”
— Gary Miller, State College
“My question would be for Gov. Shapiro concerning school funding inequity. Why has Pennsylvania not passed a comprehensive overhaul of school funding that removes the primary reliance on property tax?”
— Steve R., Erie
“What are the statewide plans for data centers? These centers create jobs; that’s true to an extent. However, they also use incredible amounts of water and in a changing environment where Pa. often has counties in drought status, this is a very long-term concern.”
— Margarete Emery, Montgomery County
“What would it take for you NOT to allow ALL and ANY forms of data centers to be created in the state of Pennsylvania?”
— Christine Miller, Effort
“How will you guarantee that residents who live near the data centers will have clean water and electricity to meet their needs when the data centers use tremendous amounts of water and electricity?”
— Deborah P., Lafayette Hill
“Why do childless seniors have to pay the same amount in school taxes as families with children in school? My taxes have gone up 400% since I’ve been in my house, yet I never had a child in the school system and I never will. I will, however, be living on a fixed income and would love to not have to support the school anymore.”
— L.B., Quakertown
“For state Sen. Scott Martin (R-Lancaster): You say you are in favor of education and even spearheaded a program to encourage young people to stay in Pa. after they get a college education. Considering all that, why don’t you support the governor’s budget to fully and fairly fund all schools, and to make adequacy funding a regular part of the school funding formula?”
— Brenda Morales, Lancaster
“Can Pa. require these data centers to supply their own electricity? Or at least pay for the percentage of the increased charges on the residents’ bills?”
— Randy Jansen, Chambersburg
“If these Data Centers are as harmless and wonderful as you would like us to believe, which one of you will live right next to it?”
— Colleen, Wellsboro
“Sen. Fetterman, I campaigned for you from way back. You described yourself then as a progressive. You would campaign with Bernie Sanders. Did your politics shift since your election, or were you opportunistically lying to Democrats in order to get elected, similar to Krysten Sinema?”
— Mike Finley, Bryn Mawr
