are running nearly even<\/a> in a race viewed as critical to determining control of the Pennsylvania Senate. The16th District includes parts of western Lehigh and upper Bucks counties.<\/p>\nWe asked the candidates to weigh in on some topics that are important to our readers. Their email responses, which have been lightly edited, are below.<\/p>\n
Q: The cost of living \u2014 affordability \u2014 continues to be the No. 1 concern for Lehigh Valley voters. What specific legislative steps will you take to address rising prices and expand affordable housing options in our district?<\/p>\n
Coleman: According to the Home Builders Association of Pennsylvania, nearly one-third of the cost of a new home comes from complying with state and local regulations. On average, that means roughly $100,000 of a home\u2019s price comes down to red tape. I\u2019ve sponsored multiple bills to cut that red tape and give property owners more flexibility, so more homes come onto the market. Senate Bill 1239, for example, takes a targeted approach focused on multifamily, mixed-use and adaptive reuse projects. It calls for automatic approval of certain developments: if a project has secured water and sewer service and is in a nonresidential zone or designated for office, retail or parking use, municipalities must approve the application. These adaptive reuse projects would also be exempt from density limits and nonpublic open space requirements.<\/p>\n
Sadly, the state associations representing townships and other municipal governments have opposed these commonsense reforms. Their opposition has stymied the regulatory reform we need to open up the housing market to the creative approaches that will solve our area\u2019s affordability challenges.\u00a0Affordability goes beyond home building too. I also sponsored Senate Bill 728 to repeal the state gas tax, which would save consumers 57.6 cents per gallon. I also voted to repeal Pennsylvania\u2019s gross receipts tax on electric bills, which would save ratepayers nearly $2 billion a year. Lower costs help every family and small business in the Lehigh Valley.<\/p>\n
Pinsley: Affordability is a two-sided problem: What people get paid and what life costs. Right now, families are getting squeezed from both sides. Workers are producing more, corporate profits keep climbing, but paychecks haven\u2019t kept up. Whether you stock shelves, drive a truck, work in a hospital or sit behind a desk, a full day\u2019s work should pay enough to live on. That means helping people keep more of what they earn. I would end the state tax on overtime, raise the minimum wage, end noncompete agreements that keep people from leaving for a better-paying job, and tackle healthcare costs that can wipe out a raise before a family ever feels it.<\/p>\n
I would also cap property taxes based on income. If you\u2019re retired or working for a living, you shouldn\u2019t lose your home because your property taxes went up faster than your income. And we need more housing. We\u2019ve built warehouse after warehouse in the Lehigh Valley. We need to get just as serious about building homes. I would make it easier to build starter homes, smaller homes and duplexes, speed up approvals, and give communities incentives to build housing people can afford.<\/p>\n
And we have to get big money out of politics. When campaigns depend on a small number of people writing very large checks, those people get heard a lot more than everyone else. I would limit campaign contributions and end gifts to lawmakers. The people making decisions in Harrisburg should be thinking about the people paying the mortgage, buying groceries and opening the electric bill, not who helped pay for their campaign.<\/p>\n
Q: Since the lapse of the Affordable Care Act enhanced premium tax credits earlier this year, 191,000 Pennsylvanians have lost health coverage, according to the state\u2019s ACA marketplace, and private healthcare insurance premiums are skyrocketing. Do you have a plan for helping people in the Lehigh Valley who are struggling to afford healthcare?<\/p>\n
Coleman: Rising healthcare costs are a serious problem, and there\u2019s no silver bullet. The goal of the Affordable Care Act was commendable, but the real question is whether it has been effective. According to the Paragon Health Institute, ACA benchmark premiums for a 50-year-old enrollee rose 129%, while average employer plan premiums rose 68% from 2014 through 2026. Neither trend is good for consumers, but ACA costs rose far faster. The recently expired subsidies masked an underlying problem without addressing its causes. One big reason costs keep climbing is that most people have no idea what a procedure will cost until the bill arrives. You wouldn\u2019t take your car in for an oil change without knowing the price, so why should an X-ray be different? Parsing a hospital bill is a nightmare, and it\u2019s rarely clear what we owe until it\u2019s too late.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve sponsored two bills to address this. Senate Bill 752 would add teeth to price transparency requirements so you can compare prices ahead of time. Senate Bill 1289, the Patient Right-to-Understand Act, would require concise, plain-language summaries of coverage, costs and patient rights before care begins, so families understand what they owe and what options they have. Knowing what you\u2019ll owe before care begins is a key to lowering costs, and it\u2019s something we can control in Pennsylvania.<\/p>\n
Pinsley: Families across the Lehigh Valley are feeling the squeeze of rising healthcare costs. When premiums, deductibles and prescription prices keep climbing, too many people are forced to choose between paying for healthcare and paying for other necessities. My plan starts with something we can do right now: fund Pennsylvania\u2019s State Health Insurance Exchange Affordability Program. We already created the program; now we need to put it to work. Pennie estimates that a $50 million investment could lower premiums by roughly 9% to 12% for more than 280,000 Pennsylvanians. That means more money staying in family budgets.<\/p>\n
But we also need to tackle why healthcare costs so much in the first place. As Lehigh County controller, I looked closely at what the county was paying for prescription drugs and found ways to save money. I would bring that same approach to the state. One area that deserves much more scrutiny is the prescription drug middlemen known as pharmacy benefit managers. Their complicated pricing and rebate arrangements can make it difficult to know where our money is going. In the Senate, I would push for greater transparency, including public reporting of rebates, pricing and reimbursement rates. I would also look at flat-fee arrangements that eliminate spread pricing and push for competitive bidding and independent audits of state contracts. We should make health insurance more affordable today while doing the hard work of bringing down the underlying cost of care tomorrow.<\/p>\n
Q: \u202aWith its position as a swing district in a swing state, the Lehigh Valley\u2019s elections are more scrutinized than other places. If elected, what steps can you take to ensure voters of our elections\u2019 integrity?<\/p>\n
Coleman: In 2023, Northampton County voters questioned the accuracy of their votes because of human error. County Executive Lamont G. McClure attributed the failure to \u201claziness.\u201d That is completely unacceptable. Voters deserve better, and properly testing election equipment before Election Day is a straightforward way to build public confidence. I introduced Senate Bill 313 to strengthen equipment testing and set statewide standards, making preelection logic and accuracy testing predictable and transparent. The bill also creates a criminal penalty for election officials who knowingly falsify testing records: a misdemeanor punishable by up to a $1,000 fine, two years in prison, or both. Together, these provisions reduce the risk of programming errors and strengthen trust in our elections.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve also supported multiple bills, including a constitutional amendment, to require voter ID in Pennsylvania. Asking someone to prove who they are before casting a ballot isn\u2019t controversial. Public polling consistently shows that over three-quarters of Americans support it. Yet in the four years I\u2019ve been in Harrisburg, the Pennsylvania House has refused to advance these commonsense reforms passed by the Senate.<\/p>\n
Pinsley: The best way to protect confidence in our elections is transparency. Voters should be able to see how their ballots are handled, understand how votes are counted and know that the results are independently checked. Elections should remain administered at the state and local level, where officials are accountable to Pennsylvania voters; not turned over to the federal government.<\/p>\n
I also believe major political parties should have an equal voice in election administration, with neither party having unilateral control. Election officials should be selected for their competence, integrity and commitment to following the law, not simply their party affiliation. Pennsylvania already provides for minority-party representation in election administration, and I would support strengthening that bipartisan check.<\/p>\n
Pennsylvania also has important safeguards already in place. After every primary and general election, counties conduct a required statistical recount and a statewide risk-limiting audit before results are certified. Pennsylvania\u2019s voting systems produce a voter-verifiable paper record, giving us a physical record that can be checked against reported results. If elected, I would support keeping those safeguards strong while making the process as open and understandable as possible. That means continuing to invest in election security, giving county election offices the resources and training they need, and making audit results and other election information readily available to the public. Every eligible voter should have a fair opportunity to vote, every legal vote should be counted and everyone should have confidence in the result.<\/p>\n
Q: How do you plan to regulate data center development to protect local residents from rising electric rates?<\/p>\n
Coleman: Skyrocketing utility bills are one reason I oppose data center development in the communities I represent. That\u2019s why I introduced Senate Bill 1345, which allows municipalities to enact temporary moratoriums of up to 18 months on new high-impact data center applications. Other areas welcome these projects, so the bill balances local control with the statewide impact they can have on energy and infrastructure. I also believe data centers shouldn\u2019t just be self-sufficient. They should be required to generate excess power that feeds back into the grid, lowering prices for everyone else.<\/p>\n
Pennsylvania is also part of the PJM electric grid, and roughly one-third of the electricity we generate is exported out of state. Meanwhile, other PJM members have retired generation capacity, leaving a gap we are asked to fill. I proposed Senate Resolution 185 to study, among other things, the pros and cons of leaving PJM. Shouldering the lion\u2019s share of generation while paying higher prices isn\u2019t fair to Pennsylvanians, and we should look closely at the alternatives. I also introduced Senate Bill 897, a backstop that lets utilities build or invest in new power plants when the Public Utility Commission finds our region is running short on supply, so we aren\u2019t relying on the market alone to keep the lights on.\u00a0Whatever happens with data centers, we need to bring new power generation online as soon as possible to bring down energy costs in Pennsylvania.<\/p>\n
Pinsley: I have been very clear about this: I support a statewide moratorium on new hyperscale data centers until Pennsylvania puts strong, enforceable rules in place to protect residents and ratepayers.\u00a0Families are already struggling with rising electric bills. I am not willing to gamble with their money so some of the world\u2019s wealthiest technology companies can build massive facilities and leave Pennsylvania families to pay for the electricity and infrastructure those facilities require.<\/p>\n
I support Gov. Shapiro\u2019s GRID requirements, which require data center developers to pay the costs of new generation, transmission, distribution and other infrastructure caused by their projects. But I believe we should go further. Developers should have to demonstrate before construction that they can pay the full cost of their electricity needs and the eventual decommissioning of their facility. Data centers should not receive special exemptions from zoning, taxation or inspections, and communities should have strong noise and vibration standards to protect their quality of life. I also believe data centers should add power to the grid rather than take scarce capacity away from families and existing businesses. If a project needs additional generation, that generation should be secured and paid for by the developer.<\/p>\n
As Lehigh County controller, I am preparing a study of electricity costs and what large-scale data centers could mean for consumers. I believe in following the money before making decisions this big. My position is simple: Big tech must pay their own way. Local families should never be left holding the bill.<\/p>\n
Q: How will you balance the need to adequately fund local public schools and expand educational options without raising state taxes?<\/p>\n
Coleman: Pennsylvania continues to outspend most states on education. We rank 10th in total per-student funding, about $4,000 more than the national average. Since 2000, public school enrollment has fallen by 140,000 students, yet districts have added 24,000 employees, according to the Department of Education. More money, more staff, fewer students, and still, on the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress, only 31% of eighth graders were proficient in math, and the same share in reading.<\/p>\n
Our schools are more than adequately funded. The question is whether we\u2019re getting our money\u2019s worth, and whether taxpayers are being asked for more while districts sit on cash. School districts ended the 2024-25 school year with $7.2 billion in general fund reserves, up $2.3 billion since 2020-21. The auditor general found in 2023 that district practices undercut the law meant to stop tax increases when funds are available. That\u2019s why I introduced Senate Bill 1192, which requires voter approval of every school district tax increase. Before asking families for more, districts should have to make their case to voters. That is how we support our schools and protect taxpayers without raising taxes.<\/p>\n
Every child deserves an opportunity to learn in a way that matches their needs, and that\u2019s why I\u2019ve also championed education choice. Children shouldn\u2019t be trapped in a failing school because of their ZIP code. I have consistently supported expanding scholarship tax credits and creating a broader voucher system, and that support will continue in the future.<\/p>\n
Pinsley: I reject the idea that Pennsylvania has only two choices: underfund our public schools or raise taxes on working families. We can do better than that. Pennsylvania spends billions of dollars every year. Before asking families for another dollar, I want to know where the money we already collect is going and whether taxpayers are getting the results they deserve. As a controller, my instinct is simple: follow the money, identify waste, and make sure our resources are going where they can make the biggest difference for students.<\/p>\n
We also need to continue fixing the way Pennsylvania funds public education so a child\u2019s ZIP code does not determine the quality of education they receive. Every student deserves access to a strong public school, regardless of where they live. At the same time, educational opportunity means recognizing that every student is different. College is the right path for some. For others, career and technical education, apprenticeships, or learning a skilled trade can lead to a good-paying career without taking on tens of thousands of dollars in college debt. We should expand those opportunities and better connect students with the jobs available in Pennsylvania.<\/p>\n
I do not support school vouchers. Diverting public dollars to private schools does not solve the underlying challenges facing our public education system and can create additional administrative costs while leaving public schools with fewer resources.\u00a0We can fully fund our public schools, expand career and educational opportunities, and be responsible stewards of taxpayers\u2019 money. Those goals should go together, not compete with one another.<\/p>\n
Q: The Lehigh Valley\u2019s rapid growth is putting a strain on our aging infrastructure, particularly roads and bridges. What steps will you take in Harrisburg to make sure these projects get the attention they deserve?<\/p>\n
Coleman: I have been a vocal advocate for the communities I serve since arriving in Harrisburg. One of my first meetings with PennDOT was about safety concerns on Route 22. By January 2025, a significant portion of that road had been designated a safety corridor.\u00a0I\u2019ve also worked to secure funding for local bridges. For example, in Heidelberg Township, the Buckery Road Bridge had been closed since Tropical Storm Isaias damaged it in 2020. I secured a $541,000 state grant to replace it, restoring access for emergency vehicles, easing traffic for motorists and protecting Jordan Creek, which supplies drinking water to downstream communities.\u00a0My office has partnered with local municipalities to bring millions of dollars in funding to transportation and infrastructure projects, from pedestrian safety improvements to water main replacements and equipment for first responders.<\/p>\n
Going forward, I will keep working with the communities I represent to identify their priorities and the resources they need. I will also fight for a fair share of infrastructure funding, rather than see it concentrated in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Those cities have long been the focus of state spending, but the dynamic growth in the Lehigh Valley should shift that focus to where growth is happening today, so our communities can keep meeting the needs of the people who call this area home.<\/p>\n
Pinsley: Anyone who drives around the Lehigh Valley knows our infrastructure has not kept pace with our growth. We cannot keep adding homes, businesses, people and traffic without making the investments needed to maintain the roads and bridges everyone depends on. In Harrisburg, I will fight to make sure the Lehigh Valley receives its fair share of state transportation funding. But getting more money is only part of the job. We also need to make sure we spend it wisely, prioritizing projects that improve safety, address deteriorating roads and bridges, relieve congestion and make people\u2019s daily commutes better.<\/p>\n
As a controller, I believe in following the money and measuring results. We should be asking whether projects are being completed on time, whether they are staying within budget, and whether they are actually solving the problems they were intended to address. I also believe developers need to pay their fair share when their projects create major new demands on local infrastructure. That is especially important with massive developments, including hyperscale data centers. Taxpayers should not be handed the bill for the roads, utility upgrades, and other infrastructure improvements required because a multibillion-dollar corporation decided to build here. The Lehigh Valley is growing, and that growth can bring jobs and opportunity. But growth without planning comes at a cost: more traffic, longer commutes, greater wear on our infrastructure, and higher costs for residents. We need to plan ahead, invest wisely, and make sure those creating the greatest demands help pay for the infrastructure they require.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"One of the most closely watched races in the upcoming election is the 16th state Senate District contest…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":300047,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[119,121,120,836,182,139,50,432],"class_list":["post-300046","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-allentown","tag-allentown","tag-allentown-headlines","tag-allentown-news","tag-election","tag-local-news","tag-news","tag-politics","tag-top-stories-tmc"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/300046","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=300046"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/300046\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/300047"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=300046"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=300046"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=300046"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}