By Steve Novak, Armchair Lehigh Valley<\/p>\n
In the history of Pennsylvania, only five state House legislators have served longer than Robert Freeman, Pennsylvania House of Representatives Archives show. A political newcomer hopes to unseat him in the 136th House District in the Nov. 3 election.<\/p>\n
Freeman, a Democrat, has represented Easton and its surroundings for 39 years, 1983 to 1994 and 1999 to now. Another term \u2014 which would be his 15th consecutive and 21st overall \u2014 would put Freeman two years closer to the record of 44 years, set by Berks County Democrat Thomas Caltagirone, who served 1977 to 2020.<\/p>\n
Stepping in to challenge the longtime legislator is Pilar Cavallo-Campisi, a Republican from Williams Township, who owns Norwegian Spa and developed Tree Froggy organic skin care products.<\/p>\n
The 136th in southeastern Northampton County covers all of Easton, Freemansburg, Glendon, Hellertown, West Easton, Williams Township and Wilson Borough, and parts of the townships of Palmer (East, South and Southeast districts) and Lower Saucon (3rd, 5th and 6th districts).<\/p>\n
Freeman, 70, of Easton, didn\u2019t mention longevity when asked why he\u2019s running again, but he did tout \u201cexperience, institutional knowledge of the legislative process, and a proven track record\u201d on public policy and procuring grants for local projects.<\/p>\n
Freeman, who chairs the House Local Government Committee, presented himself as a practical local advocate who promotes \u201cconstructive debate\u201d among members of both parties to \u201cadvance pragmatic proposals that provide real solutions for the issues we need to address.\u201d<\/p>\n
Among the accomplishments he listed were several bills he authored or co-sponsored: the Elm Street program for revitalizing older residential areas; legislation providing municipalities with tools for \u201cbetter land use planning\u201d and \u201csmart growth\u201d; protections for the Appalachian Trail; protections for residents of manufactured home communities, including a requirement that they be notified if the community is pending sale; and an act allowing flashing blue lights on emergency roadside assistance vehicles.<\/p>\n
He said his top issues in this election are affordable housing, healthcare and data centers. Freeman wants to adopt Gov. Josh Shapiro\u2019s Housing Action Plan and champions his own legislation helping renters get homes through a lease-to-purchase program. He wants to implement Shapiro\u2019s proposed $50 million health insurance subsidies program to offset the Trump administration\u2019s cuts to the Affordable Care Act, and proposes a public health insurance option. To control data center development, Freeman supports moratoriums, regulations on electricity costs, environmental protections and moves for transparency, such as banning nondisclosure agreements between developers and local governments.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have always believed that it is the role of a legislator to look out for the needs and interests of everyday people who don\u2019t have some powerful moneyed lobby to look out for their interests,\u201d Freeman said. \u201cThat\u2019s the kind of State Representative I have been and will continue to be as an advocate for working families, consumers, senior citizens, and the need to protect our environment, revitalize our communities, and preserve farmland and open space.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cavallo-Campisi, who will turn 63 next week, told Armchair Lehigh Valley that she believes four decades is long enough for a legislator and called for term limits. She called Freeman \u201ca career politician that always has the right thing to say but takes no action, he is a pretender.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cavallo-Campisi said her top priorities are in education: bringing back \u201cschool normalcy\u201d and implementing school nutrition programs. For the latter, she cited Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.\u2019s MAHA food pyramid as a guiding factor. She said she wants to see state and federal partnerships that procure fresh ingredients, pilot programs that refine food offerings and new nutrition education opportunities.<\/p>\n
She also emphasized a desire to develop \u201cpractical and career-oriented curricula\u201d with courses in agriculture, skills and trades, technology, digital literacy, civics and \u201cTRUE history,\u201d which she said should not be altered \u201cto misrepresent a \u2018suppressed\u2019 group.\u201d (She cited critical race theory and \u201ca focus on systemic racism\u201d as examples of \u201cdistorted\u201d history.)<\/p>\n
\u201cI believe this approach ensures that children in Northampton County receive a balanced education that prepares them for healthy living and future success while restoring a sense of normalcy in our schools and in their lives,\u201d Cavallo-Campisi said.<\/p>\n
Democrats have an edge in voter registration over Republicans with 20,617 (47%) to 12,998 (29.6%); independent and minor-party voters total 10,233 (23.4%).<\/p>\n
State representatives serve two-year terms and receive a base salary of $113,000. The House has 103 Democrats and 100 Republicans.<\/p>\n
The candidates each responded to Armchair Lehigh Valley\u2019s questions about their stances on various topics. Their summarized responses are presented here.<\/p>\n
Affordability<\/p>\n
Freeman: Said wages have not kept pace with inflation, which raises prices. Federal action is needed, but the state can pass Shapiro\u2019s Housing Action Plan to build and preserve housing stock, expand opportunities through stabilization and sustainability, and modernize development regulations. Co-sponsored bills to curb rising utility rates through new economic risk standards, and that would require data centers \u2014 not consumers \u2014 to bear the cost of their electricity use. Voted to eliminate gross receipts tax on electricity and establish tax credits for earned income and child care.<\/p>\n
Cavallo-Campisi: Said reducing unnecessary regulations could lower housing and energy costs. Supports \u201cprivate-sector solutions\u201d and workforce development to boost potential earnings.<\/p>\n
Minimum wage<\/p>\n
Freeman: Said raising the hourly minimum wage from $7.25 to $15 (proposed to happen by 2029) is \u201clong overdue.\u201d Said, \u201cPennsylvania has not raised its minimum wage in over 17 years. That\u2019s a disgrace.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cavallo-Campisi: Generally supports a minimum wage increase, but favors \u201cgradual marketing adjustments\u201d rather than the proposed set increase to $15 by 2029, to \u201cavoid potential job losses and preserve small business viability.\u201d<\/p>\n
Healthcare<\/p>\n
Freeman: Supports Shapiro\u2019s $50 million healthcare program, which would independently subsidize insurance premiums and cut average plan costs 9% to 12%. Proposes his own legislation for a health insurance \u201cpublic option\u201d that would allow the State Workers Insurance Fund to sell plans; he said it \u201cwould go a long way toward providing an affordable health insurance option\u201d that\u2019s cheaper than private plans through lower administrative costs while creating market competition and serving as a \u201cyardstick\u201d to compare \u201cfairness\u201d of charged rates.<\/p>\n
Cavallo-Campisi: Opposes Shapiro\u2019s subsidization program, which she said would increase taxes and discourage \u201cpersonal responsibility.\u201d Proposes reducing regulations and promoting competition rather than \u201cgovernment dependency.\u201d \u201cMore government, less freedom,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Data centers<\/p>\n
Freeman: Said he was \u201cone of the few legislators who voted against the sales tax exemption for data centers\u201d five years ago and co-sponsored House Bill 2198 to repeal it. In June, voted in favor of House Bill 2650, which would require data center developers seeking state tax benefits to meet strict standards protecting energy affordability, supporting local communities, creating jobs, and strengthening environmental protections. Voted in favor of House Bill 2150 to mandate annual reporting of energy and water consumption by data centers, and House Bill 2151 to develop a model data center ordinance for municipalities. In March, voted for House Bill 1834, which would require the Public Utility Commission to develop data center regulations that would include banning electric companies from passing on costs of infrastructure updates and energy demands from data centers onto customers. Voted in favor of House Bill 2496, which would allow a six-month pause on data center development.<\/p>\n
Cavallo-Campisi: Supports \u201climited ability\u201d for municipalities to pause data center projects, but said \u201cmoratoriums must not stall economic growth or job creation.\u201d Would maintain data centers\u2019 tax exemption to \u201cattract investment.\u201d Supports \u201cbalanced\u201d legislation regulating energy costs and job creation, as long as regulations are not \u201cso burdensome that they drive projects away.\u201d Said communities should have their say and that project impacts should be presented \u201cin honest format \u2026 not some made up scare tactic.\u201d<\/p>\n
Immigration detention<\/p>\n
Freeman: Opposes ICE agents wearing masks and the use of privately owned detention facilities. Supports use of body cameras. \u201cImmigration enforcement like all law enforcement must be conducted within the standards of proper conduct and due process,\u201d he said, and not be \u201cdisruptive\u201d to legal, educational or medical institutions. Said local law enforcement has \u201cobligation\u201d to participate in some immigration matters \u2014 such as criminal investigations and serving legal warrants \u2014 as long as it falls within their jurisdiction.<\/p>\n
Cavallo-Campisi: Opposes restrictions that \u201ctie the hands of ICE and local enforcement\u201d; supports ICE\u2019s use of \u201cnecessary security measures\u201d and local partnerships. Opposes bans on private detention centers. \u201cWe need to make sure all [the] media tells the truth about how mass immigration negatively impacts societies,\u201d she said. \u201cBut we also need to show a positive side of legal immigration.\u201d<\/p>\n
Education<\/p>\n
Freeman: Supports cellphone bans in schools and limited use of technology in the classroom to improve \u201ccritical thinking.\u201d Opposes a proposed constitutional amendment eliminating school property taxes, saying it is \u201cnot realistic\u201d \u2014 that sales and income taxes would increase, shifting the burden to families, seniors and others paying for \u201cbasic necessities.\u201d Rather, he has proposed an amendment for \u201cproperty tax circuit breakers\u201d that would exempt residential property taxpayers from paying a portion of property tax beyond a set percentage of household income, \u201cbuilding fairness into the system,\u201d especially for fixed- or limited-income individuals.<\/p>\n
Cavallo-Campisi: Supports cellphone bans and says the state should support local decisions on the use of technology in schools, \u201cbut avoid heavy-handed mandates\u201d that limit input and flexibility. Said an amendment eliminating school property taxes is \u201ca bold step toward fair funding,\u201d which should be \u201ca balanced mix of state resources and local control.\u201d<\/p>\n
Skill games<\/p>\n
Freeman: Said the Legislature must comply with a state Supreme Court ruling requiring regulations and taxes on skill games, likely with a compromise between the governor\u2019s plan (a 52% tax) and the Republican-controlled Senate\u2019s (35%-36% tax). \u201cI am open to any proposal that is reasonable and will generate a decent stream of revenue\u201d with proper regulation and oversight.<\/p>\n
Cavallo-Campisi: Wants a \u201cfair, balanced tax that protects small businesses and respect[s] taxpayers.\u201d Said Senate Republicans\u2019 35%-36% tax on skill games \u201cstrikes the right balance.\u201d<\/p>\n
Voting<\/p>\n
Freeman: Opposes voter ID requirements, wants to maintain satellite election offices and voted in favor of early mail-in ballot canvassing. Said voter ID laws could suppress valid voters, such as seniors or low-income people without passports and who don\u2019t drive. Properly monitored satellite offices are \u201cconvenient\u201d for voters, he said. Pre-canvassing mail ballots up to a week before Election Day would help counties process and release results on election night.<\/p>\n
Cavallo-Campisi: Supports voter ID requirements, pre-canvassing mail in ballots and maintaining satellite voting offices. Voter ID makes sure \u201cnobody\u2019s voting in our elections that shouldn\u2019t be. Only American citizens should be voting in our elections.\u201d Said pre-canvassing allows quicker, accurate results while satellite voting provides voter access and convenience: \u201cEvery eligible voter deserves multiple essential options to cast their ballot securely.\u201d<\/p>\n
Reproductive rights<\/p>\n
Freeman: Co-sponsored a proposed state constitutional amendment \u201censhrining reproductive autonomy.\u201d Called it a \u201csafeguard\u201d to \u201ca woman\u2019s right to choose\u201d after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.<\/p>\n
Cavallo-Campisi: Opposes an amendment on reproductive autonomy. \u201cWe should support women with real alternatives and healthcare not guarantee unrestricted abortion rights.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gun rights<\/p>\n
Freeman: Supports universal background checks (they \u201cpose no threat to law-abiding citizens\u201d), banning violators of abuse-protection orders from ownership (\u201ca common-sense safeguard\u201d), and maintaining concealed-carry licenses (\u201crelatively easy to obtain\u201d and \u201cno hardship to law-abiding citizens\u201d). Also said municipalities could pass legislation stricter than state law if warranted, though he would \u201cprefer Pennsylvania adheres to uniform standards.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cavallo-Campisi: Said the Second Amendment should be protected \u201cwithout compromise.\u201d Opposes universal background checks, would support concealed carry without a license if \u201ccrime keeps going down.\u201d Said people who violate protection-from-abuse orders should be restricted, but municipalities mustn\u2019t impose gun laws stricter than the state\u2019s. \u201cWe trust law-enforcement to handle criminals, not restrict freedoms. Our gun rights are sacred and must never be weakened. PERIOD.\u201d<\/p>\n
Editor\u2019s Note: This story first appeared on Armchair Lehigh Valley<\/a> and is being published on themorningcall.com<\/a> as part of a partnership with the website, which aims to give voters factual information in a nonpartisan way to help them make informed decisions at the polls. Armchair Lehigh Valley is run by Publisher Katherine Reinhard and editor Robert H. Orenstein, two former Morning Call employees. Learn more about Armchair Lehigh Valley and subscribe at armchairlehighvalley.substack.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"By Steve Novak, Armchair Lehigh Valley In the history of Pennsylvania, only five state House legislators have served…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":307901,"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-307900","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\/307900","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=307900"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/307900\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/307901"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=307900"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=307900"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=307900"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}