×

Ward addresses election security

Senator updates Chamber on mental health, tax issues

Election integrity remains the number one issue in the district, said state Sen. Judy Ward, R-30th District.

“It is a huge concern, people call and email us all the time about it,” Ward told members of the Blair County Chamber of Commerce Breakfast Club during its gathering Thursday at The Casino at Lakemont Park.

Ward said she has offered a constitutional amendment on Voter ID. The amendment needs to be voted on in two sessions of the legislature and then would be out on the ballot.

“We voted on it in July and will vote again in the 2023 session and hopefully it gets on the ballot. People say we should have Voter ID,” Ward said.

Ward also has offered a bill on mail-in ballot reform to “tighten that up.”

“There are many moving parts to the election system, we are trying to tighten things up. Our goal is, we want voters to feel secure about the process,” she said.

Mental health funding also remains a priority and a very important issue in Harrisburg.

“There are mental health crises in every community,” Ward said.

Ward said lawmakers allocated a $43 million increase in mental health programs in the budget, and counties will get a lot of that funding.

There is a lot of need for mental health services, she said. “We need to keep this issue on the front burner.”

Ward said there are great things happening with the recent passage of the state budget.

“It will put our fiscal house in order, something we haven’t seen in decades,” Ward said. “We were able to double our rainy day fund, that puts us at about $5 billion; it protects taxpayers if we have a recession.”

The budget also includes good news for business owners.

The corporate net income tax was reduced from 9.99% to 8.99% and will keep going down until it reaches 4.99% in 2031, she said.

“The corporate net income tax was a killer,” Ward said. “This will make Pennsylvania more competitive with other states.”

The tax reduction will help the state “be more attractive” and help the business climate overall, she said. “We were also able to do some tax incentives for small businesses.”

Ward said employers will need to be creative and flexible, as many already have been.

Energy continues to be a concern, she said, adding that lawmakers need to look at what is going on globally.

Because Europe is energy-dependent on Russia, “they are at the mercy of a dictator,” Ward said. “We are fortunate we have God-given resources here. It is very important to keep our energy independent.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic, internet service or lack of service was brought into the spotlight.

Finding ways to provide better broadband service to everyone is now a necessity, she said.

“During COVID, kids in Southern Huntingdon had to go to Sheetz to do their homework assignments,” Ward said.

“It is our responsibility that all citizens get the broadband services they need,” she added, noting that farming equipment is internet driven, too.

Blair County is part of Alleghenies Broadband Inc, which covers Blair and five other counties and includes stakeholders from all areas working to expand the process.

“They’re hoping they will be able to offer these services to many more people,” Ward said.

“We need the internet for daily life,” she said.

Mirror Staff Writer Walt Frank is at 814-946-7467.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

COMMENTS

[vivafbcomment]

Starting at $4.39/week.

Subscribe Today