Philly ADA

#1 Would amend the City Charter and give City Council the authority to require contractors to submit plans detailing their inclusion of women and minorities, and to possibly preclude companies that do not comply.

# 2 Would make the commissioner of the Department of Licenses and Inspections an alternate member of the Zoning Board of Adjustment.

#3 Would disband the Board of Revision of Taxes (BRT) and split its duties between two new entities--one for property assessment and one for appeals.

#4 Would allow the city to borrow $65 million for capital expenses.

This year it is important to reaffirm the progressive ideals of ADA by supporting candidates who will stand with us into the 21st Century. While Republicans take a purposefully negative and totally obstructive course that moves more and more to the far right of the anti-government tea party movement, we must elect officials who we can count on to stay with us on vital issues.

Consistency may be the hobgoblin of small minds, but we are consistent in our liberal values and we are proud of it! That is why we have endorsed Joe Sestak for Senate and Joe Hoeffel for Governor. In a far more fundamental way than the other candidates for these offices, Hoeffel and Sestak subscribe to ADA's principles of freedom, economic security, good government, democratic planning and enlargement of fundamental liberties.

Name: Greg Kravitz
Office Sought: State Representative – 182nd District
Party Affiliation: Democrat

Please note, Philly ADA has endorsed Rep. Babette Josephs in this race. To read Rep. Josephs's questionnaire, click here. Mr. Kravitz is her challenger.

If elected, what are the top 2 issues you would focus on in the next term and why?

1. Economic Development - There are far too many smart, qualified and hard-working Pennsylvanians who have lost their jobs or are underemployed. I have a multi-faceted approach to put Pennsylvania back to work and I will introduce legislation to promote and develop Green Building Standards in Pennsylvania.

My plan to put Pennsylvania back to work includes:

Name: Manan Trivedi
Office Sought: US Congress – PA 6th District
Party Affiliation: Democrat

• If elected, what are the top 2 issues you would focus on in the next term and why?

Though there are several issues that need to to be addressed in America today and I think it is possible to attack many of them at the same time, the most important issue facing our country today is the lack of jobs in the current economy. We must get people back to work in real, sustainable jobs of the future. I am the only candidate, Democrat or Republican, to have laid out an extensive jobs plan and the details of it can be seen on my website. My plan focuses on small businesses and infrastructure improvements that create jobs, invests in education and training and incentivizes new job growth in the clean energy sector—a key driver of the future economy. Our efforts must provide immediate help but should also lay the groundwork for long-term economic security.

Name: Joe Sestak
Office Sought: US Senate - Pennsylvania
Party Affiliation: Democrat

Global Warming: At the G20 summit in September 2009,the countries present made a commitment to end subsidies for fossil fuel. What will you do to eliminate these subsidies? How will you protect the most vulnerable people from the resulting rise in fuel costs?

I support President Obama’s efforts to transition our economy away from fossil fuels and toward a more renewable and sustainable energy policy including the gradual elimination of fossil fuel subsidies and greater investment in the development and deployment of renewable power. To accomplish such a transition and to do so in a way that minimizes or even eliminates the negative impact on the most vulnerable, I support its inclusion in a comprehensive energy bill, such as the one I voted for that passed the House of Representative last June, the American Clean Energy and Security Act.

For too long, this country has been without a comprehensive energy policy. I voted for ACES because it takes a number of important steps that will wean our country off of foreign oil; create millions of new clean energy jobs, save consumers hundreds of billions of dollars in energy costs, restore this nation’s global leadership role in efforts to reduce emissions and the effects of global warming. This is first and foremost about our national economic security, but it also addresses the moral imperative to reduce climate change for our grandchildren.

Name: Lou Agre
Office Sought: State Representative – 194th District
Party Affiliation: Democrat

• If elected, what are the top 2 issues you would focus on in the next term and why?

Jobs and education.

The most important issues facing the District, the State and our Country concern jobs and economic development. We must provide incentives and do what is necessary to help the private sector create good paying jobs with benefits. This means training in both blue and white collar jobs, building infrastructure to repair our unsafe roads and bridges, developing alternative sources of power and investing in research and development to create the good paying jobs for the future. We must also get health care costs under control so that the cost of health care does not continue to act as a drag on the economy and send employers to other countries to save on health care costs. I have spent my entire adult life fighting for the rights of middle class working families. I know that there is no more important single item to our families, our neighborhoods and our state than each person have a good paying job with benefits.

Name: Doug Pike
Office Sought: US Congress – PA 6th District
Party Affiliation: Democrat

Top Two Issues:

1. The Economy & Jobs: A lot of people are starting to talk about an economic recovery, but everyone in Pennsylvania knows people who are out of work. Families are still hurting. In Congress, my number one priority will be creating jobs by investing in transportation, infrastructure, and new clean energy industries right here in Pennsylvania. I will fight to end tax breaks for companies that send jobs overseas.

2. Health Care Reform: As a journalist and as a candidate, I have been a strong advocate for making quality, affordable health care available to all Americans. We won a big victory this year by passing historic reform, but there is still more to do.

Name: Sharif Street
Office Sought: State Representative – 190th District
Party Affiliation: Democrat

Please note, Philly ADA has endorsed Rep. Vanessa Brown in this race. To read Rep. Brown's questionnaire, click here. Mr. Street is her challenger.

If elected, what are the top 2 issues you would focus on in the next term and why?

1) Make communities safer – Support dedicated funding for Treatment Court and rehabilitative

services to reduce recidivism and use the savings from these initiatives to target illegal gun dealers

2) Improve public education – Support funding to reduce class size and teach conflict resolution

3) Make affordable housing available – Work to develop incentive based workforce housing by leveraging existing techniques, like tax abatements, to encourage developers to provide workforce housing as a portion of any new development.

Name: Anthony Ingargiola
Office Sought: State Representative – 195th District
Party Affiliation: Democrat

• If elected, what are the top 2 issues you would focus on in the next term and why?

1.) Economic Development and Jobs: It is important to address this issue because the communities that make up the 195th Legislative District represent “two Philadelphias”: one with opportunity and one without. Job Training is important to resolving this issue, but without also creating real jobs with real, family sustaining wages, we fail to address the problems represented by skyrocketing unemployment and poverty in our neighborhoods. We must also create incentives for entrepreneurs who are eager to create jobs for neighborhood people that will strengthen a struggling local economy. Small businesses that provide basic goods and services can once again be a vibrant engine that our neighborhoods need and deserve.

2.)Health Care: Like many issues, these two are connected. With out a healthy workforce it is hard to have a vibrant economy.Although I am excited that the Presiednt has recently signed a health care bill that will impact the lives of many people inculding myself across the country, it will not have a quick enough effect for the people in the Commonwealth who need it the most.The system in Pennsylvania must provide equal accessibility for treatment, research, and resources to people and communities of color and stronger health services in low-income communities. I am passionate about working to make changes in Harrisburg that will immediately bring changes to Philadelphians.

Name: Vanessa Brown
Office Sought: State Representative – 190th District
Party Affiliation: Democrat

To the Members of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter of American for Democratic Action:

I thank you for the opportunity to respond to your Candidate’s Questionnaire. I won election in 2008 to serve as State Representative of the 190th District. The 190th extends from West Philadelphia to North Philadelphia and includes a variety of communities: Belmont, Carroll Park, Cathedral Park, Mill Creek, Haddington, East Parkside, West Powleton, Strawberry Mansion, Allegheny West and Lehigh West.

In my first year in office I have been working diligently to understand the legislative process to better serve my constituents, who like so many Philadelphians are in dire need of state services to expand excess to healthcare, crime prevention, economic development, quality education and job opportunities. On April 15, I announced the award of $2 million to my district. One $1million was granted to Spectrum Health Services and $1million was provided to Smith Playground & Playhouse. Both these programs are examples of my work to provide improved delivery of healthcare services and provide safe play areas for children and families.