Election 2022: Your guide to the 28th state Senate race

Democratic candidate Judith Higgins is challenging incumbent Republican Kristin Phillips-Hill for the 28th state Senate seat in the Nov. 8 election.

The district covers southern York County.

The York Daily Record asked the candidates a series of questions on a variety of topics, including inflation, abortion, and elections. Each question had a 500-character limit, and the responses were not edited.

Here are their answers:

Judith Higgins, Democratic

Age: 67

Campaign website:judithhiggins.com

Campaign Twitter: twitter.com/drjudithhiggins

Campaign Facebook: www.facebook.com/DrJudithHiggins

Occupation: Small business owner, J's Inspired Jewelry

Primary residence: Lower Windsor Township

What is the top issue facing this office, and what are your plans to address it?

Defending a women's choice is a top issue for me. I will fight for the personal and civil rights that women have enjoyed for almost 50 years. It is a matter of Constitutional equality, to have self determination, regardless of the gender of the individual . I will speak up, I will continue to advocate for the will of the people of PA, which supports a woman's rights to choose., based on research data - rather than a very small turnout in a primary election.

What steps would you take to reduce polarization?

I have never called any candidate or politician a foul name, or insulted their religion, ethnicity, race, gender or treat anyone disrespectfully. It is important to be professional, open minded and not react to polarizing accusations and comments. It is very difficult to lower polarization when there appears to still be people embracing misinformation.

How would you handle legislation regarding abortion?

i stand with the right to choose. It is a majority of Americans who support a woman's right to choose her own life path. Indeed, it is about recognizing the equality of self determination, and ensuring that women have equal standing in the world. A legislator does NOT belong in your conversation with your doctor..

How can we fund needed road and bridge improvements?

Originally, the fuel taxes were designed to be used for these improvements, but the legislature raided the funds to pay for State Police overtime coverage when communities dissolved their police depts. This reduced the availability of gas taxes for repairs. We need to use the "Build Back Better funds" to address the roadway and bridges needs of the Commonwealth. That is one of the fund designations signed into laws by Democrats to address those exact issues in the Commonwealth.

What, if any, reforms to Pennsylvania's election law would you support?

Formalize the voting process so that it is consistent across the Commonwealth, including drop boxes to help communities vote easier. Allow the process is to include "pre canvassing" mail in ballots, prior to the election. This would save a significant amount of time in processing the ballots - opening the envelopes and flattening the ballots, in preparation for counting on election day. I would also address misinformation about the validity of the elections because democracy is fragile.

Would you seek the adoption of any new gun control measures? If yes, what? If no, why not?

As a military veteran, I do not believe that weapons of war should be sold to the public, at any age. These weapons have a very specific use - to kill as many people as possible. The use of "Red Flag" laws, to protect families and individuals from harmful situations has been used in my neighborhood, and an individual was given support, and weapons removed from his home. Background checks must continue to be in place, to ensure public safety.

How would you position Pennsylvania to be a leader on environmental issues?

Pay attention to air and water quality. and fund enforcement. Fracking , often mentioned as the " resource we need", is a poorly regulated industry in PA. It negatively affects every aspect of the environment and will NOT lead to energy independence. We need to move towards an "eco friendly" business model to include apprenticeships, and training programs to ensure that communities will continue to thrive when industries change.

What should Pennsylvania’s minimum wage, now set at $7.25 an hour, be?

We need to be competitive to ensure that people stay and work in PA. Currently, even West Virginia has a higher minimum wage of $8.75! New Jersey has a minimum wage of $13 and Maryland has $12.50, Most of them have already plans in place to move to $15 by 2024. Pennsylvania needs to move to a minimum of $12.50, with a goal of $15 by 2025. This is still not a "liveable wage", which has been reported to be $20 in 2022, but it reflects addressing people needing more than poverty levels wages.

What, if any, procedural rules would you suggest or support for the 2023-24 legislative session?

Enact a "Gift Ban", to ensure that legislators work for the people, not the corporations. In the same vein, eliminate the dark money that has been used in both parties, not just for one party. There is also a move to enact "For our Freedom", a constitutional amendment, which would give state lawmakers the "authority to regulate" political campaign donations. This is putting the fox in charge of the hen house. I have no idea "whose freedom", but i doubt it is going to help eveyone.

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Kristin Phillips-Hill, Republican

Website: kristinforsenate.com

Phillips-Hill did not respond.

This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Voters Guide 2022: 28th state Senate race in York County, Pennsylvania