Sen. Laughlin touts hunting and day care reform, CRIZ, school funding in reelection bid

Eight years ago, I ran for state Senate as a political outsider because I felt that government would be better served by regular people with some hardworking, real-world experience.

As a small business owner, I had to deliver for my customers every day. That attitude was completely missing from state government. Things simply were not getting done.

Humbled to win, I got to work.

I said we would get our fair share of funding for Erie's public schools.

I said we would get a City Revitalization Improvement Zone (CRIZ) for Erie to grow our economy.

I said we would change the law to enable Sunday hunting.

I say "we" got it done because these achievements required a bipartisan team of Democrats and Republicans working together.

I will work with anybody and everyone to improve Erie and our community.

There is vital work to be completed on the CRIZ, which has the potential to fundamentally transform our region's economy if completed correctly.

I am asking to be reelected because I have the drive, vision and momentum to get more done for all of Erie County.

My goals remain straightforward: Good schools, safe neighborhoods for work and play, a thriving economy, and retention of American principles no matter your ZIP code.

The Erie School District and surrounding school districts of Erie County suffered from years of unfair underfunding from Harrisburg. In 2017, Erie high schools were on the verge of closing. I could not stand by and let that happen. Since you elected me, Erie's public schools receive $82 million more annually. Every school district in the 49th District has benefitted financially and will continue to in perpetuity.

Misguided policies threaten our safety. In Illinois where "no cash bail" has become policy, there are incidents of accused murderers and convicted child molesters granted "no cash bail" to the dismay of victims, police and judges.  As long as I am your state senator, "no cash bail" will never come to our community.

I have introduced a bill that would mandate Pennsylvania prosecutors inform the United States Customs and Immigration Enforcement whenever migrants living in the country illegally are charged with violating state law. This helps ICE do their job which includes keeping communities safe.

Creating an environment where companies can grow and thrive yields good, life-sustaining jobs, less blight and crime, and more independence.

For six years, I worked to block the massive tax increases proposed by former Gov. Tom Wolf that I believed would cripple our region and certainly worsen our job markets. I supported proven economic development tools like the Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance (LERTA) program, federal Opportunity Zones, and CRIZ that bring real job growth.

American dreams and principles are not built on big, intrusive government. Women's right to choose what is best for them, their health, and families should remain as it is in Pennsylvania between a woman and her health care provider.   Second Amendment rights must be protected because liberty must be protected. Freedom of speech, right to peacefully assemble, healthy respectful and truthful discourse also need our protection for our country to succeed.

I grew up in a lower middle-class family that experienced true poverty. I remember going to bed hungry and waking up cold. To heat our home, we walked the railroad tracks and collected coal. One year, I asked for orange juice as my Christmas present.

As a young adult, I worked as a union steelworker at National Forge. I started and operated several small businesses. I have lived paycheck to paycheck. I have gone without a paycheck so my employees were paid.

These experiences keep me grounded and ensure I never forget where I came from or who I represent as your state senator.

In June of this year, two homes were destroyed and another home was burned by squatters. Dozens of people were displaced by the fire.

Squatters learned how to manipulate the law to give them more rights than property owners. Imagine coming home and finding strangers occupying it, and then being told you must go to court to remove them. It is wrong, so I acted.

With bipartisan support, we changed the law so that squatters are considered trespassers. Homeowners can now rightfully inform squatters that they are trespassing, and, are guilty of a criminal act.

After the tragic day care fire five years ago that claimed the lives of five children, I changed the law to ensure day care facilities meet fire safety guidelines. The new law requires day cares to have working, interconnected smoke alarms located in the right places. Since the law was passed, inspections are up 32% while failures are down 25%.

The largest Pennsylvania personal income tax cut in history is still on the table. I want to see it through for the Pennsylvanians who desperately need relief.

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Together we have forward momentum, where regular people like us can improve lives and communities. It is why I want to keep fighting for us in Harrisburg.

Sen. Dan Laughlin, a Republican, represents the 49th Senatorial District, which covers all of Erie County except the city of Corry, Elgin borough, and Concord and Wayne townships. He is seeking reelection.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Dan Laughlin explains why voters should reelect him to the Pa. Senate