Snyder running for another term
After two terms in the legislature, state Rep. Pam Snyder, D-Jefferson, says she’s not finished yet.
On Wednesday, Snyder announced she’s seeking a third term in the 50th District.
“I represent the best people anywhere,” Snyder said. Since 2012, she’s been serving the people of Greene County and parts of Washington and Fayette counties, and she said she remains committed to making sure those people have a voice in Harrisburg.
If elected to a third term, Snyder said she plans to build on the work she’s done so far to support Pennsylvania’s energy industries and attack the substance abuse epidemic.
Goals for a third term would also include creating property tax relief, providing fair education funding and promoting a diverse local economy, Snyder said.
The first two go hand-in-hand.
Any property tax relief legislation must be sustainable to our schools, said Snyder.
“We have got to find an alternate way to fund the public education system,” she said. “We need to reduce the burden on property owners, while still providing education for our children.”
Tying school funding to property tax means school districts with better tax bases often fare better than those with with more poverty, and Snyder said the inequality is a disservice to the students.
“It’s not fair. It hasn’t been fair for all students,” she said.
Diversifying the economy is also important to a sustainable future, said Snyder.
“I’m deeply concerned with our coal industry and what’s going to happen to those job,” she said. Mines are closing, which affects not only those workers but the business owners who support the coal industry and their employees.
The natural gas industry has also taken a downturn lately, she noted.
Snyder said she looks forward to working on initiatives to attract manufacturing companies to the area, for example, as a means of diversifying the local economy.
“We all would hope coal would be sustainable, but we can’t hang our hat on hope,” she said.
Snyder has no plan to abandon her long-time support of the coal and natural gas industries, however.
In October 2014, Snyder championed landmark legislation that garnered national recognition and influenced laws in over two dozen other states, according to information from a press release.
The legislation requires approval from both chambers of any plan the state Department of Environmental Protection submits to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to reduce greenhouse gas emissions including those from existing coal-fired power plants.
“Pennsylvania’s input and unique energy blend are critical to protecting the affordability and reliability of Pennsylvania’s electricity supplies while implementing the standards,” Snyder said. “Federal law provides for state input and guidance on the proposed rules, and my legislation ensures that Pennsylvania has a voice in how we curb emissions while protecting jobs, pocketbooks and power supplies.”
She also voted to protect the current impact fee the drilling industry pays to municipalities affected by Marcellus shale operations. Having served nine years as the chairman of the Greene County Board of Commissioners prior to being elected to the house, Snyder said she understands quite well how important those funds are.
“Pennsylvania needs a wide variety of different energy sources to achieve affordable costs for customers and maintain grid reliability,” she said. “Keeping those jobs and funds in the district is imperative for our economy and community.”
Snyder currently serves on the Consumer Affairs, Environmental Resources and Energy, Labor and Industry, and local government committees.
Snyder said her goals are the same as anyone else in the district, regardless of politics. “We want a strong, healthy community, companies to flourish and grow, and for people to work,” said Snyder. “And stay here.”