Unopposed Shaner seeks fifth term
DUNBAR TWP. – State Rep. Jim Shaner (D-Fayette/Westmoreland) is running unopposed in the newly configured 52nd Legislative District. The lawmaker is seeking his fifth term in office.
“I’m very pleased with the redrawn district,” said Shaner of the addition of portions of Menallen Township in Fayette County and a portion of Mount Pleasant Township in Westmoreland County. “It consolidates the area I have represented over the past eight years.”
Shaner said he supports efforts to strengthen the state’s Open Records law, although he admits he would defer to the leadership of the legislative caucus for decisions regarding its records.
“If you want access to my records, be my guest,” he said. “I have nothing to withhold, but I would back my leadership if they chose to maintain its off-limits status.
“The general has to be able to trust his troops.”
Shaner said he remains supportive of the completion of the Mon Valley Expressway, a corridor he considers vital to the growth of southwestern Pennsylvania.
“When completed, the expressway will open up a path from Pittsburgh to the eastern seaboard,” he said. “This can only have positive results for our area.”
Shaner added that the construction schedule of the highway should remain intact in order to keep costs at a minimum.
“Every time there is a construction delay, it only adds to the cost,” he said. “If you lose a year, the next time you look at the cost, it has gone up. Let’s get it done.”
Shaner said he favors property-tax reform in order to ease the burden on those with fixed incomes.
“I would favor a sales tax earmarked specifically to defray the property tax dollar for dollar, or a personal tax, or a combination of both,” he said. “We have to look at alternatives to either eliminate the property tax or reduce it so that it is more manageable for the senior citizens.”
He also supports legislative efforts to require insurance companies to pay for physician-directed treatments and procedures.
“Doctors ought to be able to send their patients for whatever procedures they need,” said Shaner. “Who is better equipped to advise their patients than their personal physicians?”
Shaner said he is looking forward to serving a fifth term in office.
“I want to continue to work on the issues that matter most to the residents of our area, with a renewed emphasis on public education, health care and community development,” he said. “For me, public service is about making sure my constituents have a voice in Harrisburg.”
Shaner currently serves as the vice chairman of the House Finance Committee and as a member of the House Game and Fisheries, Liquor Control and Policy committees.
In addition to the inclusion of Menallen Township 1 and 2, and Mount Pleasant Township, the realigned 52nd District includes the city of Connellsville and the Fayette County townships of Dunbar, Franklin, Jefferson, Lower Tyrone, North Union, Perry and Upper Tyrone. It also includes Dawson, Dunbar, Everson, Newell, Perryopolis and Vanderbilt boroughs.