The Center for Coalfield Justice is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that, among other things, engages in nonpartisan voter education. The purpose of this questionnaire is to guarantee that voters are informed about all PA 14th Congressional District candidates’ positions on issues that are relevant to our community. The questionnaire is not an endorsement for any candidate running for the PA Congressional Seat. Below are the responses from candidate Bill Marx. Guy Reschenthaler did not answer the questionnaire, but where applicable, we noted his voting record.
Question 1, Part 1: Local black leaders in our community have worked tirelessly to increase awareness of racial disparity and discrimination. In what ways would you, as our Congressional Representative, work with local leaders on this issue?
“For starters, I have pledged to hold at least two town halls in each county each year where I can meet and hear my constituents’ concerns. In addition to town halls, I would like to set up regular meetings with local leaders and elected reps to hear about the concerns and needs of the people in the district so I can try to direct funding back to SW PA to help. Finally, I live and work in the district, which makes me accessible to the average person in the district. I plan on being home as much as I can to stay grounded and to see for myself what is happening and what I can help with by speaking with the citizens in the PA-14th.”- Bill Marx
Representative Reschenthaler did not answer.
Part 2: What is your vision for ensuring the 14th Congressional District is a safe, inclusive place for all?
“Education is the key to a better community and ignorance is the cancer. I would support programs that would help to retrain police and other public safety personnel to de-escalate situations whenever possible and to fund less-than-lethal methods for all police departments in the district, along with proper training on such equipment. I would support housing programs that allow families to integrate neighborhoods and school districts, providing a better diversity of students and families, which would then interact and develop an understanding and appreciation of each other. Finally, I would like to ensure complete funding of local social services that help eliminate poverty, as poverty leads to increased crime, drug use, domestic violence, and tension in these communities. By lifting people up and out of poverty, providing quality education, and improving the training of our police so that they will be seen as community partners, we can strengthen the bonds in the communities that have been decaying from years of neglect.” -Bill Marx
Representative Reschenthaler did not answer.
Question 2: What is your position on the RECLAIM Act?
“I support the RECLAIM Act as the best way to reduce our dependence on coal, clean up the communities and waterways poisoned by coal mining, and to help transition communities dependent on coal jobs to better opportunities for these workers.” -Bill Marx
Representative Reschenthaler did not sponsor H.R. 2156, the RECLAIM Act.
Question 3: According to a 2018 GAO report, The Black Lung Disability Trust Fund is heading for insolvency. What is your position on providing public funds to the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund?
“The reason it is insolvent is due to coal mine operator bankruptcies, which have transferred the burden on to the taxpayer. After decades of profits for the companies and CEOs, many have declared bankruptcy to avoid the obligations they made to their workers. I do not think these workers should be on the hook to replenish this fund. I would fight to hold these companies and their executives responsible to honor the promises they made in exchange for the profits they eagerly accepted.” -Bill Marx
Representative Reschenthaler did not sponsor H.R. 3876, the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund.
Question 4: The federal government has not yet passed a second round of stimulus to address the economic impacts of COVID-19. What is your position on additional stimulus packages?
“I see families in my community struggling every day because of COVID, whether it be due to reduced hours at work, loss of a job, trying to balance work and daycare needs, or a thousand other situations that we were not prepared to handle when COVID invaded and shut us down. I would support more rounds as needed to protect small businesses, working families, and retirees in the district during this pandemic.” -Bill Marx
In January 2019, Representative Reschenthaler co-sponsored H.R. 748, the CARES Act.
Question 5: The National Economic Transition Platform for Coalfield Communities seeks to provide a blueprint for economic growth in communities like ours. What is your position on the NET Platform?
“I agree with this platform. Investing in small and local businesses is the key to economic growth and community revitalization in many communities in SW PA that are remnants of a once thriving coal and steel industry. We should be looking forward to 21st century careers and technologies instead of holding on to a 19th century mindset.” -Bill Marx
Representative Reschenthaler has not spoken publicly about whether or not he supports the NET Platform.
Question 6: In 2018, the agricultural sector accounted for 10% of national greenhouse gas emissions. We also know that small family farms are struggling. Given the importance of agriculture to the Commonwealth, what initiatives might you support to make agriculture more sustainable for both PA families and the environment?
“Having married into a farming family, I understand the pride and work many small and local farmers put into their livelihood. You cannot just throw subsidies at them, as that would be seen as a handout. Instead, I would like to try to work with these farmers, first by listening to them about their practices and what they see as their needs. Then, working with some of the associations to educate farmers about known agricultural practices that reduce emissions and establishing a carbon offset or carbon banking program that would incentivize farmers to adopt these practices, reducing emissions and financially supporting these local farmers. I would also support programs that promote and subsidize the use of local produce and farm products in schools, government food service, and restaurants to help reduce emissions from big factory farming methods and from the transportation of these products from hundreds of miles away.” -Bill Marx
Representative Reschenthaler did not answer.
The Center for Coalfield Justice is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that only participates in non/bipartisan issues. This questionnaire was done for the purpose of ensuring that voters in our community understand the candidates’ positions on issues that community members have voiced as important. The questionnaire results are not an endorsement for either candidate running for the PA 14th District Congressional Seat.
The Center for Coalfield Justice would like to thank all of the Washington and Greene County residents who participated in our survey and offered suggestions for questions and valuable feedback for our candidate questionnaire. We encourage you to also reach out to the candidates directly to hear from them on these and other issues.
