Meet the Candidate
Edward Ritter
Running For:
REPRESENTATIVE IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLYDistrict:
47Political Affiliation:
DEMAge:
70Occupation:
Engineer, retiredEducation: (click to expand)
Biographical Info: (click to expand)
Why are you running for office? (click to expand)
Survey
Response Legend
- YYes
- NNo
- UUndecided
- −Declined to Respond / Position Unknown / Unclear
- *Comment
- †Declined to respond, Position based on citation
| Question | Response | Comments/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Should all voters be required to show identification before voting? | N* | In PA, voters are required to show documentation when registering to vote. I see no reason that ID be presented once a signature match is confirmed by the poll worker. I have worked the polls and have no concerns about unregistered voters gaining access to the ballot. Note - there would be no practical way for absentee voters to show ID before submitting their ballot. |
| 2. Should the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act be amended to include "sexual orientation" and "gender identity," which could require public schools and other public facilities to open up restrooms and locker rooms to members of the opposite sex? | U* | Restrooms should be used based on how a person identifies and presents to the world. I would not want a person born biologically female who has transitioned to male using a women's restroom and vice versa. |
| 3. Should marijuana be legalized and sold commercially for recreational use? | Y* | Our state is surrounded by states that have legalized recreational marijuana. We are forgoing tax revenue by declining this option. Associated with this is the ability for the state to test and regulate active chemicals in commercially available products. Also, once recreational marijuana is legalized, criminal records for simple possession should be expunged and anyone incarcerated ONLY for possession should be released. |
| 4. Should increases in state government spending be limited to the rate of inflation plus population growth? | N* | Since the federal government has pulled back on social safety net spending, state governments may need to take up the slack. If there is no FEMA response to a major earthquake or hurricane or a more localized tornado or flooding, surely the state government will need to step up. Local municipalities do not have sufficient funding to cover these types of emergencies. Corporations and high-worth individuals who received the bulk of the tax cuts from OBBBA ought to be generous enough to support social programs in their home states, right...? If not, then tax hikes may be necessary to provide health care, housing and food support. |
| 5. Should Pennsylvania make cuts to the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) student scholarship program? | N | |
| 6. Planned Parenthood Endorsement - abortion advocacy organization | − | |
| 7. Sierra Club Endorsement - environmental advocacy organization | − | |
| 8. Gun Owners of America Endorsement - gun rights advocacy organization | − |