Melissa Shusterman
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Melissa Shusterman

Democrat

https://www.melissashusterman.com/

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How do you plan to work across ideological lines to achieve shared goals?

I have a record of working across ideological lines to achieve shared goals. Rep Tina Davis (Bucks) and I worked with the previous administration, our leadership team, the Republican lead Senate, and those across the aisle to put the Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit in the Republican lead legislators budget. This momentum helped us continue advocacy during this new budget cycle where the Shapiro lead administration and the new slim Democratic House Majority was able to expand the Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit and make a larger financial impact for those families struggling financially.

What would be your top three policy priorities in office?

I am currently in office and was able to tackle several of my top issues. 1. Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit is currently in the budget 2. Elimination of Deceptive Pregnancy Centers. This was my bill (HB 118). These centers use TAXPAYER money to deceive women when they are pregnant and seeking options. This line item has been removed from the BUDGET and actual Healthcare will now be offered in place of these centers that lie and confuse women when they are asking for medical options. 3. Gun Violence Reform and Common Sense gun reform. My 3D Print Gun (HB 1190 - bill) has passed out of Judiciary and will now go through the process to become law. Passing this law will require tenacious advocacy. I look forward to working with Moms Demand Action and CeaseFire to move this into law.

The Committee of Seventy has partnered with the Carter Center to promote the Candidate Principles for Trusted Elections (www.principledcandidates.org) to improve the voting process, encourage honest leadership, and promote civic engagement. Do you support the Candidate Principles? 

Yes. I ran for State Representative to bring transparency to the position and to expand voting rights. As a member of State Committee we are tackling voting expansion issues like Open Primaries.