Paul Schemel, Republican, Incumbent Candidate for PA House, District 90

I increasingly believe that our election system should favor in-person voting on election day over absentee/mail-in voting. The large number of mail-in ballots which have errors, e.g., no signature, no date, etc., illustrates that mail-in balloting opens too many opportunities for errors. In addition, having most voters vote on the same day provides all voters with the opportunity to have the same information. A clear example would be this year's US senate race where the candidates did not have a public debate until after over 600,000 mail-in voters had already submitted their ballots.

What are your positions on economic policy and job creation (ex: inflation reduction, taxes, regulations, etc.)? 

Pennsylvania should have a tax and regulatory environment which makes us a competitive player in the national/global market for business. That means low taxes and efficient regulation, neither of which we have now. Have a business climate which is friendly and conducive to businesses benefits everyone, both those who are already in Pennsylvania as well as those looking at Pennsylvania as a potential site for investment. This is a much better strategy than targeted incentives, which benefit only select businesses or industries.

What is your position on climate change and environmental policy? 

I believe in climate change and I believe that human activity is a contributing factor to some degree; however, I am not a climate alarmist and I do not believe that concerns over climate change should prevent us from using the natural resources which Pennsylvania has in abundance, such as fossil fuels. Technological advances are, and will continue, to help us find ways to use these natural resources in more efficient ways.

What is your position on immigration policy? 

I believe that our nation should have robust, efficient and regular immigration. In order to ensure immigration rather than migration, we should also have secure borders.

What is your position on LGBTQ rights? (ex: marriage, adoption, sports participation) 

I am concerned about the increasing sexualizing of children by movements which appear to suggest, even promote, alternative lifestyles and "identities". In particular, I have significant concerns regarding the rapid growth in gender affirmation programs which place children on puberty blocking drugs and cross-sex hormones. The number of children in Pennsylvania being treated with this regimen now numbers in the thousands.

What is your position on criminal justice reform? 

I have supported criminal justice reforms which help to reintegrate non-violent offenders into society. Incarcerating individuals for long periods of time for low-level, non-violent offenses is both costly to the Commonwealth and further distances a past offender from becoming a productive member of society. There is good data to support this kind of criminal justice reform.

What is your position on gun ownership policy? 

I am pro-2nd Amendment

Is there anything else you'd like to add?