Lisa Gourley
DemocraticQ1 PFAS chemicals are widely used in consumer products but have raised health concerns due to their persistence in the environment and humans, and some Pennsylvanian legislators are considering restrictions on its use, such as in House Bill 2145. Should Pennsylvania restrict PFAS in consumer products? What scientific evidence would you use to inform your decision?
Yes these chemicals should be restricted. According to the U.S. EPA long term or elevated exposure can impact health with increased cancer risks, suppression of the immune system and reproductive issues.
KEYWORDS: Cancer, Immune System, Reproductive issues
Q2 Measles vaccination rates in Pennsylvania have declined in recent years, from 95.5% in 2020 to 92.5% in 2025. At the same time, measles outbreaks have emerged across the state, with 62 confirmed cases in PA in 2026. As a policymaker, how do you approach engaging with communities that have concerns that center on infectious disease outbreaks and vaccine safety, and what policies, if any, would you support related to these issues?
I would approach these communities with facts that support immunization as well as methods to protect oneself from exposure. I would propose policy that would limit the exclusions for vaccination. Exclusions have been increased since COVID allowing for many to utilize these under non valid reasons.
KEYWORDS: Immunization, exposure, exclusion
Q3 There have been avian influenza outbreaks in Pennsylvania, with potential impacts on poultry and dairy operations, both industries that provide billions of dollars of economic value to the state. What policies, if any, do you support to strengthen the state’s preparedness and outbreak response? Are there specific strategies you would prioritize to protect farm workers, agricultural communities, and the broader public?
As a RN I firmly believe in protection prior to outbreak. As such I would support increased protective methods with the first awareness of increased risk. I would also support increased research for both prevention and immediate response when an outbreak is noted.
KEYWORDS: Prevention, protection, research
Q4 Pennsylvania is the nation’s second-largest producer of natural gas and nuclear energy, as well as the third-largest producer of coal, per the Energy Information Administration. In contrast, PA currently ranks 45th in the country in terms of wind, solar, and hydropower energy production. How do you think these energy sources should be distributed across PA’s energy production portfolio, and what policies, if any, would you support to facilitate this?
It is vital that we as a state support and encourage use of wind, solar and hydropower energy. Renewable energy sources is the method to battle climate change and move toward the future. I believe that tax credits for the use of renewable energy sources may be a way to increase its use. Education to inform and encourage these methods can be one way to further the use.
KEYWORDS: Support, educate, Renewable
Q5 Pennsylvania has proposed more reporting, utility oversight, and zoning guidance for large data centers, along with shifting some generation, capacity, and reliability costs onto data center developers rather than ordinary ratepayers. How should the costs and benefits of large data center development be divided between developers and the public, and what requirements, if any, would you support on power, water, and public reporting before a project moves forward?
I would ensure that the data center developers are responsible for all costs in developing and maintaining the center. they should also be responsible for all costs related to power this should not be passed to the public. This should be a transparent development and not one that makes promises to the community but does not follow through. Zoning rules should be in place that does not allow these centers to be placed community adjacent placing the water for the community at risk. I do not believe data centers should receive any type of tax relief or benefit from states for development.
KEYWORDS: Responsible, transparent, zoning