Meet the candidates for Pa. House District 21 Sara Innamorato vs. Frank Perman
The Post-Gazette submitted a series of three questions to candidates running for state office in Western Pennsylvania. 1. Q: Who are you and why are you qualified to run for state House? Innamorato:
I am a lifelong resident of the area. I grew up in Ross and Millvale, attended Pitt and currently live in Lawrenceville. I was first elected to represent the 21st state House District in 2018. After college, I decided to get involved in community organizations focused on strengthening the community and giving a voice to neighbors whose concerns are not often heard. I work to empower working families and those who are pushed to the edges of society. I have continued that work since joining the Legislature. I have stood with nurses, service workers, and skilled tradespeople alike in their fights to organize and earn a better life for themselves and their families. I worked to keep people fed and housed during the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, I worked within a partisan Legislature to have the Whole Home Repairs legislation I sponsored amended into the budget, adding $150 million to help Pennsylvanians make crucial improvements to their homes. I am also a founding member of an interstate task force of state legislators working to curb monopoly power and on the board of the Allegheny County Housing Authority.
Perman: Your state representative should be a good listener, able to relate with many people from diverse interests and backgrounds. Your representative should also havethe ability to successfully solve issues. I can and do that now. As a licensed funeral director for over 30 years, many people have used my business, Perman Funeral Home in Shaler Township. I serve people without regard to creed, race, economic situation or lifestyle. Their dead are treated with respect and honor. I have held the hands, hugged and cried with survivors during the worst time of their lives. My family lives in Shaler Township. I am a home owner. My wife, Heather, and I have four children and one rescue dog. Community service is the hallmark of my life. I volunteer with Boy Scouts of America and the Girl Scouts of Southwestern PA. I am a USA Softball -certified umpire with the Greater Pittsburgh Girls’ Softball League. I am a two-time past president and current member of the Kiwanis Club of Glenshaw. I belong to Moose International and the Train Collectors Association-Ft. Pitt Division. I was a founding member of the Lawrenceville Business Association. I am a past member of the Rotary Clubof Lawrenceville. 2. Q: Why are you running for state House?
Innamorato: I had a difficult time growing up. When my dad was still a young man he got injured and was over-prescribed opioid medication; it caused an addiction that eventually ended his life. When my mom, sister, and I were struggling we had friends and neighbors who helped us. Strong communities and kind neighbors made a difference in my life, and I think they can make a difference for everyone. Helping others and building strong communities is hard when no one around you can get on their feet. We have entire communities that have been hollowed out by the offshoring of jobs, discriminatory policies, industrial union busting, and plain neglect. The policy decisions of the last 40 years have replaced security with uncertainty for entire neighborhoods, towns, and regions. In these cases, we need public investment but we also need to take measures that take power back from big corporations and Wall Street. In addition to the broad perspectives above, I have three central policy focuses. The first is support for labor unions, a safe workplace and good-paying jobs. Next is public health, including access to healthcare, reducing pollution and protecting women’s health care. Lastly, I will work to ensure that everyone in the state has access to quality, permanent housing.
Perman: It started with a feeling that things are not right. Some Americans are afraid to speak out about important issues. The free exchange of thought is being trampled. Few listen. Fewer reason. Common sense is not common. There is little respect for others’ ideas. This needs to stop. I listened to a radio program. The host asked, “If you are not satisfied with the current situation, what are you going to do about it? Are you going to put up or shut up?” I decided to put up. It’s funny, when I was a younger man, I thought more “in the moment.” As I get older, I think more “in the long term.” What kind of world can I leave? Better or worse? Did I make a difference? Change a circumstance? Help a child? Mentor a young person? Honor our veterans? Respect and recognize our seniors? Build a business? Create and sustain good local jobs? Raise and support a good family? Be a good husband and father? Yes, to all of those questions. I believe that I can do an effective job as the 21st District state representative.
3. Q: Why should voters pay attention to this race?
Innamorato: Much of the funding for the most important parts of public life (infrastructure, public safety, health care, social spending, education) affecting you every day pass through the state at some point. It is also the tier of government that is most heavily targeted, in the last decade, by big-money interests who want to transform public goods and public money into more for-profit enterprises for the mega-rich. It is not enough to simply tell folks that they need to pay attention to the government. The government needs to pay attention to the needs of the people; I do my best to always listen and respond to the needs of the district.
Perman: There are issues in each neighborhood and municipality that need to be addressed specifically. I will address those issues. Whether it is in the City of Pittsburgh, Shaler Township, Millvale Borough, Reserve Township or Etna Borough, I will listen and help. Government will be a part of your life whether you participate or not. Understanding where your tax money goes should be important to each resident. Having effective, local representation in Harrisburg is critical.