Lauren Lareau knows firsthand about how hard small businesses have been hit as a result of the safety precautions taken due to COVID-19. Her tutoring company went under as a result of the pandemic.
While rethinking her business model and finding work where she can, Lareau also is running as a Democrat for state representative from the 142nd District in Bucks County.
The safety restrictions that have been placed on Pennsylvanians have been hard on small businesses, she acknowledges, but she supports Gov. Tom Wolf and Health Secretary Rachel Levine in their difficult decisions.
“The stay-at-home orders were warranted in terms of our health,” she said.
To aid small businesses, she would like to see more financial help made available to them, and believes that both state and federal guidelines should establish small businesses as those companies that employ 50 or fewer people.
On the issue of HB 2787 allowing local governments to have control over the playing and audience allowed to view school sports, she believes the state’s current limits should stay in place through the end of the year, then be reviewed.
As a single mother Lareau considers health care and education her highest priorities. “It’s obscene how expensive health care is,” she said, including the cost of prescription drugs. “Americans pay more for health care than any other country in the world.”
She adds that mental health care is an issue that is not addressed often enough. “It’s difficult to get mental health care in Pennsylvania,” she said.
The granddaughter of a Philadelphia police officer, Lareau believes too much is asked of police officers who have to deal with the homeless and the addicted. “They shouldn’t have to deal with problems that require social workers,” she said. “It’s a disservice to our police to expect them to clean up the messes.”
She said she is not interested in defunding the police, but would like to see improved funding for addiction recovery. This would free up the officers to spend more time on police issues.
The environment is another priority for the candidate.
“Climate change is real,” said Lareau, who supports HB 1425, which would ensure 100% renewable energy in Pennsylvania by 2050.
“We have to stop chasing fossil fuels and support renewable energy,” she said.
Lareau also supports extending unemployment compensation, “as long as businesses are not operating at full capacity.” Right now, “there really aren’t enough jobs out there for people to apply for,” she said.
Prior to starting her tutoring business, Lareau was a cancer information specialist for the National Cancer Institute. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education with a master’s degree in human development.
The 142nd District serves Langhorne, Langhorne Manor, Lower and Upper Southampton townships and portions of Middletown. For more information on Lareau see the website votelaurenlareau.org.
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