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Wendy Ullman seeks reelection to 143rd District seat

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In responses to a questionnaire from the Bucks County Herald, Pennsylvania State Rep. Wendy Ullman (D-143) shared her thoughts on some of the major concerns facing the state.

During the pandemic many Bucks County businesses were closed, as Gov. Tom Wolf laid out a color-coded plan to reopen the economy in stages, posing widespread economic and health concerns. Ullman said, the matter is complicated.

“I am deeply concerned for the economic health of our region,” said Ullman, in an email. “I also am deeply concerned for the health and well-being of all our residents and workers.” Striking a balance, she added, “is complex and full of shifting variables.”

While some opposed the shutdown, Ullman said she supports the governor’s plan. “The hope is that the controlled, phased-in business opening policies instituted by the governor will ensure a smooth, uninterrupted economic recovery.” Experts agree, said the legislator, “that an abrupt reversal of business policies would have severe economic impact on businesses getting back on their feet.”

Ullman did express concern over the waiver process that exempted some businesses from closing during the shutdown. “The process was opaque, confusing, and, in many instances, simply unfair to certain business sectors,” she said. “As a result, many businesses suffered.”

There were a number of bills proposed during the pandemic that took a “light switch” approach that Ullman said she did not support. The laws were designed to “turn specific activities on all at once, with little useful guidance or oversight, regardless of regional rates of COVID-19,” Ullman said. All of those bills were vetoed by Wolf.

However, Ullman said, there were two “light switch” bills she supported. One was the third version of the Real Estate Bill that had safe resumption of real estate transactions and the second was the Outdoor Dining Bill.

She also said she signed on to legislation supporting the safe reopening of salons and barber shops and safe resumption of youth softball and baseball.

House Bill 2787 proposes that local government should have control over the playing of school sports and their audiences. Ullman said, at first she was sympathetic to the legislation’s aims, believing that youth ice hockey, for example, could be safely started.

“I can’t be an expert on everything – no one can,” said Ullman. “But I do listen to the advice of experts. Since that vote was taken, experts have shifted their positions about sports and sporting events.”

As the guidance changes, Ullman said, she could no longer support the bill, when it came to the floor for a veto override. “I felt it was premature and reckless to put high school athletes and spectators at greater risk than the PIAA, colleges and professional sports teams thought it was prudent to do.”

The cost of prescription drugs was also discussed and Ullman said she’s co-sponsored two bills, one to create a Prescription Drug Advisory Board and another – Cap the Price of Insulin.

In the first bill, Ullman said, “The goal is to create a system in which no drug can skyrocket to absurd and unaffordable costs.” The second would provide a cap on co-pays for insulin coverage. “I will be pushing to have these bills brought through committee before the end of the fall 2020 session.”

The legislator said she supports offering more state funding to help businesses and also fund grants for business development. “We need to ensure that our very small businesses get their fair share of CARES funding,” Ullman said.

According to the state representative, Pennsylvania should provide more unemployment insurance for those who have exhausted their regular unemployment benefits.

“We are facing difficult times, with a record number of individuals unemployed,” said Ullman. “I support programs like PA’s Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation program.”

Asked about the eviction dilemma, which puts stress on both landlords and tenants, Ullman said she supports Wolf’s moratorium on evictions. “Our already struggling citizens should not have to worry about paying for the roof over their heads.”

On the matter of police restructuring, the legislator said, she supports “policy that further improves our criminal justice system – from sentencing guidelines to our bail system.” Jails and prisons, she added, “cannot be a substitute for investing in a robust mental health care system and substance abuse disorder treatment that is available and affordable to all.”

Climate change is real, said Ullman, noting that she supports laws “to combat its devastating effects,” as well as community solar cooperatives.

Elected in 2018, Ullman was an English professor at Bucks and Montgomery County community colleges before entering politics to represent the 143rd District.


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