Two Dems seeking 49th District nomination
Two Democrats are facing off for their party’s nomination to face GOP state Rep. Bud Cook of Daisytown in the race for state House 49th Legislative District in November. Randy J. Barli and Steve Toprani are both running in the May 15 primary. Cook is in his second term in office.
Both candidates were sent an email asking them what is the single most pressing issue in the district and asked to respond in 150 words.
Randy J. Barli
Family, law enforcement, health and education, collectively comprises the most pressing issue of our district, state, and country. “We the people” have been drastically overrun by selfish interests in all areas of our daily lives for many decades. “We the people” can solve this pressing issue!
Once elected I will sponsor and fight for a “Constitutional Amendment Bill” guaranteeing citizens the “right to vote” by making election days accessible to each citizen. Most especially with very attractive tax incentives/deductions with proven active voting by citizens, employees, employers, organizations, etc.; also with election holidays, employer paid election days off, and possible weekend elections, along with severe penalties/punishments for hindering anyone’s “right to vote!” One hundred percent registration, accessibility, and turnout being the goal!
Responsibility is best defined as the “ability to respond!” Do “We the people” have this “ability to respond”?
Steve Toprani
Following the collapse of steel and coal, the 49th District faces serious issues. In my lifetime, industry workers were displaced, thousands of quality jobs were lost and the tax base shrunk. Our urban communities, built at gates of mills and mines, saw blight spread and absentee landowners rise; now fewer residents own homes. As these towns and schools lost revenue, seniors became saddled with high taxes. Drug addiction spread and several towns lead with opioid overdose rates.
As state representative, I will reduce property taxes and find grants for economic reinvestment and blight reduction, drawing on my experience as chair of the county redevelopment authority. I will expand treatment for addicts and increase penalties for dealers, and I will lead this effort as the only former elected district attorney in the legislature. I know issues firsthand: as a school and municipal solicitor, I work alongside our community stakeholders to solve problems.
Steve Toprani
Age: 39
Residence: Monongahela
Education: 1997 graduate of Ringgold High School; 2001 bachelor’s degree in political science from California University of Pennsylvania; and 2004 juris doctorate from Duquesne University.
Occupation: Municipal and school attorney and former Washington County district attorney.
Randy J. Barli
Age: 63
Residence: Coal Center
Education: 1973 graduate of Charleroi Area High Schoo; 1988 associate’s degree in science and engineering from Pennsylvania State University.
Occupation: Retired electrical troubleshooter
49th Legislative District
Term: 2 years
Salary: $86,478
District includes: Carroll, Fallowfield, North Bethlehem, West Bethlehem and West Pike Run townships; Allenport, Beallsville, Bentleyville, California, Charleroi, Coal Center, Cokeburg, Deemston, Donora, Dunlevy, Elco, Ellsworth, Long Branch, Marianna, New Eagle, North Charleroi, Roscoe, Speers, Stockdale, Twilight, West Brownsville and Monongahela in Washington County.