Rep. O’Neal faces MacTaggart in 48th state House race
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the last in a series of stories featuring key races in the upcoming Nov. 3 election.
Republican state Rep. Tim O’Neal of South Strabane, who has served in the state House since first winning a special election in May 2018, is facing a challenge in the Nov. 3 general election from Democratic candidate Rebecca MacTaggart of South Strabane.
The 48th State House District runs diagonally from southwestern Washington County through the Washington area and to the Mon Valley.
We asked two questions to each of the candidates and asked them to respond with written answers.
Question 1: What are the most pressing issues facing Pennsylvania, and how would you address them?
Question 2: What is your position on the development of data centers, and what role should the state play in regulating them?
Their responses, which we asked to keep under 200 words, are below.
Name: Tim O’Neal
Age: 45
Residence: South Strabane
Occupation: State representative
Party: Republican
Question 1: The number one issue I hear about when going door to door throughout Washington County is rising costs. Whether it’s the price of gasoline, the cost of electricity, out of control property taxes or rising grocery bills, we are all feeling the impact of years of high inflation. That’s why I’ve been fighting for our area out in Harrisburg. I helped negotiate the Commonwealth’s exit from RGGI – a massive electricity tax program and voted to remove taxes on utility bills. I support a gas tax reduction and/or suspension and I just released a package of bills to ease the property tax burden. I’ve also introduced legislation to slash our state income tax. I will continue to support policy that will drive costs down and keeps more of your hard earned dollars in your pocket.
Question 2: The question of data center development has been a major topic across Pennsylvania this year, and it is one of the issues I hear about most often. I believe this issue is best decided at the local level. I have supported legislation that empowers local communities to make the final decision on data center development in their areas. I do not believe a one-size-fits-all policy is right for Pennsylvania.
That said, I also believe any potential development must come with transparency and safeguards. I have supported legislation that establishes important reporting requirements for water usage and implements rules to prevent developers from taking advantage of our power grid. Ultimately, decisions about data center development should rest with the local residents most affected. However, if a community decides to pursue development, we must continue working to put safeguards in place to protect residents.
Name: Rebecca MacTaggart
Age: 48
Residence: South Strabane
Occupation: Community engagement specialist
Party: Democrat
Question 1: Getting big corporate money out of politics and addressing affordability is a very big issue and one that resonates with this district. People are struggling with everyday costs while corporations contribute heavily to political campaigns. I have pledged not to accept corporate PAC money. Policies should protect people, not the profits of the biggest donors. Another part of that is to ensure that industries creating costs should be held accountable, not automatically pass those costs onto households.
Jobs and education is another one that I have heard from the community on. A child’s zip code should not determine the quality of education. We must also protect our energy and manufacturing workers while preparing for changes in technology and automation. I have heard from people who have spent their careers in one industry only to get laid off due to new technology. New technologies create jobs too, but we must make sure that we are investing in local and accessible apprenticeship programs, career and technical education, and affordable training.
This also connects into healthcare. Preventative care and accessible services help people remain healthy, employed, and independent while reducing expensive hospital stays that raise insurance premiums. A person shouldn’t have to choose between healthcare, groceries, paying their utilities or paying their mortgage.
Corporate influence affects affordability. Education creates economic opportunity. Healthcare allows people to participate in their communities.
Question 2: I am not opposed to economic development or new technology, but growth must come with guardrails: Safety, transparency, accountability, and community input.
My biggest concerns are energy affordability, water consumption, environmental impacts, and local infrastructure. If a large corporation creates additional demand on our electric grid, households and small businesses should not be expected to pay for it.
The state has a responsibility to establish and enforce clear standards while respecting local decision-making. Failure to comply with codes and regulation costs are inadequate and don’t do much to ensure compliance. This is something the state does control. We need to be tougher on non-compliance especially when it means protecting the welfare of our communities.
We should also examine tax incentives and whether the promised jobs and economic benefits justify them.
To that end, I support a moratorium so we can ensure our communities are put first.
Communities should never have to sacrifice affordability, their environment, or their voice for corporate profit.