The Times News asked questions to candidates in the 124th Legislative District, Tina Burns, on the Democratic ticket, and Jamie Barton, on the Republican ballot. Both are new candidates for the seat held by Jerry Knowles, who is retiring. Candidates were given 75 words to respond, with the exception of background. (100 words).

Here are their replies:

Tina Burns

Town: Tamaqua

Election website/social media: Burns4PA.com FB/Insta: tinaburns4pa Twitter: burns4pa

Background: I’m a working class, paycheck to paycheck, struggling, parent, grandparent, health care consultant, and USCG veteran, who grew up here and graduated from Tamaqua High School. I’m one of us that wants to fight for us, not for the corporate interests, that my opponent and other politicians want to continue to give almost 4 billion dollars annually in taxpayer dollars to, including over $6,000 in our promised property tax relief. I need your vote on Nov. 8 so I can fight for We The People of the 124th to have a new day, new way, one where we come first.

Your three top priorities if elected to office:

Affordability: Fiscal responsibility in government, property tax relief, equitable funding in education, and a living wage.

Accessibility: Health care for all, improved support services for seniors, veterans, children, and those with disabilities.

Accountability: Environmental responsibility, lowering taxes by closing corporate tax loopholes, equal rights for all with no exclusions.

My education in industrial organizational psychology and prior experience in small and large companies analyzing and fixing broken systems gives me the ability to tackle the above.

One of the biggest issues facing Schuylkill County is blight. How would you help communities to battle the issue?:

Local government ordinance: Less complicated conservatorship process and authorization of land banks for communities that may have less than 10,000 residents. Community participation: Data driven strategies that request help from residents, like the Blexting ap used successfully in Detroit, South Bend, New Orleans, Cincinnati.

Affordable housing: Rehab, demolition and green development, land banking, housing mix, down payment assistance, employer-assisted housing, tax abatement.

Partnerships: streetscaping, infrastructure improvements, public transportation, downtown improvements, educational improvements, workforce training programs.

Our senior population is being hit harder than most with the high inflation. Property taxes don’t help. What do you think can be done to alleviate the burden of property taxes?: Gov. Wolf proposed a severance tax on natural gas fracking (as did Rendell). The Republican majority chambers would not present the proposal for bill or vote. Pennsylvania is the only state that doesn’t tax these companies. I would fight to tax them and use those funds to provide property tax relief. Pennsylvania gives $3.8 billion away annually to the fossil fuel industry, my opponent works for and has financial interests and investments in that industry.

Do you think the current method of funding cyber/charter schools is fair and what, if any, changes would you make to the funding system for cyber/charter schools: I don’t support using public school funds for outside charter schools, unregulated outside charters need to find their own funding sources. Allowing public school funds to go to unregulated charter schools, places undue strain on our already underfunded public-schools and disproportionately affects lower SES districts. More state level equitable and fair funding is needed. The recent one-time funding does not make up for the massive cuts by Corbett that were never reestablished, or for inflation.

How you would help improve access to mental health services for residents: Create care pathways for faster intervention and assessment using tools (apps and interactive programs) and team-based approaches for care, such as integrated care models with PCPs leading the coordination of care. Call centers with extended hours, increased telehealth services allowing cross state practicing. Improved health insurance plan coverage and lower out of pocket patient costs for mental health services. Educational incentives to get more young people interested in entering the field of behavioral health.

Jamie Barton

Town: Orwigsburg

Election website/social media: JamieBarton4Leadership.com; Facebook: Jamie Barton for State Representative

Background: A lifelong member of the community, I have spent my career in the energy industry. I am vice president of Jack Rich Inc., where I’ve been employed for the past 33 years. I am a lay minister and Sunday school teacher and serve on several community and business boards. I was named “Citizen of the Year” in 2017 by the Orwigsburg Lions Club and “Businessman of the Year” in 2021 by the Schuylkill County Chamber of Commerce. I live in East Brunswick Township with my fiancee Brenda and we have four children between us Jack, Alee, Nick and Joe.

Your three top priorities if elected to office: We have to help families fight inflation. Washington is the cause but Harrisburg can be part of the solution. We must lower taxes and fees for families and help improve their bottom line. We also need to keep our communities safe, and that includes standing up for law enforcement. We must invest in our public schools and make sure our kids have an opportunity to succeed and our parents have a voice in their success.

How you would help communities to battle blight: Blight will only be fought with a partnership between local municipalities, the state, and the community. First we have to invest in blight remediation. I would help spearhead a coalition in Harrisburg for investment in blight reduction. We then have to have willing partners in our local governments who prioritize cutting the red tape that comes along with remediation. Lastly we need the community to buy into the plan and to stop blight from continuing.

What do you think can be done to alleviate the burden of property taxes: First thing we have to do is invest more in our schools at the state level. This will help even out the funding and put less of a burden on the local school districts. I believe property taxes are inherently unfair and would support working toward the total elimination. Until that time we should at a minimum freeze them for seniors to give them predictability and stability for the most vulnerable.

We often hear from local school districts about the significant difference in cost when one of its students chooses to attend an outside cyber/charter school as opposed to the in-house cyber programs that many districts now offer. Do you think the current method of funding cyber/charter schools is fair and what, if any, changes would you make to the funding system for cyber/charter schools: I think that we should work to come up with a fair funding formula for charter schools outside the public school network. This is an issue that I want to lead on in Harrisburg and make sure that no matter how our kids choose to be educated that we pay an appropriate amount that offers the child the best shot at success.

How you would help improve access to mental health services for residents: I think that mental health service and education are vital for a healthy community. I would work to increase funding for services and investigate how private insurance covers mental health services as well. I would also continue the funding for mental health access in our schools so our young citizens have access at an early age.