Tonight, a debate with statewide significance and a to Bacio and Robert Smith Jr.

One your vote to join the Pennsylvania legislature.

We'll explore the issues here directly from the candidates themselves and find out their visions for the future in this 22nd House district special election debate.

Lehigh Valley Public Media brings you this special presentation, and it starts right now.

Good evening and welcome.

A special election will be held in February, on February 24th for a seat in Pennsylvania's legislature.

Tonight, we'll meet the two people vying for that job representing the 22nd House district.

I'm Tom Shortall, politics reporter at Lehigh Valley News.com, with my colleague and fellow moderator reporter Jason Addy.

Lehigh Valley Public Media is delighted to present this important forum on PBS's 39 Lehigh Valley News.com and on the PBS 39 YouTube channel.

We and our audience are coming to you from The Da Vinci Science Center in Center City, Allentown, part of the district.

The election winner will represent the 22nd House district, covers parts of Allentown, downtown, and East Allentown neighborhoods, as well as the eastern half of Salisbury Township.

The special election is being held because former state representative Josh Siegel resigned to become Lehigh County Executive.

The candidates to fill that unexpired term were selected by their political parties.

Whoever wins will serve as a state lawmaker through the early part of December and an election for the next full term, with candidates chosen by voters in the May primary election will be held separately from this race.

Let's meet the two people on the special election ballot.

Anita Bacio is the Democratic candidate.

She's a member of the Allentown School Board and Office, to which she was elected in 2023.

Robert Smith Jr is the Republican candidate.

He also served on the Allentown School Board for 16 years, from 2003 to 2019.

Okay, let's get right into it.

But first, just a note.

The candidates have not seen the questions.

They've been prepared by journalists with Lehigh Valley Public Media and have not been shared with them.

Mr.

bacio, before the debate, we flipped a coin.

You'll lead us off with your opening statement.

You have one minute.

Thank you.

My name is Anna Tobias.

I'm currently the school board chair.

Rector.

I've been living in Allentown for 20.

Hold on.

I think we're having some technical difficulties.

My apologies.

Let's start again.

Yes.

You have.

You have one minute.

Okay.

Can you hear me now?

Yes.

You are.

You are set.

I will just give our tech a minute.

Thank you.

You now have one minute.

My apologies.

Okay.

My name is Anna Tabrizi.

I'm currently a school board director running for state representative in district 22.

I've lived in Allentown for 27 years.

I also know the struggles because I only have.

I have seen it, but I also have lived it.

I've been living in district 22 and my issues are affordability, fair education and affordable housing.

I'm here to fight for our families and to be the voice.

I have walked the streets of Allentown for two years doing community engagement, showing up in community meetings and listening to our residents and their concerns.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Bacio.

Mr.

Smith, you have one minute for your opening statement.

Good evening.

My name is Robert Smith Jr, and I'm running to be your voice in Harrisburg because the 22nd district deserves a representative who understands our community's struggles from the inside and out.

I've lived on the east side of Allentown for decades.

I'm a husband, a father, a grandfather who has spent 16 years on the Allentown School Board, serving five times as president during my tenure.

We didn't just talk about progress.

We built it.

I co-chaired the construction of Hayes Elementary, a project we delivered on time and under budget while fighting to keep your property taxes low.

Right now, our families are being squeezed by record inflation, rising energy costs, and concerns over public safety.

I'm not a career politician.

I'm a health care professional and a public servant who knows how to work with both sides to get results.

Tonight I'm asking for your vote.

So I take the same fiscal discipline and common sense leadership to the statehouse.

Let's put the people of Allentown and Salisbury first.

Thank you, Mr.

Smith.

We begin with each candidate answering a few questions directed specifically to them.

There are no rebuttals in this part of the debate that will come later.

You'll have one minute to answer.

Mr.

Smith, the first question is for you.

The district overwhelmingly favors Democrats, and you lost it before to Josh Siegel back in 2022.

Why are you in this race, given that history and the difficult odds?

Last time it was 6040.

So all I have to do is make up 20%.

As you can see, people are.

The nation right now is divisive.

When I go door to door, there is so many people that are independent right now and unaffiliated.

I have my Republican base.

I have my Democratic side and the unaffiliated and independents will come over to me and I'll win.

This is the perfect storm for somebody who can unite the district.

Right now we have eight people in the Lehigh Valley Caucus.

Everybody talks about flipping the seat.

I'm talking about as eight people can have eight votes, and we could be united as a Lehigh Valley caucus.

And I think I can win, and I think I'll be able to work with my colleagues.

Thank you, Mr.

Smith.

Mr.

bacio, this question is for you.

You didn't seek this nomination until state and local Democratic leaders approached you.

You weren't even considered until Julian Garrity dropped out due to residency issues hours before the nomination deadline.

Why should voters support you for a job that you didn't previously expressed interest in?

At the moment, I didn't know I was here to support Julian, but due to giving a thought within 24 hours, yes, I am a family.

I'm a mom at first and I know the struggles from all the city projects that I have done that are residents need.

And that's the reason why I said yes.

Thank you, Mr.

Bacio.

Mr.

Smith, you've been a supporter of President Trump and you back, Doug Mastriano, and his 2022 bid for governor.

How do you define your political identity?

American.

I am a Republican since Ronald Reagan, 1980.

One of my favorite presidents.

I'm a conservative, but I'm also a moderate on social issues.

I'm a fiscal conservative.

I'm religious.

My wife and I are Roman Catholic.

We we believe in conservative values.

We're family people.

And I believe that those candidates were the best people for the right moment and the right time in our country's history.

Thank you, Mr.

Version.

You've entered your third year on the Allentown School Board.

Can you please identify some of your most significant contributions during that time?

Actually, I have visited multiple schools and done a lot of community engagement.

As far as when I say community engagement, remember first is our children, then as they're connected to our parents, which they live in the community.

Also, we are building a community center which they will get free resources there.

As far as like learning English as a second language health.

Right now we have connected with Alva again.

So, they will get medical, insurance.

And we working on also just as far as like connecting with Careerlink and helping them as far as job training.

Thank you.

Mr.

Smith.

At a recent community meeting, you brought up your commitment to limiting transgender student athletes competition in sports.

How high a priority is that for you in this race?

Just to get it out of committee?

Because right now it's being, just like candidates are being shuffled.

It's also, it's going to the health committee.

Then it goes to the Justice Committee and then another committee.

This is a stall tactic in Harrisburg.

All I'm saying is for Harrisburg Democrats to vote on it.

If it gets voted down, fine.

If it gets voted for, the governor is probably going to veto it.

But nobody wants to put it.

It's an 8020 issue in the state.

80% of the people want this.

I have four granddaughters.

I don't want my star granddaughter who wrestles in Alvernia College to wrestle someone who identifies as a woman who's a man.

And I don't want him in the locker room who still has male parts.

And I just feel strongly about it.

And all I'm going to say is, I'll get it out of committee and whatever happens, happens, and I will vote for Senate Bill nine.

Thank you, Mr.

Smith.

Mr.

Bacio, at the same meeting this week, you brought up reentry from the criminal justice system as a pressing priority for you in this race.

Why is that a featured part of your platform?

I'm a living testimony.

I have a son that's right.

Now incarcerated.

And I'm not speaking just for my son, but also the feedback that he has gave me that we need the resources in the presence.

As far as, like, even thought, giving them a second chance with education, job training and mental health.

Thank you, Mr.

Bacio.

That concludes the first part of the debate.

Thank you both for the next questions.

You'll both have a minute to answer.

If you want to rebut or add something, you can just signal us that you want to respond for rebuttals.

You'll have 30s.

Jason, why don't you start us off?

Sure, Mr.

Smith, we'll start with you.

Governor Josh Shapiro delivered his latest budget proposal earlier this month.

What stood out to you most in his $53.2 billion plan?

Well, there's a lot of a lot of things I agree with the governor and especially the mental illness we have.

Suicide rate is high in the Lehigh Valley.

So there's a lot of good things in the governor.

And I look forward to working with him because I'm in the health Claire Field.

I work with people with intellectual disabilities.

In fact, my owner of my company was on Josh Shapiro's transition team when he won governorship.

So I think there's a lot of things that I can work with the governor on.

The mental illness is a key thing, and we need to do more on that.

I like the streaming of the gaming because right now they're being non-regulated in clubs and things that could come to $2 billion.

So he does have a way of for paying everything.

But governors were always over, you know, go high.

And as a legislator and that's what I'll be.

We'll have to rein it in a little bit so we don't spend more than we're taking in.

Thank you, Mr.

Bacio.

What were your biggest takeaways from Governor Shapiro's latest budget proposal?

I believe he's pushing on minimum wage.

That's something that actually Pennsylvania is looking forward to.

And it comes down to affordability and creating more jobs so people could actually pay their rent, pay their bills, their mortgages, and actually go to the supermarket as a human being.

Yes, Mr.

Smith.

Just quickly, I agree with the minimum wage because I work with residents with intellectual disabilities and they get jobs at Giant and Walmart and they're only getting paid.

725.

And just because you have an intellectual disability doesn't mean you should be taken advantage of.

So I definitely believe the minimum wage should be going up because that's what they're taking advantage of.

People with intellectual disabilities and older people and everyone should get the fair share, and they should get an increase in the minimum wage.

I would definitely support that.

Thank you, Mr.

Smith.

Mr.

bacio, isn't that the same budget proposal governor Shapiro proposed borrowing $1 billion to fund critical infrastructure, including constructed constructing thousands of new public housing units.

Studies have repeatedly found the state has a housing shortage, and the Lehigh Valley has seen some of the fastest rising rents in the country.

Are you on board with shouldering that level of debt to address the state's housing shortage?

I know there is a housing shortage, and I know as far as visiting in Harrisburg, we are working towards it.

I won't tell you that.

I know all the the answers and the knowledge to it.

I just know that there's actually we're trying to break in to as far as like the gaps from renters, you know, fees and other additional things are happening as far as housing.

We see the need and we're here for it, and we're actually having meetings to talk about the the needs, not just in Allentown but in other places.

Thank you, Mr.

Bacio.

Mr.

Smith, you have your own chairs.

Need.

You can rebut if you'd like.

But do you support?

Do you support Governor Shapiro's critical infrastructure plan to create more public housing units?

First of all, I'd like to know the percentage on that loan, $1 billion.

What we have in the Lehigh Valley is, the state hospital.

There's going to be $1 billion of construction.

So we're going to be creating our own homes without a loan.

Of course, I don't like to the school board paying too much for the land, but there's going to be 100, over 180 acres to build homes.

Affordable homes, right on Allentown.

And I think that's where the way to go.

And that's a good investment for the area to increase homes.

We don't have to, you know, shouldn't borrow billion dollars.

I'm not saying we don't borrow at all.

And the first to have to be in the right time.

Interest rates.

Everything has to be taken consideration.

Thank you very much, Mr.

Smith.

There's been an increasing tension between states and the federal government over an election integrity.

The U.S.

Department of Justice has sued Pennsylvania and other states seeking private, confidential voter data, and the FBI recently raided a county elections office in Georgia.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Stacey Garrity said she would work with the Trump administration to nationalize elections.

Are you on board with relinquishing local control?

I don't like I don't like losing local control.

I wouldn't be for national elections now.

We need to keep control.

We need.

I mean, there needs to be some things worked out, but I think we have a great Lehigh Valley election board.

Mike O'hare's here.

He's on it.

I think we have honest people in this valley.

And I think we should take care of our own elections.

We don't need to be nationalized.

I'd be.

I'd like to see more research on how that would be positive.

I don't think losing control.

I like local control.

It's our neighborhood, our community.

Let's keep control.

Thank you, Mr.

Smith.

Mr.

bacio, should the state be cooperating with the Trump administration on this front at the moment?

I believe that as far as, like, no, that will be my answer.

Okay.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Next question comes right back to you.

According to the census, more people rely on public transit.

In the 22nd district than anywhere else in the region.

But Lanta needed to reduce its services and raise its fares this year, after the General Assembly failed to agree on more public transit funding levels in 2025.

Should the state be allocating more resources for public transportation, or should authorities like Lanta expect fewer resources in the future?

I believe they should and expect fewer resources.

I believe that there will be a conversation that other legislators will be able to answer to, and I will get more and, more information on it.

Okay.

Thank you.

Mr.

Smith.

Should the state be increasing public transportation funding?

If so, how would you suggest paying for it?

How about the large gas tax?

What are they doing with all the money from the gas tax?

For God sakes, let's pay for our transit that way.

This way, people will drive less and take the bus more.

It's ridiculous.

The gas tax in the state.

Also, we give so much money to Septa.

And look how that's doing in Philly.

I think we should take less money from Philly and stop bringing it to the Lehigh Valley.

That's where I would fight for.

And that's why our core, our, Lehigh Valley, needs to stick together.

We could swing the money with the eight of us, stick together and bring it to the Lehigh Valley and not to Philly.

Okay.

The next question addressed is both of your experience serving on school boards.

But I will go to you first, Mr.

Smith.

Based on your experience, what do you think the legislature could do right now to make the biggest impact on student performance in Pennsylvania's poorest districts, like Allentown?

Let the teachers teach.

I just talked to a teacher today.

They're being strapped.

They're being a curriculum.

They're given the curriculum, and they're not allowed to do their creativity anymore.

They have to follow the curriculum.

They can't fit things in their schedule.

It's it's really the rebranding, their emails.

That's a priority from this administration.

Rebranding the emails when they should be worried about our students.

The teachers are frustrated.

I've never seen the teachers so frustrated as this year, and I've dealt for teachers.

I have teachers in my family.

I have friends that are teachers and they just want to be creative.

They want to be able to teach and not have to push a curriculum power school, these these things that they give the teachers that they have to go through hoops to figure out.

It's just not right.

And I would support the teachers any way I can.

As a legislator especially, my heart is in education being 16 years on the school board.

Thank you, Mr.

Bacio.

As a current board member, what do you think the General Assembly could be doing to improve student performance in the Allentown School District?

I believe that it has to do more.

Our performance, to be honest, it has actually grown.

It has made changes from all the changes that we have done compared to other years.

So I think right now we are in the progress to getting better each day.

As far as like a new curriculum and also engaging not just the parents but also the community.

What do you think that the state Assembly that the General Assembly could be doing to assist in that process?

I would say funding.

That would be it.

Yes.

Just really quickly.

Private school reimbursement.

When I first came on the board, we got charter school reimbursement, 10%.

Do you know what that would do for the Allentown School District?

10% would be $6 million.

I do not know why that was taken away.

I would fight for that 10%.

And I'm a guy who's for choice school choice.

But at the same time, when you're giving $60 million out of your budget to charter schools, we need to get that reimbursement back.

Thank you, Mr.

Smith.

Mr.

bacio, the difference between the majority in the minority and the Pennsylvania House lies on a razor's edge.

Just 1 or 2 members breaking ranks could flip an outcome if the vote otherwise follows Partizan lines.

Given that context, are there any issues where you're not in lockstep with the Democratic Party's platform?

I believe usually it's mostly, in communication for what I've seen.

Like I say, it, mostly is knowledgeable.

So at this moment, I don't have the answers to that part.

Due to that, I haven't been in Harrisburg.

And I'm also just learning at the moment.

How about for for national policy or just broadly speaking then as far as what for the any, any parts of the Democratic policy at the state or national level?

Are there any are are there any parts to that where you disagree with the standards or the standard policies?

Of course, because as a human being, we don't all agree to certain things.

But that's the reason why there's meetings and conversations.

What would an example of that be?

Let's say at the moment I'm more invested into our education because I'm a school board director.

But as far as, like, different conversations when it comes to Harrisburg.

That part I'm not able to answer at the moment for it.

Okay.

Thank you.

How about you, Mr.

Smith?

Are you a boiler plate Republican, or are there issues where there's daylight between you and your party?

Oh, gosh.

I'm a maverick.

If there's if I can stand up to anybody and I would go to Harrisburg and shake them up.

If my leadership says, if Peter and Michael have a bill, I'm going to co-sponsoring or Jeannie or Neil or any of them, come over to me.

Look, we can get this more money, but we need your vote.

They got it.

I will not be intimidated by my party.

Their party or anybody.

I am a maverick.

I am voting.

I am working for the people of the 22nd district, not for the parties.

I'm getting elected by the people.

And what's very important is that there's things buried in committees.

65 bills last year.

We got to get them out of committee, and I would I have I agree with what would Josh Shapiro is doing in the budget.

We just have to pay for it.

So I would definitely support the governor's budget, but I also support getting the budget in on time.

Thank you.

All right.

Thank you.

Both of you have served on the Allentown School Board, but that's a local office with a narrow set of responsibilities.

Is there a national or state leader?

This question is for you, Mr.

Smith.

Is there a national or state leader whom you find yourself frequently agreeing with?

Most on times I like, Senator McCormack and Senator Fetterman.

Senator Fetterman is really said a lot of nice things lately.

You know, agreeing with, the Republican issues.

So I like both our senators.

I like my congressman, Ryan McKenzie.

He he's saying he's a maverick himself.

He bucks the party, and I look and he, you know, he does what he believes.

It's not always popular, but he was one of few senators that went against the party.

So I admire that because that's how I am the issues for the people.

I will vote for it.

Of course, Ronald Reagan is one of my favorite presidents, which I've said.

But those are the three.

I know Jarrett, so Jarrett Coleman's also been very nice and very helpful.

He's taught me a lot about the finance, and that's another thing.

I have connections on both sides of the aisle.

I can call up anybody.

They'll talk to me about the budget and I can get the answers right away.

Thank you.

And for you, Mr.

Briscoe.

Is there a state or national politician that you've strived to be like, or a model your fledgling campaign?

After I believe that, I actually like our governor, Mr.

Shapiro, for the fact that, when it comes to minimum wage and when he speaks about affordable housing and he's a diehard as far as education.

So being a school board director, of course, that's something that's passionate to my heart.

Also, our state reps.

I could honestly say watching Peter Swire, even Schlossberg mentioned about mental health.

That's very important because that's also connected to our education, both of them, and being, Peter, part of our education committee.

So I can see how passionate they are on what they believe.

And that's something that actually us as board directors, we see.

And also Nick Miller.

Thank you, Mr.

Bacio.

We continue the 22nd House district debate, produced by Lehigh Valley Public Media and held in partnership with our hosts, the Da Vinci Science Center in Allentown.

This program is being broadcast live on PBS 39 and streamed on PBS 30, Nine's YouTube channel and our website, Lehigh Valley News.com.

Remember, the special election is Tuesday, February 24th.

Only registered voters in the 22nd House district can vote in this one.

Residents can vote in person on the 24th or by mail.

Applications to vote by mail in ballot are due by 5 p.m.

Tuesday, February 17th, and in order to be counted, those ballots must be in possession of the county by 8 p.m.

on Election Day.

All right, candidates, we're going to switch things up a little bit and allow you to ask each other a few questions.

Taking turns, you'll ask your opponent three questions, and they'll have one minute to respond.

Mr.

Smith, you'll start your first question for Mr.

Burchard.

Please.

As you, Anna, as you know, you're on the Allentown Library Board.

The one of the jewels of the city.

When we first moved here, I used to go there because we couldn't afford a computer.

At the time, we didn't have internet service.

And it's just wonderful how it helps our 16,000 students.

Everybody in the city.

Why would you cut the funding?

1.49 million.

The library is not gotten the money.

And they got to.

And they got to fix the roof.

I mean, this is really getting serious.

They're depending on somebody who died to me payroll that donated to them.

Why would you do that, then?

Okay, Bob, since we're calling each other first names here.

I'm vice president of the library board, and, no, we haven't cut funding.

They haven't met the money.

I talked to the librarian today.

She hasn't gotten the money.

Yes.

They have.

I think that you should speak directly to Rene, and I'll be glad to be in that conversation, if that makes you feel more comfortable.

We're both passionate about our community, so I'll be glad to have any conversation with anybody with you.

Okay.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

Mr.

bacio, your first question for Mr.

Smith.

But I was just wondering.

You just recently ran to be part of the school board, and, you didn't take a break in your running for state rep.

This is, I would like to know, is it more as far as for a title, or is it more as being part of the community and helping the struggles?

I don't need a job.

I have a great job dealing with people with brain injuries every day.

I don't need a title.

I'm 64.

I'm not going there for a career or a stepping stone.

I wasn't doing that for the school board either, where I got a lot of pay, as you know, zero.

I don't even know what a state rep makes.

For the community, maybe a term, maybe two terms.

I'm not even thinking that far off.

I'm thinking is ten months this year because it's a special election for filling a term, and I wasn't even planning to run.

I got nominated by Joe Maha at the committee meeting and then the committee.

People looked at all the candidates, and I got voted in by people who actually live in the district, not handpicked by party Harrisburg Democrats.

So I'm not doing this for a title.

I'm doing this for the community.

Thank you.

Mr.

Smith, your second question for Mr.

Bhatia and during your time as an Allentown school director, the district has received tens of millions of dollars in additional funding from the state.

I think the people of Allentown have a right to know what kind of results they're getting for that investment.

Can you tell the audience where the ASD ranks out of Pennsylvania's 499 school districts, under your leadership?

I believe, as you could see, we are building a new school on the east side and also building the community center, plus, as far as the curriculum.

And we had to change, like you have mentioned, from Sapphire to Power School.

And also we have hired new teachers.

We've got go ahead.

I just want to answer the question.

You'll have an opportunity to ask for a third question.

If you feel that you didn't answer the question, you didn't answer the question.

Okay.

Mr.. What is your second question for Mr.

Snow?

Have any more?

I know him, you know anything you want to ask right now?

No.

Okay.

Mr.

Smith, what is your third question for Mr.

Persia?

To be fair, since you asked me a question that you didn't ask her, I'm going to ask her this question.

Okay.

Senate Bill nine protects women's sports.

I have four granddaughters, and this will protect them from having people that identify as a woman that are male in the locker rooms and wrestling my granddaughter playing basketball against them.

It's stuck in committee right now.

Would you vote for this bill?

I would actually look into it.

We are the legislators.

I just don't want to be this track that over Bill nine that our community right now doesn't even know what's Bill nine and focus more on our education and our worries and our struggles.

Thank you candidates.

We'll continue now with more questions for both of you.

After that, we'll wrap things up with your closing statement.

Just a reminder, you'll have a minute to respond here.

And if you want to rebut some rebut something, signal us.

Jason, please start us off.

Sure.

This question is for you, Mr.

Porsche.

Whoever wins this race will spend about nine months representing the district in Harrisburg.

If you win the special election, will you seek a full term of your own, or do you view this as a caretaker interim role?

I believe I will seek the full term.

Okay.

Same question for you, Mr.

Smith.

Do you plan to run for the Republican nomination during the May primary?

I have decided, yes.

It's too important not to.

And I think, I'm the one that could get things done in Harrisburg right away.

And I don't have a primary in the Republican side.

And my opponent will be busy in a campaign fight with C.C.

Gerlach.

So she'll be distracted.

I will not be.

So I will run in the primary.

Thank you.

The winner of this special election will compete for the term of Josh Siegel, who held this office since it was redistricted to the Lehigh Valley.

Mr.

Smith, what do you make of Josh Siegel's tenure in the 22nd district?

Is there any work of his that you would look to carry on?

Small fish in a big pond.

He didn't get anything done, but maybe a few names.

He signed on to bills.

That helped, but he didn't do anything.

That's why he ran for county executive.

He didn't have any power as a state rep.

Right now, I went to the office today, and there was, two nice gentlemen.

But there was nobody bilingual in there today.

What if someone Spanish came in from the neighborhood?

Nobody was there to translate.

Nobody was there to talk to them.

In my administration, when I went.

There will always be a bilingual person in my office.

Always.

My wife is bilingual.

My children are bilingual.

I take this very serious because this is a lot of Latinos, a majority in our district, and they need to be represented.

They need to be represented that someone is going to fight for them.

Thank you, Mr.

Smith.

Mr.

bacio, how would you grade Mr.

Siegel's job representing the area?

And are there any policies of his that you would look to continue if elected?

To be honest, I will grade his in a five if it's in numbers.

I didn't know five out of ten.

Five out of ten.

I actually didn't know where the office was at in.

For me, if I get the seat, I would like also, like Bob stated, I would like a Spanish person.

Due to that, there's in my district 22 a lot of language barrier.

That's number one.

I would also like to be even if the office stays, where is that a connection in Center City and also in East in Salisbury, because we do need to connect with our community.

So a lot of folks didn't know that where the office was, that I will make sure that they will get the resources.

Like right now we are in the rent rebate property tax.

So that's something that we would actually go out to the community and speak out in certain community engagement meetings to let them know that we're there for them.

Okay.

Thank you.

We'll stay with you for this question.

US census data shows that the 22nd district is the poorest district in the Lehigh Valley.

Nearly 1 in 4 residents live in poverty, which is double the state national average.

Is the state doing enough to provide resources in this community?

And if not, how would you deliver when others have not?

At the moment, I believe the state is working on helping district 22, and as far as me being a state representative, I would actually bring out more resources in both English and Spanish.

That's what we're looking into and also connect them with our reentry programs that we do have that a lot of people in our community don't know about.

Thank you.

Just a matter of raising awareness about these programs.

Or do you think there needs to be more programing?

There needs to be more programing and also raising awareness.

What connection is not there between legislators and the community?

Some people are afraid because they don't believe some information stays in the clouds.

And when I mean about that, it's just that, you know, how are we able to connect whatever we're saying in English?

We should say it in Spanish.

We should show up more to the community meetings, but also make sure we have residents, not just community leaders.

That's very important because we cannot be saying the same information to each other face to face.

We need residents to also show up.

How are we going to do that?

By actually going out.

What I've been doing for two years as far as like Allentown Works, blueprint housing community love your block was I did it for the city.

I knocked on all doors in district 22.

Thank you.

You, Mr.

Smith.

Same question for you.

Is the state doing right by the community giving the given the need here?

And if not, what would you do to provide those needed resources?

We we definitely need well, we have the poorest school.

We do free breakfast and free lunch.

I'd work with the farmers.

I know the farmers to get more food to our town.

Too much money is going to Philly for programs.

Like I said, it's got to come to the Lehigh Valley and I will fight for every penny.

Also welcoming, I went to the office today to nice gentleman, but I had to press a button.

They had to come down the steps.

I remember going to other offices.

It's welcoming.

People are welcomed in here.

You don't know what you're getting into because you're pressing a button and you don't know where the office is.

You got to go upstairs to get in.

That's gotta change.

But then how do you get that in?

But, the Lehigh Valley needs to bring their strength.

That's eight volts.

And we don't do that enough because the Republicans and the Democrats, we all have to count the number and, you know, and work like that instead of working together, where we can get the more money and the resources to the Lehigh Valley.

The Lehigh Valley Caucus is very strong, but we gotta use the strength.

Thank you, Mr.

Smith.

We've seen prices for basic essentials.

Climb and stay stubbornly high for the better part of five years now.

Mr.

Smith, how can officials in Harrisburg best assist working families feeling the pinch in their pocketbooks?

How about lowering the gas tax?

I mean, it's ridiculous.

Ha.

And then tolls go up.

You get a little money on the federal level.

Then you get your city tax raised, then your gas, then your trash fuel bill goes up, then the water and sewer goes up, then the electricity bill.

Have you seen your electricity bills lately?

That goes up and food prices are going down.

Then they go up.

Depending on what you buy.

So you got to change your diet so you don't buy too much meat.

The meat you know it's all different prices now.

So you gotta really shop at different places to get what you need.

But I just think that they go to Harrisburg and and they lose their way.

They don't remember us.

Sometimes the people get to Harrisburg and are struggling.

I mean, they got great salaries.

So they don't understand that some of us live paycheck to paycheck.

Some people are working two jobs.

I have people I work with, the work two jobs.

I don't know how they get their kids to school, go to both jobs, and then come home for dinner and give them dinner and do homework.

That is the problem.

We have to get back to helping people instead of making them work harder.

I appreciate the passion you're talking about, but is there a specific policy that you think lawmakers can enact or that you would push to enact if you were elected?

Well, property tax reform, I think that's a big one.

Lowering property taxes is the this is the perfect storm.

The governor's up for reelection.

The House is up for reelection.

Senators up for reelection.

We can get this done this year.

And I would push for that.

Everybody wants their taxes to go down.

And if your taxes go down, so will the rents.

Thank you, Mr.

Smith.

Mr.

bacio, what should lawmakers be doing to relieve everyday financial pressures on Pennsylvanians?

I believe lawmakers should actually connect with the local lawmakers and come into some type of understanding as far as, like, what's hurting our community.

Like I, I would be passionate about as far as like connecting is between, like Mr.

Smith said, connecting the people with Harrisburg with our local ones because we are hurting as far as like our food, our rent, eviction.

Due to that, you mentioned district 22, in the poverty.

Yes, we do have families that we have two families in one single home.

What can the state representative from district 22 do in Harrisburg to relieve some of those pressures, though they will.

There's different bills to it.

I want to be honest.

I won't be able to give you all the information for it.

But as me, as far as like learning in these past three weeks, yes, there is different bills that they are the legislators are working on because they know the needs of our community.

But like I stated, we also need someone that was able to connect out here and know what what is going on.

I could actually speak on it because I live in the community.

I live right in the heart of Center City.

I could practically walk over here.

That's how connected I am and I see it on our everyday struggle.

Also, by working in afterschool programs in the schools.

Thank you, Mister Bacio, for our next question, where we'll stick with you.

Nearly 1 in 4 adults in the 22nd district are not high school graduates, and less than 15% of residents have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.

Again, this is according to the U.S.

census data.

What steps would you take as a state representative to ensure that your constituents have access to education and job training?

Right now, we are having a lot of job trainings due to the workforce in Allentown works.

We are working on bringing more job trainings and more jobs.

As far as like not having a high school diploma and me being in the schools, there is a lot of people that do have a high school diploma is just from other countries.

So what we're doing is we actually, helping them all their certificates because they do have bachelor's degrees and they even have masters.

So that's one topic that we've been working on since the moment I've been school board director, and that's the reason why I have visited different schools.

What I see is mostly our Spanish coaches stating I'm an electrician.

I just spoke about this as a matter of fact, this morning with the union.

I said, I'm an electrician, but I have the certifications is just from coming from my country.

I know how to do the job.

I don't know how to speak English.

So what?

We have English as a second language.

Classes at the high schools, so that's helping them be more open to their needs.

You're referring to programs that are currently in place.

I'm not sure if those are or are entirely local funded or if there's state assistance.

And the W has a training program.

They have it for the youth and they also have it for adults.

As a state representative, are there new policies that you would in an act or steps you would take?

I would build on those.

Yes.

I would totally support those programs.

Those workforce programs as far as like LCT, IBEW, the carpentry union also helping out.

What would that support look like?

It would be more as far as funding what I does, conversations that I have heard from them is needing more funding and also going into the schools and knowing that, let's say children don't have to think that they always need a college degree, that we have these trades.

Some of them don't speak about it.

So when they graduate, it stays in, you know, it just stays without having a degree at all or not even knowing about the trade programs.

So we're working on actually for them to visit different, high schools and speak about their services.

And of course, funding that funding does come to play because right now they have 100 children.

By next year, we wish to have 200.

Thank you very much, Mr.

Bacio.

Mr.

Smith, what would you do as a state representative to ensure that that students develop the skills they need for successful careers?

I would talk to the superintendent and make all day CTE again.

They've called it a half day.

The one important thing in our district with all these students, like you just said, we need electricians, we need nurses.

There's 45 programs in the greatest technical school in the state, Lehigh Career Technical Institute.

I was on there 16 years.

It was full day for Allentown students.

Now it was cut to half day because it was a business decision.

These are not good business decisions.

I will talk to the superintendent.

I will get the funding if that's what it is, because she told me it was a business decision.

If that's the kind of business decision I want to know how much it cost.

And I will fight at Harrisburg to get the money for our CTE.

Is there a reason why you can't be doing that now?

Do you feel that you need the authority of the office to, to have that conversation?

You do.

I'm always trying to get on the school board to do it for their point.

Now, I'm going to keep trying on the state rep level.

I won't give up, though.

But you bring up a good point.

I still talk to teachers and I still talk to administrators.

So thank you, Mr.

Smith.

And of course we can work together to get more funding for the district for different programs.

But trades are so important.

We don't want some people don't want to spend the $180,000 to go to college.

It's ridiculous.

And then we have the capers program where they could get out of high school, get a job, start their own business, and get out of high school with a 50 $60,000 job kind of job.

We should be doing full time LCT for our students, and it's really disappointing that we're not.

Thank you.

For the past two years, Governor Shapiro has proposed legalizing marijuana, noting that surrounding states have passed it and its potential to assist in funding state initiatives.

Do you believe it's time for Pennsylvania to make weed legal?

Mr.

bacio, would you say so?

I believe a lot are looking into, the medical card, I believe so that will stop a lot.

It will bring a lot of public safety.

Believe it or not, it would work.

They won't be selling it illegally.

How about.

And I think that actually has shorten it in other type of ways.

If he makes illegal.

Well, if you're elected, you would be the one making that decision.

Obviously the governor would need to sign on.

And what about recreational marijuana?

You mentioned the medical card.

Yes, that's what I meant.

Okay.

So you would support recreational marijuana?

Yes.

Okay.

Thank you.

Mr.

Smith, where do you stand on legal marijuana?

In Pennsylvania?

Well, over the years, I've changed my position on this because why is all the money going to Jersey and Delaware and all the states around us?

We're losing cash money here.

This is a big business decision.

We should regulate it just like we regulate alcohol, though.

Alcohol stores, state stores, state stores, like with the marijuana.

So it's regulated.

And they they, count how many ounces.

They don't let you buy too many wines.

You have to buy one at a time or two at a time.

And they regulate the amount you can buy.

You can do it the same way with marijuana so people don't overindulge.

And I would definitely support that.

It's going to be I don't know what the finances on that, but it's 2 million for the gaming and plus that a lot of money could be made from this.

And why should we always have to let our people go to another state to get cheaper things?

I think we should do something to regulate it, and I would support it.

I would support the governor on this initiative.

State lawmakers have have kind of balked at this and at times have raised concerns about public safety.

Kind of comparing it in some ways to drunk driving or things along those ways.

Concerns about what that would mean and other social aspects to either of you have concerns on those fronts since you're both open to it.

Like is this.

How would you how would you adapt to some of those potential, fallout effects?

We're a nation of laws.

Yeah.

I'm sorry.

If not, you go ahead.

We're a nation of laws.

You have to follow laws just like alcohol.

But you get a license.

And if you go over a certain limit, you're going to get a ticket.

If you're stopped and you have marijuana and you're over a certain number, you're going to get a ticket.

It's that simple.

We can regulate it.

You have to follow the law.

If you're going to partake in alcohol or marijuana while you're driving.

And it's that simple.

And we also will be regulating it so people don't overindulge.

Thank you, Mr.

Smith.

Mr.

bacio, same question for you.

I believe I would agree on with Bob on this one.

If you get the recreational marijuana, everything has, you know, their rules and regulations that it needs to be followed.

Thank you.

Our town's school bus camera enforcement has led to thousands of tickets to issue to local drivers, outpacing even larger cities such as Pittsburgh.

There have been serious questions about the accuracy of the system, and thousands of people across Pennsylvania have waited for over a year to get an appeals hearing.

Mr.

Smith, is this system working?

And if not, what should the legislature be doing about it?

Oh my God, this is ridiculous.

Stephanie did such a great job on this article.

How can you wait?

You appeal and then you appeal and then you appeal, and then they're giving people tickets who never pass the busses.

Now, of course it's safe.

I'm not against safety.

If you pass a bus and they got you on camera, you pay the fine and a good fine.

But if you're just sitting and the and the bus gets you on camera and you get a ticket, there's flaws in the system and they need to get this right.

And I would propose legislation.

I'm sure there is legislation right now for being proposed, but we definitely have to do something about the innocent people getting tickets.

It's bad enough the parking authority in Allentown giving innocent people tickets.

We shouldn't be giving tickets to people for the bus.

Thank you, Mr.

Smith.

Mr.

bacio, you sit on the Allentown School Board.

Has the school district done enough to ensure drivers aren't being unfairly ticketed?

And how would you address this issue if you're elected to the state House?

I believe I will look into as far as, like having drivers appealing in no answers.

That's something that we will look into.

But public safety is also very important.

If you're speeding and there's the bus there, then you know what you need to stop and you need to wait.

Sometimes the busses, they do, put the stop signs and people are in a rush and they actually think that they won't be caught.

Remember, these cameras are new.

We didn't have them before, so there was a lot of accidents happening when we didn't have the cameras.

Okay.

Thank you.

And we'll stay with you for the next question.

It's been nearly 17 years since the creation of the Neighborhood Improvement Zone.

It's created about $1 billion of redevelopment activity in Allentown, a number that keeps growing.

But critics argue it's done little to benefit working out Antonians.

City residents can't afford to live in the new apartments or patronize many of the new businesses that move in.

Then this is almost entirely in the 22nd district.

Has it benefited the district, and if not, what would you do about it?

In a way, the Niz has benefited the district.

As a matter of fact, where we actually haven't and the rate is funded by the owners.

So that's something that we have to take account for now as far as like, here in Allentown.

Yes.

In a way, it has its pros and cons.

I understand as far as, like the building and, you know, the rents being a little bit outrageous.

That's understandable, but that's when affordable housing comes to play.

For us to actually sit down with these investors and figure out what's going on.

Do you have any concerns over the the zone itself, given that the district houses this this tax increment financing district?

But it's the poorest in the region.

The district has the school district.

We have an authority district, 22 houses the neighbors.

But it's also one of.

Yes, because if I'm stating I'm advocating as far as affordable housing, yes.

That is something that I will look into while I'm at our office.

Okay.

And Mr.

Smith has the news.

Serve local residents well.

I don't think so.

I like the arena.

Don't get me wrong, that's a great arena.

We've got a great hockey team there.

I appreciate that.

But there's a bill, bipartisan bill in the Senate.

Went to the House.

How much money has an is made?

You said $1 billion.

I'd like to know where you got that number, because they won't tell anybody how much the news is made.

What is the secret?

Why can't we know how much tax money the NES has generated?

Shouldn't the people know this?

I would say I would vote for this.

Not because I'm against anything, but let's find out how much it's making and why is gentrification happening downtown?

People are moving out of Allentown because they can't afford the rents.

This is not right.

We're losing good families because of this.

And I'm just glad the news isn't covered on the state property, or we wouldn't be getting any money from that.

Look, follow the, who gets the money from the neighbors?

How much is the money?

These are questions that need to be answered.

And I'm glad Senator Coleman is doing something about it.

And I'm glad it's a bipartisan bill.

That means Democrats and Republicans in the Senate are supporting it.

Thank you, Mr.

Smith.

You mentioned Senator Cole.

Senator Coleman, he's been pushing for audits of the zone in Center City.

Do you support efforts to increase that oversight?

And what when what what do you think that should look like?

You talked about about having a better closer look at it.

What how do you think that should play out?

Well, the board members on the need should be changed, too.

The same people have been on there for years.

I mean, that would be the first thing.

And I support these audits.

We definitely should know there should be more oversight of this committee and the money when there's this much money.

And I'm not accusing anyone.

But when you have this much money and you said $1 billion, you know, there's going to be a little hands in the pot.

So we need to watch where the money is and where it's all going and who's getting it and who's benefiting from it.

Who is benefit benefiting from it?

Is the city getting any money?

I don't see it in the budget.

I don't see it in the school district.

Budget.

The news.

I can't wait till we finally get the money.

Then you'll never have a budget problem.

$1 billion, though.

And that cigaret?

No tax.

That's another scam.

I think going on.

You don't have to pay any taxes in that one store.

There should be an investigation.

There should be an audit, and the money should be followed.

And we should get accountability on this.

Thank you, Mr.

Smith.

Mr.

bacio, what are your thoughts on Senator Coleman's efforts to bring transparency to this issue?

I believe that, to be honest, I don't have knowledge on that part, so I won't be able I won't be able to answer on that.

Thank you, Mr.

Bacio.

We've come to the time for closing statements.

Each candidate gets 60s.

We'll go in the same order determined by the coin toss, which gives Mr.

Smith the last word tonight.

But first, Mr.

Bacio, your closing statement.

My closing statement at this moment is I'm here to fight for families.

I don't maybe have all the knowledge as far as policies and everything that a state rep does.

But I'm here and I do see the struggles for so many years.

So I'm here actually talking from the heart because I also live it.

I'm all here for the community.

Thank you, Mr.

Bacio.

Mr.

Smith, your closing statement as we conclude tonight, I want to thank you for your time.

Good job guys.

The special election isn't just about promises.

It's about a record.

Past performance is the biggest predictor of future results.

For almost three years on the school board.

My opponent was a rubber stamp who consistently voted along party lines and for the superintendent, rather than for the community's best interests.

Our district is primarily made up of young, up-and-coming working families who are being squeezed by the status quo.

You don't need a Partizan vote.

You need a fighter for the middle class.

During my 16 years on the board, including five terms as president, I worked across the aisle to build schools like Hayes Elementary on time and under budget.

I've lived on the East side for decades, and as a health care professional, I know how to listen and solve problems.

I'm Robert Smith Jr.

I'm your neighbor.

I'm a public servant.

And I'd be honored to have your vote on February 24th.

Let's get back to common sense.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Smith.

This concludes the 22nd House district debate for Allentown area.

For the downtown areas.

Special election on February 24th.

We want to thank the candidates for being here.

Thanks also to my colleague and co moderator, Jason Adie, as well as the Da Vinci Science Center for hosting tonight's forum.

Thanks to PBS's 39 excuse me, thanks to the PBS 39 production crew for taking the show on the road tonight and recording this important civic exercise.

And of course, we want to thank you for joining us.

That also goes for those for our audience here tonight.

I think everyone deserves a round of applause.

So thank.

Remember, the election is February 24th, and only voters who live in the 22nd district boundaries can vote.

I'm Tom Shortall.

From all of us here at Lehigh Valley Public Media.

Good night.

Thank you.

Tom.