William McGill

LOCK HAVEN — Clinton County resident William “Bill” McGill, is looking to unseat Republican Incumbent Cris Dush for the 25th District seat in the Pennsylvania Senate during the General Election on Nov. 5.

McGill, a veteran of the U.S. Army, served three years active duty and three years inactive duty.

The Express asked McGill 10 questions regarding various issues the Commonwealth, and those in the 25th District, face. His answers are printed below verbatim:

Q: What are the key policy initiatives you plan to prioritize?

McGill: Key initiatives-Enshrining or codifying Roe v. Wade in Pennsylvania. Protecting our healthcare infrastructure. Focusing on broadband and connectivity services. Price gouging. Economic development in rural areas. Environmental protection, and fracking’s pros and cons. Educational equality. Transportation availability.

Q: In what ways will you advocate for the needs of your constituents in Harrisburg?

McGill: Communication is the key tool to advocacy. Our citizens deserve to be heard in Harrisburg, and currently their current Senator isn’t fulfilling that role. It’s time for a change, and having a strong voice to represent ALL citizens from rural Pennsylvania, regardless of party affiliation. I will be that communicator.

Q: How do you intend to make healthcare more affordable and accessible for Pa. residents?

McGill: Let’s be clear, healthcare is a right, and affordability is a priority. Rural Pennsylvania has been greatly impacted by closing, and reducing our community hospitals, and our availability of maternity care, and our clinics. Tele-health is a key tool in the short term. However, in the long term we need hospitals, clinics, doctors, nurses, lab workers, x-ray workers and other support personnel. To do so, federal, state and local officials need to address it together. With that, affordability will be part of the discussion, as will the creation of healthcare jobs. Instead of jobs leaving our district, we need to focus on preservation of job opportunities.

Q: What strategies will you implement to create jobs and foster economic growth in the state?

McGill: Keep in mind the executive branch of government executes the economic plan and jobs. It’s the legislative branch that fosters the ideas of economic growth, and jobs, through legislation. Introducing new legislation that focuses on jobs, and economic opportunity is essential in our rural communities. That will be my focus as a state senator.

Q: How will you work to address the issue of mass shootings and gun violence?

McGrill: Any veteran like me knows the difference between a hunting weapon and an assault weapon. Society needs to accept the fact that guns are manufactured for one purpose only, and that’s killing. Therefore, an assault weapons ban must be implemented. A ‘Red Flag’ Law will also help in reducing gun violence. I will push for both. I come from a hunting family. I received hunting certification at 12 years old. Certification is definitely an asset as well. Pennsylvania needs to require a full and complete background check, including a full and complete mental health evaluation. To attain certification, an applicant must be trained, and certified, in each individual weapon they desire to own, and be held to the highest extent of the law for violating that training, and any violation of storage of ammo, and the weapons they own or possess.

Q: Where do you stand on reproductive rights and abortion?

McGill: Roe v. Wade wasn’t a problem in society, therefore the government has no business dictating it. In fact, Pennsylvania never changed its position on the original Supreme Court ruling from the 70s. The only thing lacking is how women’s reproductive rights are protected in Pennsylvania. It requires codifying or creating legislation to enshrine it, by an amendment to the state constitution. Abortion should have never been a political issue. It’s a personal healthcare decision and when I’m elected I will be greatly involved in protecting a woman’s right to choose, and returning this to the healthcare providers to decide the proper health care for their patients, without government interference.

Q: How would you bridge the divide between the state’s rural and urban communities?

McGill: The glaring disparity is in population. Urban areas significantly have more people than our rural populations. Unfortunately, our state government underfunds rural counties. Rural counties suffer from cuts in the state budget that are essential to the needs of our rural communities. To balance this unfortunate practice, our budget must have a mandate of fair and equal distribution. Legislation can be drafted to create that equality. It will be my responsibility to seek equal distribution among all areas of the Commonwealth in order to correct this concern.

Q: LGBTQ+ rights have become a major topic within the state, and even nation, within recent years. What is your stance on this and the legislation that has been considered in various levels of government?

McGill: Acceptance of people of any persuasion just happens to be the right thing to do. Pennsylvania welcomes diversity in all forms. Government’s responsibility is the safety, health and welfare of our citizens, and society’s responsibility is accepting ALL people, and supporting each other regardless of who they marry, love or live with. It’s a simple rule of life… “Mind Your Own Business.” As the next senator from the 25th Senate District it will be my responsibility to protect the equality of all diverse communities, including the LBGQT+ community.

Q: What specific changes do you propose to the state’s tax system?

McGill: As a legislator, taxes are always under scrutiny. It’s a continuous review and evaluation process. Let me state this, I believe fracking is a great risk to our citizens. It’s still a relatively new practice and is dangerous. I believe we don’t tax it properly. Currently, Pennsylvania uses an “Impact Fee” which simply means we tax the opening or drilling of a hole per well. That’s a very limited way of taxing the industry. In fact, that impact fee is subject to reduction in producing revenue over time, so it’s very inefficient. The proper taxation of fracking is a “Severance Tax.” The potential from a Severance Tax is a billion dollars and the Impact Tax Fee assessment returns much less. By imposing a Severance Tax, the potential to reduce income tax, property tax and other taxes are possible. A responsible State Senator needs to lead on this potential taxation change for the good of the Commonwealth.

Q: Do you feel climate change action is a priority? If so, how would you work to combat it while also balancing economic interests?

McGill: Climate change is a mandatory priority. It’s in our best interest to develop solar energy and continue to explore wind and electricity sources. To continue the research, and replace our dependency on fossil fuel, it will require us to “wean” away from our fossil fuel gradually. While we need to make the transition as soon as possible, we can’t rush the process. Climate change threatens our existence and development of alternative resources in energy is critical. We are reaching or have reached crisis status. Having more green spaces and tree planting will play a key role in climate change control. “Concrete Jungles” of cities, and urban living, contributes to the crisis that presents itself. This will also have my attention as your next state senator, to participate in resolving our climate change challenges.