1 00:00:01,420 --> 00:00:02,350 Starting now. 2 00:00:03,050 --> 00:00:07,270 Commonalities where guests find common ground through uncommon 3 00:00:07,290 --> 00:00:10,910 conversations, politics, religion, finances, 4 00:00:11,010 --> 00:00:14,590 all the topics your grandmother told you not to discuss with friends. 5 00:00:14,930 --> 00:00:17,550 And now your host, Matthew Dowling, 6 00:00:17,770 --> 00:00:20,590 and today's guests on commonalities. 7 00:00:24,410 --> 00:00:27,990 Hey, thank you for joining us on another episode of Commonalities. 8 00:00:27,990 --> 00:00:32,030 I'm your host, Matt Dowling, uh, alongside today's guest, uh, 9 00:00:32,030 --> 00:00:36,310 representative Josh Kale. Josh is from the Southern Pennsylvania area. 10 00:00:36,770 --> 00:00:41,510 And, uh, before we go too far, I, uh, want to allow you, 11 00:00:41,560 --> 00:00:41,910 uh, 12 00:00:41,910 --> 00:00:46,510 representative Kale to give a little bit of a self introduction of who you are 13 00:00:46,570 --> 00:00:50,830 and, uh, and what role you hold within the, uh, the Pennsylvania House. 14 00:00:52,150 --> 00:00:55,550 Thank you very much, Matt. I appreciate being on the show. 15 00:00:55,550 --> 00:00:59,830 I appreciate you having me on the show. Uh, you are missed and Harrisburg, 16 00:00:59,830 --> 00:01:04,230 Dennis, for certain, although, uh, the individual that, uh, 17 00:01:04,230 --> 00:01:09,190 that replaced you is a, a good lady and is doing a wonderful job. Um, 18 00:01:09,190 --> 00:01:11,430 thank you for having me on. My name is Josh Kale. 19 00:01:11,430 --> 00:01:15,390 I represent the 15th legislative district parts of Washington and Beaver County. 20 00:01:16,120 --> 00:01:20,830 Um, I, my district actually borders West Virginia and Ohio. 21 00:01:21,800 --> 00:01:26,550 Uh, lots of natural gas, lots of coal, lots of, uh, manufacturing. 22 00:01:26,900 --> 00:01:29,790 It's energy centric. And, uh, 23 00:01:29,960 --> 00:01:34,350 we have a lot of different things going on in our region because of the activity 24 00:01:34,350 --> 00:01:39,270 that's in district now in Harrisburg. I am the chairman of the, 25 00:01:39,270 --> 00:01:43,070 uh, Republican, um, policy committee, 26 00:01:43,330 --> 00:01:47,790 and we are going around the state and talking about issues that matter. Uh, 27 00:01:47,790 --> 00:01:51,190 we are talking about the providing hope and opportunity and, 28 00:01:54,320 --> 00:01:56,990 um, and ensuring that, uh, that, 29 00:01:56,990 --> 00:02:01,990 that kids have excellent education regardless of zip code and opportunity for 30 00:02:01,990 --> 00:02:06,390 family sustaining jobs and prosperity by putting more money back 31 00:02:06,540 --> 00:02:11,270 into our constituents pockets and excellence in government, um, you know, 32 00:02:11,270 --> 00:02:14,630 making sure the government's working for us. Um, 33 00:02:15,180 --> 00:02:19,990 this week we have a hearing on permitting reform, uh, 34 00:02:19,990 --> 00:02:21,950 which sounds very boring, but, 35 00:02:21,950 --> 00:02:26,750 but we have found is that permitting is a major obstacle to opportunity in the 36 00:02:26,750 --> 00:02:29,270 commonwealth of Pennsylvania. And, uh, 37 00:02:29,270 --> 00:02:33,830 many developers aren't coming here and are building manufacturing facilities in 38 00:02:33,830 --> 00:02:38,630 places like Arkansas and Ohio because of our permitting 39 00:02:38,630 --> 00:02:41,710 process in Pennsylvania. At the end of the day, 40 00:02:41,710 --> 00:02:44,990 we can talk about permitting and all these boring subjects, 41 00:02:44,990 --> 00:02:47,390 but it's really about family sustaining jobs, 42 00:02:47,390 --> 00:02:49,390 generational family sustaining jobs, 43 00:02:49,690 --> 00:02:54,630 and how do we get those here in Pennsylvania? That's our focus. That's my focus. 44 00:02:54,630 --> 00:02:59,440 That's the, the, the committee's focus, and that is also the caucuses focused. 45 00:03:00,090 --> 00:03:03,600 Um, so I'm looking forward to answering any questions that you have, Matt, 46 00:03:03,600 --> 00:03:08,320 just catching up and, uh, telling you what we're doing and, uh, I could, 47 00:03:08,620 --> 00:03:13,200 you know, answer, uh, any, any type of question that you might have for me. 48 00:03:13,630 --> 00:03:16,680 Sure. So, uh, you know, you mentioned gas and oil, 49 00:03:16,680 --> 00:03:20,680 so I wanna start there because, uh, Fayette County, where we, uh, 50 00:03:20,730 --> 00:03:22,960 we broadcast out of, uh, 51 00:03:23,280 --> 00:03:26,880 although we have listeners widen far on the worldwide web, um, 52 00:03:26,880 --> 00:03:30,520 in Fayette County, we are very rich in the, uh, 53 00:03:30,520 --> 00:03:35,520 Marcella shell layers as well as the Utica shell layer. And, uh, 54 00:03:35,520 --> 00:03:39,880 I know there's been ta uh, talk for years about adding some, 55 00:03:39,880 --> 00:03:43,480 some kind of a extraction tax. Uh, 56 00:03:43,480 --> 00:03:47,040 and we know that our fees in Pennsylvania, or, you know, 57 00:03:47,040 --> 00:03:49,680 I think the majority of my listeners have heard this before, 58 00:03:49,820 --> 00:03:54,640 the fees in Pennsylvania equal what an excise tax would be, uh, 59 00:03:55,210 --> 00:03:57,600 in other states. Um, 60 00:03:57,750 --> 00:04:02,720 tell me if they're still talk about trying to tax the, 61 00:04:02,720 --> 00:04:07,080 uh, the gas industry on, on, on an excise basis. 62 00:04:08,270 --> 00:04:11,640 Yeah, so there is discussion on that subject, uh, 63 00:04:11,640 --> 00:04:16,240 which is remarkable considering how inflation is jacking up gas prices and 64 00:04:16,240 --> 00:04:18,480 energy prices as it is, uh, 65 00:04:18,640 --> 00:04:22,960 doing a tax like this will just continue that and consumers are gonna be the 66 00:04:22,960 --> 00:04:26,040 ones that are end up paying the price. We're already, uh, 67 00:04:26,150 --> 00:04:30,320 entering into a situation because of the regional greenhouse gas initiative, 68 00:04:30,320 --> 00:04:33,120 which Democrats have squarely put us in, 69 00:04:33,120 --> 00:04:38,040 which is going to be devastating for consumers with a 30% increase in energy 70 00:04:38,040 --> 00:04:42,520 cost. That's industrial consumers and residential consumers. Uh, 71 00:04:42,520 --> 00:04:47,520 adding an additional tax would also, uh, be, be devastating. We, 72 00:04:47,520 --> 00:04:49,800 we are fighting against that, uh, 73 00:04:49,800 --> 00:04:53,680 to ensure that our energy industry, uh, 74 00:04:53,680 --> 00:04:57,320 has the tools it needs to keep producing, because at the end of the day, 75 00:04:57,320 --> 00:05:01,000 it's about lowering costs and energy, and it's about having abundant, 76 00:05:01,030 --> 00:05:05,640 affordable energy so that we can have, um, you know, uh, 77 00:05:05,640 --> 00:05:10,480 lower energy bills and have jobs here in manufacturing and production 78 00:05:10,480 --> 00:05:12,960 and things of that nature. So, uh, 79 00:05:12,960 --> 00:05:16,920 I don't think it will be on the front burner, uh, 80 00:05:16,920 --> 00:05:20,880 and the Shapiro administration right out of the gates. Uh, 81 00:05:20,880 --> 00:05:25,440 because at this point in time, there is a perception that, um, 82 00:05:26,170 --> 00:05:26,650 uh, 83 00:05:26,650 --> 00:05:30,880 because Republicans have been very responsible with budgeting over the course of 84 00:05:30,880 --> 00:05:35,480 the last number of years, um, there is a, uh, 85 00:05:35,960 --> 00:05:40,120 there is a push against raising any types of taxes other than a couple, 86 00:05:40,280 --> 00:05:44,600 including the regional Greenhouse gas initiative, which is essentially a tax. 87 00:05:45,410 --> 00:05:50,120 Um, but because of the rainy day funds, and, uh, 88 00:05:50,120 --> 00:05:54,920 that's where the, uh, Democrats are going to want to take money from first, uh, 89 00:05:54,950 --> 00:05:59,450 I don't believe that, that they will die on the hill of raising, 90 00:05:59,980 --> 00:06:03,810 uh, a severance tax or something of that nature. Um, 91 00:06:03,810 --> 00:06:07,650 and we will be fighting tooth and nail against that in any other type of tax 92 00:06:07,970 --> 00:06:11,250 increase and taking money out of the rainy day fund, uh, 93 00:06:11,250 --> 00:06:13,330 which is not for times like we're in now, 94 00:06:13,630 --> 00:06:18,450 but it's for when we do end up in some sort of recession because of 95 00:06:18,730 --> 00:06:20,650 Democrats for policy at the federal level. 96 00:06:21,790 --> 00:06:23,720 Sure. Now, uh, you know, we're, 97 00:06:23,720 --> 00:06:27,200 we're talking about the jobs of the gas and oil industry can bring us, 98 00:06:27,200 --> 00:06:32,160 but I also want to get your take on the importance of energy 99 00:06:32,160 --> 00:06:35,880 independence. And we're seeing with the conflict between, uh, 100 00:06:35,880 --> 00:06:39,680 Russia and the Ukraine, that when we're going to the grocery store, 101 00:06:39,680 --> 00:06:41,760 because that's kind of the bread basket of the world, 102 00:06:42,150 --> 00:06:46,800 that we're paying higher prices on things like, uh, wheat and flour. 103 00:06:47,410 --> 00:06:51,560 Um, you know, how important is it to us as Americans, 104 00:06:51,570 --> 00:06:55,720 as Pennsylvanians to, uh, to have some energy independence? 105 00:06:55,720 --> 00:07:00,080 And do we have the reserves in Pennsylvania, uh, 106 00:07:00,290 --> 00:07:03,400 to really make a big difference, uh, in that and, 107 00:07:03,400 --> 00:07:06,960 and give us the security that energy independence, uh, would bring us. 108 00:07:08,140 --> 00:07:13,010 We 100% have the reserves in Pennsylvania to do it for the next 50 to 109 00:07:13,010 --> 00:07:15,290 70 years, and probably more than that. 110 00:07:15,290 --> 00:07:19,930 We just don't know how to measure the rest of the reserves. Uh, 111 00:07:19,930 --> 00:07:23,210 and in my mind, it's not about energy independence. 112 00:07:23,210 --> 00:07:27,770 I think we need to take it a step further and go towards energy dominance 113 00:07:27,900 --> 00:07:32,730 so that our allies and places like Germany aren't handcuffed by 114 00:07:32,730 --> 00:07:35,770 petty tyrants like Vladimir Putin. Uh, 115 00:07:35,770 --> 00:07:40,690 his war machine is funded the nonsense coming from the 116 00:07:40,690 --> 00:07:44,810 left and because of their energy policies, that is a fact. The, 117 00:07:44,810 --> 00:07:48,850 the fact of the matter is Europe has been hamstrung by the Russian energy 118 00:07:49,050 --> 00:07:51,690 industry because of the green, uh, 119 00:07:51,690 --> 00:07:56,450 energy industrial complex that we have seen both in Europe and in, 120 00:07:56,780 --> 00:08:00,810 uh, in United States. At the end of the day, 121 00:08:00,940 --> 00:08:05,010 we could produce it, we could ship it, and we could get it to Europe, 122 00:08:05,350 --> 00:08:10,090 and we could do it in a way that is very effective and very clean as well 123 00:08:10,150 --> 00:08:14,650 for our environment. Uh, I think it needs to be said that, 124 00:08:14,650 --> 00:08:19,370 that we see what's happening in places like Russia when 125 00:08:19,720 --> 00:08:21,730 energy is when, um, 126 00:08:21,730 --> 00:08:25,290 our allies are dependent on countries like Russia. 127 00:08:25,610 --> 00:08:27,130 We're doing the same thing. 128 00:08:27,630 --> 00:08:32,210 Our energy policy here is driving us towards Chinese produced energy. 129 00:08:32,700 --> 00:08:35,730 Uh, we don't need to call it solar. We don't need to call it wind. 130 00:08:35,730 --> 00:08:38,570 We don't need to call it electric batteries. Let's call it what it is. 131 00:08:39,080 --> 00:08:44,050 It's Chinese produced energy. And until we can do it here in the United States, 132 00:08:44,300 --> 00:08:46,610 we shouldn't be going anywhere near it. Uh, 133 00:08:46,610 --> 00:08:50,170 we should be encouraging manufacturers to start making those goods here. 134 00:08:50,420 --> 00:08:52,490 We should be encouraging our, um, 135 00:08:53,530 --> 00:08:58,160 entities in America to start mining for rare earth minerals. But until we can, 136 00:08:58,210 --> 00:09:02,400 there's no reason for us to be dependent on Chinese produced energy. 137 00:09:02,500 --> 00:09:07,400 And I think we ought to be using American produced energy, not just for us, 138 00:09:07,420 --> 00:09:09,040 but also for our allies, 139 00:09:09,040 --> 00:09:12,640 so that we can be the ones that they are dependent on, 140 00:09:12,640 --> 00:09:17,120 because we will export freedom and not tyranny like what you're seeing in 141 00:09:17,120 --> 00:09:17,953 Russia. 142 00:09:18,430 --> 00:09:23,200 Sure, sure. So, you know, we've been talking, uh, about the energy, uh, 143 00:09:23,200 --> 00:09:28,160 independence or energy dominance, as you said. And, uh, if I'm, if I'm correct, 144 00:09:28,330 --> 00:09:32,120 uh, the Pennsylvania Shell ethanol cracker plant, uh, 145 00:09:32,120 --> 00:09:34,840 is in your district. Um, 146 00:09:34,840 --> 00:09:39,160 let's talk a little bit about the sheer number of jobs that have been 147 00:09:39,530 --> 00:09:43,080 created, uh, by that plant and, uh, 148 00:09:43,080 --> 00:09:45,600 and what they'll be doing at that plant long term. 149 00:09:46,710 --> 00:09:51,600 Yeah, so in the construction of a plant, there was a total of 14,000 trade jobs, 150 00:09:52,330 --> 00:09:55,800 uh, with an average, uh, 151 00:09:55,870 --> 00:10:00,040 income yearly of over a hundred thousand dollars. Um, uh, 152 00:10:00,040 --> 00:10:05,040 beaver County in the last 10 years went from having four hotels to 31 hotels 153 00:10:05,040 --> 00:10:06,960 because of the plant. Uh, 154 00:10:06,960 --> 00:10:11,080 the economic impact surrounding the plant has been absolutely dramatic. 155 00:10:11,270 --> 00:10:15,800 80% of the workers at the plant live within a hundred miles 156 00:10:15,930 --> 00:10:20,680 of the plant. So it was local work for the most, uh, most part. And, 157 00:10:20,680 --> 00:10:21,410 um, 158 00:10:21,410 --> 00:10:26,160 we are generally seeing a lot of excitement about the prospect of downstream 159 00:10:26,160 --> 00:10:28,760 meaning, uh, because, uh, 160 00:10:28,760 --> 00:10:32,560 this plant is something that is, is really a, 161 00:10:32,710 --> 00:10:33,920 a massive project. 162 00:10:34,210 --> 00:10:39,120 It provides for opportunities for other manufacturers to come in and 163 00:10:39,120 --> 00:10:43,520 use the pellets that's created by this plant, uh, 164 00:10:43,520 --> 00:10:46,720 to form their own plastic products. Um, 165 00:10:46,810 --> 00:10:50,600 so there's a lot of excitement about future, uh, manufacturing, 166 00:10:50,600 --> 00:10:53,360 about re industrializing, uh, beaver County. 167 00:10:53,660 --> 00:10:57,860 And even without that mission of something like 168 00:10:57,860 --> 00:11:02,260 2.3 billion a year in economic impact, um, 169 00:11:02,260 --> 00:11:04,220 it's 600 full-time jobs. 170 00:11:04,220 --> 00:11:08,220 It's thousands of contractors that are gonna work at the plant throughout the 171 00:11:08,220 --> 00:11:12,740 year. Um, it's just a, a boon for the region. And, uh, 172 00:11:12,740 --> 00:11:17,620 we're excited to see what else the energy industry can, can bring to, 173 00:11:18,070 --> 00:11:21,860 uh, our region as it relates to manufacturing and production. 174 00:11:21,950 --> 00:11:25,450 So it's, it's been a very, uh, 175 00:11:25,450 --> 00:11:27,090 productive project, 176 00:11:27,320 --> 00:11:31,810 a 10 billion project that was ultimately invested by Shell 177 00:11:32,310 --> 00:11:36,970 and this plant, in case, you know, it's, it's kind of a complicated, uh, 178 00:11:37,170 --> 00:11:38,850 truck have. 179 00:11:38,850 --> 00:11:42,530 And what it does essentially is take snack, 180 00:11:43,860 --> 00:11:48,810 um, which is going to be spent in the region, which is going to keep people, 181 00:11:49,500 --> 00:11:53,760 uh, working in the natural gas industry here locally, um, 182 00:11:53,760 --> 00:11:57,200 and converts it for lack of a better, you know, 183 00:11:57,200 --> 00:12:01,600 it's just to try and make it in terms that I can understand it in basically, 184 00:12:01,860 --> 00:12:06,160 but converts it to little plastic pellets. Now, 185 00:12:06,160 --> 00:12:10,480 those pellets and ship the different plastic manufacturers 186 00:12:10,980 --> 00:12:15,520 get melted and formed into anything that's made of plastic, 187 00:12:15,520 --> 00:12:20,360 whether it's a plastic bag, whether it's your cell phone cover, um, 188 00:12:20,720 --> 00:12:21,920 whatever it is, uh, 189 00:12:21,950 --> 00:12:26,720 that plastic is coming from this plant or a plant like it, um, 190 00:12:26,720 --> 00:12:31,640 across the globe. There's a lot of these types of plants in, uh, Asia. 191 00:12:32,010 --> 00:12:36,880 Uh, this one is the first one that was built in northeast, uh, America. 192 00:12:36,880 --> 00:12:40,440 There's some in, uh, the Louisiana region as well. 193 00:12:40,760 --> 00:12:45,640 There was one of these plants that was completed in 2012 in Louisiana, 194 00:12:45,660 --> 00:12:46,480 and since then, 195 00:12:46,480 --> 00:12:51,400 there's been $154 billion of future investment around 196 00:12:51,400 --> 00:12:56,080 that plan. So we're hoping that not just Beaver County, but the whole region, 197 00:12:56,300 --> 00:13:01,000 bay County, Westmoreland County, uh, green County, Washington County, 198 00:13:01,000 --> 00:13:02,640 Allegheny County Butler, 199 00:13:02,830 --> 00:13:07,680 that we can all see the benefits from this type of project that we have here 200 00:13:07,680 --> 00:13:08,513 in Beaver County. 201 00:13:08,900 --> 00:13:12,840 And what's good for one of the caller counties for one of the southwest 202 00:13:13,040 --> 00:13:15,120 Pennsylvania County, if it's good for all of us. 203 00:13:16,070 --> 00:13:19,000 Absolutely. It, it kind of makes me want to go out and, 204 00:13:19,000 --> 00:13:21,400 and buy an extrusion machine where, uh, 205 00:13:21,400 --> 00:13:24,480 where I could start manufacturing some plastic goods. 206 00:13:24,510 --> 00:13:27,320 I I actually recently toured, um, 207 00:13:27,470 --> 00:13:31,760 a facility that our Society of Brethren here in the, uh, 208 00:13:31,820 --> 00:13:36,120 the Laurel Highlands Mountains, uh, has, and their community, 209 00:13:36,650 --> 00:13:40,720 uh, operates. And, and they make plastic goods that are for, 210 00:13:41,330 --> 00:13:45,600 um, for rehab centers at plastic potty chairs, et cetera, 211 00:13:45,910 --> 00:13:49,840 that are used for, for those in the aging community. Uh, 212 00:13:49,940 --> 00:13:54,480 and so those petrochemical pellets that you're talking about would be used, 213 00:13:54,650 --> 00:13:57,840 uh, in, in their machines. Um, and, 214 00:13:57,840 --> 00:14:00,120 and so right here in Fayette County, 215 00:14:00,120 --> 00:14:05,080 I know of at least one manufacturer that's already using those materials 216 00:14:05,220 --> 00:14:08,440 and could probably cut costs by bringing them, um, 217 00:14:08,630 --> 00:14:12,160 from the plant here in Butler, uh, right down to Fayette County. 218 00:14:13,630 --> 00:14:15,720 Yeah. And so, one of, 219 00:14:15,720 --> 00:14:20,280 one of the reasons why show invested here was because of the activity already 220 00:14:20,740 --> 00:14:25,680 and the close proximity to many of the manufacturers that are in place. Uh, 221 00:14:25,840 --> 00:14:28,840 we're close to the northeast, we're close to the Midwest, 222 00:14:28,840 --> 00:14:32,320 we can get down to Mississippi if we need to. Uh, 223 00:14:32,320 --> 00:14:35,120 a lot of opportunity that's gonna come from Miss Petrochemical. 224 00:14:37,250 --> 00:14:41,110 Representative Carol, we have to get to our first break. Uh, when we come back, 225 00:14:41,110 --> 00:14:45,910 I wanna talk about, uh, education in Pennsylvania. Both our public schools are, 226 00:14:46,000 --> 00:14:50,070 uh, cyber charter schools and the charters that are out there, 227 00:14:50,070 --> 00:14:52,280 as well as private education. Uh, 228 00:14:52,280 --> 00:14:54,720 we'll be back after this break on commonalities. 229 00:14:57,790 --> 00:15:02,440 You're listening to commonalities where guests find common ground through 230 00:15:02,760 --> 00:15:03,960 uncommon conversations. 231 00:15:04,480 --> 00:15:07,800 We'll be back after this brief break to recognize our sponsors. 232 00:15:11,110 --> 00:15:13,960 I am Melinda De LaRose as an Assistant District Attorney, 233 00:15:13,990 --> 00:15:18,040 I've protected Fayette County families and fought to uphold our constitutional 234 00:15:18,040 --> 00:15:20,840 rights. As a prosecutor and trusted local attorney, 235 00:15:20,840 --> 00:15:24,800 I've provided victims of crime with a strong voice and put criminals behind 236 00:15:24,800 --> 00:15:28,080 bars. My pledge to you as Judge is to follow the law, 237 00:15:28,080 --> 00:15:30,600 always maintain the highest ethical standards, 238 00:15:30,600 --> 00:15:34,960 and to run a courtroom that's respectful of your time and tax dollars. 239 00:15:35,220 --> 00:15:38,280 I'm Melinda de LaRose asking for your vote for Judge. 240 00:15:38,280 --> 00:15:40,440 Paid for by Friends of Melinda de LaRose. 241 00:15:40,890 --> 00:15:45,040 Is your business using analog strategies in a digital marketing world? 242 00:15:45,450 --> 00:15:46,080 If so, 243 00:15:46,080 --> 00:15:50,960 then contact Matthew or Rebecca Dowling at Coordinated 360 for a 244 00:15:50,960 --> 00:15:54,920 professional consultation where we bring in depth knowledge and functional 245 00:15:54,920 --> 00:15:56,880 expertise with a holistic perspective. 246 00:15:57,720 --> 00:16:02,400 Coordinated 360 provides digital marketing, paid ad and media buying services, 247 00:16:02,420 --> 00:16:07,240 web design, social media management, video production, and more for businesses, 248 00:16:07,240 --> 00:16:11,920 organizations, and political campaigns with decades of experience. 249 00:16:11,920 --> 00:16:16,600 Matt and Becky at Coordinated 360 can help you craft your unique message 250 00:16:16,820 --> 00:16:21,800 and share it with the world. 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Uh, this is, 286 00:18:47,010 --> 00:18:49,580 thanks for staying with us. This is your host, Matt Dowling. 287 00:18:49,580 --> 00:18:52,020 My guest today is representative Josh Ka, 288 00:18:52,280 --> 00:18:56,580 who is the chairman of the re Republican, uh, policy committee. 289 00:18:56,580 --> 00:18:59,940 And he's been traveling the state. In fact, today, I think he's, uh, 290 00:18:59,940 --> 00:19:04,620 making his way across the commonwealth. Uh, he's got important hearings, 291 00:19:04,790 --> 00:19:09,380 uh, that the, the committee has, uh, to talk about all different things. But, 292 00:19:09,380 --> 00:19:12,420 uh, one of the things they've talked about recently has been education. 293 00:19:12,420 --> 00:19:15,620 So Representative Cal, fill us in on, uh, 294 00:19:15,620 --> 00:19:19,060 what you've learned from your policy hearings on education recently. 295 00:19:19,850 --> 00:19:24,700 Yeah, so I, I recently met with an administrator of a school, uh, uh, 296 00:19:25,230 --> 00:19:28,500 in a community that is not well off in Philadelphia, 297 00:19:29,200 --> 00:19:31,060 and he was explaining to me, 298 00:19:31,060 --> 00:19:34,100 and this kind of frames where we're coming from on education. 299 00:19:34,100 --> 00:19:38,460 He was explaining to me that they did a survey in one of their classes, 300 00:19:38,530 --> 00:19:43,460 I believe it was a seventh grade class, uh, asking the kids what'd they expect, 301 00:19:43,460 --> 00:19:47,620 their life expectancy to be just a, you know, survey amongst the students. 302 00:19:47,800 --> 00:19:52,540 And the average age that came from that survey was 26, 303 00:19:53,420 --> 00:19:55,800 was 26 years old. Um. 304 00:19:55,800 --> 00:19:56,633 That's amazing. 305 00:19:57,900 --> 00:20:01,610 It, it, it's, it's absolutely just really, it's terrible, 306 00:20:01,610 --> 00:20:06,290 but it is amazing that that's, that's what it is. And when I heard that, 307 00:20:06,290 --> 00:20:08,970 I just thought to myself, what, what are we doing? 308 00:20:08,970 --> 00:20:11,410 How can we provide hope for these kids? 309 00:20:11,630 --> 00:20:16,330 How can we let them know that the state legislator is trying to make 310 00:20:16,690 --> 00:20:21,450 their lives better? It's trying to make their families' lives better. And, um, 311 00:20:21,510 --> 00:20:26,290 one of the things that we have to be razor focused on is providing 312 00:20:26,290 --> 00:20:30,770 hope for kids regardless of their zip code, providing hope for families, 313 00:20:31,140 --> 00:20:33,130 uh, regardless of where they live. 314 00:20:33,130 --> 00:20:38,130 And the way that we can do that is by empowering parents to have a choice in 315 00:20:38,130 --> 00:20:42,930 the education process. We, we had just had a hearing last week on this subject, 316 00:20:43,510 --> 00:20:46,810 and, um, it was a astounding how, uh, you know, 317 00:20:47,400 --> 00:20:51,440 areas and certain schools and certain private schools, charter schools, 318 00:20:52,040 --> 00:20:53,240 whatever the situation is, 319 00:20:53,500 --> 00:20:57,800 how every child is different and every family is different. 320 00:20:58,100 --> 00:21:00,000 And how the best way, 321 00:21:00,070 --> 00:21:03,800 even for our public schools to operate is to have competition. 322 00:21:03,800 --> 00:21:06,080 There's nothing wrong with competition. 323 00:21:06,080 --> 00:21:10,800 There are public schools that are absolutely phenomenal, that are excellent, 324 00:21:10,940 --> 00:21:14,400 and that's great, and we want every public school to be that way. 325 00:21:14,620 --> 00:21:19,440 And I believe the way we get there is by giving parents options and ensuring 326 00:21:19,440 --> 00:21:22,720 that there's some level of accountability through competition, 327 00:21:22,980 --> 00:21:27,480 and ensuring that parents are in charge of the direction of where their, 328 00:21:27,480 --> 00:21:31,640 where their, uh, kids are going, what they're learning, and, uh, not, 329 00:21:31,640 --> 00:21:36,520 not systems. So I'm excited about having more hearings on this subject. 330 00:21:36,670 --> 00:21:41,360 I think it's something that, uh, is generally, um, 331 00:21:41,660 --> 00:21:44,960 appreciated by the, by the electorate. And I, 332 00:21:44,990 --> 00:21:49,280 I think we need to keep talking about it and develop robust 333 00:21:49,300 --> 00:21:53,280 legislation that can really ensure that every student, 334 00:21:53,440 --> 00:21:56,720 every family has hope regardless of their zip code. 335 00:21:57,470 --> 00:22:00,840 Well, and you made a great distinction there, uh, that, 336 00:22:00,840 --> 00:22:05,080 that I wanna follow up on. Um, and, and I also want you to talk about your, 337 00:22:05,080 --> 00:22:09,960 your family size here in a moment. But, you know, you mentioned that, uh, 338 00:22:09,960 --> 00:22:13,000 that parents know what's best for their children. And, 339 00:22:13,000 --> 00:22:14,760 and I completely agree with that. 340 00:22:14,760 --> 00:22:17,960 I think most of our listeners would agree with that as well. 341 00:22:18,300 --> 00:22:21,400 But you also said that, uh, every, uh, 342 00:22:21,400 --> 00:22:25,040 family is different and every child is different. Uh, during the pandemic, 343 00:22:25,040 --> 00:22:28,600 we made the decision to cyber charter, uh, 344 00:22:28,600 --> 00:22:33,520 my two sons and I have one son that has some special needs, and, 345 00:22:33,520 --> 00:22:34,140 uh, 346 00:22:34,140 --> 00:22:38,640 and he is really excelling with the help that he's getting through a cyber 347 00:22:38,640 --> 00:22:42,000 charter opportunity. My other son, uh, however, 348 00:22:42,610 --> 00:22:45,600 is not quite as challenged in the, uh, 349 00:22:45,600 --> 00:22:50,360 cyber charter environment because he's not in a classroom where he's, uh, 350 00:22:50,360 --> 00:22:54,640 competing with other kids. And so I think the distinction that needs made is, 351 00:22:54,640 --> 00:22:58,920 is really education. It, it's not one size fits all. 352 00:22:59,050 --> 00:23:03,000 It fits every student differently. Um, you know, I, 353 00:23:03,000 --> 00:23:05,480 I'm thinking that one of my kids will, 354 00:23:05,480 --> 00:23:10,200 will go to a bricks and mortar next school, that school next year. And, 355 00:23:10,200 --> 00:23:15,000 uh, and the other one we're, we're undecided about right now because he is, uh, 356 00:23:15,000 --> 00:23:18,240 really improving and excelling in a cyber charter environment. 357 00:23:18,250 --> 00:23:22,960 So it's not just that, you know, each family situation may be different, 358 00:23:23,220 --> 00:23:27,560 but each child can be different as well. Um, and you know, 359 00:23:27,560 --> 00:23:31,240 since we're on the topic of of children, uh, you know, 360 00:23:31,290 --> 00:23:33,960 my listeners in Fayette County may not have the, uh, 361 00:23:33,960 --> 00:23:38,360 awareness of the size of your family. So, you know, why don't you tell us, uh, 362 00:23:38,360 --> 00:23:41,480 tell us how many kids y you and your your beautiful wife have. 363 00:23:42,490 --> 00:23:47,360 So, yeah, my wife and I have eight children. We just had our eighth child. Um, 364 00:23:47,930 --> 00:23:52,440 we, our oldest is 12, our youngest is two months. And, um, 365 00:23:52,820 --> 00:23:57,360 you, you're absolutely right. Uh, you know, we got six in between those two, 366 00:23:57,700 --> 00:24:00,560 and every single one of them is different. Um, 367 00:24:01,220 --> 00:24:05,520 one of them learns differently and what learns a different, uh, 368 00:24:05,520 --> 00:24:10,320 race and needs different things in order to excel, and, and that's great, 369 00:24:10,320 --> 00:24:14,800 and that's how God made 'em. And we shouldn't try and fit them all into one box. 370 00:24:15,530 --> 00:24:18,760 Um, you know, if, if, if, like for your family, 371 00:24:18,850 --> 00:24:22,320 if cyber charter works best, that's phenomenal. 372 00:24:22,370 --> 00:24:26,600 If another one public school is best traditional public school, 373 00:24:26,600 --> 00:24:28,360 that's great too. Um, 374 00:24:28,380 --> 00:24:33,080 but we cannot just try this cookie cutter system that we have and try 375 00:24:33,080 --> 00:24:37,760 stuffing our children into each one as though they're a brick just to put into a 376 00:24:37,760 --> 00:24:42,680 wall. Uh, our kids are unique. Our kids have talents that need to be developed, 377 00:24:42,680 --> 00:24:43,640 and those development, 378 00:24:43,640 --> 00:24:48,560 those talents are developed differently for each and every one. Um, it, 379 00:24:48,560 --> 00:24:49,520 it's not an attack. 380 00:24:49,520 --> 00:24:53,400 Like a lot of people try and make this into an attack on teachers, 381 00:24:53,400 --> 00:24:56,640 an attack on the public school system. It really isn't. 382 00:24:56,710 --> 00:25:01,440 What this is about is about ex excellent education regardless 383 00:25:01,440 --> 00:25:06,240 of zip code. There are a lot of people in my district that have the ability, 384 00:25:06,240 --> 00:25:09,840 the resources to send their kids to a wonderful school. Uh, 385 00:25:09,840 --> 00:25:14,200 we have some very good school districts, black Hawk Beaver, um, 386 00:25:14,890 --> 00:25:18,400 in, in, in my district, uh, and, and those places, 387 00:25:19,020 --> 00:25:23,360 I'm very happy to see how well they're doing, uh, and other places too. 388 00:25:23,580 --> 00:25:26,160 And so it's not about that. 389 00:25:26,350 --> 00:25:31,240 It's simply about ensuring that no child is left behind in this 390 00:25:31,240 --> 00:25:32,073 process. 391 00:25:32,190 --> 00:25:37,160 Ensuring and recognizing that each child is unique and their needs are 392 00:25:37,160 --> 00:25:39,400 going to be unique, and we ought to respect that, 393 00:25:39,400 --> 00:25:43,080 and we ought to have a system that understands that. Matt, 394 00:25:43,380 --> 00:25:47,200 one of the saddest things I hear every year is, uh, 395 00:25:47,600 --> 00:25:51,600 Democrats railing against, um, our education system. 396 00:25:51,870 --> 00:25:54,880 They rail against it, and they complain about it. 397 00:25:54,880 --> 00:25:58,840 And the only answer they can ever come up with is to pad the status quo. 398 00:25:59,150 --> 00:26:01,800 They keep saying, we need more of the status quo, 399 00:26:01,800 --> 00:26:03,280 we need more of the status quo. 400 00:26:03,390 --> 00:26:07,040 Just keep throwing more money at the system that they call broken. 401 00:26:07,350 --> 00:26:11,040 They call it broken. Matt Bradford, the former appropriation chair, 402 00:26:11,040 --> 00:26:15,240 who is now the leader of the Democrat Party in the house last cycle in his 403 00:26:15,480 --> 00:26:19,080 appropriation speech, said, our education system is broken. 404 00:26:19,460 --> 00:26:23,240 His answer to fixing it, which is throw more money at it, I'm sorry, 405 00:26:23,240 --> 00:26:26,160 that's not how we do this. We are legislators. 406 00:26:26,160 --> 00:26:30,640 We ought to use our brains to come up with creative solutions to remove 407 00:26:31,080 --> 00:26:32,240 obstacles to opportunity. 408 00:26:32,500 --> 00:26:37,000 And we ought to close the opportunity gap that we see in this Commonwealth. 409 00:26:37,180 --> 00:26:42,160 And it shouldn't matter what zip code you're in. If your child, uh, wants, 410 00:26:42,340 --> 00:26:45,640 and a family wants to have that child get an excellent education, 411 00:26:45,640 --> 00:26:47,080 they ought to be able to do it. 412 00:26:47,300 --> 00:26:50,440 And that's what our policies are going to lead to in the Commonwealth. 413 00:26:50,440 --> 00:26:54,160 And that's what the Republican caucus is leading on right now in the 414 00:26:54,160 --> 00:26:54,993 Commonwealth. 415 00:26:55,230 --> 00:26:55,720 Well, 416 00:26:55,720 --> 00:27:00,280 and I think now is an opportune time to evaluate education and, 417 00:27:00,450 --> 00:27:04,320 uh, how we have to fund education. I don't know if, uh, 418 00:27:04,450 --> 00:27:08,080 if all of our listeners are aware, but the, the, uh, 419 00:27:08,080 --> 00:27:12,720 Pennsylvania Supreme Court had a ruling that came down, uh, 420 00:27:12,800 --> 00:27:15,640 based on educational funding. And, 421 00:27:15,780 --> 00:27:19,560 and in this year's budget process, uh, if I'm correct, 422 00:27:19,560 --> 00:27:24,480 you guys are gonna have to make a change in how we fund our public 423 00:27:24,480 --> 00:27:26,240 schools across the commonwealth. 424 00:27:26,470 --> 00:27:29,480 I don't know if you have anything to add to that, but, uh, 425 00:27:29,540 --> 00:27:31,800 but I know that is an issue that's, uh, 426 00:27:31,800 --> 00:27:34,600 that's gonna come to an head to a head in this year's budget. 427 00:27:35,990 --> 00:27:38,720 Yeah, so I mean, this is an opportunity, uh, 428 00:27:38,730 --> 00:27:42,160 we gotta look at it as an opportunity. This, this, the Commonwealth Court, 429 00:27:42,160 --> 00:27:44,480 not the state Supreme Court, uh, 430 00:27:45,040 --> 00:27:48,000 actually left room for the legislature to fix the problem, 431 00:27:48,000 --> 00:27:52,120 which is appropriate because the court has no ability to appropriate funds, 432 00:27:53,050 --> 00:27:56,560 um, which calls them to question what they did in the first place. 433 00:27:56,560 --> 00:27:58,280 But the court will be the court, 434 00:27:58,280 --> 00:28:02,200 and we gotta look at it as an opportunity to ensure that money is following the 435 00:28:02,200 --> 00:28:05,480 child. And at every child, regardless of zip code, 436 00:28:05,480 --> 00:28:08,960 has the opportunity for an excellent education. Um, 437 00:28:09,010 --> 00:28:12,120 so we gotta take a look at the funding formula. Uh, 438 00:28:12,120 --> 00:28:16,400 we have to ensure that our rural schools are appropriately funded. 439 00:28:16,400 --> 00:28:19,280 That is a serious concern that I have. Uh, 440 00:28:19,280 --> 00:28:21,640 coming from a rural district myself, 441 00:28:21,750 --> 00:28:24,840 I represent 12 different school districts, 442 00:28:24,840 --> 00:28:29,520 which is in the context of, uh, of, uh, state House seats, 443 00:28:29,520 --> 00:28:34,280 which is remarkable. Um, and so we, we need to make sure that our, 444 00:28:34,280 --> 00:28:39,280 our smaller schools are not left behind in this process. Uh, but ultimately, 445 00:28:39,650 --> 00:28:44,120 as a philosophy, as a North star, as a, as a guide for our caucus, 446 00:28:44,610 --> 00:28:47,880 we are razor focused on ensuring that children, 447 00:28:48,270 --> 00:28:52,680 that children get an excellent education regardless of their zip code 448 00:28:52,870 --> 00:28:55,000 from Bucks County, the Beaver County, 449 00:28:55,000 --> 00:28:59,160 from Philadelphia to Eerie and everywhere in between. 450 00:28:59,670 --> 00:29:04,600 That's our focus. And it's not on systems and padding the status quo, 451 00:29:05,150 --> 00:29:08,720 it's on funding children and giving families choices. 452 00:29:08,780 --> 00:29:13,120 And this is an opportunity for us to put in a system that does exactly that. 453 00:29:13,980 --> 00:29:16,600 And if we're talking about money following the child, 454 00:29:16,850 --> 00:29:21,640 is there any chance that we could be talking about some type of a voucher 455 00:29:21,640 --> 00:29:23,480 system in Pennsylvania at this time? 456 00:29:24,370 --> 00:29:28,880 So, I, I, I don't think it's realistic to expect, um, 457 00:29:28,900 --> 00:29:33,680 the Democrat Caucus to go for something of that nature. Uh, 458 00:29:33,680 --> 00:29:38,440 we will be advocating for it, uh, in particular in poor performing schools. 459 00:29:38,970 --> 00:29:42,040 Uh, it's my opinion that we should broaden that, uh, 460 00:29:42,040 --> 00:29:46,000 beyond just poor performing schools. But we gotta start somewhere. However, 461 00:29:46,300 --> 00:29:50,360 the governor, uh, governor Shapiro in his campaign, now, 462 00:29:50,360 --> 00:29:53,000 I understand that, you know, with a lot of politicians, 463 00:29:53,000 --> 00:29:57,080 what they say in their campaign is one thing, what they do is another. Uh, 464 00:29:57,080 --> 00:30:00,560 so I'm not naive to that, but with that being said, 465 00:30:00,920 --> 00:30:05,920 governor Shapiro has come out and said he supports vouchers, particularly with, 466 00:30:06,250 --> 00:30:11,120 uh, poor, um, with poor performing school districts. Um, 467 00:30:11,120 --> 00:30:14,480 and we ought to, we ought to believe him, and we ought to put something forward, 468 00:30:15,010 --> 00:30:19,560 uh, that does that. Because if it's just for poor performing school districts, 469 00:30:19,560 --> 00:30:21,160 that's a step in the right direction. 470 00:30:21,460 --> 00:30:26,280 And if we can show that it works for those families, um, I, I, 471 00:30:26,280 --> 00:30:30,040 I don't see why it couldn't work for other families and why we should have other 472 00:30:30,040 --> 00:30:34,440 people. I'm not getting the same types of opportunities. So, uh, 473 00:30:34,440 --> 00:30:39,160 we will be driving that agenda. We will be trying to, uh, incrementally, 474 00:30:39,690 --> 00:30:44,520 uh, make our education system better, uh, and continue to, 475 00:30:44,530 --> 00:30:49,440 to debate in the public square as to why we should be funding children and 476 00:30:49,720 --> 00:30:51,200 families and not systems. 477 00:30:52,260 --> 00:30:57,040 And, and, you know, I, I think what we have to talk about also, and, 478 00:30:57,040 --> 00:30:59,800 you know, not to be extremely partisan, because on the show, 479 00:30:59,800 --> 00:31:04,080 I try to be as bipartisan as I can be, but there's no, uh, 480 00:31:04,730 --> 00:31:09,440 no covering up the fact that when I was in the legislator legislature, I was, 481 00:31:09,440 --> 00:31:13,960 uh, uh, an extreme conservatism in, in the top 10%. Um, 482 00:31:14,100 --> 00:31:18,120 but with that being said, um, you kind of have to follow the money. And, 483 00:31:18,120 --> 00:31:22,880 and what worries me when we talk about education is the donations 484 00:31:22,880 --> 00:31:26,440 that come from, uh, the psea from the teacher's union, 485 00:31:26,980 --> 00:31:31,680 and what candidates those go to and ultimately does that cloud, 486 00:31:31,970 --> 00:31:35,360 uh, some people's judgment, um, you know, 487 00:31:35,360 --> 00:31:39,280 when they're moving through the process. That being said, um, you know, 488 00:31:39,280 --> 00:31:44,080 I went to a public high school. I went to, uh, Catholic school before that. But, 489 00:31:44,080 --> 00:31:46,560 you know, in my public high school experience, 490 00:31:46,630 --> 00:31:51,440 I have teachers that definitely shaped me into the individual that I am 491 00:31:51,440 --> 00:31:54,000 today, and, and gave me some, um, 492 00:31:54,640 --> 00:31:58,600 extremely good life lessons through the education that I received. 493 00:31:58,890 --> 00:32:03,800 So this isn't a knock on teachers, but just the money that is, 494 00:32:04,450 --> 00:32:08,360 uh, you know, passed on through that teacher's union, uh, 495 00:32:08,360 --> 00:32:12,240 what kind of stumbling blocks do you think that that may provide, uh, 496 00:32:12,250 --> 00:32:13,800 as we discuss education? 497 00:32:14,390 --> 00:32:18,280 Yeah, that's certainly an issue. And, and those, you know, teachers, 498 00:32:18,280 --> 00:32:21,160 the Psea and all these other groups, they're, you know, 499 00:32:21,160 --> 00:32:25,640 free to give where they want. Um, and it's certainly a problem, uh, 500 00:32:25,640 --> 00:32:28,560 because of the resources that they do have. But I, 501 00:32:28,560 --> 00:32:32,960 I will say that the bigger challenge here is, um, 502 00:32:33,320 --> 00:32:35,880 going after the status quo. 503 00:32:36,340 --> 00:32:39,840 Any time that you are disruption to the, the status quo, 504 00:32:39,990 --> 00:32:42,520 you're going to have a target on your back. 505 00:32:42,620 --> 00:32:47,480 And the education system is one of the largest institutions that we deal 506 00:32:47,480 --> 00:32:48,760 with in the legislature, 507 00:32:49,180 --> 00:32:54,120 and we are squarely attacking the status quo because the status quo is not 508 00:32:54,120 --> 00:32:56,400 working for enough families. Um, 509 00:32:56,420 --> 00:32:59,160 and so we're going to continue to do that. 510 00:32:59,420 --> 00:33:03,000 And the more of this that becomes a public debate, 511 00:33:03,000 --> 00:33:04,840 having radio interviews like this, 512 00:33:04,840 --> 00:33:08,800 talking to you and others in the public forum on this topic, 513 00:33:08,800 --> 00:33:13,680 the better off we'll be at. Um, we have the truth on our side with this. 514 00:33:14,010 --> 00:33:16,440 Uh, we have the family on our side with this. 515 00:33:16,440 --> 00:33:21,320 We have students that we are advocating for, uh, with this, um, 516 00:33:21,380 --> 00:33:21,800 and, 517 00:33:21,800 --> 00:33:26,680 and unfortunately more so than the unfortunate nature of the 518 00:33:26,680 --> 00:33:29,360 psca and who they donate to. Unfortunately, 519 00:33:29,360 --> 00:33:34,080 the Democrat party has zero creativity. And it's not just with education, 520 00:33:34,160 --> 00:33:36,920 their entire platform across the board, 521 00:33:37,070 --> 00:33:41,240 it's padding the status quo. How do they solve problems? 522 00:33:41,240 --> 00:33:42,440 Throw more money at it, 523 00:33:42,440 --> 00:33:45,080 because they don't want to use their brains to solve problems. 524 00:33:45,190 --> 00:33:48,280 They just want to be able to throw more money at stakeholders, 525 00:33:48,370 --> 00:33:51,000 at people that fund their campaigns. And, 526 00:33:51,000 --> 00:33:53,600 and that's the only solutions they come up with. Anything. 527 00:33:53,890 --> 00:33:58,760 We have an energy issue, throw more money at the green industry. Uh, 528 00:33:58,810 --> 00:34:03,720 we have a healthcare issue, throw more money at, uh, at different, 529 00:34:03,720 --> 00:34:08,200 at the S C I U and different groups like that. Uh, we have an education problem, 530 00:34:08,200 --> 00:34:10,520 just throw more money at it, I'm sorry, 531 00:34:10,520 --> 00:34:14,080 but taking taxpayer dollars and just being, uh, 532 00:34:14,080 --> 00:34:17,000 throwing it out without any type of accountability, 533 00:34:17,310 --> 00:34:19,120 that's not a winning solution. 534 00:34:19,400 --> 00:34:22,600 Padding the status quo is not a winning solution. 535 00:34:22,980 --> 00:34:26,360 Republicans have ideas, ideas that'll work. 536 00:34:26,360 --> 00:34:29,960 We have solutions beyond just throwing more money at it. 537 00:34:30,060 --> 00:34:31,560 And that's what we're working on, 538 00:34:31,560 --> 00:34:35,480 and we're removing those obstacles to opportunity. And, um, 539 00:34:35,480 --> 00:34:38,320 the Democrat party has gotten lazy and, uh, 540 00:34:38,320 --> 00:34:41,080 it might use fluffy words in her campaign, 541 00:34:41,080 --> 00:34:44,760 like the Office of Transformation and Opportunity and all this other nonsense. 542 00:34:44,980 --> 00:34:46,280 But at the end of the day, 543 00:34:46,590 --> 00:34:51,360 alls we're doing is padding the status quo and the status quo is not working 544 00:34:51,360 --> 00:34:53,760 for far too many people in this commonwealth. 545 00:34:55,750 --> 00:34:59,240 Well, uh, you know, thank you Representative Kell for those thoughts. 546 00:34:59,240 --> 00:35:01,640 We have to get one more break in. When we come back, 547 00:35:01,640 --> 00:35:05,000 we'll have our final thoughts and, uh, allow you to, 548 00:35:05,000 --> 00:35:07,920 to give some of your contact information. Uh, 549 00:35:07,920 --> 00:35:09,680 if someone should want to get ahold of you, 550 00:35:09,680 --> 00:35:11,720 we'll be right back here on commonalities. 551 00:35:14,780 --> 00:35:19,160 You are listening to commonalities where guests find common ground through 552 00:35:19,520 --> 00:35:20,720 uncommon conversations. 553 00:35:21,480 --> 00:35:24,960 We'll be back after this brief break to recognize our sponsors. 554 00:35:28,060 --> 00:35:30,920 I'm Melinda De LaRose. As an Assistant District Attorney, 555 00:35:30,950 --> 00:35:34,920 I've protected Fayette County families and fought to uphold our constitutional 556 00:35:34,920 --> 00:35:37,800 rights. As a prosecutor and trusted local attorney, 557 00:35:37,800 --> 00:35:41,840 I've provided victims of crime with a strong voice and put criminals behind 558 00:35:41,840 --> 00:35:45,200 bars. My pledge to you as Judge is to follow the law, 559 00:35:45,200 --> 00:35:47,520 always maintain the highest ethical standards, 560 00:35:47,520 --> 00:35:51,840 and to run a courtroom that's respectful of your time and tax dollars. 561 00:35:52,100 --> 00:35:55,560 I'm Melinda de LaRose asking for your vote for Judge paid. 562 00:35:55,560 --> 00:35:57,440 For by Friends of Melinda Delrose. 563 00:35:57,850 --> 00:36:02,040 Is your business using analog strategies in a digital marketing world? 564 00:36:02,490 --> 00:36:03,120 If so, 565 00:36:03,120 --> 00:36:07,880 then contact Matthew or Rebecca Dowling at Coordinated 360 for a 566 00:36:07,880 --> 00:36:11,800 professional consultation where we bring in-depth knowledge and functional 567 00:36:11,800 --> 00:36:13,680 expertise with a holistic perspective. 568 00:36:14,520 --> 00:36:19,360 Coordinated 360 provides digital marketing, paid ad and media buying services, 569 00:36:19,420 --> 00:36:24,320 web design, social media management, video production, and more for businesses, 570 00:36:24,340 --> 00:36:28,840 organizations, and political campaigns with decades of experience. 571 00:36:28,840 --> 00:36:33,400 Matt and Becky at Coordinated 360 can help you craft your unique message 572 00:36:33,540 --> 00:36:34,960 and share it with the world. 573 00:36:35,140 --> 00:36:38,760 For a no risk media evaluation and recommendations, 574 00:36:38,990 --> 00:36:43,040 call 7 2 4 3 2 0 22 12, 575 00:36:43,330 --> 00:36:45,320 or visit us online at 576 00:36:45,980 --> 00:36:50,800 www.coordinatedthreesixty.com. Find us also on Facebook, 577 00:36:50,800 --> 00:36:52,120 Instagram, and Twitter, 578 00:36:52,450 --> 00:36:55,880 or email info coordinated three sixty.com. 579 00:36:58,110 --> 00:37:00,080 When it comes to buying a home, 580 00:37:00,430 --> 00:37:03,520 what you see isn't exactly what you get. 581 00:37:03,910 --> 00:37:08,320 That's why home buyers should call Dave Dowling at Grandview 582 00:37:08,320 --> 00:37:13,160 Inspections at 7 2 4 2 0 8 4 1 0 8. 583 00:37:13,470 --> 00:37:16,640 You'll see colorful flowers, freshly painted walls, 584 00:37:17,130 --> 00:37:21,400 granite countertops, fleeing hardwood floors, and other touches. 585 00:37:21,750 --> 00:37:25,640 What you can't see is the cracks, ancient plumbing, 586 00:37:25,960 --> 00:37:27,200 dangerous wiring, 587 00:37:27,530 --> 00:37:32,360 or broken appliances that might be revealed when you hire a 588 00:37:32,360 --> 00:37:35,880 home inspector. And when it comes to home inspectors, 589 00:37:36,010 --> 00:37:40,440 knowing yours has the qualifications and experience needed, 590 00:37:40,550 --> 00:37:42,640 should be your number one concern. 591 00:37:43,110 --> 00:37:47,840 Dave Dowling with Grand View Inspections is an architectural engineer 592 00:37:47,910 --> 00:37:52,880 with over 30 years of commercial construction experience and hundreds of 593 00:37:52,880 --> 00:37:54,360 inspections under his belt. 594 00:37:55,190 --> 00:37:59,920 A home inspection is an opportunity for you to hire an expert to 595 00:37:59,920 --> 00:38:04,400 walk through the home and prepare a report outlining the home's major 596 00:38:04,400 --> 00:38:05,233 components. 597 00:38:05,350 --> 00:38:10,200 What needs immediate attention and what will require maintenance after you 598 00:38:10,200 --> 00:38:13,680 move in Your home is one of your biggest investments. 599 00:38:13,890 --> 00:38:17,600 So make sure your investment is everything you hoped it to be. 600 00:38:17,990 --> 00:38:21,840 Call Dave Dowling at Grandview Inspections at 601 00:38:21,840 --> 00:38:25,600 7 2 4 2 0 8 4 1 0 8. 602 00:38:32,810 --> 00:38:34,070 Are you enjoying the program? 603 00:38:34,070 --> 00:38:38,280 You're listening to support commonalities and help keep us on the air by making 604 00:38:38,280 --> 00:38:43,200 a donation of five, 10 or $25, or any amount you feel comfortable sharing 605 00:38:43,200 --> 00:38:47,120 online@donate.commonalities.online. Again, 606 00:38:47,120 --> 00:38:51,080 that is donate.commonalities.online on the worldwide web. 607 00:38:51,300 --> 00:38:56,000 Buy our host a cup of coffee or help pay for airtime at donate dot commonalities 608 00:38:56,000 --> 00:38:56,833 online. 609 00:39:00,090 --> 00:39:03,780 Thanks for staying with us on commonalities. I'm your host, Matt Dowling. Uh, 610 00:39:03,780 --> 00:39:08,420 alongside our guest today, representative Josh Kale, uh, 611 00:39:08,420 --> 00:39:10,140 representative Kale. Uh, you know, 612 00:39:10,140 --> 00:39:13,860 we just have a couple minutes left in the program if you'd like to give any 613 00:39:14,140 --> 00:39:17,860 final thoughts. I know we talked a lot about energy, we talked about education. 614 00:39:18,130 --> 00:39:19,980 I don't know if you have any, uh, 615 00:39:20,180 --> 00:39:23,980 other bullet points on your legislative agenda that you wanna share with us 616 00:39:23,980 --> 00:39:28,820 today. And then also, you know, if someone has thoughts or concerns, uh, 617 00:39:28,820 --> 00:39:30,940 about some of the issues you were talking about, 618 00:39:31,120 --> 00:39:35,700 how can they get that message to you or other members of the general, uh, 619 00:39:35,980 --> 00:39:36,813 assembly? 620 00:39:37,440 --> 00:39:40,490 Yeah, so Matt, I I really appreciate you having me on and, 621 00:39:40,490 --> 00:39:42,210 and you are missed the legislature. 622 00:39:42,210 --> 00:39:46,610 You are a leader on energy and education issues and, and many, many more. 623 00:39:47,020 --> 00:39:50,650 Uh, charity is doing a wonderful job. Charity Krupa, uh, 624 00:39:50,650 --> 00:39:54,330 who is a representative in that area, and I'm looking forward to excited to, 625 00:39:54,330 --> 00:39:58,010 to work with her. And she is learning very quickly. Uh, 626 00:39:58,010 --> 00:40:01,290 but your leadership is certainly missed. Um, you know, 627 00:40:01,720 --> 00:40:04,530 energy education, uh, 628 00:40:04,530 --> 00:40:08,410 these are the bread and butter issues that we are working on. Uh, 629 00:40:08,410 --> 00:40:12,210 these are the issues that, uh, we believe are, are, uh, 630 00:40:12,210 --> 00:40:16,970 necessary to find solutions for so that we can get the most out of our 631 00:40:16,970 --> 00:40:21,610 education system so that we can get the most out of our resources. And, uh, 632 00:40:21,610 --> 00:40:25,370 there's other issues that we're dealing with, uh, like regulatory reform, 633 00:40:25,510 --> 00:40:29,450 tax cuts, um, and, and things of that nature. And, uh, 634 00:40:29,450 --> 00:40:33,330 I'd be happy to come back and, and talk to you about those issues. 635 00:40:33,330 --> 00:40:37,410 But if anybody wants to contact, uh, our office, 636 00:40:37,410 --> 00:40:39,170 you can contact our office at 637 00:40:39,170 --> 00:40:43,730 7 2 4 7 2 8 7 6 5 5. 638 00:40:43,730 --> 00:40:46,690 That's 7 2 4 7 2 8 7 6 5 5. 639 00:40:46,690 --> 00:40:51,490 You can also email us at JK K a i l PaaS, 640 00:40:51,720 --> 00:40:55,890 G O p.com. And, uh, again, Matt, 641 00:40:55,890 --> 00:40:59,130 I I really appreciate you, you having me. Um, 642 00:40:59,130 --> 00:41:02,010 and I'll be happy to come on the show anytime. Uh, 643 00:41:02,010 --> 00:41:05,850 you want to talk about issues, uh, because that's what this is about. 644 00:41:05,850 --> 00:41:08,170 It's about finding solutions, uh, 645 00:41:08,170 --> 00:41:11,810 so that we can remove obstacles so that Pennsylvania, uh, 646 00:41:11,810 --> 00:41:15,690 every Pennsylvanian can, can have hope, can have opportunity, prosperity, 647 00:41:15,830 --> 00:41:18,330 and we can have a government that's excellent, 648 00:41:18,640 --> 00:41:21,730 a government that's excellent and efficient, that works for us. 649 00:41:22,760 --> 00:41:26,290 Well, I, I thank you so much for making, uh, time in your busy schedule. 650 00:41:26,290 --> 00:41:30,130 I know you crisscrossed the Commonwealth as policy chair, uh, 651 00:41:30,130 --> 00:41:34,920 making out to individuals, districts. I would also encourage our listeners, 652 00:41:34,920 --> 00:41:39,880 if there's an issue that you really think that state government needs 653 00:41:39,930 --> 00:41:43,160 to, um, delve into deeper and, 654 00:41:43,160 --> 00:41:47,240 and define answers to contact your local state representative, 655 00:41:47,340 --> 00:41:51,360 ask them to get the policy committee to consider having the hearing right there 656 00:41:51,720 --> 00:41:55,400 in your local district. I'm sure Representative Kale would be happy to, 657 00:41:55,530 --> 00:42:00,360 to come out to the district and to discuss those, uh, those problems. Um, 658 00:42:00,360 --> 00:42:03,080 really that's where the legislative agenda starts, is, 659 00:42:03,080 --> 00:42:07,680 is with that policy committee where they, uh, they listen and, uh, 660 00:42:07,680 --> 00:42:12,080 and get the feedback of our constituents here in Pennsylvania because those 661 00:42:12,080 --> 00:42:16,240 members of the State House are, uh, are really, uh, 662 00:42:16,240 --> 00:42:19,840 servant leaders and, and they need your help in, uh, 663 00:42:19,840 --> 00:42:24,680 in legislating and, uh, in making Pennsylvania great again. Um, 664 00:42:24,810 --> 00:42:27,680 so I, I thank you for being on the show, representative Kale, 665 00:42:27,680 --> 00:42:29,920 and look forward to talking to you again in the future. 666 00:42:30,110 --> 00:42:32,720 This has been Matt Doen with Commonality. 667 00:42:36,710 --> 00:42:38,720 This has been commonalities, 668 00:42:39,030 --> 00:42:43,280 a show where guests find common ground through uncommon conversations. 669 00:42:43,320 --> 00:42:46,120 Copyright 2022, coordinated 360. 670 00:42:46,300 --> 00:42:49,760 All public rebroadcast should be done with prior written approval from Matthew 671 00:42:49,760 --> 00:42:50,320 Dowling. 672 00:42:50,320 --> 00:42:54,800 All requests should be sent to info@coordinatedthreesixty.com. 673 00:42:54,800 --> 00:42:57,200 Thank you for listening to commonalities. 674 00:42:59,860 --> 00:43:02,720 I'm Melinda de LaRose. As an Assistant District Attorney, 675 00:43:02,750 --> 00:43:06,760 I've protected Fayette County families and fought to uphold our constitutional 676 00:43:06,760 --> 00:43:09,480 rights. As a prosecutor and trusted local attorney, 677 00:43:09,480 --> 00:43:13,680 I've provided victims of crime with a strong voice and put criminals behind 678 00:43:13,680 --> 00:43:17,000 bars. My pledge to you as Judge is to follow the law, 679 00:43:17,000 --> 00:43:19,360 always maintain the highest ethical standards, 680 00:43:19,360 --> 00:43:23,680 and to run a courtroom that's respectful of your time and tax dollars. 681 00:43:23,980 --> 00:43:27,000 I'm Melinda de LaRose asking for your vote for Judge. 682 00:43:27,030 --> 00:43:29,120 Paid for by Friends of Melinda de LaRose. 683 00:43:29,530 --> 00:43:33,640 Is your business using analog strategies in a digital marketing world? 684 00:43:34,290 --> 00:43:34,960 If so, 685 00:43:34,960 --> 00:43:39,680 then contact Matthew or Rebecca Dowling at Coordinated 360 for a 686 00:43:39,680 --> 00:43:43,680 professional consultation where we bring in-depth knowledge and functional 687 00:43:43,680 --> 00:43:45,600 expertise with a holistic perspective. 688 00:43:46,480 --> 00:43:51,000 Coordinated 360 provides digital marketing, paid ad and media buying services, 689 00:43:51,060 --> 00:43:54,320 web design, social media management, video production, 690 00:43:54,600 --> 00:43:57,000 and more for businesses, organizations, 691 00:43:57,000 --> 00:44:00,640 and political campaigns with decades of experience. 692 00:44:00,640 --> 00:44:05,320 Matt and Becky at Coordinated 360 can help you craft your unique message 693 00:44:05,540 --> 00:44:10,440 and share it with the world. For a no risk media evaluation and recommendations, 694 00:44:10,670 --> 00:44:14,600 call 7 2 4 3 2 0 22 12, 695 00:44:14,930 --> 00:44:17,120 or visit us online at 696 00:44:17,780 --> 00:44:22,640 www.coordinatedthreesixty.com. Find us also on Facebook, 697 00:44:22,640 --> 00:44:24,000 Instagram, and Twitter, 698 00:44:24,330 --> 00:44:27,920 or email info coordinated three sixty.com. 699 00:44:29,790 --> 00:44:30,840 When it comes to. 700 00:44:31,040 --> 00:44:35,320 Buying a home, what you see isn't exactly what you get. 701 00:44:35,710 --> 00:44:40,080 That's why home buyers should call Dave Dowling at Grandview 702 00:44:40,080 --> 00:44:44,960 Inspections at 7 2 4 2 0 8 4 1 0 8. 703 00:44:45,310 --> 00:44:48,400 You'll see colorful flowers, freshly painted walls, 704 00:44:48,730 --> 00:44:53,200 granite countertops, flaming hardwood floors, and other touches. 705 00:44:53,510 --> 00:44:57,440 What you can't see is the cracks, ancient plumbing, 706 00:44:57,760 --> 00:44:58,960 dangerous wiring, 707 00:44:59,330 --> 00:45:04,160 or broken appliances that might be revealed when you hire a 708 00:45:04,160 --> 00:45:07,680 home inspector. And when it comes to home inspectors, 709 00:45:07,810 --> 00:45:12,200 knowing yours has the qualifications and experience needed, 710 00:45:12,310 --> 00:45:14,440 should be your number one concern. 711 00:45:14,910 --> 00:45:19,640 Dave Dowling with Grand View Inspections is an architectural engineer 712 00:45:19,710 --> 00:45:24,680 with over 30 years of commercial construction experience and hundreds of 713 00:45:24,680 --> 00:45:26,160 inspections under his belt. 714 00:45:26,990 --> 00:45:31,720 A home inspection is an opportunity for you to hire an expert to 715 00:45:31,720 --> 00:45:36,200 walk through the home and prepare a report outlining the home's major 716 00:45:36,200 --> 00:45:37,033 components. 717 00:45:37,150 --> 00:45:42,000 What needs immediate attention and what will require maintenance after you 718 00:45:42,000 --> 00:45:45,480 move in. Your home is one of your biggest investments. 719 00:45:45,690 --> 00:45:49,400 So make sure your investment is everything you hoped it to be. 720 00:45:49,790 --> 00:45:53,600 Call Dave Dowling at Grandview Inspections at 721 00:45:53,600 --> 00:45:57,400 7 2 4 2 0 8 4 1 0 8. 722 00:46:04,600 --> 00:46:05,900 Are you enjoying the program? 723 00:46:05,900 --> 00:46:10,060 You're listening to support commonalities and help keep us on the air by making 724 00:46:10,060 --> 00:46:14,860 a donation of five 10 or $25, or any amount you feel comfortable sharing 725 00:46:14,860 --> 00:46:18,940 online@donate.commonalities.online. Again, 726 00:46:18,940 --> 00:46:22,980 that is donate.commonalities.online on the worldwide web. 727 00:46:23,200 --> 00:46:27,780 Buy our host a cup of coffee or help pay for airtime at donate dot commonalities 728 00:46:27,780 --> 00:46:28,300 online.
20Mar, 2023
