Meet the Candidate

REICHARD, CHAD GERALD

Running For:

REPRESENTATIVE IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

District:

90

Political Affiliation:

REP

Age:

32

Occupation:

Zoning Officer

Education: (click to expand)

Biographical Info: (click to expand)

Why are you running for office? (click to expand)

Survey

Response Legend

YYes
NNo
UUndecided
−Declined to Respond / Position Unknown / Unclear
*Comment
†Declined to respond, Position based on citation

Question	Response	Comments/Notes
1. Should education funding be available directly to families through a grant, scholarship, or education savings account so that parents can send their children to the school of their choice, including religious schools?	Y*	As parents become more involved and aware of the social teachings in our public schools, they are seeking alternatives that more accurately conform to their values and beliefs. Additionally, many students are trapped in failing schools, and opportunities at other institutions or at home may provide an opportunity for student success beyond what they may have at their public school. Ultimately, it is up to parents to decide what is best for their children, and funding should not be an obstacle for those who wish to have their children educated outside of the publically funded school system.
2. Should marijuana be legalized and sold commercially for recreational use?	N*	Governor Shapiro is seeking to balance the FY2024-25 budget through marijuana legalization. I do not believe this to be a prudent move. Studies from states that have legalized recreational marijuana use have indicated that any potential increase in revenue is quickly offset by increased expenses in policing, human services, and other societal harms.
3. Should the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act be amended to include "sexual orientation" and "gender identity," which would require public schools and other public facilities to open up restrooms and locker rooms to members of the opposite sex?	N*	State law should not disregard the rights and protections of the vast majority of people so that a few individuals may feel "accommodated" in certain circumstances.
4. Should Pennsylvania enter into the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, which would include a new carbon tax on electricity producers?	N*	Utility prices, along with the cost of living in general, have skyrocketed in recent years. Punishing consumers when renewable energy sources are not yet economically viable does nothing to make renewables any more affordable. We cannot place any additional financial strain on Pennsylvanians by seeking to artificially make energy more expensive. This only hurts the most economically disadvantaged.
5. Should increases in state government spending be limited to the rate of inflation plus population growth?	Y*	There is no reason for government spending to exceed economic growth. Spending beyond this only sets future generations up for major budget deficits.
6. Should state taxpayer funding be allowed for elective abortions?	N*	I am wholeheartedly pro-life and cannot fathom using tax dollars to fund abortions.
7. Should all voters be required to show identification before voting?	Y*	Showing an ID is so commonplace for most transactions in life, why is it difficult to require one to be shown when exercising one of the most important rights we have as citizens? Mechanisms are in place to provide photo identification for those who do not drive and it is almost effortless to produce an ID when voting. A requirement to show ID will not impose onerous burdens on anyone, but will only improve faith and reliability in our elections.
8. Should striking union members have access to unemployment compensation?	N*	Unemployment compensation is for those who are involuntarily separated from their job, not for those who willfully not working.
9. Should public schools be prohibited from allowing males who identify as females to compete in girls’ sports?	Y*	It is completely unfair to so many young ladies who have worked hard, trained, and dedicated years of their lives to mastering a sport to have that all thwarted by a biological male participating in girls' sports. Girls' sports should remain for girls.
10. Should schools have to post curriculum online for review by parents and taxpayers?	Y*	This is a minimum effort for transparency. I should imagine that most of these documents are created electronically, so it should not be burdensome for the school districts to provide public review of them on their websites.
11. Should funding for public and state-related universities follow the student rather than go directly to the institution?	Y*	Much like my comments in number one, providing choices to students and parents in their education enables them to seek an education that best conforms to their needs and values. As a capitalist, I also believe that competition improves society. Funding following the student provides a market-driven incentive for schools, both public and private, to improve.