Josh Shapiro in 2022 PA Governor's race


On Gun Control: Regulate "ghost guns"; trace guns used in crimes

On gun violence, he has emphasized his office's efforts to trace guns used in crimes, break up gun-trafficking rings and subject so-called "ghost guns" to state regulations.
Source: Reading Eagle on 2022 Pennsylvania Gubernatorial race Oct 12, 2021

On Abortion: He will veto any bill that would restrict abortion rights

Abortion is health care. As Governor, Josh will defend access to reproductive health care -- and continue to defend a woman's right to choose in Pennsylvania. He will veto any bill that would restrict abortion rights, and he will expand access to reproductive care.
Source: 2022 Pennsylvania Governor campaign website JoshShapiro.org May 18, 2022

On Budget & Economy: Start budgets at zero, define mission, then fund it

[On spending priorities]: "I believe zero-based budgeting is the most important thing governments can do," Shapiro says. "From Harrisburg to D.C., the debate is always about taxes and spending, when what we should be doing is starting our budgets at zero, defining our core mission, and then funding it." Shapiro was able to decrease overall spending but increase investment in areas where it was most needed--proving that zero-based budgeting just might be the most direct way to real reform.
Source: Philadelphia Citizen on 2022 Pennsylvania Gubernatorial race Jan 16, 2016

On Civil Rights: Change black businesses getting only 4% of state contracts

He promised better highways and better access to the information superhighway and promised to tackle systemic inequality like black-owned businesses only getting 4% of state contracts. "We're gonna change it by giving a damn. We're gonna change it by acknowledging that reality and do something about it," Shapiro said.
Source: ABC27-WHTM on 2022 Pennsylvania Gubernatorial race Oct 13, 2021

On Civil Rights: Ban LGBTQ+ discrimination in Pennsylvania

As Governor, Josh will put his full capital behind the effort to finally ban discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals in Pennsylvania so that LGBTQ+ community can work, attend school, and seek housing under the same rights as everyone else in the Commonwealth. He'll expand our hate crime laws to cover our LGBTQ+ communities, invest in mental health resources to support LGBTQ+ youth, and finally ban conversion therapy for minors.
Source: 2022 Pennsylvania Governor campaign website JoshShapiro.org May 18, 2022

On Drugs: Supports legalization, expunging non-violent convictions

Attorney General Josh Shapiro tweeted his support for legalization on one condition. "We must simultaneously expunge the records of those serving time for non-violent marijuana convictions--and that is non-negotiable," Shapiro wrote.
Source: Philly Voice on 2022 Pennsylvania Gubernatorial race Sep 28, 2021

On Education: Cost-free preschool will be an essential lifeline

Officials broke ground on the first cost-free Early Childhood Resource Center. Shapiro attended the groundbreaking and said he believes the plan is eventually going to make a difference for thousands of children throughout the Commonwealth. "This school will be an essential lifeline and put children in need on a path where they can access quality education certainly and most importantly realize their full potential as individuals," he said.
Source: PennLive.com on 2022 Pennsylvania Gubernatorial race Nov 10, 2021

On Education: Fully fund and fix up our schools

We can keep Pennsylvania's promise to our students by fully funding and fixing up our schools, prioritizing mental health, empowering students with vocational, technical, and computer training, and ensuring parents have a real voice in their children's education. As Governor, Josh will tackle these challenges head on and ensure we build opportunity for Pennsylvania's children.
Source: 2022 Pennsylvania Governor campaign website JoshShapiro.org May 18, 2022

On Government Reform: Filibuster has rendered Senate unable to solve problems

If you`re telling me that the inaction that is causing the loss of life every single day in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania can be fixed by doing away with the filibuster, then, hell, yes, do away with the filibuster. It`s a vestige of a Senate from yesteryear that has rendered it unable to solve the big, pressing problems of the day.
Source: PennLive.com on 2022 Pennsylvania Gubernatorial race Nov 10, 2021

On Government Reform: Expand early voting; implement same-day voter registration

He'll veto any efforts to restrict mail-in voting, expand early voting, and set up automatic voter registration -- making it easier than ever for legal voters to participate in our democracy. He'll appoint a pro-democracy Secretary of State to run our elections, expand pre-registration opportunities for young people, and implement same-day voter registration through Election Day.
Source: 2022 Pennsylvania Governor campaign website JoshShapiro.org May 18, 2022

On Health Care: Brokered deal between insurance companies to expand coverage

Mr. Shapiro's opening speech aimed to frame his candidacy as a fight against the powerful on behalf of the people--like he did as attorney general against the two companies atop some of the skyline's biggest buildings, he said. He was referring to his role in hashing out an agreement between health care giant UPMC and its longtime rival, Highmark, that resulted in a decade-long pact giving many Highmark insurance members in-network access to UPMC doctors.
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on 2022 Pennsylvania Governor race Oct 13, 2021

On Immigration: Government shouldn't go back on its promise to DREAMers

[On DREAMers]: "The Federal Government put the DACA program in place to allow young adults who were brought to our country as children without making a choice and who often know no other home, to continue pursuing their education, careers and military service on behalf of the United States," wrote Shapiro. "These young men & women have undergone background checks and are contributing to our economy and our communities - our government shouldn't go back on its promise to these young men and women now."
Source: Pittsburgh City Paper on 2022 Pennsylvania Governor race Jul 27, 2017

On Jobs: Will veto any bill to make PA a right-to-work state

As Governor, Josh will protect the right to collective bargaining, go after employers who spread anti-union propaganda and interfere with workers' right to join a union, strengthen worker misclassification laws, and veto any legislation that seeks to make Pennsylvania a right-to-work state.
Source: 2022 Pennsylvania Governor campaign website JoshShapiro.org May 18, 2022

On Principles & Values: Fight for the wrong, the left out, the forgotten

Diminutive in nature, Josh Shapiro repeatedly spoke of taking on big institutions and defending the little guy as an attorney general. He's now seeking the state's highest job. Proposed voting reform legislation to consider needs and wants of Pa. county commissioners. "I've fought for people who have been wronged, citizens who have been left out, and communities that have been forgotten," Shapiro said. "That's the kind of leadership we need right now."
Source: ABC27-WHTM on 2022 Pennsylvania Gubernatorial race Oct 13, 2021

On Principles & Values: GOP wants to undermine elections & permanently divide us

His launch wasn't just a recital of his resume; he also aimed to level an opening shot at Republicans in the field who "want to lead us down a dark path," he said in a morning video posted to his social media accounts. It's a "critical time in America--here in Pennsylvania, too," Mr. Shapiro said in the video, accusing the GOP of wanting to undermine free and fair elections and "permanently divide us."
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on 2022 Pennsylvania Governor race Oct 13, 2021

On Principles & Values: Shapiro has remained Jewishly engaged as a politician

Shapiro has remained Jewishly engaged as a politician. In 2008, he told the Philadelphia Jewish Voice that "when you boil down all the teachings and all the rituals, fundamentally, Judaism is teaching that none of us is required to complete the task, but neither is any of us free to refrain from it." Shapiro was paraphrasing a famous rabbinic adage.
Source: Jewish Telegraphic Agency on 2022 Pennsylvania Governor race Nov 5, 2020

On Principles & Values: Observes Jewish Sabbath even while campaigning

On Oct. 15, with the bus tour in full swing across the state, the Democrat finished an event at 6:30 p.m. in Scranton and raced home for Shabbat dinner. The Shapiros said their prayers and ate, just like they do every Friday night. "It keeps me grounded," he said. "It is at least one night each week where we know we'll all be together." Shapiro's friends and neighbors say his faith is not just genuine, but deep.
Source: Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle: 2022 Pennsylvania Governor race Oct 19, 2021

On Tax Reform: We need to lower taxes, close loopholes, increase wages

Shapiro said Pennsylvania's 9.99% corporate net income tax rate -- the second highest in the country -- is too high and "holds businesses back." He didn't specify a preferred rate. "At the same time we have too many loopholes that they take advantage of," Shapiro said. "We need to lower taxes, close loopholes and simultaneously invest in our workforce by increasing wages."
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer on 2022 Pennsylvania Governor race Oct 13, 2021

On Tax Reform: Eliminate the state cell phone tax, expand property rebates

He'll eliminate the state cell phone tax--specifically, the gross receipt and sales tax on cell phone service. By eliminating this 11% state tax, we can reduce Pennsylvanians' tax burden by $317 million and save folks money on their monthly cell phone bill. Lastly, Josh will lower household costs by expanding the Property Tax and Rent Rebate program, increasing the maximum rebate to $1,000 and making the program available to over 275,000 more eligible people.
Source: 2022 Pennsylvania Governor campaign website JoshShapiro.org May 18, 2022

On Abortion: I will protect Pennsylvania law allowing right to abortion

The next governor will get a bill on his desk to ban abortion, period. My opponent has said he will not only sign it, but he wants to jail doctors who perform abortions. I will veto that bill. And, in vetoing it, I will protect Pennsylvania law. What Pennsylvania law says is that, up to 23 weeks, a woman can make a decision to have an abortion. I continue to support that. And from week 24 on, if her life or health is at risk, in consultation with her doctor, she can have an abortion.
Source: CNN SOTU interviews on 2022 Pennsylvania Gubernatorial race May 22, 2022

On Tax Reform: Get rid of nuisance taxes like the state cell phone tax

I have put forth a plan to help Pennsylvanians deal with rising costs. We put this forth a few months ago, making sure that we help seniors stay in their home by doubling what's known as the property tax rent rebate, giving them relief for household goods, getting rid of a whole bunch of nuisance taxes like the state cell phone tax, which takes over $300 million out of the pockets of Pennsylvanians, and giving every single driver a $250 immediate gas tax rebate to offset the pain at the pump.
Source: CNN SOTU interviews on 2022 Pennsylvania Gubernatorial race May 22, 2022

The above quotations are from 2022 Pennsylvania Gubernatorial race: debates and news coverage.
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Page last updated: Feb 14, 2023