Kathy Laughlin Benyak
Democrat | Pennsylvania
Candidate Profile*
Liberal
*Additional information appears below for educational purposes; however, only data received prior to the candidate deadline was considered during Panel Evaluation.
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Kathy Laughlin Benyak
Party
Democrat
Election Year
2022
Election
General
Race
State Rep., Dist. 123
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Candidate did not provide
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
Avenues of PA (formerly UCP), Board Member, Past President of Board
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Candidate did not provide
Race
ENDORSEMENTS*
*These endorsements were received after the deadline and were not considered in the Panel Evaluations and are for additional educational purposes only.
LIBERAL (5)
*Pennsylvania AFL-CIO
Represent PA
Progressive Turnout Project
*Communication Workers of America (CWA) Political Action Fund
*Schuylkill Country Democrats
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)
IBEW Local 743, BAC Local 5, AFL-CIO, Represent PA, Schuylkill County Democratic Women's League, Progressive Turnout Project, SC Democratic Executive Committee
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (0)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Local, County, and District Democratic Organizations (2022)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE*
*Additional information was received after the evaluation was assigned and was not considered in the Panel Evaluations, therefore it is for additional educational purposes only.
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
A woman should be able to make healthcare decisions, along with her physician, without interference from the government.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Neutral
Planned Parenthood provides a variety of services to help keep our communities educated and healthy.
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Neutral
This is a very personal decision that would need to take place between a medical provider and an individual. This would be easier to understand if you have ever experienced watching a loved one pass from a terminal diagnosis, and not have control over losing their dignity.
ECONOMY
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
In PA, include a higher sales tax on non-essential items to increase revenue from consumers, in an effort to reduce the overall real estate tax burden. PA taxes on total income, there are no allowances for entrepreneurs to deduct business losses and capital losses with respect to other income.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
I would like to see increased accountability in government spending, and streamline collection of real estate taxes to reduce the cost of processing.
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Neutral
There are many ways to gain an education, I would support funding for On-the-Job (OJT) training opportunities, Apprenticeships/trade programs, and Community Colleges. I would also explore expanding articulation agreements between CTCs and colleges.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Neutral
Life is about choices; if it violates their personal belief system, they have the option to explore other areas to practice. However, services should not be withheld to those seeking them, and an individual can explore their options also.
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
Everyone should have the ability to worship as they chose, as long as it is not harming others. If it is proven that the organization, or its leadership, is involved in illegal activities, then the government should have the ability to intervein. Government has the ability to close medical practices and educational systems, and similar regulations should apply.
HEALTHCARE
What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D)Tax-payer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be de-funded.
B
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
Did not answer
NATIONAL SECURITY
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
Monitor and take action as necessary whenever there is a verifiable threat to our national security.
I support the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement to pressure Israel to withdraw from occupied territories, remove the separation barrier in the West Bank, allow full equality for Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel, and promote the rights of Palestinian refugees.
Choose not to answer
I do not have enough information to answer.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Agree
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Did not answer
EDUCATION
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Choose not to answer
All of the topics listed in the question are complex and require individual discussion. My opinions vary by topic.
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Choose not to answer
I support adding gender identity as a specially protected class in non-discrimination laws.
Agree
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition
Disagree
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
Did not answer
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Choose not to answer
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
Did not answer
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Did not answer
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Choose not to answer
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Which comes closest to your view? A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. B) Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost.
B
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Disagree
Other more environmentally friendly options should be explored and used. We need to take care of our earth, and by growing up in an anthracite coal area, I have seen the damage that can occur by removing too much from our earth in non-environmentally ways.
ABOUT YOU
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
To serve and protect our communities and constituents by listening and acting in a responsible manner.
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Moderate
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
Did not answer
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized in either civil or criminal court for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
No.
What else would you like voters to know about you, including your legislative priorities?
Please review my website
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Police officers should be personally immune from prosecution for conduct consistent with departmental policy (qualified immunity) while on duty.
Choose not to answer
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Disagree
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Stronger and longer background checks.
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Neutral
