Name: Luana Cleveland
Age:
Address: 442 William St. #2F, Williamsport, PA 17701
Office sought: PA Senate District 23
Political party: Democrat
Occupation: Retired executive
Education: Montoursville High School, Penn State BS
1. Why are you seeking the office?
We can do better: our current senator is representing the interests of the gas industry and Governor Corbett rather than those of the citizens of the district.
2. What are your credentials for being an effective representative?
I have been an insurance underwriter for Chubb Insurance, a market research project director for Kendall, a small business owner of a fine arts press, and an executive director of two non-profits in Williamsport (a church-affiliated homeless shelter and the Williamsport-Lycoming Arts Council).
3. If you are the incumbent, what have you done to deserve re-election?
N/A
4. If you are a challenger, what have you done to prepare for holding the office?
I have been criss-crossing this large district, listening to the concerns of the citizens. I have been studying the issues intensively, as well as visiting various areas to study drilling and the environmental effects of industrialization. I have also traveled to Harrisburg to meet with legislators and government officials to gain a broader perspective on the influences affecting us.
5. What are the top three issues as you see them and what would you do about them?
Environment: We need to use common sense and achieve balance when exploiting our natural resources, with an eye to the future. We do not want to live in a sacrifice zone.
Education: We need to put our public schools first, because one of the benefits of living in a democracy is access to a free public education for all. Vouchers for religious, charter, and cyber schools should not be permitted to drain the funds from public education.
Taxes: We need to stop the wholesale giveaway of revenues that is going on in Harrisburg so that we can receive proper support for essential services in our local communities.
6. What is your philosophy about taxation?
Pennsylvania must establish a severance tax, like all the other states in which natural gas extraction is occurring. The impact fee brings in only $16 for each man, woman, and child in Pennsylvania. That amount cannot begin to compensate us for the damage that is being done to our roads, bridges, communities, land, air, and water.
7. How have you been campaigning?
I have been speaking to groups from high school students to the elderly as well as attending events such as Crime Watch marches, parades, dinners, community gatherings, and county fairs. I have also been phone banking and knocking on doors.
