THE ISSUES

REAL ISSUES, REAL TALK

Affordable and Reliable Healthcare

For Pennsylvania’s working families, a surprise medical bill shouldn’t mean choosing between the prescription you need and the rent you owe. Our current system works for insurance companies, not for the folks who actually do the work. I’m fighting for healthcare that’s truly affordable, that covers you when you’re sick, and that puts decisions back in the hands of you and your doctor, not a corporate executive. Your health is your wealth, and you deserve a system that protects it.


Affordability and Raising the Minimum Wage

Let’s be honest: the price of everything is up, but our paychecks have been left behind. Too many hardworking people are putting in full-time hours and still can’t keep up with groceries, gas, and getting the kids what they need. That’s why raising Pennsylvania’s minimum wage isn’t just a line on a resume. It’s the first real step toward making our communities affordable again. It’s about respect for your work, and making sure that work actually pays the bills.


Public School Funding

Our public schools are the heart of our towns, and every kid in every zip code deserves a fair shot. Right now, whether a student gets the resources they need too often depends on their family’s wealth and their hometown’s budget. I believe in strong, fully-funded public schools where teachers are supported, classrooms are stocked, and our kids are prepared to take on the future. Investing in our schools isn’t an expense, it’s the best investment we can make in Pennsylvania.


ANTI-CORRUPTION

A PA ANTI-CORRUPTION CANDIDATE RUNNING IN HOUSE DISTRICT 97

“Corruption isn’t an abstract political problem — it’s a tax you pay every day, in higher costs and broken promises. In Harrisburg, special interests write the rules, backroom deals decide the outcomes, and everyday families are left footing the bill.

My commitment is simple. I support legislation that bans gifts to legislators and stops dark money, including corporate cash, from coming into our elections. Why? Because you can’t fight for transparency with one hand out for special-interest cash. My donors are you — the people — and you’re who I answer to.”

Every day. Every time.

— Jess Branas

One-Pagers

GET THE FACTS, SIDE BY SIDE

Right-to-the-point information on the most pressing topics constituents are talking about!

AFFORDABILITY

ENERGY & ELECTRICITY COSTS

As a teacher, I personally feel the impact of rising costs and I see it in the families who trust me to teach their kids.

Utility bills have skyrocketed over the last two years and could get much worse if we don’t step in.

The Facts

  • PPL's residential Price to Compare rose 31% in two years — 10.04¢ (June 2024) to 13.15¢ (June 2026). (Sources: 1, 2)
  • UGI has proposed multiple rate hikes in roughly 12 months for a total annual 15.2% increase for residential customers. (Sources: 1, 2, 3)
  • Demand is climbing. According to the International Energy Agency, one AI data center can use as much power as 100,000 homes. (Source)
  • If we do nothing customer rates could continue to rise another 35%. (Sources: 1, 2)
  • PA ranks 47th in adding renewable energy to the grid. (Source)
  • The federal tax credit for home solar ended in 2025, significantly reducing customers' ability and freedom to address their energy costs. (Source)
  • PA is the 2nd-largest energy producer in the country, and the largest exporter of electricity. (Sources: 1, 2)
  • PJM manages wholesale electricity for PA and 12 other states, but is slow to approve new power projects. (Sources: 1, 2)

What I Will Do

This isn't an instant fix. The PUC, utilities, PJM, and lawmakers all play a role. I'm ready to work with all of them. My commitment to you:

  • Work across the aisle with PJM, the PUC, and utilities to fast-track renewable energy while keeping all our other energy sources.
  • Represent you at PUC hearings so every affordability option is considered, cumulative hikes are capped, and assistance programs for seniors and others are adjusted.
  • Replace lost solar tax credits with new options from the PUC, utilities, and businesses.
  • Push for legislation allowing balcony solar.
  • Require data centers to bring their own power, pay for all upgrades, and be transparent so ratepayers don't foot the bill.
  • Leverage PA's standing as the largest electricity exporter to cap cumulative rate hikes and push PJM to expedite new projects.

My Opponent's Record

  • Has never represented us at a PUC hearing for UGI or PPL. (Source)
  • Energy and Utility companies and lobbyists are part of his PAC's large donors. (Source)

HEALTHCARE

HEALTHCARE ACCESS & AFFORDABILITY

As the daughter of the neighborhood family doctor and a cancer survivor, I know we ALL deserve access to affordable healthcare.

Medical decisions belong to you and your doctor, not politicians.

The Facts

Healthcare costs keep skyrocketing while health insurance companies and private equity make billions in profit.

  • The typical Lancaster County household spends about 11% of after-tax income on healthcare. (Source)
  • For 2027, UnitedHealthcare, Highmark, and UPMC are asking to raise small-business plan rates by as much as 33%, 16%, and 12%. (Source)
  • 11% of Lancaster County individuals (excluding Amish) are uninsured. (Sources: 1, 2)
  • Only 30% of PA small businesses (fewer than 50 employees) offer health insurance. (Source)
  • Some insurers now use AI to decide coverage. Denials have gone up while profits reach billions, and you're left to fight for the coverage you need. (Source)
  • Washington Chaos is driving costs higher by letting enhanced marketplace subsidies expire and scrapping minimum staffing standards for nursing homes. (Sources: 1, 2)

What I Will Do

Once in Harrisburg, I will:

  • Work across the aisle to empower the PA Insurance Department to negotiate and push back on significant cumulative premium increases.
  • Expand affordable healthcare for all, including small businesses under 50 full-time employees, through incentives and tax credits.
  • Tackle the staffing shortage with hospitals through tuition reimbursement for years of service.
  • Strengthen PA’s audit and enforcement of corporate fraud against Medicare and Medicaid, reinvesting the savings to expand access and lower costs.
  • Require health insurance to cover pre-existing conditions.
  • Require insurers to be transparent when AI is making coverage denial decisions.
  • Expand solutions for seniors to remain in their homes and improve nursing facility care and access.

My Opponent's Record

As healthcare costs skyrocketed, he stayed relatively quiet, offering no solutions and no advocacy for more affordable and better care:

  • One of my opponent’s largest donor groups is health insurance/healthcare companies/PACS/lobbyist, and they benefit from the status quo. (Source)
  • Voted against requiring PA Health Insurance companies to protect and cover pre-existing conditions. (Sources: 1, 2)
  • As the top Republican on the House Aging & Older Adult Services Committee, he hasn't co-sponsored HB 2342, the Medigap "Birthday Rule," which would let seniors switch Medigap plans each year without medical underwriting. (Sources: 1, 2)
  • Voted against HB 1828, which requires PA insurers to cover recommended vaccines at no cost for families who want them. (Sources: 1, 2)
  • Voted against HB 836, the PARENT Act, which protects Pennsylvanians' right to use IVF and other fertility treatments without interference from the state. (Sources: 1, 2)
  • Voted against HB 200, Pennsylvania's Family and Medical Leave Act, which would give PA workers paid family and medical leave so no one has to choose between their job and caring for a loved one. (Sources: 1, 2)

DEVELOPMENT

AI DATA CENTERS

I am against all AI data centers in PA.

Big Tech wants to build them everywhere, but what they aren’t telling you is that your electricity bills will pay for it.

The Facts

  • Your electricity bills will keep rising as data centers drive up demand.
  • A single AI data center can use as much power as 100,000 homes, and the largest use far more. (Source)
  • A large data center can use up to 5 million gallons of water a day for cooling, as much as a town of 10,000 to 50,000 people. That's water our communities and PA farmers need. (Source)
  • Fewer than 50 permanent jobs are created — most are run by small or remote teams. (Source)
  • Big Tech can afford it: Microsoft, Alphabet (Google), and Amazon made over $340 billion in combined profits last year, but they want us to fund it. (Sources: 1, 2, 3)
  • Local governments, not Harrisburg, decide where data centers can go. (Source)

What I Will Do

Technology can be a great enabler, but businesses should add to our communities, not fleece them. When elected, I will:

  • Work across the aisle and with townships to attract businesses that help communities flourish.
  • Bring more power choices to the grid by fast-tracking renewables while continuing natural gas, hydro, and PA’s other sources.
  • Pass legislation requiring Big Tech to pay for new power and environmental impacts so PA residents don’t foot the bill and to protect our farmland.
  • Pass commonsense laws that protect our kids from harmful AI-generated content while enabling real efficiencies.

My Opponent's Record

  • Voted against requiring AI Data Centers to bring their own power and pay for upgrades. He also voted against growing renewable energy on the grid to bring down prices. (HB1834) (Sources: 1, 2)
  • Voted against requiring AI Data Centers to be transparent and report annual energy and water usage. (HB2150) (Source)
  • Voted against commonsense AI Regulation protecting consumers against AI Scams. (HB95) (Source)
  • National Republicans and the White House are pushing to block states from regulating AI. Would he stand up to his party? (Sources: 1, 2)
  • Counts utility companies, including UGI and PPL, among his donors. (Source)

Us footing the bill for Big Tech?

Not me. Not now. Not ever.