Your Guide To Candidates Mark Moffa & Joe Hogan In The 142nd Legislative District

The 142nd Legislative District covers all of Langhorne Borough, Langhorne Manor Borough, Lower Southampton Township, and Penndel Borough and part of Middletown and Northampton townships.

Democrat Mark Moffa

1. Please provide a short biography of yourself, including current town of residence and age.

Mark Moffa, 44, of Penndel Borough.

After graduating from Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in 2000, I was a newspaper reporter and editor. It was then, 22 years ago, as I was attending local township committee meetings, school board meetings, planning board meetings and the like, that I developed a passion for good local government and an appreciation for the positive impact it can make on people’s lives. My work was honored with about a dozen accolades from the New Jersey Press Association.

For 17 years now, I’ve been the Managing Editor (and now Associate Publisher) of the same small publishing company, directing the editorial content for a variety of magazines. Here too, I’ve been recognized numerous times through the National Association of Real Estate Editors journalism awards.

I moved to Bucks County in 2005. Public service has never been a job for me, it’s always been a passion. I’ve served under Republican and Democratic administrations, working on a wide variety of issues, ranging from farmland preservation to hearing zoning appeals, to commercial revitalization. I was a founding member of a new chapter of the Lions Club, helping those in need here in Bucks County. And I was elected to Penndel’s Borough Council, where I served as vice president. There, I led efforts to begin revitalizing our Business Route 1 corridor, and cut property taxes two years in a row.

2. Why are you seeking this office?

I’m running because our rights are on the line and on the ballot this year. Someone needs to stand up for our freedoms. And it should be someone with experience as a local elected official, who knows what it’s like to balance a municipal budget and be a true volunteer public servant, not a paid political appointee.

3. If elected, what legislation would you propose or support in regards to the economy? How would you support small businesses?

I support gubernatorial candidate Josh Shapiro’s plan to address inflation that gives families direct relief by eliminating certain taxes and expanding the property tax and rent rebate program. Also, I am an advocate for universal pre-K, and for making quality, affordable childcare more accessible for our families. 

As a small business leader and caretaker for my mom, I know how families and businesses are struggling with runaway inflation, soaring energy prices, and stagnant wages. I am committed to lowering taxes for families and seniors by making large corporations pay their fair share. I’ll also fight to expand Medicaid, increase funding for LiHeap, and reduce property taxes for homeowners so that all of our families can achieve financial security.

As the son and grandson of union workers, I understand that our workers are the backbone of our economy. I will fight to ensure that workers are paid living wages, and expand the right to organize for workers across the Commonwealth. I will also fight to ease the burden on our local businesses by investing in our local corridors.

I oppose dangerous Right to Work legislation and support prevailing wage laws. I am endorsed by the Working Families Party, and am advocating for a more fair tax system in Pennsylvania that closes corporate loopholes so that our small businesses can get a break and have a greater chance to thrive.

Opportunities abound in the area of incentives based on the booming cleaner energy sectors. 

Pennsylvania is home to 1.1 million small businesses, representing 99.6% of all businesses in the state. We can help them save money. I support offering commercial building owners a tax credit up to $5 per square foot to support energy efficiency improvements that deliver lower utility bills, and offering small businesses tax credits covering 30% of the costs of installing low-cost solar power and of purchasing clean trucks and vans for commercial fleets. 

I support tax credits covering 30% of the costs of community solar projects owned by local businesses. There are already 92,773 Pennsylvania workers employed in clean energy jobs, but these credits will create even more jobs across solar, wind, storage, and other clean energy industries. Credits should include bonuses for businesses that pay a prevailing wage, so that Pennsylvania workers earn a good paycheck as we build the clean energy future in America. 

Manufacturers employ 542,600 workers in Pennsylvania, but I think we can boost clean energy and transportation technologies, and invest in the Advanced Industrial Facilities Deployment Program to better position us in the growing global market for clean steel, aluminum, cement, and more. 

Pennsylvania has 52,700 farms. I propose we help them lead on climate solutions and reward their stewardship. 

4. With reversal of Roe v. Wade, what is your position on abortion?

I am THE Pro-Choice candidate in this race, endorsed by Planned Parenthood, the Pennsylvania Chapter of the NOW, and #VoteProChoice. I will fight against the extremist efforts underway in Harrisburg to amend the state constitution to deny women reproductive rights. Pennsylvania currently has safe and legal abortion, with significant restrictions in place — further government regulations are not needed. I believe the right to decide when and whether to have children belongs to women, not politicians. A vote for my opponent would be a vote for the extremist bans.

As the son of a hardworking single mom, I also know the importance of supporting families and children. I will take the lead on passing legislation to broaden health, nutritional, and community services, including top-notch childcare.

5. Health care has consistently ranked among the most important issues for Levittown-area voters. What is your stance on health care and the state government’s role in it?  

The states are charged with running the Affordable Care Act’s healthcare exchanges. State policymakers are responsible for curbing excess prices in the system; reducing low-value care; extending coverage to all residents; and making out-of-pocket costs affordable.

Year-over-year increases in healthcare prices overwhelmingly drive state healthcare spending. Pennsylvania should consider creating a robust All-Payer Claims Database, strong price transparency requirements, creating health spending targets and expanding its oversight entity to target all spending beyond hospitals. 

Pennsylvania should consider using claims and Electronic Health Records data to identify unnecessary care and enact a multistakeholder effort to reduce it.

We should consider options for residents earning too much to qualify for Medicaid, like a Basic Health Plan, premium subsidies, Medicaid buy-in and a public option. Pennsylvania should also consider offering coverage options for undocumented children, pregnant people and adults and adding affordability criteria to rate review.

Our state should consider protections against Short-Term, Limited-Duration health plans; surprise medical bill protections not addressed by the federal No Surprises Act; waiving or reducing cost-sharing for high-value services; and requiring standard plan design on its new state exchange.

We are fortunate that we do not live in one of the 12 states that has refused to take advantage of the Medicaid expansion opportunities available through the Affordable Care Act. The Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid expansion expanded Medicaid coverage to nearly all adults with incomes up to 138% of the Federal Poverty Level and provided states with an enhanced federal matching rate for their expansion populations.

6. The Pennsylvania Constitution states “people have a right to clean air, pure water, and to the preservation of the natural, scenic, historic and esthetic values of the environment.” What is your position on protecting the environment and combating climate change? 

As the candidate endorsed by Conservation Voters of PA and GiveGreen, I’m committed to protecting our planet. And we can do this while also protecting our jobs. We can dramatically increase the production of clean and renewable energy while also turbocharging our state’s energy efficiency programs to lower costs for local businesses and working families. Investments in environmental protection can create family-sustaining union jobs; we can grow our economy and be more economically competitive.

There are those who frame the issue of the environment as a false choice between protecting jobs or protecting our planet — we must do both and we can. We can dramatically increase the production of clean and renewable energy while also turbocharging our state’s energy efficiency programs to lower costs for local businesses and working families. 

I support gubernatorial candidate Josh Shapiro’s focus on using investments in environmental protection to create family-sustaining union jobs. From installing new solar panels to replacing aging lead water pipes, the plan would grow Pennsylvania’s economy by expanding opportunities and making our commonwealth more economically competitive.

Electric cooperatives, which serve about 220,000 homes, businesses, and other customers in Pennsylvania, should be eligible for clean energy tax credits. And we should dedicate investments for rural electric cooperatives to boost resiliency, reliability, and affordability, including through clean energy and energy efficiency upgrades.

7. Where do you stand on the issue of gun control? Also, where do you stand on combating gun violence? 

I am proud to be a Moms Demand Action Gun Sense Candidate, and I’m proud of my endorsement by CeaseFire PA. I support red flag laws and strengthening background checks and firearm safety training provisions. I also support a ban on military-style assault weapons. This is an issue that is often falsely framed. It is not a case of being supportive or not supportive of gun ownership. There are plenty of responsible gun owners who support common sense initiatives aimed at keeping guns out of the hands of those who should not have them.

8. If a voter expressed concern to you about election security in Pennsylvania, how would you respond?

I would say unequivocally that our elections are safe and secure and fair in Pennsylvania. Unfounded conspiracy theories and lies about elections being stolen threaten our democracy. 

The electorate should not have undue obstacles placed in the way of being able to exercise the sacred right to vote. I would strengthen the vote by mail program, which has proven to be highly successful, popular and secure. Voters who wish to vote by mail on a regular basis should not have to reaffirm that wish every year by filling out unnecessary paperwork. Let’s cut the red tape and bureaucratic burdens.

And let’s note here that the Republican gubernatorial candidate’s proposal that he and the state should appoint our presidential electors — regardless of how we, the people, vote — is a frightening, authoritarian proposal that needs to be defeated in order to keep our democracy, freedoms and rights intact.  

9. What are the greatest problems in your district, and how do you intend to address them?

Having already addressed the top two issues I am hearing about (women’s reproductive rights and inflation), what I would say next is that our voters are talking about how the gridlock in Harrisburg needs to be fixed.

Rules Reform is desperately needed. I will reject House Rules that empower a few party leaders. I support a proposal by Fair Districts PA and the League of Women Voters of PA: 1) If a bill has strong bipartisan support, that bill should be discussed and voted on in committee. 2) If the bill passes favorably from committee, it must be guaranteed a vote on the chamber floor. 3) If one chamber passes the bill with bipartisan support, the other chamber should respect that with a corresponding vote.

Reducing polarization requires a mindset and approach that embraces bipartisanship and does not think Negotiation and Compromise are dirty words. For me, it’s not about D vs R. I have worked with Democrats, Republicans and Independents to achieve our common goals. In Lower Makefield, Republican-controlled boards appointed me to Farmland Preservation and the Zoning Hearing Board. In Penndel, I was at odds with members of my own party as I tired of hearing “that’s not how it’s always been done.”

10. What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Do not go where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path, and leave a trail.

Republican Joe Hogan

1. Please provide a short biography of yourself, including current town of residence and age.

I am a lifelong resident of Bucks County. I grew up in Levittown, graduated from Conwell-Egan, an Eagle Scout, and worked every job in my life has been in Bucks County. I grew up in a union household and went to Penn State because of my father’s GI Bill. After college I started working for former Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick and during this time I pursued a master’s degree in community and economic development from Penn State. After Mike retired from Congress in 2017, I utilized my experience and education as a Program Director at Bucks County Redevelopment Authority. 

While at the Authority I managed several programs including flood relief efforts, the Municipal Grant Program, The Bucks County Enterprise Zone, and successfully wrote numerous grants. Additionally, I have been going to night classes and about to finish my law degree at Temple University. I currently live in Middletown Township with my wife Janita and am 34 years old. 

2. Why are you seeking this office?

I was asked to run by my neighbors and after discussing it in depth with my wife and family, we determined I had something to offer our community. Pennsylvania is at a pivotal moment with an incredibly uncertain economy and violent crime that is rivaling the 1990s. My understanding of the needs of our families, what makes our community special and background in economic development will make me a better community servant. I am not running to be a partisan. Bucks County is diverse in culture, background, and thought. A successful representative will work with colleagues from both sides of the aisle to make Pennsylvania an economic success story and more prosperous for all. That is my goal. 

3. If elected, what legislation would you propose or support in regards to the economy? How would you support small businesses?

Many small businesses are still reeling from the government mandated shutdowns and resulting supply chain issues. Inflation is out of control in part because of the cost of energy. The businesses that survived the pandemic are now struggling to find workers. There is no one easy fix to all of these problems but Pennsylvania can make it easier to create and expand businesses by loosening some regulations, easing licensing requirements so a family can legally start their business without thousands of hours of unnecessary training, and by making it easier to transport and export natural gas. 

I’ve been a champion for small businesses my entire life. I understand the risks that these individuals take on and will work to increase training programs so that they have a qualified work force. I’ll also work to ensure anyone that wants a good paying job in Pennsylvania will be able to find one. 

4. With reversal of Roe v. Wade, what is your position on abortion?

Personally, I believe in the sanctity of all life—those are the values I was raised with and what I believe. However, I understand that Pennsylvania and the 142^nd have differing views on this, and I am hoping we can rally around our shared values of limiting the number of elective abortions, protecting the use of the procedure when medically necessary or in cases of rape and incest. Bust most importantly we must provide for all women, children, and others affected by this throughout every stage of pregnancy and after birth.    

5. Health care has consistently ranked among the most important issues for Levittown-area voters. What is your stance on health care and the state government’s role in it?  

We need to make sure that every Pennsylvanian has access to quality healthcare, but that doesn’t mean a big government run health care system that fails people. Having access to quality care needs to be our focus and I think we can do this best in a partnership between the private and public sectors. 

One of the first things we need to do is bring down the price of prescription drugs. Representative Farry passed legislation that expanded the prescription drug benefits for seniors without raising taxes. We should continue to look to do similar things as well as looking to purchase drugs in bulk with other states to drive down costs. I would also support legislation that would cap the price of lives saving drugs like insulin. We shouldn’t have to choose between being health or paying our bills. 

We also need to make sure we have the care we need and that means incentivizing those who serve at all levels of health care from doctors and nurses to ex ray technicians and anesthesiologists. We have to protect and reward the workforce that keeps health care system moving forward. 

6. The Pennsylvania Constitution states “people have a right to clean air, pure water, and to the preservation of the natural, scenic, historic and esthetic values of the environment.” What is your position on protecting the environment and combating climate change? 

I will be a champion of protecting Pennsylvania’s wild spaces and ensuring our state continues to provide a clean and healthy environment for all future generations of Pennsylvanians. However, we cannot let climate alarmists dictate the terms of the debate. Especially now that the situation in Ukraine has shown the world that energy policy is national security policy.

Pennsylvania and the Nation need a comprehensive and realistic plan that reduces our reliance on fossil fuels as we transition to the technologies of the future. We cannot rely on electric cars if the grid cannot withstand the increased demand and no technology currently exists to safely recycle the batteries. Similarly, we cannot rely on China to provide the materials necessary for current batteries and solar technology. I believe Americans have the will to move forward on this issue but we most do so thoughtfully and decisively. Picking an arbitrary goal and date in the future is not the answer. 

7. Where do you stand on the issue of gun control? Also, where do you stand on combating gun violence? 

I am a gun owner and believe in the second amendment. Philadelphia is showing us that no amount of gun control will stop a criminal from getting their hands on a gun (or other deadly instrument) and committing a crime with it. This is further exasperated when D.A.s like Larry Krasner catch and release violent or soon-to-be violent offenders. As the only candidate endorsed by law enforcement,  

However, one issue that is becoming far too common in our society is when a young man, who legally acquires a firearm, commits a horrific act with it in an effort to inflict as much pain on society as possible. I support efforts across the country to slightly raise the age to purchase certain firearms as research has shown a modest increase in maturity dramatically reduces a teenager’s propensity to commit these types of crimes. I also support more mental health services, particularly in our schools, to address these individuals before they go down a path that they cannot recover from. 

8. If a voter expressed concern to you about election security in Pennsylvania, how would you respond?

It should be easy to vote and hard to cheat in Pennsylvania. Bureaucratic and judicial interpretation and changes to our voting law naturally sowed a level of distrust in the process among some individuals. However, our election process has checks and balances in place, both Democrats and Republicans have won in competitive seats across the state in the last two years and well before that. Our elections in Pennsylvania are secure, but there are efforts that can strengthen the process such as Voter ID and allowing for the pre-canvassing of mail in ballots. Other states have been doing this effectively and securely for years, Pennsylvania should follow suit. 

9. What are the greatest problems in your district, and how do you intend to address them?

The greatest problems in the 142^nd are the same problems facing Americans all across the country. The cost of living is outpacing salary increases and folks rightly feel like they are falling behind. Small business owners are struggling to find employees and families of all backgrounds are afraid of surging violent crime. If elected, I’ll use my background to get people back to work, ensure more money is in each paycheck, and make it easier to afford everyday essentials. Further, I’ll work to hold rogue D.A.s accountable for their catch-and-release policies and strengthen penalties for repeat offenders. 

10. What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

The best advice I got was from my former boss, the late Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick. Mike was a listener and made sure his staff knew to first to listen to a constituent, understand their issue, where they are coming from, and why it needs to be addressed. You do not need to be the smartest person in the room…you just need to listen and understand so that you can help someone. This advice has applied to every activity I have done whether it was while volunteering, in my marriage, at work, or in the community. 

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