Meghan Schroeder is seeking a second term as representative for the 29th District. A Republican, Schroeder serves on a number of legislative committees, including aging and adult services, children and youth services and education. She worked as a legislative aide for state Rep. Bernie O’Neill for several years before running for office.
In a Bucks County Herald questionnaire, the legislator answered a number of questions on issues ranging from the COVID-19 shutdown to the cost of prescription drugs.
The lawmaker said she understood the need to stay home during the early stages of the pandemic to protect people and not overwhelm the health care system. As more was learned about the virus, Schroeder said, she “supported reasonable efforts to safely restart our economy and put Pennsylvanians back to work.”
However, the representative expressed displeasure with Gov. Tom Wolf’s handling of the waiver process. “I do not believe the government should be in the position of picking winners and losers, and that is precisely what the governor did in the early stages of the shutdown.”
Under House Bill 2787, local governments would have control over determining whether schools play sports and what the audience would be. Schroeder said she supports the legislation and voted to override Wolf’s veto. “I believe it is absolutely essential that we empower parents and local school district’s to make the decisions that best fit their unique and specific circumstances. A one-size-fits-all solution from Harrisburg is not the answer.”
In discussing the high cost of prescription drugs, Schroeder said, she has personal experience with the issue and, as a member the Rare Disease Caucus, she said she intends to continue working “to find ways to tackle this significant challenge facing our commonwealth.”
On the thorny issue of more state funding to help businesses survive during the COVID-19 pandemic, Schroeder said, everything must be done to support businesses. However, she noted, “while that may include additional state funding in the short term, the only real solution is to create economic conditions that allow them to grow and thrive on their own.
“This includes reasonable measures to allow them to reopen in a way that protects both their employees and their customers.”
In a related matter, the legislator said, she believes unemployment should be extended for those impacted by the pandemic. “We are in the middle of what is hopefully a once-in-a-lifetime event and that must be taken into account when considering unemployment compensation,” Schroeder said.
Also important, she noted, is the potential for fraud in the unemployment system. “Just recently, the Pa. attorney general announced several arrests related to a major fraud scheme. We must protect the system for those who truly need it.”
As the pandemic continues, concerns over evictions are on the minds of many, as are concerns for landlords who need their rental income. For Schroeder, “Evictions are a symptom of larger economic challenges that we must work together to address.
“By safely restarting our economy, allowing people to get back to work, and having serious policy conversations related to other economic issues like student debt and health care costs,” she said.
Another important issue is restructuring police agencies. Schroeder said, she “strongly opposes any calls to ‘defund’ the police,” but recognizes the need “to come together in a bipartisan way to promote real, effective reforms in police departments and law enforcement agencies across Pennsylvania.”
Asked about climate change, the lawmaker said, as a mother she understands the importance of being “good stewards” of the environment.
“This is especially true here in Bucks County, where we have received an ‘F’ rating for air quality, and in my district, which is still dealing with complications from PFAS water containment,” said Schroeder.
As a member of the House of Representative’s Joint Legislative Conservation Committee, she said, she is “continuing to investigate ways to address these challenges through eco-friendly initiatives including investments in bike trails, community solar panels and tackling the issue of abandoned wells.”
The need to expand the state’s “energy portfolio” is also important, said Schroeder.
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