Josh Cohen on the Issues

I will work hard as your State Representative to enact the following policy proposals.

Transportation/Motor Vehicle Code

I will advocate for practical solutions to increase vehicular and pedestrian safety:

Extend the use of red light cameras outside of Philadelphia
Implementation of speed enforcement systems (speeding cameras) in Pennsylvania.
Allow municipal police officers not just State Police the use of radar guns
Automatic administrative license suspension for first time DUI offense
Allow for speed limit to be decreased below 25 mph on residential streets when necessary
Amend criteria needed for the placement of all way stop signs

I will work with SEPTA and suburban legislators to guarantee a true regional transportation system which is reliable, safe, and properly funded.

Public Education/After School Programs

Advocate of Parent University, a program started by Dr. Arlene Ackerman and will help bring lessons of the classroom home and build relations between student and parent.
Better college access including the addition of a Philadelphia college or university in the State Education System
Work with school districts to help decrease the drop out rate
Support of POWER-Parkside Overbrook Wynnefield Education Recreation League-a league founded by Councilman Curtis Jones Jr.
Equitable funding of the Pennsylvania Public Schools Employees’ Retirement System

Housing

Advocate for the passage of a land bank bill so that vacant and blighted properties can be utilized better
Support of HB 1322 which modernizes Pennsylvania’s antiquated adverse possession law
Citizens must be provided better opportunities for affordable heat and weatherization options in their household

Child Welfare

As a member of the Board of Trustees for the Northern Home for Children, children in need are of vital importance to me. If elected:

I will ensure that Pennsylvania utilizes its entire allotment of stimulus money intended for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
Community Behavioral Health (CBH) remains adequately funded.

Gun Reform and Crime Control

Support HB 22-only allow for the purchase of one handgun per month
Support HB 29-If an individual loses or has their handgun stolen they must report it to law enforcement in a timely manner
Support a waiting period for the sale of handguns
Support limitation on assault weapons

Women's Rights

Pay Equity: Women who work full time are paid on average only 78 percent of what men are paid. The disparity is even worse for women of color. I will fight for strong equal pay legislation.
Reproductive Rights: I am 100% pro-choice. I will fight attempts to restrict a women's right to choose. I also support increased funding for comprehensive family planning.

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Rights

I believe that LGBT rights are basic civil rights. I will work to end discriminatory practices towards the LGBT community.

Hate Crimes: I support passing HB 745 which is strong and inclusive Hate Crimes legislation to supplement the Mathew Shepard Hate Crimes Act passed on the federal level.
Non-Discrimination: I will fight to enact HB 300 which would amend the PA Human Relation Act to include "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" among the list of classes protected against discrimination in housing, employment and public accomodations.
Relationship Recognition: I support same-sex marriage. I will work to repeal Pennsylvania's Defense of Marriage Act which makes same-sex marriages in our Commonwealth illegal. I will also fight any attempt by conservatives to amend the state constitution to define marriage to be only between a man and a woman.
Anti-Bullying: According to Equality Advocates PA, 88% of LGBT students have reported being victims of verbal abuse, 19 percent were harassed because of their perceived sexual orientation and in just one month, 39 percent of LGBT students skipped class at least once because of safety issues. We must pass strong anti-bullying legislation to protect our children.

Electoral Reform

Push for the enactment of HB 1672 which will allow Pennsylvania to become an open primary and give registered independents an opportunity to vote for the candidate of their choice
Introduce legislation to allow Pennsylvanians to vote in person before Election Day. Pennsylvania is 1 of 18 states that doesn’t allow early voting
- Allow for “No Excuse” Absentee Balloting. 29 others states allow for this type of voting
- Allow for “Permanent No Excuse” Absentee Balloting. An absentee ballot will be automatically sent to the voter without request.

Introduce legislation for same day registration. 9 others states allow for this and recent studies show that voter participation increases 7% in states that allow for same day registration.

Animal Rights

Pennsylvania should follow in other states’ footsteps in becoming a “no-kill” state, meaning animals are only to be euthanized if too sick to be treated or too aggressive to be considered suitable for adoption. If the state were to follow this, euthanasia would only be used in these ways, and not as a means of population control.