U.S. Representative candidate Lenny McAllister. Photo via Wikipedia.
Lenny McAllister is the Republican candidate for U.S. Representative for Pennsylvania’s 14th congressional district, which is based in Pittsburgh and covers most of Allegheny County. Below are his answers to our five 2016 Voter Guide questions for federal candidates on the ballot in Allegheny County.
His opponent is the incumbent, current U.S. Representative Michael “Mike” F. Doyle (D). He has been in Congress since 1995. Doyle’s responses to these questions are here.
1. Do you support changing federal funding of SNAP (Food Stamps) to a block grant?
No, I do not – not at this time. Employment, economic viability, and household stability numbers continue to remain in the wrong direction – 75% of Americans agree that we are headed in the wrong deirection. Cutting now may cut a hole in a much-needed safety net.
2. Do you support changing federal funding of the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs and Summer Food Program to a block grant?
No, I do not- not at this time, especially if such a move would risk putting current recipients at risk of getting less at a time when their caregtakers face stagnant an appressive economic barriers post-Recesssion.
3. Do you support making the Earned Income Tax Credit permanent and expanding it to include childless workers?
Yes, I do support making the Earned Income Tax Credit permanent. I would support expanding the EITC for childless workers under three specific conditions:
- The childless worker is the primary caregiver for a disabled family member or sickly parent:
- The childless work is taking at least 2 (two) academic classes at an accredited college or university and maintains at least a 1.8 GPA (C-) average per semester;
- The childless worker is taking classes at an acknowledged technical school that provides a career path, direction towards class completion, and milestones for job readiness.
4. Do you support increasing the current minimum wage ($7.25/hour) to a living hourly wage of $15.00 and increasing the tipped wage ($2.13/hour) to a living hourly wage of $3.15, and making sure both keep up with inflation?
Yes, I do support increasing the current minimum wage, but I do not support increasing it to $15 an hour. Upon my first 30 days in office, I would propose an increase of the minimum wage to $8.15 an hour starting January 1, 2018 and to $9 an hour starting January 1, 2019. Yes, I do support increasing the tipped wage from $2.13 an hour. Consistent with historic trends, I would propose raising it to $2.75 an hour starting January 1, 2018. From there I would support having the minimum wage increase in a manner consistent with inflation.
5. Do you support more federal funding for subsidized child care for low-income working families?
Yes, I support more federal funding for subsidized child care for low-income working families.
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