Steve Santarsiero

Steven J. Santarsiero is a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania State Senate since 2019 and former member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. He represented the 31st District between 2009 and 2016.[2] He also served as Chief Deputy Attorney General of Pennsylvania for Environmental Protection from May 2017 to January 2018[3]

Steve Santarsiero
Member of the Pennsylvania Senate
from the 10th district
Assumed office
January 1, 2019 (2019-01-01)
Preceded byChuck McIlhinney
Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
from the 31st district
In office
January 6, 2009 (2009-01-06)[1] – November 30, 2016 (2016-11-30)
Preceded byDavid J. Steil
Succeeded byPerry Warren
Personal details
Born (1965-02-13) February 13, 1965
Political partyDemocratic
ResidenceLower Makefield Township, Pennsylvania
Alma materTufts University (B.A.)

University of Pennsylvania (J.D.)

Holy Family University (M.Ed.)
OccupationState Senator

Background

Santarsiero received his bachelor's degree from Tufts University in 1987. He went on to earn a J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 1992.[4] He practiced as an attorney in Newark. He has also worked as a school teacher, receiving his M.Ed. from Holy Family University. He taught social studies at Bensalem High School.[5]

Political career

Santarsiero was elected to the Lower Makefield Board of Supervisors in 2003. He organized the Southeastern Bucks League of Municipalities, a discussion forum for 19 townships and boroughs in lower Bucks County.[6]

In 2008, Santarsiero was elected to Pennsylvania's House of Representatives with 53% of the vote, defeating Republican challenger Pete Stainthorpe.[7] Santarsiero defeated Republican challenger Rob Ciervo by 162 votes in 2010, securing his second term in office.[8] In 2012, Santarsiero was elected with 58% of the vote, defeating Republican Anne Chapman.[9]

Santarsiero served on the Children & Youth, Education, Environmental Resources & Energy, and Transportation Committees.[5]

On May 4, 2017, Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro appointed Santarsiero as the first Chief Deputy Attorney General for Environmental Protection[10] He resigned his position in January 2018 in order to launch a bid for the Pennsylvania Senate[3]

2016 congressional election
Main article: 2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Pennsylvania § District 8

Santarsiero announced his candidacy for Pennsylvania's 8th congressional district on January 8, 2015.[11] He won the Democratic primary in April 2016 and faced Republican Brian Fitzpatrick in the general election.[12] Santarsiero lost to Fitzpatrick in the general election 54%-46%.[13]

State Senate

Santarsiero announced his candidacy for State Senate in Pennsylvania's 10th Senatorial District on January 27, 2018. The incumbent, Republican Chuck McIlhinney, did not seek reelection. Santarsiero defeated State Representative Marguerite Quinn in the November 6th, 2018 general election to win the seat.[14]

Political positions

LGBT issues

Santarsiero supports same-sex marriage.[15]

Gun policy

In early 2013, Santarsiero introduced a bill which would end the permitting of intrastate long gun purchases in Pennsylvania. The bill, which has never been brought to a vote, was the subject of controversy in Pennsylvania, drawing support from Cease Fire PA, Bucks Safe, the Peace Center, Keystone Progress, and Mayors Against Illegal Guns[16] and opposition from the Second Amendment Action Group and the National Rifle Association.[17] In 2016, PolitiFact.com found Santarsiero's claim that he "wrote Pennsylvania's Gun Safety Law" to be false.[18]

Environment

Santarsiero has called for increased regulation of Marcellus Shale, natural gas, and hydraulic fracturing.[19] In 2012, he introduced H.B. 2414, which would increase regulation of natural gas drilling.[20] HB 2414 was a part of a six-piece legislative package known as the Marcellus Compact, sponsored by Pennsylvania Democrats to regulate the natural gas industry in the state. The legislation did not come to a vote.[21]

Legislative reform

Santarsiero voted to reduce the Pennsylvania State Legislature by 65 seats.[22]

Campaign finance reform

Following the Citizens United Supreme Court Ruling, Santarsiero introduced a bill calling for a convention to amend the United States Constitution to allow states and the United States Congress to pass laws limiting the amount of money that any person or group can donate to federal or state elections.[23] He has since reintroduced this resolution twice.[24]

Local issues

Rockhill Quarry

The Rockhill Quarry, located in East Rockhill Township in Bucks County, was first permitted in 1976.[25] The site remained mostly dormant for 40[26] years until 2017 when it was awarded a contract from the Pennsylvania Turnpike Authority.[25] In December 2018, asbestos was discovered at the facility, leading to public concern over safety to local residents.[26] The outcry led to a court battle between the owners of the facility, the township of East Rockhill, and local residents.[27]

In April 2019, an attorney representing owners of the Rockhill Quarry accused Santarsiero of having a conflict of interest pertaining to the quarry.[28] At the time, Santarsiero was a non-equity partner with Curtin & Heefer, which provided legal representation to area residents opposed to further development of the quarry. Santarsiero himself claimed to have no direct involvement in the firm’s work with the group.[28]

In an effort to avoid any appearance of a conflict, Santarsiero resigned from the firm the same month.[28] Santarsiero stated in a letter that the firm compensated him for bringing in work and that none of it was related to the quarry.[29]

As of December 2021, the quarry remained under a cessation order from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.[25]

References
  1. "SESSION OF 2009 - 193D OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY - No. 1" (PDF). Legislative Journal. Pennsylvania House of Representatives. January 6, 2009.
  2. Center, Shira (January 8, 2015). "Democrat Kicks Off Race for Open Pennsylvania Seat". Roll Call. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  3. Sahner, Charlie. "Marguerite Quinn Announces Run for State Senate". New Hope Free Press. Retrieved February 10, 2018.
  4. Seymour, Kara (January 8, 2015). "Steve Santarsiero to Run for Congress". Newtown Patch. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  5. "Steve Santarsiero". Ballotpedia. Retrieved May 30, 2013.
  6. "Towns seek ways to cope regionally 19 southeast communities are joining a forum to regularly discuss common traffic, development and other problems". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved June 3, 2013.
  7. "2008 General Election Results". Pennsylvania Department of State. Retrieved May 30, 2013.
  8. "2010 General Election Results". Pennsylvania Department of State. Retrieved May 30, 2013.
  9. "2012 General Election Results". Pennsylvania Department of State. Retrieved May 30, 2013.
  10. title= Attorney General Shapiro Appoints Chief Deputy Attorney General for Environmental Protection |https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/Media_and_Resources/Press_Releases/Press_Release/?pid=3372
  11. "PA-8: Santarsiero Declares Candidacy". Ceisler Media LLC. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  12. McCabe, Caitlin (April 28, 2016). "Fitzpatrick, Santarsiero coast in Bucks congressional race". Philly.com. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  13. "Fitzpatrick wins 8th District race". Midweek Wire. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
  14. "Santarsiero wins showdown with Quinn for state Senate". The Bucks County Courier Times. November 6, 2018. Retrieved November 7, 2018.
  15. Seymour, Kara (June 27, 2013). "'Why Shouldn't Two People in Love Get Married?:' Reactions to DOMA Ruling". Newtown PATCH. Retrieved July 15, 2013.
  16. "State Rep. Steve Santarsiero call for vote on bipartisan bill to require universal background checks for firearms in Pa". Bucks Local News. Retrieved July 18, 2013.
  17. Bumstead, Brad. "Newtown shooting victim's mom, NRA argue for and against background checks in Pa". TribLive. Retrieved July 18, 2013.
  18. Orso, Anna (April 21, 2016). "Claim in Bucks lawmaker's gun law mailer isn't exactly what happened". PolitiFact.com. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  19. Bertrand, Pierre (May 30, 2012). "Pennsylvania Democrats Launch Attack On State's Fracking Law". International Business Times. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  20. "Santarsiero Introduces Bill as Part of Marcellus Shale Compact". Newtown Patch. May 25, 2012. Retrieved June 13, 2013.
  21. "Regular Session 2011-2012 House Bill 2414". Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  22. Shuey, Karen (May 5, 2015). "State House members vote to reduce the size of the Legislature". Lancaster Online. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  23. Davies, Dave. "Bucks County lawmaker wants constitutional amendment on campaign finance". Newsworks. Retrieved June 13, 2013.
  24. "Santarsiero Calls for Campaign Finance Reform". Newtown Patch. January 21, 2013. Retrieved June 13, 2013.
  25. "Rock Hill Quarry". Department of Environmental Protection. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  26. Farris, Jaccii. "Residents pack meeting about Rockhill Quarry". WFMZ.com. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  27. "Despite presence of asbestos, DEP alleges unauthorized activity at Rockhill Quarry". The Morning Call. February 21, 2020. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  28. Bagenstose, Kyle. "Santarsiero resigns from law firm after ethics dig". PhillyBurbs. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
  29. Writer, Staff. "Thumbs up / thumbs down". PhillyBurbs. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
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