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Daniel was born in Erie, Pennsylvania. He attended the Behrend campus of Pennsylvania State University. He is married. 

Daniel co-founded Waste Away disposal company and owns Clear Water Foam, an insulating firm, and Laughlin Properties, a rental company. He previously worked at National Forge in Erie and was involved in Laughlin Builders, a construction firm.

Daniel Laughlin currently serves as a State Senator in State Senate District 49. He was first elected in 2016 and is serving his fourth term. 

Candidate website

Supports reducing corporate taxes and regulatory burdens to attract businesses and create jobs.

Wants to place a hold on collecting taxes from businesses for a set period and said "business is disheartened by a lack of certainty that makes it impossible to develop and maintain a clear plan toward profitability."

Supports raising Pennsylvania's minimum wage to $15 per hour, adjusted for inflation, ensuring full-time workers earn above the poverty level.

Supports raising Pennsylvania's minimum wage to $15 per hour with built-in adjustments for inflation, saying "Full time work should be rewarded with earnings above the poverty level."

- Wants to place a hold on collecting taxes from businesses for a set period and said "business is disheartened by a lack of certainty that makes it impossible to develop and maintain a clear plan toward profitability."
- Supports raising Pennsylvania's minimum wage to $15 per hour with built-in adjustments for inflation, saying "Full time work should be rewarded with earnings above the poverty level."
- Supports paid parental leave.
- Plans to have roads paved.

Economy

Believes access to quality Pre-K through 12 education is essential.

Believes each child should have access to a strong Pre-K-12 education. 

Supports investing state funds to support local schools and prevent financial impacts on neighboring districts.

As State Senator, invested "$16 million" in state funds to support Erie County schools' local schools and prevent "the domino effect that would have hit neighboring districts."

- Believes each child should have access to a strong Pre-K-12 education. 
- As State Senator, invested "$16 million" in state funds to support Erie County schools' local schools and prevent "the domino effect that would have hit neighboring districts."

Education

Supports reforming the prescription drug system to ensure patients receive rebates and discounts.

- Supports reforming the prescription drug system to ensure patients receive rebates and discounts.

Healthcare

As of September 30, 2024, Daniel J Laughlin’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Voting & Elections

Believes in reducing incarceration for non-violent offenders, especially drug possession, and reassessing "mandatory minimum" policies.

Believes the "lawless immigration situation" at the Southern Border is a "humanitarian crisis and security risk" and supports using E-Verify to prohibit the employment of unauthorized employees in the construction industry.

Said the "lawless immigration situation at our Southern Border is a "humanitarian crisis and security risk" and supports using E-Verify to prohibit the employment of "unauthorized employees" in the construction industry.

- Opposes gun control.
- Believes in reducing incarceration for non-violent offenders, especially drug possession, and reassessing "mandatory minimum" policies.
- Said the "lawless immigration situation at our Southern Border is a "humanitarian crisis and security risk" and supports using E-Verify to prohibit the employment of "unauthorized employees" in the construction industry.

Public Safety

Energy & the Environment

Daniel J Laughlin

As of October 4, 2024, Daniel J Laughlin’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Dan Laughlin currently serves as a State Senator for District 49. He was first elected in 2016 and is serving his fourth term. 

Believes raising the minimum wage does not significantly impact job loss, citing studies from border counties in Pennsylvania and New York.

Supports the City Revitalization and Improvement Zones program, which encourages economic growth and investment in underdeveloped areas of Pennsylvania.

Believes Erie can be transformed economically by improving its harbor front properties and downtown area.

Supports the creation of a City Revitalization and Improvement Zone (CRIZ) in Erie.

Believes in supporting vocational training and skilled labor to strengthen the economy.

- Supports reducing corporate taxes and regulatory burdens to attract businesses and create jobs.
- Supports raising Pennsylvania's minimum wage to $15 per hour, adjusted for inflation, ensuring full-time workers earn above the poverty level.
- Supports paid family leave.

Believes Erie’s public schools experienced a "dark period," indicating significant challenges or setbacks in the past.

Believes Erie’s high schools are vital to the city’s identity and shared history, saying they were "at risk of closing."

Believes that sending students into neighboring districts would "overwhelm" those systems.

Believes access to education is crucial to prevent the creation of a "new generation of the underclass."

Believes in bipartisan efforts to improve K-12 schools.

As State Senator, invested $16 million in state funds to support local schools and prevent financial impacts on neighboring districts.

- Believes access to quality Pre-K through 12 education is essential.
- As State Senator, invested $16 million in state funds to support local schools and prevent financial impacts on neighboring districts.

Believes in expanding healthcare coverage to include all necessary medical procedures, citing her own experience with health insurance denial for experimental surgery.

Supports lowering prescription drug costs.

Negotiated a settlement between Millcreek Township and Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Supports bipartisan efforts in healthcare legislation, as demonstrated by sponsoring the Family Care Act.

Believes in protecting voting rights and ensuring fair elections.

As a partner at his brother’s construction firm, managed finances, secured contracts, oversaw construction projects, and supervised workers.

Supports the bill that continues to move through the general assembly.

Supports accessible voting and fair election processes.

Believes in preserving voting rights and ensuring fair elections.

Supports fair voting rights and election integrity.

As a state representative, turned down the no-receipt expense account and put receipts for every expense on his website.

Believes government agencies work for the public.

Believes transparency is the best way to ensure government accountability.

Believes in taking immediate action to address public safety issues.

- Opposes gun control.
- Believes in reducing incarceration for non-violent offenders, especially drug possession, and reassessing "mandatory minimum" policies.
- Believes the "lawless immigration situation" at the Southern Border is a "humanitarian crisis and security risk" and supports using E-Verify to prohibit the employment of unauthorized employees in the construction industry.

Prefers wearing a Carhartt jacket with a carpenter’s pencil behind his ear.

Supports sustainable business practices, as demonstrated by the founding of Waste Away disposal company and Clear Water Foam.

Believes in sustainable practices, as demonstrated by his childhood experience of collecting coal along train tracks due to financial constraints.

Supports legalizing Sunday hunting, saying it "makes sense" and benefits the recreational industry while providing family time.

Supports reinvesting tax dollars from local investments back into the community.

Believes in creating "win-win" solutions for energy and environmental issues that benefit local citizens.

Daniel graduated from Fort LeBoeuf High School.

Daniel J Laughlin co-founded Waste Away disposal company, which was later sold to Pro Waste Corp. He also expanded his business portfolio to include Clear Water Foam, an insulating firm, and Laughlin Properties, a rental company. Additionally, he worked at National Forge in Erie and was involved in Laughlin Builders, a construction firm.

As of October 3, 2024, Daniel J Laughlin’s website did not contain information on this issue.

- Your state senator represents the interests of your district in the Pennsylvania State Senate. The State Senate, along with the State House of Representatives, makes up your state lawmaking body: the Pennsylvania General Assembly. 
- Your state senator can author, sponsor, and vote on bills that may become state laws after going through the legislative process.
- The State Senator and their staff members respond to constituent concerns and questions through emails, phone calls, and website announcements. 
- The State Senator oversees the executive branch and can vote to overrule a veto by the Governor.   
- There are 50 Pennsylvania state senators, each representing a single district.
- Senators must be at least 25 years old, U.S. citizens, and residents of Pennsylvania for four years. They must also have lived in their district for one year before the election and must remain there throughout their term.
- State senators are elected to four-year terms and have a salary of $106,000, with a 1-3% annual increase.  