Affordability, data centers discussed at Democrats’ Manheim town hall

Democratic Party supporters filled the Manheim Historical Society building, a former train station, Thursday night to hear from three candidates running for state and national offices. The Manheim Central Democratic Committee hosted the town hall meeting.

The candidates seated at a table in front of the room filled with historical artifacts included Nancy Mannion, State Senator James Malone, and Chad Gleissl.

Mannion is taking on incumbent Republican Congressman Lloyd Smucker in the Eleventh Congressional District which covers Lancaster County and part of York County. Malone will try and defend his seat in the 36th District against either Republican Representative Tom Jones or his primary opponent Jere Swarr. Gleissl is looking to unseat incumbent Republican Mindy Fee in the 37th Pennsylvania House District.

The candidates opened by explaining why they are running for office.

“I believe it’s important and a calling to serve and listen to constituents,” said Malone, who upset Lancaster County Republican Commissioner Josh Parsons in a special election last year. Malone became the first Democrat to win the seat in more than 130 years.

Mannion said she wants to protect citizens rights and freedoms.

“We’re seeing our rights being disintegrated,” she lamented.

“I’m running to bring trust and accountability back to government,” Gleissl told the crowd.

Audience members submitted questions to the candidates. All three say they are focused on affordability. Mannion brought up grocery and gas prices. 

“We know how much fuel has gone up,” she said, because of what she termed “a war of choice.”

The health care worker says she would focus on that issue if elected. 

“It’s no surprise I am passionate about providing affordable, accessible health care,” she said.

Mannion proposes creating a program similar to Medicare to provide health care for anyone eighteen and under. She says she’d fund it by requiring the wealthiest Americans to pay more. 

“We have a problem with our tax code structure,” she said. “We can afford to take care of our children’s health care if billionaires pay more.”

Malone said he wants to help parents with child care costs. 

“My proposal would provide a tax credit of up to $10,000 per employee to help working families,” he said. 

He also said he wants to ensure that utility companies keep prices affordable. 

“You want to be able to afford heat in winter and cooling in summer,” Malone said.

Gleissl, a York College police officer from Manheim, discussed one of his economic priorities. 

“I want to work to raise the minimum wage, something my opponent opposes,” he said.

The candidates were asked how they would handle the influx of data centers being proposed and built in Pennsylvania to meet the needs of the artificial intelligence revolution.

“Municipalities need time to consider these projects and their impact,” Malone answered. 

He is pushing for legislation which would give communities and local governments more time to weigh the pros and cons of these facilities and hear from concerned residents.

Gleissl agreed, saying local governments shouldn’t be rushed into decisions about AI data center infrastructure. He says companies need to do their part to alleviate residents worries about costs. 

“Who is going to foot the bill when it comes to electricity and utility costs?” he asked.

Mannion voiced concerns about the impact on water and electric bills and called for tighter monitoring. 

“There needs to be regulation,” she said. “This is very new technology being built. We shouldn’t reduce federal standards.”

Another question centered on whether local law enforcement should partner with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. All three Democratic candidates said they opposed such partnerships.

Gleissl cited his background in community policing as an influence on his views.

“Immigration isn’t an issue where the federal government should overstep community police departments,” he said. “It seems like some ICE officers have been forced into a role and didn’t get proper training.”

Malone touted the work of ICE officers in “tamping down human trafficking and child sexual abuse,” but called it “an absolute shame they’re dragged into some of these community immigration issues. I have a serious problem with what’s going on right now.”

Mannion contends many people coming into the country are “fleeing war, famine and other threats.” 

“The immigration system is broken,” she said. “There is a backlog of people waiting for paperwork. I will work on creating a pathway for legal citizenship for all those doing the right things and accelerate the process.”

All three Democrats are running unopposed in the May 19 primary.

Barbara Barr is a former reporter for WGAL in Pennsylvania’s Susquehanna Valley where she led political coverage that earned a Walter Cronkite Award.