Alex Khalil for US Senate
Community, Compassion, Justice, and Prosperity for all Pennsylvanians
Community, Compassion, Justice, and Prosperity for All
Alex's platform is centered around community and the well-being of all Pennsylvanians and Americans. GDP is the only measure that leaders in Washington and Pennsylvania care about. Meanwhile, millions of Pennsylvanias and Americans struggle.
Healthcare as a Human Right
Alex is running to ensure that every Pennsylvanian has quality healthcare as a human right which is why she supports Medicare for All. Healthcare as a human right includes affordable prescription drugs and ending the price gouging of Americans on drug prices by banning drug companies from charging more for a drug than they charge in Canada, Europe, and Japan, mental health care, wheelchairs, hearing aids, dental care, and glasses.
Establish an COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Emergency task force that will work to ensure that the COVID vaccine distribution is fair, comprehensive, cohesive and expansive. The Task force should include looking at past vaccine distribution successes such as the distribution of the polio and small pox vaccines. Community venues such as all local school buildings, college and university stadiums, grocery stores, pharmacies and houses of worship should be included. People should not have to travel long distances and endure long wait times to get vaccinated.
Alex supports women’s reproductive and abortion rights without interference from the government. Alex will zealously fight to increase funding for pre and post natal care to end the distrubingly high infant mortality rate in the United States and in Pennsylvania and the high rate of Black maternal mortality rate. Since 1990, the United States is the only developed country where infant mortality rates have increased.
For example:
* In Pittsburgh, Black and White women have among the highest fetal mortality rates of any city in the United States.
https://apps.pittsburghpa.gov/redtail/images/7109_Pittsburgh's_Inequality_Across_Gender_and_Race_09_18_19.pdf.
* The Black maternal mortality rate in Pittsburgh is higher than the Black maternal mortality in 97 percent of similar cities. Philadelphia's maternal mortality rate is higher than the national average.
* Regardless of race, Pittsburgh has more babies born with congenital anomalies than 80% of comparable cities.
Alex will work across the aisle for further NIH childhood cancer research funding which is currently around 4%.
Alex believes that Healthcare is a Human Right and that right includes: paid family and medical leave and ending the epidemic of homelessness.
Alex believes that Mental Health Care is a Human Right and the disturbingly high overdose rates and suicides in the US and Pennsylvania requires focus at all levels of government. Drug addiction is a disease - not a crime.
Alex supports the legalization of Marijuana and requiring that gross profits be used for:
* Economic development in communities most impacted by “war on drugs”,
* Mental health and addiction counseling
* Pain Management research and non-drug related treatment such as physical therapy and acupuncture.
Alex supports providing standardized pathways across the US for ex-Military medics to transfer their skills to the civilian sector.
Alex strongly supports the Right to Health COVID Pandemic Response legislation and coordinating Federal and State resources to form a PA Pandemic Response team.
End Food Insecurity and Support PA and American Agriculture.
Alex agrees with Chef Jose Andres: "We need to understand one thing: that food is more than the USDA. Food is more than just all of the mechanics of a smart agricultural system, Food is immigration. Food is health. Food is national security. Food is job creation. Food is economic growth.“ Alex supports Chef Jose Andres’ call to appoint a Food Hunger Czar .
She will work to build food chain resiliency in our food system and end food deserts in Urban and Rural communities by supporting the creation of regional food supply hubs to connect Pennsylvania farmers with Pennsylvania families. Alex will end patents on plants and supports Open Seed Exchanges.
We must create and strengthen Rural – Urban Partnerships, support Urban Farming, expand the Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program as well as fund programs that connect Farms to schools and food banks.
She will work to implement the Right to Farm and the Right to Repair farm equipment legislation and legislation to increase protections for migrant farmworkers.
Alex supports Regenerative Farming which provides carbon capture and prevents runoff that can harm waterways. Alex supports providing farmers with tax credits and carbon payments for switching to Regenerative Farming techniques. https://www.alleghenyfront.org/climate-change-threatens-pa-s-farmers-healthy-soil-may-be-the-key/
Support providing tax credits and subsidies to help farmers adopt environmentally safe practices and demand the enforcement of current environmental laws that protect the environment for all rural residents against mega-farms.
Alex supports Bernie Sanders in classifying food supply as a national security issue and leveling the playing field for Pennsylvania livestock farmers and ranchers by allowing meat slaughtered at a state-inspected facility to be sold across state lines. Meat from foreign countries can be sold anywhere in the US if the country has inspection standards equivalent to the US.
A Quality and Inclusive Education for All Our Children
Alex is running to ensure that EVERY child in Pennsylvania has a quality and inclusive education. Pennsylvania is 46th in state funding of schools, combined with poor federal funding – Pennsylvanian children are short changed.
Alex will work across party lines to ensure mental health services are available for children in school - mental health services will include schools providing art and music therapy as well as mental health school days..
We need a Marshall Plan for the United States and part of the plan must include rebuilding Public Schools. Alex will make providing federal funds for rebuilding our Public Schools a priority. Schools must be structurally safe schools for ALL our children and teachers. Alex will work to provide funding for school districts to lease vacant College and University classrooms and office spaces to serve as temporary schools during the pandemic crisis and while new schools are being rebuilt to replace old and unsafe school building.
Alex will work hard to ensure Pennsylvania’s Public schools receive full and expanded federal Title I and Part B of IDEA. Part B of IDEA authorized Congress to contribute up to 40% of the average per pupil expenditure. Currently the Feds contribute less than 15%. Alex will fight for the 40%. https://www.understandingspecialeducation.com/special-education-funding.html#:~:text=Special%20Education%20funding%20is%20a%20complicated%20topic.%20Most,education%20is%20entirely%20funded%20by%20the%20federal%20government.
In addition to the Title I and IDEA funding, Alex will introduce legislation to provide money for:
* Student teachers and AMERICORPs volunteers to create education pods to assist students and teachers.
* Ensure access to the internet for all students. Provide funding to allow school districts and municipalities to build their own internet. https://www.fastcompany.com/40540511/why-low-income-communities-are-building-their-own-internet-networks?position=12&campaign_date=01242021
* Libraries in all public schools, STEM, technical, as well civics, financial literacy, the arts, language, and life skills (home economics, auto mechanics, music programs and shop classes), entrepreneurship classes as well as paid apprenticeships. Alex will introduce legislation that provides funding these important and long neglected aspects of a quality education.
* A quality education includes an Everybody’s playground in all schools so that all children, including children with disabilities, can enjoy the outdoors while at school.
* Alex will introduce legislation that provides educational services for Children with disabilities after they reach 21 so that they reach their full potential. Education, training, and support services must go beyond 21 years old and not be based on a family’s income.
Alex will introduce legislation that provides special small business funding and tax credit for families that start businesses for their children with disabilities as well provide additional funding for any businesses that hire people with disabilities.
Introduce PILOT – Payment in Lieu of Taxes legislation in the tax code– If a University/College has multi-billion/million endowments they must either pay PILOT payments to fund education OR the Feds must tax the endowment and then that money would be sent to local needy schools and local libraries.
Alex will introduce legislation that strengths current Student loan forgiveness options and includes the following: tax credits for people who have paid off their loans or who paid cash; provide 100% refundable tax credits towards repayment of Principal and Interest for Student Loans- for parents and students who make up $200,000/yr. Cap student loan and Parent Plus interest rates to 1%. Front line workers – forgive their student loans.
Tuition free Community Colleges and Trade Schools and paid Apprentice programs.
Economic Justice, Well-being beyond GDP and a Fed Reserve focused on Economic Development
Alex is running to create an economy that works for all Pennsylvanians and will fight for Pennsylvanian small businesses, and working class and middle class families. Alex supports:
• Federal Reserve policy focused on 1. economic development of communities throughout PA and the US, 2. Raise the standard of living for the working class and middle class, 3. full employment with living wages and benefits for the American people.
• $15/hr Minimum Wage
• Worker’s rights and Worker’s safety
• Mobile Pension Plans - Pension plans that attached to the employee and the plan is funded by different employers. This is in addition to 401ks.
• Support small local businesses – especially during a pandemic. Throughout PA – small businesses are a main economic engine. A tax code that focuses on helping small businesses, working and middle class families. Alex opposes the Philadelphia soda tax which hurts Philadelphia small businesses. Philadelphia has fewer businesses per capita than other big East Coast cities. The City's low business density significantly contributes to its high poverty rate -- 24.5% in 2018 -- the city doesn't have companies that create jobs. Philadelphia has the lowest number of Black-owned businesses. Alex will work with Federal, State and local leaders to increase spending on programs for small and minority business development. In fiscal year 2021, Washington will spend $6.60 per capita on programs for small and minority business development, compared to $0.59 per capita in Philadelphia, $0.92 in New York, and $3.43 in Boston. https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/philly-has-fewer-businesses-per-capita-than-other-big-east-coast-cities-report-says/ar-BB17Ydyn
• Paid Vacations and sick-time for all workers.
• Support Medicare for All from an economics perspective as well - it is good for businesses - small, medium and large and encourages entrepreneurship.
• Federal jobs program – Modernize American Infrastructure. Job Training to address the loss of jobs in the coal industry and as a result of automation – paid training to help with transition
• Make in the US – PPEs. Classify more products as must made in US for National security. Fight outsourcing and close tax loopholes that encourage corporations to keep operations and money overseas. Automation built in the US, repaired in the US, programed in the US
• Fund internet access throughout PA and the US – regardless of location and income. Support communities to build their own internet. https://www.fastcompany.com/40540511/why-low-income-communities-are-building-their-own-internet-networks?position=12&campaign_date=01242021
• Support Public Banks and allow banking at the Post Office – FDIC insured, access to low interest rate credit for the disenfranchised and small businesses
• Help contribute to the rebirth of Philadelphia's textile industry which at one time employed 60,000 people.
• Support and celebrate Pennsylvania's Arts, Crafts and Artisans. The Arts generate $166.3 billion of economic activity; $3.4 billion in Pennsylvania;
Support 4.6 million full-time equivalent jobs, more than 100,000 in Pennsylvania;
Produce $27.5 billion in government revenue, $402 million in Pennsylvania; In rural communities like Tamaqua they provide internships and community revitalization. The Arts includes Yarn shops, Alpaca and Sheep Farms, Jewelers, Metal artisans, Cabinet Makers, Mural artists, Community Theatre, Horse farms (think violin bows and Horse shows) – just to name a few
Protect OUR vulnerable Children
Children in institutions such as Glen Mills Juvenile Center, Luzerne County Cash for Kids, Berks County Detention Center, Devereux, Foster Care are sexually and physically abused.
Horrifying violence is being committed on our children and is a National problem - gun violence, drug epidemic , and unfit and dangerous individuals adopting and fostering children (Grace Packer). Alex will introduce legislation that will require better oversight of institutions responsible for our vulnerable children.
Alex will work to end solitary confinement for children under 21. See Pennsylvania - Stop Solitary for Kids https://www.stopsolitaryforkids.org/philadelphia-jails-put-kids-in-solitary-for-weeks/
https://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/petitions-seek-ballot-measures-to-end-solitary-confinement-and-no-knock-warrants-in-pittsburgh/Content?oid=18766022
Alex will Introduce legislation that will require Federal and State support for children in foster care who age out of Foster care. 1 out of 5 Youth aged out of foster care at 18 will become homeless. 1 out of 4 Youth aged out of foster care aged out of foster care become incarcerated within 2 years of aging out of foster care.
Alex will seek additional funding for Safe Houses for homeless children who cannot return to their homes.
Environmental Justice - “The Earth, our home, increasingly seems to be transforming itself into an immense garbage dump.” Pope Francis.
Modernizing American Energy and Infrastructure
Alex supports the Green New Deal and will fight for:
Consent of Native American Tribes - Tribal Monitors and Council of Energy Resource Monitors must be included on all mining and energy projects including pipelines. Stop the confiscation of Native American lands by mining and energy companies. Remediate uranium mines on Native American lands and upgrade the infrastructure so that all Native Americans have access to pure water and sanitation systems. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/high-uranium-levels-seen-in-navajo-women-decades-after-cold-war-era-mining-by-u-s-on-their-reservation/
Supporting Regenerative Farming which provides carbon capture and prevents runoff that can harm waterways. Alex supports providing farmers with tax credits and carbon payments for switching to Regenerative Farming techniques. https://www.alleghenyfront.org/climate-change-threatens-pa-s-farmers-healthy-soil-may-be-the-key/
High Speed Rail funding for Pennsylvania and replacing the current public transportation buses and public vehicles with Hydrogen powered and electric powered vehicles.
Provide more regulation and oversight on all mining to ensure protection of waterways from runoff and contamination
Abandoned Mine Reclamation - In PA there are over $15 billion worth of reclamation yet to be completed. At the current rate of reclamation, it has been projected that 105 years would be required to get the job done.
Convert old coal mines to geothermal systems currently utilized in the Netherlands
https://inhabitat.com/heerlen-minewater-project/#:~:text=Recently%20the%20town%20of%20Heerlen%20in%20the%20Netherlands,takes%20advantage%20of%20flooded%20underground%20mine%20shafts%20
Convert old coal power plants to battery storage facilities currently underway in Germany. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-04-10/germany-s-coal-plants-may-escape-the-junkyard-as-big-batteries
Remediating our Superfund sites – there are 91 Superfund sites in PA.
Introduce and support Extended producer responsibility legislation which is currently implemented in many countries including Germany (home of Mercedes and Porsche), and the Netherlands (home of Royal Dutch Shell) - E.P.R. compels manufacturers, not consumers, to pay for the end-waste their products produce.
Replace incinerators in Chester and others in Pennsylvania with modern Waste-to-energy Systems that includes district heating currently implemented in Sweden and Denmark. https://designyoutrust.com/2020/01/a-very-modern-waste-to-energy-power-plant-in-copenhagen-that-doubles-as-an-urban-ski-slope/. Provide residents who live near Waste-to-energy Systems royalties from the gross profits of these facilities and substantial reductions in their heating and electric bills.
Create a permanent American Income Fund, like the one created in Alaska, funded by ALL energy resources and the non-taxed tech industry (Andrew Yang's idea). https://heavy.com/news/2019/06/alaskas-permanent-income/. Pennsylvania, most states and the Federal government squandered the wealth it received from our energy resources.
Support the bipartisan PFAS Action Act. The act would require the EPA to limit two types of PFAS discharges in drinking water and emissions, place a five-year moratorium on new PFAS production and authorize hundreds of millions of dollars for clean-up. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/feb/03/pfas-forever-chemicals-what-are-they
Provide funding to replace lead pipes, asbestos and lead paint.
Ensure all Pennsylvanians have access to clean drinking water and that our waterways, watersheds and wetlands. Pennsylvania is in the top 5 for poor water quality.
Stop pipeline construction near fresh water and all water ways, schools, homes, and parks.
Alex vehemently opposes the privatization of our water and sewer systems and treating water as a commodity.
Require Methane capping for gas and oil wells and provide federal tax credits for idle technology on all gas and diesel vehicles. https://www.government-fleet.com/155753/do-anti-idling-technologies-work
http://greendallas.net/air-quality/city-air-quality/reduce-idling/anti-idling-technology/
Alex wants to update the Federal tax code to provide to homeowners Federal tax credits up to $10,000 to repair/replace their outdated sewer laterals.
Alex wants to ensure workers’ rights and safety, human rights, pure water, clean air, and recreational use of our lands and the modernizing of Pennsylvania’ and American infrastructure including sewers, bus and rail system, roads, and power grids.
Human Rights and Progressive Foreign Policy
Our foreign policy must stop being a fiscal drain on American resources. We need a Marshall Plan for the United States - not endless War. Over the last 50 years our foreign policy has cost us the opportunity to ensure the economic security of the American people.
The US must stops it long practice of supporting brutal dictatorships and focus its resources by fighting poverty and promoting peace worldwide.
Alex condemns Xenophobia, anti-LGBTQ, racial bias, religious bias and hatred against any community.
Alex supports peace, dignity, and security for all Palestinians and Israelis. Alex supports a one-state solution. Alex supports a two-state solution but she DOES NOT and will NOT support the Trump/Kushner/Netanyahu solution. She believes in democracy and self-determination for the Palestinian and Israeli people. Alex believes we must review the US government’s role in enabling the continued occupation of the Palestinian people. US taxpayer dollars must not go toward subsidizing settlement expansion, home demolitions, the detention of Palestinian children, or supporting the Israeli annexation of the West Bank. The siege of Gaza must end. Alex supports the Right of Return of Palestinian refugees to their homes.
Alex doesn’t support cancel culture and she supports the right of any person to boycott any country or company whose conduct they find objectionable. Alex subscribes to the Israeli newspaper, Haaretz.
Alex supports and encourages people from around the world to visit Israel and Palestine to bear witness to the current situation of life for Palestinians under occupation.
Alex appreciates and supports the leadership shown by Minnesota Rep. Betty McCollum and 21 co-sponsors including Rep. Dwight Evans [D-PA-3], Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman [D-NJ-12], Rep. Barbara Lee [D-CA-13] to protect Palestinian Children - H.R. 2407–the Promoting Human Rights for Palestinian Children Living Under Israeli Military Occupation Act.
Alex supports a pathway to citizenship for all undocumented immigrants and the immediate ending of immigrant detention.
Alex opposes all dictatorships and encourages and supports fair elections around the world.
Alex wants to stop Endless foreign wars and stop the US arming of Saudi Arabia’s inhumane war in Yemen.
Alex supports the boycott of any country that utilizes child labor or benefits from child labor.
The US must speak out in support of political prisoners around the world including the Uyghurs and Tibetans of China. Alex supports the boycott of products from any company, state or country that profits from human suffering including child labor, palm oil, deforestation, union busting, antiquities theft and denying female employees paid birth control as prescribed under ACA.
End Bribery in Politics
Alex will not accept donations from developers or executives of any major corporations greater than $200. Alex will not accept Corporate PAC money. When Money is speech it is really bribery. Alex will work to:
• Pass a Constitutional Amendment that money is not speech and corporations are not people - this will overturn Buckley v. Valeo - the Supreme Court ruling that says money is speech
• Pass legislation to end super PACs, political spending by 501c4s and other organizations who accept unlimited contributions or do not disclose donors.
• Overturn Citizens United, which allows corporations to spend unlimited money on elections.
• Enact mandatory public financing laws for all federal elections.
Equitable Justice in the Courts and Policing
Our criminal justice system and law enforcement must treat every Pennsylvanian and American, regardless of their economic background, race, religion, gender identity, ethnic background with fairness and dignity.
Republicans already defunded the police – low salaries, limited training, switch to part-time policing, use of State Police and disband local police forces.
Alex will introduce legislation that will:
• Provide full funding for independent Public Defender’s Offices.
• End Cash bail for Non-violent offenders Increase training/education and salary of police officers
.
• De-escalation training, community policing and raise police salaries, continue fully funding pensions. Many police officers hold two jobs.
• Outreach to the community and law enforcement rank and file.
• Require internal, independent reviews of harassment and discrimination claims inside police departments.
• Firearm Assault team -- Only 16% of Philadelphia's 1,300 non-fatal shootings this year have been cleared. Create a unit in all City Police Departments dedicated specifically to solving nonfatal shootings and handle all those cases as if they are homicide cases. Bring in detectives who had experience gaining a victim’s trust and cooperation in an investigation.
• Alex supports the 2nd Amendment and Common Sense gun laws
• End the privatization of the entire Criminal justice system especially related to non-violent juvenile offenders.
• End solitary confinement for children and bring in independent mental health experts to monitor and counsel convicted inmates who are in solitary confinement.
• Work with leaders of both parties to study the excessive use of solitary confinement by correctional facilities in the United States and commit to finding ways to reduce its use and ensure that the US is in compliance with the Mandela Rules. Specifically, inflicting solitary confinement on those with mental or physical disabilities is prohibited under international law. Even if permitted by domestic law, prolonged or indefinite solitary confinement cannot be regarded as a "lawful sanction" under the Mandela Rules. https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=25633&fbclid=IwAR0ABNKEjaKbUdgQXjUnZmj-5BevjsPBMM-9Vv4PfU6IiiHmM1dGbQMmd5U
• End solitary confinement for people in prison but not convicted of a crime and provide mental health care.
• Increase funding to fight human trafficking.