💰 Taxes & Spending
Q: Will your ideas mean raising taxes?
A:My priority is using the dollars we already have more effectively. There’s waste in state contracts and subsidies that don’t help working families. I want to realign our budget toward schools, local businesses, and healthcare access — the things that build strong communities. I’m focused on fairness, not higher taxes.
👷 Working-Class Issues
Q: What do you say to businesses who worry higher wages will hurt them?
A:Fair wages don’t hurt good businesses — they level the playing field. When workers earn a living wage, they spend that money locally — at our diners, our small shops, our local farms. It keeps the Lehigh Valley strong. I want policies that reward companies who invest in people, not just profit.
🌾 Local & Rural Concerns
Q: You talk about supporting local farms and small businesses — what does that actually look like?
A:That means cutting red tape for small operations, supporting co-ops and local suppliers, and expanding access to broadband and local grant funding. I want state programs that actually reach us here in the Valley — not ones that stop in Harrisburg or Philly.
🏛️ Experience & Accountability
Q: You don’t have a long political background — why should voters trust you to represent them?
A:Because I’ve lived the realities most people here face — working hard, balancing family, and fighting through the system to get fair treatment. I know what it’s like when government feels out of touch. I’ll bring a people-first perspective to Harrisburg and make sure ordinary voices are heard — not just lobbyists and insiders.
🧠 Mental Health & Addiction
Q: How do you plan to address the addiction and mental health crisis in our region?
A:First, by treating it as a health issue — not a crime. We need to expand access to local treatment centers and recovery programs, especially in rural areas. And we have to invest in prevention — counseling in schools, community programs, and supporting families before crisis hits.
⚖️ Bipartisan Cooperation
Q: How will you work across the aisle in a divided legislature?
A:By starting with shared values. Everyone, regardless of party, wants safe communities, strong schools, and good jobs. I believe in showing up, listening, and finding practical solutions. Politics shouldn’t get in the way of helping people — and I’ll work with anyone who shares that goal.
Rachel Cuevas for Pennsylvania House District 187 