State Rep. Marci Mustello, R-11th, is running for her fourth full term in office. She faces a challenge from Democratic write-in candidate Kathy Smith of Butler.

“Experience matters,” Mustello said. “More importantly, I enjoy serving the people of the 11th District.”

A lot of work needs to be done to improve the quality of life of district residents. Experience is needed to accomplish that work in the complexity of state government, which has more red tape than the federal government, she said. Mustello worked on the staff of U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly for eight years before her first election to the state House of Representatives.

As the Republican secretary of the House Appropriations Committee, Mustello said she understands how tax dollars are spent and looks for ways to cut unnecessary spending.

She said she looks at proposed legislation to make sure it generates revenue for the state and doesn’t result in additional costs for taxpayers. Additionally, she said she works “across the aisle” to help secure passage of legislation she supports.

During her seven years in office, she said she has worked hard to get to know and build relationships with other legislators and the conservation and natural resources; community and economic development; and transportation departments, as well as local governments, to address issues in the district.

Mustello said she can reach out to those state departments and they return her phone calls, and that it takes time to develop relationships with them.

“It’s about what the public wants and what the public needs,” Mustello said. “There’s a lot of value in relationship-building over the years to improve the quality of life in the 11th District.”

Through her relationship with county government, she said she has merged her annual veterans’ luncheon with the county Veteran’s Services Office Veteran of the Year program.

Relationships came into play recently when she said she introduced officials from Slippery Rock University to officials from the Eastern Alliance States Regional Council of Carpenters, which led to SRU and the union jointly creating a Bachelor of Applied Science in construction management program at the university.

“I think that’s a great start, and a great relationship that’s going to last,” Mustello said.

She said she accepted an invitation to be the keynote speaker at the official rollout of the program Nov. 17 at SRU.

A longtime advocate for modernizing small games of chance laws, Mustello said two of her amendments were adopted into two Senate bills that will come before the House for a third and final consideration vote when the House goes back into session in two weeks. She added she hopes they pass.

One amendment allows organizations licensed to run games for fundraisers to keep half the money raised. Currently, organizations are allowed to keep 40% and use 60% for public interest programs.

The second amendment increases the amount licensees can keep from total weekly prizes from the current $35,000 to $60,000.

Regarding education funding, she said a more equitable funding plan for rural school districts should be considered. Rural districts should consider sharing services and mergers to improve the quality of education and save tax dollars, she said.

Mustello said she has worked behind the scenes to reduce the cost of gasoline, groceries and clothes. She said she would support a temporary suspension of the state gas tax.

“I want people to know that the work I do may not always make headlines, but I am working hard to make sure they keep more of their money and have a better quality of life,” Mustello said.

Smith, who has worked as a writer, event videographer and government employee, said there are numerous issues she would like to address.

She said Gov. Josh Shapiro has signed legislation to set rules for data centers. However, local communities should create their own rules to address issues important to them and keep their interests in mind.

The use of Flock cameras deserves the attention of the legislature, she said.

“Where is that data going? Who has control over it? I’ve seen reports that people who have access abuse it and abuse people,” Smith said.

She supports increasing the minimum wage, which has been $7.25 an hour since 2009.

“We need a minimum wage that is substantially higher than $7.25 an hour. $7.25 is outrageous,” Smith said.

She said she was paid $7.25 an hour when she worked for the Mental Health Association 20 years ago when she moved back to Butler County.

While working for the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, she said she was paid $18 an hour. It was enough for necessities such as car payments and insurance and gas. Together, with her spouse’s retirement benefits from two jobs, they only “made ends meet.”

“At $18 an hour, it’s hard to make ends meet. That’s why 30 and unders live with their parents. They can’t afford to live on their own,” Smith said.

Adult children living with parents puts stress on the parents’ budget, she added.

Federal cuts to the Affordable Care Act impacted many state residents. She said the state should step in to help residents obtain affordable health insurance.

“People told me they had to sell stuff to buy medication and do without stuff to buy medication,” Smith said. “We’re a very wealthy country. People should not have to make those choices, but they do.”

Smith said she respects teachers and believes schools in the county provide an outstanding education. She said she received a great education in the county and from Duquesne University, where she received a master’s degree in communications.

Before returning to the county, she said she lived in Washington (state), Kentucky and Georgia, and believes the education they provide is not as good as the education in the county.

“People in Butler County are so fortunate. We have an outstanding education system,” Smith said.

She said state residents would get her full attention if she is elected.

“As a legislator, I would put the needs of Pennsylvanians first, not billionaires,” Smith said.

The 11th District includes the City of Butler; Chicora, East Butler and Saxonburg boroughs; and Buffalo, Butler, Clearfield, Clinton, Donegal, Jefferson, Oakland, Summit and Winfield townships.