Steve "Stephen" McCarter is a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, representing District 154. He was first elected to the chamber in 2012.
McCarter earned his B.S. in education from Temple University in 1970 and his M.S. from the University of Pennsylvania in 1976. His professional experience includes working as a teacher (retired).
Former Member, Children and Youth Committee, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Former Member, Commerce Committee, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Former Member, Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Former Chair, Financial Services and Banking Subcommittee, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Former Member, Game and Fisheries Committee, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Former Chair, Parks and Forests Subcommittee, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Former Member, State Government Committee, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Member, Aging and Older Adult Services
Member, Appropriations
Member, Education
Member, Rules
Priority Issues:
1. Craft a budget for the Commonwealth that increases funding for public education and social services
1. Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
- Pro-choice
2. Should abortion be legal when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape?
- Yes
3. Do you support the prohibition of public funds for organizations that perform abortions?
- No
4. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer
1. Reducing state employee salaries AND/OR pensions?
- No
2. Instituting mandatory furloughs AND/OR layoffs for state employees?
- No
3. Reducing benefits for Medicaid recipients?
- No
4. An income tax increase on any tax bracket?
- Yes
5. Other or expanded principles
- A true graduated income tax is needed in Pennsylvania so that those most able to contribute to the public good are expected to pay more.
1. Do you support any limits on campaign contributions to state candidates?
- Yes
2. Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
- Yes
3. Do you support the use of an independent AND/OR bipartisan commission for redistricting?
- Yes
4. Do you support requiring a government-issued photo identification in order to vote at the polls?
- No
5. Do you support allowing early voting in Pennsylvania?
- Yes
6. Do you support reducing the size of the Pennsylvania General Assembly?
- No
7. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer
1. Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?
- No
2. Do you support the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes?
- No
3. Should a minor accused of a violent crime be prosecuted as an adult?
- No
4. Do you support the enforcement of federal immigration laws by state and local police?
- No
5. Should school safety meetings be made available to the public?
- No
6. Other or expanded principles
- The legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes is an open question to me.School Safety Meetings need to be restricted for safety reasons.
1. Do you support state government spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
- Yes
2. Do you support lowering state taxes as a means of promoting economic growth?
- No
3. Do you support reducing state government regulations on the private sector?
- No
4. Do you support expanding access to unemployment benefits?
- Yes
5. Do you support requiring welfare applicants to pass a drug test in order to receive benefits?
- No
6. Do you support an increase of the minimum wage of Pennsylvania?
- Yes
7. Do you support increasing state funding for road repairs?
- Yes
8. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer
1. Do you support adopting federal education standards in Pennsylvania?
- No
2. Do you support state funding for charter schools?
- No
3. Should immigrants unlawfully present in the United States who graduate from Pennsylvania high schools be eligible for in-state tuition at public universities?
- Yes
4. Do you support providing virtual charter school alternatives to all K-12 students?
- Yes
5. Other or expanded principles
- I support virtual charter school alternatives for all students, but only through public school districts or Intermediate Units.
1. Do you support state funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, thermal)?
- Yes
2. Do you support state government regulations of greenhouse gas emissions?
- Yes
3. Do you support increasing state funding for clean drinking water initiatives?
- Yes
4. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer
1. Do you generally support gun-control legislation?
- Yes
2. Should background checks be required on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows?
- Yes
3. Should teachers be allowed to bring guns into the classroom?
- No
4. Should a license be required for gun ownership?
- Yes
5. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer
1. Should the state government increase funding for treatment facilities to combat opioid abuse?
- Yes
2. Do you support Medicaid expansion through Pennsylvania's health care programs?
- Yes
3. Do you support requiring individuals to purchase health care insurance?
- Yes
4. Do you support legislation that grants citizens the right to choose to die through euthanasia?
- Yes
5. Do you support eliminating religious exemptions for vaccinations?
- Yes
6. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer
1. Do you support the inclusion of sexual orientation in Pennsylvania's anti-discrimination laws?
- Yes
2. Do you support the inclusion of gender identity in Pennsylvania's anti-discrimination laws?
- Yes
3. Do you support greater efforts by Pennsylvania state government in closing the pay gap between men and women?
- Yes
4. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer
In the following area, please explain in a total of 100 words or less, your top two or three priorities if elected. If they require additional funding for implementation, please explain how you would obtain this funding.
- Additional funding for public education. (Funding to come from addressing charter school reform)
Enhanced environmental regulations to fulfill our constitutional obligation to provide clean air and water for all Pennsylvanians.
increase the state minimum wage.
Type: resolution Chamber: lower
Type: bill Chamber: lower
Type: bill Chamber: lower