Kim Ward, Biography

Kim previously worked as a medical therapist.

Kim Ward is currently a state senator in District 39. She was first elected in 2008 and is serving her 4th term. 

Plans to speed up permit review for new businesses in order to promote job growth.

- Supports lowering taxes for businesses.
- Plans to speed up permit review for new businesses in order to promote job growth.

Economy

As of September 30, 2024, Kim Ward did not have a website or any information online.

Education

As state senator, supported a law that aims to reduce testing costs for people considered at high risk of health conditions such as breast cancer.

- As state senator, supported a law that aims to reduce testing costs for people considered at high risk of health conditions such as breast cancer.

Healthcare

Voting & Elections

Supports stronger laws to punish and reduce child trafficking.

- Supports stronger laws to punish and reduce child trafficking.

Public Safety

Energy & the Environment

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Kim Ward

Supports speeding up permit reviews to attract and retain jobs in Pennsylvania.

As a state senator, supported an initiative to speed up permit reviews to attract and retain jobs in Pennsylvania.

Plans to focus on promoting initiatives and policies to foster job growth.

Supports reducing the Corporate Net Income Tax (CNIT) rate to make the state more business-friendly.

Supports policies aimed at boosting job growth in Pennsylvania.

Supports easing restrictions on where to purchase alcoholic beverages, allowing restaurants, hotels, convenience stores, and grocery stores to sell drinks with spirits like vodka, gin, and tequila under new legislation.

Supports using casino tax revenues for property tax relief in rural communities affected by state land ownership.

Encourages constituents to share their opinions on pending legislation through calls, letters, or office visits.

Supports empowering students and families to choose the learning environment that best suits their needs.

Supports the legislation requiring high school students to complete a half-credit personal finance course to graduate.

Supports youth sports and believes in strong coaching leadership, as demonstrated by the 2017 PIAA State Class 4A Girls’ Soccer championship team led by head coach Lauren Karcher and assistant coaches Leslie Kaminski and Samantha Fairbanks.

Supports high school students learning about credit, loans, investments, and planning for college and retirement.

Supports legislation aiding military families with school transitions.

Supports the Pennsylvania Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) program, which allows individuals with disabilities to save money without affecting their eligibility for certain public benefits.

Supports animal protection legislation that increases penalties for animal abuse.

Believes in ensuring continued access to quality eye care for patients.

Encourages women to schedule mammograms for early cancer detection.

Believes that a missed mammogram can lead to a delayed breast cancer diagnosis, and encourages using available tools to stay on track with healthcare.

Believes in fostering healthy and safe communities through Senate Republican priorities.

Believes in improving communication between insurance providers and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) by requiring providers to notify PennDOT when car insurance is initiated, not just when it is cancelled.

Believes in notifying registered vehicle owners of insurance coverage lapses and consequences for failing to provide new car insurance.

Believes in the importance of ongoing dialogue between the Senate, House, and Governor to address voting rights and election issues.

The candidate's website says, "Accounts aren’t subject to the state inheritance tax."

Supports Senate Bill 43 (Act 11 of 2019) which honors a Westmoreland County Hero.

Believes in the integrity of the election process, having been re-elected in 2012, 2016, and 2020.

Supports the Capitol's historical preservation and public engagement through guided tours, an Interactive Welcome Center, and a Capitol Gift Shop.

The candidate's website says, "She presides over the Senate floor when the Lieutenant Governor is unavailable and fills the position of Lieutenant Governor if the office becomes vacant. The office also refers bills and resolutions to the appropriate Senate committees for consideration."

Supports expanding internet access by distributing $20 million in laptops to eligible public institutions like libraries and not-for-profit organizations.

As a state senator, voted to expand Megan’s Law to hold human traffickers accountable.

Supports allocating funds to emergency medical services.

Believes in strong legislative oversight for public safety, emphasizing the role of the President Pro Tempore in appointing committee members to ensure effective governance and accountability.

As a state representative, established more varied crime victim representation to the Victims’ Services Advisory Committee within the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency by expanding the committee’s membership.

Is the first woman in the history of the Pennsylvania Legislature to serve as Senate Pro Tempore and Senate Majority Leader in either the Pennsylvania House or Senate.

Supports efforts to enhance border security.

Supports introducing Chief Thomas Bell of the Greensburg Volunteer Fire Department to the Senate.

Believes in educating children about vehicle safety.

Believes that "anything that could affect farms has the potential to hurt us all."

Supports environmental conservation and sustainable energy practices.

Supports winter maintenance jobs through PennDOT.

Supports state park pool safety with on-duty lifeguards during open hours.

As of October 3, 2024, Kim Ward’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Kim Ward is the Senate President Pro Tempore of the Pennsylvania Senate. She previously served as Senate Majority Leader and was a Westmoreland County Commissioner and chairwoman of the Hempfield Township Board of Supervisors. Before entering government, Ward worked as a board-certified respiratory therapist at Allegheny General Hospital, Vanderbilt University Hospital, and Hershey Medical Center.

Kim Ward currently serves as the Senate Pro Tempore. She is the first woman in Pennsylvania Legislature history to serve as President Pro Tempore and Majority Leader.

- Your state senator represents the interests of your district in the Pennsylvania State Senate. The State Senate, along with the State House of Representatives, makes up your state lawmaking body: the Pennsylvania General Assembly. 
- Your state senator can author, sponsor, and vote on bills that may become state laws after going through the legislative process.
- The State Senator and their staff members respond to constituent concerns and questions through emails, phone calls, and website announcements. 
- The State Senator oversees the executive branch and can vote to overrule a veto by the Governor.   
- There are 50 Pennsylvania state senators, each representing a single district.
- Senators must be at least 25 years old, U.S. citizens, and residents of Pennsylvania for four years. They must also have lived in their district for one year before the election and must remain there throughout their term.
- State senators are elected to four-year terms and have a salary of $106,000, with a 1-3% annual increase.  