John Lawrence was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 2010 to serve the people of the 13th Legislative District. A lifelong resident of southern Chester County, John is committed to bringing a common sense, reform-minded approach towards governing.

About John

Prior to his election to the state House, John worked in the private sector as an account officer for J.P. Morgan Chase. He is a graduate of Penn State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business, and the Syracuse University College of Law.

John is active in a number of local organizations. A member and Sunday school teacher at Sycamore Hill Church in Hockessin, Delaware, he resides in West Grove with his wife, Rebecca, and their two daughters.

John Lawrence is a lifelong resident of southern Chester County. He earned a bachelor's degree in business from Penn State University and graduated from the Syracuse University College of Law. He is a member and Sunday school teacher at Sycamore Hill Church in Hockessin, Delaware, and lives in West Grove with his wife, Rebecca, and their two daughters.

John previously worked in the private sector as an account officer for J.P. Morgan Chase.

About John

John Lawrence was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 2010 to serve the people of the 13th Legislative District. A lifelong resident of southern Chester County, John is committed to bringing a common sense, reform-minded approach towards governing.

John was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 13th Legislative District in 2010.

2026 Pennsylvania General Election 

Addressing the House chamber, Lawrence stated, “I want to be clear – this mass transit tax diversion scheme is a standing appropriation, which means it will not be subject to the annual budget process. It is bad governance to spend a third of a billion taxpayer dollars a year on a standing basis outside the normal budget process with no oversight from this chamber. It is a surrender of the constitutional authority of this chamber, a surrender we have regrettably seen in the past and should not repeat this evening.”

Lawrence Calls Out Partisan Vote Approving 'Punitive and Aggressive' Tax Proposal

With regard to legislation, I drafted and introduced House Bill 2597 in 2020 to require a ratepayer referendum for the sale of any publicly managed utility, including CWA. In writing this legislation, I wanted to ensure those most directly impacted had a voice in any proposed sale of a public utility. House Bill 2597 would require a publicly managed utility contemplating selling to a for-profit corporation to mail a ballot to each ratepayer of the utility asking “Do you approve the sale of (selling utility name) to (acquiring entity) for the sum of (the proposed sale price)?”

Chester Water Authority

He has been outspoken in the need for government reform, authoring legislation to consolidate redundant government services, eliminate government waste, and require legislators to submit for drug testing. Leading by example, John declines a state pension, per diems, and other “perks” awarded to legislators.

A strong voice for fiscal responsibility, John chaired the Speaker’s Debt Commission to review outstanding Commonwealth debt with an eye towards reforming Pennsylvania’s bond issuance procedures and reducing overall state liabilities. John’s work on this commission resulted in the unanimous passage of Act 43 of 2019 to reform how Pennsylvania issues debt, paying down principal faster and saving taxpayer dollars by significantly reducing the amount spent on interest. John also drafted legislation increasing oversight of “lease-backed” debt, a practice by which over $700 million in state-backed debt has been issued without approval of the General Assembly.

HARRISBURG, June 9 – Legislation that would significantly expand access to low-interest financing for Pennsylvania farmers to grow and modernize their operations advanced unanimously from the state House Commerce Committee on Monday, announced the bill’s prime sponsors. State Reps. Paul Friel and John Lawrence said that their H.B. 2207 would help augment critical agricultural operations and keep Pennsylvania competitive in an increasingly challenging economic environment.

Friel, Lawrence Bill Modernizing Lending for PA Farmers Moves from Committee

Pennsylvania farmers face rising costs for land, equipment, buildings and other investments necessary to sustain and expand their operations. While the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority's Small Business First Fund provides valuable financing opportunities, agricultural businesses are limited to loans of $400,000, far below the $2 million cap available to non-agricultural enterprises. Through local Certified Economic Development Organizations, farmers can already access PIDA loans and lines of credit designed to support business development and expansion. However, the statutory cap often falls short of meeting the financial needs of modern agricultural operations. By increasing the loan limit, the legislation would provide farmers with greater flexibility to purchase land, upgrade equipment, construct new facilities and make other long-term investments that improve productivity and sustainability.

Lawrence’s amendment to House Bill 500 would make Pennsylvania more competitive by providing tax incentives to locate new or expand existing dairy processing plants to provide increased processing capacity for Pennsylvania milk. The amendment also addressed two key environmental concerns by providing tax incentives for the construction of methane digesters to reduce nutrient runoff into the Chesapeake Bay along with implementation of new technologies to reduce methane and hydrogen sulfide emissions from agricultural operations.

Lawrence, Stender: It's Time to Prioritize, Incentivize Dairy Processing in PA

“What is in front of us tonight? A bill with an onerous new corporate tax plan on businesses in this state. New tax credits for Hollywood movie producers,” said Lawrence. “What is not in this bill? There’s nothing about tax reform for middle class homeowners being taxed out of their homes by school property taxes they can’t afford to pay. Nothing about the gasoline tax. But there are tax breaks for marijuana growers.”

House Bill 1936, introduced by Representative Krueger and me, would prohibit the sale of a municipally owned water or wastewater system that is not in financial or operational distress. If enacted, it would prevent the sale of Chester Water Authority.

Opposes a standing mass-transit appropriation outside the annual budget process, citing a lack of legislative oversight.

Proposes ratepayer referendums before sales of publicly managed utilities to for-profit corporations.

Authored legislation to consolidate redundant government services, eliminate government waste, and require drug testing for legislators.

Chaired a debt commission whose work led to Act 43 of 2019, which changes state debt issuance to pay principal faster and reduce interest costs.

Drafted legislation to increase oversight of lease-backed state debt issued without General Assembly approval.

Sponsored House Bill (HB) 2207 to expand low-interest financing for farmers to grow and modernize agricultural operations.

Proposed tax incentives to locate or expand dairy-processing plants in Pennsylvania.

Opposes the corporate tax plan he called "onerous" and criticized its tax credits for film producers and marijuana growers.

Co-introduced House Bill (HB) 1936 to prohibit sales of municipally owned water or wastewater systems that are not in financial or operational distress.

- Opposes a standing mass-transit appropriation outside the annual budget process, citing a lack of legislative oversight.
- Proposes ratepayer referendums before sales of publicly managed utilities to for-profit corporations.
- Authored legislation to consolidate redundant government services, eliminate government waste, and require drug testing for legislators.
- Chaired a debt commission whose work led to Act 43 of 2019, which changes state debt issuance to pay principal faster and reduce interest costs.
- Drafted legislation to increase oversight of lease-backed state debt issued without General Assembly approval.
- Sponsored House Bill (HB) 2207 to expand low-interest financing for farmers to grow and modernize agricultural operations.
- Proposed tax incentives to locate or expand dairy-processing plants in Pennsylvania.
- Opposes the corporate tax plan he called "onerous" and criticized its tax credits for film producers and marijuana growers.
- Co-introduced House Bill (HB) 1936 to prohibit sales of municipally owned water or wastewater systems that are not in financial or operational distress.

Economy

“For the past several years, my No.1 priority has been bringing emergency room and hospital care back to Jennersville,” said Lawrence. “Working together with local, county, state and federal officials, and the leadership team at ChristianaCare, today we celebrate an incredible milestone for southern Chester County with the opening of a brand-new hospital with a brand-new emergency room to serve our community.

New Hospital to Fill Void for Emergency Care, Save Lives in Southern Chester County

Prioritizes restoring emergency room and hospital care in Jennersville.

- Prioritizes restoring emergency room and hospital care in Jennersville.

Healthcare

John believes parents should be in charge of their children’s education, not the government. He authored and moved bipartisan legislation giving parents the ability to opt-out of the Keystone Exams for their children and has consistently supported expanded efforts on school choice and the Education Improvement Tax Credit program. John is a consistent voice in the Capitol on the need to properly fund the state teacher’s pension system, PSERS, which is presently underfunded due to poor decisions made by the General Assembly in the early 2000’s.

A former trustee of Lincoln University, John is a strong supporter of K-12 education and Pennsylvania’s institutions of higher learning. He has consistently voted to increase state financial support for Avon Grove, Oxford, and Octorara school districts.

Owlett and Lawrence have sponsored legislation at the state level for the last three sessions to allow Pennsylvania schools to offer Pennsylvania-produced milk, but both agreed the federal law is ideal and will offer the benefit of whole milk to all students. The bipartisan Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act specifically would allow schools to serve whole, 2%, 1% or skim milk, flavored or plain, as part of reimbursable meals. It also exempts milkfat from saturated-fat limits and bars sourcing from Chinese state-owned enterprises. The bill does not require schools to switch, but it gives them the option.

Got Milk? Congress Approves Bill to Put Whole Milk Back in Schools, Say Owlett, Lawrence

Authored legislation allowing parents to opt their children out of Keystone Exams.

Supports expanding school choice and the Education Improvement Tax Credit program.

Says he has consistently voted to increase state financial support for Avon Grove, Oxford, and Octorara school districts.

Sponsored state legislation allowing schools to offer Pennsylvania-produced milk.

- Authored legislation allowing parents to opt their children out of Keystone Exams.
- Supports expanding school choice and the Education Improvement Tax Credit program.
- Says he has consistently voted to increase state financial support for Avon Grove, Oxford, and Octorara school districts.
- Sponsored state legislation allowing schools to offer Pennsylvania-produced milk.

Education

“This hearing highlighted concerns that must be addressed. I strongly urge DCNR to live up to the commitments made over the past decade and manage Big Elk Creek as a preserve.”

Lawrence, Policy Committee Host Hearing on Big Elk Creek State Park

Proposed tax incentives for methane digesters and agricultural technologies intended to reduce nutrient runoff, methane, and hydrogen sulfide emissions.

Calls for the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to manage Big Elk Creek as a preserve.

- Proposed tax incentives for methane digesters and agricultural technologies intended to reduce nutrient runoff, methane, and hydrogen sulfide emissions.
- Calls for the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to manage Big Elk Creek as a preserve.

Energy & the Environment

Stressing the importance of preventing repeated escapes from county jails, Rep. John Lawrence (R-Chester) said his legislation will require the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections to conduct an investigation into any prison escape at a county prison, with recommendations to prevent future incidents. “Any jailbreak from a county prison demands a thorough review from experts at the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections and the State Police,” said Lawrence. “Repeated escapes from the same county-run facility cannot be tolerated, and failures in county prison administration must be addressed to prevent future catastrophes.”

PA House Members Plan Legislative Package to Enhance County Jail Safety, Infrastructure

Proposes requiring Department of Corrections investigations of county-prison escapes and recommendations to prevent future incidents.

- Proposes requiring Department of Corrections investigations of county-prison escapes and recommendations to prevent future incidents.

Public Safety

“Governor Shapiro lacks the authority to unilaterally take this action, plain and simple. Changes to election law, or indeed any law, are the purview and constitutional responsibility of the General Assembly, not the executive branch. This action echoes the type of ‘governing’ we saw during the Wolf administration, where then-Gov. Tom Wolf bypassed the Legislature only to be rebuked both by the courts and the voters of Pennsylvania who approved a constitutional amendment curtailing the governor’s authority.

Lawrence Urges Shapiro to Rescind Recent Executive Action

“The governor has not detailed how those who are ineligible to vote will be prevented from accessing the voter rolls through his executive action. Voting is a sacred right and must be protected at all costs. The governor should rescind his order and instead work with the General Assembly on meaningful reform of Pennsylvania’s Election Code.”

Calls for the governor to rescind an election-related executive action and pursue Election Code reforms through the General Assembly.

- Calls for the governor to rescind an election-related executive action and pursue Election Code reforms through the General Assembly.

Voting & Elections

John Lawrence

- Authored legislation to consolidate redundant government services, eliminate government waste, and require drug testing for legislators.
- Chaired a debt commission whose work led to Act 43 of 2019, which changes state debt issuance to pay principal faster and reduce interest costs.
- Drafted legislation to increase oversight of lease-backed state debt issued without General Assembly approval.
- Sponsored House Bill (HB) 2207 to expand low-interest financing for farmers to grow and modernize agricultural operations.
- Proposed tax incentives to locate or expand dairy-processing plants in Pennsylvania.
- Opposes the corporate tax plan he called "onerous" and criticized its tax credits for film producers and marijuana growers.
- Co-introduced House Bill (HB) 1936 to prohibit sales of municipally owned water or wastewater systems that are not in financial or operational distress.

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Edward Krutsch

Buket Urgen

Madelyn Alvarino

- Your state representative represents the interests of your local district in the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives. The State House of Representatives, along with the State Senate, makes up your state lawmaking body: the Pennsylvania General Assembly.
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