The Gist
State Representative, 49th District
Photo of Izzy Smith-Wade-El
Izzy Smith-Wade-ElOfficial portrait — Pennsylvania House of Representatives

Izzy Smith-Wade-El

Candidate for State Representative, 49th District

DemocraticIncumbent

Background

Occupation
State representative
Lives in
Lancaster
Campaign website
izzyforlancaster.com

State representative for the 49th District since 2022 (listed on the House roster as Ismail Smith-Wade-El). He previously served on Lancaster City Council from 2017, including as council president.

Report

Photo: Official portrait — Pennsylvania House of Representatives

Documented positions

Taxes & budget

  • Attributes late state budgets to State Senate obstruction and calls for good-faith negotiations.

    Pennsylvania State Representative District 49 - VOTE411 Voter Guide

    Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters Education Fund (VOTE411) · State budget process · onyourballot.vote411.org

    “obstructionism from the State Senate and an unwillingness to engage in good faith negotiations throughout that process”
    Report

  • Proposes letting municipalities levy a payroll tax and set their own earned income and local services taxes.In office

    Co-Sponsorship Memo: Empowering Local Communities; Optional Local Tax Reform for Municipalities

    Government record · Pennsylvania House of Representatives · Dec 3, 2024 · palegis.us

    “my legislation would give other municipalities the option to levy a payroll tax, along with an earned income tax and local services tax, through ordinances”
    Report

Housing

  • Prioritizes adding housing across the state, tenants' rights and decriminalizing homelessness.

    Pennsylvania State Representative District 49 - VOTE411 Voter Guide

    Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters Education Fund (VOTE411) · Most pressing issues · onyourballot.vote411.org

    “My priorities have been to increase the amount of housing available to people across the commonwealth, advocating for tenants rights, and working to decriminalize homelessness”
    Report

  • Proposes banning pet fees and pet rent, allowing only a capped pet deposit (1% of monthly rent, up to $500).In office

    Co-Sponsorship Memo: Reining in Pet Rent and Fees

    Government record · Pennsylvania House of Representatives · Apr 27, 2026 · palegis.us

    “I will soon introduce legislation to prohibit landlords from charging tenants an upfront or ongoing pet fee or rent”
    Report

Environment & parks

  • Opposes new data centers; says developers, not residential customers, should pay for new grid costs.

    Pennsylvania State Representative District 49 - VOTE411 Voter Guide

    Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters Education Fund (VOTE411) · Data centers … Data centers · onyourballot.vote411.org

    “I am opposed to the new data centers. … be borne by the developer or operator not by residential consumers”
    Report

Health & human services

  • Proposes letting homeless people carry out life-sustaining activity in public when no housing is available.In office

    Co-Sponsorship Memo: Ending the Criminalization of Homelessness

    Government record · Pennsylvania House of Representatives · Oct 2, 2025 · Shelter First for Pennsylvanians Experiencing Homelessness Act (HB 2028) · palegis.us

    “permit individuals experiencing homelessness to conduct life-sustaining activity in public spaces when no reasonable, alternative options for housing are offered or available”
    Report

Government & transparency

  • Supports making it easier to vote, including by mail.

    Pennsylvania State Representative District 49 - VOTE411 Voter Guide

    Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters Education Fund (VOTE411) · Elections · onyourballot.vote411.org

    “This includes making it easier to vote by mail as much as it means ensuring that we advocate for the integrity of our elections”
    Report

Other issues in this race

Other candidates in this race addressed these topics. We found no documented position from Izzy Smith-Wade-El on them.

  • EducationNo documented position found.
  • Economy & jobsNo documented position found.

All sources (11)

Positions are summarized from the sources listed and are not inferred from party affiliation. Items marked “Provided by” were published by the candidate's verified campaign or party office under our campaign content standards. See something wrong? Use the Report link beside it, or contact us.