The Gist
State Representative, 1st District
Photo of Patrick J. Harkins
Patrick J. HarkinsOfficial portrait — Pennsylvania House of Representatives

Patrick J. Harkins

Candidate for State Representative, 1st District

DemocraticIncumbent

Background

Occupation
State representative
Lives in
Erie

State representative for the 1st District, first elected in 2006, and chair of the House Gaming Oversight Committee. Previously a United Parcel Service driver for 23 years and a judge of elections in Erie.

Report

Photo: Official portrait — Pennsylvania House of Representatives

Documented positions

Taxes & budget

Public safety

  • Proposes banning the sale of firefighter protective gear containing added PFAS chemicals starting in 2028.In office

    Harkins cites occupational cancer as the leading cause of firefighter line-of-duty deaths.

    Co-sponsorship memo: Banning PFAs chemicals in firefighter personal protective equipment

    Government record · Pennsylvania House of Representatives · Jan 23, 2025 · palegis.us

    “prohibit the distribution, manufacture, production or sale of firefighting personal equipment that contains an intentionally added PFAS chemical beginning January 1, 2028”
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Economy & jobs

  • Sponsored a bill to extend federal OSHA workplace-safety protections to Pennsylvania public-sector workers.In office

    Harkins named the bill for Jake Schwab, an Erie transit mechanic fatally injured at work in 2014; he notes a prior version passed the House in 2023.

    Co-sponsorship memo: The Jake Schwab Worker Safety Bill

    Government record · Pennsylvania House of Representatives · Jan 16, 2025 · palegis.us

    “This legislation will extend OSHA protections to public sector workers in Pennsylvania.”
    Report

  • Proposes higher fines, stop-work orders and contractor liability for misclassifying construction workers.In office

    Co-sponsorship memo: Improving the Construction Workplace Misclassification Act

    Government record · Pennsylvania House of Representatives · Mar 3, 2025 · palegis.us

    “Increase fines for violations and add debarment as a penalty. … Require general contractors to be held accountable for subcontractors who misclassify workers.”
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  • Proposes letting victims of workplace bullying seek court-ordered relief, including lost wages and damages.In office

    Co-sponsorship memo: Healthy Workplace Legislation

    Government record · Pennsylvania House of Representatives · Feb 19, 2025 · palegis.us

    “this legislation will extend court-ordered relief for victims of workplace bullying not currently fitting in a protected class under the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act.”
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Environment & parks

  • Joined a proposal to ban pesticides that contain PFAS chemicals in Pennsylvania.In office

    Memo circulated by Rep. Tarik Khan with Harkins listed among the co-authors.

    Co-sponsorship memo: Banning Forever Chemicals in Pesticides

    Government record · Pennsylvania House of Representatives · Jan 14, 2026 · palegis.us

    “we are introducing legislation to ban pesticides that contain PFAS in Pennsylvania.”
    Report

Government & transparency

  • Proposes letting agencies deny unreasonably burdensome Right-to-Know requests and raising fees for for-profit requests.In office

    Harkins says news organizations and similar outlets would be excluded from the higher fees.

    Co-sponsorship memo: Burdensome Right-to-Know Requests

    Government record · Pennsylvania House of Representatives · Mar 3, 2025 · palegis.us

    “allowing agencies to deny an unreasonably burdensome request and to increase the fees associated with requests from for-profit entities”
    Report

  • Proposes keeping the identities of lottery winners of $1 million or more confidential.In office

    Co-sponsorship memo: Protecting the Identity of Lottery Winners

    Government record · Pennsylvania House of Representatives · Mar 3, 2025 · palegis.us

    “I am introducing legislation that would protect the identity of any individual that wins a lottery prize of $1 million or more.”
    Report

All sources (12)

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.