The Gist
State Senator, 42nd District
Photo of Wayne D. Fontana
Wayne D. FontanaOfficial portrait — Pennsylvania State Senate

Wayne D. Fontana

Candidate for State Senator, 42nd District

DemocraticIncumbent

Background

Occupation
State senator; realtor and real estate broker
Lives in
Pittsburgh (Brookline)
Campaign website
votefontana.com

State senator for the 42nd District since June 2005; minority chair of the Senate Law & Justice Committee and chairman of the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) board. A realtor and real estate broker, he previously served on Allegheny County Council.

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Photo: Official portrait — Pennsylvania State Senate

Documented positions

Taxes & budget

  • Backs senior property tax freezes and SB 567, requiring every county to reassess property on a five-year cycle.

    Issues - Wayne Fontana

    Campaign website · Committee to Elect Wayne Fontana · Community Revitalization & Housing: Property Tax Relief · votefontana.com

    “I have introduced legislation for senior property tax freezes and uniform property assessments to ensure fairness for homeowners.”
    Senator Fontana Statement on Allegheny County Reassessment Order

    Public statement · Office of Sen. Wayne D. Fontana · Aug 17, 2026 · senatorfontana.com

    “Fontana introduced Senate Bill 567 that would require all Commonwealth counties to conduct property reassessments on a uniform five-year cycle.”
    Report

Public safety

  • Introduced "Extreme Risk Protection Order" (red flag) gun legislation; member of the SAFE gun reform caucus.

    Issues - Wayne Fontana

    Campaign website · Committee to Elect Wayne Fontana · Public Safety & Consumer Protection: Gun Reform · votefontana.com

    “I have introduced “Extreme Risk Protection Order” (Red Flag) legislation.”
    Report

  • Co-sponsored SB 1071 requiring law enforcement agents, including ICE, to wear visible ID and banning masks.In office

    Protecting Pennsylvanians from ICE

    Public statement · Office of Sen. Wayne D. Fontana · What I'm Doing … What I'm Doing: Senate Bill 1071 · senatorfontana.com

    “I do support and have co-sponsored state legislation that aims to address the negative impacts of ICE on our communities … prohibiting them from wearing masks, facial coverings, or other garments that obscure their identity”
    Report

Education

  • Authored legislation requiring carbon monoxide detectors and lead testing in schools.

    Issues - Wayne Fontana

    Campaign website · Committee to Elect Wayne Fontana · Education & Student Welfare: School Safety · votefontana.com

    “I have authored legislation requiring carbon monoxide detectors and lead testing in schools.”
    Report

Housing

  • Cites securing funding and tax credits for affordable rental housing and neighborhood stabilization.

    He also supports the Neighborhood Assistance Program, which gives businesses tax credits to invest in distressed communities.

    Issues - Wayne Fontana

    Campaign website · Committee to Elect Wayne Fontana · Community Revitalization & Housing: Affordable Housing · votefontana.com

    “I have secured millions in funding and tax credits for affordable rental housing projects and neighborhood stabilization.”
    Report

Economy & jobs

  • Supports Main Street programs and tax credits, such as an Angel Investment Tax Credit, for new businesses.

    Issues - Wayne Fontana

    Campaign website · Committee to Elect Wayne Fontana · Economic Development & Workforce: Small Business · votefontana.com

    “introduced tax credit programs (like the Angel Investment Tax Credit) to encourage investment in new businesses and startups.”
    Report

  • Supports raising Pennsylvania's $7.25 minimum wage and urges a Senate vote on the House-passed increase.In office

    HB 2189 would raise the wage to $11 in 2027, $13 in 2028 and $15 in 2029, then index it to inflation.

    Sen. Fontana Statement on Minimum Wage Bill Passing the PA House

    Public statement · Office of Sen. Wayne D. Fontana · Mar 25, 2026 · senatorfontana.com

    “Pennsylvania has had the lowest minimum wage in the nation for far too long. … allowing a vote to raise the minimum wage as soon as possible”
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Roads & infrastructure

  • Authored laws letting municipal authorities help homeowners replace private lead water and sewer lines.

    Issues - Wayne Fontana

    Campaign website · Committee to Elect Wayne Fontana · Infrastructure & Clean Water: Lead Exposure · votefontana.com

    “I have authored laws allowing municipal authorities to assist homeowners in replacing private lead water and sewer lines.”
    Report

  • Supports more state funding for transit agencies such as Pittsburgh Regional Transit.In office

    Sen. Fontana Statement on Proposed Budget

    Public statement · Office of Sen. Wayne D. Fontana · Feb 3, 2026 · senatorfontana.com

    “I support the governor’s proposal to provide transit agencies like PRT with additional funding”
    Report

Health & human services

  • Sponsored SB 265 to ban credit card use for online gambling, citing gambling addiction and debt.In office

    His SB 266 would bar the gaming industry from marketing directly to people on self-exclusion lists.

    Sen. Fontana Statement on FanDuel No Longer Accepting Credit Cards

    Public statement · Office of Sen. Wayne D. Fontana · Feb 12, 2026 · senatorfontana.com

    “the commonwealth must act to protect consumers by banning credit cards for online gambling. … Senate Bill 265 would prohibit the use of credit cards for sports betting and fantasy sports, online casino games, and iLottery”
    Report

All sources (10)

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.