Candidates running in the Nov. 3 general election are providing background about themselves and their positions on the issues to voters in these profiles, which will run in Patch when they are received.
BUCKS COUNTY, PA — Republican Greg Bankos Jr. is running for state senate in Pennsylvania's 10th senatorial district. He is challenging incumbent Democrat Steve Santarsiero, who is seeking re-election.
Name: Gregory J. Bankos Jr.
Town of Residence: Plumstead Township, where I have been a neighbor since 2001.
Position Sought: Pennsylvania State Senate, 10th District
Party Affiliation: Republican
Family: My wife, Jennifer, and our son, Patrick.
Education: Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems, Penn State University, 1992.
Occupation: Business intelligence and data analytics professional with more than 30 years of experience; Plumstead Township Supervisor.
1. Why are you running for state office?
I am a husband, father, cancer survivor, youth coach and township supervisor. I am running because Harrisburg needs to focus on the everyday concerns of the people paying the bills. Seniors worry about losing their lifelong homes to rising school property taxes. Young adults, including my son's generation, wonder whether they will ever be able to afford to live in Bucks County. Families are working hard and still struggling to keep up.
My professional background is in analyzing information, identifying problems, and finding practical solutions. As a township supervisor, I see how government decisions affect our neighbors. Through decades of coaching and volunteering, I have also learned the importance of listening, working together, and following through. I will bring those experiences to Harrisburg and focus on making Pennsylvania more affordable, demanding accountability for taxpayer dollars, and representing our communities. My commitment is simple: solutions for common interests, not special interests.
2. Where do you stand on energy production in the state?
Pennsylvania should lead in producing reliable, affordable energy. I support a diverse supply that includes natural gas, nuclear power, and renewable sources, with responsible safeguards for our communities, air, and water. We need predictable permitting, investment in generation, and sufficient transmission infrastructure to deliver that power. Decisions about retiring power plants should account for whether dependable replacement generation is available.
We also need accountability across PJM, the regional electric grid we share with other states. When states take power plants offline without replacing their production, they place additional pressure on the shared system. Pennsylvania residents should not be expected to shoulder the costs of other states' decisions. I will push PJM, federal regulators and neighboring states for commitments to increase dependable generation and share responsibility for regional reliability.
Large new electricity users, including data centers, must also contribute to expanding supply. I support requiring major data center projects to secure additional generation, with a goal of adding twice the electricity they consume.
3. What can be done to curb the increased cost of utilities?
We must increase the supply of dependable electricity, control unnecessary costs and ensure that large users pay for the demands they place on the system. That means encouraging new generation, preserving reliable existing resources and addressing delays in permitting and connecting new power sources to the grid. Energy policies should be judged by their effects on affordability, reliability and environmental protection. Data centers and other major users should pay for the infrastructure built to serve them. Families and small businesses should not be left subsidizing those projects through their monthly utility bills.
I also support rigorous scrutiny of utility rate requests. Customers deserve clear explanations of proposed increases, careful review of utility spending and accountability for service quality. Any claimed savings or public benefits used to justify an investment should be measured and reported. My priority is to make decisions that help residents afford their bills while maintaining dependable service.
4. Where do you stand on taxes and the state budget?
Government must respect the people who fund it. Before asking taxpayers for more money, Harrisburg should examine how it spends the money it already receives.
When Steve Santarsiero entered Harrisburg in 2009, Pennsylvania's General Fund budget was approximately $28.3 billion. Today, it is $50.85 billion — an increase of about 80 percent, compared with roughly 60 percent inflation since January 2009. Had spending simply increased at the rate of inflation, today's budget would be approximately $45.2 billion — $5.7 billion less than we are spending. Pennsylvania is also spending billions more than it collects in annual revenue. Lawmakers have "balanced" the books through temporary measures, including shifting funds and pushing Medicaid payments into future fiscal years. Delaying a bill does not eliminate the expense. It leaves future budgets responsible for today's spending.
I believe recurring expenses need recurring revenue. The state budget should be balanced, transparent and completed on time, with honest accounting that shows the full cost of our commitments. Every program and grant should have a documented public purpose, justified costs and measurable results.
My top tax priority is eliminating school property taxes for seniors through a sustainable funding plan that protects classroom funding and avoids simply shifting the burden onto other homeowners. People who have spent their lives building our communities should be able to afford to remain in their homes.
One funding option I support is regulating and taxing skill games, with revenue dedicated to senior property tax relief. Any final plan must have credible revenue estimates and clear eligibility rules.
I support strong schools, public safety and responsible infrastructure investment. Delivering those priorities requires disciplined budgeting and accountability for every taxpayer dollar.
The 10th senatorial district includes: Bristol Borough, Bristol Township, Buckingham Township, Chalfont Borough, Doylestown Borough, Doylestown Township, Falls Township, Lower Makefield, Morrisville Borough, New Britain Borough, New Britain Township, New Hope Borough, Newtown Borough, Newtown Township, Plumstead Township, Solebury Township, Tullytown Borough, Upper Makefield and Yardley Borough.
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