Meet Lisa Baker: A Leader We Rely On For Results

State Senator Lisa Baker is proud to serve our area. In her district and in Harrisburg, Lisa has earned respect for her responsible and reasonable approach to legislating and problem-solving. One of her defining qualities is accessibility. Her Senate district is one of the largest in size, and she travels across it constantly to meet with individuals and groups and to participate in community meetings and events. Lisa learns by listening to people and getting their perspectives on policies, problems, and projects, and this constructive interaction includes those who disagree with her views and votes.

When problems arise, Lisa is on the scene getting firsthand information about solutions and assistance needed from residents and local officials. An advocate for the institutions and infrastructure strong communities need, she has supported the funding necessary for crucial projects to proceed.

Lisa is an independent thinker, putting the public interest first when casting votes. She is able to find a reasonable balance on difficult issues, such as supporting the jobs and economic benefits of natural gas while insisting that environmental protection and community safety standards be strengthened.

As a lawmaker, Lisa consistently works around the partisan differences that so often deadlock legislation in Harrisburg. Her ability to work collaboratively with Republicans and Democrats contributes to the strong record of accomplishment she has assembled.

Lisa is a voice for reform. She has advanced popular reforms such a gift ban for state officials that are strongly resisted by political insiders. The best example of her determination came in response to the notorious Kids-for-Cash scandal in Luzerne County, where she pushed through four reform bills despite substantial opposition.  She was instrumental in ensuring victims and families have the opportunity to provide in-person testimony at parole hearings.

During her tenure in the state Senate, Lisa has been a champion for individuals with special needs.  She led the fight to enact ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) accounts to allow disabled individuals to save for their futures without impacting their benefits and established the ‘IWantToWork’ program to help those with special needs enter the job market.

Lisa currently chairs the Pennsylvania Senate Judiciary Committee where she has continued to focus on protecting the rights of victims of all ages and creating a strong network of support and assistance. As chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, she helped upgrade Pennsylvania’s child protection and abuse prevention services. As chair of the Senate Labor & Industry Committee, she worked to strengthen training programs and to help seasonal workers who were unfairly denied unemployment compensation. As chair of the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Response Committee, she helped establish the Veterans’ Service Officer program, making sure that veterans had access to promised benefits, and offered support and assistance to our volunteer firefighters and EMS. Lisa also led the effort to create the Veterans Trust Fund, which combines private and public contributions to provide emergency assistance to needy veterans and their families.

In line with the sporting heritage of the region, Lisa is a staunch defender of Second Amendment rights.

Because of her leadership abilities, Lisa was among a select group invited to the White House to discuss jobs and economic opportunity with federal officials.

Lisa is a graduate of Dallas High School and Shippensburg University, where she received a B.A. in Government Administration and was recognized as a distinguished alumna. She is an inductee of the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Hall of Fame and the proud recipient of the Force for Good Public Policy Award from Maternal and Family Health Services, the Commitment to Children Award from Children’s Service Center, the Guardian of Small Business Award from the National Federation of Independent Business, and the ATHENA Leadership Award. She resides in Lehman Township, Luzerne County, with Gary, her husband of 37 years. Their greatest enjoyment is spending time with their son, daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren.