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The Pocono Commuter rim marks the farthest reach of public transit between Northeastern Pennsylvania and New York City. The perception of this region as a vacation area is largely outdated. Although many homeowners are still part-time residents, Monroe and Pike Counties have become increasingly attractive as primary residences as home prices in the NYC metro area have risen and local services have improved.
Milford, the Pike County seat, is home to a vibrant artistic and literary community. In Monroe, cultural diversity has increased rapidly - a trend accelerated by the pandemic as remote or hybrid work arrangements have proliferated. Catholicism and evangelical Protestant faiths predominate, but other religions have a visible footprint.
Healthy lakes and rivers remain central to the region's tourism-related industries. Transportation is a key interest. Two bus companies currently largely control their respective commuter routes, and avoid competing directly with each other. Extension of NJ Transit train service into the region has been advocated periodically, but has never proven viable. Healthcare services in some portions of the area are strained by an aging population and shortages of key skills. Although property taxes are generally low, they are nonetheless a controversial topic, especially between retirees and families with school-age children.
Our immediate goal in redistricting is to reunite Pike and Monroe in a Senate district. As the counties have become more similar and interconnected economically, they have been separated politically. This separation is most visible in the State Senate. The two counties were joined, until 1966, when pieces of Monroe began to move into other districts. The separation became complete in 2012. Currently, Pike is represented by Lisa Baker, who resides in Dallas, west of Wilkes-Barre. Her home and main office are 65 miles from us, but just eight miles from the Plymouth residence of Wilkes-Barre Senator John Yudichak. Two other Senators are much closer to us.
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