2024 Candidate Profile: Duane Milne For State Senator, 19th District

WEST CHESTER, PA — Election Day is just around the corner on Nov. 5, and Patch is covering races at the local, county, and state level across the region.

Candidate profiles include identical forms sent to each candidate a given race, and include background information and questions on major issues which have both local and global impact.

Name: Duane Milne

Age: 57

Office sought: State Senator, 19th district

Town of residence: Lifelong resident of Malvern

Education

• Great Valley School District, K-12 | Wall of Fame Inductee
• B.A. w/Honors | Major: Government | College of William and Mary
• PhD w/Distinction | Focus: Political Science | University of Delaware

Career

• Decorated Army Reserve Officer
• Award-winning Political Science Professor, West Chester University

Campaign website: DuaneMilne.org

Has development gotten out of control in the district, and how do you plan to handle the growing traffic problem in the region at large?

I support the sentiment of the overwhelming majority in Chester County: that our beautiful landscapes is one of the county’s precious characteristics. Our citizens and communities pride themselves to act as good stewards of the environment and the land, both as a matter of principle and for practical benefits.

Future land use decisions stand out, in many respects, as the pressing priority facing Chester County because so many other issues interrelate with development patterns. In turn, these trends affect the quality of life in our communities. Planning and land use decisions impact traffic volume and patterns, demands on police and fire services, school and classroom size, draws on water and sewer infrastructure, and pressures on roads and bridges.

From a business model perspective, the short-term cost of preserving some open space and natural areas can be a long run investment in future property. Studies consistently quantify that following the “smart development model” is less expensive for localities and for citizens’ taxes than uncontrolled growth and suburban sprawl. I want to utilize the state’s Municipalities Planning Code (MPC) to implement smart development initiatives across Chester County.

Another set of initiatives to alleviate land development pressure in Chester County is to support ways for employees of our county businesses to live elsewhere and still be able to work at our area’s employers, who need the talent. To this end, traffic control and transportation planning is a key policy to get right, such as traffic flow management, making mass transit more feasible to use, offering “last mile” commuting options, and devising innovative public-private partnerships.

Assisting efforts of local governments in Chester County to secure state assistance for land use and planning efforts is a leadership role I will play as Senator. I also will convene a “Planning Summit” on a regular basis for Chester County. I envision bringing together stakeholders from all levels of government and various professional groups to coordinate action on the land use issues affecting Chester County now and into the future. This is especially so with an eye to what reforms of state regulations and the MPC would help in this regard. Indeed, land use decisions and quality of life issues very much tie together.

The PA legislature has long been deeply divided. What would you do over the next several years to bridge the partisan divide and recurring stalemates?

I will continue to build upon my longstanding reputation and record as a centrist Republican. This record and reputation, which I embrace, has taken shape over the years as I have shown willingness to partner with members of the opposing party on legislative proposals which I believe are in the best interests of Chester County.

As evidence of the foregoing, I will cite my meaningful relationships with Democratic legislators and Democrat and Independent voters/constituents, my legislative voting record of being in the minority of Republicans at times to vote for/against certain bills, and the success of being re-elected for six terms while representing a purple state House district. The latter being possible in part because of constituents concluding that I am open-minded and thoughtful in my approach to public policy. I am willing to listen and take into account opposing points of view. That is part of the willingness to compromise that we need more of in the political system.

All of this entails having the fortitude not to vote simply how the party bosses desire and/or demand. As a result, I have an established profile in Chester County and in larger state circles of being independent- minded. I am motivated by a desire to get to practical solutions rather than rigid adherence to ideology solely for its own sake.

Does state government have too much power or not enough power in Pennsylvania?

My experience is that the power of Pennsylvania government is generally about the right balance
overall. Having served on the state’s Budget Committee, my driving interest is to elevate debates about state government’s power to make policies to being more than a simplistic, partisan divide that the choice for funding these policies is either to raise taxes or cut services. There is a third way: to leverage more operational efficiencies from limited tax dollars.

One way to accomplish this is by regular use of policy audits. This should be done to add to the value of traditional audits. In addition to ensuring that tax dollars are spent legally, expanded audit functions also can assess the quality of programs’ performance. That is, incorporate multi-variable measurements so as to better assess the qualitative outputs (i.e., the quality of the services these units are charged with providing). Doing so helps determine how well departments and agencies meet their responsibilities.

I believe as well in incorporating private sector principles into state government operations. Strategic directions include:

1) Setting up that certain public sector programs must compete for some budget funds against private and/or nonprofit sector organizations. The public sector is not always inherently inefficient. Rather, their monopoly status often is the root cause of inefficiencies. Pushing more competition for budget funds can lead to operational improvements.

2) Incorporating more rigorous performance and assessment standards (linked to corresponding
financial incentives and sanctions) into government contracts awarded to entities conducting state business. The question should not simply be, "Was the job completed"? Rather, more emphasis need be placed on considerations of "How well was the job completed and to what extent were pre-defined objectives met?

3) Forming public-private partnerships, because allowing an ironclad (and artificial) line to create barriers between the public and private sectors only serves to stifle collaboration. Collaboration, in turn, can lead to new and innovative approaches to policy.

4) Systematically measure citizen-customer satisfaction because, as a service-delivery organization, state government should undertake regular performance assessments with its citizens, businesses, and other entities that utilize state government for services. Some methodologies include surveys, interviews and focus groups.

Along the way, I will be guided by the key principle of fiscal responsibility: money that state government spends is not its own but rather is the hard-earned tax dollars of the good people of Chester County.

Do you find it worrisome that most voters only have a choice of two candidates in most races?

As a political science professor for nearly 30 years at West Chester University, I believe it essential for democracy that citizens believe fair and representative elections are being conducted. As an Army officer who served in the Middle East, I know many military members share an admirable belief that military service is in part about protecting democratic values.

Electoral districts are the very building blocks of democracy and sustaining democratic institutions. I believe citizens’ interest in the elections process would increase if more candidates were on the ballot for each office. Plus, I think it would boost confidence in the policy decisions that those elected eventually subsequently make once in office in government. This is so because more people will feel that a greater range of views were heard from (during elections) and were provided a chance to make their case to the public about their ideas.

In the alternative, perceptions of elections not being somehow more open only exacerbates the lack of confidence, disdain even, that many citizens express about politics and government. This is not conducive for a vibrant democracy nor a constructive environment in which to make laws and public policy. At that point, everything is viewed as somehow tainted.

To move toward a more enlightened end, reforms must be implemented in order that citizens feel
assured the process was carried out in a fair and open manner, characterized by full competition from any legitimate entity that wants to compete in elections. Reaching this standard is a critical first step in rejuvenating citizen confidence in elections which, in turn, strengthens the democratic model which rests upon this bedrock foundation of the political system.

Was there a defining moment or experience that drove you to first run for elected office?

I was inspired to take an interest in current events and contribute to the greater good through the
wonderful example of my parents. As I grew up, I observe their involvement in our local community, and I learned that good people have to run for office in order to contribute to the greater good. As difficult as politics can be at times, one has to keep an eye on the prize and know that good outcomes can, do and must come out of the process. As messy as politics gets at times, the only alternative to settle societal disagreements is violence. That of course is not the fate we want for American democracy.

Serving in office is part of the life journey I have been blessed to pursue. I have been privileged to
devote my life to serving others, including as a military officer, an educator, and a public servant.
Running for and serving in public office is a unique opportunity to contribute to the greater good. With 12 years of legislative experience, I am well-qualified to push for public policies that will sustain the high quality of life in our area that we are so fortunate to benefit from and enjoy.

Serving others and uplifting communities is a highly rewarding experience. I seek to continue my mission of governing as a political centrist for the greater good of Chester County.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job moving
forward?

My life and career path has prepared me to serve Chester County effectively as State Senator.
Part of my background includes a strong education foundation. I attended the Great Valley School
District from k-12. I then attend the College of William and Mary and graduated with Honors in
Government while serving as Class President. I subsequently earned my PhD in Political Science at the University of Delaware, specializing in American Government.

I offer a well-rounded set of professional experiences. I have proudly served our nation in the military. I have received decorations for my performance as an Army officer. Some of my assignments include being on the response force for the COVID-19 public health crisis, as well as being a veteran who served in the Middle East for nearly a year.

As an educator, I taught political science at West Chester University. Here, I specialized in state and local government as well as public administration. I was honored with awards for excellence during my time at the university. Along the way, I undertook projects as a business consultant. I focused particularly on improving the operational performance of organizations. I have been endorsed by the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry in this race because of my efforts to boost economic development and jobs creation.

I also will point out that I have much experience already as a state legislator, having been elected to six terms (for a total of 12 years) to serve Chester County in Harrisburg. I therefore know the issues with which the legislature is dealing. I am ready to hit the ground running as State Senator and to make an immediate positive impact for our county and its residents.

Of particular note, I was selected for and served on the Budget Committee. This committee has
significant responsibility in the public policy process as it is charged with putting together and
overseeing the spending of the state’s $48 billion general fund budget. The Budget Committee is
generally regarded as the most important committee in the state legislature, and so I was privileged to serve on it and be involved in deciding many important issues for the state.

On a personal level, I have contributed considerable time and effort over the years in volunteer service to community organizations in Chester County. These include church, scouting, youth sports, and Penn State activities. My wife Jean and I have been married for 25 years and proudly raised our now 19-year-old son in the same Malvern neighborhood where my parents raised me. Chester County is in my blood!