Senator Lisa Baker is serving her fifth term representing the 20th Senatorial District, which includes substantial parts of Luzerne and Wayne counties, and all of Pike, Susquehanna, and Wyoming counties.
She is noted for her accessibility in the district, for her practical and reasonable approach to problem-solving and her bipartisan work on constructive legislation. Numerous community organizations and projects have benefitted from her concerted advocacy, including business development and job creation efforts, library expansions, senior housing initiatives, and recreation programs. Working with county and municipal officials, she has helped to secure essential funding for sewer and water system upgrades, transportation priorities and intergovernmental cooperation efforts.
Senator Baker is part of the Republican leadership team, serving as Majority Caucus Administrator. This session is her third chairing the Senate Judiciary Committee, an important and consequential committee with broad jurisdiction and a high number of bills referred to it. She also serves as the vice chair of the Banking and Insurance Committee and as a member of the Communications & Technology and Labor & Industry committees. These assignments give her the chance to work in-depth on many of the concerns expressed by individuals and groups in the district, to push forward on reform and cost-efficiency measures and to shape programs opening the door for opportunities that residents are seeking.
Focused on protecting vulnerable populations, she has worked to strengthen Pennsylvania’s guardianship and trust laws, and to obtain funding for indigent defense. She has fought against human trafficking and sexual exploitation through increased penalties and improved child protections.
Senator Baker’s commitment to criminal justice reform produced widespread changes to the system that are intended to implement greater fairness in the process, eliminate excessive incarceration, give individuals a more reliable second chance to get their lives right, and offer taxpayers a break from ever-rising state correctional costs.
In addition to leading the push for changes to the laws and procedures governing the juvenile justice system, she has also directed efforts to protect the rights of crime victims and create a strong network of support and assistance for victims of all ages. Her advocacy resulted in the opportunity to offer in-person testimony before the Board of Probation and Parole when an offender is eligible for release from prison.
Her dedication to Pennsylvania’s veterans is evidenced by her work to secure funding for veterans’ outreach and support programs and her leadership in establishing the Pennsylvania Veterans Trust Fund to help needy veterans and their families. She has supported numerous bills to assist our deployed servicemen and women and veteran-owned business and was successful in securing approval of a “Veteran” designation on driver’s licenses.
Senator Baker has been a champion for individuals with special needs. She fought to enact ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) accounts to allow disabled individuals to save for their futures without impacting their benefits.
In collaboration with community groups and local officials, she was successful in establishing the Vosburg Neck State Park. Her legislative action was instrumental in the acquisition of the Howland Preserve and its expansion into our state park system ensuring this significant property will be protected and preserved for public recreation and enjoyment.
An inductee of the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Hall of Fame, Senator Baker’s other honors and awards include the Commitment to Children Award from the Children’s Service Center, the Government Leader of the Year Award from the Pennsylvania Defense Institute, the Legislative Leadership Award from the Rehabilitation and Community Providers Association, the Good Public Policy Award from the Nurse-Family Partnership, the Legislator of the Year Award from the ARC of Pennsylvania and the American Heart Association, the Distinguished Citizens Award and the Silver Distinguished Citizens Medal from the Marine Corps League of Pennsylvania, the Athena Award from the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business and Industry, the Jesse S. Heiges Distinguished Alumnus Award from Shippensburg University, the Guardian of Small Business Award from the National Federation of Independent Business, the Patrick Henry Award from the National Guard Association of the United States, the James Baird Legislative Award from the Firemen’s Legislative Federation and the Outstanding Service Award from the Pennsylvania War Veterans Council.
She is a graduate of Dallas High School and Shippensburg University, where she received a B.A. in Government Administration. She resides in Lehman Township, Luzerne County, with Gary, her husband of 39 years. Their greatest enjoyment is spending time with their son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren.