Personality Profile: Dan Frankel

By Daniel Casciato, Shady Ave Contributor

Since his election to the 23 rd Legislative District in Allegheny County in 1998, Pennsylvania State Representative Dan Frankel has been a leader on public policy issues not only affecting Pittsburgh , but the entire state as well.

As a strong proponent of gun safety, the Squirrel Hill resident chairs the House Common Sense Firearms Safety Caucus. As an advocate for mental health parity, he is working to ensure that insurance companies offer equal coverage for mental health. More recently, he is working on legislation that would help ease the city out of its budget crisis.

Additionally, he remains active locally by serving with the Jewish Family and Children's Service and the Jewish Healthcare Foundation, as a board member of Forward Housing Corp., Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, and board member and treasurer of the Urban Redevelopment Authority.  He recently took some time from his busy schedule to talk about politics, his life, the city and the East End. 

When did you decide to go into politics?

I've been interested in politics since I was a teenager and always had a fantasy of running for office someday. But after working on several gubernatorial and presidential campaigns when I was younger, I felt that it was not a great way to make a living. Instead, I joined the family insurance business, The Frankel Company and its successor company, Hilb, Rogal & Hobbs. I still wanted to stay politically active, so I became involved with the Jewish Family and Children's Service and the community relations committee of the United Jewish Federation where I eventually become president and chairman of both boards. I also served as chair of the Pennsylvania Jewish Coalition. In that capacity, I spent a great deal of time in Harrisburg doing advocacy for human service agencies.

In 1989, I helped Tom Murphy in his first unsuccessful bid for mayor and then co-chaired his successful effort in 1993. As mayor, he appointed me to the board of the Urban Redevelopment Authority.

After Ivan Itkin, who had this legislative seat for 26 years sought the Democratic nomination for governor a few years ago, then co-county commissioner Mike Dawida and Mayor Murphy persuaded me to run for his seat. It's where I've been ever since.

What do you think are the solutions to the city's fiscal problems?

Right now, my single priority is to help the city in its budget crisis. I am the author of the current legislation that is looking to Harrisburg to be part of the solution. We are hoping to set up an oversight board for the city to review its finances on an ongoing basis and hold it accountable by having final say over its budget. We also hope to create new revenues for the city through an increase in the occupational privilege tax and a new payroll tax on those organizations that are currently exempt from state law of paying a business privilege tax. That's my priority at the moment and hopefully it will be resolved soon.

What would you like to accomplish during your tenure as a State Representative?

I have two other bills that I am working on. One is a piece of legislation that establishes a state historic tax credit that allows any city across the state to leverage tax credits to renovate historic buildings. Pittsburgh has an incredible inventory of wonderful old buildings, some in transitional-type neighborhoods that we have developers interested in, but who cannot make the financing work. This legislation would bridge that gap and make deals more attractive to investors.

I am also working on a bill, along with Republican state senator Tom Stevenson from Mt. Lebanon , which would facilitate the ability of Allegheny County municipalities to merge with each other or the county. I have always been in favor of a metropolitan government which I feel is a key to a successful future for Allegheny County . Our county has 130 municipalities which puts us at a serious competitive disadvantage to any other county in the country that doesn't have that overlay of bureaucracy and expense. This bill would facilitate the ability of municipalities to merge. It would also allow citizens within those municipalities to force the issue by putting it up for referendum on the ballot. This is necessary because there will be enormous resistance from local municipal officials.

What are your future political aspirations?

I enjoy politics and it's more interesting today because we have a Democratic governor. Up until now, it was often an exercise of frustration being in the minority in the Legislature and having a Republican governor. There have been few opportunities to have the priorities of mine and my Democratic colleagues come to fruition. That dynamic has changed with a Democratic governor. So, I think I'll stick around for awhile. Of course, I would look to potential opportunities to improve the quality of life in Pittsburgh and the region. I'm sure that other opportunities will present itself, whether they may be in local politics or running for leadership in Harrisburg .

How do you respond to people who express cynicism about politics?

Politicians are unfairly stereotyped. Many who are elected do it for the right reason and bring enormous assets to their jobs. By and large, I think many politicians are committed to do the right thing. They are there to accomplish something for their community and improve the lives of their constituents.

What's the best advice you can give to someone who is interested in politics?

Become immersed in a community and learn about the neighborhood and its organizations. Learn about what people want and get involved with some of those organizations. This will give you a perspective on what it will take to become successful and give you an agenda if you are elected. I also found that another great entryway into politics is to work on campaigns. Understanding the mechanics of running for office is beneficial. There are many people who run for office, but unfortunately do not understand what is involved.

What is your favorite Web site and why?

PoliticsPA.com. It gives you a daily update of political gossip from around the state. It keeps an archive of good political articles from state-wide newspapers and contains other great information. It's a wonderful site for a political junkie.

If you had a day to call your own, what would you do with it?

My favorite thing in the world is to spend time in Cape Cod with my wife, Debra, have three children: Aaron, Erica, and Mark.

What are some of your favorite East End hangouts?

Girasole is a great restaurant. My family and I go there quite a bit. Also, one of the most amazing places is Little's Shoes. Not only is it a great place to shop for shoes, but it's also probably one of the best places in the city to “politick” because you see so many people there.

What do you like most about living in Squirrel Hill?

There's just a great sense of community about it. People look out for one another and they care about the success of its business district. They also care enormously about the future of the city as a whole.

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