DIALOGUE AND DISCOURSE Democracy Challenge Promotes Compromise and Fosters Public Policy BY MICHAEL VYSKOCIL YRK CREATIVE PHOTOGRAPHY BY LOVING MEMORIES PHOTOGRAPHY & DESIGN
One issue, two viewpoints, one solution. Through dialogue and discourse, the 2019 Democracy Challenge brought together two former Pennsylvania governors—Edward G. Rendell and Mark S. Schweiker—to take on the challenge of crafting a compromise that provides a pathway to legal employment for Pennsylvania’s undocumented immigrants. Over the course of the inaugural 60-minute Democracy Challenge, hosted by the York County Economic Alliance (YCEA), citizens from across YoCo and beyond gathered on Wednesday, September 18, at York College’s Waldner Center for the Performing Arts. They witnessed each leader take a position on the topic, establish a policy, debate the merits of the policy, and work with one another to reach a compromise. At the end of the evening, the former governors found that compromise, agreeing that immigration reform is needed and that states like Pennsylvania should seek a resolution calling the U.S. Congress to act on matters of immigration. 08 YoCo CONNECT | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019 | YCEAPA.ORG
