About Lisa
Leader. Trailblazer. Effective Legislator.
State Senator Lisa M. Boscola has spent the majority of her professional career working to improve the lives of Lehigh Valley residents. Born in Bethlehem on April 6, 1962 to Richard and Anna Stofko – Senator Boscola has remained a proud steel worker’s daughter and life-long resident of the Lehigh Valley, a fact which has made her intimately familiar with the issues that face her district and the people she represents.
First elected to the Pennsylvania General Assembly in 1994, Senator Boscola served two terms in the state House and is serving her sixth term representing the 18th Senatorial District. Prior to her election to the General Assembly, Senator Boscola served as Deputy Court Administrator with the Northampton County Court. She received her Bachelors and Masters degrees from Villanova University cum laude.
Currently, Senator Boscola serves as the Chair of the Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee where she has tirelessly protected consumers from utility rate increases. From 2011 through 2020, Senator Boscola served as Chair of the Senate Democratic Policy Committee, where she lead the fight to bring policies into state government that would create family sustaining jobs, protect the rights of victims of crime, reform and reduce the size of state government and promote school to work opportunities.
Along with Consumer Protection, Senator Boscola is also a member of the Banking & Insurance, Game and Fisheries, Environmental Resources and Energy, and Community, Economic & Recreational Development Committees. Senator Boscola is also involved in a number of legislative caucus’ including serving as co-chair of the Economy, Business & Jobs Caucus and the Community College Caucus. She is also a member of the Local & School Property Tax Relief Caucus, Legislative Sportsmen Caucus, Fire & Emergency Services Caucus, Early Childhood Education Caucus, LGBTQ Caucus among others. Senator Boscola is also a member of the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority Board. One of her most recent accomplishment was being named the 2021 ‘Legislator of the Year’ by the Lehigh Valley Labor Council. Senator Boscola has also recently been awarded the ‘2022 State Award for Excellence’ by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, the ‘Victory Through Service Award’ from ASPIRE, and was named ‘Champion of the Industry’ by the Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association.
Senator Boscola resides in Bethlehem Township with her husband, Ed Boscola and their furry felines.
Q&A with Senator Boscola
What would people be surprised to learn about you?
Personally, I am very active. I like to participate in a wide range of activities like bowling, pickleball, tennis, swimming, strength training, golf and taking long walks.
I am also a diehard fan of the Eagles and Villanova.
Professionally, I am the only lawmaker in the history of Pennsylvania to force a Governor into a special session of the legislature. (The session was on property tax reform.)
What do you consider your most significant professional accomplishment to be?
I was the prime sponsor Act 77 of 2019 – the voting modernization bill that brought us among other things “no excuse” mail-in ballots. I also fought for Christine’s law requiring motorists to remove snow and ice from vehicle roofs after a local women died in a tragic accident, and have been the prime sponsor of several multi-state medical licensure compact laws.
What is the key to your success? Is there a specific trait, philosophy or ethic that inspires you?
In my position, I have found a key to my success is being direct and honest with people. My word is my bond. In setting policy, I have realized that being adaptable to changing circumstances is essential to getting things done in Harrisburg. Being collaborative and open-minded has certainly helped me get legislation passed and return state funding here.
Please share how you give back to the community.
One of the clearest ways to give back is fighting hard to bring back our fair share of dollars for community and economic development projects. Economic investment from state dollars matters. Without state grants and tax credits Eli Lilly would never have decided to build a $3.5 billion manufacturing facility to the Lehigh Valley.
Tell us about your commitment to inspiring change in your organization or the community.
Today, our world is fast-paced and ever-changing. The political environment is contentious and toxic at times. I try to lead by example by having a reputation of keeping an open mind, being independent, listening to community leaders and subject matter experts before I vote on bills. This has enabled me to build trust with the constituents I represent.
How have your achievements made a positive difference in your profession, your community, your society at large?
During my time in the Senate, Bethlehem Steel closed. I fought hard to bring job-creating redevelopment to that location which ushered in SteelStacks, the Levitt Pavilion, and the Casino. I am a tireless advocate to make sure our school districts get their fair share of funding which has totaled an additional $23 million in recurrent revenue over the last 4 years. I teamed up with Republican and Democratic colleagues and the PA Chamber to form the Competitiveness Caucus, working to enact polices to make Pennsylvania more competitive. On the health care front I sought to make it easier for our licensed professionals to work through implementing multistate licensures compacts for nurses, physicians, and physical therapists.
Who has made a significant impact on your career?
My Mom, Anna Stofko, who passed away in June 2024, had the most significant impact on me pursuing a career in public service. If it wasn’t for her I wouldn’t be a state senator. She was always active and volunteering — in politics and in civic life. She never stopped. She was my role model. And, my husband, Ed Boscola, who supported me unequivocally after I told him I was quitting my job as a Deputy Court Administrator to run for State office.