Legislators must curb the rate of spending. Pennsylvania's economic future depends on the Legislature learning how to do more with less money and to curtail wasteful spending. It is a fact that states cannot tax, borrow, and spend themselves to prosperity.
I support measures that would limit the growth of state spending to the rate of inflation or less.
I also support efforts to reduce the state's Personal Income Tax (PIT) to below 3%, which is where it was when Gov. Rendell first took office.
In effect your government must make every effort to keep taxes low and direct efficient spending to assist our residents.
STREAMLINE GOVERNMENT
Accelerate efforts to simplify the cumbersome Government Procurement Process. We must make it easier for our local small businesses to have the opportunity to participate in the competitive bidding process. This will facilitate local business owners' ability to bid on state government contracts. Expanding the bidder pool should result in significant savings for the state, which ultimately saves the taxpayers money.
We should seriously think about privatizing Pennsylvania's State Store system. Selling alcohol is not a core process of state government. Funds from such a sale could be used to offset the state's burgeoning debt load, help fund programs for our seniors or help modernize our roads and bridges.
Facilitate accessibility to the government and all services available to Pennsylvanians. A concerted effort must be made to educate the public about their government and the programs available to them.
CREATE NEW JOBS
Accelerate the business tax cuts already agreed to in order to retain and attract/recruit more employers into our region.
More can and should be done to help women business owners grow and expand their businesses.
Stimulate revitalization efforts in blighted areas in the District thereby creating local jobs for the trades and encouraging new businesses to locate in these areas.
STRICTER ENFORCEMENT OF CASINO GAMING LAWS
Our casino industry is in its infancy but already the current oversight system is losing its credibility. It's time to give the Attorney General a larger role in investigating and enforcing the state's gaming laws.
PRESERVE OPEN SPACE
Advocate Growing Greener Funds for the area. Encourage matching grants for Land Conservancy. Re-create Opens Space by cleaning up brownfields and encouraging smart development.
Pennsylvania government must actively assist Land Conservancy's with their mission to educate the public about the tax advantages of Conservation Easements.
As we have done in Radnor, promote "Rails to Trails" projects to encourage walkability and connectivity to Open Space areas within communities.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Pennsylvanians need safe schools, roads, bridges, public places and sophisticated alert systems for any emergency or natural disaster. Funding must be available to help volunteer fire and ambulance services throughout the state in their efforts to have state-of-the-art training and equipment.
Police Departments bear an increased burden of protecting small communities from increased crime, gun violence, domestic violence and drug trafficking and distribution. We need to combat rising crime rates through tougher penalties and better enforcement of existing laws. DNA samples should be required for all felons and also to protect innocent individuals from being wrongly convicted of a crime
ENERGY
The "Energy for PA" plan proposes to establish new, environmentally sound sources of energy and encourage conservation. In aiming to make Pennsylvania more competitive for employers we can create family-sustaining jobs in the energy sector and lower energy costs to consumers.
HEALTHCARE
The Legislature needs to work on expanding health care choices, increased access, improved quality of services, and lower costs. It must also continue efforts to halt 'Lawsuit Abuse'.
Patients and doctors should make health care decisions, not the government or insurance companies. Pennsylvania residents deserve a wide choice of options.
Health care should be affordable to every Pennsylvanian. We can drive down health care costs by offering a variety of tax credits, instead of tax increases. Introducing expanded competition into the marketplace can help keep costs steady offer better quality care.
Accessible healthcare should feature provider loan forgiveness programs to encourage health care providers to work in under-served areas of our District. Physician retention is critical to the well being of the District.
SENIOR LIFESTYLE IN PENNSYLVANIA
Pennsylvania has one of the highest percentages of senior citizens in the Nation. The Legislature must consider improved accessibility to services that support those who choose to live at home and maintain their independence in addition to those in Assisted Living Facilities.
Affordable senior transportation, prescription drugs, and property tax relief are all issues of importance that I support.
Seniors are one of our greatest natural resources. Their knowledge, experience and wisdom should be shared with the youth of this state. Social interaction between each group would be mutually beneficial in terms of exposure and stimulation towards life experiences. I advocate expansion of these types of mentoring programs.
EDUCATION
Security in our schools and institutions is of utmost importance. I advocate additional state support toward this issue specifically in terms of improved security, training, preparedness, and citizen notification systems.
Taxpayers pay for their children's education and strikes disrupt this process (and interfere with their parent's job duties). The Legislature needs to address this issue to minimize disruption, while recognizing worker rights.
Un-funded mandates imposed by the government strain local school systems and need to be taken into account when the Legislature appropriates education subsidies.
OPEN GOVERNMENT
As elected officials, we serve at the will of the people as stewards of their communities. Pennsylvania deserves open, honest and transparent government. Inclusionary, participatory government builds consensus and promotes sound decisions.
