Jaret Gibbons vs. Bob Morabito | Jason Petrella vs. Elder Vogel, Jr. | Melissa Hart vs. Jason Altmire
Jaret Gibbons vs. Bob Morabito
State Representative
Name: Jaret Gibbons
 Date of Birth: October 7, 1980
Residence: 930 Bridge St., Ellwood City PA, 16117
Birthplace: Ellwood City, PA
Family: Jennifer Gibbons, wife, 25
Carol Gibbons, mother, 64
Bryan Gibbons, brother, 39
Ashley Gibbons, sister, 21
Education: Lincoln High School, Ellwood City, 1999
BA, Political Science, Duquesne University, 2003
JD, University of Pittsburgh School of Law, 2006
Present Employment: Representative in Pennsylvania General Assembly
Past Employment: Finnegan Fellow - Pennsylvania Department of State
Finance Project Manager - Township of Moon
Law Clerk - Barilla Shaw Law Offices
Law Clerk - Bentz Law Firm
Law Clerk - Rothman Gordon Law Firm
Other Public Offices: None
List all relatives who hold public offices or public employment:
Carol Gibbons - Member, Ellwood City Board of Education
Name: Bob Morabito
 Birthdate: June 30, 1953
Residence: 808 Adams Ave., Ellwood City, PA
Family: Wife – Cindy (Palatka) – 55
Two grown daughters and 2 grandchildren.
Education: BA in Psychology – Lafayette College
MA in International Relations – Salve Regina University
MA in National Security and Strategic Studies – U.S. Naval War College
Present Employment: 2001 to Present - Penn Hills School District. Senior Naval Science Instructor – Director of NJROTC
Past Employment:
1975 to1981 - Youth Counselor/Program Supervisor, Pennsylvania State Department of Public Welfare, New Castle Youth Development Center.
1981 to 2001 – Officer in the United States Navy
Other Public Offices you have sought: None
List all relatives who hold public office or public employment: None
Why are you seeking this office, or if you are incumbent, why are you seeking reelection?
Gibbons:
I have always been drawn to serving others, and I see this position as a way for me to provide public service to the community that has always supported me and provided me with the opportunities to succeed. Serving my hometown community these past two years as your State Representative has been a great honor and very rewarding. I have strived to serve the people with integrity and restore confidence in our state government. We have accomplished a great deal, both at home and in Harrisburg, but there is still more that I can do to improve both our state and our local community.
In my first two years, were able to pass a sweeping new Open Records Law to make government more transparent, a $650 million alternative energy package aimed at making Pennsylvania a national leader in the new “green” collar jobs industry, and major increases in state education and infrastructure funding, all while not raising a single state tax. But it is not just the legislation we pass that makes the job rewarding; it is the local people on whose lives I can make a positive impact each and every day. I am proud to say that as of this summer, my office had provided more constituent services than any other Democratic State Representative in Pennsylvania.
I look forward to continuing that commitment to constituent service, in addition to accomplishing my legislative goals of continuing to clean up Harrisburg and make government operate more efficiently, providing affordable quality healthcare for all Pennsylvanians, eliminating the school property tax, and helping to rebuild our local economy.
Morabito:
Western Pennsylvania is a great place to live but it has been in an economic slump since the loss of industry in the ‘70s and ‘80s. This can be attributed to a lack of sound state government policies that would have brought our economy through this difficult period by making Pennsylvania a great place to do business. I am seeking office because I am fed up with the corruption in our state government that hamstrings real progress. When legislative accomplishments center around government reform and not on the kind of policymaking that we need for economic recovery, it’s time for a change. We need real leadership and a strong voice representing the needs of our area in Harrisburg.
What experience or qualifications do you have?
Gibbons:
I bring the experience of someone who has lived in this community all of his life. My family has resided in the Ellwood City area for more than 100 years. My mother and grandparents, brother and sister, and scores of family and friends continue to live and work here. Through their combined experiences, I understand the needs facing everyone in this community. From the retirees like my grandparents who struggle to balance the rising costs of utility bills and property taxes with the need for food and prescription drugs, to the children like my new baby nephew who should have the best education possible from pre-K thru college, I am deeply invested in this community.
Through my own life experience, I will continue to bring a fresh perspective and new ideas to state government. As a newlywed, my wife and I are the type of young couple we need to attract to this area in order to grow our community. We are currently facing many of the same problems and questions other working families face. As we look to purchase our first home, struggle to balance school loans and mortgage payments with saving for our future and planning for a family, I understand both the hopes and fears other young people face. As a leader for this next generation, I will work to grow this community while never forgetting to continue to care for those who were here before us.
Perhaps the greatest experience I bring to the office of State Representative is that of someone who has held this office, and done my best to serve you well, for the past two years. In that time, I have learned the problems we face as a community, and begun to work on the solutions to fixing those problems. As an attorney, I bring an added understanding of the law and how government functions. My past and present experiences working in law and government have given me the knowledge and understanding to continue to serve you admirably as your State Representative.
Morabito:
I have a proven record of innovative leadership over the last 33 years of professional performance. I have been a decision maker for most of my professional life and I am experienced in management, negotiating and leadership. These skills are the result of an amalgamation of years of real-life work experience from being a laborer in a steel mill to running an extremely successful JROTC program for high school students. These gained skills are critical qualities needed to be an effective legislator and a strong voice for the needs of Western Pennsylvania.
What do you see as a major issue in this election on a national level and what is your position regarding this issue?
Gibbons:
Healthcare is and has been one of the most important issues facing Americans for the past generation. I recently saw a clip of a presidential political commercial from 1988 that lists the economy, oil independence, and healthcare as the most important issues facing the nation. Has anything changed in the past 20 years?
I am a strong believer that healthcare is not a privilege or a responsibility, but a right, something inalienable and not subject to negotiation. All Americans deserve access to quality affordable healthcare. But more importantly, we as a nation need to move away from the reactive healthcare of clinics and emergency rooms and start focusing on preventative healthcare. All the statistics show if we move our emphasis to preventative healthcare, we will save hundreds of millions of dollars.
Until our nation understands this need, we as state must work to ensure quality affordable healthcare is accessible to all Pennsylvanians. That is why I voted for the Pennsylvania Access to Basic Care program, which would have provided insurance to 250,000 Pennsylvanians, many of whom are working and simply can’t afford health insurance in the private market. Through bulk purchasing and state subsidies of private insurance plans, such as we currently do with the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), we could ensure that no person would ever have to suffer another day without healthcare.
Morabito:
Certainly the economy is the pressing issue on the national level. Raising taxes at this time would be a disastrous policy. We must allow Americans, especially the middle class, to retain income if we expect to overcome our current economic malaise. Hand-in-hand with this is a sound energy policy, on both a state and national level that will wean us off of our dependence on foreign oil. Pennsylvania is poised to be a leader in energy production by virtue of our superior coal deposits and clean coal technology, significant natural gas reserves, natural wind and hydropower production capabilities, and historic leadership in the nuclear industry. With sound public and private cooperation, we can take advantage of our natural position to create jobs while solving the energy shortages looming in the future.
What do you see as the major issue in this election on the local level and what you your position on this issue?
Gibbons:
Economic development has been an important local priority for many years. Since the 1980’s our local economy has struggled. As your State Representative, I have taken an active role in working with our local business community to improve our economy. My office has participated in Main Street and Elm Street revitalization programs in Ellwood City, Wampum, and Slippery Rock because I realize that small businesses on Main Street Pennsylvania make up the backbone of our local economy.
I have actively worked with local startups and manufacturers, such as local metal fabrication and LED lighting companies, to grow their businesses and worked to attract new businesses, such as an educational non-profit company, to our area. In the past two years, we have had the House Majority Appropriations Chairman and members of the Governor’s Action Team for economic development here in the district on numerous occasions, which has yielded significant investment in our local community including $575,000 in state grants for the new Ellwood City Library.
In Harrisburg, I have worked to reduce the tax burden on businesses. I have voted for two consecutive budgets that continue the phase-out of the Corporate Stock and Franchise Tax (CSFT). Additionally, I voted for reductions in the Corporate Net Income Tax (CNI), expansion of the Net Operating Loss Carry-forward, and move to a Single Sales Factor for application of the CNI tax. However, I also understand that we need to pay for any reductions. I propose that we do so by eliminating corporate tax loopholes. Currently, more than 70% of our corporations pay zero dollars in CNI taxes. By eliminating these costly loopholes and making every company pay its fair share, we could make a better business climate for everyone in Western Pennsylvania.
Morabito:
Job creation and economic development is the major issue facing our area right now and it must be the legislative priority. I believe we should approach this by developing a responsible tax structure that will allow businesses to create jobs. I favor a return to the pre-Governor Rendell Personal Income Tax of 2.8 percent and elimination of the inheritance tax to help small businesses survive. We must end corporate double taxation by eliminating the Capital, Stock and Franchise Tax. I support a reduction in the Corporate Net Income tax as a part of a larger stimulus package to make Pennsylvania more enticing to business.
What is your top priority if (re)elected and how would you implement it?
Gibbons:
My top priority if reelected is continuing to build upon the reforms I successfully supported in 2007. Many of the problems that Harrisburg now faces were created by members who were there too long and lost touch with their constituents. The problems they created cannot be solved overnight. With my large freshman legislative class of 2007 and the new members coming in to join us next year, our new generation of legislators will have a strong voice in demanding reforms.
I have stood up and called for new leadership in the House Democratic Caucus, but we need new leadership now in the on both sides of the aisle. People forget that it was under Republican Majority Leadership that the 2005 midnight pay raise was passed. Since I took office, our Democratic Majority was successful in passing new rules to prevent late night legislation, stopping each night at 11 p.m. We eliminated “ghost voting” and “gut and replace” amendments, requiring all bills be publicly aired overnight before final passage. Additionally, we created a new ethics training requirement for all legislators and staff.
The work however is not done. We need to make the House Democratic Caucus’s moratorium on bonuses a permanent ban on bonuses applying to all state employees. We need real campaign finance reform. We need legislative term limits. We need a system to recall elected officials who are not performing up to their job. And most of all, we need legislators committed to reform, and I am proud to count myself among them.
Morabito:
It is necessary to take a comprehensive look at legislative priorities because they are interdependent and intertwined. For example, economic development in our area will depend not only on a sound taxation policy but also on infrastructure improvement and maintenance. By looking at the big picture, we can structure a legislative plan that will help return us to the level of prosperity we once enjoyed. With this overarching goal in mind, my top five legislative priorities are:
1. Economic Development/Job Growth
2. Education improvement through more equally distributed state funding and increased funding to more historic levels.
3. Healthcare that is affordable and accessible.
4. Infrastructure Improvement.
5. Transportation funding and operating efficiency improvements.
What one question would you like someone to ask you regarding your quest to be elected and how would you answer it?
Gibbons:
How would you respond to the criticisms of your record made by your opponent?
My opponent has made numerous claims though-out this campaign that range from inaccurate to blatantly false, and I appreciate the opportunity to set the record straight. First, he has claims that I have ties to the “Bonusgate” scandal and those implicated therein. The fact is that I never served a single day in the legislature with Mike Veon and that all bonuses and supposed political work they were paid for occurred prior to my first election.
Second, he tries to link me with debased Democratic Leader Bill DeWeese. The fact is, I have publicly stood up to my leadership and called for the DeWeese’s resignation, yet he has not asked the same from Republican Leaders John Perzel and Sam Smith who actually controlled the House during the controversial 2005 midnight pay raise and are also under investigation regarding past political activities.
Third, he attacks my staff for ties to the “Bonus Scandal.” No one who works in my office has ever been charged or accused of any crime related to the Attorney General’s investigation while working for me. In fact, the person who he specifically cites, Chet Orelli, is no longer employed with my office or the state of Pennsylvania. My office has worked to set a standard for excellence in ethics, putting in place a tracking system to make sure we account for all leave.
Finally, he claims that my office has hidden expense records and that we have spent more than $200,000 on office supplies. My office has complied with every records request made, and the fact is that my office has been under our $20,000 budget for supplies each of the past two years. Anyone who comes to my personal office will see that every piece of furniture in there, from the old metal teacher’s desk to my aunt’s dining room table that functions as a conference table, was donated. In fact, almost all of the furniture in my office was either donated or purchased second-hand in order to keep costs down. The money that we do spend is predominantly spent on constituent services, such as the $100,000 that supposedly was for self-promotion, but was actually significantly less and in fact went to help children and senior citizens to learn about important state programs.
Morabito:
What do I believe is the most pressing need in our state government?
We need to elect experienced leaders with integrity. We must have principles not politics. Our representatives must recognize that they are given special trust and confidence by those who elect them that they will spend the public’s money wisely and only in ways that are beneficial to the people. There is no place for self-aggrandizement or self-promotion on the public dole. True leaders understand that they are in service to those they lead. It is time to hold legislators to a higher standard and insist that they be true leaders.
(back to top)
Jason Petrella vs. Elder Vogel, Jr.
State Senate
Name: Jason Petrella
 Birthdate: September 11, 1975
Residence: Monaca
Birthplace: Monaca
Family (with names and ages):
Father, Don
Mother, Paula
Large extended family
Education:
Monaca High School
Saint Francis University, BS in Economics
University of Pittsburgh, Master’s in Public Policy & Management
University of Pittsburgh, PhD in Public Policy (ongoing)
Present employment:
Student, University of Pittsburgh, Graduate School of Public & International Affairs
Past employment:
Financial services industry, 8 years
Other public offices you have sought (successfully or unsuccessfully):
Democratic primary, State Senate- 47th District, 2008
List all relatives who hold public offices or public employment: None
Name: Elder Vogel, Jr.
 Birthdate: July 9, 1956
Residence: 489 Glen Eden Road Rochester, PA
Birthplace: Rochester
Education: Freedom High School
Present employment: Dairy Farmer
Past employment:
Other public offices you have sought (successfully or unsuccessfully): New Sewickley Township Supervisor
List all relatives who hold public offices or public employment:
Why are you seeking this office, or if you are incumbent, why are you seeking reelection?
Petrella:
I grew up in our area and have spent my entire life here. I want to help my neighbors who are struggling with the global economic downturn. And I want to change the way business is done in Harrisburg. That means stamping out corruption and changing the culture in the state legislature.
Vogel: N/A
What experience or qualifications do you have?
Petrella:
I worked for eight years in the financial services industry, helping small businesses obtain loans and lines of credit. In our difficult economic times, my financial background should prove helpful to my constituents. My educational background also will help me in the Senate, as I already am familiar with a number of important public policy issues.
Vogel:
As a farmer and small businessperson, I face the same problems with high taxes and government regulations as do other folks. My government experience is 11 years as New Sewickley Township Supervisor, where we have cut property taxes twice and held taxes to less then one-half of the rates of inflation.
What do you see as a major issue in this election on a national level and what is your position regarding this issue?
Petrella:
The answer is the same on both the national and local levels: the global economic downturn. The federal government’s policies of the last eight years have not worked for middle-class Pennsylvanians.
In terms of how I would turn our economy around, we need to invest in alternative energy technologies, including clean coal, which will create jobs and reduce energy costs. We need to revitalize our urban areas by utilizing grants from the Department of Community and Economic Development. And we should explore ways to lower property taxes, especially on our seniors and those living on a fixed income.
Vogel:
While I am running for a state position, state Senator, the number 1 issue nationally and locally is jobs, we need good, family-sustaining jobs. The state should lower taxes on small business and individuals in order to create more jobs.
What do you see as the major issue in this election on the local level and what you your position on this issue?
Petrella: N/A
Vogel:
Stopping the political machine and the corruption, which has beset our area and takes our hard-earned tax dollars to enrich the political insiders. I am not a politician, I will go to Harrisburg and clean up that mess.
What is your top priority if (re)elected and how would you implement it?
Petrella: N/A
Vogel:
Cut property taxes. Use the $211 million legislative surplus to provide property tax rebates for seniors. Control spending and end corrupt practices and use the savings to increase school funding from the state to allow for reduced property taxes.
What one question would you like someone to ask you regarding your quest to be elected and how would you answer it?
Petrella:
How did I nearly defeat State Rep. Sean Ramaley in the primary despite great financial and institutional odds?
A lot of hard work, fantastic volunteers, and a belief in doing the right thing by the residents of the 47th District. They deserve a State Senator who fights for them and against corruption. They deserve a State Senator who is accountable to them, not to Harrisburg lobbyists and political insiders. They deserve a State Senator who wishes to serve the people, not use the office as a political springboard. I will be that Senator.
Vogel:
Why would a farmer want to go to Harrisburg?
The answer is we need someone who is not a politician, doesn’t want to be a career politician and doesn’t have any ties to political insiders. I will clean up that mess in Harrisburg.
(back to top)
Melissa Hart vs. Jason Altmire
Congress
Name: Melissa Hart
 Birthdate: 4/4/62
Residence: Bradford Woods, PA
Birthplace: Pittsburgh, PA
Family (with names and ages)
Single; Mother, Albina Hart, Brothers Terry and Don and his wife Dawn. 3 nieces, Madeline, Gabrielle and Isabelle, 1 nephew, Theodore all in McCandless.
Education: 1984, Washington & Jefferson College, BA; 1987, University of Pittsburgh, J.D.
Present employment:
Attorney at Keevican Weiss Bauerle & Hirsch, LLC
Senior Consultant with Renaissance Partners, LLC.
Past employment:
· Attorney 1997-2001 Doepken Keevican & Weiss LLC
· Attorney 1988-1997 Hergenroeder and Heights
Other public offices you have sought (successfully or unsuccessfully):
Public Service:
PA State Senate 1991-2001
U.S House of Representatives 2001-2007
List all relatives who hold public offices or public employment:
none
Name: Jason Altmire
 Birthdate: 03/07/68
Residence: Wexford, PA
Birthplace: Kittanning, PA
Family (with names and ages): Wife Kelly, two daughters
Education/ Degrees: George Washington University, M.H.S.A. (Masters in Health Services Administration), 1998; Florida State University, B.S. (Political Science), 1990
Present employment: U.S. Congressman
Past employment:
Acting Vice President for Government Relations and Community Health Services at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Legislative Assistant for U.S. Congressman Pete Peterson, a decorated military veteran and prisoner-of-war in Vietnam who was a leader on VA issues in Congress.
Other public offices you have sought (successfully or unsuccessfully): N/A
List all relatives who hold public offices or public employment: N/A
Why are you seeking this office, or if you are incumbent, why are you seeking reelection?
Hart:
I’m running for congress because I know how our government can work to move this country in the right direction. Over the past two years, critical issues facing our country have been ignored or simply used as political wedges by the congress. Our economy and financial system have become unstable. Many families cannot afford health insurance. Gasoline costs have skyrocketed and thrown household budgets into debt. Americans’ trust in the congress is at an all-time low. Even worse, for each bill introduced to reduce government spending, there were 22 introduced to raise it. Spending is out of control and far too much taxpayer money is being wasted. Much of that is in the form of earmarks -- tax dollars spent on political pet projects for the congressman’s self-interests or to curry favor with campaign contributors. For example, the congress voted to give a $2 million earmark for a personal library and office to a New York Congressman who is under investigation for tax evasion. This must stop. I have pledged to support a moratorium on earmarks because I firmly believe we must end wasteful spending and provide more openness and transparency in the process. We need members of congress willing to solve problems not just fix the symptoms. What we have seen recently out of this Congress is demagoguery of issues and band-aids instead of cures. We can not continue down this path. We can not afford to continue to bail out big corporations on the backs of hard working Americans. The last thing we need is 2 more years like the past 2. That is what my opponent offers. More tax increases, more spending and continued unwillingness to tackle the tough issues that might be politically difficult.
Altmire:
For the past two years, I have had the honor of representing Pennsylvania’s Fourth Congressional District in Congress. I am running for re-election because I want to keep fighting for policies that will help western Pennsylvania families and businesses succeed. In particular, there are three key issues that I want to address to build a better future for our country: strengthening our economy, ending our dependence on foreign oil, and making health care more accessible and more affordable.
First, I will work to reform our financial system so taxpayers never again have to pay for Wall Street’s mistakes. I also want to protect middle-class families and small businesses during this economic crisis by further lowering their tax burden, protecting access to capital and lines of credit, and increasing protections for retirement accounts and pensions.
Second, I want to end America’s dependence on foreign oil. This Congress helped reduce the price of gasoline by withholding shipments to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and lifting restrictions on off-shore drilling for the first time in 26 years. Going forward, I want to end our dependence on foreign oil by advancing the research and development of alternative sources of energy, especially those that can help generate jobs in western Pennsylvania, such as natural gas, clean coal, coal-to-liquid and nuclear technologies.
Finally, I am running for Congress because I want to make health care more accessible and more affordable for all Americans, especially for the 47 million Americans currently without health insurance. To accomplish this goal, Congress should expand the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, make it easier for small businesses to provide their employees with health insurance, and strengthen Medicare. We must also rein in rising health care costs by incentivizing preventative care, improving disease management, and expanding the use of health IT.
Western Pennsylvanians are hard-working, innovative people who look to the future. They deserve a representative who shares those same qualities. If you once again give me the honor of representing you in Congress, I will work just as hard for you over the next two years as I did in my first two.
What experience or qualifications do you have?
Hart:
I’m a candidate because I know how the congress can work to move this country forward. I have the advantage of seeing government from the outside, but with an insider's knowledge, and I don't like what I see. My experience on the critical issues that challenge us most today is real.
As a State Senator for 10 years, I chaired the PA Senate Finance committee and helped cut taxes and increase jobs in Pennsylvania. During my 6 years in Congress, as a member of the Financial Services committee, I sponsored reform measures for Fannie and Freddie when the House leaders on both sides of the aisle turned a blind eye. As a member of Ways and Means I supported agreements that improved our exports to areas that formerly had trade barriers to American products. I will use my significant experience and knowledge of economic issues to lead efforts to stabilize and grow our economy again.
Altmire:
Over the past two years, I have worked hard for the people of western Pennsylvania and I have gotten results.
Two years ago, I promised I would put veterans first, and I have kept that promise. I have had six different bills or amendments signed into law that will ensure our veterans receive the support they deserve. These laws will ensure all combat-wounded veterans receive their full enlistment bonuses, improve treatment for traumatic brain injuries, expand the Family and Medical Leave Act so it covers military guard and reserve families, cut taxes for military families, and improve small business opportunities for veterans. These are just a few of the 16 bills and amendments I introduced that have been signed into law.
I also played a leading role in Congress’ efforts to make college more affordable for every middle-class family by cutting in half the interest rates on student loans – which will save the average student borrower $4,400 – and raising Pell Grants to their highest level in history.
I helped cut taxes for small businesses by $50 billion so they can create more good-paying jobs in our community. And I helped lead Congress’ efforts to reduce the price of gasoline by withholding shipments to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and expanding access to off-shore drilling for the first time in 26 years.
Prior to serving in Congress, I worked on health care policy for 15 years. I have already drawn upon my health care expertise to create a law that will lower the cost of prescription drugs for seniors. Going forward, I will continue to use my health care experience to advocate for policies that will make health care more affordable and more accessible for all Americans.
What do you see as a major issue in this election on a national level and what is your position regarding this issue?
Hart:
Our country’s economy is the issue in this election. When I return to Congress, I will regain my seat on Ways and Means Committee with significant seniority. This will allow me to deal directly with tax issues that are making our economy less competitive. It will also put me in the forefront on trade issues. Congress needs to support legislation that would level the playing field for American businesses so they can compete in a global economy. Existing trade laws should be strongly enforced. We must end product dumping and other predatory practices by foreign governments which heavily subsidize their industries. The U.S. Government must protect manufacturers from unfair trade practices of some foreign governments.
Additionally, Congress needs to act to make the tax cuts permanent that cut capital gains and dividend taxes almost in half, doubled the child tax credit to $1,000 per child, provided marriage penalty relief and eliminated the death tax, which gave relief to families, farms and small businesses. These policies will give Americans freedom to invest and grow our economy.
We must find solutions to address instability in the markets. New policies must bring new capital to American business and job creation, such as eliminating the capital gains tax, taking the cap off of FDIC coverage, implementing market reforms, and protecting taxpayers from liability for the poor business decisions of others. We need a long term plan to stabilize our economy, not just throwing more of OUR tax money at a problem, with no clear guarantee of a solution. The current congress’ ideas of increasing taxes, increasing spending and bailing out corporations on the backs of hardworking Americans must end.
What do you see as the major issue in this election on a local level and what is your position regarding this issue?
The major issue that must be addressed for our region is economic opportunity and job growth. In recent years, outside investment in this area has dwindled and government policies have not been consistent or aggressive enough to turn this trend around. Certainly, the state government's tax increases and additional regulatory burdens have exacerbated the problem, but there are also policies that the federal government should pursue to help advance opportunity here. Pro-growth strategies must include improvement in a range of policies. These should first be policies that will be long-standing and consistent so that long term planning can be done with more confidence. For example, this congress has failed miserably in the area of growth-oriented tax policy. Given the opportunity to extend or make permanent investment tax cuts, and research credits, they have done nothing but increase spending, putting the extension of growth friendly policies like low capital gains taxes and elimination of death taxes, in doubt. Even before the current financial crisis, this resulted in instability in tax policy and unwillingness of investors to make the capital investments that create jobs.
Policies regarding all varieties of fuel have damaged our region as well. The unwillingness of the congress to open land and the outer continental shelf for drilling for oil and gas has cemented an atmosphere of uncertainty for transportation industries, be they airlines, trucking or others. Such policies have also harmed manufacturing. The indecision has harmed our electric market as well. Electric providers are fueled by natural gas, and even more by coal, both of which we have in abundance. Policies to encourage use of coal in its current way and in alternative ways should be encouraged by congressional policies, but congress continues to withhold its support. The volatility of energy prices makes investment in new energy plants, even nuclear, a more risky investment than it should and could be. Without more production, our competiveness as a region in energy and manufacturing is hurt.
Access to our region via rail and highway must continue to be developed, such as the designation of Route 60 as a Federal Highway, which I accomplished as a member of congress. This helped to complete the network of highways around our region to encourage local development and also to encourage outsiders to locate here.
We also need tort reform, so the threat of unreasonable lawsuits no longer creates a chill on economic growth. Reasonable environmental and safety regulations based on real scientific information and not pop science, must be pursued as well. Congress also needs to support legislation and trade policies that would level the playing field for American businesses so they can compete in a global economy. These factors must be addressed in a coordinated fashion to create a favorable environment for American entrepreneurs to start and grow businesses here.
Altmire:
America is currently facing its most severe economic crisis since the Great Depression. I believe that Congress must work together in a bipartisan manner to turn our economy around. We need true reform of a financial system that allowed Wall Street executives to make bad business decisions at the expense of their shareholders and, ultimately, the taxpayers. We also need to take steps that will benefit the middle class and help small businesses, including lowering the tax burden, providing greater access to capital, and increasing protections on retirement and savings accounts.
What do you see as the major issue in this election on the local level and what you your position on this issue?
Hart: N/A
Altmire:
To make western Pennsylvania even stronger, we need policies that will create more good-paying jobs throughout our region. In Congress, I have worked to do this by cutting taxes for small businesses so they can continue to expand and hire more workers. I also introduced legislation that will make it easier for small, high-tech companies to secure the private investment they need to continue growing.
With its vast coal reserves and growing nuclear energy industry, western Pennsylvania is poised to lead the effort to develop forms of alternative energy that can end America’s addiction to foreign oil. I am a strong advocate for clean coal and nuclear technology, and I am fighting to increase investment in the development of these resources so we can create more good-paying jobs in western Pennsylvania.
Finally, in addition to helping local businesses succeed today, I also want to lay the foundation for our region’s long term growth. That’s why I have joined forces with Ohio Congressman Tim Ryan to improve the coordination of economic development efforts in western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio. By building upon our region’s shared assets, I believe we can transform our region’s economy from the Rust Belt to the Tech Belt.
What is your top priority if (re)elected and how would you implement it?
Hart:
Reform US tax policy: US tax policy must be improved and kept consistent for the long term. We can begin by making the 2001 and 2003 personal and investment tax cuts permanent. We must, however, ultimately make our system competitive on the global scale, an effort that has never been comprehensively undertaken. Such tax reforms will help stimulate the economy and our competitiveness. Should I return to Congress, I will regain my former seat on Way and Means Committee with my seniority. This will allow me to directly impact the tax issues as well as Social Security, trade and entitlements.
Ultimately though, the US must radically change our tax policy across the board. Our corporate tax structure makes us uncompetitive with our trading partners and we strike a better balance with rewarding job creation.
On the personal tax level, a flat income or consumption tax is preferable to the complicated system which Americans have suffered under for far too long.
Altmire:
After stabilizing and strengthening our economy, securing America’s energy independence will be my top priority. America needs to utilize all of its available resources right now, and we must take bold, comprehensive action to address our nation’s energy crisis. I have been a leading voice in Congress in support off-shore oil drilling. I am proud to report that in September, Congress removed the moratorium on off-shore drilling for the first time in 26 years, which means that there are currently no restrictions on off-shore drilling. I am also a strong advocate for increasing our investment in nuclear energy, which will have a long-term economic benefit for our region, since it will soon be home to Westinghouse’s nuclear business headquarters. I also believe in clean coal technology and in promoting increased conservation. This Congress increased fuel efficiency standards for cars to 35 mpg, which will help save families as much as $1000 a year. I will continue working to pursue every viable option that will increase America's energy independence.
What one question would you like someone to ask you regarding your quest to be elected and how would you answer it?
Hart:
Do you support privatizing social security?
While in Congress, I did not avoid discussing tough issues, like Social Security’s future shortfall. This is a fact that has been presented by the actuaries at the Social Security Administration. Younger workers will not receive the full benefits they are due because there are not enough future workers to maintain the level of benefits available today. These workers will have their benefits cut by 25% unless congress addresses this problem. Unfortunately, important but complicated issues like this are avoided and demagogued by Congressmen who are only interested in the next election.
I faced political risk, and worked to address this problem by proposing flexibility for this younger generation while protecting benefits as promised for older workers and current retirees. Under a plan I would support, these young workers who are 20 or so years away from receiving benefits could opt in to a system where part of their Social Security taxes would go into an account in their name so they could earn a higher return and in turn boost the amount in their check in the future. If they would not opt in, they would remain in the current system, but receive a benefit based on the actual amount of money coming into the system. This certainly is not privatization of the system. I also have supported a “lock-box” for social security money, so it can not be spent on other government programs.
I understand the value of this program because my father died when I was a child, and my mother, brothers and I received Social Security survivor benefits. So I have a deep and firsthand understanding of the vital importance of this program that helps so many Americans.
Altmire:
“How can we make the U.S. government more fiscally responsible and work towards balancing the budget?”
I would answer this question with the following response:
Over the last eight years, President Bush took our federal budget from record surpluses to record deficits. In 2001, the federal budget had been balanced for four consecutive years and had a surplus of $128 billion with a projected 10-year surplus of $5.6 trillion. Today, we face a $3.2 trillion projected deficit. Over the last two years, I have voted for two fiscally responsible budgets that put us on a path toward balancing the budget by 2012. Both budgets accommodate middle class tax cuts, including the elimination of most estate taxes and extensions of the 10 percent individual income tax bracket, the child tax credit, marriage penalty relief and the research and development tax credit. We need to keep government spending in line, especially in these tough economic times, and I will continue fighting to cut excessive waste.
(back to top)
|