I believe that as long as there is plenty, poverty is evil.~Robert F. Kennedy
*No tax increases on the middle-class and working poor
*Restore AdultBasic or a similar low cost program for those without health insurance
*Protect the
environment
*Tax Marcellus Shale to help local communities
with clean-up. Tax can also be used to fund infrastructure improvements,
education, and other programs
*Reform the property assessment process
*Be a voice for the elderly, disabled and older workers seeking employment
I would like to serve the citizens of the 37th
District, as well as those of the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania. Given
the current economic situation in the country, and locally; I believe that taxes
should not be raise on the middle class and that the working poor should be
given the opportunity join the ranks of the middle class. The income gap is growing and the middle
class is vanishing. We need to attract
jobs to the area that can provide a decent wage, health care and security.
It is important that
the AdultBasic, or a similar program, be funded to provide health insurance to
those that work, but do not receive coverage from an employer or make too much
money to be covered by other programs.
The cost of losing this program outweighs the savings that Gov. Corbett
and the Republicans believe they have made.
If necessary the tax-exempt status of Highmark, UPMC and other such
entities must be reconsidered and the taxes collected be dedicated to
healthcare for those in need.
We need to protect the environment and make sure those that
seek to profit on Marcellus Shale are held responsible for the clean-up and
repair of local municipalities
infrastructure. I would favor a tax, as well as, an impact
fee to guarantee that the Commonwealth can provide tax relief to its citizens,
fund programs and protect the environment.
The property assessment process is flawed. I would favor eliminating
the property tax on family homes and replacing it with a lowering of the sales
tax, and placing it on more items. The
property tax is unfair to the elderly, who in most cases are on a fixed income,
the working poor and middle class.
Basically you never own your own home, and once you’ve paid it off a
great portion of one’s disposable income is put aside to pay local, county and
school taxes. This money could be could
be saved, invested or spent to spur the economy. The bottom line is that the
decision will be made by the home owner, who will actually own their home.
I
would also like to be a voice for the those who seem to have no voice
in Harrisburg: the elderly, the disabled, and older workers seeking
employment. The cuts in the
budget directly affect the elderly and disabled by cutting needed
services. We need to attract businesses that offer opportunities to
older workers that are having difficulty re-entering the job market due to downsizing.
