In today's business climate it is necessary at times to provide business with tax breaks to encourage them to move to the region. States in the southern US do this as a standard practice and are beginning to establish themselves as successful business hubs. 2. What is your position on gun control? I am a firm supporter of the second amendment, that the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. 3. Is immigration a state issue and how should the state be involved in the process? Illegal immigration is a Federal issue. It is the responsibility of the state to collectively or independently bring their concerns to their Congressmen and Senators. 4. Is the state government properly funding mass transit and how should the state be funding public transportation in the future? I don't know if the state is adequately funding mass transit or not. I know that when the Governor deflects infrastructure and other tax dollars to mass transit in an attempt to keep it afloat, a problem exists. A problem that cannot be solved simply by throwing money at it. 5. With rising gas, electric and natural gas prices, what should the state be doing to alleviate that energy burden on taxpayers? The state should be working to reduce restrictions on building nuclear power facilities and refineries. Provide the taxpayers with a reduction in or elimination of state gas taxes. This is not a short term problem and therefore cannot have a short term solution. There are many sources of power available and the government needs to provide the leadership in achieving those, not stand in the way. Promote tax incentives for businesses that utilize alternate sources of energy or that implement energy savings initiatives and equipment. 6. Should the state be tolling I-80 or should be looking at alternative solutions to funding road projects in the future? The state should not toll I-80. This is just another form of taxation. Tolling I-80 would leave no reasonable choice to drive across the state without paying a tax. The Commonwealth has not been overly successful at transforming or even maintaining I-76 with the revenue generated from it. Why would I-80 be any different? 7. Is the state currently doing enough to fund public schools and how should school funding be handled in the future? They are not funded equally,
according to their size, which can and does present funding issues. I
believe that, like Seneca Valley's new football field, schools should
solicit donations and sponsorships for athletics funding to reduce or
eliminate taxpayer burden. School funding is becoming a large cost for
the government and I believe that the progressive school districts will
continue to look to the private sector for some of that 8. How should the state be helping its citizens in the current state of recession? We have not experienced 2 consecutive quarters of negative growth, so it cannot be called a recession. Technically, it is an economic slowdown. The Commonwealth should be providing tax relief to its residents. Put money back in the hands of the people that need it. 9. What is your position on raising taxes to fund any of the issues facing the state? I do not support
any additional taxation but support reducing the current tax burden. 10. What can you do better to foster lines of communication between local municipalities and their needs from its state legislative representatives? I believe that holding firm to your principles and showing courtesy toward others are not mutually exclusive concepts. One of my first goals is to set up panels within the 12th district that include local elected officials, school administration and civic groups to help define priorities for the district. I will take those priorities to Harrisburg and fight for what is right for the 12th district.
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