Policy
Policy Statement on government excesses:
Hard working Pennsylvania families are being asked to pay for legislative pensions we can’t afford and for benefits that average Pennsylvanians no longer have in their private sector jobs. Pennsylvanians are being asked to pay for unaccountable $160 daily per diems. Pennsylvanians are being asked to pay for one of the most expensive legislatures in the United States. It is time to fix Harrisburg. I am running because Harrisburg will not be fixed by incumbents and insiders who are vested in pensions, take unaccountable $160 daily per diems, and have voted for mid-night pay increases.
It is time to send a person to Harrisburg who is actually willing to take action. Taking action starts with a personal commitment. Unlike my Harrisburg opponent, I will disavow and refuse to take the legislative pension. I will work to eliminate the “defined benefit” legislative pension for all new elected officials. Unlike my Harrisburg opponent I will not take the unaccountable $160 daily per diem. I will submit actual receipts for reimbursement. Unlike the Harrisburg insiders I will actively workfor term limits. I will actively work to reduce the size and cost of the General Assembly. I will actively support a move to a part-time legislature.
It is time rein in the excesses of the General Assembly. It is time for Harrisburg to reflect the realities of the men and women they serve. It is time for a different voice in Harrisburg.
Jobs:
Creating jobs in Pennsylvania will be my number one priority as State Senator. Dramatically increasing the rate of job growth is vital to fixing the issues facing our home state, such as the budget shortfalls, aging population demographics, school closings and consolidations, and the steep per capita tax burden.
As an entrepreneur, I created over 100 high-quality jobs right here in Western Pennsylvania. Because of this experience, I have a strong understanding of the necessary steps to make our state an engine of job growth.
Pennsylvania’s anti-business policies have erected a fence around our state and kept out business and discouraged business already in Pennsylvania from expanding.
We need to systematically dismantle these policies such as excess spending, high corporate taxes, and burdensome and unnecessary regulation. By doing this we can restart our economic engine and get Pennsylvania moving again.
Taxes:
Over the past decade, Pennsylvania has consistently been ranked one of the top ten highest taxed States. Our high taxes add a large, burdensome and unnecessary additional cost to job creators and consumers. My number one priority is to transform the commonwealth into an engine of job growth and the state tax code offers many opportunities to accomplish this.
We are one of only two states in the U.S. which taxes both the income and assets of job creators. This provides a huge disincentive for businesses to move to or stay in Pennsylvania when they have 48 other states that would not impose this burden. This particularly archaic tax also impedes businesses that are based here from making capital expenditures and greatly reduces the number and size of economic transactions within the commonwealth.
The property tax system is also a huge burden on our economy. The uncertainty of the current system of court ordered reassessments impedes land development and home purchases. We need a statewide uniform system of property re-assements to ensure a level playing field amongst the counties. I would also demand as part of statewide property tax assessment law, a zero tax windfall for all levels of government. School districts and counties should not be allowed to use this system as a backdoor tax increase.
Spending:
State spending is out of control. For far too long, career politicians have used your tax dollars for pet projects and special interests with little to know realized benefit to you, the tax payer. In order to reduce taxes, we must reduce, reallocate and re-prioritize spending. We need to focus our spending on the core functions of our government and look for ways to use innovation and technology to stretch our tax dollars farther.
We have to reduce spending. In particular the growth of spending in the welfare and corrections department are of particular concern and I will work to find savings in these crucial areas.
Energy
The Marcellus Shale offers our state and region a once in a century opportunity. We already have seen tremendous job growth from this natural resource, but we need to make sure it is handled safely for our environment.
Liquor Store Privatization
For too long Pennsylvania has been stuck in the past. Unlike the states around us, we have allowed the special interests to keep the state run liquor store system alive. I support complete privatization of the system
Life
I believe life begins at conception and I will work to pass pro-life pieces of legislation and promote abortion alternatives.
2nd Amendment
A strong supporter of the 2nd Amendment, I will oppose legislation that infringes on our right to keep and bear arms.
