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| Photo credit: Kim Cressman |
If I determined who I support based solely on the issues, I'd soon find myself unable to vote for anyone. Aside from the issues, I look for other things. Mike is responsive, hard-working, transparent and accountable. I'd say he was smart, too, but he blew that by talking to me.
Mike filed his nomination petition on Monday. He needed 300 signatures. He had 520 on Sunday.
Q) Although the Delaware loophole certainly is a problem, don't Pennsylvania corporations already have among the highest income taxes in this country? Don't you think that plays a role in businesses leaving the Commonwealth? - Yes, absolutely. Pennsylvania has one of the highest corporate income tax rates in the country, and I believe that this has significant repercussions on our competitiveness. A top priority for job growth in Pennsylvania should be lowering the CNI, and I believe the best way to do this is by closing the Delaware tax loophole and then dedicated a portion of the recovered tax revenue to a gradual decrease of the CNI. There is currently a bipartisan legislative effort in the State House by Rep. Dave Reed & Rep. Eugene DePasquale to do just this, and if elected, I will join them in their efforts.
Q) With all the redistricting and judicial decisions, do you know whether you even have an opponent at this point? - Not a clue. I am running in the "old" version of the 132. We'll find out Thursday or Friday who else is running.
Q) As a state representative, would you support legislation that authorizes an authority like the NIZ Board to take EIT from people who live in part of your district, and divert it elsewhere, without notifying the municipalities affected? - If I was a member of the legislature, I would have voted for the NIZ legislation. I believe that this funding mechanism will make a massive redevelopment of Allentown possible. That being said, the biggest problem with the arena project and NIZ so far has been the confusion and the lack of communication on certain areas related to the issue. The confusion is a byproduct of the uniqueness of the NIZ funding mechanism; when you have something this new, concerns will exist. The issue over EIT is both unfortunate and regrettable, and I do wish that the Department of Revenue had informed the surrounding municipalities about this change sooner to give them a chance to better adjust their budgets. I'm also looking forward to seeing data on just how much money is involved so we can get a better handle of how much of a problem this really is. Regardless, if I'm elected, I'll work with the Department of Revenue to try to get these payments sped up, as I know Senator Browne and the Mayor will do.
Q) Can you explain why you declined to table a vote on the NIZ Board, when the nominees were selected in part by a State Senator whose wife works for a lobbying firm that represents three of the biggest NIZ beneficiaries? - My honest thoughts were that the nominees had been thoroughly vetted (actually, much more so than usual). The nine appointees came from a variety of backgrounds; legal, real estate, non-profit, education, legislative, etc. They also were put through some pretty serious background checks, including taxes, fees, permits, criminal, etc. In my mind, the nine people selected will provide the necessary leadership for this board; regardless of Senator Browne's role, or that of his wife's, I think we have the right people.
Q) Would you support legislation to require elected officials to resign if a member of their immediate family becomes employed as a lobbyist? - No. First, let me say that I would support legislation and policies to address perceived and potential conflicts of interests on a case-by-case basis to ensure public trust through transparency, and to prevent actual conflicts of interest from occurring. I think this type of approach would get to the root of the issue, investigating and mitigating conflicts of interests, rather than making a broad statement based on someone’s relationship.
I believe that the legislation that you describe is simultaneously too broad and would not cover many potential conflicts. If a lobbyist and elected official are married, that doesn't automatically imply a conflict – there are, after all, hundreds of legislators and lobbyists that have never interacted in Harrisburg. If this type of legislation went into effect, it wouldn't address a variety of scenarios that could exist. Say a couple isn't married but they are dating; no forced resignation would occur. What about siblings? Parent/child? Heck, what if you have a gay couple that has been together for years - one is an elected and one is a lobbyist. They can't marry, and under this scenario, there’d be no problem. That’s why I prefer my approach; I believe it cuts more to the root of an issue, which is investigating and mitigating potential conflicts on a case-by-case basis, rather than making a blanket statement based on a relationship.
10 comments:
I bet that ther will be a repulican filing. The Republicans do not want a true tax and spend liberal in Harrisburg plus other issues that he favors.
I do appreciate his meeting with you and your blog on this race, it is my District. On this question:
"Q) Can you explain why you declined to table a vote on the NIZ Board, when the nominees were selected in part by a State Senator whose wife works for a lobbying firm that represents three of the biggest NIZ beneficiaries? - My honest thoughts were that the nominees had been thoroughly vetted (actually, much more so than usual). The nine appointees came from a variety of backgrounds; legal, real estate, non-profit, education, legislative, etc. They also were put through some pretty serious background checks, including taxes, fees, permits, criminal, etc. In my mind, the nine people selected will provide the necessary leadership for this board; regardless of Senator Browne's role, or that of his wife's, I think we have the right people."
He acknowledged that there have been communications issues and confusion over the NIZ and then this. They voted the NIZ through before the people had a chance to offer much if any comment, it was a fade to complete a few short days after the names where announced.
Look, I know some of these people and like them as well, but he (and the rest of council)is missing the point. The method that the Administration and Council is using to move this project forward is creating a deepening distrust, and they are surprisingly politically tone def about it. At the end of the day, they moved through and approved this group of people way too quickly because they could.
It is almost unbelievable that a man seeking his 1st term in the State House may heave no opposition in the Democratic Primary and in the General Election.
I would love to ask him if he supports as his mentor Jennifer Mann does, the racial segregation of the public school systems within the 132nd District. This ugly situation is draining all the middle income families out of Allentown. The segregated public schools in the 132nd District aren't much different than those in the deep south in the 1950s, yet our state reps ignore this issue.
"Supports....racial segregation of the public school systems.."????
Try busing. Busing in white kids from parkland.
"Supports....racial segregation of the public school systems.."????
Yes. The public school districts in the 132nd are in every way racially segregated, the upper and middle income white residents get a great, well funded public education with new schools and materials while the poor minoroties get terrible, unsafe, bankrupt schools that can't even buy textbooks. This happened under Jennifer Mann's watch and she has never indicated any concern. This is the key issue driving the loss of the middle class in Allentown and should be addressed by Mr. Schlossberg. You mean to tell me the brainpower that went into writing up the NIZ can't come up with some innovative solutions to desegregate public schools in the Allentown area? or at least address the antiquated property tax funding stream to ASD?
I think its a good question for the potential 132nd District Rep.
using that reasoning; Parkland is also segregated. are you advocating a county wide system?
This guy is married and has a kid? Is that really his wife and his kid. Wow, that one caught me off guard.
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