I got to know Joe Brennan when he sat on Northampton County Council. Although we disagreed on a few things, Joe was always committed to transparency and accountability, and actually supported campaign finance reform long before it became popular. Joe's legislative district meanders from South Bethlehem through Fountain Hill, parts of east Allentown and stretches all the way up through Hanover Tp, Catasauqua and Coplay. His son just started playing T-ball.
Q) Two state legislative leaders have been convicted of using their office for political or personal gain while others are under indictment. Will we ever change the way business gets done in Harrisburg?
A) We have taken steps and I think you'll see a drastic reduction, if not elimination, of the types of unfortunate behavior we've had in the past. Specifically, members and all staff attend mandatory ethics meetings about all that we may and may not do. We are told to err on the side of caution.
Q) According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, Pennsylvania has the largest full-time and second most expensive legislative branch in the nation. Is it time to cut back?
A) Yes, it is. And we have reduced, by attrition, the size of our capital and district offices. But you have to remember we make up only 1/2 of 1% of the state budget. We have also consolidated departments. It's not going to happen overnight, but we are headed in the right direction.
Q) Last year, you and other LV representatives had something to do with breaking the state budget impasse by demanding to keep the House in session as a Committee of the Whole, which gives every member a voice. How will you avoid a devastating budget impasse like the one we suffered last year?
A) Last year, Craig Dally, I and other Lehigh Valley members started a movement to for a Committee of the Whole, and the budget impasse broke. We might have nudged them. Th's year, we started the budget process much earlier. In the Hose, we sent a spending plan to the Senate in March. We have to see results and have taken a more urgent approach. We need to be able to deliver a good and sound budget by deadline. People are tired of it.
Q) Many state reps tell me too much power is invested in just a few powerful committee chairs and leaders. How can you change that?
A) The whole process is leadership driven. Our leadership team takes a different approach and does a better job of reaching out to members to find out what we think needs a vote. The structure is not necessarily bad, but leaders need to talk to rank and file members.
Q) The biggest concern people have is taxes, especially property taxes. Despite the promise that gambling revenue would reduce or eliminate property taxes, they go up nearly every year. Any relief in sight?
A) Yes, there is a movement to freeze school property taxes for senior citizens. It's something worth reviewing. There has been some property tax relief, but two or three of our biggest casinos are not even open. Property tax is often driven by the school district. I am not being critical, but every year, we increase our contribution to school districts.
Q) Is there anything else you'd like Bethlehem Press readers to know about what's going on at the state house?
A) I work hard every day to make re we get a balanced budget passed in time so that it does not unnecessarily overburden people.
