The 83rd state House candidates let it be known Monday night that they will be up to the challenge of going to Harrisburg to fight for what they believe are near and dear to the hearts of local voters.
Three Republicans and two Democrats seeking the nomination in the April 22 primary took turns answering questions during a political forum attended by more than 100 people at the Community Arts Center, 220 W. Fourth St.
Between issuing opening and closing statements, each candidate answered the same questions given to them by a panel comprised of Backyard Broadcasting’s John Finn and the Williamsport Sun-Gazette’s Laura Janssen, as well as audience members.
Democratic Rick Mirabito said he’s tried to live his life after the model of Thomas More, who stood up against the king only to be beheaded.
Republican Dorothy “Dottie” White referred to her years working in business and in pubic service, which have allowed her to hear peoples’ problems.
Democrat Mark Holt said he is running to bring about property tax relief, open government, job creation and to fight I-80 tolls.
Republican David Huffman said he brings a combination of business experience and public service to the table.
Republican Rebecca A. Burke referred to her years as a Lycoming County commissioner working for the public and providing leadership, integrity and courage.
The first question posed to candidates was in regard to municipalities meeting the costs of the Chesapeake Bay cleanup.
Mirabito, a city landlord, said it’s an opportunity for citizens to further explore the issue and to ensure all funding sources are considered.
“We need to deal with it on a statewide level,” he said. “And get federal help.”
White, a Loyalsock Township tax collector, said new technology has made it possible to extract pollutants from streams flowing into the Chesapeake Bay.
“I would like to keep the checkbook closed,” she said, noting that other options can be explored as well.
“I am not ready to write a check either,” said Huffman, a former school board member and a sales manager for Durdach Brothers in Paxinos.
He said that it may be illegal for the state to force communities to come up with funding for the cleanup.
“There were no hearings on it,” he said. “Unfunded mandates need to be eliminated.”
Burke suggested taking the $700 million being used to fund sports arenas in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia to help in cleanup efforts.
Holt said local, state and federal funding should be used in the cleanup. He also called for working with farmers to help reduce runoff contaminants.
Candidates offered various answers on how they would deal with a budget proposal calling for increased welfare spending.
White said while welfare can serve as a means for helping people get back on their feet, it should not be passed down by families through the generations.
“We need to offer incentives to work and offer training,” she said.
Huffman said it’s programs such as welfare that raise taxes.
“Well, obviously the current welfare system is broken,” Burke said. “There are so many programs. They need streamlined to avoid double dipping.”
Holt said welfare is a good safety net that also is abused. He called for better overall work ethic for today’s youth.
Mirabito said programs are needed that put people back to work.
Regarding crime, each of the candidates spoke out in favor of the Second Amendment and a citizen’s right to bear arms.
“More mandates won’t stop lawbreakers,” Burke said.
Holt, who called himself a hunter and gun owner, said a free society should give its citizens the right to bear arms.
“The Second Amendment is as important as others. We need to protect it,” Mirabito said.
White said crime, rather than guns, are the problem.
“It’s not a problem with hunters,” she said.
Huffman, who said he supports the Second Amendment, noted that the real problem is that weapons violations are not being enforced.
Candidates were asked to address the problem of lost revenue due to the large number of tax-exempt properties in communities such as Williamsport.
Mirabito said a dialogue needs to be opened with non-profit entities such as hospitals and communities to find out how they can help communities.
White agreed.
“We need to work with them to find out what services they can offer,” she said. “They have a lot of resources.”
Huffman called for a taxpayer protection act and for limiting the amount of money government can spend.
Burke said if a community is not totally dependent on property taxes, the issue becomes moot.
Holt said property taxes pit one group against another.
“It’s important to go to a sales tax or a partial sales tax and a personal income tax,” he said.
Candidates were asked to consider state budget cuts and what agency they would first put on the chopping block.
Mirabito said that there are far too many people working for state lawmakers.
“We all know that the state budget should be cut,” White said, adding that the state Turnpike Commission would be the best agency to slash.
Huffman called the state budget “really out of control.”
“I don’t think you can look at one agency,” he said. “It’s difficult to look at specific areas.”
Burke called for getting rid of the Turnpike Commission as well as making cuts across the board.
“You can’t pick on one area,” Holt said.
Candidates briefly outlined their plans for funding roads and bridges.
White said Act 44, the tolling of I-80, should be repealed. She also called for a private-public partnership agreement for the state turnpike.
Huffman agreed there is merit in leasing the turnpike.
Burke said roads and bridges could be funded by some $500 million that is diverted from transportation to state police.
Leasing of the turnpike, she said, is a consideration, but needs more research.
Holt said that funding is supposed to come from fuel taxes and the motor license fund.
“Let’s get back to what the Constitution says and we wouldn’t have to talk about tolls,” he said.
Mirabito said while he is against tolls, he’s not thrilled about leasing the turnpike either.
Where has the money from fuel taxes gone? he asked.
Candidates were asked about reducing the membership of the state Legislature, which is among the largest in the nation.
Huffman said a smaller Legislature would perhaps give only more clout to Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.
“That would mean less influence in rural areas,” he said.
Burke said that it would take a Constitutional Convention to consider changing the size of the Legislature.
She called instead for reducing some of the perks lawmakers enjoy.
“It’s not meant to be a full-time job,” she said. “It’s public service.”
Mirabito called for reducing the Legislature’s size without hurting the influence of rural areas.
Holt said he’s concerned that rural areas would be hurt be a smaller Legislature.
Rather than shrinking the Legislature, White called for less staffing and office space.
“We spend an awful lot of money on people in Harrisburg,” she said.
