Pennsylvania Governor Race 2014

Pennsylvania Governor Race 2014

Tom Corbett (www.tomcorbettforgovernor.com)

Current Job: Pennsylvania Governor

Residence: Shaler Township (minutes from downtown Pittsburgh)

Phone#: 717-238-4009



 

1. Pro-Life? YES. Endorsed by People for Life and Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation

2. Pro-2^nd Amendment? YES. Endorsed by Firearms Owners Against Crime. “A” rating from National Rifle Association. (Please visit www.foac-pac.org for more information on why they support him)

3. Education Plan? Corbett said he is studying how to revamp the current education funding formula. He also has a proposed pension reform plan to help alleviate the growing pension burden on the education budget. Tom Corbett has raised the state education budget since he has been in office. This is fact. Ed Rendell received a temporary federal stimulus grant from Obama’s economic stimulus bill. That stimulus money expired back in 2010.

Supports Common Core? NO.

 
Public Sector Pension Reform Plan? New employees would have a defined benefit plan based on their first $50,000 of income, and income above that threshold would be based on a 401(k) type system. The plan would not apply to current employees or retirees.

Marcellus Shale? I called Corbett’s office and his staff member did a very good job of explaining the taxes in the Marcellus Shale industry. We already have an Impact tax and high Corporate taxes on the gas industry businesses. So, the Marcellus Shale industry is taxed in PA. No, we don’t have a severance tax. Yes, other states have a severance tax but then they don’t have Impact fees like we do. Also, I was told that severance taxes would have to go into the state general fund and controlled by the state legislature. Impact fees are controlled locally (by the counties or township).

Will you raise taxes? He already did, didn’t he? He raised the taxes on gas at the pump and vehicle fees (such as car registrations,etc…). Now, I called his office and asked if he would ever raise taxes again. His staff member said the only time Corbett would consider raising taxes would be if the rising state Pension costs weren’t resolved. The staff member emphasized that raising taxes would be Corbett’s last resort and he would pursue other solutions first.

Should the state sell state-owned liquor stores to private businesses? YES.
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Tom Wolf (www.wolfforpa.com)

Current Job: Chairman, Wolf Organization

Residence: York County (near Lancaster and Philadelphia)

Phone#: 717-650-1912



 

1. Pro-Life? NO. Endorsed by Planned Parenthood and National Abortion Rights Action League.

2. Pro-2^nd Amendment? NO. Approved by CeaseFirePA.*

3. Education Plan? In Wolf’s Fresh Start Plan, he said he would increase the State’s share of education funding and create a fair funding formula. Wolf said he would boost education funding by imposing a 5 percent extraction tax on the Marcellas Shale gas industry. He said he would spread that 5 percent tax to communities affected by drilling, a portion to greater environmental oversight, and another portion to putting the infrastructure in place…to a sustainable energy future. So, how much of the extraction tax would actually go to Education remains to be seen. (more educational plan notes on Summary page)

Supports Common Core? His office would NOT answer this question when I asked this question personally. Wolf did not answer this question on the Focus Voter survey. After I listened to the runaround, I asked if he doesn’t support Common Core…they said he was still making a decision on this. (I’ll let you figure out what that means)

Public Sector Pension Reform Plan? Wolf wants to give Act 120 – a pension reform bill passed in 2010 – a chance to work. He said he would go to the legislature to determine a plan to come up with an estimated $9-$10 billion to cover the immediate pension debt. If Wolf and lawmakers could not come up with a plan, he suggests a pension obligation bond that could be repaid over 20 years as a possible solution.

Marcellus Shale? I called his office and they said they wanted to implement a 5% severance tax. (This would be in addition to the Impact fees and Corporate taxes, not a replacement)

Will you raise taxes? Yes, his office stated that he plans on implementing a Progressive Income tax on individuals and businesses starting at $90,000 and above.

Should the state sell state-owned liquor stores to private businesses? NO.
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MY PICK: Tom Corbett.

Reasons:
*Corbett is 100% Pro-Life and 100% Pro-2nd Amendment. Wolf is not.
*He does not support Common Core. Wolf supports Common Core.
*He is from the western side of the state - which gives him automatic bonus points. Wolf affiliates with the Philadelphia area.
*His office answered my questions clearly and directly - even when I might not like the answer. Wolf's office did not answer my questions clearly or directly.
*Yes, he made the stupid mistake of raising transportation taxes and fees, but raising taxes once in 4 years is nothing compared to Wolf's plan of taxes, taxes, and more government spending. 
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Sources: People for Life survey (www.peopleforlife.org), FOAC Guide (www.foac-pac.org), Cease Fire PA, Focus Voter survey (www.focusvoter.com), Erie Times News articles (www.goerie.com), candidate’s websites, and candidate’s campaign offices.