By SUSAN EVANS
WINDBER — Candidates for the state House of Representatives 72nd District agree that if the economy worsens, state government should provide economic incentives to help.
That’s where the agreement ends among the seven Democrats and one Republican vying to represent the Ebensburg-to-Windber district.
Democrats Jared Lambie of Cambria Township and David Kuhar of Ebensburg said government intervention is warranted only if conditions are severe.
Fellow Democrats David Gehlman of Upper Yoder Township and Frank Burns of East Taylor Township advocated lowering corporate tax rates, especially for small businesses, while Nick Molnar of Jackson Township and James Lamont of Ebensburg stressed better infrastructure and lower gas prices to attract businesses.
“Reform the whole tax code,” said Chris Voccio, the lone Republican who faces no primary opposition on April 22.
The economy, school funding and smoking bans drew the most diversity of opinions Thursday night at the last of three candidate forums sponsored by The Tribune-Democrat and WJAC-TV.
About 125 people attended the session at Windber High School, where candidates each had the chance to answer the same questions fielded by the audience and moderators.
“When you hear them answer, you get a much better feel for each candidate,” said Pat Bossi of Windber. “They all had some good points.”
“This was a very good session,” agreed Paul Henger of Windber. “One of my questions was term limits. What happens is that people with seniority have all the power, and most goes to Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. That needs to change.”
The region is losing three veteran state House members this year – Cambria County’s Tom Yewcic of the 72nd and Ed Wojnaroski of the 71st, as well as Bob Bastian of the 69th in Somerset County.
Democrat Steve Yesenosky did not attend Thursday’s forum.
