STATE SENATE

Term: Six years.



Salary: $76,163



(Vote for one)



All candidates were asked the following questions:

1. How can the state best help to instigate economic growth in your district? In the case of a looming recession, should government cut spending in order to hold the line on taxes, or should government spend more as a way to stimulate the economy?

2. How would you approach the long-running issue of property taxes and funding for education?

3. With the state considering changes for both the Pennsylvania Turnpike and Interstate 80, what is your position on the issue of highway privatization?

4. Lawmakers from the Philadelphia area have tried to bring about tighter gun controls in Pennsylvania. What is your position on gun laws at the state level?

5. What should be the state’s role concerning alternative energy programs such as wind energy, which has been somewhat controversial in our region?



35th District



Democratic

John N. Wozniak

Westmont

Education: 1974 graduate of Johnstown High School; 1978 graduate of Pitt-Johnstown.

Professional background/ qualifications for seeking this office: State House of Representatives 1980-96; elected to the State Senate in 1996

Mission or values statement: Representing a complex, diverse society is not as clear-cut and easy as the media would like to portray. My mission is to continue to push for economic diversification; to work with businesses, labor and community leaders for faster job growth in our region. My office is available to assist citizens with all matters – government or otherwise. With seniority comes experience. That will be important because two new House members are being elected. With age and responsibility, I hope comes wisdom

1. Government’s role in the economy is that of a partner. Government per se is not the job creator, private profit-driven institutions and individuals are. Pennsylvania has a significant arsenal of economic development tools. All of which have been used in our region. It takes experience, strong personal relationships and networks that reach, not just through our region, but also through all the states and foreign countries. Our diversification of economy already shows as we face a possible recession. Pennsylvania is developing a stimulus package in this year’s budget that includes recommendations from me. Also, government has a direct role in infrastructure – roads, bridges, water and sewer lines, etc. All of which are necessary for growth, but are becoming increasingly expensive.

2. Property-tax reform has been an issue longer than I have been in office. The problem is that the alternatives are just as expensive. The state has given school districts self-determination to raise income tax to reduce property tax. Of 501 school districts, none in our region have been successful. The gaming law is only a new source of revenue that will drive down property tax and homeowners this summer. In short, a significant increase in personal income tax and sales tax would be necessary to generate the billions of needed money to reduce property taxes. The other issue that Pennsylvania citizens are not ready to adopt is rearrange and reduce the number of school districts. Teacher/student ratio would remain the same but hundreds of millions of dollars would be saved in administration, building, maintenance, insurance, legal and all other facets. Statewide pensions and health care are presently being considered to slow costs.

3. Pennsylvania needs to invest in its roads and bridges – there has not been a gas tax increase since 1997. Eleven years ago. With record-breaking gas prices and it being an election year, there will be no tax increase. All other concepts are on the table and are being explored. Every proposal brings its own controversy.

4. The is nothing wrong with the present gun laws in Pennsylvania. The issue is harsher penalties for the bad guys – not more regulation for the honest guy.

5. The state should move ahead with its efforts in alternative energy – wind, solar, coal, ethanol, etc. The state should create criteria for the placing of windmills so that they are placed based on scientific fact and not emotional or pseudo science innuendoes. A fair balance must be created. I do not see anybody reducing his or her electric consumption.



Republican

Joseph W. Veranese

Johnstown

Education: Bachelor’s degree in accounting from IUP; minor in music education.

Professional background/ qualifications for seeking this office: For the past 15 years I have been the operations manager of a Johnstown-based company. Also, I have been a township supervisor, township treasurer, police commissioner and zoning hearing board member. I have served on advisory councils for local businesses and hospitals.

Mission or values statement: Work hard to make my family and the people of the 35th Senatorial District proud of the person they sent to Harrisburg.

1. Government, at any level, can not spend its way to economic prosperity. The simplest way to put it is to look at the economy as a child. If you show confidence in the child he/she flourishes. The people need to have confidence in the economy for it to flourish. The government’s responsibility is to build confidence in our economy, not prop it up with careless spending.

2. Property taxes vary in degree from district to district because Harrisburg has an unfair formula in place to determine how much state aid goes into a district. This formula must be corrected now. After that is completed, Harrisburg must push to raise the level of state funding to schools to help reduce the burden on homeowners. Lastly, gambling revenue must go towards property-tax relief only and not be promised to every program under the sun.

3. Interstate 80 should never be tolled and I would need 10 more pages to go into detail as to why. Privatization of the Turnpike would result immediately in higher tolls and their rate of increase would be tremendous. Couple that with Pennsylvania’s diesel tax (highest in the nation) and you will push many companies out of our region, resulting in even greater unemployment.

4. There is an old saying that goes “Locks are for honest people. If a criminal wants to get in, no lock made will stop him.” The same is true of criminals and guns. If a criminal wants a gun he will get it. New laws will only affect law-abiding, responsible gun owners.

5. The state should be intimately involved with alternative energy programs. Where Pennsylvania has failed is in community outreach. There are cases where the developer and the state have been less than forthright with the people. In general, people are not opposed to alternative energy. The public does get disheartened though when our governor has a financial stake in the company getting the contract.