Issue Position: Good Jobs
Issue Position
OVERVIEW
The most important public policy issue today is the creation and retention of high quality, family sustaining jobs. The private sector creates jobs, but state government has an important supporting role to play. Unfortunately, for decades, Pennsylvania has spent billions of dollars on so-called "economic development" programs, attempting to choose between job-creating winners and losers. It hasn't worked over the long term.
Quite simply, we must stop paying bribes to big companies to locate here in Pennsylvania and then add insult to injury by paying ransom when they threaten to leave. I will continue fighting to redirect the state's economic development funds towards the creation of a better job climate overall in the Commonwealth, with strategic investments in education and training, infrastructure, transportation, and tax relief for families and businesses.
To the extent that direct state financial assistance continues, my priority is on developing and nurturing small, locally-owned businesses. After all, as our friends and neighbors, they are the ones that are truly committed to serving and supporting our community. Based on my experience at the Pennsylvania Department of the Auditor General in exposing the flaws in the current system, I will also continue to fight to ensure that all recipients of state aid actually create and retain the jobs they promised -- and pay back your tax dollars if they don't.
In addition, also based on my experience, I will continue fighting for transparency and competition to the state's own awarding of contracts for goods and services to the private sector. This will reduce costs for taxpayers and provide greater opportunities for businesses and workers. The state must also reverse the recent decline in opportunities for qualified minority- and women-owned businesses to work with the state.
I recognize that the new Marcellus Shale energy resources present a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build an industry that will create thousands of good jobs, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, reduce the cost of natural gas, and address our state's fiscal problems. However, I am concerned that our state is letting this opportunity slip away. Policymakers still have not truly resolved the issue of who should pay the costs that the development of this new resource will impose on our environment and our infrastructure. My position continues to be that the gas drilling companies must pay a reasonable severance tax -- set in the middle: not the highest in the country, but not the lowest in the country either -- in order to fund the environmental oversight and address the infrastructure impacts of the development of the Marcellus Shale.
I spent my career fighting alongside Bob Casey and Jack Wagner for the rights of working men and women, and I will continue to do so in the State Senate.
Finally, I understand first-hand that a great education system that is accessible to all will lead to high quality, family sustaining jobs for Pennsylvania families and a stronger Pennsylvania. As your State Senator, I am committed to providing it.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Member of Senate Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee; Senate Community, Economic & Recreational Development Committee; Economy, Business, and Jobs Caucus; Life Sciences Caucus; Manufacturing Caucus; Real Estate Caucus; and Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Work Group
Passed law to protect utility line workers as emergency responders during disasters (Act 61 of 2015)
Passed law to protect highway workers and emergency personnel in work zones (Act 70 of 2015)
Passed law to protect automobile dealer franchisees from unfair treatment by vehicle manufacturers (Act 84 of 2013)
Passed law to allow Tesla Motors to sell electric vehicles in PA (Act 125 of 2014)
Introduced bills to improve operation and transparency of state economic development programs
Introduced bill to promote the purchase of goods manufactured in Pennsylvania
Introduced bills to assist minority- and women-owned businesses (MBEs and WBEs) and veterans in their entrepreneurial endeavors
Introduced bill to eliminate the wage gap between the genders
Introduced bill to coordinate programs and services offered to new Pennsylvanians
Introduced bill to protect volunteer first responders from being penalized by their employers for taking time off to take a call
Introduced bill to create portability of professional licenses held by military spouses
Fought for state budgets containing targeted public investments in job creation and retention programs
Held legislative hearing on job creation and retention in Central Pennsylvania
Held legislative hearing on helping returning veterans make the transition to the private sector
Held legislative hearing on career and technical education
Held public forum on state funding for small businesses
Held public forum on government contracting opportunities for MBEs and WBEs
Formed Small Business Advisory Committee, composed of local business-owners, to discuss issues of interest
Assisted dozens of local economic development projects through support for state grants, loans, and tax credits
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