SENATE CANDIDATE CICKAY CONFERS WITH CANDIDATE WOLF

Steve Cickay had a candid conversation with Democratic candidate Tom Wolf in Quakertown today about his candidacy. Thanks to the Upper Bucks County Democratic Leadership, Candidate Wolf made a brief appearance at Upper Bucks Democratic Headquarters in Quakertown as part of his Fresh Start bus tour. “I was glad to see Tom here in Bucks County doing his part for the ‘Turn Bucks Blue’ campaign in support of all Bucks County Democratic candidates on November 4th.”

Cickay staunchly supports Wolf, and mention Wolf’s fresh start policies and optimism for Pennsylvania during all his numerous doorknocking encounters. “Democrats, Independents and even moderate Republicans are excited about Tom. I believe he will be our next governor, and I plan to be the 25th Democratic Senator who will give him a majority in the senate.” Currently there are 23 Democrats in the Senate and 27 Republicans. Only 2 seats are needed to obtain the majority, because the tie vote would be cast by Lieutenant Governor Mike Stack.

Although Cickay agrees in principle with almost every one of Tom’s policy positions, he is concerned with Wolf about the gubernatorial candidate’s plans for raising the Personal Income Tax (PIT). “As a Bucks County Democrat, I first and foremost want to do what is right by the people of District 10. A PIT increase would hurt the working people who are the heart and soul of Bucks County. They can’t afford a PIT increase.” Cickay explained that voting for a PIT increase would make Wolf similar to his opponent Chuck McIlhinney who voted for the most recent PIT increase during the first year of the Rendell Administration in 2003.

“Tom will have my key 25th vote on almost every other issue, but I will not vote for a tax increase on the hard-working middle class citizens of Bucks County,” Cickay said, reiterating a pledge he made in a debate with McIlhinney in Doylestown on October 22. “People in District 10 and across Bucks County have already been saddled with property tax increases by a Republican administration that has caused local property taxes to rise by underfunding education at the state level. We need to investigate alternate revenue streams from corporate entities now enjoying record profits. They must pay their fair share before we raise taxes on the middle class, especially seniors on fixed incomes and hard-working dual-income families.”

Candidate Cickay has already expressed interest in closing corporate tax loopholes on multinationals which unfairly pay zero taxes, in taxing the oil and gas drilling industry fairly, in taxing smokeless tobacco, and in exploring the possibility of a 0.3% charge on stock transactions. “I think Tom would agree that the broad middle class here in Bucks County is having a hard enough time paying for college costs for their children; they don’t need to see their taxes go up too during the next four years.” During last week’s debate, Cickay’s opponent McIlhinney passed on a chance to make a similar pledge not to raise the PIT. Cickay warns that if his opponent were elected, he would repeat his 2003 vote for a tax hike.

Cickay is looking forward to working with Governor Wolf next year to pass important legislation that helps the people of Bucks County. Candidate Cickay is thankful for the support he has been receiving from Democratic leaders. Recently the Philadelphia Inquirer termed his race a “race to watch.” despite the fact that he has been outspent by hundreds of thousands of dollars by his 16 year incumbent opponent. “When Democratic leaders help Democratic leaders like Tom Wolf did today, and the people come out to vote, good things happen for the people,” Cickay

affirmed. “And I am confident that the people of District 10 will vote for a fresh start on November 4th.”