District 40 Senate Candidates Debate (May 8th)

The following is a summary of the May 8, 2014 debate by Democratic candidates for the Pennsylvania Senate, District 40 which was held at Gracedale.

Running in the May 20th Primary: Joe Capozollo(JC), Mark Aurand (MA) and Scott Parsons (SP)

Do you believe there is a need to make changes to the level of taxes affecting senior citizens?

SP wants to deal with property taxes and also approve Medicaid expansion.

 JC pointed out that the property tax issue comes up before every election and typically goes nowhere. He thinks we should look at the inheritance tax, especially how it disproportionately affects gay couples.

MA feels a lot of our current funding problems began with Corbett slashing the taxes on corporations.  At the moment only 23% of school funding comes from the state which has led to an increase in property taxes. 

All three candidates stated that the state needs to fund its fair share of schools.

What are your plans for the public school system and what is a fair and equitable funding system for public and charter schools?

JC does not believe charter and cyber school funding is fair. Those institutions don’t have the same mandates placed on them as public schools and he would support putting in a moratorium on charter school applications.

MA feels it is critical to fund schools to keep the playing field even. He would work to reverse Gov. Corbett’s cuts to K-12 and colleges. He believes charters are siphoning off funding from public schools and, while some charter schools are a good idea, they should have to meet the same standards as public schools.

SP says it is the state’s obligation to make sure public schools are funded properly—at 50%, instead of 23%.  He would increase the focus on the STEM curriculum.

Medicaid Expansion

All three candidates support expanding Medicaid. 

JC thinks the rollout of the ACA was bumpy and that it made it hard for small businesses to cover people. 

What is your position on the HB 76 property relief act?

MA feels the bill is well intentioned, but there are problems with it.  Under this bill, all education money would be sent to the state for distribution. Local communities would lose control of the cash and commercial enterprises, such as Wal-Mart, wouldn’t have to pay property taxes.

SP agreed HB 76 is a bad idea since it would extend the state sale’s tax to cover food and clothing.

JC thinks HB76 is an election year gimmick.

Making themselves accessible and getting feedback from constituents

All three pledged to establish two local offices and reach out through town hall meetings and social media

Pennsylvania’s voter ID law

Note: During the debate, the law was struck down by the courts and Gov. Corbett said he will not challenge the ruling

All three candidates expressed an interest in making it easier for people to vote.

 SP pointed out that, currently, Pennsylvanians are only given 13 hours to cast their ballots. He is for extended hours and on ling registration. 

MA would like to see early voting on the weekends put into place. 

JC would like to open up registration to 17 year olds who will turn 18 right before an election.

Do you support a moratorium on fracking and, if so, how would you replace the income?

All three candidates support establishing a severance tax on fracking as Pennsylvania is the only state that currently does not tax this industry. SP suggested a 5% tax, JC suggested a 7.5% tax and MA expressed support for a tax somewhere between 5-10%. 

MA wants to use the money to fund public education. SP supports a moratorium on fracking on public lands and state parks.

The right to bear arms in PA and the closure of the loophole on no background checks required for long guns?

MA says it makes sense for everyone to submit to a background check when purchasing a gun. He supports closing the loophole.

SP supports everyone’s rights to bear arms. Supports a waiting period on sales and wants to educate people on gun safety.

JC is a gun owner and supports guns. He believes in more stringent background checks for gun owners and supports responsible gun ownership.

The candidates were asked about their views on Common Core, Same Sex Marriage, Privatization of State Liquor stores and increasing the minimum wage.

SP and JC are against Common Core.

All three candidates support same sex marriage.

All three candidates supported increasing the minimum wage to $10.10, although, as a small business owner, JC would like to see the increase phased in over time.

All three candidates are against the privatization of the state lottery and liquor stores.