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1.    Annual increases in spending by state, county and local governments, including school districts, should be constitutionally limited to the rate of population growth plus inflation, or a similar index- except during declared emergencies or when the voters, via referendum, approve of the limit being exceeded.

I agree that there should be reasonable limits on spending increases.  I would have to review the details of this proposal to determine if it would be fiscally responsible.  Last year, I offered a plan to balance the budget without raising taxes.  Many of my ideas were included in the final agreement. 

2.    Pennsylvania should reduce taxes on all citizens. According to the Tax Foundation, Pennsylvania's state and local tax burden ranked 24th highest in the nation in 1991, 17th highest in 2002, and 11th highest today.

I agree that taxes should be no higher than necessary.  One of my priorities as Governor is to maintain vital government services without raising taxes.  I will also ensure that homeowners receive the property tax relief that they were promised from casino gaming, as discussed in my recent report.

3.    Pennsylvania should not incur additional taxpayer debt. Since 2002, state debt increased 78% to more than $41 billion. In 2009, total state and local debt stood at $116 billion - over $36,000 per family of four.

I agree that state debt should be no higher than necessary.  One of my priorities as Governor is to maintain vital government services without additional debt.  I will also continue to work to ban local governments from attaching risky derivatives/"swaps" to their debt, as discussed in another recent report.

4.    Pennsylvania governments should put all expenditures of taxpayer money online for easy viewing by citizens - similar to 26 other states.

Agree.  I have led the fight for transparency, accountability, and reform in all areas of state government.  I am very concerned about public contracting that is neither truly competitive nor cost-effective, as discussed in my performance audit of the state's information technology contracts.  Too many contracts are awarded without competition in the bidding process.

5.    Voter approval via public referendum should be required for all state and local tax and fee increases, similar to taxpayer protection provisions in other states.

Elected officials are elected to make tough decisions.  All of the decisions that I have made as an elected official and will make as Governor will involve significant public input.  Again, I will ensure that homeowners receive the property tax relief that they were promised from the legalization of casino gaming.

6.    Tax dollars for education should follow the child. As long as Pennsylvania taxes citizens for public education, children should be able to choose a public or private school for Kindergarten through 12th grade, as they can for higher education.

I have always been open-minded about new and innovative ways to strengthen the quality of education.  For example, I voted for both the Charter School Law and the Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program. 

 

7.    Labor unions should be legally prohibited from forcing workers to pay dues or fees as a condition of employment, and unions should not be forced to represent non-payers at the bargaining table.

Disagree.  I would not diminish the collective bargaining rights of police or other unionized public sector employees.  Many public safety professionals are critical to our security.

8.    Pennsylvania should repeal current Prevailing Wage laws that apply to taxpayer-funded construction projects because they increase labor costs upward of 30% more than the average Market Wage in a community.

Disagree.  I support the payment of prevailing wage as an important means of ensuring the quality and safety of work paid for with public funds.  I believe that skilled positions such as ironworkers, steamfitters, etc. need to properly paid.

 

9.    Government employees, including public school teachers, should be prohibited from striking, and lose a day and one-half of pay for each day they do - similar to New York State's law.

I have always supported the right to strike unless public safety and other critical public safety services are in jeopardy.

10. Pennsylvania should limit non-economic damages awarded in lawsuit, while protecting the rights of victims to recover all economic damages; and a defendant's liability should be proportionate to his share of fault.

Agree in part.  I voted for the elimination of venue shopping, and I voted for the Fair Share Act as a State Senator and would sign it as Governor.

11. Pennsylvania's Constitution should be amended to empower citizens with initiative, referendum and recall - similar to 24 other states.

Agree.  These and other ideas, including another constitutional convention, would empower citizens to bring fundamental reforms to state government, such as reducing the size of the General Assembly, non-partisan congressional redistricting, and contract reform.

12. Pennsylvania should return to a part-time legislature with a limited number of legislative session days - similar to 46 other states.

I am open-minded about returning to a part-time legislature.  Legislative reform is clearly overdue.  It is time to hold another constitutional convention in order to directly involve the general public in the process of bringing fundamental reforms to state government.

13. The number of terms someone can serve in the state legislature should be limited - similar to 15 other states.

I am open-minded about term limits.  Legislative reform is clearly overdue.  The General Assembly is too big and costs too much to operate, especially as compared to its productivity.  As a State Senator, I introduced legislation to reduce the size of the General Assembly by one-third. 

 

14. Pension and healthcare benefits for government employees should reflect private-sector practices, including 401(k)-style defined-contribution pension plans for new hires and health care cost sharing.

As Governor, I will work to reach fair and fiscally responsible agreements regarding state employee retirement and health benefits that are in the best interests of both employees and taxpayers.  My audits have proposed numerous ways to restore fiscal stability to state and local public pension plans.

15. State and local governments should privatize services that can be performed by the private sector, such as the state liquor stores, golf courses, hotels, fitness centers, and parking garages.

Agree in part.  I have been open-minded about contracting out certain functions under strict conditions.  As President of Pittsburgh City Council, I successfully privatized several city attractions, such as the zoo, aviary, Phipps Conservatory, and the golf course.

16. Pennsylvanians should be allowed to waive individual healthcare mandates, and health insurers should be allowed to offer mandate-free policies to reduce healthcare insurance costs for citizens.

As Governor, I will work to provide access to affordable, quality health care for all Pennsylvania residents.  I would want to review the details of such a proposal to determine whether it would be consistent with that objective.

17. Health insurers should not be forced to use "community rating" to determine the cost of premiums and should be allowed to use "experiential rating," similar to how auto insurance premiums are determined.

As Governor, I will work to provide access to affordable, quality health care for all Pennsylvania residents.  I would want to review the details of such a proposal to determine whether it would be consistent with that objective.

18. Pennsylvania should establish a "high-risk pool" that guarantees adequate health insurance for citizens with pre-existing conditions, rather than forcing healthy and low-income citizens to subsidize the premiums of unhealthy and high-income citizens.

See #16 & 17 above.  My audits have identified potential Medicaid savings that can be easily achieved without reducing benefits for eligible recipients.  Public funds should pay for care for those who need it, not go to insurance companies as capitation payments that are made even if care is never provided. 

19. Pennsylvania should flex its 9th and 10th Amendment muscles with the Federal government and refuse to accept funding with mandates for higher state spending, regulations and future uncertain commitments.

I share your concern about the issue of unfunded federal mandates.  

 

20. As Governor of Pennsylvania, my highest priorities as a public servant to the taxpayers and citizens of Pennsylvania will be:

The first priority of the next Governor must be to assess the fiscal condition of state government and develop a comprehensive plan to maintain vital government services without raising taxes.  My experience as Auditor General makes me uniquely suited for this task.  I know firsthand where the waste, fraud, and abuse are in government programs.  The next Governor must also immediately begin to restore the public's faith in government.  This requires a record of integrity and a commitment to reform.  I was the first statewide official to condemn bonuses in state government and propose banning them.  I have long fought to reduce the size of the General Assembly and to hold a constitutional convention.  Being Auditor General is about leading the fight for transparency, accountability, and reform in all areas of state government.  I will continue to do so as Governor.