Published: October 29, 2008 11:28 pm      

35th foes clash over spending

Both candidates for the 35th Senatorial District agree that huge spending cuts will soon be required to avoid raising state taxes.

Debating Wednesday at Richland High School, incumbent Democrat John Wozniak and Republican challenger Joseph Veranese clashed over timing and approaches to solving the state’s financial crisis.

Citing his 28 years of experience in Harrisburg, Wozniak cautioned that things happen slowly in government and said he wants to step back and take a look at entire budget issue.

“Depending on the size of the deficit, it’s going to be a very, very difficult decision where to cut,” Wozniak said.

“It’s easy to find places to make cuts until you try to do it.”

Any proposed cuts will undoubtedly encounter fervent opposition from special interest groups, different regions of the state and individual legislators, he said.

That’s because career politicians are out of touch with their constituencies, Veranese countered, calling for swift action.

“My opponent has said he would wait until February to decide,” Veranese said.

“That’s four months from now. The problem will also increase.”

Some saving could come from reducing the number of senators and house members in government, saving not only their salaries, but staff and office expenses as well, Veranese said.

Cutting the Legislature sounds good, Wozniak said, but it would hurt the 35th district by concentrating more voting power in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

“Rural Pennsylvania will have less representation,” Wozniak said. “It is not cost effective in rural Pennsylvania to reduce the size of the Legislature.”

Many issues raised in the final debate co-sponsored by The Tribune-Democrat and WJAC-TV were familiar in the hotly contested Senate race.

Veranese reminded the audience that Wozniak voted in favor of the controversial 2005 pay raise and accepted the increase, later paying it back.

Then he again blasted the incumbent for voting for a plan to make Interstate 80 a toll road, citing costs to businesses in the northern half of the 35th district.

“The tolling of I-80 was a bad idea,” Veranese said. “My opponent voted for it.”

The proposed law, which was shot down in federal court, was designed to pay for needed highway and bridge improvements without raising gas taxes, Wozniak said.

It included a “caveat” that would allow local residents and businesses to avoid the tolls.

“It’s dead in the water, and we do not have an idea what we are going to do with our highway system,” Wozniak said. “The highway system’s problem is real. The safety of everybody on the road is very real.”

Moving the state police budget from transportation to the general fund would free up $600 million to fix roads and bridges, Veranese suggested, opening the hot topic of rebuilding infrastructure.

The general fund doesn’t have a spare $600 million, Wozniak shot back.

“You can’t just move money around, back and forth,” he said.

Discussion of motorcycle helmet laws brought the most applause from the largest audience to attend any debate in the series.

Wozniak sponsored legislation to overturn Pennsylvania’s law requiring helmets.

“My position is: Let those that ride decide,” Wozniak said, bringing a round of applause.

The other half of the clearly partisan crowd answered just as audibly when Veranese asked why motorcycle helmets are not required, but seatbelts must be used.

The candidates agreed on a few issues:

Both oppose extending Philadelphia gun laws to the rest of the state. Both called for harsh penalties for legislators convicted in a bonus scandal. Both agreed the state should encourage municipal consolidation and cooperation, but not require it.

In closing, Veranese noted a pervasive “Harrisburg is broken” theme in this election.

“We need to fix Harrisburg,” he said.

“Part of the problem is career politicians.”

Wozniak again cited his experience and leadership as a voice for areas outside Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

“You have to understand the system to make things happen,” Wozniak said.