Settle in for a nice long diary. I'm back up in my hotel room after a good first day at the Pennsylvania Progressive Summit 2010, the first of hopefully many summits to come for Progressives and Liberals here in the Keystone State. The highlight of the evening (aside from a drink with an old friend who is working for one of the campaigns) was the gubernatorial debate between the four remaining Democratic candidates: Chris Doherty, Joe Hoeffel, Dan Onorato, and Jack Wagner.
I'm going to take you through each of the sections of the debate below, either with paraphrases or bullet points for each section and candidate. I tried to take these copious notes as accurately as possible, but if anyone else was there and notices any mistakes I have made (although I don't believe there are any), please let me know. I'm going to try and be as unbiased as possible so that you can just decide on your own. In the parlance of the business, I believe that means that I'll Report and You'll Decide. ;-)
The moderator of the debate was Eileen Connolly, state director of the SEIU State Council and Chair of Keystone Progress, the main sponsor of the conference. The format of the debate was two minute opening and closing statements, one minute and thirty seconds for answers to each question from each candidate and then thirty seconds for rebuttal if any candidate felt it was necessary. For ease of reading and writing, I have combined the answers and rebuttals. In addition, this will only contain the information I felt was most important. I skipped over a lot of the standard debate fair (e.g. thanking the moderator, thanking the audience, personal details unless central to the answer, etc.) so bear in mind that some of these answers may seem a little short for the full two minutes everyone was allotted for each question.
Opening Statements:
Doherty: Recently re-elected as Mayor of Scranton, he has made Scranton the number one place in America to raise a family. Also on track to build the first medical school in Pennsylvania in fifty years. It's important to remember that we're all in this together and we must build our cities and towns to be successful.
Hoeffel: Important to challenge state government and challenge the way business is being done in Harrisburg. The next governor must show the voters that our best days are ahead of us. The successful Democrat in November will be the one who can find and hold the progressive center by being socially liberal and fiscally responsible. Reagan was wrong when he said that government was the problem; collective action is vital. We must focus on education and fully funding our schools to be successful.
Onorato: Has been the county executive of Allegheny County for six years. When he was first elected, the county was on the verge of bankruptcy. After his election he hired the county's first sustainability manager and began a process of cleaning and redeveloping brownfields to improve economic development while preserving green space. Now the New York Times has named as one of the bright spots of the current economy and following the G-20 Summit, President Obama said that Pittsburgh was an example for the world. Feels that growth must be sustainable and vowed to fully fund the Department of Environmental Protection.
Wagner: Not pleased with the state of the economy and the current situation in Pennsylvania. He also feels the American Dream is slipping away. Also points out that he's been advocating for reform for the last five years. Goes through his bio a little (IBEW worker, former Marine, worked in public sector for 25 years) and says that we need to reform PHEAA (the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Administration) and public works programs to eliminate waste and abuse.
The first question was regarding how the candidates would ensure that there is adequate funding for the safety net and encourage family sustaining jobs.
Hoeffel: Tax reform is essential, specifically calling for a progressive graduated income tax to replace the flat income tax that Pennsylvania currently has. We should also reduce the focus on funding from the property taxes and shift to a greater reliance on the income tax. This would lead to more equitable funding of social safety net programs.
Onorato: Calls for tax reform through the inclusion of an Earned Income Tax Credit. Also would require a living wage on taxpayer funded projects. Would also call for pay to the governor and legislators to be suspended if the budget is late. (ED: The Pennsylvania budget is notorious for always being passed late.)
Wagner: Also demands that the budget be passed on time but does not call for changes in the tax structure until waste has been taken care of. Also wants to end threats of state worker layoffs during budget fights and require more competition on government contracts.
Doherty: He vowed to fully fund all safety net programs. Mentioned that governing is all about choices and discussed his record in Scranton.
Same Sex Marriage:
Onorato: Supports civil unions but not same sex marriage. Pushed the county to include sexual orientation and gender identity in its anti-discrimination regulations; only the second county to do so.
Wagner: Supports marriage between "a man and a woman" and not same sex marriage. Does support anti-discrimination legislation and hate crimes legislation.
Doherty: Has "no problem" with same sex marriage and believes that people have a right to be happy.
Hoeffel: Supports same sex marriage. Notes that in the eyes of God we are all equal and our laws on Earth should reflect that. Also noted that he lives in a neighborhood that has two very nice gay couples in it.
Manufacturing Revitalization:
Wagner: A supporter of manufacturing as it is important for the economy and for national security. Feels we need a program that will zero in on job retention.
Doherty: We need to keep the jobs we have as well as grow new jobs for our economy. Education is key to generating new manufacturing jobs, including universal pre-Kindergarten. Also feels we must concentrate on providing education for people who create jobs and businesses.
Hoeffel: A three pronged approach is key to revitalizing manufacturing: an educated and well-trained workforce, investment in older communities and downtowns, and balanced development to attract new businesses and retain graduates. This approach has already preserved or created 500 jobs in Norristown. (ED: Norristown is one of the larger cities in Montgomery County where Hoeffel serves on the Board of Commissioners.)
Onorato: Manufacturing is already being revitalized in Allegheny County with the construction of new steel plants in the city of Pittsburgh and a new factory building mirrors for solar power plants. A level playing field and education are key to growing manufacturing. Very important to connect graduates with jobs after graduation or the completion of training.
Stance on the new school funding formula and general school funding:
Doherty: He supports the current formula and believes that nothing is more important than education funding. Also notes that universal pre-Kindergarten is vital.
Hoeffel: He pledges to fully fund the formula believing it to be very fair. He also plans to double funding for early childhood education. He also noted that state support for education is below the average for the nation and relied too much on property taxes. He believes the solution for this is a graduated progressive income tax.
Onorato: He believes that early childhood education and the present formula should continue and be fully funded. He is also a big supporter of Head Start and "will not bend" on these issues.
Wagner: He supports increasing special education funding and has been an advocate for early education funding during his career.
Stance on abortion criminalization if Roe v. Wade is reversed:
Hoeffel: He pledges to veto any bill that criminalizes abortion. He has been pro-choice for his entire career and has always been consistent on the issue. He also believes the current abortion laws are too restrictive and are designed to throw up obstacles for women and would work to change them if elected. He also notes that being pro-choice is about more than abortion, but is about trusting and respecting women.
Onorato: He supports the law as it currently stands and would veto any bill that attempted to change it.
Wagner: He is an advocate for fewer abortions and strongly supports the current law. He also says that we must support women and children.
Doherty: He pledges to veto any bill that would take away a woman's right to choose. He believes this right is as basic as the right to marry.
Stance on continuation of current liquor control laws:
(ED: Pennsylvania currently runs state liquor stores although there is always a low level movement to privatize them or to sell more alcoholic beverages privately.)
Onorato: He supports continuing the law as it currently stands. He believes it is important for stores to be creative when competing in the marketplace, citing the construction of liquor stores in the same building as supermarkets as one good example. He believes the current regulation by the state is a good thing.
Wagner: He is against privatization and supports the current system. He would also like to see the number of stores expanded.
Doherty: He supports the state system. He also supports modernization of the stores believing it will lead to greater revenues for the state. He also notes that state regulation leads to better and safer communities.
Hoeffel: He supports the current state system while noting that the state employees of the stores have already started effective reforms. He would also like to see the state bargain harder to reduce prices in the state liquor stores.
Healthcare for Pennsylvania:
Wagner: He supports the federal public option and would like to see it passed. He also notes that Pennsylvania already has numerous health programs that serve the people very well such as PACE, PACENet, and SCHIP. He would support continuation of these programs while increasing funding for basic adult healthcare programs.
Doherty: A final decision in Washington is needed before moving forward with a decision for Pennsylvania. He also believes that a good jobs program is the best healthcare program. Good jobs will bring healthcare for workers, and where private health care is unavailable, the state must step in.
Hoeffel: He is concerned that the Democrats in Congress may be "blowing a golden opportunity." He believes that the only real long term solution for Pennsylvania is a Medicare for all type model in the state. Such a program would eliminate the excessive profits and problems of private insurance and would support the creation of such a program if elected.
Onorato: He believes that the current health care crisis is the biggest threat to the middle class today. He has personally seen in Allegheny County that there is no real competition between private insurance companies under the current system. He believes that before a final decision can be made, Washington must finish its health care bill.
Stance on increasing assistance for the poor and disabled:
Onorato: He strongly believes that we cannot balance the budget on the back of safety net programs. He also pledges that if there are any Cost of Living Adjustments in government spending then they should be in the safety net programs first. He also notes that an Earned Income Tax Credit will help to alleviate the need for these programs in some cases and pledges that the Department of Human Services will always be fully funded.
Wagner: He is sensitive to the need for proper funding and operations in Pennsylvania's safety net programs. He is also not confident that they are currently operating properly. He notes that most errors are currently benefiting insurance companies and that we must tackle the waste in the system before looking at additional funding.
Doherty: As Mayor he oversees subsidized housing in Scranton and fully believes that people in these programs deserve an increase in support.
Hoeffel: He believes that these programs are fundamental and is committed to supporting them. He is also against the cuts in this year's budget and believes it is vital that we find the money, will, and leadership to treat people properly.
Prison reform to reduce prison populations:
Wagner: He believes that modern technology will help to solve this problem (i.e. ankle bracelets). He also notes that we must keep better track of repeat offenders.
Doherty: He believes that education is the key to solving this problem on a long term basis. While the long term solution is investing in kids, he believes innovation would be helpful to reduce the problem in the short term.
Hoeffel: He firmly believes there are too many mandatory minimum sentences. He wants to reform the laws and mandatory minimums as they apply to non-violent drug offenders. He also notes that Montgomery County is also experiencing success with alternative sentences.
Onorato: He notes that Allegheny County already has a very successful anti-recidivism program that works to monitor and change the environment that released prisoners enter after leaving prison. He notes that this has already reduced the recidivism rate by 40%. He also believes that more investment in early education will help to reduce future prison populations.
Marijuana decriminalization:
Doherty: He notes that the majority of crime is drug related and would keep marijuana illegal.
Hoeffel: He would support legalization for medicinal use but not for recreational use. He would insist on having a doctor in charge of the entire process and notes that it has already been scientifically proven to ease pain in patients.
Onorato: He would not support decriminalization in any situations. He does pledge to reform the system and notes that economic revitalization will help to reduce drug crimes.
Wagner: He would support medicinal use but not decriminalization for recreational use.
Women and minorities on staff:
Hoeffel: His co-manager is a woman and his deputy field director is an African-American woman. He believes that diversity is important for finding solutions for all of society. He pledges that his cabinet would reflect the diversity of society noting that it is important both on the merits and on the message it sends to the state.
Onorato: He has already worked to increase diversity in Allegheny County. He also pledges to pass an executive order and support legislation to examine pay disparities for women and minorities and then fix them. He would also continue his staff's diversity as governor.
Wagner: He notes that his staff in the Auditor General's office is already diverse. His campaign manager is also a woman and he is a strong advocate for increasing the number of women running for public office.
Doherty: He notes that many of his campaign and mayoral staffs are women. He also grew up in a household with lots of women in it.
Gun control:
Onorato: He believes it is time to look at serious gun control legislation. He also supports child safety locks, mandating the report of lost and stolen guns, and authorizing local communities to pass gun control laws if they are not passed statewide. (ED: This is a major issue in Philadelphia as they have tried to pass gun control legislation in the past only to have it struck down by the courts.) He believes that we can balance hunting and safety.
Wagner: He believes that the main problem is that guns are getting into the wrong hands. He is practical on the issue noting that he is a supporter of the Second Amendment but that the state must work to keep guns out of the hands of "bad people". He also believes we must do more to prevent "straw man" purchases.
Doherty: He believes that we must pass legislation to permit local communities to pass their own gun control laws. He also notes that economic improvement and civic improvement will help to reduce gun violence. He would also support "one gun a month" legislation.
Hoeffel: He supports "one gun a month", lost and stolen reporting, and child locks. He also notes that he supported closing the gun show loophole as a Congressman. He firmly believes that we must allow local control on gun control legislation.
Graduated progressive income tax and fair property taxes:
Wagner: He believes that the current tax structure is antiquated. He notes that Pennsylvania's business taxes are too high while exempting too many businesses. He would keep the current personal income tax and would appoint a blue ribbon commission to recommend changes.
Doherty: He is a supporter of a progressive income tax and notes that Scranton already has one.
Hoeffel: He supports a progressive tax and reform of current property tax laws. He also notes that the corporate income tax is a mess and believes we need to change the reporting laws to end corporate avoidance which will eventually lead to a lower corporate rate.
Onorato: He supports changing the personal income tax through the use of an Earned Income Tax Credit and believes the current corporate income tax laws must be overhauled. He also believes that property taxes are a problem and that we need to stop the fighting between counties through property taxes and the use of reassessments as a way to put through a back-door property tax increase. He also notes that there have been no property tax increases in Allegheny County.
Political contributions and direct contributions to candidates:
(ED: Pennsylvania currently has no limits on individual contributions to candidates, as well as no limits on contributions made by PACs and state parties. Corporate and union contributions directly to candidates are banned. There are also no limits on contributions to PACs, although corporate and union contributions are banned here as well.)
Doherty: He supports limits and believes the current system is out of control.
Hoeffel: He supports contribution limits and insists that we need more transparency. He believes that current finance laws must be enforced vigorously. He also supports placing limits on contributions for individuals and PACs at the same amount and believes $5,000 would be a reasonable limit.
Onorato: He supports setting state limits at the same level as federal limits. He also believes we need more transparency through the use of modern technology, noting that all filings in Allegheny County are put online as soon as they are available.
Wagner: He believes that the current system leaves Pennsylvania in "the dark ages". He believes that government must be reformed as there is too much fraud, waste, and abuse.
How to beat Tom Corbett:
(ED: Tom Corbett is Pennsylvania's Attorney General and the presumptive Republican nominee.)
Hoeffel: He believes that the best way to beat Corbett is to fight hard and to stand up for our beliefs. He believes that demonstrating socially liberal and fiscally responsible values will resonate with Pennsylvania. He plans to challenge him directly with a clear choice noting that a clear distinction is vital to winning.
Onorato: He believes that the best ideas, the best platform, and the best policy papers are crucial to defeating Corbett in the election. He believes his track record would show him to have the most progressive agenda and plans to take the fight to all sixty-seven counties.
Wagner: He believes that being a moderate with proven statewide election experience is key to being successful in November. He notes that he received more votes than Corbett in his last election. He also notes that he is a proven winner and is also a veteran which will help with the over one million veterans in Pennsylvania. He believes the most important thing to show to voters in Pennsylvania is integrity.
Doherty: He notes that he is the only mayor on the ballot and that being a mayor is the closest thing to being a governor. He also notes that, while Corbett is a good man, he has never created a single job. He believes that educating the voters about his job creation plan is the key to being successful.
Closing:
Wagner: He believes he is the most qualified to lead Pennsylvania. He wants to see the state become an environmentally responsible energy leader while improving its infrastructure. He also pledges to reform state government and would like to reduce the number of seats in the General Assembly. (ED: The General Assembly is Pennsylvania's lower legislative house.)
Onorato: He firmly believes he can turn Pennsylvania around. He has already done it in Allegheny County. He believes that we need smart sustainable growth and that we must exploit the Marcellus Shale in a responsible fashion. (ED: The Marcellus Shale is a natural feature under Pennsylvania that was recently discovered to hold the largest natural gas reserves ever discovered in the United States.) He believes that a tax on gas removal must be used to encourage in-state investment and to fully fund the Department of Environmental Protection.
Hoeffel: He believes that we must challenge our state government and our citizens to do better. He also believes we must get the Marcellus Shale right, noting that the current process is being impacted by pressure and campaign contributions from energy companies. He believes we must halt the current permitting process and solve the gas removal wastewater problem. He believes that leadership is needed and points out that while he is a "liberal Democrat", he has proven through his work in Montgomery County that he can work with Republicans.
Doherty: He believes that we must invest in ourselves. He notes that Pennsylvania built this country and that we must tap into that history. He believes that everything centers on the choices people make and that people must make the right choices.
So that's the debate wrap-up. I think I covered everything. My personal opinion is that Onorato and Hoeffel were the strongest candidates in the debate and that the primary will come down to a donnybrook between the two of them. I won't be able to stick around to blog with everyone as I have to get dressed and go down to the second day of the conference as well as put my bag in my car for the drive back to Philadelphia when the day is over. I promise to come back and check on this diary once I get back home.