2012 Penn. Senate Debates: on Budget & Economy


Tom Smith: Stagnant economy due to over-regulation & complex taxes

So what prompts a successful 64-year-old businessman who should be enjoying his retirement to take on one of Pennsylvania's most formidable politicians? "The three major issues that people want to talk about right now are what got me into this," Smith says, "That's the economy being stagnated, the lack of jobs, and deficit spending and the national debt."

He hears those concerns echoed in countless meetings across the state, as workers and business owners share their frustrations about the economy, and about Washington adding to those burdens. "Businesses are scared to expand right now," Smith says. "It's understandable. I lived that."

After 20 years running mining operations, Smith knows that businesses need consistency to expand and flourish: in energy prices, regulations, and tax policy. It just isn't there today. An overly complex tax code also hurts, Smith says.

Source: Philadelphia Inquirer on 2012 PA Senate debate Sep 23, 2012

Marc Scaringi: We need a balanced budget amendment

Each of the candidates thought the federal debt is the nation's greatest threat. Welch called for a balanced budget amendment and term limits for lawmakers. "It should be a privilege to serve, not a road to riches," he said.

"We need a balanced budget amendment. That is really the only way we have to stop career politicians to spend us to bankruptcy," Scaringi said. He called for elimination of those agencies that harm the economy and are not supported by the Constitution.

Source: Williamsport Sun-Gazette on 2012 PA Senate debate Mar 23, 2012

  • The above quotations are from 2012 Pennsylvania Senate Debate.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Budget & Economy.
  • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
  • Click here for more quotes by Marc Scaringi on Budget & Economy.
  • Click here for more quotes by Steve Welch on Budget & Economy.
Candidates and political leaders on Budget & Economy:

Retired Senate as of Jan. 2015:
GA:Chambliss(R)
IA:Harkin(D)
MI:Levin(D)
MT:Baucus(D)
NE:Johanns(R)
OK:Coburn(R)
SD:Johnson(D)
WV:Rockefeller(D)

Resigned from 113th House:
AL-1:Jo Bonner(R)
FL-19:Trey Radel(R)
LA-5:Rod Alexander(R)
MA-5:Ed Markey(D)
MO-9:Jo Ann Emerson(R)
NC-12:Melvin Watt(D)
SC-1:Tim Scott(R) 		Retired House to run for Senate or Governor:
AR-4:Tom Cotton(R)
GA-1:Jack Kingston(R)
GA-10:Paul Broun(R)
GA-11:Phil Gingrey(R)
HI-1:Colleen Hanabusa(D)
IA-1:Bruce Braley(D)
LA-6:Bill Cassidy(R)
ME-2:Mike Michaud(D)
MI-14:Gary Peters(D)
MT-0:Steve Daines(R)
OK-5:James Lankford(R)
PA-13:Allyson Schwartz(D)
TX-36:Steve Stockman(R)
WV-2:Shelley Capito(R) 		Retired House as of Jan. 2015:
AL-6:Spencer Bachus(R)
AR-2:Tim Griffin(R)
CA-11:George Miller(D)
CA-25:Howard McKeon(R)
CA-33:Henry Waxman(D)
CA-45:John Campbell(R)
IA-3:Tom Latham(R)
MN-6:Michele Bachmann(R)
NC-6:Howard Coble(R)
NC-7:Mike McIntyre(D)
NJ-3:Jon Runyan(R)
NY-4:Carolyn McCarthy(D)
NY-21:Bill Owens(D)
PA-6:Jim Gerlach(R)
UT-4:Jim Matheson(D)
VA-8:Jim Moran(D)
VA-10:Frank Wolf(R)
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Page last updated: Dec 04, 2018