Testimony before the
HOUSE STATE GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE
June 20, 2017
Speaker K. Leroy Irvis Building
The Capitol
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Senator Pat Toomey (R-PA) rightly characterizes President Trump’s tax reform plan as one that will result in well-paying jobs --“The best economic stimulus for the middle class,” he said in a statement.
He also noted that massive increases in government spending and nearly $2 trillion in taxes under President Obama delivered the opposite: “The slowest lowest post-recession recovery since World War II, weak job growth, and stagnant household income.”
Reforming state government continues to be a big part of Tom Corbett’s agenda. As Attorney General he investigated and prosecuted lawmakers of both parties who used taxpayers’ money and state time for political campaigning, including the “Bonusgate” scandal. In his bid for a second four-year term as governor, he cites past reform accomplishments and additional changes he will pursue over his next term.
State lawmakers and Attorney General Kathleen Kane had distinct and telling responses to a Philadelphia Inquirer report that four House members accepted cash gifts in a sting operation. The House and Senate acted quickly to police their own, passing legislation prohibiting lawmakers from taking cash gifts. Attorney General Kane chose not to prosecute the four legislators, despite admitting at a press conference that crimes were committed.
Lawmakers have an opportunity in the few days left in the 2012-13 legislative session to make a 15 year-old charter school system, with a shining track record in Pennsylvania, even better. These reform proposals, however, are stalled in the General Assembly. The differences are over the approach.