Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tom Corbett's number one priority as governor?
How will Tom Corbett restore public trust in state government?
How will Tom Corbett lead Pennsylvania's economic recovery without increasing taxes?
How will Tom Corbett deal with the pension crisis?
What are Tom Corbett's views on property tax reform?
How will Tom Corbett support the development of the Marcellus Shale while protecting state forest land and water supplies?
Does Tom Corbett support a severance tax on natural gas?
Why did Tom Corbett sign on to the Federal healthcare lawsuit?
Does Tom Corbett support term limits?
What is Tom Corbett's view on abortion?
Does Tom Corbett support the 2nd Amendment?
What are Tom Corbett's views on same sex marriage?
Does Tom Corbett support funding for Pennsylvania libraries?
Does Tom Corbett support legalizing medical marijuana?
Does Tom Corbett support a one year moratorium on natural gas drilling?
What are Tom Corbett's thoughts on immigration?
What is Tom Corbett's number one priority as governor?
Job creation will be Tom Corbett's number one priority as governor. Creating and maintaining an environment in which good, family-sustaining jobs can grow is critical to restarting Pennsylvania's economy. Pennsylvanians have been hit by the recession and our state's record unemployment numbers show the full impact of this downturn on our families. For far too long, Pennsylvania has consistently ranked at the bottom of every job creation indicator and near the top of every tax burden list. The policies of Harrisburg have driven jobs to other states, and unless we change our business philosophy, Pennsylvania will continue to have one of the worst tax burdens for job creators in the nation. Pennsylvania needs a leader like Tom Corbett who has a vision for revitalizing our economy and making Pennsylvania a global leader - putting job creation first - through meaningful tax, regulatory and legal reform.
How will Tom Corbett restore public trust in state government?
We cannot improve Pennsylvania's economy without fixing the government that runs it. Tom Corbett will bring honesty, accountability and transparency to Harrisburg. His plan to restore public trust in state government, which he will take the Legislature during his first week in office, focuses on the following areas: eliminate per diems, WAMS and discretionary funds; ban political contributions and gifts during procurement process; institute online transparency - taxpayers need to know how their money is being spent; reduce the cost and size of government with a 10 percent reduction in administrative operations over four years; reduce the state automotive fleet; and institute a biennial budget and a combination of zero-based and performance-based budgeting.
How will Tom Corbett lead Pennsylvania's economic recovery without increasing taxes?
Pennsylvania is facing a looming pension crisis, deficits in the Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund, declining stimulus money and an uncompetitive tax structure. The current administration has increased spending by 40 percent, placing that burden on the taxpayers of Pennsylvania, leaving us with insurmountable debt and a failing economy. Tom Corbett believes that Pennsylvanians already pay too much in taxes. That is why he signed a no tax pledge - he believes that taxpayers should not be burdened with Harrisburg's mistakes and greed. With tax increases off the table, Harrisburg will be forced to learn to do more with less and make decisions that are in the best interest of all Pennsylvanians. He knows that our economy cannot recover by taking more money from hardworking Pennsylvanians. Tom Corbett will work to govern by fiscal discipline, limited government and free enterprise. He will institute zero based budgeting, biennial budgeting and will cut spending to make state government accountable to taxpayers.
How will Tom Corbett deal with the pension crisis?
The pension crisis is a tsunami headed straight for Pennsylvania and many other states across the country. For far too long, Harrisburg has decided to put off the tough decisions and ignore the problem -- and Tom Corbett believes that it is time for action and to protect the financial future of all Pennsylvanians. The pension system for public employees is not sustainable in its current form. Tom Corbett is committed to bringing together all stakeholders to devise plans to meet the current pension obligations, cover the coming multi-billion dollar spike and determine the best course of action for the future. He supports creating a "lock box" to collect dedicated funding sources to cover the pension spike and maintain that spike in the coming years. Tom Corbett also believes that we need to address the pension plan itself. He believes we must support the pensions of current vested employees and pensioners in the system. For future employees, he believes that we should consider moving to a defined contribution or possibly a hybrid plan of a defined benefit and defined contribution and consider changes to things such as the multiplier, vesting age and assumption rate. This is why Tom Corbett has called for a special session on Pennsylvania's economic recovery to address the state's unfunded liabilities, specifically the pension crisis. He believes that it is time to take the partisanship out of the discussion for the retirement security for hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians and bring all stakeholders to the table to make sure it is done right.
What are Tom Corbett's views on property tax reform?
Tom Corbett knows that property taxes are burdensome for Pennsylvania's families, seniors and businesses, and he believes that we must work to alleviate the property tax burden on Pennsylvanians with a realistic, comprehensive approach. He supports the reduction and elimination of property taxes if we can find a solution that guarantees reliable and equitable funding for public education and local governments. Tom Corbett believes that we need to devise a property tax reform plan that achieves real millage rate reductions and does not pit one segment of Pennsylvania's population against another. He wants to protect Pennsylvania taxpayers and find solutions based on reliable and tested revenues sources. Property tax reforms - such as the recent law in New Jersey that caps the growth of property taxes and municipal spending at 2% annually, or the reforms in Florida and California - are all good examples of concepts that we should consider for Pennsylvania.
How will Tom Corbett support the development of the Marcellus Shale while protecting state forest land and water supplies?
Tom Corbett will work to harness Pennsylvania's energy potential to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and make energy affordable for all Pennsylvanians. He believes that Pennsylvania's energy resources are critical to revitalizing our economy, growing job opportunities and positioning the commonwealth in the global marketplace. He supports the development of Marcellus Shale in an environmentally sound manner. Tom Corbett will work with energy and environmental leaders, consumers and state and local governments to blend our diverse portfolio of energy resources with a common-sense environmental policy that protects Pennsylvania's air, waterways and lands. Extraction of natural gas can co-exist with environmental protection thanks to innovative technological advances in drilling, equipment, water protection and treatment. Tom Corbett will make protecting water quality and our state lands a top priority with a thorough review of all permits; dedicated staff to water quality and a complete overhaul DEP. He recently called for collaboration between DEP and the natural gas industry to develop environmental standards that will be adopted through legislative action to ensure successful natural gas development with sound environmental stewardship.
Does Tom Corbett support a severance tax on natural gas?
Pennsylvania is blessed with remarkable resources, innovation and a legendary work ethic. Even in its infancy, the Marcellus Shale is beginning to have a great economic impact on Pennsylvania. At a time when the national and state unemployment rates are rising and our country is slowly trying to regain its traction from the recession, the Marcellus Shale is working to create jobs and millions of dollars in royalty fees and local and state tax revenues. The commonwealth currently finds itself at a competitive advantage when compared to other states with similar gas shale plays. Capital investment to develop Pennsylvania's Marcellus Shale is increasing rapidly, and, according to an economic impact study released by Penn State University in 2009, industry activity is expected to generate over $600 million in tax revenues to the Commonwealth during 2010 without a severance tax. Tom Corbett believes that a punitive tax on the industry at this stage would reduce capital investment in the commonwealth and reduce the potential for new jobs, tax revenues and other economic benefits associated with development of the Marcellus Shale. In addition, Tom Corbett would support dedicating a portion of the royalty fees to communities that are being impacted by drilling.
Why did Tom Corbett sign on to the Federal healthcare lawsuit?
As Attorney General, Tom Corbett has made healthcare a priority. In 2009, his Healthcare Section assisted over 4,700 consumers and saved Pennsylvanians over $4.2 million. As Governor, Tom Corbett will be an advocate for access to affordable, quality healthcare. He supports healthcare reform, but believes that the healthcare reform law as written is unconstitutional and that Congress has exceeded its authority by requiring citizens to purchase government-approved health insurance. Those who fail to comply with the mandate will be punished with an annual tax penalty. This analysis is shared by many of his colleagues from around the country who have joined in filing a lawsuit challenging the Act's constitutionality. Tom Corbett believes that Pennsylvanians deserve access to quality healthcare, but not mandated coverage.
Does Tom Corbett support term limits?
Tom Corbett historically has been against term limits, but because Harrisburg is so badly in need of reform, it is something he would consider if a properly vetted proposal would reach his desk as Governor.
What is Tom Corbett's view on abortion?
Tom Corbett is pro-life and believes in the sanctity of human life. In 2005, Tom Corbett stood with other Attorneys General in supporting New Hampshire's abortion control statute before the U.S. Supreme Court, which had been challenged by Planned Parenthood. Tom's action ultimately protected Pennsylvania's Abortion Control Act by helping to preserve restrictions on abortion nationwide. He received endorsements from the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation and LifePAC of Southwestern PA on his previous statewide campaigns.
Does Tom Corbett support the 2nd Amendment?
Tom Corbett is a strong supporter of the 2nd Amendment and is a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association, which endorsed him on his two previous statewide campaigns. He has tripled the number of concealed carry reciprocity agreements and has signed on with Attorneys General to challenge the handgun bans in Washington DC and Chicago.
What are Tom Corbett's views on same sex marriage?
Tom Corbett supports the Pennsylvania Marriage Amendment Act, which defines marriage as that between a man and a woman.
Does Tom Corbett support funding for Pennsylvania libraries?
Tom Corbett is very committed to literacy and the important role that libraries play in early childhood education and in our communities. Tom has spent time with the leaders of the Pennsylvania Library Association to discuss funding and some innovative policy initiatives. In terms of actual funding amounts for libraries, he will assess projected budgetary issues for 2011-2012 and will work with the Pennsylvania Library Association to ensure that goals are met and that libraries are a vital part of communities and educational system.
Does Tom Corbett support legalizing medical marijuana?
Tom Corbett is opposed to legalizing medical marijuana.
Does Tom Corbett support a one year moratorium on natural gas drilling?
Tom Corbett does not support a one-year moratorium on natural gas drilling. Tom Corbett believes the Marcella Shale should be developed with strong environmental stewardship and that we can continue to develop the natural gas resource while protecting our environment.
What are Tom Corbett's thoughts on immigration?
Tom Corbett recognizes that the law requires the federal government to retain the primary authority over the regulation of immigration. At the same time, our state and federal constitutions provide a separation of powers that is necessary to preserve the authority of the individual states to set policy and manage their affairs. In order to protect states' authority from a federal lawsuit that could undermine the ability of all states to independently create policy, Tom Corbett signed onto a Michigan amicus brief in support of Arizona's law pertaining to immigration status. Tom Corbett believed that signing the brief was necessary to protect states' authority from lawsuits filed by the federal government.
The brief Tom Corbett signed agrees with and reasserts the law that says the states do not have the authority to regulate legal immigration. Tom has recently stated his belief that legal immigration should be encouraged as those outside our nation continue to seek entry in order to contribute to our diverse culture and workforce. To continue to protect the quality of life and security that make our communities attractive in the first place, state government must have the authority to set appropriate procedures for law enforcement's interactions with the public - procedures which protect citizens and visitors, which account for the unique circumstances of the jurisdiction without regard to race or ethnicity.
As governor, Tom Corbett would support legislation that would give the state new and effective tools to protect taxpayer resources and forge a cooperative relationship between state and federal authorities. Specifically, he would seek to enroll the Pennsylvania State Police in the ICE 287g program to give state law enforcement the authority to participate in the apprehension of those in the country illegally in cooperation with federal authorities following a police encounter. Tom has also called for stricter adherence to eligibility guidelines for programs within the Department of Welfare as a means to eliminate unnecessary, wasteful spending of taxpayer dollars. That effort would ensure that those who apply for and receive public assistance are legally authorized to be within the Commonwealth before any benefits are paid. Tom Corbett also supports using the federal e-verify program to protect state tax dollars by ensuring that contractors who do business with the state employ workers who are able to legally work within the U.S., as well as an added check to verify the status of those seeking employment as state workers.
View a printable version of Tom Corbett's full Agriculture policy (PDF file)
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