Corbett says reducing spending key to economic plan

PALMYRA - Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Corbett told employees of ASK Foods Friday that his economic plan would help their company grow and prosper.

After taking a tour of ASK's plant and learning how potato salad and pasta salad are prepared, Corbett told CEO Wendie DiMatteo and ASK's executive team that the next governor "has to have the courage to make tough decisions."

Cutting the size and scope of government won't be easy, Corbett said, and he suspects it might not make him popular, but it's necessary.

"The first thing we have to do is create an economic climate that allows businesses like yours to grow and prosper," Corbett said during his 90-minute stop here.

He said that his plan revolves around three core planks: fiscal discipline, limited government and free enterprise.

"Gov. Rendell and my opponent (Democratic nominee Dan Onorato) believe we can tax our way to prosperity," said Corbett, who has pledged not to raise taxes. "My vision ... does not include taxes. My plan unleashes the power of the private sector."

Reducing business taxes would enable owners to pay employees more and hire additional employees, Corbett said. He wants to reduce the corporate net income tax from 9.9 to 6.9 percent and phase out the death tax, which he said "prevents very small business (owners) and farmers from passing on (their businesses) to their children."

Details of his plan are on his website, www.tomcorbettforgovernor.com.

Regulatory reform of agencies like the Department of Environmental Protection and Department of Transportation could eliminate backlogs and make government more efficient, he said.

The changes he proposes are necessary to both retain and grow businesses like ASK, Corbett said, and to attract other businesses to Pennsylvania, which he noted has the 11th highest tax burden in the nation.

Another Corbett concern: "We're losing our young people."

"Twenty-five percent are leaving for jobs in other states," Corbett said. "That puts us among the worst states in the country."

Following his tour and talk, which were taped by PCN, Corbett was debriefed by ASK executive chef James Alston on some of his creations, including vegetable lasagna and meatloaf. ASK's 220 employees produce a variety of prepared, gourmet and natural foods, including salads, that are sold in 25 states.

Corbett, a former Lebanon Valley College lacrosse player, recalled some of the aromas he would smell in the area when he was a student, like chocolate from Hershey and peanut butter from the Reese's plant. He admitted he never knew about ASK.

"You've been somewhat of a secret here for 60 years," he told DiMatteo.

"We're known for our chili smell," DiMatteo responded, drawing some laughter from Corbett and the audience. She later presented him with a T-shirt commemorating Palmyra's 250th anniversary.

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