SMETHPORT – State Representatives Kathy Rapp, R-Warren, and
Marty Causer, R-Turtlepoint, spoke Thursday at the meeting of the
McWAPEC Counties Boroughs Association at the American Legion in
Smethport.
A scheduling conflict prevented State Rep. Dan Surra, D-Kersey,
from accepting his invitation.
Smethport Mayor Ross Porter introduced both legislators.
Rapp spoke about the political upheaval in Harrisburg following
the 2006 elections in November. She noted that last fall, the
Republicans believed they would retain control of the state house,
but a Democrat won a seat in Chester County, giving the Democrats a
majority of just one member.
“We’re not seeing much legislation moving in the House,” Rapp
said, adding that “the majority party sets the agenda and schedule
and controls the chairmen of the committees. They decide which
bills move.”
Causer’s initial comments concerned the recent efforts to pass
gun control legislation in the House, something that he opposes.
“House Bill 760 is the really radical gun control proposal, but
that bill is dead,” Causer noted.
At the same time, Causer said that he and Rapp would carefully
follow any future amendments on gun control.
Causer spent most of time speaking about the state budget, which
he said includes seven proposed tax or fee increases and must be
adopted by the end of June.
He mentioned Gov. Ed Rendell’s support of a one percent increase
in the state sales tax, which would bring in $1.2 billion in new
revenue. Of that amount though, Causer said, just $400 million
would go for property tax reform, with the remainder going into the
general fund. “We have to take a serious look at dollar-for-dollar
reduction in property taxes,” he said.
As for considering the budget, Causer noted that revenues are
running $500 million over projections. “Instead of spending so much
money on new programs, some that I support, let’s look at the
revenue and fill in the gaps with the money we have. We need a lean
and fiscally conservative budget adopted on time,” he said.
Both lawmakers then answered questions from the borough
officials.
One asked about moves to reduce the size of the legislature and
set term limits for its members.
Causer said that reducing the size of the legislature would be
harmful to rural districts, many of which are already large in
area, as compared to the more urban districts.
According to Causer, fewer legislators would lead to much larger
districts and any savings would be offset by more district offices
and additional staff. In addition, Causer said, “The legislature’s
share of the state budget is just one percent, while 99 percent
goes to the executive and judicial branches.”
Rapp said that her current district, which includes all of
Forest and Warren counties and the townships of Hamilton, Hamlin,
Lafayette and Wetmore in McKean County, covers 1,617 square miles,
and Causer’s district is almost as large. He represents all of
Cameron and Potter counties, and the remaining areas of McKean
County. “Meanwhile, some urban legislators who live closer to
Harrisburg, represent districts that cover five square miles,” Rapp
said.
As for term limits, Rapp said this could lead to “a revolving
door,” which would lead to losing experienced lawmakers, thus
giving more power for the staff, many of whom are veterans in the
workings of the legislature. “This would weaken the legislature,”
she said.
Rapp said the issue of term limits is a job for the voters, as
evidenced by the 2006 elections when 50 freshmen representatives
were elected to the House.
Port Allegany Manager Dick Kallenborn told the legislators that
the Department of Environmental Protection could be much more
cooperative with municipalities, citing the estimated $7 million
the borough must invest in major repairs and expansion of its sewer
plant and system. “This is an enormous amount for a borough of
2,500 people,” he said.
Kallenborn told Rapp and Causer, “You can be our voice in rural
Pennsylvania.”
Causer responded by saying, “DEP needs to be an agency to work
with you, instead of penalizing you.”
Porter mentioned the issue of the Uniform Construction Code and
how it has “been devastating to our little towns.”
In his response, Causer said that the UCC was adopted for mainly
urban areas and not small towns, “but we’ve made significant
changes in the law.”
