News & Issues: Candidate Interviews

PA House 31st District (Bucks): Candidate Steve Santasarsiero (D) and Candidate Pete Stainthorpe (R)

1. What do you hope to accomplish as a member of the Pennsylvania General Assembly? Steven Santasarsiaro: There are a number of things, but 4 chief things: 1. I’d like to be able to do something about real property tax reform. 2. Something with respect to the high cost of energy – with respect to consumers (houses, building, etc.) but also with respect to vehicles. 3. Be supportive of efforts at the state level of municipalities for economic development and open space preservation – needs to be expanded. 4. Reform in Harrisburg. That’s why I’m running.
   
   Pete Stainthorpe: A cornerstone of my platform is job creation and improvement. We have the second highest business tax in the country. We are loosing jobs to Mexico. We need to reduce the 9.9 % corporate tax, and phase it out. The creation of a new industry – renewable energy – is a distinct possibility. It is not the government’s role to decide the best route for energy but Pennsylvania can become a magnet for renewable energy. Just like Silicon Valley, we can create new industries. I support the creation of green enterprise zones like KOZs. We can change the face of our state. We’ve got the brainpower and the industrial area for a perfect fit for green enterprise zones – now we just need to follow through. Let the market decide the best solution if the government gets out of the way.
2. What do you believe are the major problems facing the Commonwealth and your legislative district? Steven Santasarsiaro: It is very similar to above: property taxes are crippling especially in a bad economy – it is tough for people to make ends meet. School funding is the main issue there. The energy situation – we need to have alternative energy policies. I am proposing a network of long-range busses that go from Newtown to Hamilton station for example. That is more attractive than trains because the trains have some significant capital problems and the cost to fix it would not be as cost effective. Federal money is available for green busses, and if it helps get people off of the roads and be more effective, that is an attractive proposal. Those are issues that face the 31st and PA in general.
   
   Pete Stainthorpe: In Pennsylvania: this year, the budget. Revenues aren’t going to be what they have been. Also transportation and infrastructure as well as job creation state-wide. Within the 31st district: People work in either Philadelphia or New York, so the major issues are property tax reform, and traffic issues.
3. Initially instituted as a temporary tax, the realty transfer tax has evolved into a large source of revenue for PA. Would you support or oppose legislation which would increase appropriate monies from the realty transfer tax to fund programs such as open space preservation, urban revitalization and the like? Steven Santasarsiaro: I would oppose that. I think there are other places we need to look for funding. My problem with the RTT is that if you increase it, you are putting a greater strain on the market and consumers. We want to encourage homeownership and the RTT discourages it.
   
   Pete Stainthorpe: I would oppose it. I have 2 views: one as a Township supervisor – when times are good, we count on it. On the other hand, we’re hurting right now because we are falling short of our projections. I would not support increasing it, it is onerous on buyers and sellers and it is not reliable for the townships.
4. The General Assembly and the Governor’s Office are discussing ways to reform property taxes. What do you believe is the best way to reform this issue? Steven Santasarsiaro: Any solutions are going to have to involve how you deal with funding education, because the greatest share of property taxes is for funding school districts, which has increased in the past 10-15 years because the state has cut funding. There are a few things we have to look at: state’s share of funding and unfunded mandates. This is unfair to the local school districts, and puts upper pressure on property taxes. It is tough for people on fixed income, as well as mid-income families.
   
   Pete Stainthorpe: I think there are several legs to this stool: it would be a difficult task in the legislature to get all 3 of these things done. 1. We need to look at how the state funds education: the state needs to pick up a bigger cost. 2. We actually look to other departments in the state and cut spending 2 % a year – about 800 million dollars a year that could be applied to education. Also, the rainy day fund for the state if we have a showdown with the Governor, I think it is 900 mil dollars – give some of that back, and we have a lot of rebates for local taxes. 3. Also allow municipalities and school districts to implement a local sales tax. Local sales tax could take a big bite out of property taxes. I don’t want anything that will change the quality of education, a tax on consumption is always better than a tax on wealth.
5. Pennsylvania’s Municipalities Planning Code provided local municipalities authority for comprehensive planning and zoning. What sort of authority do you believe local governments should have in this area? Steven Santasarsiaro: I think to be consistent with the MPC, they should have the authority to plan and zone. I am an advocate for local control, because it is the government closest to the people. The process does provide for implementing a master plan or creating zoning for that plan, it provides for local comment. The structure that exists right now is in the right place.
   
   Pete Stainthorpe: We have run into those cases as a Township supervisor where you know something is not the best use of the land but it fits the zoning. I wouldn’t make huge changes in the MPC, but we should have incentives toward more regional planning w/o taking power away from local municipalities for planning. The issues span the borders of the municipalities.
6. Many properties in Pennsylvania suffer from blight as a result of tenant neglect and/or absentee property management. What role do you believe government should play in this area? Steven Santasarsiaro: Anti-blight legislation is important – and it is important to hold property owners responsible, but tax incentives for businesses for redevelopment – we’ve seen that with KOZ in US Steele site in Bucks. Those types of ventures need to be expanded. We can reinvigorate the economy in Pennsylvania but the government needs to work with the private sector to accomplish this.
   
   Pete Stainthorpe: I think local government has some role, but I tend to believe in the power of the market and the individual rather than the government. If anything, auction them off. I think the marketplace may not be the quickest, but it is effective. Like South Bronx – it became cheaper and cheaper until developers came in. The federal housing program from the 60’s is a disaster. Let the market and individuals make the decisions with government creating the right environment for it.
7. States are struggling with the issue of providing affordable housing to its residents. What do you feel are the necessary components to address this issue? Steven Santasarsiaro:Keeping the RTT at a reasonable level is important. Also, areas where tax incentives are appropriate – at the local level with the property tax or whether it is providing the equivalent of that with homeownership loans. It cannot be understated the importance of giving everyone in our society a chance to buy a home – it gives them a greater stake in the community and helps the entire society.
   
   Pete Stainthorpe: I look to the market to do that. A case can be made that you don’t want to drive people out of their neighborhoods. Section 8 housing: It is generally a good thing – helps people stay in their neighborhoods. I generally support that concept.
8. Do you favor or oppose legislation that would require the state to consider the impact of proposed regulations on the rights of individuals to use their private property? Steven Santasarsiaro:
   
   Pete Stainthorpe:
9. What is your position on campaign finance reform in PA and to what extent do you believe PACs should be restricted in state legislative campaigns? Steven Santasarsiaro:I think there needs to be campaign finance reform in Pennsylvania and in Washington. To me, the problem with PACs is not that they contribute, but that those contributions need to be transparent. Right now, as a state representative candidate, you only have about 3-4 filings over the course of a campaign in terms of contributions given and money spent. I think it needs to be more frequent than that. Gifts to lawmakers should be done away with. Limits on contributions are another thing we need to look at just like the federal level – PA is one of the only states without.
   
   Pete Stainthorpe: I don’t think PACs should be restricted. I don’t think limitations would be wrong. I’m at a place where I have a very expensive campaign and I need help, but there are no limits in PA – it is a bad idea. As soon as I became a candidate, people came forward, but everything has conditions attached. I would support restriction for individuals. The key thing, in the process, there has to be transparency. We rely on these people for information.
10. What are your views of the REALTOR profession and the role of your local REALTORS in this community? Steven Santasarsiaro: I think realtors play an important role in terms of facilitating transactions. It is a huge part of our economy, and when people do it on their own when they are uninformed, is risky. As a profession, realtors are involved with public activity. It helps the community. I am grateful and supportive of that.
    
    Pete Stainthorpe: We have a lot of realtors in the 31st – I have the utmost regard for the profession. Since it has become more competitive and restrictive, but they are an important component in any community. The service is invaluable. It is a great industry. If I am elected, the realtors have an open door to come talk to me. I would always be interested to hear from the realtors.
11. Has your campaign been endorsed by any other state or local organization? Steven Santasarsiaro:
    
    Pete Stainthorpe: