BUTLER TWP - Political symbiosis was achieved Friday during a forum for candidates seeking an open seat in the 11th District of the state House of Representatives.

All five candidates - three Republican and two Democrats - agreed on the need for property tax reform, tax cuts and incentives for small business and better public schools.

Any differences among the candidates on key issues in this year's campaign were somewhat subtle. But some contrast was shown in the candidates' legislative priorities.

Republicans running in the April 27 primary are Brian Ellis, the Rev. Bill Glassman and Marci Mustello.Democratic candidates are Nick Newcaster and Fred Vero.The district includes Butler; Buffalo, Butler, Clearfield, Donegal, Oakland, Summit, Winfield and Connoquenessing townships; and Chicora and East Butler boroughs.All five candidates, who live in Butler Township, are vying for the seat of five-term Rep. Guy Travaglio who opted not to seek re-election. They gathered at Butler County Community College's Succop Theater to discuss their positions on issues.The forum, hosted by the Butler County Chamber of Commerce, was sponsored by BC3 and Armstrong, which is televising the event.The 11th District is the only legislative race in the county with primary races.

The issues of improving the county's business climate, creating jobs and attracting new business dominated the forum.Ellis, 34, co-owner of Hansen Auto Sales and Lyndora Beverage, said he understands what state government should do for small business - cut taxes and reduce regulation."The government that governs least governs the best," he said.Ellis said government should operate more like a business by practicing fiscal responsibility and placing consumers - constituents - first.Concerned over the recent loss of business and jobs in the county, Glassman, 40, pastor of the Church of the Living Word in Meridian, said legislators should be advocates for improving the sometimes adversarial labor-management relationship.He called for cuts in the capital stock and franchise tax and corporate net income tax in Pennsylvania, which he noted are among the highest in the country.

The corporate net income tax is levied on federal taxable income. The capital stock and franchise tax is essentially a levy on the value of a company's assets and profits.Pennsylvania is one of 21 states that taxes both corporate profits and a corporation's net worth.Glassman said those taxes "make Pennsylvania less attractive to grow a business," he said.Mustello, 33, an aide to U.S. Rep. Phil English, R-3rd, concurred that the current tax levels are an undue hardship on business owners and should be slashed."I would work to ease the tax burden and eliminate the red tape" faced by businesses, she said.Mustello vowed to meet with business owners and state and county officials to generate ideas to promote the district's business community.Newcaster, 58, a Democratic state committeeman and retired foreman at AK Steel, said, "I will work for tax incentives, and I believe in lowering business tax to the level where it will create jobs and spur economic development."He said he would also work to discourage the "outsourcing" of jobs to foreign countries."Our jobs, our dollars and our technologies are going overseas," he said.

Vero, 58, Travaglio's chief of staff since 1995, said a number of companies in the county are thriving, providing good-paying jobs and exporting products and services overseas.Still, he said more can be done to boost job growth and business in and out of the 11th District."I support tax credits for businesses that promote education improvements for their employees," he said, adding he too favors cutting or scrapping the stock and franchise tax.Glassman and Newcaster said improving the county's road network would make the district more attractive for new businesses. They pointed to the Interstate 79 connector that has helped boost growth in Cranberry Township.They agreed improvements on Routes 68, 356 and 8 would result in expanded business opportunities in the district.Mustello said by addressing the crime problem, the county would become more inviting to businesses.She recommended creating a drug awareness task force comprised, in part, of church leaders, law enforcement officials and social workers who would meet to discuss how best to reduce drug addiction - a problem that feeds crime.Ellis said, if elected, he would make his office more accessible to the business community. He proposed creating a Web site that would allow business owners to quickly and efficiently contact him with their concerns.Vero, who has worked as Travaglio's liaison to the Community Development Corporation of Butler County, said teamwork among business leaders, agencies and elected officials is vital for economic growth.Among the top priorities of the candidates are:Vero - Eliminate property taxes, protect senior citizens and emphasize constituent services.Newcaster - Establish a satellite office between Winfield and Buffalo townships, and adequately fund education and programs for senior citizens.Mustello - Cut wasteful spending, reduce property and business taxes, and enact medical malpractice reform.Glassman - Restore local control of education, protect individual's rights and freedoms, and care for senior citizens.Ellis - Protect economic freedom and family values, and repeal recently enacted taxes on income, cell phones and nursing home beds.