Democrat governor hopefuls face off
PHILADELPHIA — The four Democratic candidates for governor sparred cautiously Friday in the last scheduled debate of their campaign, offering mixed opinions about the need for state tax increases and the wisdom of allowing local governments to regulate guns.
The hour-long discussion, which broke little new ground, was taped in a Philadelphia TV studio and is slated to air Sunday — less than two weeks before the May 18 primary — in the politically crucial southeastern Pennsylvania media market.
Most of the candidates soft-pedaled the need for higher taxes to keep the state budget balanced, although none ruled out the prospect. The state faces a $1 billion-plus shortfall in the budget that runs through June 30.
Dan Onorato, the Allegheny County executive who polls show as the front-runner, said he would combine spending cuts with a "reasonable" severance tax on natural-gas drilling over the Marcellus Formation. He would use the tax revenue to help finance state environmental enforcement and set up a fund to help local governments deal with effects of the drilling.
Jack Wagner, the state auditor general, said cutting unnecessary spending should be the next governor's initial focus, suggesting two ways to save money — a consolidation of multiple state pharmaceutical purchasing and a requirement that state contracts be subject to competitive bidding.
Montgomery County Commissioner Joe Hoeffel said he would impose a "robust" tax on gas drilling to generate substantial new revenue. He also advocated changing the state's flat-rate income tax to a graduated tax that imposes higher rates on the most wealthy taxpayers and closing loopholes that allow big corporations to avoid state taxes.
"It's probably going to take both" spending cuts and tax increases, Hoeffel said.
State Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams of Philadelphia proposed several money-saving measures, including a crackdown on tax delinquents who he said fail to pay $1.5 billion a year in state taxes.
Hoeffel asked Onorato to explain his position on abortion, asserting that Onorato's stance had evolved from an anti-abortion position to simply supporting Pennsylvania's current law — one of the nation's most restrictive — even if the U.S. Supreme Court were to overturn its 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that established women's right to have abortions.
"Does that make you pro-choice, does it make you pro-life or does it make you multiple choice?" asked Hoeffel.
"I've been consistent and clear," Onorato replied. "I support Pennsylvania's law and I will veto any attempt to change that law."
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