BEAVER FALLS — Clifford Glovier believes fiscal conservatism is the path forward for Pennsylvania.

Glovier, one of three Republicans competing for a chance to face incumbent Democrat Rep. Jaret Gibbons in November in Pennsylvania’s 10th Legislative District, said he decided to run in the April 26 primary after numerous people told him they believed his experience and temperament could help heal what ails Harrisburg.

“I’m pursuing this based on ... an encouragement to get involved and everybody was positive about me serving in his capacity — and I see that as truly serving,” Glovier said. “I see this next step as an enlargement of my service. I think it’s a natural enlargement.”

Glovier, 61, said his years working in the college and nonprofit sector have honed his appreciation for working for causes bigger than himself — something he said is central to the role of an elected official. He also believes his background in community relations can help make him effective at a time when state government is fractured.

“There are times when you need to seek compromise, and there are times when you need to stand firm,” he said. “But you need to know how to present and exchange ideas in a reasonable fashion. In the end, politics is a people business.”

That said, Glovier doesn’t support tax increases proposed by Gov. Tom Wolf, and said he wants to reverse a long-term trend in government spending. He wants Pennsylvania to look for ways to cut (spending), not ways to increase revenue.

He’s opposed to Wolf’s proposed severance tax on gas at the wellhead, and said he doesn’t support increasing regulations on the industry either.

“If you look at this government spending over the last 20 or 25 years, it’s always increasing,” Glovier said. “I think that’s part of our challenge, we’re already spending too much. We need to look at what we can do to restrain spending. We’ve got some programs that are out of control.”

Glovier acknowledged that his broad views of the state’s fiscal position haven’t been honed into specific policy points as of now, and said he hasn’t yet looked closely at the state’s budget. But he wants the state to be aggressive with public pension reform, and move employees to a 401K-type system — something he believes will help relieve the strains on many school district’s budgets.

Glovier supports legalizing smokeless medical marijuana, as long as its regulated like any other prescription medication.

Another statewide issue, redistricting reform, is also important to the 10th District, Glovier said.

“It’s (the 10th) one of the most cut up districts and is probably most representative of the gerrymandering and politicking that goes on,” Glovier said. “If you look at the map, I’m not sure why we should accept that.”

Glovier said he favors changing the system, and wants any reform effort to focus on creating an effective redistricting system that uses an “objective standard,” to create legislative districts.

Another issue, Glovier said, is unemployment and job creation. With local unemployment slightly higher than the state average, Glovier said he wants to look at school district “alignment” and how the possibility of consolidation could save money for taxpayers. “If I can help facilitate the reduction of spending that benefits the community, that’s an issue I would support getting behind,” Glovier said.

To better grow jobs and support businesses, Glovier said, he opposes raising the state minimum wage and views that issue as another example of government overreach.

“To say $15 is the right number and force that upon businesses is a regulation we don’t need,” he said. “I think it’s fair to engage businesses on how they can improve, but to mandate it at that level is not a good idea.”