Allyson Schwartz said her experience of bringing people together to craft and pass legislation both in Harrisburg and Washington, D.C., makes her the best candidate to take on and defeat Gov. Tom Corbett in November.
Indeed, when speaking to the New Pittsburgh Courier Editorial Board in a May 7 conference call, she never referenced any of the other three Democratic Primary contenders—only Corbett, and his evisceration of public education funding.
“A billion dollars was taken out, and people across the commonwealth know it’s hurting them,” she said. “We need a fair funding formula that takes need, the size of the tax base and poverty into account for these districts. Charter schools need to be held to the same academic and accounting standards as public schools. And no public money for cyber-charter; we’ve spent $366 million on that.”
As her unmentioned rivals would, Schwartz would increase education funding largely through imposing a 5-percent severance tax on Marcellus Shale wells, but would leave the current 2 percent extraction fee in place to compensate effected local communities and to fund Department of Environmental Protection inspection and enforcement.
Schwartz would also close the “Delaware loophole” that allows companies incorporated there to avoid Pennsylvania’s 9.9 percent business tax. She does not propose raising personal income taxes but does support taxing smokeless tobacco, which she said could yield as much as $500 million per year.
She also wants the state to maintain control of alcohol sales. She said the state store system should be modernized and should increase the number of stores open on Sundays, but she does not want to see privately owned liquor stores, nor does she approve of beer and wine being sold at convenience stores and gas stations.
“That could have a devastating effect on some of our inner-city neighborhoods,” she said.
Another issues Schwartz agreed is devastating more families each year, especially African-Americans, is the increasing prison population, and the industry that’s grown to maintain it.
“First we have to address juvenile delinquency. We also need alternatives to incarceration for non-violent crime,” she said. “And those who come out of prison need to come out with skills and opportunities, which is why I support “second chance” legislation to get them employed. Otherwise, all they have is a life of crime. And I would not build any more prisons.”
Schwartz also said state government should lead on diversity. She would create clear goals for minority contracting and subcontracting. Tying that to education, Schwartz said she would expand funding for trade schools, with the caveat that they diversify.
“I would also look at ways to increase access to capital, perhaps underwrite loans for new innovation and manufacturing companies,” she said. “Government has to acknowledge the benefits of diversity.”
Schwartz also touted her part in crafting the Affordable Care Act, focusing on children, access to primary care and coverage for those with pre-existing conditions. She attacked Corbett for not expanding Medicare to take advantage of available temporary federal funding.
She admitted that the “affordable” part of the ACA has been problematic, especially for young people, but said as more people sign up, the price should come down.
“When you do something this big, you have to look at adjustments,” she said.
Ultimately, Schwartz said her focus is on education and health issues because if people don’t have to worry about those, they can achieve anything.
“I’m running because I know how to get things done,” she said. “I’ve passed legislation in Harrisburg and Washington, and I’ve pursued policies that bring people together. I want to improve education and healthcare outcomes so that everyone can be successful. That’s why I’m doing it.”
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