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Pocono News Section
Candidates Debate for 29th Disrict Seat
Candidates Debate for 29th Disrict Seat - Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at 4:53PM EST
Reported by: Kyla Campbell
Wednesday, Feb 11, 2009 @ 04:53pm EST
POTTSVILLE, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY -- Property taxes, the economy, and coal energy were three of the hot topics at the debate between Democrat Steve Lukach and Republican David Argall.
Lukach wants to keep an eye on state spending. He says he's stayed under budget for 20 of his 21 years at Schuylkill County's clerk of courts.
"We could return that surplus to the treasurer and general fund to help the taxpayers," said Lukach.
Argall, a state representative for 23 years, wants the region's coal to be useful.
"Certainly that needs to be a part of our future, as well as our past," said Argall.
"We can light America at half the cost by finding a way to use that coal as energy," added Lukach.
Both hope to make sure the future of the 29th District is a prosperous one, in honor of the late state senator, James Rhoades.
"His focus on job creation, job retention in good times and in bad, I really think that's what this job is all about," said Argall.
"And to do that," said Lukach, "we have to put money into downtown revitilization to help attract businesses and help us to generate a good economy.
Both talked about lowering property taxes and getting affordable health care for everyone. Another topic discussed today, one held close to Senator Rhoades -- education.
"I think we're shortchanging education here in PA," said Lukach. "I think there is some wasteful spending in Harrisburg that needs to be addressed, and the money from that wasteful spending could go to education."
"I think we need to look at ways to control costs at school district level," added Argall.
Lukach says many states provide 50% of the funding for public schools, but adds Pennsylvania hasn't done that in more than 25 years.
"That number has dropped down to as low as 32%," said Lukach. "It's only in the last year or so in the governor's budget that there's been an increase in spending for education, up to about 38%. We need to find it to get back to the 50% mark."
Argall hopes to reform education spending and reduce property taxes in the process.
"The property tax may have made sense in the 1830s, but there has to be a better way to fund our public schools," Argall said.
Both think the governor's plan to consolidate the state's 501 school districts into 100 will hurt classroom size and increase transportation costs.
"We're talking about going down to approximately two school districts per county, and I just don't think that's a good idea," said Lukach.
"I really don't think the governor's suggestion of moving from 500 to 100 overnight is going to happen," added Argall. "I don't think that's realistic."
The special election for the 29th senatorial district seat is set for Tuesday, March 3rd.
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