We have the largest full-time state legislature in the country, and we have no better results than many other states with smaller legislatures. If we cut our State House from 203 members to 103 and our State Senate from 50 members to 25, we would save over $11 million per year on legislator wages alone, not including the added savings from healthcare, pension, and per diem pay.
There are a few measures that could make Harrisburg more accountable.
Apply a 4% Earned Income Tax Add 0.5 % to current sales tax Increase the cost of concealed permit from $25 for 3 years to $50 for the same period
Enact a commercial school tax to compensate for the gift granted to commercial real estate by eliminating school taxes Exempt Seniors making less then $50k from paying property taxes Tax credits for Seniors that donate time to school reading and math programs.
Pennsylvania has 500 school districts for 67 counties. We have 500 superintendents and 500 assistant superintendents, plus many more principals and assistant principals. Pennsylvania is top heavy in the management of our schools. Excessive management costs the taxpayers over $1 billion annually in unnecessary taxes and $5-10 billion more in healthcare, pensions and benefits. I am proposing that we streamline, consolidate and reposition personnel to reduce the costs of education which will reduce people's tax burdens.
1) Reduce the number of school districts to county districts in most cases, except in counties with large metropolitan population. 2) Reduce the number of titled positions. Putting one person in charge and multiple associate heads to reduce salaries and benefits. Use lay staff to handle more daily tasks at reduced costs. 3) Enact county or even regional buying groups for outside services, supplies and healthcare. 4) Share services and equipment to reduce costs. 5) Introduce a law that requires the cost of new regulations be evaluated and included in the state budget. 6) All large-dollar school projects not directly related to education should be put on the ballot for the voter input. In time when dollars for education will become more precious it is important that Pennsylvanians get more education from each dollar. When elected to office, I will work to establish a commission to study and improve management with the sole intent of efficiently allocating tax dollars.
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