Campaign Issues Page 2

Bruce G. Anderson, Republican Committeeman

Voters Guide Questions:

Philadelphia Inquirer & Intelligencer Newspapers

1. Taxpayers continue to feel the burden of rising property taxes. What do you think would be a more equitable system for funding schools?

A: The current system has worked well in the past. Problems with funding occur when fiscally conservative views are not adhered to in the areas of superintendent compensation, health insurance and more recently, day care services for parents with children. The state gives the local school districts too much leeway on how to spend or on what, with the result that there has been 'reckless disregard' for what is actually fair, affordable or necessary. Gambling tax dollars when available should be distributed per-enrolled student.

2. State lawmakers receive salary, free health care, including life and long-term care insurance, a car allowance, $128 a day for meals and lodging and a generous pension. Should an independent commission be in charge of setting salaries and benefits?

A: Not necessarily. The system works as we have seen in the 'pay raise scandal'. An effort to circumvent a law was halted, made public, and ruled unconstitutional. We need a more 'legally intelligent' and economically prudent leadership in Harrisburg. Politics should involve proper debates about expenditures.

3. Pennsylvania is the only state without a lobbyist disclosure law. Do you believe taxpayers should know when you meet with lobbyists? How would you make that happen?

A: Lobbyists serve a purpose. They often educate legislators on matters that need to be corrected. If elected I would support expanding the concept behind the campaign finance laws to include registry and issue disclosure for persons acting in the capacity of a lobbyist who have met with legislators.

4. Pennsylvania consistently ranks near the bottom in job creation. What have legislators done to spur economic growth?

A: Sadly, we live in a 'service economy' which often does not create wealth, efficiency or good paying jobs. Whenever we increase taxes it is a hardship on people with fixed incomes and those in certain low-paying service jobs. Pennsylvania needs to create a more business friendly economy which respects the hard work of less skilled or non-professional workers.

5. Because of the pay raise, some legislators have called for changes in the way Harrisburg operates. How would you try to change the legislative process to make it more open and accountable to voters?

A: If elected I would support expanding the concept behind the campaign finance reporting laws to include registry, gift and issue disclosure for lobbyists. Public notice should be given and hearings held on pay raise matters. As I understand it, there was recently very little debate on this matter.

6. What do you see as the most pressing issues facing Pennsylvania, and what would you do to address them?

A: Emergency preparedness, property and income tax fairness, energy costs/efficiency and jobs for those who need them are issues which I consider pressing. Serious review of our current policies, laws and regulations should be done as necessary in these difficult times

Special Interest Group Topics:

First, let me say that I have received quite a few letters from various organizations that would like to know my thoughts. A rough estimate would be 25 or more questionaires. Their goal is simply to know a 'little bit' to either endorse or reject a candidate. So, while I'm somewhat apprehensive about not being able to answer them all, they must be taken seriously.

The Pro-Life vs. Pro-Choice debate

Your candidate Bruce G. Anderson grew up in a Presbyterian household. I must say, until the age of fifteen I got a steady dose of the bible as my mother was keen on attending church every week possible. As Presbyterians we believe in the tenets of the catholic church but Protestantism involves a rejection of the symbolism and heirarchy of the church so the Pope is not an authority.

As I recollect, the bible doesn't provide any guidance on the issue of abortion aside from the 'You shall not kill' which God commanded of Moses. Today it is one of the more serious moral issues, and widely discussed. For the church to be involved is somewhat ludicrous yet noble because the bible does not give us the desired definition of life. For me, this issue of abortion is like that of prostitution, with both topics promoted by ill-minded folks. I'm sure the women in my church back then viewed abortion rights much like they did voting rights. They all seemed to be of the old school. In 1975, my mother was still fascinated with the wives on the street who worked outside the home.

The church during those years embraced Planned Parenthood as being an organization which could work with the concepts legalized in Roe v. Wade while providing some moral guidance. In the years subsequent to this decision a liberal environment has been created that has done little to strengthen the moral attributes of our whimsical young women.

Current public sentiment leads me to believe that there will be more legal rights for the unborn in the future. This thought persists though there are numerous women in my church and community who view abortion as simply a medical decision with never a thought of God's mandate in the book of Exodus.

As a politican and committeeperson, I'm insulted by those who would refuse to sign a candidate's nomination petition based upon their moral view of Roe v. Wade. Signing a petition simply shows party support, and an individual may withhold their vote in the general election. I view this public debate more or less as a federal issue so I am often hesistant to talk about it as a state representative candidate.