Fighting Corruption in Harrisburg

The Problem

Politics in Harrisburg has become an insider's game by and for those with money and connections. Bloated state budgets enable this corruption, allowing politicians to dispense favors and fund special projects that only benefit a select few.

The recent news about wrongdoing in the Pennsylvania legislature highlights the culture of corruption that has overrun Harrisburg. We must act now to restore the public's trust in state government.

  Tim's Solution

Tim Krieger will fight against the culture of corruption in Harrisburg. He believes that elected officials should be held to the highest ethical standards and obey the law just as every other citizen must do.

Tim will address the root cause of corruption by changing the way the system operates. He understands that the best way to restore integrity and honesty to state government is to make the General Assembly a part-time citizens' legislature.

States such as Virginia find a part-time legislature more than adequate to address the needs of their citizens. There is no reason why Pennsylvania can not do so as well.

A part-time legislature will reduce the influence of money and connections in state politics and attract better candidates to public office. It will help eliminate corruption and give Pennsylvanians the government they deserve.

Ending Out-of-Control Spending and Borrowing

The Problem

Government is too big and spends too much. While Pennsylvanians are struggling to pay high gas costs and meet their mortgage payments, Governor Rendell has increased government spending by over 33 percent, or about $7 billion!

But it gets worse. Rendell is proposing an additional $4.37 billion in borrowing, which will cost our children over $6.74 billion to repay.

As the size of government skyrockets, hard-working families have suffered under stagnant economic conditions with no relief in sight. The out-of-control spending also fuels corruption. It gives politicians the power to dispense special favors, all at the expense of your pocketbook.

  Tim's Solution

As state representative, Tim will reject the practice of earmarking that wastes your hard-earned money on unnecessary projects, and breeds corruption. He will insist that state government live within its means and vote against any budget that does not tie spending to the rate of inflation.

Tim knows what its like to pay taxes, fill-up a gas tank, meet a mortgage payment and save for education. He will never forget that the government spends your money. And you can spend it far better than politicians ever could.

Jumpstarting Our Economy

The Problem

Pennsylvania is ranked 49th in the nation for job growth. Under Governor Rendell and the Democratic leadership, Pennsylvania has lost over 79,000 manufacturing jobs.

From 2005-2006, our state's GDP grew at only half the U.S. average.

To the people of southwestern Pennsylvania, these are not just numbers, they are a reality. Suffocating tax rates have made it harder for families to meet their financial needs and deprived our state of economic opportunity. We are all feeling the pain of failed Democratic economic policies.

  Tim's Solution

It is time to jumpstart our economy by unleashing Pennsylvania's unmatched work ethic and ingenuity. People should be rewarded for their hard work, not penalized under suffocating tax rates. More government is not the solution to our problems. Only low taxes will get our economy moving again.

That's why Tim will support legislation to rollback the personal income tax, which will put more money directly in your pocket.

Tim will also join a bipartisan coalition in the General Assembly that is actively working to abolish school property taxes and replace them with a system that is fair to everyone.

Tim recognizes that government must not stand in the way of the people. Rather, it should create the conditions where individual workers, families and businesses can thrive and realize the American Dream.