Roberts, Janosek differ on issues
State Rep. Larry Roberts (D-South Union Twp.) and his challenger Terry Janosek expressed different views on a number of issues ranging from tax reform to open records in a recent meeting with the Herald-Standard’s Editorial Board. Roberts, who is serving his fifth term in office, and Janosek, who is making his first run at public office, are seeking the Democratic nomination for the 51st legislative district in the May 21 primary.
The men answered questions in alternating order on the topics of property tax reform, the Open Records Act, legislative salaries and perks, the possibility of legalizing gambling and using state funds for a re-election campaign.
In addition to the questions, the candidates were also allotted a designated time frame to give opening and closing statements.
During opening statements, Janosek said he is a lifelong resident of Fayette County and has worked at Invensys Metering Systems for 25 years and has served as the president of the Fayette Labor Council for the past three years.
Roberts said he was born and raised in Menallen Township and is a 1959 graduate of Uniontown Area High School. He was first elected to the legislature in 1992 and prior to that, spent 22 years in the U.S. Air Force. He has also worked as a self-employed arbitrator and mediator.
Roberts said he has a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Bowie State College, Md. and a master’s degree from Central Michigan University. Roberts said the primary legislation he sponsored was a bill to keep Fayette County’s Fourth Class County status and getting a sixth judgeship for the county.
He added that he does not use a leased car and he supports the Open Records Act.
Following is a list of the questions that were posed to the candidates and their responses to each.
Property owners complain about high school tax bills. Local school districts complain the state isn’t paying its share for education. And studies indicate that there is a correlation between increased spending by wealthier school districts and higher test scores and achievements of students. Do you believe equal state funding for all schools districts can be achieved and how?
Roberts said there is a correlation between the amount of money that is spent and the quality of education. “We have been lax in Harrisburg,” he said, adding that the system puts the toll on property owners. Roberts said he has been fighting for property tax reform. He said all the “over assessments” cost the county to lose money from the state.
As a proposal, Roberts said eliminating property taxes and implementing a sales tax has been discussed. He said most legislators are against a straight sales tax and advocated a combination of a sales tax and personal income tax and want to keep a scaled down property tax. He said he has been working on reform for 10 years and this is the first year he has seen movement by the Senate. “We voted on it three times and it died in the Senate,” Roberts said.
Janosek said he believes an income tax is not a fair way to change the system. “A flat tax could correct all problems,” he said. Janosek said there should also be equality in funding for schools across the Commonwealth. “The money should be divided equally,” he said.
As a follow up to school funding, what plan do you support to reform, reduce or eliminate property tax?
Roberts said he supports a sales tax. “There is a mood in Harrisburg to eliminate the property tax,” he said. “The problem is replacement.” Roberts said the Senate tax reform caucus will meet on June 30 to discuss how to replace school property taxes.
Janosek said he believes there should be a straight tax on everything across the board. He said he has seen plans that include a 3-cent tax on all food and clothing and a straight flat rate of 8 cents.
If elected, would you sponsor legislation to include the state Legislature in the Open Record Act to require disclosure of public documents? Please include in your response your views on whether the annual $22 million appropriation in House caucus funds for both political parties should be eliminated. And if not, whether the public should be entitled to review how this money is spent?
“There shouldn’t be anything closed,” Janosek said. “It’s the taxpayers money.” He said every record should be open for public inspection. He said by keeping the records closed, it gives people the impression that the legislators are doing something inappropriate.
Janosek said, if elected, he would not only submit a bill into law that includes the legislature in the Open Record Act, but he would also come back and make public who didn’t vote in favor of it. Janosek said he believes everyone should be entitled to see where all the money is going, including the $22 million House Caucus funds.
Roberts said he doesn’t know of any current proposals to the act that he wouldn’t support. He said the legislature has made major improvements to the act in the last several years. Roberts added that he currently is the only legislator who has his expense records on line. Roberts added that he too would like to see an accounting of the caucus funds.
He also said that he “wouldn’t have a problem” with sponsoring legislation to include the legislature in the Open Records Act. Currently they’re exempt from the law.
State lawmakers earn salaries that are higher than wages earned by most of their constituents. They also receive generous expense accounts, vehicles, meals and per diem while in Harrisburg. Do you believe these are necessities to carry out the duties of what are still considered part-time jobs? And, if elected, do you plan to continue working at your other job as well? (Legislators currently make an annual salary of approximately $63,000)
Roberts said really doesn’t pay too much attention to his salary, but he thinks legislators are paid appropriately. He said he could make more money as an arbitrator than he does as a state Representative. He said he believes the per diem is appropriate and added that he doesn’t use a leased car.
Janosek said he believes the salary is a fair amount of money for the job. He said, if elected, he would be a full-time legislator.
Once again the topic of gambling is under discussion with proposals to add slot machines to existing racetracks in order to keep millions of dollars in Pennsylvania that currently cross over the borders to states that allow casino gambling. What is your position on slot machines?
Janosek said he believes legalizing slot machines at racetracks could save money from leaving the state, but said he would have to look at the proposals. He said he would be willing to work with different groups. He said he could be in favor of the proposal but needs more information, such as what groups will benefit from the proceeds.
Regarding the discussion about bringing gambling to Brownsville, Janosek said if it is done right and the money goes to the right places, it could work. He said having gambling in a building instead of on a riverboat could bring money into the county. He said he would be in favor of something such as a riverwalk, hotels, restaurants and a casino.
Roberts said there is already gambling in the state with bingo and the lottery and said he co-sponsored a bill to bring slot machines to racetracks. He said the proposal is a way to save the horse racing industry in the state because the bigger purses keep going to neighboring states. Roberts said he believes riverboat gambling has gone by the wayside.
He said the discussions that have taken place regarding gambling in Brownsville have been kept confidential because that was requested by the Native Americans.
Do you believe it should be illegal for an elected public official to use state funds or state employees in a re-election campaign? If elected, would you draft and introduce a bill to make such activity illegal?
Roberts said he believes it is currently against the law and if it isn’t, it is improper. He said he doesn’t believe legislation is needed to make it illegal. “I was under the impression it is illegal,” he said. He said when he first was elected, the caucus told the new members it was illegal to use state funds for a campaign. Roberts said he always thought it was illegal to use caucus money to run polls also. “If it’s not (illegal), it should be,” he said.
Janosek said he agrees that it should be illegal, if it isn’t already. “If its not a law, I would sponsor or co-sponsor a bill to make it illegal,” he said.
The 51st Legislative District includes the city of Uniontown; Bullskin Township’s 1st precinct, the townships of South Uniontown, German, Springhill, Georges, Nicholson, Stewart, Henry Clay, Springfield, Wharton and Connellsville and the boroughs of Fairchance, Smithfield, South Connellsville, Ohiopyle and Markleysburg.