Lawmaker makes case for re-election
With the primary election drawing near and two Democratic candidates running against him, state Rep. Ted Harhai (D-Monessen) wants the public to know why he believes he is still the best man for the job. Harhai said that a major concern in his district and across the state was the recent legislative pay raise that the House passed. He pointed out that he was absent from the vote because he had scheduled an inner ear operation and did not know that there was a vote until after it occurred.
“If I would have been there, I would have voted no,” said Harhai. “I did not vote for a pay raise and I did not take a pay raise.”
Harhai said his reason for being against the pay raise is that the “economic climate” in his district is not good.
“I can’t walk down the street and look people in the eye and say I gave myself a raise,” said Harhai. “I can use an extra $20,000 just like the next guy, but I didn’t take this job for the money.”
Harhai said there are too many senior citizens and unemployed people in his district to justify making taxpayers fund a legislative pay increase.
“As long as I’m a public servant, I won’t vote myself a pay raise,” said Harhai.
He said that he has brought a lot of money to his district while in office, including $11 million from PENNVEST and a $1.5 million grant for a sewer project in Rostraver.
Harhai also pointed out that he donated $10,000 to Monessen High School out of his own pocket.
“I like helping people,” said Harhai. “I sponsored 10 $1,000 scholarships for the high school.”
If re-elected, Harhai said that he would like to work on finding a solid plan for property tax reduction.
“I think we made a big mistake in gaming,” said Harhai, commenting that he did not think using slot machines for revenue for school districts was an effective plan. “We should increase sales tax to at least 6.5 percent, and in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh it should be higher.”
Harhai said he is not in support of a higher wage tax, because it would affect the pensions of senior citizens.
“Not everyone is a pauper, but there are more people having hard times that ever before,” said Harhai. “We need to try to do what will help the most and hurt the least amount of people.”
Harhai said he has proven his dedication to the job by working more hours and not accepting more money.
“I am everywhere all the time,” said Harhai. “I don’t have a huge staff. There are only two employees in my district office. I’m working seven days a week. Lately I’ve been door to door and I feel like I’m really reconnecting with people.”
When asked if he would be in support of the open records law becoming applicable to state legislature, Harhai said he would because he has nothing to hide. The open records law allows officials’ spending to become a matter of public record, and Harhai said that no legislator should be doing anything “out of character” when it comes to spending and expenses.
“Everyone should be bound by the same parameter,” said Harhai.
He mentioned that he pays his own expenses such as gas and travel costs. He said that he paid his own way for a recent conference to Seattle, and he pays for himself every time he attends one.
Harhai said that overall, he is still the best person to represent his district because he is “accessible and accountable.”
“I don’t gouge anybody and I listen when my constituents speak,” said Harhai, adding that he always tries to think about the impact a decision will have on his district.
“I didn’t get a pay raise vote but I leaned against it,” said Harhai. “We have people unemployed all over the place. I would have rather have been there to make the vote, but they didn’t want a ‘no’ vote.”
Harhai said he believes he has “served well” during his time in office, and doesn’t ask if someone is a Democrat or Republican before doing his job for them.
“I help everyone,” said Harhai. “I think hard work matters and I give my heart and soul to this job. I try to do the right thing and I care.”