U.S. Rep. Mark Critz fields questions from senior citizens
Offering his thoughts on issues such as cost-of-living increases for Social Security recipients, closing tax loopholes for large corporations and drilling for Marcellus shale natural gas, U.S. Rep. Mark S. Critz said he is feeling good about the future but added that he knows he has fights ahead in Congress.
Critz, D-Johnstown, hosted a live telephone town hall meeting Tuesday for senior citizens of the 12th Congressional District in Allegheny, Fayette, Greene, Washington and Westmoreland counties.
Critz said current discussions in Congress are centering around spending bills, adding that lawmakers are tackling major issues about “how to move our country forward.”
In response to a question about why Social Security benefits and Medicare are always targeted, Critz said Social Security has a $2.6 trillion surplus and to say it is part of the problem is “bait and switch or smoke and mirrors.” Critz said with more baby boomers retiring, the issue must be handled because the trust fund will encounter problems in the decades to come.
Critz said he believes Social Security recipients will get a cost-of-living increase this year.
Regarding the national debt, Critz acknowledged that the country is presently “in a hole,” but added that reauthorizing the highway bill would help by putting people to work and increasing revenue for the government.
In another matter, Critz said he believes the state Department of Environmental Protection is doing a tremendous job with regulating Marcellus shale drilling that is occurring throughout his district. However, he added the because it is a heavy industry, accidents will happen.
“When they drill a well, flowers don’t come out of it,” Critz said. “They will have accidents.”
Critz said the majority of drillers are trying to do the work properly.
Critz said he is an advocate of state’s rights when it comes to governmental controls, adding that the federal government many times has a one-size-fits-all approach for solutions.
Regarding taxes, Critz said he believes everyone should pay their fair share, and work is being done to eliminate loopholes for big business.
Critz also answered questions about companies outsourcing jobs to other countries, and said he supports keeping the U.S. Postal Service a solvent, six-day-a-week operation.
“As we cut budgets, people feel it the most in rural areas, which is my district,” Critz said. “Main Street is all these small towns in my district and I want to ensure everyone gets a fair shake.”
The event marked the fourth telephone town hall for Critz this year.