Pgh Lesbian Correspondents

The Post-Gazette has another look at the Governor's race with an emphasis on economic issues.

Here's there take on Hoeffel …

While the perception of Mr. Hoeffel as a more liberal candidate often focuses on social issues such as abortion rights and gay marriage, he also stresses the need for an activist approach to economic issues. He offers what might be the most fundamental change for the state among all of the candidates' proposals with his call for a graduated state income tax. How much new revenue that would generate is uncertain. He has not detailed the tiers and rate levels in the new revenue structure that would replace the state's current flat-rate plan.

“Thirty-four states have a graduated income tax and we should be the 35th,” he said. “It would allow the state to give a tax break for lower incomes, [but] I'm not talking about soaking the rich.”

An unabashed liberal, Mr. Hoeffel says his ability to work across party lines is proven by the bipartisan alliance he has formed with Republican Jim Matthews on his county's board of commissioners, freezing out the other GOP member of the board.

Less reticent on spending than some of his rivals, Mr. Hoeffel said that the state should double its spending for transportation, including increases for repair of existing roads and bridges, more funding for transit and high-speed rail development.

All of the Democratic contenders agree with the desirability of taxing the proceeds of Marcellus shale natural gas deposits at some level. Mr. Hoeffel has been particularly outspoken on the issue, calling for rates that would produce at least $300 million in the first year of the new tax, a level his campaign projects as double the proceeds of the levy currently proposed by Mr. Rendell.

Mr. Hoeffel said he would also shift more of the state's school costs away from property taxes and toward income taxes, while raising the proportion of local school costs paid by the state from roughly 37 percent to nearly half.

We don't often talk about progressive economic issues.  We also don't talk about the connections between social issues and economic issues.  HB 300 which would protect our jobs, housing and public accomodation is grounded in strengthening the economy.  It is a jobs bill, for God's sake. The data shows the contributions the LGBT community make to the locals in which they live; improving our access to good jobs, decent housing and opportunities to spend our money in public is good for the economy. 

All of the candidates say they support this, but I trust Joe to see its relevance to turning Pennsylvania around and using his office to get the legislation passed instead of waiting for someone else to bring it to his desk. 

I want a good budget and I believe Joe Hoeffel is the smart candidate who sees the connections between social and economic issues. 

Here is Joe's plan.

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