On Friday, February 28th, the Pennsylvania Progressive Summit hosted a debate for the Democratic candidates for governor. I wasn't there in person but taped the debate as it was broadcast on PCN. Later I watched it and took rough notes. This is not intended as a formal transcript -- it is just notes I took while watching. Interested readers should visit the candidates' websites and investigate further on their own.
Mike Morrill introduces Eileen Connelly who will
moderate.
2 minutes each for opening and closing statements, order
alphabetical in opening and reverse in closing.
The initial questions from organizations that are part of conference
organizing team, other questions from audience.
One minute, 30 second answers, rebuttals for 30 seconds. Order of answers rotates.
Candidates:
John Hanger
Tom Wolf
Jo Ellen Litz www.joellenlitz.com
Katie McGinty
Allyson Schwartz www.allysonschwartz.com
Rob McCord www.robmccord.com
Opening Statements
JH: We do need a Democrat
as governor but we also need bold progressive change. Summed up in one sentence jobs not jails,
schools not jails, legalized marijuana not jails. Plan to let all students attend community
college and one year at a state university with no debt. Raise minimum wage, rebuild unions. Time for Democrats to stand with unions, tell
people to join a union. Seize our energy
opportunities. I have unique energy
experience. Stand against oil and gas
when water contaminated. Toughest set of
regulatory proposals, wrote moratorium on state forest drilling. Increase solar by 10x, wind by 4x. For single payer health insurance.
JL: county
commissioner in Lebanon Co. also owned
and operated an auto body shop for 20 years, also done commercial rentals, on
water commission board to help clean water, head of MPO, head of election
board, on prison board, on board of county home. Campaign is about roads and bridges, water
and sewers, economy building jobs that support families. These are the things our workers want. It’s about jobs, solid jobs that will be
around for a long time.
RM: Thank Eileen,
thank friends on dais and in audience.
Many of you are thought leaders who will examine plans. Mom went through tough divorce, moved from NY
to PA for public schools, dropped from middle class, public schools discovered
my dyslexia, pa public education helped get me into Harvard, help generate
thousands of job, go to Wharton, elected to office, fiscal watchdog. Other kids won’t be able to live their dreams
if Corbett in office. Need to defeat and
evict Tom Corbett.
KM: Thanks to
everyone for fighting for our values.
I’m driven by that shared sense of meaning and values. Ninth of 10 kids, dad worked for 35 years as
police officer. Union looked out for
him, and allowed all 10 kids to have a shot at the dream Rob talked about. Mom took care of house and then had job as a
hostess at a restaurant. Worked to build
a better home and a better family. So when
we talk about the issues we are concerned about. I will work for pension and retirement, that
was dignity for my dad. I will work for
benefits and wages for restaurant workers.
Education was my ticket, I was first in my family to go to college. At 29 I was an advisor to president of US.
AS: I’m running
because we cannot afford 4 more years of Tom Corbett. Need a governor that will take on state
governor and stalled government. Need a
governor with record of accomplishment.
We need a woman governor, will change politics in Harrisburg
forever. Time to defy expectations and
do this together. Every child needs
quality education. Every Pennsylvanian
needs access to health care. I’m the
only woman in PA congressional delegation.
I can be tough. I can take on big
challenges and can get things done. You
might know me for getting CHIP program done, would not have gotten done without
my work in the state senate. Became
model for CHIP program in all 50 states.
We took on a challenge, got a smart solution.
TW: Thanks. Running because we need to move in a
different direction, need a different kind of governor. Grew up in small town, went to Peace Corps,
got PhD, got into family business, drove a forklift and a truck. Bought the business with two cousins, built in
into one of the largest building supply businesses in the US. Offer employees outstanding benefits. Sold business and joined Rendell
cabinet. Company was tanking, bought it
back, turned it around. Need to move in
a new direction.
Q1: Affordable Care
Act, support single payer?
JL: I was running for
governor, didn’t think it would be an issue.
We have a system in place and it’s the law. At public meetings there were several
comments and questions. Learned about
problems, like not bidding out pharmacy goods.
There is room for improvement.
Open to moving towards single payer.
Important that people have medical coverage. Our local hospital was a community hospital,
everyone got care, everyone picked up the tab.
We have two different clinics, one for working poor, one for unemployed.
RM: A sign that
Corbett has declined to accept Medicare expansion. When rich people do something criminal they
are seldom held accountable. Would like
to work with others to develop plans for continuous improvement. Words single payer are catnip to this
audience. I want the hearts and minds of
people who are progressives and pragmatists.
Expand and protect Medicare. Will
live with law as it exists. Will
innovate continuously.
KM: Many issues that
a governor would face that are very hard.
Expanding Medicare is not hard.
People have paid for this already with their taxes. Need to go further. Whole series of issues where consumer
beware. Governor needs to set up. Example, with governor blaming consumers for
rising electricity rates. With health
care also need disclosure of costs. With
single payer the way to drive down costs is to increase pool of those covered.
AS: Only one in the
state to have spent many many hours working to pass ACA. We finally found a way to get health coverage
to every America. Proud to be a part of
that, make sure preexisting conditions in children covered, protect Medicare
and Medicaid. As PA governor I would absolutely
take Medicaid expansion. Should not
leave 500,000 Pennsylvanians without coverage.
I would change that on day one.
We can do this and we should.
TW: Expand Medicaid
so 500,000 will be covered, set up state exchanges, do what we can to make ACA
work. Figure out how to make affordable
health care available to all Pennsylvanians.
Single payer is something we should consider.
JH: Compliment
Allyson Schwartz for work in healthcare. I would not have served on PA Utility
commission without her supports. Single
payer absolutely. Health care is a human
right. Medicaid expansion is a partial
answer. I believe in what is said in
Matthew, what you did to the least of these you did unto me.: For moral reasons I support single
payer. My wife is a physician. Single payer is good for business. We won’t rebirth manufacturing if we don’t
have single payer.
Q2: Possible that $100
Million will be spent on this race. Does
this distort democracy? Do you support
campaign finance reform, public financing?
RM: Yes and yes. Would love to have series of Lincoln Douglass
debates
KM: Yes, spending 80%
of my time on fundraising, feel 0% good about that. We need to change that. When I was working at the White House with
Clinton, people would say aren’t all politics corrupt. Never saw what people’s stereotypic view of corruption
is, but did see corruption of people’s efforts to keep paying the meter. I had tons of authority because others had to
spend so much time fundraising. Should
be spending time getting things done and making it happen.
AS: Support campaign
finance reform, should be limits on gifts, should be disclosure, is a challenge
for non-self-funders. 9,000 people have
made contributions to my campaign, average contribution is about $250. From people who believe in change, believe I
can lead, believe in my vision, appreciate what they are doing.
TW: I have a special
perspective, having put $10 million of my own money into the race. Lament that money distorts race. I put my own money in because I don’t have
too many other advantages in this race.
Television allows me to tell my story.
I’m playing by the rules of the game as they exist now. If elected would do everything I could to
change the rules.
JH: Was for public
financing and campaign finance reform before it was cool. Asked for people running to agree to $5
million limit. No one took me up on
it. Money distorts democracy. Its’ a big money game. I have not spent time raising money but
talking to people. Gov Cuomo in NY is
making public financing of campaigns a major legislative issue. Hope candidates are sincere about changing it
JL: yes and yes. Running a grassroots campaign.
Q3: Pennsylvania
cyber charter schools an abject failure.
What will you do to stop them?
KM: Priority #1 is to
pay us a severance tax with all of it going to Corbett cuts that have
eviscerated educated. After school
tutoring has been cut, classrooms overcrowded, too many requirements for
teachers, draining creativity from classroom, this is the end of economic
prosperity. Charter schools top to
bottom need to be reformed. Need to have
openness and transparency in what we are paying. Makes no sense for cyber charter to charge
the same as a brick and mortar school.
AS: cyber charter
have a simple answer, stop funding them, $375 million dollars, not evidence of
helping children learn. Draining money
from public schools. Need to demand
accountability from charters, some very good, some very bad. Close public schools that are failing, make
local school districts accountability.
Fund public schools, restore cuts, make sure children start school ready
to learn, universal pre-k and full day kindergarten. My kids when to Philly public schools.
TW: Believe that
cyber charters need to be accountable.
Find fair way to fund them, not take money from public schools. Where do cyber charters come from? From cronyism, friends of people in high
places, function of people looking at education as a private not a public
good. Everyone benefits from good public
education. If we understand that then funding
public education is a self-interest. We
all share in funding of bad public education too.
JH: cyber charters
when you look at reading and math scores and grad rates are terrible. Only thing they do is put up big billboards. It’s a scam.
Stealing money from Pennsylvanians.
Make it accountable. Not opposed to
all charter schools. Poor performing
charters – opposed to your tax money going to those. That money coming from public school
budgets. Not an accident – there is a
real effort to privatize public education.
Should not be turned into a profit center. Shame on Corbett and legislature.
JL: support public
schools, teachers are to be honored and revered. Children are out precious resource for the
future. I do believe that cyber chargers
should be associated with a school district and should boards have oversight,
follow same rules as public schools. Not
a level playing field, two sets of rules.
We have a public schools for a reason, lets us them.
RM: one of many
ripoffs of crony capitalism of current administration. Almost villainous. I’ve been in the arena fighting Corbett more
than anybody. One example of a pure
ripoff. Remember to speak in plain
terms. Corbett talked about a “spend
number.” Watch out for words used. They will blame the victim, blame teachers. Not just the what but the who and the
how. I can and will win this fight.
Rebuttal:
RB: we cannot afford
to put all eggs in one basket, not just severance tax, but look at tax
loopholes.
JH: legalize and tax
marijuana and put money into schools.
Q4: Payday loans have interest rates that make it almost
impossible to repay. There are efforts to
make it easier to get payday loans. Do
you support this?
AS: I worked to make
sure consumers had more protections against payday loans and other types of
protections, such as credit cards, and Wall St predators. I would stand on the side of consumers.
TW: We have a history
of the government intervening when consumers are harmed by practices in the
market. It is fully appropriate for the government
to interfere here. Strong on consumer protection
and payday loans. Make sure playing
field is level, make sure worst abuses controlled.
JH: This issue is
quite personal to me. I’m an immigrant to
this country. Immigrants are often
targeted by loansharks. Worked as an
attorney in Pennsylvania and saw how poorly regulated payday loans were. Not a service useful to capitalist
system. Absolutely regulated or
outlawed.
JL : Payday loans
prey upon the poor. Reverse of Robin
Hood. If they want to do it right they
would lend the money at a reasonable rate.
Agree they are loansharks.
RM: At Treasury we were
part of Good Choice [missed this word] Program, working with credit unions. Effective compound interest rate of 400%,
worked with credit unions to provide options.
Mom was worried I would make my life too much about money. Democrats had a lot of lawyers but not enough
people with MBAs to help not just job creators and entrepreneurs but hard
working people
KM: pure and simple
preying on the poor. Consumer
protection. There are people on the
verge of losing their home or business because they signed up for electricity
plans when after a year of cheap rates flipped over to ballooning rates. Gov. Corbett says it’s the consumer’s
fault. Need to go further in protecting
the consumer in health care costs. About
making it so people don’t have to grovel and beg to make a living. Increase minimum wage. Defined benefits. Not doubling down on Wall Street and hedge
fund managers.
Q5: PA Womens Health Caucus.
In December launched an agenda.
Corbett administration proposal to cut benefits for people on Medicaid
TW: We need to
reverse the war on women. Much if not
all of what the right is doing is to disempower women. Women need to be able to fully participate in
workforce, have a full seat at the table.
Make sure state is open for business to everybody.
JH: Start with
Medicaid expansion. In Oct 2013 our
campaign looked at Gov. Cuomo’s agenda for women in NY. We made it our own. We need to make sure increasing number of
health practitioners who can work with women, nurse practitioners, midwives,
better health care in their homes, health care often delivered by women.
JL: In Lebanon County
we have a couple of non-profit groups that share quarters. Used to be in less than desirable
buildings. Vision of community now next
to community college in beautiful quarters.
That is to be emulated throughout Pennsylvania. Domestic violence intervention shelters. Important that we have these sorts of
facilities and support local non-profits.
We can do a lot more on state and national levels.
RM: We should be
backing bicameral bipartisan support in women’s health network. Alarmingly high fraction of women abused and
feel they have to keep it secret.
Protect women from violence and harassment. Pro-choice.
I’ve spent years telling people women are 3 x more likely than men to
drop poverty after age 60. Support an
increased minimum wage of $10 / hour.
KM: I look forward to
being your first female governor. Prochoice,
will fight for women every day, for pay equity.
Food assistance. This governor
has made it harder for families to eat.
Women having to work two and three jobs, leave kids at home, to make
ends meet. 80% of those receiving
minimum wage are over 20 years old, 60% are moms.
AS: Dedicated my
public life and private sector wok to standing up for families. When I was 26 years old, I started a women’s
health center in Philadelphia, allowed women to have access to a full range of
health services, helped protect women, prenatal care, out of hospital birth
center, first term abortions. I would not
forget the needs of women, we’ll know what to do.
Rebuttal:
JL: rebut Rob, as a
small business person, need to make it more lucrative to work tan be on welfare,
need to raise minimum wage a dollar a year, so not to bankrupt small business.
RM: In a year my
proposal would put $5200 dollars a year in a single mom’s paycheck. Economists thought it would hurt small
business but it did not. WalMart and
McDonalds can afford this.
Q6: How can we work
with law abiding gun owners for sensible gun regulations?
JH: This is an
important substantive question, issue of individual liberty, gun safety in
homes. A lot of independent voters and
GOP voters won’t vote for a Democratic governor candidate because they think we
don’t respect gun ownership. I do respect
gun owners and the second amendment. You
have to start there and then you will have some credibility and can then talk
about sensible gun safety measures. Outrageous
that we don’t have comprehensive background checks. Mentally ill, people with psychotic issues should
not be able to get guns.
JL: I’m pro 2nd amendment with background
checks. As a girl we ate well because of
hunting, rabbit, venison. It should be
possible anywhere to do a background check.
RM: you can be pro 2nd
amendment and pro background check.
Fight the good fight and expand the conversation. Invest a lot of respect with this
conversation. People do defend
themselves in remote rural areas, 1 in 3 households in Pennsylvania are hunting
households. The real good work we can
get done quickly, invest in police in high density high crime areas. If we invest in public education and job
education in the right way we will reduce violence.
KM: This is an issue
we can take up and can find common ground on it, close loopholes on background
checks, take on violence and criminals, bring sportsmen together to pursue this
common sense agenda. Looking at the
experience of the candidates, have you sat on the hot seat on the issues, find
those winning issues. When I came into
office people said we are a coal state and I wouldn’t be able to do
environmental issues, but I brought people together and we were number one on
wind energy. Newt Gingrich came to town
with Contract with America but it was under his leadership that I was able to
get things done.
AS: I too respect 2nd
amendment and law abiding citizens use guns for self-defense and sport. I have voted for sensible gun safety laws,
background checks. Many of the gun
owners I talk to agree. They don’t’ want
criminals to have guns. Protect our law
enforcement officers. Been to funerals where
police outgunned on our streets. Work
with DAs to get illegal guns off our streets.
TW: common ground is
what we need. In my area the first day
of hunting season is a school holiday.
But gun violence is epidemic.
Balance rights of legal gun owners with sensible regulations, reasonable
background checks, straw purchases, ban on assault weapons.
Q7: Libertarian, Green,
and independent candidates face difficult ballot access. Support level playing field?
JL: This question has
really intrigued me. Sitting on the
election board I have noticed that a Libertarian candidate can set up a flea
market and get anyone to sign their petition and they have more time to do it
and they are not standing out in the snow and ice like we are. Why wouldn’t they get more signatures than we
have to. They are looking for sympathy
but look what we are having to do in this weather.
RM: I applaud your
answers but I would honestly say no.
Focus and passion is a huge part of what you actually have to invest to
get things done. If we run this campaign
saying we will do everything for everyone we won’t succeed. I am running on education and job
creation. Tom and I can sit around and
talk about constitutional issues for days.
What we should probably do is talk about popular vote so people are
truly represented in every state, blue, red or purple.
KM: Our political
process gotten bogged down. If the US is
to lead again, this is killing us as a country.
Each party should be able to put up the candidate they want to be their
representative. We need to shake things up
folks. It is time for changes, to enable
people who are passionate and care to be involved. Disgrace of governor’s effort to keep people
away from voter booth. Had 3 years to
come up with a single case of voter fraud and he hasn’t. I would work hard to engage citizens to be
involved, to care and make a difference.
AS: I would not
change the rules on this. The issue here
is really to engage more voters in voting; the issue is voting rights. We see fewer people coming ot the polls not
more. Voter id law completely made up to
keep fewer Democratic voters to come out.
How outrageous and undemocratic is that.
I would make it easier to register to vote. Early voting and vote by mail. Make it easier for people with busy lives to
vote.
TW: We need to get
more people out to vote make our two party system stronger, do something about
gerrymandering, encourage more people to come out to vote, do things to bring
people together not fragment.
JH: I stronger
support these changes. Lack of confidence
in Republican and Democratic parties, let more people on the ballot, bring them
on. The GOP wants fewer people to
vote. Proud to be a Democrat for many
reasons. Democrats want all people to
vote, even more Republicans. People
don’t vote because we don’t offer them real bold change. If you want more young people to vote should
get behind legalization of marijuana.
Rebuttal:
RM: Do not believe government
gridlock is because of too few people on the ballot. People want an engaged governor, want government
to work again.
TW: I’m not that big
of a geek, Rob.
JH: One reason our
democracy is not working that money has too much influence.
Q8: Dept of Corrections
housed 9420 people at end of 1981, at end of 1991 housed 23,405. End of 2001 housed 37,995, end of 2011
51,???, [missed this number] increase of over 400% while violent crime is down
in same period. What will you do to
reduce number of people in prison?
RM: change school to
prison pipeline, look at sentencing guidelines, dot no incarcerate people for
life for some of these crimes. Do what
we can and should to fight crime, protect corrections officers, spend more on
schools. I am endorsed by corrections
officers. Do more to protect people
without abusing people who work in corrections.
Corbett couldn’t find money for schools but found for prisons.
KM: these numbers are
so absolutely outrageous and heartbreaking, families destroyed because mom and
dad not at home, change sentencing guidelines, addiction services, work with
members of the legislature, let young people who get out of prison and stay out
of trouble need a second chance. Restore
public education, invest beyond k-12 in skills development, make it affordable.
AS: numbers
staggering, not news to us or governor and general assembly. Failed system. Spending
so much money on a system that doesn’t work.
Incarcerate people who are a danger and have committed crimes, but sentencing
guidelines for minor crimes needs to change.
Do something for first offenders, especially of minor crimes. Do more for ex-offenders.
TW: behind the
numbers is the destruction of lives. My companies gives second chances to
people who have been accused and committed of minor crimes. Most companies don’t do that. People who did something when very young
destroys their entire lives.
JH: I got off a septa
trolley in Philly and next thing I knew I was on the ground with a gun to my
head. People intervened. So I take violent crime very seriously. I know the difference between the people who
had a gun to my head and people arrested for marijuana. African Americans arrested for marijuana more
than whites. Need affordable college,
lets those re-entering from prison to get back on their feet.
JL: all counties are
charged with having a prison for providing sentencing rooms for their
people. At Lebanon County our prison
population is around 500, many have mental illnesses or addiction, many are
also veterans, need veterans courts, ankle bracelet monitoring. There are other options out there.
RM: as opposed to
putting more people on the ballot, prisoners count as head count in GOP head
counting [I didn’t get this down correctly – something to do with prisoners
counting as residents when drawing political districts but they can’t vote.] That’s like 3/5 of a person. There is no excuse for that in the next
redistricting.
Q9: support Pennsylvania
Democratic party’s call for moratorium on new fracking wells?
KM: yes in public
parks and forests, against companies that break laws, support shale tax. We have to do much more to ensure against
environmental damage in the development of our resources, would push hard to
water quality, need to take on issue of greenhouse gases in natural gas
AS: support
moratorium in state parks and forests.
Demand and expect high standards from drillers. Make sure it is done responsibly and enforce
that. Severance tax of 5%, reinvest in
econ growth across the state. Use some
of the money to invest in green energy.
TW: share the
frustration and concern, support the moratorium on state lands and private land
where owners don’t want fracking. Should
do it responsibly, agree on 5% severance tax.
Gives us hundreds of millions of dollars to schools, for local governments
JH: wrote moratorium
for state forests in 2010. Support
keeping it out parks. Support policy of Delaware
River Basin Commission, overturn Act 13 so local governments have right to
separate residential and industrial activity.
Require new inspectors, protect citizens who have drilling complaints.
JL: ban on fracking
in parks and forest. Need extraction
tax, 6%. Local control of zoning in
important, conservation districts should inspect sites, pull licenses of those
who break laws.
RM: agree with KM and
JH. I disagree with state committee. I’m not, like Corbett, owned by JR Ewing wing
of industries. Create thousands of stem
related jobs can earn back public trust.
Q10: very little
difference in your answers, how would you differ yourself form other
candidates, why should progressives vote for you
AS: Pennsylvania
ready for progressive and big ideas, can do big things again. Need a governor that also embraces that
notion. I have a record showing I know
how to get things done. Time when we can
defy expectations. Make Pennsylvania
great again. Have great assets, great
opportunities. Third woman in state
senate, only woman in congressional delegation.
People want to see me be first woman governor of Pennsylvania.
TW: what makes me
different is breadth of life experiences that no one else in this group
has. I actually know that the things we
all believe in as progressives, understand that they are not only right but
they are smart. Idea that we can make
this world fair. That’s why I share
profits with workers. They are right but
they actually work. I understand how the
real work works.
JH: there are real
differences. I’m for single payer, legalizing
and taxing marijuana. You can’t take in
mass incarceration if you don’t decriminalize marijuana. Plan to let people go to 2 years of community
college and one year of state college with no debt. I wrote the climate action plan. Immigrant, public services attorney, not
beholden to big money.
JL: my motto is
people above politics. Boots on the ground of local government. have experience of unfunded mandates. Been to
67 counties, how much we are the same.
We all want the same things, good paying jobs, for our children to be
successful. I’m 62, not playing games. I’m in this to win this. I can do it with you help. I will serve you with honesty and
integrity.
RM: I would celebrate
the question. This is a little bit of a
job interview. Consider experience. Most voters, certainly most Democrats. Of candidates spent most time in the arena,
fighting and defeating Corbett. We’ve
fought him and we’ve beat him. I’ve run
three times in a contested primary, a self made business guy not a career guy
but someone who knows how Harrisburg works. Hope this is a team of rivals.
KM: the things you
stand for are worth fighting for. Have
been on the hot seat on some of these issues for 25 years. Just stopping bad things from happening isn’t
enough, must work on progressive agenda.
When I was Secretary of Energy we were a national leader. We brought all kinds of building materials
companies here. When Newt Gingrich said
no regulation is a good regulation we passed water quality laws.
Closing Statement:
TW: thanks. I want to do this. I recognize I am an unconventional
candidate. You have to bring people
together not pull them apart. Fairness
actually matters to human beings. I want
to take Pennsylvania to the kind of future we all want and deserve
AS: I’m running to
take on those stale politics in Harrisburg.
You need someone that not only shares your vision but can get things
done. I can get things done. I was told that I’m awfully nice but damned
determined. They were right, I’m very
determined.
KM: proud daughter of
a hard working family, to work for hard working families. I will be your standard bearer of those
values that invest in our children and in jobs that will pay a decent living
wage. Not a career politician but it
won’t be on the job training in the governor’s office, 25 years experience
helping us to grow, believes deeply in Pennsylvania
RM: thanks. Not a career politician, but head of revenue,
increased productivity by 62%, repaired tuition program. Motivation.
I love people. I love people and
know how to be warm. But I also know how
to fight. Remember what my mom went
through. My wife’s uncle died because he
wasn’t allowed in a whites only emergency room.
I will fight.
JL: about turning Pennsylvania
around. This is my vision. Vote for it.
JH: I came to the US
from Ireland in 1970. Something’s gone
very badly wrong with our economy. We
need bold progressive change. We need a
governor who will take those bold progressive changes. Jobs not jails, schools not jails. I’m the only candidate up here who has
carried a union card. Serious about a
new birth of freedom, woman’s right to choose, marriage equality, legalize
marijuana.
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