Important issues for Pennsylvania citizens

By Erik Viker

This document summarizes my positions on issues that may affect citizens of District 85.

As a third-party member, I stand outside of the Republican-Democratic party conflict, so I can represent the people who elect me, not the interests of an entrenched political party. I will represent my constituents as a fellow resident of our community and not become a politician worried about a career in Harrisburg. My election means your voice in the legislature will be a regular citizen of the district who participates in our community life every day. I will hold weekend and evening office hours in the district so the people I represent can meet with me when they are usually most available.

Taxation and government spending

I will support a two-year pay freeze for all state legislators and will always vote against any pay raise for legislators above the increased cost of living. A complete overhaul of all government spending must begin now. We should avoid any annual tax increases above the rising cost of managing government. Improving our government financial management can keep future tax increases to a minimum. A ten-percent reduction in state budgets with a resulting tax cut is not only possible but should be implemented for the next three years to bring government spending and taxation to more reasonable levels. I support replacing the state income tax with an enhanced state sales tax on purchases other than for food, clothing, and heating.

Unemployment

The best way to combat unemployment in Pennsylvania is to make our state more attractive to healthy, productive industries through reasonable, less restrictive government regulation and a manageable tax burden for businesses. Successful industries in our district lead to an increase in the number of available local jobs.

The Two-Party System

The two-party domination of our state government is no longer working, and yet both parties conspire to keep citizens out of office unless they belong to one of the two big political clubs: the Democratic Party and the Republican Party. Candidates regardless of party affiliation should have equal opportunity to be on the ballot, with the same required petition signatures and filing fees. Primary elections should not be administered with taxpayer dollars. In the legislature, committee assignments should not be made based on what club the legislators belong to, and legislators shouldn't have taxpayer-funded privileges based on club membership positions such as "majority leader" and "minority leader." Candidates would of course still rely on party affiliations for successful campaigning, and representatives could still vote with those who agree with their ideals. Political parties are private organizations that shouldn't be promoted or publicized by taxpayer-dollars in any way: not on ballots, not on government websites, and not in any publications paid for by the taxpayers.

Commerce and the economy

The state government should not restrict the free market or manage trade between citizens or companies controlled by citizens, and should avoid meddling in commerce and the economy. Consumers know what they want and need. To stimulate economic growth, we must put more dollars in taxpayers' hands by reducing state taxes and government spending. The state should only regulate industry to the extent that people are protected from harm by the action or inaction of business practitioners.

Tolls on Interstate 80

Pennsylvania drivers are already taxed to maintain our highways. The state government should either more effectively manage available funds to ensure this highway is kept up without adding tolls, or reduce our taxes by leasing the highway to a private company and fund it entirely with user fees. We can't have it both ways.

Highway 11/15 bypass

Too many taxpayer dollars have been spent on acquiring land and preparing for this project to do anything other than move forward now. We should proceed with an eye toward responsible and conservative use of additional tax dollars to prevent additional waste as the bypass is constructed.

State transportation infrastructure

The state already borrows too much money to maintain our bridges, roads and highways, and yet highway maintenance is still not where it must be. We need to step back and look at the entire state operating budget and reassign dollars to highway maintenance immediately. We must continue to do this until our transportation infrastructure is safe. We cannot wait until a bridge falls down before making highway maintenance a top priority.

Education

If we're using tax dollars to fund education, we must ensure that all of our students get the best education possible. Because a minimal level of education is necessary for an informed electorate and a stable society, I support standards for educational achievement, but the "teach to the test" model isn't working. Students should be able to write well, think critically, solve problems, work as a team, and apply different types of knowledge to the challenges they'll face in their lives. We should always maintain local supervision of school districts. We should avoid unfunded government mandates to local educational authorities. We must encourage equal educational opportunities for all Pennsylvania students.

Civil rights and discrimination

I believe the state should provide government services to all residents equally, regardless of gender, wealth, race, color, religion, age, national origin, political preferences or sexual orientation.

Freedom of expression

The state government shouldn't spend tax dollars on efforts to regulate or censor how adult citizens communicate through media, technology or in person, when their communication doesn't infringe on the rights of others. The people of Pennsylvania should always be free to peacefully gather together in public places.

Eminent domain

The practice of a government acquiring private land against the owners' wishes, even if the government compensates the landowner, should happen very rarely. And it should only happen after careful consideration of how it improves life for a significant number of citizens. Eminent domain practices should be drastically reformed to make sure developers do not benefit at the expense of private citizens.

Firearms and self-defense

I support the individual's right to keep and bear arms for self-defense and recreation. I believe owners should be responsible for the safe use and secure storage of their firearms. I support increasing the severity of penalties for crimes involving gun violence.

Energy

The state should not subsidize any one form of energy over another. The free market is the best way to make sure consumers get the best prices and best service. Industry competition will encourage innovation and development of energy-related science and industry.

The environment

Citizens should have access to the wealth of the outdoors for hunting, fishing, boating and other recreation. The state government should carefully balance the complex concerns surrounding environmental protection and the importance of industry to our jobs and economy. Sometimes private non-profit organizations such as The Nature Conservancy can manage publicly-used lands more cost-effectively, and the government should consider cooperating with reputable non-profit organizations to save taxpayer dollars.

Children and families

The state is no substitute for a parent. Unless a child is in danger or a credible threat to the child is identified, parents and guardians have the right to rear their children according to their beliefs and family standards.

Law enforcement

Law enforcement exists to protect citizens from violence, coercion and fraud. State and local law enforcement should concentrate on preventing and investigating crimes against persons or property. I support the protections provided by the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which grants that we may be secure in our persons, homes, and property.

The courts

I will always vote to protect our rights to due process, a speedy trial, legal counsel, trial by jury, and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. I support reforming laws to improve the efficient use of court time.

Immigration

The United States Constitution charges Congress with establishing and enforcing immigration laws. Federal courts have clarified that state and local governments may not intervene in immigration matters. I encourage citizens to call on our federal representatives and insist that federal immigration laws are strictly enforced, including holding accountable the thousands of U.S. citizens who violate the law by hiring undocumented workers. Our commonwealth cannot afford costly legal battles with the federal government, and the nation cannot afford to patrol 2,000 miles of border or round up the millions of undocumented workers who have arrived in the U.S over the past few decades. To pretend otherwise is futile. We would be best served by simplifying the process for law-abiding immigrants to become citizens, in the best welcoming traditions of our nation.

Abortion

I personally believe abortion is a destructive act that should be avoided whenever possible, but as an elected representative I respect that decisions about abortion should remain with the individual, as the Supreme Court of the United States has decided.