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Times Herald: Gerlach Takes on Reader's Queries
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Gerlach takes on readers' queries
By CARL ROTENBERG
Times Herald Staff
NORRISTOWN - U.S. Congressman Jim Gerlach, R-6th Dist., said during a Times Herald TV/Online interview on Tuesday afternoon that the key issue in his November election campaign was jobs.
"Even though unemployment in our county (is) a little bit lower than the national averages we do have pockets of high unemployment, particularly in urban areas, he said. "Jobs and the economy, taxes and spending are the No. 1 issues.
Gerlach pivoted to what he called "high spending in the federal government and large debt.
"Even though unemployment in our county (is) a little bit lower than the national averages we do have pockets of high unemployment, particularly in urban areas, he said. "Jobs and the economy, taxes and spending are the No. 1 issues.
Gerlach pivoted to what he called "high spending in the federal government and large debt.
"Jobs and the economy, keeping taxes low and getting control of runaway government spending are the big issues, he said.
Readers and online participants asked Gerlach several questions about regional and national issues.
What comprehensive strategy can you offer to create jobs with the nationwide unemployment rate at 9.7 percent?
He said representatives of the National Federation of Independent Businesses, the National Association of Manufacturers and chambers of commerce focused on three areas.
The business groups asked for business taxes to be kept low so they would have money to reinvest in their businesses.
Gerlach wants to extend President Bush's 2003 tax cuts past their December 2010 expiration date.
He advocated allowing Congress to review any new business regulation that would cost more than $100 million nationwide a second time after its initial passage. "I want to get a better handle on regulatory policy, he said.
He wants to encourage larger business loans by increasing the federal guarantees on business loans from 75 percent up to 90 percent.
"Those are the elements that our business community (is) telling us they need from Congress to go out and create jobs, he said. "We have that in HR 5554.
On curbing local school tax increases, Gerlach said it was the "No. 1 local issue.
He said the large number of local school districts (501 districts in Pennsylvania), the different sizes and tax ratios, made it difficult to suggest tax solutions.
"The local taxpayers ought to decide on the fairest tax mix in their district, he said. "The fairest tax mix for Norristown Area might be different than the Tredyffrin School District. They should be able to use a referendum to determine their taxes.
With the general throw the bums out' attitude these days, how do you show you are not part of the long-term problem? Since the Republicans were not the best stewards the last time they controlled Congress, why should we think this time would be different?
"The National Journal and the Congressional Quarterly, they say I am one of the most independent and centrist Republicans in the House, he said. "That's based on thousands of votes over almost eight years.
"I call them like I see them, he said. "If I think it is good policy, I will vote for it.
Gerlach pointed out that he voted against the federal stimulus program, the health care reform bill and the cap and trade bill.
Do you support the activities of conservative blogger Andrew Breitbart? An edited version of a March speech by Shirley Sherrod posted by Breitbart sparked an outcry that resulted in Sherrod being forced to resign from her job at the federal Department of Agriculture.
"If he tried to portray something by using just a snippet of an overall presentation by that employee to convey a message that was not accurate, then that is irresponsible and inappropriate, he said.
This year Social Security will pay out more than it takes in for the first time in history. How are you going to fix that?
"It will correct itself when the economy comes back, Gerlach said. "With job creating policies and more people on the employment rolls, payroll taxes will go up and Social Security will go back into the black.
Gerlach said that in 2017, a rising number of beneficiaries would outnumber payees and further reforms of Social Security would be needed.
He suggested a "national non-binding referendum question for the American people to vote on in a November election that would be publicized a full year before the vote. A commission could put together three or four options to be voted on.
"They would be the basis for a national debate, he said, "at town hall meetings, senior centers and college campuses. We may find there is a consensus on which direction to go.
On undocumented immigrants, Gerlach wants to improve border security and impose a uniform set of rules to govern undocumented immigrants.
"If you want to come to this country you have to get in line, go through the process and play by the rules, he said. "Those that don't should not benefit from it.
Carl Rotenberg can be reached at crotenberg@timesherald.comor 610-272-2500, ext. 350.
Readers and online participants asked Gerlach several questions about regional and national issues.
What comprehensive strategy can you offer to create jobs with the nationwide unemployment rate at 9.7 percent?
He said representatives of the National Federation of Independent Businesses, the National Association of Manufacturers and chambers of commerce focused on three areas.
The business groups asked for business taxes to be kept low so they would have money to reinvest in their businesses.
Gerlach wants to extend President Bush's 2003 tax cuts past their December 2010 expiration date.
He advocated allowing Congress to review any new business regulation that would cost more than $100 million nationwide a second time after its initial passage. "I want to get a better handle on regulatory policy, he said.
He wants to encourage larger business loans by increasing the federal guarantees on business loans from 75 percent up to 90 percent.
"Those are the elements that our business community (is) telling us they need from Congress to go out and create jobs, he said. "We have that in HR 5554.
On curbing local school tax increases, Gerlach said it was the "No. 1 local issue.
He said the large number of local school districts (501 districts in Pennsylvania), the different sizes and tax ratios, made it difficult to suggest tax solutions.
"The local taxpayers ought to decide on the fairest tax mix in their district, he said. "The fairest tax mix for Norristown Area might be different than the Tredyffrin School District. They should be able to use a referendum to determine their taxes.
With the general throw the bums out' attitude these days, how do you show you are not part of the long-term problem? Since the Republicans were not the best stewards the last time they controlled Congress, why should we think this time would be different?
"The National Journal and the Congressional Quarterly, they say I am one of the most independent and centrist Republicans in the House, he said. "That's based on thousands of votes over almost eight years.
"I call them like I see them, he said. "If I think it is good policy, I will vote for it.
Gerlach pointed out that he voted against the federal stimulus program, the health care reform bill and the cap and trade bill.
Do you support the activities of conservative blogger Andrew Breitbart? An edited version of a March speech by Shirley Sherrod posted by Breitbart sparked an outcry that resulted in Sherrod being forced to resign from her job at the federal Department of Agriculture.
"If he tried to portray something by using just a snippet of an overall presentation by that employee to convey a message that was not accurate, then that is irresponsible and inappropriate, he said.
This year Social Security will pay out more than it takes in for the first time in history. How are you going to fix that?
"It will correct itself when the economy comes back, Gerlach said. "With job creating policies and more people on the employment rolls, payroll taxes will go up and Social Security will go back into the black.
Gerlach said that in 2017, a rising number of beneficiaries would outnumber payees and further reforms of Social Security would be needed.
He suggested a "national non-binding referendum question for the American people to vote on in a November election that would be publicized a full year before the vote. A commission could put together three or four options to be voted on.
"They would be the basis for a national debate, he said, "at town hall meetings, senior centers and college campuses. We may find there is a consensus on which direction to go.
On undocumented immigrants, Gerlach wants to improve border security and impose a uniform set of rules to govern undocumented immigrants.
"If you want to come to this country you have to get in line, go through the process and play by the rules, he said. "Those that don't should not benefit from it.
Carl Rotenberg can be reached at crotenberg@timesherald.comor 610-272-2500, ext. 350.
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