WILKES-BARRE - Local state legislators said the government can encourage economic development by investing in the state's infrastructure and education.
Six lawmakers spoke at the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce Legislative Breakfast on Friday morning, held at Genetti's Downtown hotel. The panel, which answered questions submitted by the audience, included state Sens. Lisa Baker, R-20, Lehman Twp.; and John Blake, D-22, Archbald; and state Reps. Mike Carroll, D-118, Avoca; Phyllis Mundy, D-120, Kingston; Eddie Day Pashinski, D-121, Wilkes-Barre; and Tarah Toohil, R-116, Butler Twp.
The legislators spent a large part of the morning discussing the government's role in attracting businesses and creating jobs in Pennsylvania.
"The private sector is going to drive economic growth," Mr. Blake said. "We can do things in Harrisburg that can leverage scarce state resources for investment."
Mr. Blake said Gov. Tom Corbett's proposed $1.8 billion transportation bill that would improve the state's bridges and roads was one way to do that.
"This is a meaningful investment that's needed for public safety (and) for economic vitality," Mr. Blake said. "It puts engineers to work; it puts construction contractors to work."
Ms. Mundy said she believed investing in education and infrastructure was the best way to encourage economic development, and she voiced her opposition against lowering taxes.
"The governor's approach to business growth appears to be tax cuts, tax breaks, tax incentives that raid the general fund, and I strongly disagree with that approach," Ms. Mundy said. "I'd prefer to see transportation and investments in infrastructure and education as the road to growth."
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