Sheryl Delozier
Republican
Current Job/Title: Resigned from Public Utility Commission to run for office.
Web Site: www.sheryldelozier.com
Political Experience: Three years as an Advisor to the Commissioner at the Pa. Public Utility Commission, 8 years working in the Ridge /Schweiker administration, 3 years working for the Pa. Auditor General Department, employed on 2 statewide Governor races, an Auditor General race, US Senate race and a Presidential race. Immediate past President of the Republican Women in Government, 1st VP of the New Cumberland Federation of Republican Women and a member of the Camp Hill Republican Women. Continues to serve as the Republican Committeewoman for Lower Allen 5 and appointed Secretary for the Township Committee.
Education: BA, Political Science and Domestic Government, University of Delaware; MBA, Pennsylvania State University
ON THE ISSUES:
EDUCATION: As a mother of 2 school age children, the strength of our public schools in the Commonwealth is a personal issue for me and one that I will work to hold to the highest standards. This will include supporting our teachers that have an undisputed influence over our children. I will demand accountability for the public dollars that are paid by taxpayers to run our schools to make sure they are getting value for the dollars they invest.
Since all students don't learn in the same environment or at the same pace, I support allowing parents to have a choice in their children's education. These options include: homeschooling, a cyber or brick and mortar charter school, or private schools with support from non-profit foundations that receive funding through Pennsylvania's Educational Improvement Tax Credit program.
I would also work to support and ensure that our community colleges and technical schools are strong and thriving, as they are an invaluable resource for some students that may not fit the typical four year higher education program.
GAMING: The legislature made a major mistake by not allowing the Attorney General to have an oversight role in the gaming industry. This needs to be corrected immediately so the public can have confidence that the board is making above-board decisions that are in the best interest of the people of Pennsylvania. We need to ensure that strict standards are applied to both the casinos and the gaming board itself. Giving their former Executive Director a six figure "consulting" contract was not in the best interest of the taxpayers of Pennsylvania.
LEGISLATIVE REFORM: We need to work to reinstil the public trust and confidence that the voters have in their elected officials. To do this we have to go further than what is included in our new open records law and add transparency to how tax dollars used to run the state legislature are spent.
I have a 6 point plan to address ethics and accountability:
-Eliminate automatic per diem's, but reimburse legislative expenses like every other state employee - using actual receipts for money spent capped at a certain level.
-Prohibit all bonuses for House and Senate employees. This will ensure that the abuses of the past don't repeat themselves.
-Require the House and Senate caucus "surpluses," now valued at approximately $240 million, to be returned to the state treasury or to the taxpayers.
-Expand the oversight role of the Attorney General in the Gaming process and have the state's top law enforcement official involved in overseeing a process that we have already seen get out of hand.
-Limit the duration an individual can serve as chair of a committee.
-Prohibit the use of tax dollars in paying for the defense of elected officials or staff in criminal cases unrelated to their duties.
PROPERTY TAXES: Property taxes are a paramount concern for all taxpayers in the 88th District. Ultimately, our property tax system must provide adequate revenue to support our schools, while being fair to those on fixed incomes and tight budgets. Creative options that preserve local control while diversifying the tax base should be explored. Any reduction of property tax will need to be shifted to another source of revenue. One idea worth exploring is in exchange for a significant reduction in property taxes, increase the sales tax and look at possible caps on property taxes for seniors. Answers to the property tax dilemma are not easy. However, Harrisburg has a responsibility to deliver a fair system that works for all Pennsylvanians. The General Assembly needs to recognize that we, as citizens of the Commonwealth, will not stand for an out of touch government more in tune with their needs than those of Pennsylvania's working families.
TRANSPORTATION FUNDING: Property taxes are a paramount concern for all taxpayers in the 88th District. Ultimately, our property tax system must provide adequate revenue to support our schools, while being fair to those on fixed incomes and tight budgets. Creative options that preserve local control while diversifying the tax base should be explored. Any reduction of property tax will need to be shifted to another source of revenue. One idea worth exploring is in exchange for a significant reduction in property taxes, increase the sales tax and look at possible caps on property taxes for seniors. Answers to the property tax dilemma are not easy. However, Harrisburg has a responsibility to deliver a fair system that works for all Pennsylvanians. The General Assembly needs to recognize that we, as citizens of the Commonwealth, will not stand for an out of touch government more in tune with their needs than those of Pennsylvania's working families.
Source: abc27 questionnaire.