Insurance Connection
services across Pennsylvania , and encourage dental providers to work in communities with a need .
What message would you like to send to dentists who may find Pennsylvania an unfriendly state in which to practice due to its business climate ?
Bear with us until we elect a new governor who will advocate policies that welcome businesses and jobs back to Pennsylvania . I look forward to working with a new administration , which will end the excessive regulation and taxation that drive businesses and the jobs they provide out of Pennsylvania .
What would you consider a “ signature ” issue of yours and why is it important to you ?
My signature issue is of critical importance to my constituents and most Pennsylvanians right now — the economy . Our Commonwealth , and our nation , is in the grips of the worst financial recession since the Great Depression . The federal and state responses to this crisis have been ineffective . Fixing our economy must be the number one issue for every elected official . My colleagues and I have crafted a legislative package called Keystone Jobs . Keystone Jobs will
eliminate barriers to employment and provide certainty to Pennsylvania employers so that they can feel comfortable with hiring again . In addition , we are preparing a second legislative package designed to capitalize on the enormous economic potential of the development of Marcellus Shale natural gas .
What are your predictions for the 2011-2012 legislative session ?
My predictions for the 2011-12 legislative session tie into my previous answer . Budget , spending , debt and economic issues will dominate the legislative session . Facing the expiration of stimulus funds , increased pension costs , a structural budget deficit and lagging employment , the Commonwealth will face an enormously challenging budget next year . Nonetheless , this challenge presents a real opportunity to completely rethink how we , as a government , operate . I intend to face the next budget , not as a challenge , but as an opportunity to bring the best government practices from across this country to Pennsylvania and to implement innovative solutions that will equip our Commonwealth with the tools necessary to ensure fiscal prosperity in the years to come .
Become a
Mentor
PDA recognizes new dentists and dental students as the future of dentistry in Pennsylvania and wants to foster and encourage their participation in the organized dentistry community .
Please show your support for new dentists , dental students and the future of organized dentistry by agreeing to be a mentor .
Visit www . padental . org / mentoring to register as a mentor .
16 November / December 2010 • Pennsylvania Dental Journal