|
Published: April 12, 2008 10:50 pm
Economy at forefront in 9th Congressional District race
By KATHY MELLOTT
The Tribune-Democrat
Seeking his fourth full term to Congress, U. S. Rep Bill Shuster is running unopposed in the primary election for the Republican nod on the November ballot.
Unopposed for the Democratic nod is Tony Barr, who ran unsuccessfully against Shuster in the general election two years ago.
The two 9th Congressional candidates think the economy is foremost in the minds of most Americans. The differences are in the best way to remedy the problem.
Shuster, 47, of Hollidaysburg, says as the former owner and operator of a small business before his 2001 election filling the seat vacated by his father Bud Shuster, he has a perspective may others do not.
Keeping the federal tax cuts in place is essential to getting the economy back on track but it must be coupled with roadblocks to what he thinks will be a democratic push to eliminate the cuts and levy further tax increases.
“What’s foremost on everybody’s mind is the state of the economy,” he said. “The economy has been good for the past five or six years and now we’re seeing the economy is fragile and maybe headed for a recession. Now is not the time to raise taxes.”
If all of the existing tax breaks in place are allowed to expire, the result could mean an additional $3,000 annually out of the pockets of the average Pennsylvania family, he said.
Shuster, a Bedford County native, is married and the father of two children.
Barr, 39, of Blue Knob, is a native of Chicago who has lived in the region for 11 years.
He is a learning support teacher in the Everett Area School District working with special needs children.
Barr thinks more should be done to stem the tide of job loss in the region.
“We’re losing so many jobs and we’re losing so many people because there are no jobs,” Barr said. “As a region we’re dying.”
Efforts are needed to improve the infrastructure in the region and tax breaks should end for companies who send jobs overseas, he said.
Barr said his chances of beating Shuster in November are good especially in light of his showing two years ago when he captured 40 percent of the vote.
“We did a lot better than anyone thought we would, we just need to attract another 10 percent,”
The 9th District covers much of northern Cambria County and all parts of Somerset County south of Route 30, along with all or parts of a dozen other counties.
• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.
|
|
|
|
 |
Exp. Subcontractors
WANTED - EXPERIENCED
SUBCONTRACTORS.
Local work with fast growing company. Must have insurance and own tools. ...>MORE
CUSTOMER SERVICE REPS
CUSTOMER
SERVICE REPS
CallcenterHR, Inc. is growing. We are looking for motivated individuals to become Cus...>MORE
Sales Representative
Expanding company seeking an aggressive sales rep with experience in the natural gas industry....>MORE
MACHINIST
MACHINIST
Growing Indiana County machine shop is in need of an experienced Machinist/Boring Mill Operator to work a...>MORE
Masons
MASONS: 1 yr. min. experience w/references & transportation. Full time, vacation, holidays, 401K, medical. Competitive w...>MORE
WELDERS
WELDERS
Local company accepting applications for full time welding positions. Must be available to work three swing...>MORE
CAD OPERATOR/
ARCHITECT
Introduction Architecture CAD Operator w/min. 2 years experience.
Arc...>MORE
CUSTOMER SERVICE/SALES POSITIONS
CHECK US
OUT!
Inter-Media Marketing Has
Customer Service/Sales Positions Available Full-Time And Pa...>MORE
MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN
MAiNTENANCE
TECHNICIAN
Experienced technicians with electrical/
mechanical skills are needed to wor...>MORE
See all ads |
SOUTHFORK MOVING SALE - 8-5 Saturday, October 11th, 927 Ragers Hill Road. Furniture, Lawn Mowers, Snow Blower, A little ...>MORE
527 DUWELL ST., 8-4 Sat.,
October 11th. Lots of collectibles, Penn State, Notre Dame, Harry Potter, Furniture, HH i...>MORE
426 JACKSON ST., 8-4, Saturday, October 11. Furniture, dishes, lockers, knick knacks and misc. other things....>MORE
GUYS/GALS YARD SALE
FREE COFFEE. Handguns, tins, fishing poles, holiday, 40 pc. Noritake “holly berry”, fiesta, mo...>MORE
See all ads |
FERNDALE: 2BR, $325+
utilities, new carpet & paint, yard & porch. No smoking. 888-428-7939....>MORE
ROXBURY - 1BR, 2nd Fl. appl, laundry & parking. No pets. $350 mo + util. (814) 288-4217....>MORE
Spacious Living well-maintained brick ranch. Frederick St., (upper Moxham) 3 BR, 2 baths, large modern kitchen w/applian...>MORE
3 BR, 1 BA WESTMONT home for rent with 5-month lease. Avail. 11/01/08-3/31/09. $650 per month. Call 814-255-2940 for det...>MORE
See all ads |
FOUND BLACK CAT Short-haired, female (?), small/young, near Thiele trucking. Call with details, Kathy (814) 241-1174....>MORE
SHARP 19” FLAT SCREEN
HDTV w/Built in DVD Player. Brand New, never removed from the box--retail price: $449. Asking...>MORE
2 SEADOO PWC. 1-owner
2006 RXT/red/215 hp. 2001 GTX DI/blue/130 hp. both low hours. Dual trailer, like new. $9,000....>MORE
See all ads |
|
 |
|
Print this story
E-mail this story
Discuss this story
