74th District candidates differ on teacher retirement, share views elsewhere
By Kyle Carrozza, Staff Writer, The Times
CALN – 74th District State Senate Candidates Harry Lewis (R) and Josh Maxwell (D) both voiced their support for the Affordable Care Act, green energy legislation, raising the minimum wage, legalization of medical marijuana, and increased education funding at Sunday’s candidate debate held at Caln Municipal Building.
The debate, which had a congenial atmosphere, saw the candidates agree on many issues. However, the candidates disagreed on the issue of teacher retirement plans with Maxwell wanting to protect teacher pensions while Lewis said that the state will have to examine the issue as both pensions and 401k’s will have their problems.
The teacher retirement plans have been a point of contention at the state level. The current system has teachers receiving a pension upon retirement. Supporters have argued that teachers entered the field partially because of that pension plan and have paid into it. Opponents have argued that the costs to the state have become too high, and money that could be better spent elsewhere is going to retired teachers.
Lewis said that the rising costs of paying pensions became a problem after 2008’s economic downturn. He said that the state’s inability to pay for these pensions is being made up by taxpayers.
Maxwell said that the state should ensure money goes to the middle class. He wants to ensure that teachers can afford to stay in their houses after they retire.
“I will protect Mr. Lewis’s pension,” said Maxwell, referencing Lewis’ previous experience as a teacher and principal in Coatesville Area School District.
Also regarding education, both candidates support funding for kindergarten and pre-kindergarten programs. Maxwell said that he would like to see more funding at all levels of education so that families do not have to discuss whether sending a child to pre-kindergarten is a viable option or not. Lewis said that he supports any type of education, saying that state legislation has to help single parent families in particular.
“Education for our youth starts in the womb,” he said.
Both candidates also supported the expansion of the Affordable Care Act. They both would like to see more citizens benefit from the act through legislation and educating citizens about it. Lewis noted his track record in helping the Brandywine Health Foundation hold seminars to educate the community. Maxwell said that he would like to reach out to churches and volunteers to educate others about the act while also making the application process as easy as possible.
Both candidates also support cracking down on gun control.
Maxwell said that he would like to see “sensible gun reform.” He said that he believes in the Second Amendment, but he would like to keep guns away from criminals and people with mental health issues. Lewis, noting that he recreationally shoots, said that laws should be enforced more strictly with a particular focus on those who sell guns illegally. He also said that he would like to see more training programs to increase gun safety among young people who want to hunt or shoot recreationally.
Both candidates showed support for green energy legislation, saying that it could lower energy costs for citizens. Maxwell said that he supported green energy in the borough of Downingtown during his time as a non-voting member of the planning commission.
The candidates also agreed that minimum wage should be raised. Maxwell said that he would fight for $10.10 an hour with legislation to allow that amount to increase as the economy grows. Lewis called the increase “imperative,” noting that the minimum wage hasn’t been changed in a while.
“The cost of living increases every day,” said Lewis.
The revitalization of the city of Coatesville was also a priority on Sunday. Lewis said that this was one of the reasons he is running for state representative saying legislators need to do “all we can.” Both candidates believe that being the only city, development in Coatesville is essential for the county. Maxwell focused on how that development would occur, noting that Coatesville has enough room for “critical mass,” which would allow the city to sustain itself without looking for outside sources of income. He said that a loose property tax incentive would help build long term revenue and property taxes within the city.
To the candidates, part of that revitalization means supporting transportation efforts including the train station. Lewis called Septa “essential” to revitalization saying, “We have to improve it.”
Maxwell pointed out the importance of transportation to students and potential employees of Philadelphia and the Main Line.
Maxwell emphasized the importance of transportation when the candidates were asked what part of the state government they would eliminate to optimize efficiency. He said that while he would not eliminate PennDOT, he would like to rebuild it from the ground up. The effort would also mean renovating train stations in ways unique to the culture of the municipalities they serve.
“202’s been under construction my entire life,” he joked.
Meanwhile, Lewis said that he would like to allow liquor privatization. He does not like that the state has to pay employees wages. He also thinks that privatization would encourage business throughout the state.
Both candidates also support the legalization of medical marijuana. Maxwell said that the state should do whatever it can to ease the burden for residents with cancer. Lewis stated that he supports medical usage but made sure to note that he does not support full legalization.
Regarding the Delaware Loophole—that is, the appeal that Delaware holds for corporate headquarters due to the low taxes—Lewis said that he is not familiar with it while Maxwell said that he would like all the states in the area to get on the same system so that businesses would have more encouragement to move to Pennsylvania.
For both Lewis and Maxwell, transparency means being easily accessible to citizens. Lewis said that he would seek advice from citizens and work with Coatesville City Council. Maxwell considers his cell phone his office and said that he is available around the clock.
Near the end of the debate, the two had different reasons as to why they thought they would be successful.
Maxwell called himself a “new generation” in Chester County’s political leadership. He also said that he will push to represent the urban portion of the population, rather than the 74th’s usual rural representation.
On the other hand, Lewis said that his experience would make him the better candidate. He said that he is familiar with the community and has experience working with people in the area. In particular, he has been involved in the education process, helping young people to get jobs, and has worked with many groups throughout the community.
