Robbins will push for tax reform

Cutting taxes on business and industry will be his goal.
By HAROLD GWIN
VINDICATOR SHARON BUREAU
MERCER, Pa. -- Pennsylvania State Sen. Robert Robbins said he will return to Harrisburg to push for stronger tax reform that will give business more of its own money to expand and create jobs.
Robbins, a Republican from Greenville, easily won re-election to his 50th District seat in Tuesday's general election, defeating Democratic challenger Kyle Klaric of Hermitage by a margin of about 2 to 1. He won election to his fourth four-year term.
"We've worked hard to work with people to solve problems in a lot of different areas, and the votes are a reflection of that," Robbins said.
Tax reform
People are concerned about tax reform, and the state has made progress in that area over the past seven years, said Robbins, a 12-year incumbent.
Pennsylvania's tax structure can be made more friendly to business and industry that creates jobs, he said, noting that it is one of the few states to still have both a corporate net income tax and a capital stock and franchise tax.
He said he wants to eliminate the latter tax to give business back some of its own money to be used for expansion and job creation.
The state has eliminated the widows' tax on spousal inheritances and reduced the tax on inheritances from parents to children but must also eliminate the business inheritance tax that can prevent family businesses from being handed down, he said.
Klaric, a newcomer to politics, couldn't be reached to comment on the election results.
Statehouse victory
In the 8th District in the state House of Representatives, incumbent Richard Stevenson of Grove City, a Republican, defeated Democratic challenger Mark Lauer of Butler by a margin of nearly 2-1 to return for a second two-year term.
"I think this is a vote of confidence in my service," Stevenson said, adding that he sees it as strong support for his efforts to control government spending, to control taxes, for the right to bear arms and for right to life.
Lauer, who was taking his first stab at political office, said voters say they want change but they won't make the change when the opportunity is presented.
Lauer had limited money and limited time to campaign, continuing to work full-time as director of public works for Center Township and as the volunteer fire chief of Unionville as the campaign ran down.
He spent election night at home, saying he had to go to work this morning.
Lauer said both he and Stevenson had promised to run a clean campaign and they did.