Letters: Putting reconciliation bill into perspective; Werner is the right candidate for divided times
Editor’s note: The Centre Daily Times welcomes letters endorsing candidates in the Nov. 2 election and will accept letters that are received by Oct. 26. Letters are subject to editing, must be based on facts and should avoid attacks on other candidates.
Putting reconciliation bill into perspective
The Democratic reconciliation bill needs to be put in perspective. The bill is presently to spend $3.5 trillion. However, this is to cover 10 years. That is $350 billion or $0.35T per year. For 10 years the military budget will be about $8T. The loss in tax revenue from Trump’s 2017 tax reduction is between $3T and $5T. Where will the money be spent in the present resolution bill? Climate $0.7T, child tax credits and earned income tax credits $0.4T, Medicare dental, vision and hearing $0.3T, housing and homeless $0.3T, paid family/medical leave $0.3T, long-term elder care $0.25T, universal pre-K $0.25T, child care $0.25T, expand of ACA medical $0.21T, Medicaid expansion in red states $0.2T, free community college $0.1T. This total is 1.5% of today’s gross national product of $22T.
Approximate total federal government yearly spending in the next 10 years will be on the order of $5T, so the added spending in the reconciliation bill will be about 7%. The Republican members of Congress seem to be unanimously against all spending for the categories listed. The Democrats in Congress are presently considering which areas to cut the spending so as to reduce the total spending over 10 years to about $2T.
Werner is the right candidate for divided times
I want to publicly declare my support for Jake Werner as the next member of State College Borough Council. Yes, I am proud, registered Democrat voting for Jake (the Republican candidate) during these divided times. Jake, like me, realizes that we need to forge a path of bipartisanship as we look to heal divides and work jointly on important matters that affect our local community. During his day job, Jake works as a veterinarian and professor for Penn State and he is dedicated to the care of our farm animals. Jake cares equally about the borough of State College and wants to ensure that we continue to have a vibrant community that celebrates diversity and inclusiveness and welcomes businesses and people from around the world. These people include students and residents — no matter what their interests or professions. Jake has spent his time meeting personally with business leaders in our downtown, talking with students, and speaking with our mayor so that he can understand community challenges and be prepared to face them when he sits on council. Jake is dedicated to fiscal transparency and responsibility, preserving our historic downtown and remaining green space, providing openness and fairness to all of our citizens and visitors, and supporting local business leaders. Please vote for Jake Werner for State College Borough Council on Nov. 2.
Anderson has right priorities for SCASD board
It is now more important than ever to vote in your local election! We will be electing four members to our State College Area Board of School Directors. You, as the voter, will have the opportunity to chose four of six candidates running for that position. I am writing in support of Deborah Anderson. Debbie has been involved with the school district for 12 years and has two sons in the district. She has followed issues that have affected our schools closely throughout those years and is well informed about current issues as well. Her priorities include continuing to provide excellence in education for all students, financial responsibility of the board to the school and the community, and making our schools welcoming and inclusive to all students. She is invested in strong music and art programs, technical education programs and sports programs that will allow our students to be well-rounded. Her background in employee relations and labor economics will be invaluable in helping the board solve issues with teachers and staff. Finally, Debbie is a great listener and very approachable, always open to the opinions of others as well as their suggestions. I encourage you to consider all of your options and vote for Deborah Anderson for Board of School Directors for the State College Area.