Election: PA State Treasurer

On November 4, we will elect a new state treasurer. The incumbent, Robin L. Weissman, is not running (took over for Bob Casey when he won his Senate seat). The responsibilities of treasurer include investing the tax revenues, paying bills, and managing a budget of 60 million and a staff of 520 people.

Here is some of the information discussed at our last meeting on the major candidates:

Rob McCord (Democrat, age 49)
Montgomery County

Experience:

• Cofounder and Director of Pennsylvania Early Stage Partners
• Cofounder of Eastern Technology Fund
• 10 years working with Budget and Regulatory issues on Capitol Hill, working with notable figures such as Al Gore, Norm Mineta, Bob Edgar, and Tony Coehlo.
• Board Member for United Way of Pennsylvania and United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania

Education:
BA in Economics & History from Harvard University
MBA from UPenn's Wharton School of Business

Self-described objectives as treasurer:

• Cut wasteful spending
• Protect pensions of seniors
• "Attract new innovative business to Pennsylvania to encourage job growth."

Criticism:

Reuters

Tom Ellis (Republican, 49)
Montgomery County

Experience:

• Cheltenham Township Board of Commissioners (1990-2002)
• Montgomery County Board of Commissioners (2003-2006)
• Partner in the Public Finance Department of the law firm Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll (1985-present)

Education
BA in Political Science from University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania's School of Law (editor of its Law Review)

**Issues:

• Cut spending in order to reduce taxes
• Preservation of land (by stopping "urban sprawl") and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions
• Public safety

Berlie Etzel (Libertarian, age 77)
Clarion County

Experience:

• 12 years as Math & Science Teacher
• Professor of Math at Cheyney University (1969-1986)
• Assessor of Ashland Township

Education:
BS in Education from Clarion State College
M.Ed from Penn State University

Issues:

• Open books for 'bonusgate' investigations
• Retrieve lost money from PHEAA (see Auditor General blog below)
• Making sure there's a "constitutional basis" for all payments