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Gov. Shapiro, Stacy Garrity debate AI, gas, skill games, ahead of midterms
Governor Josh Shapiro and Republican challenger Stacy Garrity participated in a debate Wednesday ahead of the midterm elections to discuss some of the hottest topics turning voters at the polls.
The following topics were discussed:
AI Data Centers
Why haven't you paused new data center construction?
Data centers have received an overwhelming amount of pushback in the state.
Governor Shapiro started off the debate saying he's been listening to concerns of the people, and after doing so, drafted the "strictest guardrail in the nation" for data centers. He said it is important to protect air and water, and must include local benefits.
The bottom line of his answer suggested the local community has to support it for the Commonwealth to put a data center in place. If the community doesn't want, it it wont happen.
How long would your data center pause last?
Stacy Garrity started off the night by recognizing people killed in the recent Hamas attacks.
She then discussed individual cases where people are fighting against data centers in their own backyard.
Garrity said a real leader doesn't need a pause, they just need to talk to business and government leaders.
Gas Prices
Do you support suspending the gas tax?
Garrity suggested giving a rebate that would allegedly reduce the average price of gas by a third.
She also focused on eliminating gross receipts tax, and providing full transparency for hidden fees. She mentioned supporting gas tax or diesel tax for two to three months.
Shapiro said the reason why gas is high is because of the war in Iran. "The last time gas tax increased was when we had a republican governor," Shapiro said.
He said since starting in office, he has brought legislators together to cut tax altogether, so families could afford gas. He noted the true 'pain at the pump' was because of the war in Iran.
Shapiro said he'd be open to a gas tax suspension, but it's not something the governor can do on his own.
Healthcare
Will you spend more to ensure healthcare coverage?
Shapiro said nearly 700,000 Pennsylvanians do not have access to healthcare or food.
He also mentioned cuts that every governor is currently working to deal with for people in need.
How would you handle people losing Medicaid?
Garrity stated PA is spending more on Medicaid this year than last year.
"Well he's been the governor for about four years and what has he done? Nothing," Garrity said.
Skill Games
How much should skill games be taxed?
Garrity said she was against Shapiro's plan to tax VFWs and businesses for this by 52%. "He knows that they cant survive at 52%," Garrity stated.
She instead suggested implementing a flat dollar amount for skill games in the state.
Is a 52% skill games tax too high?
Shapiro said 52% is traditional tax rate, and that he wanted to drive those dollars into the general fund, to use it to fund mass transit.
Why wasn't there a skill game special session?
"The Senate needs to come to work," Shapiro said.
State Budget
How will you balance the state budget?
"We have an $8 billion surplus budget today... our economy is growing.. I am a pro-growth governor," Shapiro said.
When asked if he would consider making any cuts to the budget, Shapiro said he would possibly slash some Senate republican priorities.
What would you cut?
Garrity stated, "When he [Shapiro] talks about the surplus now, that's the rainy day fund."
"We expect families to live within our means, and our governor should be doing the same thing," Garrity said.
There was a clarification made between whether the surplus and the rainy day fund were the same item.
Shapiro said it was $8 billion sitting in Harrisburg waiting to be spent.
Garrity said it was the rainy day fund, and that there was no surplus, and that it should be saved for crisises.
Public School Spending
What is your approach to public school funding?
Garrity said the state has spent $3 billion in education, but outcomes are not being met, suggesting the governor was throwing money at programs and expecting results.
"By the time they get to the eighth grade they need to be able to do math," Garrity said.
When asked what the solution was, she said more education for teachers and students, and suggested taking the best practices from successful schools and bring them to failing schools.
Measles
Do you share RFK Jr.'s health views?
Garrity addressed a recent series of suggested regulations that were rejected, claiming they were worse than COVID-19 regultions.
"I believe in vaccinations, I believe in the MMR," Garrity said, noting transparency for the Commonwealth is important.
Governor Shapiro said he supports science, and the healthcare system.
The deadline to request a mail-in ballot is October 27, election day is November 3.
