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What is one life experience you have that voters should know about?
I spent 30 years in the United States Army Reserve, serving three tours of duty in Iraq, commanding a detention camp for enemy combatants. My command was shown to have no prisoner complaints of mistreatment and I received two Bronze Stars, the Legion of Merit, and was featured on National Public Radio news reports. Following my return stateside, I became one of the first women ever promoted to vice-president at the international metals firm where I was employed.
What sets you apart from other candidates?
In the course of my first term, my office has accomplished record returns of lost or abandoned property to its rightful owners and I have twice reduced administrative fees for taxpayer 529 college savings accounts. In my capacity as a member of the board overseeing state pensions, I have led efforts to reform investment practices and eliminate excessive administrative fees by outside firms. I am the only candidate running who has been successful in the private sector and with the life-experience to oversee a large, complex department such as the State Treasury.
How do you plan to work across ideological lines to achieve shared goals?
As state Treasurer, I have already worked across party lines, winning support for an expanded program to more quickly return lost property in the state’s vaults – a legislative initiative that won backing from a state House member who had sought to challenge me for office. As Treasurer, I retained much of the Democratic staff of my predecessor and worked with him to ensure reforms in the state pension system.
What would be your top three policy priorities in office?
In a second term, I will continue to fight for a tax-deductible 401(k)-style retirement savings program for Pennsylvanians not currently covered by pensions or other retirement savings vehicles. These programs would impose no burden on employers while enabling persons not covered by pension or 401(k) programs to begin saving for retirement.
The Committee of Seventy has partnered with the Carter Center to promote the Candidate Principles for Trusted Elections (www.principledcandidates.org) to improve the voting process, encourage honest leadership, and promote civic engagement. Do you support the Candidate Principles?
Yes.
