And preserving our open spaces or having them there for recreational purposes is one of the things that contributes to the high level of quality of life that we offer in Pennsylvania, and that also translates into economic benefits.
And secondly, I would impose a significant state landfill tipping fee and use that tipping fee to fund the billion dollar bond issue that I want to create to produce the funds for all of the environmental challenges that we just went over.
I think if we`re going to have to landfill trash, and I think we basically have to, we might as well get the upside for it and dedicate that upside to improving the environment in so many different ways.
We`ve been working our tail off and lead by that example.
As everyone knows, the interstate commerce clause makes it impossible for us to pass a law forbidding out of state trash to come into Pennsylvania.
And the beautiful open spaces, the forests of Pennsylvania, the recreational uses that come from having these green open spaces and forests, they contribute dramatically to the level of our tourism, dramatically.
I have said consistently both in my papers and in my speeches - which you heard in the primary campaign - that I will continue to phase out the Capital Stock and Franchise tax.
Tourism is our second biggest industry in terms of the people it employs.
But in the long run we`re not going to be able to keep out of state trash away from Pennsylvania.
I think our forests should be preserved as much as humanly possible for recreation and just for enjoyment of the natural beauty of Pennsylvania.
I think a moratorium probably is legal, and we should probably for a short period of time impose a moratorium so that we don`t permit any additional landfill permits for the time being, so we don`t exacerbate the problem.
Secondly, quality of life is always very high on the list of criteria for why companies or people or families locate or relocated in an area.
We will not lose this election for lack of money.
Growing Greener doesn`t produce money for farmland preservation or open space preservation.
There are a tremendous amount of environmental issues that are on the table.
Number one I think we should impose a fee or a tax on the transportation of trash per mile.
One of the things that people don`t realize is that that natural beauty, those recreational forests, they have an economic development impact for the state as well.
If there was a way to discourage trash constitutionally, I would sure as heck take a hard look at it. I don`t think there is. So I don`t think there`s a choice here.
I`m interested in giving business an opportunity by improving the tax environment to invest and grow with Pennsylvania, to expand and put more money in capital investment and creating jobs.
If I lose, I lose. I`ll do it on my terms.
Pennsylvania is right now undergoing an assessment of water quality, but I think we also need to take a look at and assess of our water quantity.