HAZLETON - The tension between the two Republicans seeking the nomination for the 29th Senatorial District seat was evident Friday at SSPTV studios in Hazleton.
Incumbent state Sen. David Argall and challenger Brian Rich exchanged criticisms during the debate on the special edition of "The Sam Lesante Show."
The debate will air in Pottsville on SSPTV at 8:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. today and 11 a.m. Sunday.
Lesante served as moderator and wasted no time addressing a contentious issue in the campaign - advertisements.
Argall defended one of his ads that accuses Rich, as owner of Reading Anthracite Coal Co., of taking stimulus money and references a lawsuit against Rich's company in a wrongful death case.
Argall said Rich did spend a lot of time in court, and said a Schuylkill County jury handed down a $2 million verdict against Rich.
"I find it hypocritical the same person would attack me," Argall said.
Rich countered, "Dave knows fully well I never took stimulus money."
He has filed a lawsuit against Argall and his volunteers over the claim made in the ad.
"It's one silly allegation after another," Rich said.
Argall said he received three pieces of negative mail from Rich or his supporters at his house Friday.
Rich defended prior contributions to other campaigns, including to that of former Gov. Ed Rendell and other Democrats.
"When you're in business, you always contribute to campaigns. It's just good business," Rich said, noting that Argall voted for 80 percent of Rendell's programs.
Argall accused him of trying to buy an election.
"You can't buy your way to the state Senate seat," Argall said.
Lesante tried to steer the candidates back to the issues by asking about eliminating property taxes.
"I believe it is time to eliminate property taxes for school districts and once it is killed off, not allow it to come back," Argall said. "About $13 million must be replaced and one way to do that is to control school district spending."
Rich said those numbers simply don't add up.
"It's a broken system," Rich said,
Rich said Pennsylvania could better manage its fiscal problems if it addresses wasteful spending on such things as legislators' pensions. He said Argall voted to give himself and other state lawmakers a 50 percent raise in their pensions, pushing Argall's retirement pension up to about $110,000 a year before medical.
Rich said he supports term limits, saying it is better to have fresh blood in office than career politicians.
Argall said Rich doesn't understand the system. Being a legislator is a "tough job," Argall said.
"Every bill that comes up for a vote isn't going to be popular. Some will like it, others will not," he said.
Argall said to lower taxes is to lower spending, noting that agenda will be easier with Republican Gov. Tom Corbett.
