Russ Diamond for Lt. Gov. | Issues and Positions

Founder & Chairman - PACleanSweep, 2005-2009 | Golden Dot Award - George Washington University, 2005 | Citizen of the Year - Philadelphia Inquirer, 2006
Public Service Achievement Award - Common Cause/PA, 2006 | Communicator of the Year - International Association of Business Communicators (Harrisburg), 2006

Dedicated to reforming state government through a limited constitutional convention, eliminating property taxes once
and for all, and defending Pennsylvanians from federal intrusion by enforcing the 10th Amendment from Harrisburg.

Main Campaign Platform Planks

A Limited Constitutional Convention for Pennsylvania

I support a limited constitutional convention where citizens, not politicians or special interests, gather together to reform the institutions of state government while absolutely protecting individual rights.

I have written legislation to accomplish this goal. It is currently before the General Assembly as Senate Bill 340 and House Bill 1929.

No other candidate for Lieutenant Governor is prepared to lead Pennsylvania to true reform in this manner. More information on a convention can be found here.

Property Tax Elimination

I support permanently eliminating property taxes in Pennsylvania to allow citizens to own their homes outright without having to pay rent to the government.

It can be done. All we need is the collective will to do it.

For the reasons why I believe this is so and a fresh approach on how to do it, click here.

Defending Pennsylvanians from Federal Intrusion by Enforcing the 10th Amendment

The federal Congress has overstepped the explicit powers enumerated in Article I Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution and has crossed the line drawn by the 10th Amendment that reserves all other power to the states and the people themselves.

As Lieutenant Governor, I will work with state agencies and local officials to identify the practical implications of federal mandates by analyzing their cost/benefit ratios and securing methods of fighting the ever-growing federal behemoth.

We can wag our fingers at Congress all we like, but unless state officials are willing to stand up and defend Pennsylvanians from federal intrusion, that finger-wagging is pointless.

The Duties of the Lieutenant Governor

Pennsylvania's Lieutenant Governor has two constitutional duties: presiding over the Senate and chairing the state’s Board of Pardons. I will serve in these roles with fidelity and thoughtful consideration, always keeping in mind my oath to the Constitution, the best interests of the taxpayer, and public safety.

The Lieutenant Governor also traditionally serves as the titular head of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency. I will fill this role by seeking to prepare Pennsylvania for all contingencies, maximizing efficiency, and by ensuring that our first responders have the tools they need to achieve readiness to serve the needs of the Commonwealth.

I will work closely with our next Governor in whatever capacity he deems necessary to aid his agenda, and will work as a statewide liaison to achieve the three objectives of my campaign platform.

Other Issues

Of course, the Lieutenant Governor is charged with stepping into the role of leading the Commonwealth should, God forbid, anything happen to the Governor.

Although the Lieutenant Governor holds no legislative power and cannot unilaterally change policy, because he is one heartbeat away from the Governorship it is important for Pennsylvanians to know a Lieutenant Governor candidate’s positions on other issues.

Job Creation

Government cannot create jobs. Government’s most helpful strategy would be to lower taxes and simply get out of the way so the private sector can create meaningful job opportunities.

Government can, however, cut jobs. Cutting public sector jobs and programs is the only way to reduce government spending and the tax burden imposed on the private sector.

Budget cuts are required in Harrisburg to ease the burden on those who actually create jobs.

The Budget Process

The Rendell Administration has turned the budget process into an annual fiasco that uses police, libraries, schools and rank-and-file state workers as mere pawns. This is an utter embarrassment to our Commonwealth.

I support developing a strict timeline and a stepped process to ensure budgets are passed on time, every year. I would also support a move to a two-year budget cycle.

These two improvements could be made at a constitutional convention. If we do not make permanent, constitutional fixes to the budget process, we risk repeating the fiascos of the last seven years sometime in the future.

Gun Rights

Article I Section 21 of the Pennsylvania Constitution states:

"The right of the citizens to bear arms in defense of themselves and the State shall not be questioned."

This language could not be more clear and unambiguous.

Abortion

I am pro-life.

Marriage

I support traditional marriage and would not be a member of a church that marries same-sex couples.

However, the republican form of government is designed expressly to protect the minority from the tyranny of the majority and to provide equal protection for all.

As such, it is quite possible that a Pennsylvania court will one day rule that marriage, and its government-provided benefits, must be made available to everyone.

For this reason, I support extracting government authority from the institution of marriage completely, and giving full authority over marriage back to institutions that are competent to the task of preserving traditions.

Government is simply not capable of preserving the sanctity of anything.

Those who believe the Pennsylvania Constitution should be amended to "protect" or "define" marriage would be wise to consider the treatment Article II Section 8's "salary and mileage and no other compensation whatever" provision for legislators has been twisted by all three branches of government.

School Choice

Article III Section 14 of the Pennsylvania Constitution provides the mandate for public education in Pennsylvania:

"The General Assembly shall provide for the maintenance and support of a thorough and efficient system of public education to serve the needs of the Commonwealth."

This does not state that schools should be assigned according to Zip Code. I would support any measure that allows parents a choice in where their children are educated and opens up the public education system to healthy competition.

Teacher Strikes

I oppose strikes by any public sector union. Public sector unions are not the same as private sector unions, and should not be treated as such.

I believe that if a particular function or service is essential enough to fund with tax dollars, then it is important enough for those working in the system to remain on the job.

Transparent negotiations, voter input, and perhaps a statewide formula for developing localized teacher compensation packages would go a long way in solving the recurring problems that lead to teacher strikes.

Right to Work

I fully support the right of every Pennsylvanian to voluntarily join a union for the purpose of collective bargaining. I oppose forcing anyone to join a union against their will as a prerequisite to employment.

If you have questions about any other issues, feel free to email me directly.

Paid for by Russ Diamond for Lieutenant Governor.