News & Issues: Candidate Interviews

PA House 13th District (Chester): Candidate Tom Houghton (D)

April 24 , 2008

1. What do you hope to accomplish as a member of the Pennsylvania General Assembly?

   First let me give you my background, I am orginally from Delaware County. After going to law school, and getting married, both my wife and I lost our mothers to cancer. We looked to make a fresh start in Southern Chester County. The sprawling farms in London Grove Township felt like home to us. Shortly after moving here, I became aware that local mushroom farming facilities were emitting potentially hazardous hydrogen sulfide into the air. I was elected to London Grove’s Board of Supervisors in 2001, became Vice-Chair immediately and Chairman of the Board in 2004.  I also became a member of the Planning Commission. I ran for this same seat in 2006 and almost won.
   
   We can’t let our land be consumed by over-development. The right to define the character of communities should lie with residents not developers. I have not, nor will I accept contributions from developers. The developer-friendly Municipalities Planning Code, the Curative Amendment process and the Fair Share law should be overhauled. The MPC mandates that every town and borough must provide for every single use — residential, commercial, industrial, etc. Under the MPC, a developer can sue an agricultural township like West Fallowfield, Londonderry or Upper Oxford if it attempts to zone too large of a percentage of the township agricultural even if it is the will of the community. The developer will sue and win forcing the township to change their zoning to suit the developer’s needs. The Fair Share Doctrine makes municipalities vulnerable to suit by developers by requiring municipalities to provide their “fair share” of different housing types without clearly defining the requirements. The result is poorly planned communities and frivolous litigation that costs taxpayers millions of dollars.

2. What do you believe are the major problems facing the Commonwealth and your legislative district?

   The preservation of Chester County is key. Smart growth is the key to managing this preservation. We need representatives that are not beholden to special interests. Managing Growth includes revitalizing our town centers to reduce sprawl. We need bipartasianship,  healthcare, and municipal planning code amendments.

3. Initially instituted as a temporary tax, the realty transfer tax has evolved into a large source of revenue for PA. Would you support or oppose legislation which would increase appropriate monies from the realty transfer tax to fund programs such as open space preservation, urban revitalization and the like?

   If it is done reasonably, then I would be behind it. We must preserve our open space, and continue to improve the quality of our air and local water sources. I will support initiatives like Growing Greener I & II which clean up our rivers and streams and protect our natural areas and working farms.

4. The General Assembly and the Governor’s Office are discussing ways to reform property taxes. What do you believe is the best way to reform this issue?

   Our increasing property taxes reflect a crisis in education funding. We need to move away from property taxes as the primary source of funding education. The State must make education a top budgetary priority and assume more of the burden of cost. We must overhaul state laws that favor developers and prevent municipalities from managing growth in their communities. We need to seek alternative capitol resources for financing education such as the expected windfall from slots gaming.

5. Pennsylvania’s Municipalities Planning Code provided local municipalities authority for comprehensive planning and zoning. What sort of authority do you believe local governments should have in this area?

   The MPC mandates that every town and borough must provide for every single use — residential, commercial, industrial, etc. Under the MPC, a developer can sue an agricultural township like West Fallowfield, Londonderry or Upper Oxford if it attempts to zone too large of a percentage of the township agricultural even if it is the will of the community. The developer will sue and win forcing the township to change their zoning to suit the developer’s needs.

6. Many properties in Pennsylvania suffer from blight as a result of tenant neglect and/or absentee property management. What role do you believe government should play in this area?Local government should play a roll in passing ordinances. They need to be able to maintain the health, safety and welfare of the people in the community.
7. States are struggling with the issue of providing affordable housing to its residents. What do you feel are the necessary components to address this issue?This is where Tradional Neighborhood Design and the creation of livable, walkable commmunities need to become a part of new growth.
8. Do you favor or oppose legislation that would require the state to consider the impact of proposed regulations on the rights of individuals to use their private property?See question 6.
9. What is your position on campaign finance reform in PA and to what extent do you believe PACs should be restricted in state legislative campaigns?There needs to be transparency.
10. What are your views of the REALTOR profession and the role of your local REALTORS in this community?
11. Has your campaign been endorsed by any other state or local organization?PA League of Conservation Voters.