Other elections on ballot

‘ ‘ ‘ Voters from all parts of the political spectrum are out supporting their presidential… ‘ ‘ ‘ Voters from all parts of the political spectrum are out supporting their presidential candidates today. ‘ ‘ ‘ But state politicians insist that their positions, which are also on today’s ballot, are just as important. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘State officials and local officials often have a lot more impact on your life,’ said John Morganelli, the Democratic candidate for state attorney general, in an e-mail. ‘ ‘ ‘ Morganelli said he plans to curtail violence, especially in urban areas. He has proposed a statewide conference on violence. ‘ ‘ ‘ He said he also hopes to cut down on underage drinking by conducting a study on how alcohol on college campuses leads to sexual abuse. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘We need to make sure they understand the implications,’ said Morganelli. ‘ ‘ ‘ But those aren’t his only goals. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘My focus would be on violent crime in cities and cracking down on gangs in Pennsylvania,’ said Morganelli. ‘ ‘ ‘ Tom Corbett, the current state attorney general and Republican candidate for the position, plans to go after child predators, elderly abuse, public corruption and drug gangs, according to his campaign manager, Brian Nutt. ‘ ‘ ‘ Nutt said Corbett is a strong candidate for the position because he has the experience that is necessary, and ‘one’s experience is one of the first things voters should take into account.’ Parties vie for cash control ‘ ‘ ‘ Voters will also select an auditor general, who monitors the ways the state government uses its money. ‘ ‘ ‘ Republican Chet Beiler, Libertarian Betsy Summers and Democrat Jack Wagner are running for the office. ‘ ‘ ‘ Beiler, a Lancaster County, Pa., businessman, says on his Web site that he believes he would be a good auditor general because he is not ‘a career politician’ and thus has a fresh perspective. ‘ ‘ ‘ Summers would, according to the nonpartisan voter information Web site Smartvoter.org, work to ‘find and retrieve the taxpayers’ money’ and ‘restore financial credibility to the state legislature.’ ‘ ‘ ‘ Wagner, the current auditor general, says on his Web site that he has worked to reform PHEAA and disclose school district superintendent contracts, among other things. Three run for state treasurer ‘ ‘ ‘ Three people are running for the office of state treasurer: Republican candidate Tom Ellis, Libertarian candidate Berlie Etzel and Democratic candidate Robert McCord. ‘ ‘ ‘ Ellis said voters should look for a candidate with ‘a steady hand.” They should be fiscally cautious, he said in an e-mail. ‘ ‘ ‘ Ellis says on his Web site that he typically votes to reduce property taxes. He also allocated $1 million to install ‘panic buttons’ in Montgomery County following the October 2006 Amish schoolhouse shooting in Lancaster County, Pa. ‘ ‘ ‘ Etzel, according to Smartvoter.org, will work to open the treasurer’s books for Bonusgate investigations, retrieve lost taxpayers’ money from PHEAA and work more stringently to control pension funds. ‘ ‘ ‘ McCord says on his Web site that he will, among other things, work to increase jobs in Pennsylvania by working with investment managers to promote urban development. ‘ ‘ ‘ He says he will also work to promote alternative energy and conservation. ‘ ‘ ‘ Neither Etzel nor McCord responded to phone calls. Incumbent vs. Pitt professor ‘ ‘ ‘ Voters will also select their U.S. representatives today. Democratic candidate Mike Doyle and Green Party candidate and Pitt professor Titus North are battling to represent the 14th Congressional District, which includes Pittsburgh. ‘ ‘ ‘ Doyle says on his campaign’s Web site that he will work to stop gas price gauging and to pass policies that will make America energy-independent. ‘ ‘ ‘ He also says he will work to withdraw troops from Iraq and to modernize the GI Bill. ‘ ‘ ‘ North said his platform focuses on finding ways to conserve energy and to make it more efficient. He said he would also work to end U.S. military involvement abroad and to make college more affordable for low- and middle-income families. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘As a Green [Party candidate], I support free university education for all qualified students, which is the case in many foreign countries,’ said North in an e-mail. ‘ ‘ ‘ North said that as a third party candidate, he’s in a tough position, but he’s confident his message will reach through to voters. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘I want to show how much can be accomplished with little money but a sincere message,’ said North. ‘ ‘ ‘ North said it’s important for people to vote because the nation currently faces a plethora of problems. But voters, he said, must be realistic about what their candidates can accomplish. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘While every election is important,’ said North, ‘our country’s problems are so severe that there is no way a single election can fix them. We have reached a state of almost constant war and are rapidly losing our Constitutional liberties.’ The referendum ‘ ‘ ‘ Voters will also vote on a referendum today. They will decide whether they support the water and sewer bond improvement act, officially known as Act 64. ‘ ‘ ‘ The project, which costs $400 million, would upgrade water and sewer systems.