GOP Hopeful Touts Years As Aide: Jim Cox Says That, As Chief of Staff to a State Representative, He Has Drafted Bills and Learned Other Intricacies of the Legislature.
By Kori Walter, Reading Eagle, Pa.
Apr. 3–After working for seven years behind the scenes in Harrisburg, Spring Township Republican Jim Cox said he’s ready to start his own legislative career.
Cox, 36, is one of two GOP c a n d i d a t e s competing in the May 16 primary for the party’s nomination in the 1 2 9 t h s t a t e House District seat.
The other is Berks County Sheriff Barry Jozwiak of Bern Township.
Former Berks County Democratic Party Chairman William G. Evans of Spring Township will be unopposed for his party’s nomination.
The western Berks County seat has been held by Rep. Sheila M. Miller, a Tulpehocken Township Republican, since 1992. She is not seeking re-election.
Cox is chief of staff for state Rep. Samuel E. Rohrer, a Robeson Township Republican.
Cox said that, in addition to gaining experience about drafting legislation and other intricacies of the Legislature, he has learned about being a good legislator by watching Rohrer.
“I’ve seen Sam Rohrer provide representation to people for seven years and, frankly, he’s been a role model,” Cox said. “The man is a true statesman.”
Cox said he entered the race after talking with more than 500 voters in the district between January and early March.
Cox concluded after those conversations that his conservative philosophy matched the conservative priorities of the district.
Some of those priorities include protecting property rights, passing a constitutional amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman and strengthening Pennsylvania’s abortion-control laws.
Cox said abortion could become an issue in Harrisburg if the U.S. Supreme Court rules to overturn a landmark 1972 ruling legalizing the procedure.
“I would vote for a law that would defend the right to life with an exception only to prevent the death of a mother,” Cox said.
Cox opposes embryonic stem-cell research.
Cox said he would continue the push to eliminate school property taxes.
The candidate served as the executive director of the Commonwealth Caucus, a coalition of conservative state House members.
The caucus proposed expanding the state sales tax to food, clothing and most services in exchange for eliminating school property taxes.
Cox said he would support expanding the sales tax or using a combination of the sales tax and income tax to eliminate school property taxes.
The state also needs laws that would rein in school spending, Cox said.
“We’ve got to find some way to broaden the funding base and let more people share the burden of paying for schools,” he said.
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Copyright (c) 2006, Reading Eagle, Pa.
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