I decided to seek the position of State Representative after hearing of Keith McCall's retirement. I look at this position as an opportunity to give something back to Carbon County and to carry on the great tradition of the outstanding service that Keith McCall provided. In keeping with Keith's great service, I publicly announced that I will retain his key local staff in order to ensure that the best constituent services continue for Carbon residents. Keith's staff members are, without a doubt, the best and brightest when it comes to serving Carbon County.

Carbon County presents great opportunity in that its residents are some of the most hardworking people in the Commonwealth. Businesses strive to find the enthusiastic people that we have living here in Carbon County. We need to work on creating opportunity for those companies to locate here. I believe the best way to bring business here is to revamp our property tax system and invest in our infrastructure.

Meaningful property tax reform is an issue that is high on my list of priorities. If elected, I will focus on working with other elected members of the House, in both parties, to shift property tax toward sales and income tax. It is important to realize that real estate tax accounts for about 15 billion dollars in revenue. In order to effectively reduce or eliminate property tax, we need to ensure the revenue is made up elsewhere so we don't cut funding for public education and local and county governments. Shifting toward a combination of sales and income tax would have the potential to fill that gap.

Another priority is public education. The last thing we can afford to do is to cut funding for public education, especially when we are relying on our youth to better our future. At hand is also the issue of the PSERS Pension Crisis. I believe we have to resolve the funding crisis on the State side in order to keep the burden from falling directly on our local school districts which are already strapped for cash.

Marcellus Shale and natural gas extraction is also a concern. I believe Pennsylvania needs to have proper regulations in place to deal with drilling and extraction. Once we pollute our water supply and damage our environment, it will be too late to take corrective action.

A great example is to glance at the mountains that surround the Palmerton Zinc lands and recall how many years it took to regain green vegetation. I've spent the better part of my life hunting and fishing, and there is nothing more valuable than our green space and fresh water. In addition to protecting the environment, I also believe there needs to be a fair and adequate tax on natural gas extraction where it does take place. The impact to local municipalities can be crippling on infrastructure (roads, bridges, etc.). Pennsylvania needs to be certain that we are generating a fair amount of revenue in order to compensate our municipalities where drilling is taking place, so they can adequately maintain their communities and infrastructure.

In my professional career, I serve as the Director of Planning for Washington Township. I also serve as the Township's State Building Code Official and ,Notary Public, Zoning Officer, and handle our employee safety training program.

In addition, I am the proud father of a daughter, Taylor Andreas of Lehighton. Taylor will be 10 years old on March 13, 2011. I am also an avid sportsman and member of the NRA (National Rifle Association). I participate in a number of local groups such as Jim Thorpe Lion's Club, Blue Lodge #440 of the Free and Accepted Masons, and St. John's Lutheran Church.

Justin Yaich