Candidates Mackenzie and Reynard Face off at Channel 39

The race for the state House of Representatives seat for the 134th district was not won or lost during a taping Thursday of Channel 39's Tempo InDepth with Amy Burkett, but it was interesting to watch the candidates interact.

Incumbent Republican Rep. Ryan Mackenzie and Democrat John Reynard, the challenger, were generally cordial. And there were no radical differences in their opinions.

But the occasional zinger -- shot, volleyed and sent back -- during the short question-and-answer period gave insights into the candidates' core differences.

Burkett first asked about the topic on everyone's mind: jobs.

Mackenzie laid out a multi-pronged approach he believes will curtail unemployment.

Actions include lowering the state business tax, reducing regulatory demands, reforming tort law and providing job seekers with the education and training needed to get good jobs.

Reynard was more focused on lowering the state business tax, saying small businesses should not have to be burdened with the same tax rate large corporations pay.

Another inequity Reynard would like to fix is what he calls the "Delaware loophole," a tax manipulation by which companies incorporate in Delaware where taxes are lower. Pennsylvania misses out on all that revenue, he said.

The forum airs at 8 p.m. Oct. 30 on WLVT-Channel 39.