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WILKES-BARRE — U.S. Sen. Bob Casey is gearing up for another re-election campaign, and Casey wasn’t mincing words Monday when he talked about Medicaid expansion, tax cuts, jobs and the economy, protecting law enforcement officers and addressing the opioid crisis.

Casey, D-Scranton, is seeking his third six-year term in the senate. At this time, he is unopposed for the Democratic nomination, leaving him to wage a multi-million dollar campaign against the Republican nominee. Many expect his opponent to be current U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta of Hazleton.

“I’ll work with anybody on bipartisan legislation,” Casey said. “But I will not work with any Republican who wants to devastate Medicare, Medicaid or Social Security.”

Casey said he finds the lack of real bipartisanship in Washington to be frustrating, preventing Congress from passing meaningful legislation that would resolve the immigration issue, infuse the economy and provide affordable healthcare, among other issues.

“I hope this year will be better,” Casey said. “But to effectively address critical issues, such as the opioid crisis, you need more funding.”

Casey supported the expansion of Medicaid to individuals earning up to 133 percent of the federal poverty rate. Pennsylvania expanded Medicaid to these individuals in 2015. He said approximately 35,000 people would be affected in Luzerne and Lackawanna counties.

Casey said Republicans in Congress want to tackle “entitlement reform,” which, he said, is nothing more than “the clever phrasing of a scheme to cut Social Security, Medicaid and Medicaid,” something Casey said he will fight vigorously.

Tax cuts

Casey said the “top one percent” of Americans should not be getting a tax cut. He said that money should be given to the middle class.

“That would be a much better use than lining then pockets of people who don’t need it,” Casey said. “We need those dollars for people that need it to pay their bills.Rich people don’t need it.”

Casey said in the 25 years following World War II, wages in the country rose by 91 percent. Since that time, Casey said, wages have gone up just 11 percent.

“We have to find ways to lift those wages,” Casey said. “The current situation has caused a lot of economic anxiety.”

Law enforcement

Casey said every police officer in the U.S. should be wearing a bullet-proof vest. He said federal funding to support that initiative, at its highest, was $50 million for one year — far from the amount needed to provide every officer with a vest.

Casey recalled one year when the allocation was $30 million and during budget negotiations the following year, the amount was reduced to $24 million.

“How, when reducing the funding for bullet-proof vests is declining, is America better off?” he asked.

2018 campaign

Casey said he spent some $14 million to fund his re-election campaign in 2012, far less than his opponent, who spent around $22 million. Casey didn’t say what he feels the 2018 campaign will cost.

The issue that concerns his constituents across the state the most — jobs and the economy. Casey said not just any jobs, but jobs that will sustain a family. Other issues on the minds of voters, Casey said, include the cost of health care, taxes, the federal budget, childcare cost, the opioid crisis, higher education/student loans and the future of Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.

With those issues needing to be addressed, Casey feels voters will turn out in numbers larger than what is normal for off-year elections. He said there are 25 Democrats running for re-election in the Senate and 8 Republicans. He said it remains to be seen how the “Trump factor” will play in the election, especially in states that the president won, such as Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania — all traditional Democratic strongholds.

“This election has the potential to see a very high turnout,” Casey said. “We (Democrats) have many more seats to defend this time.”

Casey said the people of Pennsylvania have heard enough talk from Republicans in Congress and the Trump Administration.

“It’s time for action on an agenda that raises their wages, creates jobs and reduces the cost of living for the middle class,” Casey said.

Accomplishments

Casey displayed a large poster that listed his accomplishments in the Senate:

• 40 pieces of legislation enacted into law.

• $1.2 billion over 10 years saved for Pennsylvania education.

• $176 million secured for Homeland Security in Pennsylvania.

• 104 police officers hired in Pennsylvania through the COPS program.

• Saved $1,137 per person on prescription medications for seniors in Pennsylvania. Casey also said he is working to reduce the cost of prescription drugs.

• Some 2,000 Pennsylvania miners and widows have health insurance.

• Pennsylvania is one of 18 states receiving support from the Pregnancy Assistance Fund.

• First comprehensive, bipartisan federal plan to address infants born dependent on opioids.

• 34,607 constituent cases closed since 2012.

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey speaks about progress made last year and the hope for progress in the future during a meeting Monday with the Times Leader Editorial Board.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/web1_TTL022018Casey1.jpgU.S. Sen. Bob Casey speaks about progress made last year and the hope for progress in the future during a meeting Monday with the Times Leader Editorial Board. Aimee Dilger | Times Leader

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Scranton, points to a list of his accomplishments in the Senate.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/web1_TTL022018Casey2.jpgU.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Scranton, points to a list of his accomplishments in the Senate. Aimee Dilger | Times Leader

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Scranton, makes a point as he discusses issues and the upcoming 2018 re-election campaign.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/web1_TTL022018Casey3.jpgU.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Scranton, makes a point as he discusses issues and the upcoming 2018 re-election campaign. Aimee Dilger | Times Leader

By Bill O’Boyle

boboyle@www.timesleader.com

Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.