Exec attack #29

The Raja camp's daily attack on Democratic county executive opponent Rich Fitzgerald regards taxes.

The Fitz camp has also punched back on the outsourcing issue noted earlier today. Statements from both camps after the jump:

From Raja camp:

Day 27: Fitzgerald, A Tax and Spend Politician.

PITTSBURGH, PA -- NOTE: Over the next 27 days, the Raja campaign will be highlighting the trouble with Rich Fitzgerald's record and actions.

Questions for Rich:

1. How is an increase in transportation spending by 33% a prudent use of taxpayer's money?

2. Shouldn't we be trying to save taxpayer money?

Transportation spending has increased 33% since 2002 under Rich Fitzgerald's failed leadership. (source: 2010 CAFR pg 336)

"Allegheny County deserves an executive who believes in tightening the county's belt. Rich Fitzgerald has proven that he is a tax and spend politician through the numerous tax raises he supports and increased spending he is responsible for" – James Genovese

From Fitzgerald camp:

Raja dodges outsourcing questions, offers more empty promises

Won't explain why he tripled offshore employees

Allegheny County Executive Candidate D. Raja today refused to explain why he has been misleading the public about his company's practice of outsourcing American jobs overseas. Raja refused to answer questions about why he downplays CEI's outsourcing activities when it was reported that he tripled the number of employees overseas and that his goal was to make outsourcing account for 80% of his company's revenue. Instead, he offered more empty promises that he will likely never fulfill based on his track record of campaigning on issues, then never following up once he's elected.

"Now that he's been exposed Raja is hiding in a bunker, refusing to explain why he tripled the number of offshore employees and why his goal was to make outsourcing 80 percent of his business," Rich Fitzgerald's campaign manager Mike Mikus said. "Instead of hiding from the people of Allegheny County, he needs to tell the people why he consistently downplayed his track record on outsourcing while boasting on his company website that they strive to be number one in outsourcing."

Raja ran for Mt. Lebanon Township Commissioner promising to cut property taxes by 20 percent and to create a Washington/Beverly Road Technology Corridor. Once elected, he never followed through and never introduced either.

"Raja can make all the promises he wants but his record shows that this is just more empty rhetoric from a corporate CEO who made his fortune outsourcing American jobs overseas," Rich Fitzgerald's campaign manager Mike Mikus said. "When Raja was elected to office he didn't even try to implement his two biggest campaign promises. Why should anyone believe he will do anything he is promising today?"