Issues
Taxes and Spending
Strong Fiscal Discipline to Protect Taxpayers
As a local elected official, Brad has never increased property taxes while using his strong business skills to control government spending and deliver essential services. As our County Commissioner, he will work to implement common sense initiatives that help control property taxes and county spending so we can keep more of our hard earned money.
- Ensure annual, line-by-line reviews of the budget that focus on finding savings – just as he has done as a local township commissioner
- Work to institute a zero-based budgeting system that requires department heads to provide justification for every program, every year
- Implement long-term financial planning, like he does in his real job, for the county to ensure long-term economic stability and the continued delivery of essential services for residents
- Focus on priorities instead of funding unnecessary programs that drive up costs – and taxes – for homeowners
- Work with state legislators to end the unfair mandates that place a costly burden on Lehigh County taxpayers
Open Government
A More Open and Transparent Government
For too long, the actions of politicians at the federal, state and even county level have caused the public to lose faith in our government. Brad Osborne is committed to changing that – and restoring public trust in Lehigh County government.
- Strengthen the county’s own policies on sunshine law-type meetings and ensure the Open Records and Right to Know laws are enforced to provide easy access to county government
- Provide citizens with greater ability to provide comments and ideas to the Commissioners through interactive technology and by encouraging county meetings be held in municipalities across the county
- Continue to put all county spending on-line for taxpayer review and access
Economy
Attract New Business to Lehigh County
As a successful businessman and board member of Lehigh County’s General Purpose Authority, Brad Osborne knows that, in today’s economy, people want and need family sustaining jobs.
That’s why he will work to attract new businesses to our county by changing the way our government treats job creators through regulatory and other reforms.
Brad will also take a personal stake in bringing new employers to our community by meeting with any organization thinking about settling in Lehigh County to promote our area’s most appealing features, including strong schools, recreation areas, quality-of-life, geography and more.
Brad knows that when new businesses settle in our county, they do more than just provide needed jobs – they help reduce the tax burden on homeowners and improve our local economy.
Communities
Represent Our Communities
As a local elected official and longtime resident, Brad knows that Lehigh County is a large and diverse county with differing needs from community to community. As Commissioner, he will work with local officials and residents to help the county better address and represent our concerns. He will also carry on the personal commitment he made as a South Whitehall Commissioner of being accessible, open and straightforward when it comes to dealing with the taxpayers and their money that pays for government.