If nothing changes, nothing changes.

So say candidates vying for the 92nd District state House seat, both of whom support a constitutional convention to initiate reform in Harrisburg.

Scott Perry, 44, of Dillsburg, bested three Republicans in the May primary with 40 percent of the total vote. Democratic challenger Laurence "Larry" Ellsperman, 49, of Fairview Township, was unopposed in the primary.

The seat is open thanks to outgoing Rep. Bruce Smith, R-Dillsburg, who announced his retirement last December. He said his vote for a legislative pay raise last year and backlash from voters were a factor in his decision, but not the primary factor. The 72-year-old Smith said he wants to spend more time with his family.

Perry and Ellsperman said they support term limits, want to reduce property taxes and opposed the pay raise that upped lawmakers' salary by 16 to 54 percent. Both say legislators are out of touch with constituents they are elected to represent, that issues in the 92nd have more to do with day-to-day survival.

Spurred by pay raise: Ellsperman, general manager of Valenti Mid-Atlantic, said he opted to run for office when lawmakers voted themselves the pay raise. He said he will work for efficient, safe schools; a state tax credit for parents who send kids to college or technical schools; reduction of trash imports in Pennsylvania; and a memorial in Harrisburg for Pennsylvanian soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Ellsperman opposes

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all pay raises for elected officials -- cost of living or otherwise -- unless voters approve it as a ballot issue.

Perry, a business owner, proposes a system similar to that in Washington state. There, a legislative oversight commission determines salaries of elected officials, in line with the area's annual price index.

Ellsperman said issues in the 92nd are simple although solutions are not.

"I don't think they're talking about term limits," Ellsperman said about constituents. "They're asking, 'How am I going to make ends meet? How are we going to pay our bills? What kind of world are our children going to live in?'"

Perry said one of the biggest issues in the district is infrastructure, along with smart growth. The roads are congested and cannot support new development. Schools, he said, should be located with current and future residential growth in mind. A regionalized planning commission might be one solution.

Energy tax credit: Perry, like Ellsperman, suggests a tax credit for homeowners who upgrade heating systems to cut energy use. Both also support incentives for homeowners who install solar panels. As for property tax, Perry suggests allowing schools and local governments to restructure local taxes to "better suit local needs."

"Our schools are completely dependent on property taxes, and this is very unfair, especially to the elderly and to young families," Perry said. "We need to spread out the tax burden, and local leaders and voters are better able to do this than politicians in Harrisburg."

Ellsperman said gaming revenue would help somewhat to reduce taxes.

"We can't just say we're going to eliminate your property taxes, or reduce them," Ellsperman said. "We need to look for other sources of revenues and put issues on the ballot so voters can decide what is best."

Perry also said he'd like to curb eminent domain abuse in part by more clearly defining when governments can take private property from citizens. There is a time and a place for eminent domain, such as enhancing public transportation, but he said it should not be used simply to bolster the economic value of an area. Ellsperman said he doesn't believe the government should just take property.

"If the government wants to come in and put a military base here, even though I've lived here for all these years, (government) is going to do it," Ellsperman said. "There are so many other issues that need to be dealt with."

The 92nd District in York County includes Carroll, Fairview, Franklin, Monaghan, Newberry and Washington townships, and the boroughs of Dillsburg, Franklintown, Goldsboro and Lewisberry. Also included are South Middleton Township and Mount Holly Springs in Cumberland County.

Smith's opinion: After more than two decades in office, Smith said he'd be happy with either candidate and warns them that it takes time to implement change.

"It's going to be a very interesting challenge in the election year of national and international issues that state legislators have no control over," Smith said. "They'll both have to sell themselves to the public because they both are brand new."

The sales pitch must include the candidates' personal beliefs because constituents want to know where they stand on issues. He said he tried to blend personal beliefs with legislation while keeping in mind constituents' wants and needs.

Freshman legislators also should realize they would not change the system during their first terms, Smith said.

"It is a dynamic, ongoing giant, and they will become a part of that giant and help to influence it," he said.

He recalled a short story he used to assign to students. The tale centered on a rowboat in the way of an ocean liner. The ocean liner did not move for the rowboat; as the liner passed, the captain of the rowboat shook his fist.

"At the end of the story, the passengers on the liner were looking wistfully at the individual who was trying to change the system," Smith said. "Their (candidates') beliefs are important."

-- Reach Kathy Stevens at 505-5437 or kstevens@yorkdispatch.com.