Ken Krammes, 35, a carpenter from Schuylkill Haven, doesn't like seeing part of his income go to Social Security, unsure of the future of the program.
So he let U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright, D-17, know about it Monday over coffee: "I need every dollar of my paycheck. In two weeks, Social Security cost me, like, $70. That's what they're taking out of my paycheck for Social Security. And my generation isn't going to collect Social Security if everything stays the way it is, correct? It's supposed to run out in 2033."
"That's right. We got to make some changes to Social Security," Cartwright, 52, said in between sips of a cup of coffee with a hint of cream.
Krammes was one of more than 15 people who attended Cartwright's inaugural "Coffee With Your Congressman," held at his office on the third floor of Losch Plaza at 121 N. Progress Ave., Pottsville.
Other such sessions will be held in Pine Grove and Tamaqua later this year, Cartwright said.
"I never spent a whole lot of time in Schuylkill County before I got into politics. It's beautiful around here. And I found the people in Schuylkill County are very much the way they are in Lackawanna County, even if they don't agree with you, they're civil, friendly and respectful. And what I try to bring to Washington is the abiding sense of decency we have around here," Cartwright said.
Cartwright's staff brought coffee and bagels and visitors brought topics including industry and the job market, homeland security and charges the United States Department of Justice recently filed against a plant in the Orwigsburg area that allegedly smuggled a machine to Iran.
Krammes was there with Steve Cook, 41, a carpenter from Tremont.
On Social Security reform, Cartwright told them he believes everyone should have to contribute, and cap which limits the percentage taken from higher salaries has to go.
The cap is established by Social Security's Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance program that limits how much individuals with wages equal to or larger than $117,000 would contribute. In 2014, that amount is $7,254, according to the official Social Security website at ssa.gov
"I'm in favor of blowing off the cap, just getting rid of that cap. Why not have them continue to pay in on all their paychecks. Studies have shown that if they do that, that's going to add 75 years to Social Security viability. So guys like us don't have to stand around and wonder if it's going to be there for us, even though we're paying into it," Cartwright said.
Others in the crowd included Dr. M. Irvil Kear, treasurer of the Schuylkill Economic Development Corp.; Michelle Halabura, director of community relations at Schuylkill United Way; Morris Brill, Pottsville, and Liz Bettinger, Pottsville, a staff representative with District 10 United Steelworkers International Union.
Cartwright talked about his support for manufacturing. He said he toured Sapa Industrial Extrusions in Cressona last week.
"It was immense. It's a real point of pride for Schuylkill County," Cartwright said.
"Job creation is not strong," Frank Peron Jr., Pottsville, said.
"I'm all about it, looking for ways to pump up manufacturing," Cartwright said.
Bettinger encouraged him to visit one of the operations run by RockTenn, a paper mill in Delaware Water Gap, Monroe County.
"I know he toured Sapa and I thought maybe he'd be interested in seeing the mill. It's interesting. I wanted to throw that out to you," Bettinger said.
"It's a good idea. I'll check it out," Cartwright said.
Cartwright addressed a recent high profile criminal case. On April 23, the United States Department of Justice charged Hetran Inc. at Pinedale Industrial Park with evading export reporting requirements and with attempting to smuggle a lathe machine to Iran in violation of U.S. export regulations, U.S. Attorney Peter J. Smith of the Middle District of Pennsylvania stated on the department's website.
Hetran Inc., an engineering and manufacturing plant in Orwigsburg, its chief executive officer, Helmut Oertmann, and Suniel Malhotra, an Indian national who is an overseas sales representative for Hetran were charged, according to www.justice.gov.
"I know Peter Smith and he is a person of great sense. He's a reasonable person and not somebody who's going to go off half-cocked and file irresponsible charges. But this remains America and everybody's innocent until proven guilty," Cartwright said.
Harvey and Ruthann Peters, Bethlehem Township, Northampton County, the parents of U.S. Rep. Scott Peters, D-52, California, also attended Cartwright's gathering.
"I really think the world of Scott. Scott Peters is from San Diego and, for some reason The Washington Post put his face over my name and vice versa, and they still mix us up from time to time. And I told him, 'We'll, thank God you're a handsome devil,' " Cartwright said.
Pennsylvania Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Katie McGinty visited the Pottsville City Democratic Committee headquarters on Monday morning.
Cartwright said he didn't get the chance to see her, since he was leaving for Washington, D.C., at noon, but he gave her a compliment.
"I've met with all the Democratic contenders for governor and grilled them on what they're going to do for Northeastern Pennsylvania. I like her. She's nice."
William F. Hanley, Cartwright's senior economic development specialist, said "Coffee With Your Congressman" events will be held in Pine Grove and Tamaqua in the near future.
"I don't have dates for them as of yet, but I would say within a month or two," Hanley said.
For more information, visit the congressman's website at cartwright.house.gov
Cartwright will turn 53 on Thursday, May 1.