Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Sign the Please, No More Taxes! Petition
The Commonwealth Foundation is gathering signatures at its
PleaseNoMoreTaxes.org asking Gov. Ed Rendell and the Pennsylvania Legislature to give Pennsylvania families and businesses a break by not raising the state income tax.
PleaseNoMoreTaxes.org asking Gov. Ed Rendell and the Pennsylvania Legislature to give Pennsylvania families and businesses a break by not raising the state income tax.
Gov. Ed Rendell's hypocrisy on taxes
Tax everyone but the guy behind the tree
By Nathan A. Benefield
Gov. Ed Rendell's hypocrisy on tax policy is on full display this budget season. While Rendell is demanding higher taxes on individuals and most businesses, he is also working to preserve the Film Tax Credit for his Hollywood buddies. He argues that without this credit, filmmakers would flee Pennsylvania (even though most filmmakers don't receive the credit, and film production has barely increased since the tax credit was enacted).
Apparently, Rendell thinks higher taxes are harmful to film executives, but everyone else can live with government taking a bigger bite of their paycheck.
Gov. Rendell's recent proposal to raise taxes on wages during the recession reveals just how out of touch he is. Defending his proposed 16 percent hike in Pennsylvania's income tax, Rendell called a Commonwealth Foundation estimate of 24,000 private sector jobs lost from his tax plan "ludicrous." Rendell questions not only the projected number of lost jobs, but suggests that businesses and individuals can simply pay higher taxes and maintain their expenditures.
To understand the baneful effect of Rendell's tax scheme, consider one of his favorite rhetorical flourishes: the personal income tax hike, he says, would cost the average household a couple of cups of coffee at Wawa each week. But if millions of Pennsylvanians give up two cups of coffee each week, how many Wawa stores will need to reduce benefits, lay off workers, freeze hiring or even close altogether?
Or consider small businesses, which Rendell claims won't lay off workers for a tax increase of $500, or $1,000, or even $5,000 per year. Perhaps not, but those businesses will cut costs somewhere — maybe they won't buy a fax machine or a new printer they were planning on. Maybe a law firm would cut back on the charts they use in court. While these business have not laid off their own workers, their cost-cutting would pinch workers at the print shop in the neighborhood, which sells fax machines and copiers and produces charts for law firms. The ripple effect of extracting $1.5 billion of Pennsylvania's economy will reach far and wide.
Gov. Rendell argues we can "afford" a tax increase because Pennsylvania has the "2nd lowest" flat rate, or top rate, of states with income taxes. Once again, Rendell's rhetoric distorts reality. Nine states have no income tax, or only assess it on interest and dividends (not coincidently, these states have the strongest economic growth). Most states have lower rates on the first few thousand dollars of income. Most have personal exemptions, marriage and child deductions, and other credits or deductions that lower their overall tax burden. And most states have no local tax income taxes, like Pennsylvania does.
In reality, Pennsylvania ranks 16th highest in state and local income taxes. More importantly, Pennsylvania's overall tax burden is even higher, 11th highest in the country, to be precise. Rendell's latest proposal would only further hinder our economic competitiveness.
But the income tax hike is not Rendell's only job-killing proposal, just his latest. He has proposed: increasing the cigarette tax, which falls disproportionately on the poor; a tax on smokeless tobacco, which would hurt small Pennsylvania tobacco farmers; and a new tax on natural gas extraction, potentially killing an emerging industry. Rendell even wants a 2 percent tax on insurance premiums, because apparently, he doesn't think health insurance is expensive enough.
Rendell also wants to cancel the scheduled reduction in the Capital Stock and Franchise Tax (CSFT), and increase the tax retroactively. Yet in 2006, Rendell said the CSFT "hits Pennsylvania businesses — particularly manufacturers — hard" and a reduction was critical to our economic competitiveness.
Unfortunately for Pennsylvanians, Rendell is more than willing to sign job-crushing tax hikes if doing so means more money for him to spend. Unless of course, that tax hike would fall on his political allies.
Nathan A. Benefield is director of policy research with the Commonwealth Foundation (www.CommonwealthFoundation.org), an independent, nonprofit public policy research and educational institute based in Harrisburg.
By Nathan A. Benefield
Gov. Ed Rendell's hypocrisy on tax policy is on full display this budget season. While Rendell is demanding higher taxes on individuals and most businesses, he is also working to preserve the Film Tax Credit for his Hollywood buddies. He argues that without this credit, filmmakers would flee Pennsylvania (even though most filmmakers don't receive the credit, and film production has barely increased since the tax credit was enacted).
Apparently, Rendell thinks higher taxes are harmful to film executives, but everyone else can live with government taking a bigger bite of their paycheck.
Gov. Rendell's recent proposal to raise taxes on wages during the recession reveals just how out of touch he is. Defending his proposed 16 percent hike in Pennsylvania's income tax, Rendell called a Commonwealth Foundation estimate of 24,000 private sector jobs lost from his tax plan "ludicrous." Rendell questions not only the projected number of lost jobs, but suggests that businesses and individuals can simply pay higher taxes and maintain their expenditures.
To understand the baneful effect of Rendell's tax scheme, consider one of his favorite rhetorical flourishes: the personal income tax hike, he says, would cost the average household a couple of cups of coffee at Wawa each week. But if millions of Pennsylvanians give up two cups of coffee each week, how many Wawa stores will need to reduce benefits, lay off workers, freeze hiring or even close altogether?
Or consider small businesses, which Rendell claims won't lay off workers for a tax increase of $500, or $1,000, or even $5,000 per year. Perhaps not, but those businesses will cut costs somewhere — maybe they won't buy a fax machine or a new printer they were planning on. Maybe a law firm would cut back on the charts they use in court. While these business have not laid off their own workers, their cost-cutting would pinch workers at the print shop in the neighborhood, which sells fax machines and copiers and produces charts for law firms. The ripple effect of extracting $1.5 billion of Pennsylvania's economy will reach far and wide.
Gov. Rendell argues we can "afford" a tax increase because Pennsylvania has the "2nd lowest" flat rate, or top rate, of states with income taxes. Once again, Rendell's rhetoric distorts reality. Nine states have no income tax, or only assess it on interest and dividends (not coincidently, these states have the strongest economic growth). Most states have lower rates on the first few thousand dollars of income. Most have personal exemptions, marriage and child deductions, and other credits or deductions that lower their overall tax burden. And most states have no local tax income taxes, like Pennsylvania does.
In reality, Pennsylvania ranks 16th highest in state and local income taxes. More importantly, Pennsylvania's overall tax burden is even higher, 11th highest in the country, to be precise. Rendell's latest proposal would only further hinder our economic competitiveness.
But the income tax hike is not Rendell's only job-killing proposal, just his latest. He has proposed: increasing the cigarette tax, which falls disproportionately on the poor; a tax on smokeless tobacco, which would hurt small Pennsylvania tobacco farmers; and a new tax on natural gas extraction, potentially killing an emerging industry. Rendell even wants a 2 percent tax on insurance premiums, because apparently, he doesn't think health insurance is expensive enough.
Rendell also wants to cancel the scheduled reduction in the Capital Stock and Franchise Tax (CSFT), and increase the tax retroactively. Yet in 2006, Rendell said the CSFT "hits Pennsylvania businesses — particularly manufacturers — hard" and a reduction was critical to our economic competitiveness.
Unfortunately for Pennsylvanians, Rendell is more than willing to sign job-crushing tax hikes if doing so means more money for him to spend. Unless of course, that tax hike would fall on his political allies.
Nathan A. Benefield is director of policy research with the Commonwealth Foundation (www.CommonwealthFoundation.org), an independent, nonprofit public policy research and educational institute based in Harrisburg.
Barack Obama: Biggest Mistake Ever?
It's a shame we can't cast a vote of no confidence against the Obama Administration. Six months into the era of "hope and change," we've gotten "despair and more of the same."More than 3 million Americans have lost their jobs since Obama took office, bringing the nation's unemployment rate to nearly 10 percent.
Gas prices are creeping toward $3.00 per gallon.
The trillion-dollar "stimulus" bill turned out to be what many predicted: A Democratic Party pork bill to reward the special interests who helped get them elected.
The government has taken over the banks, the car companies and now wants to run the health care system.
If Cap and Trade passes the Senate, electricity rates will skyrocket.
And what about the price of potatoes? Yes, potatoes.
That's what tipped off Mark Cour at the Circumlocution for Dummies blog that something is terribly wrong with America in the age of Obama.
From Circumlocution:
I'm not sure if anyone other than myself noticed, but the price of practically everything you may set out to purchase has escalated of late. Escalated and then some, I’d say. On Friday I paid $6.99 for a 10-pound bag of potatoes. That same bag of spuds would have set me back for $2.99 as little as a year ago.It get much better. It's one of the best commentaries I've read anywhere about the current state of affairs in this country.
And as I was exiting the supermarket with my overpriced veggies in hand, I passed a guy wearing a T-shirt with that “Yes we can” bit emblazoned on it. And after a quick mumble to myself, I thought, Yes we can? Yes we can, what?
Exactly what are we doing?
Read the full post, "Yes we can, what?," at Circumlocution for Dummies
Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
Monday, June 29, 2009
'Can we in good conscience ask our citizens to sacrifice more to satisfy the state's growing appetite?'
State Rep. Sam Rohrer, R-Berks, made the following comments at a PACT with PA Press Conference in Harrisburg regarding the move by Gov. Rendell and House Democrats to raise taxes for Pennsylvania families and business owners:No Tax Increases: In simple terms, this is the most basic and distinctive Sound Budget principle. Ultimately, the adherence to this principle will define the difference between living within our means and respecting those who pay the taxes by spending only what we have OR laying down an additional burden on our already taxpayers and business because we are afraid to bring spending into line.
States all across this nation are grappling with this very principle. Which is better they are asking – reducing spending even though it is difficult OR raise taxes regardless of the burden it places on our people and our economy.
Another question is this: Can we really afford to raise taxes? What will be the impact on our taxpayers – our small businesses- our struggling economy – on jobs? If taxes are raised, can the honestly be called "temporary?" What is the likelihood of any tax being sunsetted? Is an increase in the PIT that would "only" add $15 or$20/ month really that much as the Governor has said? Should we be concerned? These are all great questions and they must be openly discussed, not twisted and spun to try and convince the public that what they know to be poison is really medicine.
Well if we look at history, this legislature hasn't done so well in regard to this principle. In 1991 we were faced with a $1 billion deficit—but instead of cutting back on spending, taxes were raised $3 billion - $ 1 Billion in needed revenue, $2 Billion to “buy” the votes. That $2Billion/yr has resulted in taxpayers losing over $35 Billion dollars. You see raising taxes is VERY expensive.
In fact, this legislature has resorted to raising taxes in every previous recession (1983, 1991, and 2003). Today, we’re facing a $3 billion+ deficit from just this current year with the need to address in this budget an equivalent of around $7Billion. Does anyone think we can afford to raise taxes without absolutely destroying our economy and breaking the backs of our taxpayers? So history doesn't look to good. Now is the time to learn from history, consider the negative impact of the previous tax increases and live within available revenues.
As to negative impact of a broad based PIT or SUT tax - Raising taxes will take more money out of our economy at a time when we can least afford it. A couple of reasons why an increase in either of these taxes is deplorable: The revenue is not predictable since revenues are falling and increase of 1% point for PIT for example really means a 30% increase in PIT. But since people are losing their jobs, being forced to accept 10%-20% reductions in pay, working 4 days instead of 5, etc. no one really knows what an increase of 1% point will generate; Secondly, people are already tapped out. With people’s pensions reduced or wiped out, property taxes climbing and incomes dropping, thousands of families are seeing their savings destroyed and foreclosures staring them in the face. They can NOT afford any more taxes particularly when all other living expenses are increasing. Raising taxes not is not only economically destructive it is the height of insensitivity and simple in my opinion, immoral.
Just a couple of facts: Fact 1: Tax Freedom Day, or the day where Americans stop working to pay taxes and start working for themselves, fell on April 13th. Pennsylvanians work a full 103 days, or three and a half months, to pay federal, state and income taxes. During 2009, you and I will pay more in taxes than we spend on food, clothing, and housing combined.
Fact 2: Pennsylvanians in particular shoulder a heavy burden: with the 11th high state and local tax burden in the country, Pennsylvanians pay on average $13,000 PER PERSON (not wage-earner) in taxes. In 2008-2009, our Pennsylvania state and local governments spent $10,000 for every man, woman, and child.
Fact 3: Raising the PIT as the Governor wants to do will destroy jobs: According to the PA State Tax Analysis Modeling Program, or PA-STAMP, a 1% increase in personal income tax would result in a net loss of 47,633 jobs next year.
Can we in good conscience ask our citizens to sacrifice more and more to satisfy the state's growing appetite. Let's take a page from their book, acknowledge the difficulties that our citizens are facing even today, and resolve to live within our means.
Sotomayor Supreme Smackdown
The Supreme Court today overturned a lower court ruling written by Judge Sonia Sotomayor establishing racial quotas in a case involving New Haven, Conn., firefighters.
The top court ruled 5-4 that racial quotas are unconstitutional and sent the case back to the appeals court.
The ruling shows clearly what an intellectual lightweight Sotomayor is and also exposes her lack of basic understanding of the U.S. Constitution. That might explain why Barack Obama picked her for the court. Peas in a Pod.
Sotomayor will still get confirmed by the intellectual lightweights in the U.S. Senate, but at least the pretense of her qualification for the Supreme Court is no longer in question.
We now understand she was nominated because she's a Hispanic woman ... and not the most qualified person for the job. Isn't that filling a racial quota?
The problem with liberals is that they're stuck in the 1960s and 1970s. Time has passed them by.
Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
The top court ruled 5-4 that racial quotas are unconstitutional and sent the case back to the appeals court.
The ruling shows clearly what an intellectual lightweight Sotomayor is and also exposes her lack of basic understanding of the U.S. Constitution. That might explain why Barack Obama picked her for the court. Peas in a Pod.
Sotomayor will still get confirmed by the intellectual lightweights in the U.S. Senate, but at least the pretense of her qualification for the Supreme Court is no longer in question.
We now understand she was nominated because she's a Hispanic woman ... and not the most qualified person for the job. Isn't that filling a racial quota?
The problem with liberals is that they're stuck in the 1960s and 1970s. Time has passed them by.
Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
Biggest June box office debut ever
Despite mediocre reviews, "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" topped the box office this weekend with an estimated $112.0 million, bringing its five-day haul to $201.2 million, according to BoxOfficeMojo.comWe have a certified blockbuster on our hands, a film that should end up as one of the top moneymakers of all time. The first "Transformers" film made $319 million domestically in its entire 2007 run.
From BoxOfficeMojo.com:
WEEKEND TOP 5 STUDIO ESTIMATES, JUNE 26-28, 2009
Rank. Movie Title (Distributor)
Weekend Gross | Theaters | Total Gross | Week #
1. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (Paramount (DreamWorks))
$112.0 million | 4,234 | $201.2 million | 1
2. The Proposal (Buena Vista)
$18.5 million | 3,058 | $69.1 million | 2
3. The Hangover (Warner Bros.)
$17.2 million | 3,525 | $183.2 million | 4
4. Up (Buena Vista)
$13.0 million | 3,487 | $250.2 million | 5
5. My Sister's Keeper (Warner Bros.)
$12.0 million | 2,606 | $12.0 million | 1
Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
Americans acknowledge need for more energy, but underestimate role of oil, natural gas, survey shows
Stop the Rendell tax hike
Can your family afford a state income tax increase right now? If not, you must make your voice heard in Harrisburg, where Gov. Ed Rendell and his doormat Democrats in the House are planning to raise the state income by 16 percent to cover the $3.2 billion budget deficit they ran up in the past year.
If you're tired of sending your paycheck to Harrisburg, if you're tired of uncontrolled spending by professional politicians, you need to send a message to your state House member that you will vote them out in 2010 if they vote to raise your taxes in 2009.
Find out more at StopPATaxHike.com
Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
State Capitol Roundup
Here's the latest edition of State Capitol Roundup courtesy of state Rep. Bob Mensch, R-147:
House Republicans Unveil StopPATaxHike.com, Press for Budget Progress
While Gov. Ed Rendell continues to push for higher income taxes, House Republicans have unveiled a new Web site for taxpayers to voice their opinions on the plan. StopPATaxHike.com allows visitors to sign a petition against the tax increase, as well as make both written and video comments on the proposal. Thousands of Pennsylvanians have already signed up, supporting Republican claims that now is not the time to be taking more money out of the pockets of already struggling taxpayers, and that it is time to cut spending and force government to live within its means. The end of the current fiscal year and the deadline for a balanced budget is June 30. For the latest state budget news, visit PAHouseGOP.com
GOP Wants Stronger Gaming Laws Before Industry Expansion Considered
With some lawmakers calling for an expansion of the state's gaming industry to generate new revenue, House Republicans say the first priority must be reform of the current gaming law. While praising a Senate-passed reform measure, the lawmakers say additional changes are needed. Those changes include: prohibiting convicted felons from being employed in the gaming industry, making the license application process more transparent, and granting the Attorney General or Pennsylvania State Police the authority to enforce the state's gaming laws. The Senate bill is expected to be considered in the House in the near future, at which time House Republicans will offer their amendments. For the latest legislative news, visit PAHouseGOP.com
Republican Tax Amnesty Proposal Could Raise an Extra $100 Million
Legislation sponsored by Rep. John C. Bear (R-Lancaster) to create a one-time tax amnesty program in Pennsylvania could bring in at least $100 million worth of delinquent taxes. Under the bill, a 90-day tax amnesty would be declared during the 2009-10 fiscal year. All penalties would be waived if the person or business filing for amnesty pays all back taxes in full or enters into an approved payment plan. Applicants for previous amnesty periods would not be eligible, nor would filers be able to apply for future amnesty programs. New Jersey recently reported that its own tax amnesty program brought in at least $400 million in back taxes, and could generate as much as $700 million in total revenue after all tax filings at the program deadline are counted. House Bill 1627 has received bipartisan support and currently has 52 co-sponsors. It has been referred to the House Finance Committee for consideration.
Lawmakers Gather to Promote Online Transparency Database
Lawmakers, led by Rep. Jim Christiana (R-Beaver), this week announced their support for an online accountability and transparency database like that proposed in House Bill 1460. The legislation, sponsored by Christiana, would create the Pennsylvania Web Accountability, Transparency and Contract Hub (PennWATCH) to organize information about state spending and government-awarded contracts. The proposal is part of a wider effort by House Republicans to restore the public's faith in government after allegations of pay-to-play relationships between the Rendell administration and several campaign donors who later received lucrative, no-bid contracts for work. For details, visit PAHouseGOP.com, and click on "government reform."
Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
House Republicans Unveil StopPATaxHike.com, Press for Budget Progress
While Gov. Ed Rendell continues to push for higher income taxes, House Republicans have unveiled a new Web site for taxpayers to voice their opinions on the plan. StopPATaxHike.com allows visitors to sign a petition against the tax increase, as well as make both written and video comments on the proposal. Thousands of Pennsylvanians have already signed up, supporting Republican claims that now is not the time to be taking more money out of the pockets of already struggling taxpayers, and that it is time to cut spending and force government to live within its means. The end of the current fiscal year and the deadline for a balanced budget is June 30. For the latest state budget news, visit PAHouseGOP.com
GOP Wants Stronger Gaming Laws Before Industry Expansion Considered
With some lawmakers calling for an expansion of the state's gaming industry to generate new revenue, House Republicans say the first priority must be reform of the current gaming law. While praising a Senate-passed reform measure, the lawmakers say additional changes are needed. Those changes include: prohibiting convicted felons from being employed in the gaming industry, making the license application process more transparent, and granting the Attorney General or Pennsylvania State Police the authority to enforce the state's gaming laws. The Senate bill is expected to be considered in the House in the near future, at which time House Republicans will offer their amendments. For the latest legislative news, visit PAHouseGOP.com
Republican Tax Amnesty Proposal Could Raise an Extra $100 Million
Legislation sponsored by Rep. John C. Bear (R-Lancaster) to create a one-time tax amnesty program in Pennsylvania could bring in at least $100 million worth of delinquent taxes. Under the bill, a 90-day tax amnesty would be declared during the 2009-10 fiscal year. All penalties would be waived if the person or business filing for amnesty pays all back taxes in full or enters into an approved payment plan. Applicants for previous amnesty periods would not be eligible, nor would filers be able to apply for future amnesty programs. New Jersey recently reported that its own tax amnesty program brought in at least $400 million in back taxes, and could generate as much as $700 million in total revenue after all tax filings at the program deadline are counted. House Bill 1627 has received bipartisan support and currently has 52 co-sponsors. It has been referred to the House Finance Committee for consideration.
Lawmakers Gather to Promote Online Transparency Database
Lawmakers, led by Rep. Jim Christiana (R-Beaver), this week announced their support for an online accountability and transparency database like that proposed in House Bill 1460. The legislation, sponsored by Christiana, would create the Pennsylvania Web Accountability, Transparency and Contract Hub (PennWATCH) to organize information about state spending and government-awarded contracts. The proposal is part of a wider effort by House Republicans to restore the public's faith in government after allegations of pay-to-play relationships between the Rendell administration and several campaign donors who later received lucrative, no-bid contracts for work. For details, visit PAHouseGOP.com, and click on "government reform."
Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Obama can be stopped
All the propaganda. All the back room deals. All the pork amendments to buy votes.
And all Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi could get was a 219-212 margin to pass the cap and trade energy tax in the House?
Don't be surprised if the $1.9 trillion global warming tax fails in the Senate.
A 7-vote margin in the overwhelmingly Democratic House? That's pathetic. A total of 44 Demcorats voted against cap and trade! It took 8 GOP House members to pass it.
It's not looking good for Obamacare or other future Obama spending sprees.
House Democrats are beginning to worry about their re-election chances in 2010 as the Obama recession continues, unemployment is reaching record levels and the unprecedented debt Obama has piled on the U.S. takes its toll.
Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
And all Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi could get was a 219-212 margin to pass the cap and trade energy tax in the House?
Don't be surprised if the $1.9 trillion global warming tax fails in the Senate.
A 7-vote margin in the overwhelmingly Democratic House? That's pathetic. A total of 44 Demcorats voted against cap and trade! It took 8 GOP House members to pass it.
It's not looking good for Obamacare or other future Obama spending sprees.
House Democrats are beginning to worry about their re-election chances in 2010 as the Obama recession continues, unemployment is reaching record levels and the unprecedented debt Obama has piled on the U.S. takes its toll.
Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
8 Republicans betray American taxpayers
Democrats control the House of Representatives by a 255-178 majority, but Nancy Pelosi could barely muster enough votes to pass the $1.9 trillion cap and trade energy tax.
In fact, the Democrats didn't have enough votes until 8 Republicans crossed over to support the largest tax increase in U.S. history.
Michelle Malkin has the names and photos of the 8 turncoat Republicans who sold out the U.S. taxpayer to appease the global warming fanatics. Here are the names:
Mary Bono Mack (R-CA)
Mike Castle (R-DE)
Mark Kirk (R-IL)
Leonard Lance (R-NJ)
Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ)
John McHugh (R-NY)
Dave Reichert (R-WA)
Chris Smith (R-NJ)
Electricity rates (and all energy costs) will skyrocket for American families and businesses if the cap and trade bill passes the Senate. Barack Obama has already vowed to sign the tax increase into law.
Read Malkin's full post, "The 8 cap-and-tax Republicans…and the 44 Democrats who voted no" at her blog.
And be sure to remember their names when they're up for re-election in 2010.
Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
Saturday, June 27, 2009
FAIR's Response to Sen. Charles Schumer's Seven Point Plan for So-Called 'Comprehensive Immigration Reform'
Oxymoron: Temporary Tax
This letter from a Chester County resident originally published in The Mercury gets right to the point about the tax hike proposals being pushed by Gov. Ed Rendell and House Democrats. You should send something similar to your state representative, especialy if he's a Democrat.
No tax is ever 'temporary'Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
An open letter to state Rep. Paul Drucker, 157th District:
Consider yourself lucky. You have a job. Unlike many citizens of Pennsylvania who are unemployed and senior citizens who have seen their life's savings disappear in the last two years, you don't have to curtail your spending.
Now Gov. Rendell wants another temporary tax on the books, like other temporary taxes to never go away.
Remember, your job is only temporary too. It'll be easier for voters to vote you out of office than it will be for elected officials to remove a temporary tax. Keep that in mind when you cast your vote.
EDGAR A. NARATIL
Phoenixville
Global warming hoax continues
Those pesky facts keep getting in the way of the greatest hoax in human history.
From an editorial in The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review exposing the global warming fraud:
From an editorial in The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review exposing the global warming fraud:
Climate change Chicken Littles squawked last week and too many supposedly objective media outlets compliantly engaged in global warming stenography.Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
"The observed climate changes that we report are not opinions to be debated," said Jerry Melillo, one of the chief authors of a White House-released study predicting global warming Armageddon. "They are facts to be dealt with."
Selective facts presented dishonestly and dealt with hysterically, we would add.
Geophysicist David Deming offers some badly needed perspective:
• There has been no sea level rise for the past three years
• Hurricane, typhoon and tropical cyclone activity is at a 30-year low
• Satellite data don't indicate global warming but temperatures about the same or even lower than they were in 1979
• Mean global sea ice is at the same levels as it was when monitoring began that same year.
And then there's this from Dr. Deming:
"The new scare report issued by the Obama administration refers to the work of Stephen H. Schneider six times. You will recall that Schneider is infamous for telling Discover magazine (October 1989) that 'we have to offer up scary scenarios, make simplified, dramatic statements, and make little mention of any doubts we might have ... each of us has to decide what the right balance is between being effective and being honest.'"
Global warming is the greatest fraud ever committed by men against mankind. Who will hold these fraudsters accountable?
GOP: Energy tax will cost millions of jobs
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
Friday, June 26, 2009
PA GOP: DEMOCRATS TO 'TAX THE LIGHTS OUT' OF PENNSYLVANIANS
Republican Party of Pennsylvania Chairman Rob Gleason released the following statement regarding the Congressional Democrats' "cap and trade" energy tax:
"I am deeply concerned by President Obama and the Democrat's support for the national energy tax known as 'cap and trade'," Gleason said. "'Cap and trade' is an impractical approach to energy independence and will kill jobs and tax millions of hardworking families. In these difficult economic times, it is wrong to force the average American family to pay an extra $1200 in energy costs when many are struggling just to make ends' meet.
"'Cap and trade' will have a devastating effect on Pennsylvanians who work in the energy industry, particularly in the coal and natural gas sectors. Our Commonwealth deserves a comprehensive energy plan. Instead of a massive tax increase that will force millions of jobs overseas, we need to pursue 'all of the above' energy strategies that will decrease our dependence on foreign sources of energy while keeping jobs here at home.
"I urge all members of the Pennsylvania Congressional Delegation to stand up for common sense and stand against this destructive tax increase."
According to the nonpartisan Tax Foundation, implementing 'cap and trade' would cost this country $144.8 billion, or $1,218 per household. (Andrew Chamberlain, "Who Pays for Climate Policy? New Estimates of the Household Burden and Economic Impact Of A U.S. Cap-And-Trade System," Tax Foundation Working Paper #6, 3/16/09)
In order to demonstrate high costs of 'cap and trade' legislation on hardworking families, the Republican Party of Pennsylvania will be hand-delivering candles to our Democrat colleagues today. If a national energy tax is implemented in this country, candles will be the only way many Americans will be able to afford to light their homes.
Libertarian Party opposes $1.9 trillion energy tax
America's third largest political party is warning that Nancy Pelosi and House Democrats are rushing toward a massive new energy tax on American families known as "cap and trade," or the Waxman-Markey bill."With unemployment rising above and beyond what President Obama said it would be with the multi-hundred billion dollar stimulus bill, now is not the time to dismantle our economy with a multi-hundred billion dollar energy tax hike," said William Redpath of the Libertarian Party.
"Libertarians urge House members to defeat this job-killing tax hike on Americans," said Redpath. "Libertarian candidates are out there every day proposing proven solutions to create the jobs we need and restore our prosperity. This $1.9 trillion tax hike would destroy millions of jobs and impose dramatically higher prices for everything."
More from a Libertarian Party release:
At nearly 1,000 pages, H.R. 2454, sponsored by Democrat Reps. Henry Waxman and Edward Markey, imposes new taxes on any economic activity that produces carbon dioxide. Pelosi hopes to rush the bill to a vote, despite no net temperature increase globally over the last decade, significant research showing man-made carbon dioxide isn't changing the climate and opposition from thousands of scientists.Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
The economic impact would be harsh. According to research from the independent, non-partisan Heritage Foundation, the bill would have devastating impacts on the average American family.
The research found that by 2035, gasoline prices would increase 58 percent, natural gas prices would increase 55 percent, prices for home heating oil would increase 56 percent, and worst of all, electricity prices would jump 90 percent.
While the average American would pay the tax once in the form of higher energy prices, they also pay it again in higher costs for goods that must be manufactured and services that must be provided using energy.
The average family of four could see $2,979 in higher prices per year, paying $4,609 more in 2035 alone. The total costs to the average family in higher prices, from 2012 to 2035, reach $71,493.
The bill would also destroy millions of jobs, even taking into account Obama administration promises of new “green” jobs. The research finds an average annual job loss of 1,145,000 jobs per year because of Waxman-Markey. In the worst years, 2,479,000 Americans will lose their jobs annually under Waxman-Markey.
Newspaper: Is bribery legal in Pennsylvania?
The revelation that Pennsylvania politicians received nearly $17 million from people connected to the gambling industry has prompted the Philadelphia Daily News to ask about the ethics and legality of cash flowing into the pockets of Pennsylvania politicos charged with overseeing gambling.
From an editorial in today's edition:
Read the full editorial, "Casinos' big payouts - to lawmakers," at the newspaper's Web site.
Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
From an editorial in today's edition:
Is bribery legal in Pennsylvania politics? Thanks to the arcane rules that govern campaign donations, it's nearly impossible to know.Something to think about as Democratic House leaders push for expanded table games in Pennsylvania. Are they looking out for the interests of Pennsylvania residents or salivating at the prospect of more payouts for themselves from casinos?
But a new Pennsylvania Common Cause study tracking donations from the gaming industry to state lawmakers over the last seven years suggests that anyone wanting to connect the dots can end up with a fairly ugly picture. During that time, nearly $17 million in contributions flowed to lawmakers from people with a stake in the gaming industry, including lawyers and lobbyists who represented gaming clients.
The report identifies the top donors - Ira Lubert, associated with the planned Valley Forge casino, tops the list at $455,000, with Peter DePaul & family, with interests in Foxwoods casino, a close second - as well as the top recipients. No surprise that Gov. Rendell has cleaned up at this particular table with contributions exceeding $1 million. Former state Sen. Vince Fumo, architect of the gaming bill, comes in second, at $400,000; Rep. John Perzel comes in third, at $236,000.
Even as lawmakers were cashing the checks, they were considering allowing casinos to come to Pennsylvania. The odds are good that all of this campaign cash played a role in the eventual success of the legislation.
Read the full editorial, "Casinos' big payouts - to lawmakers," at the newspaper's Web site.
Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Volunteer
The United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania has launched a new Web site that connects volunteers to projects in the Greater Philadelphia area. So there's no excuse for getting involved in your community.
United Way Launches New Website to Boost Area Volunteerism
United Way Launches New Website to Boost Area Volunteerism
'Talking Politics' on the radio
The skyrocketing cost of Obamacare, estimated at $3.5 trillion, and the push by Gov. Ed Rendell and Democrats to raise the Pennsylvania income tax will be among the topics discussed today at 5 p.m. today on "Talking Politics with Tony Phyrillas & Mike Pincus" on WPAZ 1370 AM
You can call the station with questions or comments at 610-326-4000.
If you can't receive the radio signal, you can listen to the broadcast online at www.pottsmerc.com or www.1370wpaz.com
You can call the station with questions or comments at 610-326-4000.
If you can't receive the radio signal, you can listen to the broadcast online at www.pottsmerc.com or www.1370wpaz.com
Will GOP hold the line on taxes?
Veteran Harrisburg reporter Brad Bumsted does a good job of getting to the heart of the current stalemate between Gov. Rendell and his doormat House Democrats versus the Republican-controlled Senate.Rendell and Democratic leaders want to raise the state income tax by 16 percent to make up for the $3.2 billion deficit Rendell ran up this year.
Senate Republicans (and their House counterparts) say they will not support any new taxes.
What's at stake is control of the Legislature in 2010 and beyond. Rendell is a lame duck. What he wants doesn't matter.
If Senate Republicans cave on the tax issue, they lose all credibility with voters and Democrats will chip away at the GOP's 30-20 majority.
If even one of the 99 Republicans in the House caves on the tax issue, Republicans will become a permanent minority.
Voters are angry. Angry about runaway spending. Angry about the state's economic woes, brought on largely by Rendell's failed policies.
Voters changed 1 in 3 members of the House over the past two election cycles since the infamous pay raise vote in 2005. If House members give in to Rendell and approve a tax hike, expect another large-scale voter revolt in 2010.
That's what Busted thinks, too.
From his latest column in The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:
Will the GOP hold the line?Read the full column, "Rendell's tax hike shell game," at the newspaper's Web site.
Are we in for a replay of the 1991 budget battle under then-Gov. Robert P. Casey when it took until mid-August to round up the votes for an income tax hike?
That began as an effort to close a $1 billion deficit. In the end, the tax hike was almost $3 billion. About $2 billion in additional spending bought members' tax votes. Hundreds of millions went for increased program spending sought by Democrat lawmakers, along with millions for their pet projects.
But the bigger question comes if the full Legislature acquiesces to Rendell and goes along with a tax increase. With the 2005 pay-jacking outrage still fresh in the minds of many, will a full-scale public revolt be next?
Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Rep. Pitts: 'Cap-and-Trade' Will Hurt Pennsylvania
Congressman Joe Pitts (R, PA-16) sharply criticized Congressional leaders today for rushing a vote on energy legislation.
Pitts made the following statement (released by his office):
Pitts made the following statement (released by his office):
"Every American should be gravely concerned about this legislation. Protecting the environment is extremely important, but we should do so wisely and carefully. This is reckless and extreme legislation that will hurt people who are already suffering and do significant damage to the American economy. It will drive manufacturing jobs out of the country to places like China. It will hurt American competitiveness in the world economy. Pennsylvania will be among the hardest hit states.Pitts is a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which has primary jurisdiction over the legislation. He is also a member of the committee's Energy and Environment Subcommittee.
"The economics of this are simple: affordable energy is critical to prosperity. This legislation will make energy much more expensive. That translates to a less prosperous America with higher poverty rates, higher taxes, and a much bigger national debt. The right way to protect the environment is to make clean energy cheaper by encouraging proven sources of clean energy like wind, solar, and nuclear along with the development of cutting-edge technologies like plug-in hybrid cars and hydrogen fuel cells.
"I will be offering amendments to this bill in an attempt to limit its damage to the economy. However, I expect Democratic leaders to block votes on those amendments."
New name, same ACORN nuts
Terrific editorial in The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review about Barack Obama's favorite group of community organizers, ACORN, changing the group's name now that it has been exposed for voter fraud. Here's the editorial:
ACORN's new nameOriginally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
When the term "liberal" became too big an albatross around the necks of the leftists among us, they decided to use the "progressive" moniker. But no matter what they call themselves, most people understand them to be garden-variety socialists.
Now comes word that ACORN, the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, is changing its name. But no matter if it's ACORN or COI -- Community Organizations International -- it can run but it cannot hide.
ACORN is under investigation in at least 14 states, Pennsylvania included, for allegations of voter registration fraud. The FBI is involved. ACORN is responsible for 400,000 fraudulent voter registrations nationwide, says Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa. And the Obama administration and Democrats want ACORN to have a role in next year's census?
ACORN also played no small part in the subprime mortgage mess, championing loans to those who could not afford them.
And ACORN is involved in a nasty internal mess. An embezzlement scandal of a decade ago, long kept silent, spawned whistle-blowers to act. They're now being threatened with a lawsuit, The Washington Examiner reports. An ACORN affiliate has filed a lawsuit against the voter registration whistle-blower, it says.
So, ACORN is changing its name -- Community Organizations International, or COI. Remember that new name. Remember that new acronym. And beware.
Lame duck school boards can create havoc
Five incumbent members of the Owen J. Roberts School Board were ousted by district voters in the May primary election.So what does the school board do at its June meeting? The board voted 5-4 to fire Superintendent Myra Forrest, who has a five-year contract that runs through June 2010. District taxpayers will pay Forrest's $165,000-a-year salary even if she sits at home for the next year.
Over in neighboring Pottstown, two incumbent school board members were ousted in the May primary and another two will probably lose their seats in the November election.
The current lame duck board is considering a recommendation from its personnel committee to extend the contracts of the superintendent and other top administrators for another three years.
The current contracts run through 2010 and the logical thing to do is allow the new school board to make a decision on the administrators. A vote on extending the contracts was tabled at the last school board meeting, but could be brought back at a future meeting.
What's the solution? Shouldn't there be a law in Pennsylvania that prevents lame duck school boards from making rash decisions that could impact taxpayers for years to come?
Or maybe a new law isn't needed. A judge in Schuylkill County has removed eight elected members from the North Schuylkill School Board in a case involving a superintendent controversy. See story in the Pottsville Republican.
Read more about the OJR superintendent firing in today's edition of The Mercury.
Jon & Kate split and the joke's on viewers
This isn't the kind of "reality" TLC had in mind when it gave the green light to a show about two young parents raising eight children, twins and sextuplets.The happy couple have been living "separate and apart" for at least two years, Kate Gosselin says in divorce papers obtained by The Associated Press. So where's the reality, guys? You've been duping the American public for at least two years, even going as far as renewing your wedding vows in Hawaii last year. Jon and Kate should be nominated for an Emmy for their "performances" as real people.
Not that anyone's complaining. More than 10 million people tune in every week to watch Jon and Kate Gosselin and their eight kids. The couple has earned millions from the TV show and other marketing opportunities. Everyone's making money pretending to do a "reality" show.
The big news of the week is that Jon & Kate are getting divorced.
Reporter Keith Phucas, our man at the Montgomery County Courthouse in Norristown, has some of the details:
NORRISTOWN — The parents on one of television's best known reality shows — Jon and Kate Gosselin — filed for a no-fault divorce Monday in Montgomery County Court.The biggest losers appear to be the children, who have been exploited by the parents and television execs for ratings and a big pay day ... and then there's the American viewing public, which will watch anything on television.
The Gosselins, who are featured in the TLC show "Jon & Kate Plus 8" with their eight children, created a media buzz when they let it be known they were having marital problems. The couple has been featured on tabloid magazine covers for months.
Kate Gosselin says in divorce papers that her marriage to Jon is "irretrievably broken." She says in court papers that she's willing to "negotiate a fair and reasonable" settlement with her husband of 10 years.
Now in its fifth season, the hit show has documented the Berk County family's semi-chaotic, day-to-day life, as Jon and Kate, and their occasional adult helpers, try to keep pace with their twins and sextuplets as they scurry around the house glancing off furniture, bouncing on beds and bumping into one other.
Though the couple lives in Berks County, they filed in Montgomery because the divorce lawyers practice here. Court records lists one of the attorneys as Cheryl L. Young, of Hangley, Aronchick Segal & Pudlin, in Norristown. A second lawyer is rumored to practice at the Elliot Greenleaf law firm in Blue Bell.
State residents can file divorce papers in any county they choose, according to David L. Ladov, a veteran divorce attorney with Cozen O'Connor.
"You can file for a divorce anywhere in Pennsylvania, as long as no one objects," Ladov said.
The Gosselins paid a $282.50 fee to file in Montgomery County. If they'd chosen Cameron County, the fee is only $50, he said.
"So for a quick, no-fault divorce, it's all done by mail," Ladov said, referring to the Cameron County option.
Also, the fact that divorce records are sealed in Montgomery County may have played into the couple's decision to file in Norristown.
In Berks County, divorce records are open for public inspection, according to an employee at the Berks County Prothonotary's Office.
TV viewers lost interest in the eight Gosselin children years ago. The show is really about a shrew of a wife and a hen-pecked husband. Now that they're getting divorced, what's the point of watching the show?
Read the full divorce story in Wednesday's edition of The Pottstown Mercury.
Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
Guide to PA political pork
The Associated Press ran a three-part series this week in newspapers across the state about the pork spending by the Pennsylvania Legislature, the very same group of lawmakers who will soon have to decide if they should raise your taxes to continue funding irresponsible spending.
The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review couldn't help but notice that most of the spending took place in legislative districts held by legislative leaders. Funny how that works out.
From an editorial:
Against the backdrop of Harrisburg seeking more of taxpayers' hard-earned money to cover up its continued profligacy come new details of a long-outrageous practice.
The Associated Press reports that "tens of millions of dollars that support Pennsylvania lawmakers' favorite causes are directed by legislative leaders through a secretive process that appears to benefit some of the leaders' constituents the most."
To wit, Greene County, 56th out of Pennsylvania's 67 counties in population and home to Bill DeWeese, last year's House Democrat leader, ranked first in grant dollars per person, an AP analysis concluded.
Then there's Carbon County. As home to current House Speaker Keith McCall, the Democrats' whip last year, the county that ranks 40th in population ranked second in grant dollars per person.
Read the full editorial at the newspaper's Web site.
Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Rendell wants $500 from you
The Republican Party of Pennsylvania released a new Web ad titled “$500” today, examining the true cost of Gov. Ed Rendell and the Democrats’ plan to raise personal income taxes by 16% on Pennsylvania families.
From a GOP press release:
“Pennsylvanians should be outraged by the Governor’s proposal to increase taxes,” said PA GOP Chairman Rob Gleason. “Rather than make fiscally responsible decisions in Harrisburg, he has decided to shift the burden of the state’s $3 billion budget deficit to Pennsylvania families by calling for a major tax hike. Governor Ed Rendell’s decision to cut the annual budget of every hardworking Pennsylvania family by $500 is deplorable.”
“For months, Republicans have put forth real solutions that will balance our budget without raising taxes. It is time for Democrats to do the job they are paid to do and make tough decisions in Harrisburg, not force hardworking Pennsylvanians to carry the burden of their out-of-control spending proposals and decision to increase taxes.”
The Breaking Point
"With 9.4 percent unemployment and the price of gasoline climbing to
American Solutions Launches New Television Ad To Stop Waxman-Markey National Energy Tax
Chester County commissioner to run for Lt. Gov.
Aichele said it was time for a new approach to governing in
"
Aichele's first official event as a candidate is a fundraiser in
Joseph "Skip" Brion, treasurer of the Republican Party of Pennsylvania and chairman of the Chester County Republican Committee, enthusiastically endorsed Aichele and said she is the right person for the job.
"Carol Aichele has been a top vote-getter in one of
Aichele, who calls herself a fiscal conservative, noted that
"We must focus on creating jobs, fixing our economy and providing relief to families and businesses struggling with high taxes," Aichele said. "
As a Chester County commissioner, Aichele led the effort to help the county achieve a Triple A bond rating from Moody's Investors Services, one of the few counties in the country to achieve this status, resulting in millions of dollars in savings for taxpayers each year, her campaign noted.
She also worked to
In addition to serving two terms as commissioner, Aichele was the first woman elected controller in
Aichele, a former math and science teacher, also served six years as a member of the Tredyffrin-Easttown School Board, with two years as board president. She has served in numerous leadership positions on various boards and community organizations for more than 25 years.
Aichele is a graduate of
Additional information can be found at her campaign Web site, www.CarolAichele.com
Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
'We support the people of Iran'
We support the people of Iran
By Rep. Mike Pence
By Rep. Mike Pence
It has been said on numerous occasions and by various politicians and pundits that it was an extraordinary week in the life of the nation of Iran. On June 12, from the very moment that the Iranian presidential election results were announced, the international community and the international press questioned the results. The primary reason for our disbelief in the declared result is that millions of paper ballots were collected and counted in mere hours. This occurred even before the extraordinary demonstrations in the street began.
The disbelief on the part of the international community was shared by many Iranian citizens. And while the defeated candidate launched a legal appeal, what ensued on the streets of Tehran, at least according to the BBC, were the largest public demonstrations in the Islamic republic’s 30-year history. It seems that many Iranians have gotten a whiff of freedom and are willing to lay down their lives in the streets of Iran to secure that freedom.
Sadly, as the people have rallied the Iranian government has responded with more violence and oppression, causing numerous fatalities and the arrest of dissidents. We have learned of reporters prevented from making their reports public and the jamming of electronic communications. We may well be witnessing a Tiananmen in Tehran.
I respect that President Obama recognizes the troubling nature of the on-going situation in Iran, but respectfully disagree with where he has drawn the line. I do not believe a strong affirmation of our ideals and engagement with those who oppose our ideals are mutually exclusive. I think it is possible, as President Reagan demonstrated and indeed as it has been demonstrated throughout our history, for the American people to stand up and speak words of encouragement to those who are oppressed while engaging their oppressors.
It seems to me in this moment the American people long to be heard. House Resolution 560, which on Friday passed the House of Representatives with overwhelming bipartisan support, provides the American people an opportunity to do just that.
The resolution, which was introduced in the Senate by Senators McCain and Lieberman, simply states that the House of Representatives condemns the ongoing violence against demonstrators by the government of Iran and pro-government militias, as well as the ongoing government suppression of independent electronic communication through interference with the Internet and cell phones. It affirms the universality of individual rights and the importance of democracy and free elections.
Lastly and most importantly, the resolution expresses our unqualified support for all Iranian citizens who embrace the values of freedom, human rights, civil liberties and the rule of law. I have said many times this week that the cause of America is freedom and in that cause the American people will not be silent. There is no intention here to pick sides in the Iranian election, but to simply stand by those who stand up for freedom.
The intent of this resolution is to demonstrate, in a true spirit of bipartisanship, that the American people continue to be on the side of liberty and freedom.
I am glad that the United States Senate has also passed this important resolution, allowing the American people to speak with one voice in support of human rights and democracy. We have learned throughout our history that when the voice of the American people is heard in defense of democracy and human rights, it can make a difference in the advancement of liberty around the world. I believe in my heart of hearts that this important bipartisan resolution will help do so once more.
U.S. Rep. Mike Pence is a Republican who represents Indiana's 6th Congressional District.
It's not too late to stop Rendell tax hike
Can your family afford a state income tax increase right now? If not, you must make your voice heard in Harrisburg, where Gov. Ed Rendell and his doormat Democrats in the House are planning to raise the state income by 16 percent to cover the $3.2 billion budget deficit they ran up in the past year.
If you're tired of sending your paycheck to Harrisburg, if you're tired of uncontrolled spending by professional politicians, you need to send a message to your state House member that you will vote them out in 2010 if they vote to raise your taxes in 2009.
Find out more at StopPATaxHike.com
Obama abandons Iranian people
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Syndicated columnist Charles Krauthammer chides Barack Obama for his ineffective response to the Iranian crisis, essentially calling Obama a coward for his failure to act decisively as the Iranian people stand up to their tyrannical government.From Krauthammer's latest column in Investor's Business Daily:
All hangs in the balance. The Khamenei regime is deciding whether to do a Tiananmen. And what side is the Obama administration taking? None. Except for the desire that this "vigorous debate" (press secretary Robert Gibbs' disgraceful euphemism) over election "irregularities" not stand in the way of U.S.-Iranian engagement on nuclear weapons.Read the full column at the newspaper's Web site.
Even from the narrow perspective of the nuclear issue, the administration's geopolitical calculus is absurd. There is zero chance that any such talks will denuclearize Iran. On Monday, Ahmadinejad declared yet again that the nuclear "file is shut, forever."
The only hope for a resolution of the nuclear question is regime change, which (if the successor regime were as moderate as pre-Khomeini Iran) might either stop the program, or make it manageable and nonthreatening.
That's our fundamental interest. And our fundamental values demand that we stand with demonstrators opposing a regime that is the antithesis of all we believe.
And where is our president? Afraid of "meddling." Afraid to take sides between the head-breaking, women-shackling exporters of terror — and the people in the street yearning to breathe free. This from a president who fancies himself the restorer of America's moral standing in the world.
Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
Monday, June 22, 2009
A new member of the club
Over the past six months, only three bloggers from the 100+ who participate in the BlogNetNews.com aggregator service have reached the coveted No. 1 position in the BlogNetNews.com/Pennsylvania Weekly Influence Index. The trio would be TONY PHYRILLAS (13 weeks at No. 1); PAWatercooler (8 weeks at No. 1); and Suburban Guerrilla (3 weeks at No. 1).
This week, we welcome a new addition to the exclusive club. Congratulations to Gunservatively! for reaching the top spot in the latest Weekly Influence Index, although it did mean knocking me out of the No. 1 spot.
Congratulations to Gunservatively! (one of my favorite Pennsylvania bloggers) but I do want to leave you with one caveat: Getting to No. 1 is a lot easier than staying there. We'll see what happens next week.
Democrats can stop Rendell tax hike
Let's assume for a moment that 10 members of the Republican Senate majority go insane and vote with the 20 Senate Democrats to support Gov. Ed Rendell's 16% income tax hike, which would drain $4.5 billion from working Pennsylvanians and small business owners over the next three years.The tax hike would still have to pass the House, where Democrats hold a 104-99 majority.
For any legislation to pass the lower chamber, a majority vote of 102 members is needed.
For Rendell's tax hike to die in the House, only three Democrats need to join the 99 Republicans in voting against an income-tax increase.
In the past two weeks, I've been posting contact information for Southeast Pennsylvania House members who are serving in their first or second terms.
Only three of the lawmakers listed below need to oppose Rendell's tax hike and stand with their constituents against higher taxes and runaway spending.
If you recognize the names below as your representative, click on the link and send them a message that you can't afford to pay any more taxes ... and remind them that you will never vote for them again if they support Rendell's tax hikes.
Rep. Brendan F. Boyle, 170th Dist.
Rep. Matthew D. Bradford, 70th Dist.
Rep. Tim Briggs, 149th Dist.
Rep. Paul J. Drucker, 157th Dist.
Rep. Tom Houghton, 13th Dist.
Rep. David R. Kessler, 130th Dist.
Rep. Barbara McIlvaine Smith, 156th Dist.
Standing with the people of Iran
A timely op-ed by U.S. Rep. Joe Pitts as events unfold in Iran.Standing with the people of Iran
By Congressman Joe Pitts
The events unfolding right now in Iran are extraordinary. In the face of a repressive regime, and even violent crackdowns, the Iranian people have gathered in the hundreds of thousands to let their will be known and demand a right to a voice in their government.
Like all people, they desire freedom.
From news reports in the first days of the peaceful protests, we know that several people were killed either by Iranian security forces, or their shadowy surrogate, the Basij militia. Additional reports of violence against students and other civilians are difficult to confirm. Iranian authorities have shut down foreign media outlets and prevented them from covering the events as they unfold. Fortunately, the power of technology has allowed images and video of the marches to get through to the outside world.
These images and videos have depicted a people who yearn for freedom from a stifling and increasingly belligerent regime.
The U.S. government must stand up against the sham elections, the vote rigging, and violence against civilians taking place in Iran. We cannot sit back and watch as their people are beaten and killed by militia thugs.
The greatest moments in United States history have not come from standing idly by as tyrants and thugs oppress their own people. The greatest moments have come when our leaders have stood in steadfast support of those who seek freedom.
When John F. Kennedy spoke in Berlin in 1963 and said "All free men, wherever they may live, are citizens of Berlin, and, therefore, as a free man, I take pride in the words Ich bin ein Berliner!" (I am a Berliner) and when President Ronald Reagan stood in front of the Brandenburg Gate and said "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!" it gave hope to the people living in the Soviet Union who desired freedom. And it made it known worldwide that the United States everywhere and always stands with those people who seek freedom.
The silence from the White House on this issue has been deafening. The President's measured and cautious words have done little to reassure the Iranian people that the United States stands behind their cause. He has indicated he does not want to alienate the Ayatollah by appearing to meddle in internal Iranian affairs.
A statement in support of the peaceful protesters who are risking their lives on the streets of Tehran is no more meddling in the affairs of Iran than President Reagan's demand at the Berlin Wall meddled in the affairs of the Soviet Union. This is an extraordinary moment in Iranian history, and the lack of support from the leadership of the United States has been embarrassing.
This is the same Iran that continues in open defiance of the international community in its pursuit of nuclear weapons. This is the same Iran, and the same President, that has spoken of wiping Israel off the map and denied the existence of the Holocaust. Indeed, one can imagine why fair-minded Iranians may have tired of this kind of behavior by their President.
Fortunately, a bipartisan group in the House has chosen to speak out and fill the void.
On Friday, the House passed H.Res. 560, a resolution sponsored by Republican Conference Chairman Mike Pence, and House Foreign Affairs Chairman Howard Berman.
The resolution states that the House of Representatives: "expresses its support for all Iranian citizens who embrace the values of freedom, human rights, civil liberties, and rule of law; condemns the ongoing violence against demonstrators by the Government of Iran and pro-government militias, as well as the ongoing government suppression of independent electronic communication through interference with the Internet and cellphones; and affirms the universality of individual rights and the importance of democratic and fair elections."
By a vote of 405 to 1, the House voted to support the Iranian people. I still hope the President chooses to do so as well.
At stake is not only the freedom and basic rights of the Iranian people, but the position of the United States in the world as a defender and supporter of freedom and human rights.
Rep. Joe Pitts is a Republican who represents Pennsylvania's 16th Congressional District in parts of Berks, Chester and Lancaster counties. For more on Pitts, visit his Congressional Web site at www.house.gov/pitts
Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
'Proposal' tops weekend box office
The Sandra Bullock/Ryan Reynolds comedy "The Proposal" knocked "The Hangover" from the No. 1 spot in the weekend box office for June 19-21. "The Proposal" earned an estimated $34.1 million, according to BoxOfficeMojo.com
"The Hangover" finished second after a two-week run at No. 1. The comedy has topped $150 million in ticket sales in just three weeks.
Here are the weekend's Top 5 films based on studio estimates, according to BoxOfficeMojo.com:
Rank. Movie Title (Distributor)
Weekend Gross | Theaters | Total Gross | Week #
1. The Proposal (Buena Vista)
$34.1 million | 3,056 | $34.1 million | 1
2. The Hangover (Warner Bros.)
$26.9 million | 3,545 | $152.9 million | 3
3. Up (Buena Vista)
$21.3 million | 3,832 | $224.1 million | 4
4. Year One (Sony / Columbia)
$20.2 million | 3,022 | $20.2 million | 1
5. The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 (Sony / Columbia)
$11.3 million | 3,077 | $43.3 million | 2
Final totals will be released late Monday.
Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
Obama's weak response on Iran
Pro-Democracy demonstrators are dying in the streets in Iran, but Barack Obama remains largely silent, unwilling to offend the Muslim clerics who run the country.
Will the attempt to bring Democracy to Iran fail because Obama failed to support it?
Many believe so.
"The president of the United States is supposed to lead the free world, not follow it," South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham said. "He's been timid and passive more than I would like."
Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley also voiced disappointment at Obama's weak response: "If America stands for democracy and all of these demonstrations are going on ... obviously they are going to ask, do we really care about our principles?" Grassley said.
Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
Will the attempt to bring Democracy to Iran fail because Obama failed to support it?
Many believe so.
"The president of the United States is supposed to lead the free world, not follow it," South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham said. "He's been timid and passive more than I would like."
Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley also voiced disappointment at Obama's weak response: "If America stands for democracy and all of these demonstrations are going on ... obviously they are going to ask, do we really care about our principles?" Grassley said.
Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
Sunday, June 21, 2009
State Capitol Roundup
Here's the latest State Capitol Roundup courtesy of Rep. Bob Mensch (R-147):
House Republicans Pledge to Fight Income Tax Hike
Gov. Ed Rendell this week called on the General Assembly to increase the Personal Income Tax by 16.28 percent to generate $1.5 billion in new revenue. The increase is expected to cost a Pennsylvania family earning $50,000 a year about $250 annually. House Republicans have rejected the necessity of such a tax increase, and instead say state government must live within its means. Additionally, another week has passed in the Democrat-controlled House with no legislative action to bring a budget proposal to the House floor, making the prospect for enacting a state budget prior to the June 30 deadline virtually impossible. House Republicans are committed to controlling spending and ensuring that already-anxious families are not saddled with higher income taxes. For the latest state budget news, visit PAHouseGOP.com
Lawmakers Outline 'Pact with PA' to Reform Budget Process in Pennsylvania
Several House and Senate Republicans gathered this week to unveil the "Pact with PA" proposal, an agreement between state legislators and taxpayers to redefine the state's budgeting process to reflect what people can afford to pay instead of what government wants to spend. Pact for PA outlines five key budgetary principles: no tax increases, no additional state debt, preserving the Rainy Day Fund for its original intent, stabilizing existing financial obligations and enacting proactive tax reform to improve Pennsylvania's job climate. Lawmakers point to these principles as being essential for the state to move toward long-term fiscal stability and economic growth. For the latest legislative news, visit PAHouseGOP.com
Lawmakers Seek to Reduce Welfare Fraud During Tough Budget Year
House Republicans are renewing calls for legislation to enact stricter controls on the distribution of welfare funding following the recent arrest of 16 state and City of Philadelphia employees involved in a half-million dollar fraud operation. Legislation sponsored by Rep. Bryan Cutler (R-Peach Bottom) to address several lax policies in the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) has already been introduced. House Bill 1638 would require photo identification to be issued to LIHEAP recipients, establish a computerized income eligibility verification system to reduce fraud and duplication, create a case review system and establish an Office of Program Compliance for LIHEAP. The legislation is currently awaiting consideration by the House Health and Human Services Committee.
Hearing Shows Need for Unemployment Compensation Overhaul
The House Republican Policy Committee, chaired by Rep. Stan Saylor (R-York), recently held a fact-finding hearing on unemployment compensation issues in Pennsylvania. The hearing was led by Rep. Bob Mensch (R-Montgomery), who is proposing several reforms to the system. The legislation would help the unemployed find a job in their field by requiring registration with PA CareerLink; enabling departing employees to receive benefits immediately following the allowance of a severance pay period; and changing how weekly benefit rates are calculated. Testimony offered at the hearing also highlighted the potential for an estimated $2 billion in cost overruns through 2016 as a result of a diminished Unemployment Trust Fund if steps are not taken to address ballooning expenses.
Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
House Republicans Pledge to Fight Income Tax Hike
Gov. Ed Rendell this week called on the General Assembly to increase the Personal Income Tax by 16.28 percent to generate $1.5 billion in new revenue. The increase is expected to cost a Pennsylvania family earning $50,000 a year about $250 annually. House Republicans have rejected the necessity of such a tax increase, and instead say state government must live within its means. Additionally, another week has passed in the Democrat-controlled House with no legislative action to bring a budget proposal to the House floor, making the prospect for enacting a state budget prior to the June 30 deadline virtually impossible. House Republicans are committed to controlling spending and ensuring that already-anxious families are not saddled with higher income taxes. For the latest state budget news, visit PAHouseGOP.com
Lawmakers Outline 'Pact with PA' to Reform Budget Process in Pennsylvania
Several House and Senate Republicans gathered this week to unveil the "Pact with PA" proposal, an agreement between state legislators and taxpayers to redefine the state's budgeting process to reflect what people can afford to pay instead of what government wants to spend. Pact for PA outlines five key budgetary principles: no tax increases, no additional state debt, preserving the Rainy Day Fund for its original intent, stabilizing existing financial obligations and enacting proactive tax reform to improve Pennsylvania's job climate. Lawmakers point to these principles as being essential for the state to move toward long-term fiscal stability and economic growth. For the latest legislative news, visit PAHouseGOP.com
Lawmakers Seek to Reduce Welfare Fraud During Tough Budget Year
House Republicans are renewing calls for legislation to enact stricter controls on the distribution of welfare funding following the recent arrest of 16 state and City of Philadelphia employees involved in a half-million dollar fraud operation. Legislation sponsored by Rep. Bryan Cutler (R-Peach Bottom) to address several lax policies in the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) has already been introduced. House Bill 1638 would require photo identification to be issued to LIHEAP recipients, establish a computerized income eligibility verification system to reduce fraud and duplication, create a case review system and establish an Office of Program Compliance for LIHEAP. The legislation is currently awaiting consideration by the House Health and Human Services Committee.
Hearing Shows Need for Unemployment Compensation Overhaul
The House Republican Policy Committee, chaired by Rep. Stan Saylor (R-York), recently held a fact-finding hearing on unemployment compensation issues in Pennsylvania. The hearing was led by Rep. Bob Mensch (R-Montgomery), who is proposing several reforms to the system. The legislation would help the unemployed find a job in their field by requiring registration with PA CareerLink; enabling departing employees to receive benefits immediately following the allowance of a severance pay period; and changing how weekly benefit rates are calculated. Testimony offered at the hearing also highlighted the potential for an estimated $2 billion in cost overruns through 2016 as a result of a diminished Unemployment Trust Fund if steps are not taken to address ballooning expenses.
Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
More proof of liberal media bias
Conservatives for Patients' Rights has poured over federal election records and found that ABC network employees contributed to Barack Obama's presidential campaign by a ratio of 35-1 over John McCain. That's right: 35-1!!!!!! No liberal bias in the news media, right?
The point of the research is to show that the corrupt liberal media is working hand-in-hand with the Obama administration to force the United States into a European-style government health care program.
CPR has lists of contribution posted at its Web site, www.cprights.org
All this might explain why ABC is turning over free air time to Barack Obama to promote his socialized health care plan.
From Tom Blumer's post at NewsBusters:
Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
The point of the research is to show that the corrupt liberal media is working hand-in-hand with the Obama administration to force the United States into a European-style government health care program.
CPR has lists of contribution posted at its Web site, www.cprights.org
All this might explain why ABC is turning over free air time to Barack Obama to promote his socialized health care plan.
From Tom Blumer's post at NewsBusters:
Julia A. Seymour of the Media Research Center's Business & Media Institute (BMI) pointed to a fact-check done by her group showing that "from January 20 to June 16 those quoted in health care stories on ABC's morning and evening news shows favored ObamaCare by a 3-to-1 margin (55 supporters to 18 critics)."See: Why ABC Goes OBC on Health Care; Follow the Presidential Campaign Money (35-to-1 Obama-McCain)
Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
Victims of government-run health care
What the Obama Administration and its media allies are not telling you about the move to socialized medicine is shocking.
Check out http://www.facesofgovernmenthealthcare.com/
Check out http://www.facesofgovernmenthealthcare.com/
Congress keeps spending your money
Life is good for members of Congress and their staffers.
Despite the recession and continued mismanagement of the economy by politicians that resulted in 14.5 million Americans losing their jobs and the net worth of the nation sinking $1.33 trillion in just the first quarter of 2009, members of Congress continue to live high on the hog -- at taxpayer expense.
It's not just Nancy Pelosi and her jumbo jet. It's all 435 members of the House, according to a new report by Politico.
From a Politico expose on how Congress is spending more on itself:
Here's an idea: Why don't we lay off Congress until the economy turns around?
Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
Despite the recession and continued mismanagement of the economy by politicians that resulted in 14.5 million Americans losing their jobs and the net worth of the nation sinking $1.33 trillion in just the first quarter of 2009, members of Congress continue to live high on the hog -- at taxpayer expense.
It's not just Nancy Pelosi and her jumbo jet. It's all 435 members of the House, according to a new report by Politico.
From a Politico expose on how Congress is spending more on itself:
While businesses across the country are cutting back, members of the House saw their own office budgets increase by an average of 7 percent between 2008 and 2009.Read the full story, "Hard times, but not in the House," at Politico.
An office's budget — called the Member's Representational Allowance — is meant to cover the day-to-day costs of running a congressional office: staff payroll, travel expenses, rent for district offices and the like. The average MRA for 2009 is nearly $1.5 million, up almost $100,000 over 2008.
While House members have given up the automatic pay raise they would have gotten for 2010, they haven’t turned down the 7 percent hike in their 2009 MRAs — an increase that outstrips the inflation rate, the consumer price index and the 5.8 percent cost-of-living adjustment for recipients of Social Security.
There appears to be no organized movement to freeze the MRAs.
Here's an idea: Why don't we lay off Congress until the economy turns around?
Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
Friday, June 19, 2009
Rendell's retroacive $2B tax hike will ruin PA business climate
Gov. Ed Rendell just can't help himself. He's a spendoholic. He's addicted to spending other people's money. And he gets that money through taxes.
A day after warning that Rendell's proposed income tax hike would cut at least 24,000 jobs in the state, a coalition of business leaders is sounding the alarm about Rendell's retroactive $2 billion tax increase that would further damage Pennsylvania's economic recovery.
The National Federation of Independent Business/Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Business Council, the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, and the Pennsylvania Manufacturers' Association joined together to issue a statement criticizing Rendell's plan to retroactively increase the Capital Stock and Franchise Tax (CSFT) to 2.89 mills and lock that higher rate in place.
That move would inflict at least $2 billion in additional taxes on the productive sector over the next three years, the business group says.
From a release issued by the coalition:
From the group's release:
A day after warning that Rendell's proposed income tax hike would cut at least 24,000 jobs in the state, a coalition of business leaders is sounding the alarm about Rendell's retroactive $2 billion tax increase that would further damage Pennsylvania's economic recovery.
The National Federation of Independent Business/Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Business Council, the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, and the Pennsylvania Manufacturers' Association joined together to issue a statement criticizing Rendell's plan to retroactively increase the Capital Stock and Franchise Tax (CSFT) to 2.89 mills and lock that higher rate in place.
That move would inflict at least $2 billion in additional taxes on the productive sector over the next three years, the business group says.
From a release issued by the coalition:
"Pennsylvania is one of the only states in the nation to tax both business income and business assets," said David N. Taylor, executive director of the Pennsylvania Manufacturers' Association. "Because the CSFT is essentially a property tax, employers are forced to pay it even in times like these when they're losing money. With all of the challenges facing employers in this recession, the CSFT phase-out is the last pro-growth element in the state budget and sacrificing it now will only delay Pennsylvania's economic recovery."The business groups noted that Rendell himself opposed delaying these tax cuts earlier this year.
PA Chamber Vice President Gene Barr noted that the CSFT phase-out was enacted due to widespread bipartisan acknowledgment that the tax is unfair because it has no relation to a company's profitability.
"The last thing we should be doing is delaying again the elimination of this major deterrent to business livelihood and growth. We have to make sure job creators come out of the economic downturn positioned for recovery," Barr said.
From the group's release:
In his remarks, Gov. Rendell claimed: "I am not – I repeat - I am not raising taxes on businesses. I am proposing that – in this recession – we delay further business tax cuts." But by raising the CSFT from 1.89 mills – the rate the Department of Revenue has collected from employers since January 1, 2009 – to 2.89 mills, Rendell is indisputably raising taxes on businesses.Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
As Rendell might recall from his February 4, 2009 budget address, delaying the CSFT phase-out is a bad idea because "rais[ing] these taxes at this time could cause a reduction in much-needed spending and business investment."
"The global recession is painful for everyone," said Pennsylvania Business Council President & CEO David W. Patti, "but it will end and when it does, Pennsylvania cannot be less competitive than it was before. In a global economy, employers 'shop price' and Pennsylvania is an expensive place to do business. Failing to end this tax now will make Pennsylvania even less attractive."
In its 2009 "Rich States, Poor States" report, the American Legislative Exchange Council ranked Pennsylvania’s economic performance as 46th in the nation and Pennsylvania's economic outlook as 42nd. From 2005 through 2008, Pennsylvania's Gross Domestic Product grew at less than 3/4th of the national average.
"The sooner we eliminate the Capitol Stock and Franchise tax, the sooner we can eliminate other costly corporate welfare programs that Pennsylvania now needs to lure business to the Commonwealth," said NFIB State Director Kevin Shivers.
PA unemployment at 8.2%
Another 18,000 Pennsylvania residents lost their jobs in May, bringing the state's unemployment rate to 8.2 percent, up from 7.8 percent the previous month, according to the latest numbers released by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry.
Pennsylvania has lost 185,000 jobs since May 2008. The 8.2% unemployment rate is the highest the state has seen since 1985.
Despite the continuing recession, Gov. Ed Rendell wants to raise taxes on working Pennsylvanians and small business owners.
A coalition of business and industry groups predicts the loss of an additional 24,000 jobs if Gov. Rendell is successful in persuading the Pennsylvania Legislature to increase the state's income tax by 16 percent to help make up for the $3.2 billion budget deficit Rendell has run up in the past year.
For more labor statistics, click on the link below:
Pennsylvania's Employment Situation: May 2009
Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
Pennsylvania has lost 185,000 jobs since May 2008. The 8.2% unemployment rate is the highest the state has seen since 1985.
Despite the continuing recession, Gov. Ed Rendell wants to raise taxes on working Pennsylvanians and small business owners.
A coalition of business and industry groups predicts the loss of an additional 24,000 jobs if Gov. Rendell is successful in persuading the Pennsylvania Legislature to increase the state's income tax by 16 percent to help make up for the $3.2 billion budget deficit Rendell has run up in the past year.
For more labor statistics, click on the link below:
Pennsylvania's Employment Situation: May 2009
Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
Tell Rep. McIlvaine Smith not to raise your taxes
Rep. Barbara McIlvaine Smith is a Democrat who represents the 156th House District in Chester County.McIlvaine Smith has an important vote to cast on behalf of the residents of the 156th District. Gov. Ed Rendell wants to spend $29 billion for the 2009-10 fiscal year. The only way to balance Rendell's budget is through major tax increases. Rendell's current budget is expected to finish $3.2 billion in the red but he still wants to spend more of your money next year.
McIlvaine Smith is being pressured by Rendell and the Democratic party bosses in Harrisburg to raise taxes on his constituents to continue the out-of-control spending in Harrisburg.
If you live in the 156th House District -- the borough of West Chester; the townships of East Goshen and West Goshen; part of East Bradford Township (South 1 and South 2 precincts) -- you need to remind Rep. McIlvaine Smith that if she votes to raise your taxes, she will not receive your vote in 2010 when she seeks re-election.
You can send an e-mail through his Web site http://www.pahouse.com/bsmith or use the following contact information:
Hon. Barbara McIlvaine Smith
107 East Chestnut Street
West Chester, PA 19380
(610) 696-4990
Fax: (610) 738-2163
Hon. Barbara McIlvaine Smith
121A East Wing
PO Box 202156
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2156
(717) 705-1922
Fax: (717) 780-4778
Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
Obama finds new job for Tom Daschle
Would this be the same Tom Daschle who failed to pay his income taxes? Yes it is, but this time Obama gave him a job without needing Senate confirmation.
Senator Tom Daschle Appointed as Member of Commission on White House Fellowships
Senator Tom Daschle Appointed as Member of Commission on White House Fellowships
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Earns Highest Combined US News Score in 10 Specialties Ranked by U.S. News & World Report
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Coalition: Rendell tax hike would kill 24,000 PA jobs
Somebody should tell Gov. Ed Rendell there's a recession going on.
With tens of thousands of Pennsylvania residents out of work and businesses closing their doors every day, the last thing the state needs to do is raise taxes on workers and small business owners.
That's the message a group of business leaders want to send to Gov. Rendell and the Pennsylvania Legislature as state officials get closer to the state's annual budget deadline.
The National Federation of Independent Business/Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Business Council, the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, and the Pennsylvania Manufacturers' Association issued a joint statement warning that a 16-percent increase in the state's personal income tax would result in the loss of 24,000 jobs.
And that's the short-term consequences, warn business leaders. Higher taxes will worsen the Commonwealth's budget and financial problems, and extend them deeper into the future, the business coalition says.
Gov. Rendell's tax hike also would reduce Pennsylvanians' disposable income by an estimated $1 billion, the group estimates.
Along with the personal income tax increase, Rendell also wants to impose new taxes on tobacco and the fledgling natural gas industry, the business leaders said. There is also a movement in the Legislature to allow counties to raise the state sales tax.
"When you tax something, you get less of it," NFIB state director Kevin Shivers said in a written statement. "The decline in sales tax revenues and income tax collections are a stark reminder that consumers are afraid to spend because they are worried about their jobs and economic uncertainty. Proposing new taxes now would have a chilling effect on Pennsylvania's economy."
More from Shivers:
With tens of thousands of Pennsylvania residents out of work and businesses closing their doors every day, the last thing the state needs to do is raise taxes on workers and small business owners.
That's the message a group of business leaders want to send to Gov. Rendell and the Pennsylvania Legislature as state officials get closer to the state's annual budget deadline.
The National Federation of Independent Business/Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Business Council, the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, and the Pennsylvania Manufacturers' Association issued a joint statement warning that a 16-percent increase in the state's personal income tax would result in the loss of 24,000 jobs.
And that's the short-term consequences, warn business leaders. Higher taxes will worsen the Commonwealth's budget and financial problems, and extend them deeper into the future, the business coalition says.
Gov. Rendell's tax hike also would reduce Pennsylvanians' disposable income by an estimated $1 billion, the group estimates.
Along with the personal income tax increase, Rendell also wants to impose new taxes on tobacco and the fledgling natural gas industry, the business leaders said. There is also a movement in the Legislature to allow counties to raise the state sales tax.
"When you tax something, you get less of it," NFIB state director Kevin Shivers said in a written statement. "The decline in sales tax revenues and income tax collections are a stark reminder that consumers are afraid to spend because they are worried about their jobs and economic uncertainty. Proposing new taxes now would have a chilling effect on Pennsylvania's economy."
More from Shivers:
"Pennsylvania businesses already are being asked to pay $400 million in new payroll taxes to help pay down the $1 billion deficit in the state's unemployment fund. Raising the state income tax -- which is THE business tax for most small businesses -- would be especially harmful in the current climate and impede our ability to recover. Business will be forced to adapt to such dramatic losses in revenue by postponing new hiring, equipment purchases and upgrades; reducing work hours for current employees; and unfortunately cutting jobs."Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
'Talking Politics' on the radio today
Pottstown School Board members Nat White and Dennis Wausnock will the guests on "Talking Politics with Tony Phyrillas & Mike Pincus" Thursday at 5 p.m. on WPAZ 1370 AM
They will be discussing the the vote by the school board Thursday night on the $54 million budget, and the recommendation by the personnel committee to extend by three years the contracts of the district's four top administrators.
You can call the station with questions or comments at 610-326-4000.
If you can't receive the radio signal, you can listen to the broadcast online at www.pottsmerc.com or www.1370wpaz.com
They will be discussing the the vote by the school board Thursday night on the $54 million budget, and the recommendation by the personnel committee to extend by three years the contracts of the district's four top administrators.
You can call the station with questions or comments at 610-326-4000.
If you can't receive the radio signal, you can listen to the broadcast online at www.pottsmerc.com or www.1370wpaz.com
Rendell 'unhinged'
Leave it to Lowman S. Henry of The Lincoln Institute to put the state's annual budget morass under Gov. Ed Rendell into proper perspective.
From his latest post at Lincoln Blog:
Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
From his latest post at Lincoln Blog:
The fact is Pennsylvania's budget woes were caused by Governor Ed Rendell himself along with both Republicans and Democrats in the General Assembly who went along with his profligate spending for way too many years. Our friends at the Commonwealth Foundation have pointed out that if state government had simply increased the budget each year by the rate of inflation we would currently have a budget SURPLUS. Instead, the budget went up at two, three, even four times the rate of inflation causing the current deficit.Read the full post at Lincoln Blog.
The proposed PIT hike is dead on arrival. The governor, unable to shake his spending addiction, is intent on triggering a budget stand-off.
So be it.
The time has come for Pennsylvania state government to tighten its financial belt and live within its means - just like the rest of us.
Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
Please No More Taxes! video contest winners
The Commonwealth Foundation has announced the winners of the Please, No More Taxes! video contest:
First Prize ($2,500): Colin Jones of Bethel Park
Second Prize ($1,000): Robert Madeley of Mohnton
Third Prize ($500): Spencer Folmar of Morrisdale
From a press release:
The Commonwealth Foundation sponsored the contest as a component of a campaign to raise awareness of Pennsylvania's punishing tax burden and the need for Gov. Rendell and the legislature to make it tolerable. Fourteen videos were submitted, each focusing on how Pennsylvania's heavy tax burden negatively impacts economic competitiveness with other states, wages, or the standard of living. A panel of judges rated how well each entrant's video incorporate humor, creativity, persuasiveness, and accuracy.The winning videos can be viewed at PleaseNoMoreTaxes.org/contest
All three winners are students. Matt Brouillette, president on the Commonwealth Foundation, said, "It's encouraging to see students who understand what some politicians in Harrisburg do not, that raising taxes in a recession will hurt businesses and people."
Jones and Madeley will be freshmen this fall at Pitt and Temple, respectively. Folmar will be a sophomore at Grove City College.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
'Pact with PA' puts taxpayers first
While Gov. Ed Rendell wants to saddle Pennsylvania's beleaguered taxpayers with a 16% increase in the personal income tax, a group of Republican lawmakers have announced the "Pact with PA" offering a road map to fiscal stability without tax hikes."The Pact with Pennsylvania is more than a promise made by the lawmakers who adopt it," said state Rep. Sam Rohrer, R-Berks. "It is a promise to their constituents that they will abide by the commonsense principles in the agreement. It is a basic fiscal framework that, if embraced, will assure a workable budget that meets not only the demands of the moment, but the uncertainties of the future."
The Pact is an agreement detailing the five principles that should guide lawmakers' actions during upcoming budget negotiations and the eventual budget vote. Those principles include:
1. No tax increases.
2. No additional state debt.
3. Rainy Day Fund: preserved for original intent.
4. Stabilize existing financial obligations.
5. Proactive tax reform to improve Pennsylvania’s job climate.
"We want a budget that protects the state's savings account, addresses long-term issues, promotes economic growth and that does not raise taxes or increase debt," said Rohrer, who addressed the need to avoid a tax increase as outlined in point No. 1 of the pact. "It is heartless to suggest that, while they're struggling to make it through an economic recession, the state should take more from Pennsylvanians through higher taxes. State lawmakers should not kick taxpayers while they're down. It is entirely inappropriate to add greater tax burdens to our citizens just because that is easier than living within our means."
The Pact has been endorsed Rep. Sam Rohrer (R-128), Republican chairman of the House Finance Committee; Rep. Gordon Denlinger (R-99), Republican chairman of the House Policy Committee Task Force on Budget and Economic Issues; Rep. Mike Turzai (R-28), House Republican whip; Sen. Pat Browne (R-16), Republican chairman of the Senate Finance Committee; and Sen. John H. Eichelberger Jr. (R-30), member of the Senate Finance Committee and chairman of the Senate Local Government Committee.
The legislators are encouraging their colleagues in the House and Senate, and the governor, to participate in the agreement between lawmakers and residents.
Copies of the "Pact with Pennsylvania" are available at Rohrer's Web site at SamRohrer.com
Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
Tax and Spendell
Stop me if you've heard this one before: Gov. Ed Rendell wants to raise your taxes.
The same governor who signed the second biggest income tax hike in state history when he first took office in 2003 wants to raise the state's personal income tax again.
It seems Gov. Rendell has spent all of the money the first tax hike brought in, so he'd like you (the few Pennsylvania residents who still have a job) to send more of your paycheck to him so he can spend it before he leaves office at the end of 2010.
Some good early reaction to Rendell's idiotic plan to raise taxes during a recession from conservative bloggers.
From POLICY BLOG:
The same governor who signed the second biggest income tax hike in state history when he first took office in 2003 wants to raise the state's personal income tax again.
It seems Gov. Rendell has spent all of the money the first tax hike brought in, so he'd like you (the few Pennsylvania residents who still have a job) to send more of your paycheck to him so he can spend it before he leaves office at the end of 2010.
Some good early reaction to Rendell's idiotic plan to raise taxes during a recession from conservative bloggers.
From POLICY BLOG:
Governor Rendell announced today that to satisfy his appetite for more spending, he would like to increase Pennsylvania's Personal Income Tax (PIT) by 0.5 percentage points - to 3.57%.From Lincoln Blog:
As we announced yesterday, a PIT increase would cost thousands of Pennsylvania jobs.
Our updated analysis reveals that Rendell's latest proposed increase would cost 24,000 Pennsylvanians their jobs. This is on top of those jobs already lost during the current recession.
The movie "Hangover" continues to top the box office charts, and here in Harrisburg Governor Ed Rendell's pursuit of a new state budget is about as, well, juvenile.From Gunservatively:
Like the schoolyard bully given a wedgie, the governor is threatening to take the budget ball and hide in his room until he again gets his way. And he's willing to stay there until at least Labor Day, or so he says.
Yep, that's the latest from Rendell. Give me what I want or nobody gets anything. That is his response to legislative Republicans who have refused to roll over and give him new taxes, and who are insisting that the state trim the budget and spend within our means.
I don't call him "Rundown Rendell" for nothing. Fast Eddie continues to try to destroy the state of Pennsylvania with his old tired "tax and spend" philosophy. His latest idea: a 16% personal income tax increase. Another liberal-genius way to lose tens of thousands of Pennsylvania jobs that Pennsylvania doesn't have to lose to begin with.Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
Rep. Mensch: 'We need to cut costs – not balance the budget on the backs of working families
State Rep. Bob Mensch (R-Montgomery), a member of the House Republican Policy Committee Task Force on Budget and Economic Policy, issued the following statement as Gov. Ed Rendell traveled to Montgomery County Tuesday to promote a 16 percent state income tax to address projected state budget shortfalls: "Raising taxes on Pennsylvania workers who are already hard hit by the economic crisis is not the answer," said Mensch. "We have thousands of residents who are losing jobs, working reduced hours, and settling for lower paying employment. Raising income taxes now will only slow the economic recovery and further demoralize workers."State Rep. Bob Mensch represents the 147th Legislative District in Montgomery County. The district consist of the townships of Douglass, Lower Frederick, Marlborough, and parts of New Hanover, Perkiomen, Salford, Skippack, Upper Frederick, Upper Hanover, and Upper Salford. The district also includes the boroughs of East Greenville, Green Lane, Pennsburg, Red Hill and Schwenksville.
"The Governor's claims that the increase would be temporary, but he proposes to repeal the increase in three years -- at the same time the state will experience a cut off of federal stimulus dollars. That only sets the stage for these increases to be extended by policymakers. We need to make the difficult budget decisions now, not pass them off on taxpayers and then face similar budget shortfalls in another three years."
"Instead, Governor Rendell has proposed a $29 billion budget that increases spending by 4.3 percent over this year. He just signed a $201 million contract with a Minnesota firm to develop controversial standardized graduation exams for high schools students, a move that was never approved by the legislature. And the Administration failed to close on bids for Marcellus shale drilling that could have resulted in $31 million in revenues for the state budget. We need to cut costs – not balance the budget on the backs of working families."
Rep. Mensch is seeking consideration for the Republican nomination to run for the 24th District State Senate seat, which is being vacated by state Sen. Rob Wonderling. Wonderling is retiring in August to assume the role of president and chief executive of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce.
Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
Tell Rep. Boyle not to raise your taxes
Rep. Brendan F. Boyle is a freshman Democrat who represents the 170th House District in Montgomery County and Philadelphia.Boyle has served in the Legislature for five months. His first major vote will be on Gov. Ed Rendell's $29 billion budget for the 2009-10 fiscal year. The only way to balance Rendell's budget is through major tax increases. Rendell's current budget is expected to finish $3.2 billion in the red but he still wants to spend more of your money next year.
Boyle, who campaigned for property tax relief and a promise to look out for the middle class, is being pressured by Rendell and the Democratic party bosses in Harrisburg to raise taxes on his constituents to continue the out-of-control spending in Harrisburg.
How is raising taxes on working families going to help the middle class, Rep. Boyle?
If you live in the 170th House District -- the township of Abington (PART, Ward 02 [PART, Division 01]) and the borough of Rockledge and Part of Philadelphia County consisting of the City of Philadelphia (PART, Wards 35 [PART, Divisions 02, 03, 05 and 32], 53 [PART, Divisions 20 and 21], 56 [PART, Divisions 04, 07, 08, 09, 10 and 33], 58 [PART, Divisions 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 09, 10, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 29, 31, 32, 35, 36, 37, 39, 40, 41 and 43], 63 [PART, Divisions 02, 06, 08 and 21] and 66 [PART, Divisions 02, 04, 05, 06, 09, 16, 22 and 34]) -- you need to remind Rep. Boyle that if he votes to raise your taxes, he will not receive your vote in 2010 when he seeks re-election.
You can send an e-mail through his Web site http://www.pahouse.com/Boyle or use the following contact information:
Hon. Brendan F. Boyle
14230 Bustleton Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19116
(215) 676-0300
Fax: (215) 676-0310
Hon. Brendan F. Boyle
7215B Rising Sun Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19111
(215) 342-1700
Fax: (215) 342-2120
Hon. Brendan F. Boyle
101A East Wing
PO Box 202170
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2170
(717) 787-3055
Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Montco GOP prepares for civil war
I predicted a schism in the Montgomery County Republican Party over the 24th District state Senate race in a June 8 column you can read here.Below is a copy of a letter state Rep. Bob Mensch sent over the weekend to Montgomery County GOP Chairman Bob Kerns regarding the soon-to-be vacated 24th state Senate seat held by Rob Wonderling.
It appears Rep. Mensch, who was the first to announce he is running for the Senate seat, initially had the support of Kerns until Montgomery County Commissioner Bruce L. Castor Jr. also expressed interest in the seat.
From the tone of the note, it appears Kerns is favoring Castor over Mensch. Castor has not announced his candidacy yet, but is expected to enter the race. A third Republican, former state Rep. Jay Moyer, is also planning to run, but nobody is paying much attention to Moyer.
Here is Mensch's June 14 letter to Kerns:
Bob,
I was honored and flattered when you called me on June 1st to ask me to run for the 24th Senatorial District as your, County Chairman's, candidate. However, since then I've been disappointed that you have decided instead to campaign full time for Bruce Castor, so I guess your commitment to me on June 1st wasn't really worth very much.
I'm not going to recount all the incidents and occurrences in the past two weeks, but there is one large issue which screams foul, and that is the total lack of integrity to send me a copy of the poll that you insist on running to favor Castor. On several occasions, and notably, in front of others on June 5th at Republican State Committee you promised me a copy, but I've not yet received one. I understand that the other County Chairmen (Bucks, Lehigh and Northampton) have received theirs as well as Jay Moyer. I've emailed you several times asking for a copy, but to no avail. Then, earlier this evening I received a voice mail from someone by the name Ken Gates, with the message that I need to respond by tomorrow morning with any comments or changes on the poll. Funny thing though, he called from a private number and didn't leave an email or a phone number for me to respond. He said he sent a copy to me via email, but I have not received one in either of my emails, and he will be unable to present a verifiable receipt that he did. At this point, this just seems to be one more purposeful deceit in this process.
I have no doubt, despite your first commitment to me, you will continue to try to create every advantage for Castor in this polling process. Regardless, I will continue to pursue the nomination, even though I fully realize you are stacking the deck for Castor in Montgomery County. You know if Bruce is so serious about public service in the State legislature, why don't you first encourage him to run for the House seat in the 70th, which was lost by the Republicans in the last election.
You have my cell and you have my email. I expect to hear from you before this poll "goes to press". My previous two emails to you have not been responded to, but I expect that you will respond to this message.
Sincerely
Bob Mensch
Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
Columnist: Obama 'stimulus' has failed
Nearly half of Americans have concluded that Barack Obama's so-called "stimulus" bill has failed to provide the promised jobs, according to recent polling.New government unemployment numbers showing 14.5 million Americans out of work backs up that belief.
So why continue the charade of spending nearly $1 trillion on a failed plan?
That's what Donald Lambro, chief political correspondent of The Washington Times, is asking, too.
From his latest column:
There has been an enormous amount of exaggeration by the Obama administration about the number of jobs being created by the spending stimulus. But the American people seem to understand that Obama's massive spending scheme isn't performing as he said it would and that it should be stopped.Read the full column, Stimulus has failed, here.
The Federal Reserve expects the recession to end sometime later this year, but the stimulus program will continue on — spending the lion's share of its funds in 2010 and on into 2011 for no legitimate reason.
We are fast approaching the point where it will be time to pull the plug on what has turned out to be a non-stimulus spending program that has done more harm than good.
Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
Tell Rep. Briggs not to raise your taxes
Rep. Tim Briggs is a freshman Democrat who represents the 149th House District in Montgomery County.Briggs has served in the Legislature for five months. His first major vote will be on Gov. Ed Rendell's $29 billion budget for the 2009-10 fiscal year. The only way to balance Rendell's budget is through major tax increases. Rendell's current budget is expected to finish $3.2 billion in the red but he still wants to spend more of your money next year.
Briggs is being pressured by Rendell and the Democratic party bosses in Harrisburg to raise taxes on his constituents to continue the out-of-control spending in Harrisburg.
If you live in the 149th House District -- King of Prussia, Swedesburg, Swedeland, Gulph Mills, Villanova, Rosemont, Bryn Mawr, Haverford, Ardmore, Wynnewood, and Penn Wynne, the townships of Lower Merion (PART), and Upper Merion, and the boroughs of West Conshohocken, and Bridgeport -- you need to remind Rep. Briggs that if he votes to raise your taxes, he will not receive your vote in 2010 when he seeks re-election.
You can send an e-mail through his Web site http://www.pahouse.com/Briggs or use the following contact information:
Hon. Tim Briggs
677 West DeKalb Pike
2nd Floor
King of Prussia, PA 19406-3065
(610) 768-3135
Fax: (610) 768-3112
Hon. Tim Briggs
06 East Wing
PO Box 202149
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2149
(717) 705-7011
Fax: (717) 772-9860
Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
'Borough on the Brink' Part II
Drastic cuts in personnel is the only way to get Pottstown out of its current financial mess, according to a consultant.Day 2 of a series in The Pottstown Mercury on the dire financial woes facing Pottstown focuses on the borough's administrative team.
With tax revenues declining, a small community like Pottstown cannot afford to have so many high-paid administrators, the consulting firm says.
From a story by reporter Evan Brandt:
The report calls for broad changes, perhaps the most significant of which are an elimination of the police dispatching office and the merger of the Pottstown Borough Authority and the Public Works Department.Read the full story, "Report calls for borough downsizing," at the newspaper's Web site.
Among the high-ranking borough positions which Cincinnati-based Management Partners Inc. has recommended eliminating are the Public Works Director, a post now held by long-time director Doug Yerger, and Assistant Borough Manager, currently occupied by Jason Bobst.
For a look at the first part of the series, click here.
Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
Monday, June 15, 2009
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Pottstown 'on the brink'
The Pottstown Mercury is running a two-day series examing the dire future facing small communities like Pottstown, a former industrial town on the western edge of Montgomery County that hasn't been able to figure out where it wants to go. High taxes, a transient population and inept local government have combined to lead Pottstown to the "brink," according to a story by reporter Evan Brandt, who has been covering the borough for more than a decade.
From Brandt's story:
Property taxes going up 75 percent. Water rates increasing by 25 percent, and sewer rates jumping 19 percent. And that is the scenario with no employee raises or capital investment.Read the full story, "Report to Pottstown: Taxes could go up 75%" at The Mercury's Web site.
That is Pottstown's future five years from now if the borough does not change the way it does business, according to a long-awaited consultant's report examining the borough's finances and functions over the past several months.
Presented to borough council last Monday night, the 141-page report was written by the Cincinnati-based firm of Management Partners Inc. and was prepared with a grant from the state's Early Intervention Program, designed to help struggling municipalities stave off financial disaster.
According to the report, disaster is but a few bad decisions away, starting with a tax rate that jumps from the current 5.2 mills to a millage of 9.08.
"Clearly, we're not saying that's tolerable," said Julia D. Novak, the consultant's regional vice president.
Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
Auditor General Jack Wagner to Address Centre County Business Chamber on His Role, Responsibilities in Pennsylvania Economy
As Obama Makes Pitch to AMA, the Group Tries to Call in its Political Investment in Congress
The American Medical Association has spent $204.4 million to influence Congress and Administrations over the last 10 years, and another $26.2 million in campaign contributions over the last two decades, according to a Public Campaign Action Fund review of data at the Center for Responsive Politics Web site.
Read the group's full release at the link below:
Backgrounder: As Obama Makes Pitch to AMA, the Group Tries to Call in its Political Investment in Congress
Read the group's full release at the link below:
Backgrounder: As Obama Makes Pitch to AMA, the Group Tries to Call in its Political Investment in Congress
Sunday, June 14, 2009
'The Real Story Behind Jobs in America'
The Real Story Behind Jobs in America
By Rep. Jim Jordan
From what we've seen recently, there is a huge difference between what the administration promised when they pushed the stimulus, what they predicted the stimulus would do, what they claim it has done, and what they have actually delivered. Here are just three of the promises, predictions and claims from the White House:
PROMISED: The administration PROMISED that the stimulus would SAVE OR CREATE 1.5 million jobs in 2009 alone.
DELIVERED: In reality, 2.2 million Americans have lost their jobs since Obama took office. Even if the administration has "saved or created" 150,000 jobs, the economy still has a net loss of over 2 Million jobs.
How can this administration TAKE CREDIT for 150,000 jobs "saved or created?" Where are these jobs? Who has them? The American people have good reason to ask these questions of a president who promised "unprecedented transparency."
PREDICTED: The administration PREDICTED that the stimulus would keep unemployment from rising above 8%. (Insert Chart 1)
DELIVERED: Last week, the Labor Department released the latest job numbers. By the end of May 2009, unemployment had spiked to 9.4%, higher than any point since 1983. (Insert Chart 2- Graph actual)
CLAIMED: The administration CLAIMED this week to have "saved or created 150,000 jobs."
DELIVERED: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2.2 million Americans have LOST their jobs since Obama took office.
That amounts to more than just fuzzy math… its fraudulent math.
Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) is a featured NetRight Nation contributor.
For more on the Obama recession, check out GetLiberty.org
Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
Tell Rep. Houghton not to raise your taxes
Rep. Tom Houghton is a freshman Democrat who represents the 13th House District in Chester County.Houghton has served in the Legislature for five months. His first major vote will be on Gov. Ed Rendell's $29 billion budget for the 2009-10 fiscal year. The only way to balance Rendell's budget is through major tax increases. Rendell's current budget is expected to finish $3.2 billion in the red but he still wants to spend more of your money next year.
Houghton campaigned on the promise of reducing property taxes but he is being pressured by Rendell and the Democratic party bosses in Harrisburg to raise taxes on his constituents to continue the out-of-control spending in Harrisburg.
If you live in the 13th House District -- the townships of East Fallowfield, East Nottingham, Elk, Franklin, Highland, London Grove, Londonderry, Lower Oxford, New London, Penn, Sadsbury, Upper Oxford, West Fallowfield, West Nottingham and West Sadsbury and the boroughs of Atglen, Modena, Oxford, Parkesburg, South Coatesville and West Grove -- you need to remind Rep. Houghton that if he votes to raise your taxes, he will not receive your vote in 2010 when he seeks re-election.
You can send an e-mail through his Web site http://www.pahouse.com/Houghton or use the following contact information:
Hon. Tom Houghton
3157 Limestone Road
Suite 101
Cochranville, PA 19330
(610) 593-6565
Fax: (610) 593-7041
Hon. Tom Houghton
121B East Wing
PO Box 202013
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2013
(717) 772-2426
Fax: (717) 787-6727
Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
Thank Obama for rising gas prices
Be sure to thank Obama next time you fill up your tank.
From The Associated Press:
Prices at the pump rise for the 45th consecutive day
NEW YORK - Gas prices rose Friday for the 45th consecutive day as summer travelers hit the highways and refineries hold back on fuel production.We are in the middle of the worst economic slowdown in more than 50 years. There are 14.5 million Americans out of work. Who is driving? There are no jobs to drive to. Demand for gas is down. So why is the price heading to $3 a gallon?
Pump prices added less than a penny overnight to a new national average of $2.639 a gallon, according to auto club AAA, Wright Express and Oil Price Information Service.
Crude prices are surging as well, but not as consistently as gasoline.
We do know Obama broke a campaign promise to allow offshore drilling.
Do you think Obama is manipulating the price of gas so he can push his global warming agenda? He's already taken over the auto industry. What makes you think he's no driving up the price of gas?
Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
Bruce Castor on Judge Sonia Sotomayor
A guest column by Montgomery County Commissioner Bruce L. Castor Jr., a former two-term Montgomery County District Attorney, about Judge Sonia Sotomayor's position on the death penalty and how it could impact a case involving a notorious Pennsylvania killer.Judge Sotomayor, the death penalty and Pennsylvania
By Bruce L. Castor Jr.
Having served in law enforcement for 22 years, experience has afforded me the opportunity to observe (sometimes close up and sometimes from afar) some of the worst killers in Pennsylvania. Nearly all of my career was spent investigating and prosecuting homicides.
This fall, the United States Supreme Court will be reviewing a case of one of the Commonwealth’s “worst.”
In 1983, Joseph Kindler was convicted and sentenced to death for murdering a witness against him in a burglary. Since his conviction, Kindler escaped from jail. Not just once, but twice!
The reason Kindler's case reached the U.S. Supreme Court is a little complicated.
Basically, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court took the position that since Kindler was "on the lam" during the time within which he could have appealed his conviction, he waived his right to ask for a higher court to review his case since the time period for filing the appeal had expired. Nevertheless, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that there was sufficient evidence upon which to base Kindler's conviction and further that the death penalty was appropriately imposed under the law.
The U.S Supreme Court declined to review the Pennsylvania Supreme Court's decision. However, another federal court later ruled that it was not bound by the Pennsylvania finding that the killer had waived his appeal rights by escaping. That court went on to decide in Kindler's favor and ordered him off of death row.
The United States Supreme Court will shortly be called upon to make a decision on whether the Pennsylvania Supreme Court is the final arbiter of Pennsylvania's laws or does a federal court have the final say on the interpretation of a Pennsylvania statute.
Ultimately, whatever its decision, the Supreme Court will set a strong precedent for how our states are permitted to deter and punish violent criminals in our society.
Enter President Obama and his nominee for the Supreme Court: Judge Sonia Sotomayor.
When going through the confirmation process in the United States Senate to become a Supreme Court Justice, nominees are asked to "[s]upply four(4) copies of any reports, memoranda, or policy statements you prepared or contributed to the preparation of on behalf of any bar association, committee, conference, or organization of which you were or are a member or in which you have participated."
Judge Sotomayor neglected to include a memo she authored concerning the death penalty where she urged public opposition to the reinstatement of the death penalty in New York while she was the director of a Puerto Rican advocacy group in the early 1980s.
The memo makes a number of controversial assertions about the death penalty, including "capital punishment is associated with evident racism in our society."
Since then, Judge Sotomayor served on the federal bench for 17 years without having to address the death penalty.
What is clear is that the assertions Judge Sotomayor outlined in her memo opposing the death penalty are in stark contrast to how most Americans feel. According to recent polling, close to 70 percent of Americans support the death penalty under the proper circumstances.
What is not clear is how Judge Sotomayor will side on the Kindler case this fall should she be confirmed.
Would Judge Sotomayor side with the Pennsylvania jury, Pennsylvania law enforcement and courts that took a stand against a violent criminal and clear escape risk? Or, will she side against Pennsylvanians and allow a federal court to take a murderous criminal off death row where Pennsylvanians decided he belonged?
The beliefs of law enforcement officials match very closely with public opinion when it comes to judicial philosophy. Judges are supposed to read and interpret the law, not write the law.
Judge Sotomayor's out-of-court statements about her judicial philosophy, including her claim that the appeals court is "where policy is made" are cause for serious concern.
Furthermore, Judge Sotomayor's cases have a relatively high reversal rate. Could this be attributable to judicial activism or latent biases? The burden lies on the United States Senate to review Judge Sotomayor's judicial record. We need Senators Casey and Specter to ask the tough questions.
Combining her tendency toward judicial activism and her beliefs about the death penalty, Pennsylvanians should recognize that Judge Sotomayor's nomination will have an impact on their lives. Judge Sotomayor's opposition could swing the Supreme Court on critical issues pertaining to the death penalty.
In addition to the Kindler case, the Supreme Court will also hear two more cases pertaining to the death penalty this fall.
While these three cases should not present the opportunity to overturn the death penalty, the Supreme Court’s decisions could certainly further restrict law enforcement and the criminal justice system that we all depend on to keep our families safe.
So, please pay attention to the nomination of Judge Sotomayor and urge our United States senators to ask the questions all of us should know the answers to about her record.
She absolutely should receive a fair hearing before the Senate, but that hearing must address lingering questions of judicial activism and opposition to the death penalty. These are of concern to many Pennsylvanians and need to be fully explored.
Bruce L. Castor Jr. is a former Montgomery County District Attorney and current Montgomery County commissioner. He is a member of the bar of the United States Supreme Court, the District of Columbia Court of Appeals, and the Federal District Court. He is past President of the Pennsylvania District Attorneys' Association, a member the Pennsylvania and Montgomery Bar Associations, a charter member of the Pennsylvania Homicide Investigators' Association, and a member of Pennsylvania's Police Hall of Fame.
Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
Saturday, June 13, 2009
State Capitol Roundup
Here's this week's State Capitol Roundup provided by state Rep. Bob Mensch (R-147):
House Democrats Defeat Responsible State Budget in Committee
The Democrat majority on the House Appropriations Committee voted against a Senate-endorsed, fiscally responsible budget this week. The $27.3 billion spending plan was rejected on a party-line vote, with opponents claiming its spending cuts were too deep and would harm public education and other government initiatives. House Republicans are advocating a responsible budget that recognizes the limitations imposed by the struggling economy while ensuring the state's core government operations continue. House Democrats and the Rendell administration continue to push for a $29 billion budget that spends beyond our means and could only be implemented with a substantial income or sales tax increase. The current fiscal year ends June 30.
Democrats' Universal Health Care Plan Poised for House Vote
A proposal to expand state government's role in the health care industry is poised for a final vote in the House next week. Under House Bill 1, the state's adultBasic program, which provides health insurance for certain low-income individuals, would nearly triple in size. House Republicans are concerned that the plan helps only a small segment of the uninsured population and fails to address the underlying causes of skyrocketing health care costs. They also question funding the program with several one-time funding sources and a tax on people who have private insurance. Republicans are instead focused on comprehensive health care reform that ensures affordable, accessible care for all Pennsylvanians. Visit PAHouseGOP.com and click on "health care" for more information.
Lawmakers Rally to Defeat Democrat Tax Hikes
More than 30 lawmakers were joined by citizens from across the Commonwealth this week as they rallied against higher taxes and wasteful state spending. The Pennsylvania State Capitol Taxpayers' Protest was held in response to comments from Gov. Ed Rendell and House Democrat leaders suggesting an increase in income or sales taxes to pay for a proposed state budget spending increase of $1.2 billion over the current year's spending. This increase in state spending comes at a time when state revenues are expected to be down by more than $3.2 billion by the end of the fiscal year. As budget negotiations continue in the coming weeks, House Republicans have pledged to stand firm against broad-based tax increases. For the latest legislative news, visit PAHouseGOP.com
Orignally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
House Democrats Defeat Responsible State Budget in Committee
The Democrat majority on the House Appropriations Committee voted against a Senate-endorsed, fiscally responsible budget this week. The $27.3 billion spending plan was rejected on a party-line vote, with opponents claiming its spending cuts were too deep and would harm public education and other government initiatives. House Republicans are advocating a responsible budget that recognizes the limitations imposed by the struggling economy while ensuring the state's core government operations continue. House Democrats and the Rendell administration continue to push for a $29 billion budget that spends beyond our means and could only be implemented with a substantial income or sales tax increase. The current fiscal year ends June 30.
Democrats' Universal Health Care Plan Poised for House Vote
A proposal to expand state government's role in the health care industry is poised for a final vote in the House next week. Under House Bill 1, the state's adultBasic program, which provides health insurance for certain low-income individuals, would nearly triple in size. House Republicans are concerned that the plan helps only a small segment of the uninsured population and fails to address the underlying causes of skyrocketing health care costs. They also question funding the program with several one-time funding sources and a tax on people who have private insurance. Republicans are instead focused on comprehensive health care reform that ensures affordable, accessible care for all Pennsylvanians. Visit PAHouseGOP.com and click on "health care" for more information.
Lawmakers Rally to Defeat Democrat Tax Hikes
More than 30 lawmakers were joined by citizens from across the Commonwealth this week as they rallied against higher taxes and wasteful state spending. The Pennsylvania State Capitol Taxpayers' Protest was held in response to comments from Gov. Ed Rendell and House Democrat leaders suggesting an increase in income or sales taxes to pay for a proposed state budget spending increase of $1.2 billion over the current year's spending. This increase in state spending comes at a time when state revenues are expected to be down by more than $3.2 billion by the end of the fiscal year. As budget negotiations continue in the coming weeks, House Republicans have pledged to stand firm against broad-based tax increases. For the latest legislative news, visit PAHouseGOP.com
Orignally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
Friday, June 12, 2009
Tell Rep. Kessler not to raise your taxes
Rep. David R. Kessler is in his second term representing the 130th House District in Berks County. Kessler, a Democrat, was elected to the House in 2006.His first major vote of 2009 will be on Gov. Ed Rendell's $29 billion budget for the 2009-10 fiscal year. The only way to balance Rendell's budget is through major tax increases. Rendell's current budget is expected to finish $3.2 billion in the red but he still wants to spend more of your money next year.
Kessler campaigned on the promise of reducing property taxes but he is being pressured by Rendell and the Harrisburg party bosses to raise taxes on his constituents to continue the out-of-control spending in the State Capitol.
If you live in the 130th House District -- the townships of Amity, Colebrookdale, Douglass, Earl, Exeter (PART, Districts 01, 03, 06 and 07), Oley, Pike, Rockland, Ruscombmanor and Union and the boroughs of Birdsboro, Boyertown and Fleetwood -- you need to remind Rep. Kessler that if he votes to raise your taxes in 2009, he will not receive your vote in 2010 when he seeks re-election.
You can send an e-mail through his Web site http://www.pahouse.com/kessler or use the following contact information:
Hon. David R. Kessler
2 Scholl Drive
Oley, PA 19547
(610) 987-0980
Fax: (610) 987-0798
Hon. David R. Kessler
53 Warwick Street
Boyertown, PA 19512
(610) 369-3010
Fax: (610) 369-3011
Hon. David R. Kessler
115A East Wing
PO Box 202130
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2130
(717) 787-2769
Fax: (717) 780-4768
Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
My Favorite Greek Singer
My favorite Greek singer, Glykeria, will be performing at the Foxwoods Casino Resort on Saturday, June 27, 2009. For more information, visit www.pathosinc.com
Obama moves left, Europe moves right
If Europe is moving to the center-right after decades of failed far-left socialism, why is Barack Obama taking the U.S. toward the European model? Just asking.
From an editorial, "The European vote: Left death knell," in The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:
From an editorial, "The European vote: Left death knell," in The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:
Pushing back against their continent's left-of-center "social democracy" tradition by rewarding center-right parties, European voters sent a message that should reverberate in Washington.Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
Of 736 seats in the European Parliament, center-right parties won 264, leftist parties 183 -- an endorsement, amid economic crisis, of fiscal restraint and less government intervention, hallmarks of traditional U.S. economic policy.
That American tradition has been upended by the bailouts, stimulus spending and virtual nationalizations engineered by President Obama and congressional Democrats. They should worry about whether the European vote foreshadows a similar rebuke of their free-spending, interventionist ways by U.S. voters in 2010's midterm elections.
Congressional Democrats also should worry about whether anti-leftist sentiment among American voters goes deeper than today's economic woes. It does in Europe, where parties opposed to the European Union, including some that want to abolish the very parliament in which they sought seats, also made notable gains.
The EU is social democracy writ large, so the European vote is a rejection of that failed, left-leaning political philosophy -- and a loud, clear warning to Washington power brokers that voters' tolerance for creeping socialism is nearing its end on both sides of the Atlantic.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
PA GOP launches www.GiveItBackArlen.com
The Republican Party of Pennsylvania has launched a new Web site, www.GiveItBackArlen.com, to allow Republican donors to more easily request a refund of their contribution from Senator Arlen Specter's campaign.
Specter announced last month he was switching to the Democratic Party in a last-ditch attempt to save his floundering political career.
"We have heard from a number of individuals who donated to Senator Specter's campaign because they wanted to support a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in 2010," Republican Party of Pennsylvania Chairman Rob Gleason said in a press relase. "Many of these individuals have been actively contributing to Senator Specter for years; however they feel betrayed due to Specter's support of President Barack Obama's irresponsible stimulus package and his subsequent decision to switch his political affiliation. We are encouraging these donors to contribute these funds to our Party as we work to win back this important seat in 2010.
More from Gleason:
Specter announced last month he was switching to the Democratic Party in a last-ditch attempt to save his floundering political career.
"We have heard from a number of individuals who donated to Senator Specter's campaign because they wanted to support a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in 2010," Republican Party of Pennsylvania Chairman Rob Gleason said in a press relase. "Many of these individuals have been actively contributing to Senator Specter for years; however they feel betrayed due to Specter's support of President Barack Obama's irresponsible stimulus package and his subsequent decision to switch his political affiliation. We are encouraging these donors to contribute these funds to our Party as we work to win back this important seat in 2010.
More from Gleason:
"It seems appropriate that we are launching this site today as Vice President Joe Biden and Senator Specter hold an 'official' event touting the stimulus package in Cumberland County. Today's event highlights the further attempts of the Democrat establishment, including Vice President Joe Biden, to pull out all the stops to hand the Democrat Party's nomination for the U.S. Senate to Arlen Specter. The President, Vice President, Governor Ed Rendell, U.S. Senator Bobby Casey and other Party leaders need to realize that Pennsylvanians don't like their candidates to be chosen in back rooms in Washington or Harrisburg and that Senator Arlen Specter can’t hide from the voters who will ultimately judge his record."
Our Party's newest Web site, www.GiveItBackArlen.com, will allow individuals who contributed to the Specter campaign to easily fill out their information and apply for a refund. Once you submit your information, the site will automatically generate an e-mail that will be sent directly to the Specter campaign requesting a refund on your behalf. Our goal is to ensure that donors who thought they were giving to a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate have the opportunity to get back their donations. We will then encourage these donors to make a contribution to our Party’s efforts to win back this important seat next year.
Six Reported Deaths Prompt Urgent Re-announcement of Blair Recall of Women's Chenille Robes
A Pennsylvania-based company sold robes that have led to the deaths of at least 6 people, according to Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Six Reported Deaths Prompt Urgent Re-announcement of Blair Recall of Women's Chenille Robes
Six Reported Deaths Prompt Urgent Re-announcement of Blair Recall of Women's Chenille Robes
Auditor General Jack Wagner Faults Board of Probation and Parole for Lapses in Oversight of Parolees
1 in 7 Seniors Faces Social Security Check Cuts in 2010
Close to 7 million seniors -- 1 in every 7 -- will receive a smaller Social Security check next year, according to a new analysis by The Senior Citizens League
Millions of other seniors who do not have their Medicare premiums automatically deducted from their checks will also have fewer Social Security dollars leftover next year, the League says.
All this is happening while the Obama Administration spends billions on wars, foreign aid and bailouts for his rich benefactors. What about ordinary American citizens?
Learn what you can do to pressure Barack Obama and Congressional Democrats on this important issue at the link below.
One in Seven Seniors Faces Social Security Check Cuts in 2010
Millions of other seniors who do not have their Medicare premiums automatically deducted from their checks will also have fewer Social Security dollars leftover next year, the League says.
All this is happening while the Obama Administration spends billions on wars, foreign aid and bailouts for his rich benefactors. What about ordinary American citizens?
Learn what you can do to pressure Barack Obama and Congressional Democrats on this important issue at the link below.
One in Seven Seniors Faces Social Security Check Cuts in 2010
'An Open Letter to Barack Obama'
The family that owns the Fred Beans Pontiac Buick GMC dealerships in Southeastern Pennsylvania sent the following letter to President Obama and Frederick Henderson, Chief Executive Officer, General Motors Corp.: On behalf of our 1,500 employees in southeastern Pennsylvania, I ask for your help to ensure that GM's bankruptcy does not cost our families their livelihood.Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
In 1959, I opened a two bay service station in Yardley, Pennsylvania with 1,200 dollars and a loan cosigned by my mother for 5,000 dollars. With dedicated employees, a commitment to succeed and the power of the "American Dream," the Fred Beans Family of Dealerships has grown to an organization of 1,500 employees, and our operations have expanded from our original location in Doylestown to West Chester, Devon, Limerick, Boyertown, Langhorne, Mechanicsburg and New Holland. Today, we represent Ford, Toyota, Lincoln-Mercury, Nissan, Hyundai, Kia, Subaru, Suzuki, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Saturn, Buick, Pontiac, GMC and Mitsubishi.
Our achievements have not gone unnoticed in the industry. We've been recognized by every manufacturer we represent including: the GM Dealer of the Year (2006), Ford President's Award (6 years in a row) and our Nissan Dealership is consistently ranked with one of the highest customer satisfaction indexes in the United States. From my humble beginnings as a technician and with the help of dedicated employees, we have also become the fifth largest GM parts dealer in the United States, the fifth largest Ford Parts Dealer in the nation, and the largest Chrysler Corporation parts dealer in the United States.
Beyond selling cars and parts, our organization, like most dealerships across America, has been a positive presence in each and every community we operate in. We have built buildings and financially supported important organizations like the YMCA, the Boy Scouts of America, the Michener Art Museum, the Doylestown Hospital and a host of others. Our giving programs have exceeded $2 million dollars, and I join my employees in expressing pride in our ability to help causes that we hold dear.
How has our commitment to excellence, loyalty to the domestic auto industry and support for our communities been rewarded? On June 1, our Limerick Pontiac Buick GMC dealership received a "Wind Down" Agreement from the General Motors Corporation indicating that our General Motors Franchise was being revoked.
Fred Beans Pontiac Buick GMC of Limerick is relatively new, having been purchased in 2001 with GM's blessing. It was built from the ground up on what was an open field that was intended to be an auto mall. At the time, it was purely a vision in an undeveloped area with little traffic. It has now become a true auto mall with Saturn, Nissan, Toyota, Hyundai and Honda all represented. A Super Wawa has also opened and a Holiday Inn Express is under construction. The area is now one of the fastest growing communities in the nation, and the need for GM representation there couldn't be clearer.
In our opinion, GM has made a mistake, one that will cost the 40 employees at this dealership their jobs, their benefits, and their livelihoods. It's ramifications for our other dealerships, already suffering, will be great. What is our recourse? It is an appeal, which we were advised to send to an anonymous e-mail address. We filed that appeal and followed it with packages to 5 GM executives without reply.
As a GM dealer for over 20 years and one of the original Saturn dealers, I and my employees are shocked at our treatment by GM, a company that some of us have spent decades representing.
Washington told us that the government cannot let Detroit fail….that such failure would be devastating to the parts suppliers, the shippers, and the thousands of employees associated with the manufacturing process.
How about the dealers, their employees and their families and extended families? Must we fail so that they don't?
We don't believe that the money given to General Motors by our federal government was intended to put small business people out of business, forcing them into bankruptcy and shuttering their businesses.
President Obama and CEO Henderson, on behalf of our 1500 employees, and the families we support, we respectfully request that you review our appeal package and reverse your decision.
I would like to thank our team members for urging me to seek your support.
Sincerely,
Fred Beans, Beth Beans Gilbert, Barbara Beans, Jennifer Beans Keiser, and the loyal employees and customers of the Fred Beans Family of Dealerships
'Talking Politics' on the radio today
Tune in to "Talking Politics with Tony Phyrillas & Mike Pincus" today at 5 p.m. on WPAZ 1370 AM
"Talking Politics" can be heard every Thursday from 5 to 6 p.m. You can call the station at 610-326-4000 with questions or comments.
If you can't pick up the station's signal, you can listen to the program on your computer. The show is simulcast at www.pottsmerc.com and www.1370wpaz.com
"Talking Politics" can be heard every Thursday from 5 to 6 p.m. You can call the station at 610-326-4000 with questions or comments.
If you can't pick up the station's signal, you can listen to the program on your computer. The show is simulcast at www.pottsmerc.com and www.1370wpaz.com
Obama's 'Saved Jobs' Lie
It's becoming clear that the "stimulus" bill signed by Barack Obama in February has failed to deliver the promised jobs. The propaganda machine in the White House and Obama's media allies have now turned to something "saved jobs" to continue the farce.
"More than 1.6 million jobs have disappeared since the stimulus package was signed in February," says Investor's Business Daily. "Government can't create jobs, only dependency. Make-work jobs will not turn the economy around."
From a new IBD editorial:
Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
"More than 1.6 million jobs have disappeared since the stimulus package was signed in February," says Investor's Business Daily. "Government can't create jobs, only dependency. Make-work jobs will not turn the economy around."
From a new IBD editorial:
The Obama administration, totally unfamiliar with the first rule of holes, has announced it's about to really, really ramp up stimulus spending to create 600,000 jobs this summer. That's on top of the 150,000 jobs it has "saved," though there's no way to identify or measure such jobs.Read the full editorial at the newspaper's Web site.
The unemployment rate, which was never supposed to rise above 8% because of the stimulus, is now approaching 10%. The excuse given is that not enough of the stimulus money has been dispersed.
Monday's announcement of a new and improved stimulus is just old wine in new bottles. In the first 100 days of the stimulus, some $44 billion was spent as jobs continued to hemorrhage. Now we're asked to do more of the same and expect different results.
Obama's 600,000 figure includes 125,000 temporary summer youth jobs and is based on economic projections, not an actual count. The only thing you can accurately count is the number of Americans working — and that's going down fast.
The administration is playing a shell game with its "saved or created" job claims. Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, said as much to the tax-challenged Timothy Geithner at a March hearing.
Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
Tell Rep. Bradford not to raise your taxes
Rep. Matthew D. Bradford is a freshman Democrat who represents the 70th House District in Montgomery County.Bradford has served in the Legislature for five months. His first major vote will be on Gov. Ed Rendell's $29 billion budget for the 2009-10 fiscal year. The only way to balance Rendell's budget is through major tax increases. Rendell's current budget is expected to finish $3.2 billion in the red.
Bradford campaigned on the promise of reducing property taxes. Ironically he is being pressured by Rendell and the Democratic party bosses in Harrisburg to raise taxes on his constituents to continue the out-of-control spending in Harrisburg.
If you live in the 70th House District -- the townships of of East Norriton (PART, Districts 01 [PART, Divisions 01, 02 and 03] and 02), Lower Salford, Skippack (PART, District 01), Towamencin (PART, Districts 02 [PART, Divisions 02 and 03] and 03 [PART, Division 03]) and Worcester and the borough of Norristown (PART, Districts 01 [PART, Divisions 02 and 03], 03 and 04) -- you need to remind Rep. Bradford that if he votes to raise your taxes, he will not receive your vote in 2010 when he seeks re-election.
You can send an e-mail through his Web site http://www.pahouse.com/Bradford or use the following contact information:
Hon. Matthew D. Bradford
1846 Markley Street
Norristown, PA 19401-2904
Office Hours: 9-5
(610) 270-1150
Fax: (610) 270-1895
Hon. Matthew D. Bradford
2000 Bustard Road Suite 6
PO Box 118
Cedars, PA 19423
Office Hours: 9-5
(610) 222-3490
Fax: (610) 222-3494
Hon. Matthew D. Bradford
117 B East Wing
PO Box 202070
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2070
(717) 772-2572
Fax: (717) 772-2360
Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Auditor General Jack Wagner Urges DPW to Implement Recommendations to Eliminate Potential LIHEAP Fraud
Rep. Schroder: Democrats want massive tax hike
A guest column by Chester County state Rep. Curt Scroder on the games Gov. Ed Rendell and House Democrats are playing with the state's fiscal crisis:State spending threatens huge tax increase
The state Senate is under attack for passing a budget that lives within existing revenues and raises no taxes. In fact, Senate Bill 850 accurately reflects the state's economic realities and the kinds of sacrifices that will be necessary to arrive at a constitutionally mandated balanced budget.
The taxpayers of this commonwealth need to know what is at stake.
We are facing an unprecedented $3 billion budget deficit. In order to restore all of the cuts that have been proposed in the Senate plan, a broad-based tax increase of record proportions would be necessary.
Neither Gov. Ed Rendell nor House Democratic leaders are sharing this fact with the public. Day after day, the governor and his supporters attack specific cuts in the Senate's budget plan, while setting the table for a huge tax increase.
Interestingly, many of the reductions included in the Senate plan were proposed in the governor's budget bill. Unfortunately, the governor's proposed cuts were offset by spending increases in other areas, resulting in a proposed budget that spends $705 million more than the year before. Sharply declining revenue has made even the governor's original budget out of balance and unsustainable.
Last year, before passage of the current budget, we were warned by Senate budget analysts that the proposed spending plan would result in a $1 billion deficit this year. They warned that revenue estimates were too high and unrealistic, and one-time revenue sources were being used. I rejected that budget, as did 31 of my House colleagues.
Our current economic crisis could have been avoided if Pennsylvania's spending increases had stayed within the rate of inflation during the Rendell years.
Under Rendell, the state budget has increased nearly 40 percent — double the rate of inflation. Had we held spending to a modest 3 percent in each of the past six years, our spending would be in line with the revenues coming in today. Our budget would be balanced, important programs would be retained and there would be no danger of a tax increase.
Instead, we are in a budget crisis. We are left with no easy choices, but the choices are clear. We must live within our means or prepare for a major tax increase. I will not vote for a tax increase, and I challenge those members of the General Assembly who are critical of efforts to budget responsibly to come clean with taxpayers and let them know which taxes they will raise in order to pass a budget that restores spending to the levels proposed by the governor.
REP. CURT SCHRODER
R-155th Legislative District
Rep. Vereb hosts 'Family Fun Day'
State Rep. Mike Vereb is hosting the Third Annual Family Fun Day on Friday, June 12, at the Collegeville Pitstop."My Annual Family Fun Day is a great opportunity for local residents to come together for a night of community entertainment," said Vereb, R-150. "There will be a number of vendors and informational presentations for guests of all ages. I look forward to spending a fun-filled evening with my constituents."
Special guests include the PECO Lightbulb mascot, a prescription drug assistance bus, Lower Providence EMS, representatives from Verizon, Pennsylvania American Water Company’s truck that holds 300 gallons of water, as well as a SEPTA hybrid bus. The National Guard will be on hand with three inflatable sports activity centers and face painting will be available from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Food, rides and entry are all free to the public.
The event will last from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. The Collegeville Pitstop is located at 3960 Germantown Pike.
Vereb encourages all residents of the 150th Legislative District to take time out and enjoy their neighbors at his Third Annual Family Fun Day.
Libertarian Party: Obama prolongs recession
The jobless rate has jumped to 9.4% as of May, the highest in 26 years. More than 14.5 million Americans are out of work. The economic policies of Barack Obama and Congressional Democrats are prolonging the recession.While the Republican Party has been largely ineffectual in stirring anger among voters, the Libertarian Party is taking almost daily shots at the failed presidency of Barack Obama.
From the Libertarian Party's latest release on the dismal job picture under Obama:
With unemployment exploding to 9.4 percent in May instead of decreasing as Obama promised with passage of his "stimulus" package, America’s third-largest party urges Congress to instead consider tax and regulatory relief to give the nation "the jobs Americans need."For more information on the Libertarian Party, visit http://www.LP.org
"There is no doubt our economy will recover. Americans have always overcome adversity with our tenacity, creativity and optimism," said Donny Ferguson, Libertarian National Committee Communications Director. "But as unemployment continues to rise when it should be falling by now, it begs the question of how long will recovery be delayed by Obama's Big Government agenda?"
"The Libertarian Party seems to be the only party promoting a smart program of tax and regulatory relief aimed at freeing up capital," said Ferguson. "History shows it’s the most effective way to give those 14.5 million unemployed the jobs Americans need."
"Sadly, Obama instead chose to exploit this tragic situation to advance his personal agenda of bigger, more expensive government – which has unemployment now skyrocketing to its highest levels in a quarter-century," said Ferguson. "Because of Obama, our economic recovery has been seriously stunted and delayed."
Figures released Friday by the Labor Department show unemployment rose to 9.4 percent in May from 8.9 percent in April as the number of unemployed persons increased by 787,000 to 14.5 million. Unemployment is highest among blacks (14.9 percent) and Hispanics (12.7 percent.) The number of long-term unemployed (those jobless for 27 weeks or more) increased by 268,000 over the month to 3.9 million according to the Labor Department.
"Unfortunately, it looks like the Libertarian Party was proven right when we said back in January that Obama's explosive growth of government and out-of-control spending would delay our economic recovery. We should be further along in our recovery, but Republican and Democrat spending and bailouts are delaying that," said Ferguson.
"History has proven time and time again that decreasing the size of government, cutting taxes and freeing up people to create jobs and business are the best way to stimulate growth," said Ferguson. "Libertarian urge Congress and the White House to take these real, proven measures, instead of exploiting people's misfortune to inflate the size of government."
Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
Columnist: Wonderling forced from Senate?
Margaret Gibbons has been covering Montgomery County politics for a long time, and I should know better than to question her judgment, but I'm still shaking my head over her latest column in which she writes about a possible "grand conspiracy" to force Rob Wonderling out of the Pennsylvania Senate to make way for Bruce L. Castor Jr.In "Two GOP birds, one stone?" Gibbons speculates that Wonderling would have had a difficult time winning re-election to a third term but offers no evidence other than the generic "Democrats have been gaining ground in Pennsylvania." If that's the case, how do you explain Republicans winning special elections for vacant state Senate and state House seats in 2009? Obama is not on the ticket anywhere, so the 2008 election results don't matter.
Also, Wonderling is very popular in his district and has been gaining statewide recognition for his legislative initiatives. If he wanted a third term in the state Senate, I think he would win without a problem.
Gibbons also thinks Republican bigwigs manipulated the selection process that got Wonderling his new job as president of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce. The problem with this theory is that David Cohen, a Democrat, is chairman of the Chamber and had a lot of influence in the selection of Wonderling. Why would Cohen, who is close to gov. Ed Rendell, want to pick a Republican state Senator from a list of 150 potential candidates? Makes no sense other than Wonderling was the most qualified person for the job.
The rest of Gibbons' column is about how state Rep. Bob Mensch spoiled things by entering the race instead of allowing a clear field for Castor. But Mensch was the first to contact Montgomery County GOP Chairman Bob Kerns to express interest in running for Wonderling's seat. It wasn't as if Mensch waited for Castor to announce his interest and then entered the race as a spoiler. And what do you make of former state Rep. Jay Moyer entering the race? He's always been a loyal party member so why is he trying to "spoil" a Castor coronation?
Read Gibbons column at PhillyBurbs.com but take it with a grain of salt.
Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
Columnist: 'Pure Fiction' on Job Numbers
William McGurn, writing in The Wall Street Journal, says the media is either clueless or complicit in reporting phony job projection numbers released by the Obama Administration.
From his column:
Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
From his column:
"Saved or created" has become the signature phrase for Barack Obama as he describes what his stimulus is doing for American jobs. His latest invocation came yesterday, when the president declared that the stimulus had already saved or created at least 150,000 American jobs -- and announced he was ramping up some of the stimulus spending so he could "save or create" an additional 600,000 jobs this summer. These numbers come in the context of an earlier Obama promise that his recovery plan will "save or create three to four million jobs over the next two years."Read the full column, "The Media Fall for Phony 'Jobs' Claims," at the newspaper's Web site.
Something's wrong when the president invokes a formula that makes it impossible for him to be wrong and it goes largely unchallenged. It's true that almost any government spending will create some jobs and save others. But as Milton Friedman once pointed out, that doesn't tell you much: The government, after all, can create jobs by hiring people to dig holes and fill them in.
If the "saved or created" formula looks brilliant, it's only because Mr. Obama and his team are not being called on their claims. And don't expect much to change. So long as the news continues to repeat the administration's line that the stimulus has already "saved or created" 150,000 jobs over a time period when the U.S. economy suffered an overall job loss 10 times that number, the White House would be insane to give up a formula that allows them to spin job losses into jobs saved.
Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
Has Cindy Sheehan lost her mind?
Poor Cindy Sheehan. Somebody forgot to tell the woman there was an election last November and Barack Obama was elected president.NEWS ITEM: Sheehan leads group of protesters near Bush home
From The Associated Press:
Anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan is protesting again — this time near former President George W. Bush's Dallas home.Hey Cindy, Barack Obama is in charge now. He makes the decisions on continuing the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Sheehan led a brief protest of around 50 people Monday afternoon near the house. The former president and his wife moved into the four-bedroom home in a wealthy Dallas neighborhood in February.
Protesters met at an intersection and then walked about a mile to an elementary school across from the house. Sheehan carried a sign that read, "For what noble cause."
Sheehan's 21-year-old son, Casey, was killed in the war in Iraq. She staged a prolonged demonstration outside Bush's ranch near Crawford, Texas, in 2005. She said her issues with Bush didn't end with his presidency.
The event brought out about a dozen people protesting the protest. Bush supporters carried signs that said "Pro Bush" and "Go Home Cindy."
Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
Tell Rep. Drucker not to raise your taxes
Rep. Paul J. Drucker is a freshman Democrat who represents the 157th House Dist. in parts of Chester and Montgomery counties.Drucker has served in the Legislature for five months. His first major vote will be on Gov. Ed Rendell's $29 billion budget for the 2009-10 fiscal year. The only way to balance Rendell's budget is through major tax increases. Rendell's current budget is expected to finish $3.2 billion in the red.
Drucker campaigned on the promise of reducing property taxes. Ironically he is being pressured by Rendell and the Democratic party bosses in Harrisburg to raise taxes on his constituents to continue the out-of-control spending in Harrisburg.
If you live in the 157th District (Schuylkill and Tredyffrin townships, Phoenixville Borough and parts of Lower Providence and West Norriton townships), you need to remind Rep. Drucker that if he votes to raise your taxes, he will not receive your vote in 2010 when he seeks re-election.
You can send an e-mail through his Web site, http://www.pahouse.com/Drucker or use the following contact information:
Hon. Paul J. Drucker
992 Old Eagle School Road
Suite 909
Wayne, PA 19087
(610) 688-5691
Fax: (610) 688-5695
Hon. Paul J. Drucker
2812-A Egypt Road
Audubon, PA 19403
(610) 631-2865
Fax: (610) 631-2867
Hon. Paul J. Drucker
323 Irvis Office Building
PO Box 202157
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2157
(717) 705-2003
Fax: (717) 772-2943
Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Attorney General Reminds Home Improvement Contractors to Register; Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act Goes Into Effect July 1
Global warming charade unravels
From a weekend editorial in The Wall Street Journal:
Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
Global warming alarmists are fond of invoking the authority of experts against the skepticism of supposedly amateur detractors -- a.k.a. "deniers." So when one of those experts says that a recent report on the effects of climate change is "worse than fiction, it is a lie," the alarmists should, well, be alarmed.Read the full editorial, "Worse than fiction," at the newspaper's Web site.
The latest contretemps pits former U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan, now president of the Geneva-based Global Humanitarian Forum, against Roger Pielke, Jr., an expert in disaster trends at the University of Colorado. Mr. Annan's outfit issued a lengthy report late last month warning that climate change-induced disasters, such as droughts and floods, kill 315,000 each year and cost $125 billion, numbers it says will rise to 500,000 dead and $340 billion by 2030. Adding to the gloom, Mr. Annan predicts "mass starvation, mass migration, and mass sickness" unless countries agree to "the most ambitious international agreement ever negotiated" at a meeting this year in Copenhagen.
Even on its own terms, the numbers here are a lot less scary when put into context. Malaria kills an estimated one million people a year, while AIDS claims an estimated two million. As for the economic costs, $125 billion is slightly less than the GDP of New Zealand. Question: Are targeted campaigns using proven methods to spare the world three million AIDS and malaria deaths a year a better use of scarce resources than a multitrillion-dollar attempt to re-engineer the global economy and save, at most, a tenth that number? We'd say yes.
Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
Obama gets free pass on bad economy
From a post by Clay Waters at Times Watch, a Web site that exposes liberal bias at The New York Times:
Also check out "Good Thing We Got That Stimulus!" at POLICY BLOG, which shows that the unemployment rate has gotten worse since Obama signed the "stimulus" package to create jobs. Go figure.
Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
Double standard? Today's 9.4% unemployment rate "fueled hopes" that the economy was recovering, but 4.6% unemployment rates during the Bush administration were characterized as "job growth slowing to a crawl."More from Waters:
As the economy continues to shed jobs, is the Obama administration getting a pass? The front-page story Saturday by Peter Goodman and Jack Healy came under the relatively cheerly headline "Hints of Hope in Jobless Data Even as Rate Jumps to 9.4%."Read the full post, "Is Obama Getting a Pass on the Bad Economy?" at TimesWatch.
Eduardo Porter in October 2006 marked a 4.6% unemployment rate under the headline "Job Growth Was Slack Last Month."
Yet three years later, a jump in the unemployment rate to 9.4% is grounds for optimism. What changed? Besides a liberal Democrat being in the White House, of course.
Also check out "Good Thing We Got That Stimulus!" at POLICY BLOG, which shows that the unemployment rate has gotten worse since Obama signed the "stimulus" package to create jobs. Go figure.
Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
Rendell doormats (House Democrats) reject balanced budget
The House Appropriations Committee, voting along party lines Monday, rejected the Senate's $27.3 billion no tax increase budget.That leaves Gov. Ed Rendell's $29 billion deficit budget (with a variety of tax increases) on the table. And Rendell's budget does not address that $3.2 billion deficit in the current fiscal year.
Rep. Doug Reichley (R-Berks/Lehigh), Republican vice chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement:
"Today we saw firsthand the commitment of House Democrats to avoid passing a budget bill that reins in state spending and averts a state personal income tax increase. Senate Bill 850 spends significantly less than Governor Ed Rendell's budget proposal. The budget supported by Democrats has not been introduced yet, but will likely spend more money than Pennsylvania is capable of taking in without a tax increase amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars. They have not offered their own budget, or legislation detailing which taxes they would increase and by how much.Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
"None of the taxes the governor relies on for his budget have been detailed in bill form. No new proposal has been put forth by the governor now that his proposed budget from February is seriously out of balance.
"There are 22 days until the end of the fiscal year. Republicans will not be voting for tax increases to pay for more spending during this recession no matter how often Democrats tell us that we need to be taxed more.
"I put forth the idea that we can advance the budget process by reporting Senate Bill 850 from committee with a negative recommendation, which is permitted according to House rules, but this attempt to move forward was blocked with a partisan vote to defeat the bill. Now, we're back at square one, no closer to having a budget bill to debate on the House floor and with the governor touring the state to promote higher taxes."
The newest member of PA House
Jerry Knowles was sworn-in Monday as the newest member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
Knowles won a special election last month to fill the remainder of Rep. David Argall's term in the 124th House District after Argall was elected to the state Senate.
The 124th District covers parts of Schuylkill and Berks counties.
Knowles is a former police officer. He served on the Tamaqua Borough Council and eventually as mayor of Tamaqua. He also served six years as a Schuylkill County commissioner and worked for 10 years on the House staff and as director of special projects for Rep. Argall. Expect Knowles to hit the ground running.
The addition of Knowles gives Republicans 99 seats in the 203-member House.
Learn more about Knowles at his legislative Web site, http://www.repknowles.com/
Monday, June 08, 2009
Statement From Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett Regarding the Death of State Trooper Miller
Which way is up on Obama unemployment numbers?
U.S. unemployment has reached 9.4 percent, the highest level in 25 years. More than 14 million Americans are out of work. The Obama 'stimulus' package has failed miserably. And yet, the Obama Media is upbeat. What gives?
From a post by Warner Todd Huston at NewsBusters about how The Associated Press cannot report bad economic news without peppering its story with 'Obama-speak' commentary:
Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
From a post by Warner Todd Huston at NewsBusters about how The Associated Press cannot report bad economic news without peppering its story with 'Obama-speak' commentary:
There is happy-talk and then there is delusion. The Associated Press has just approached the delusional stage with its recent assessment of what the unemployment numbers mean. Absurdly, the AP seems to imagine that the continued job losses under Obama means that job hunters are experiencing "raising hopes"! It's like sitting on the Titanic pleased that taking on water raises hopes that a nice, relaxing bath is will soon be at hand.Read the full post at NewsBusters
There is happy-talk and then there is delusion. The Associated Press has just approached the delusional stage with its recent assessment of what the unemployment numbers mean. Absurdly, the AP seems to imagine that the continued job losses under Obama means that job hunters are experiencing "raising hopes"! It's like sitting on the Titanic pleased that taking on water raises hopes that a nice, relaxing bath is will soon be at hand.
The first paragraph of the story claims that since last month saw a few less layoffs, why, that is saying that what we have here is "the brightest hope yet that an economic recovery" will take hold later this year. What does the AP offer as proof? Not a whole lot, sadly. In fact, the very next paragraph sort of torpedoes the first. After this "brightest hope" business, the AP gives us this:But with companies still reluctant to hire, the nation's jobless rate rose to a quarter-century high of 9.4 percent, and it likely will keep rising into 2010, possibly within striking distance of its post-World War II peak of 10.8 percent.How we can have a "brightest hope yet" for recovery yet still see unemployment continue to rise is anyone's guess, but in the AP's infinite wisdom there you have it.
Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
Cap-and-Trade will cost you dearly
What the Cap-and-Trade tax pushed by Nancy Pelosi and Barack Obama will do to the typical American family:
1) Write or call you member of Congress and urge them to reject this new tax.
2) Sign the Stop the Energy Tax petition at American Solutions for Winning the Future
Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
Raise inflation-adjusted gasoline prices by 74 percentYou can do two things to stop Cap-and-Trade:
Raise electricity rates 90 percent after adjusting for inflation
Raise the cost-of-living of a typical household by $1,600 a year
Raise residential natural gas prices by 55 percent
Destroy 1-3 million jobs per year, every year until 2035
1) Write or call you member of Congress and urge them to reject this new tax.
2) Sign the Stop the Energy Tax petition at American Solutions for Winning the Future
Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
Newspaper: Pa. must cut spending
The state's biggest newspaper, The Philadelphia Inquirer, has a reputation of being the official propaganda arm of the Rendell Administration.
In the past six years as governor, "Fast Eddie" Rendell can do no wrong in the eyes of the Inquirer, despite breaking nearly every campaign promise and leaving the state in a massive $3.2 billion budget hole.
There must be something in the water in Philadelphia these days. The Inquirer has published an editorial that says state spending is out of control and should be cut before any tax hike is considered.
That goes against everything Ed Rendell and the doormat Democrats in the state House stand for. Their answer to everything is raise taxes.
From the Inquirer editorial:
"After five consecutive years of hefty school-aid increases, perhaps districts could get by for one year with a smaller increase," the Inquirer says.
Yep. Definitely something in the water.
Read the full editorial, "Cuts first, taxes last" at the newspaper's Web site.
Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
In the past six years as governor, "Fast Eddie" Rendell can do no wrong in the eyes of the Inquirer, despite breaking nearly every campaign promise and leaving the state in a massive $3.2 billion budget hole.
There must be something in the water in Philadelphia these days. The Inquirer has published an editorial that says state spending is out of control and should be cut before any tax hike is considered.
That goes against everything Ed Rendell and the doormat Democrats in the state House stand for. Their answer to everything is raise taxes.
From the Inquirer editorial:
Legislators can't waste tax money to that degree, and then turn around and tell taxpayers with a straight face that state government has been cut to the bone.The newspaper even takes on the teachers unions and says it's time for school districts to tighten their belts.
Senate Republicans have proposed a budget of $27.3 billion, compared with Rendell's spending plan of $28.9 billion. The GOP plan avoids tax hikes, but slashes services just as more unemployed workers and their families are placing greater demands on the social safety net.
Rendell has proposed $977 million in cuts for next year's budget - roughly 3 percent of his proposed budget. Given the recession's impact on families, Rendell and Evans must find more cuts before pushing for a general tax increase.
Other states are swallowing bitter budget pills, such as layoffs and cuts to education. Layoffs or furloughs are painful, but, for many working families, so are higher taxes to fund the bureaucracy.
"After five consecutive years of hefty school-aid increases, perhaps districts could get by for one year with a smaller increase," the Inquirer says.
Yep. Definitely something in the water.
Read the full editorial, "Cuts first, taxes last" at the newspaper's Web site.
Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
24th Dist. Senate race heats up
Robert Kerns is chairman of the Montgomery County Republican Committee. He is widely credited with bringing harmony and stability to the county organization, two things lacking under previous leadership.Kerns is about to face his biggest challenge since assuming the leadership of the county party in May 2008. He will have to back a candidate for the soon-to-be-vacated state Senate seat in the 24th District, which covers portions of Montgomery, Bucks, Lehigh and Northampton counties.
The Senate seat will become available after Aug. 1 when Sen. Rob Wonderling is planning to step down to take over as president and CEO of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce.
Wonderling, serving his second term in the state Senate, is seen as a rising star in the Republican party with ambition that could take him to the governor's mansion one day.
A special election will be held later this year to fill Wonderling's seat until next year's regularly scheduled legislative elections. The winner of the special election will have the advantage of being the incumbent in 2010 and should win a full four-year term in the state Senate.
The GOP needs to hold on to Wonderling's seat, but it appears too many well-known Republicans are interested in the job. That's where the dilemma comes in for Kerns, who will have to rally the party around a single candidate.
Within 24 hours of Wonderling's announcement that he is leaving the Senate, two potential candidates emerged. State Rep. Bob Mensch, R-147, and Montgomery County Commissioner Bruce L. Castor Jr. each stated publicly they would like to replace Wonderling.
Both already have high-profile elected positions, but the opportunity to serve in the state Senate is too good for either official to pass up.
Later in the week, another potential GOP candidate's name surfaced, but former state Rep. Jay Moyer is unlikely to attract much support from voters or party officials. Moyer barely won a seat in the state House in 2006 but lost his re-election bid in 2008. Not exactly the strongest candidate for a state Senate run.
On the other hand, either Mensch or Castor would have the edge in keeping Wonderling's seat in Republican hands.
There's no downside for either man making a run for the Senate because both have jobs to fall back on. Castor still has two years left in his four-year term as one of three elected commissioners running one of the largest county governments in the state. Mensch won reelection last November to a second two-year term in the state House.
Neither has to quit their day job to make a run for Wonderling's seat. The loser simply returns to his current position. The winner gets to move to a higher-profile office.
Castor could gain the most because he is currently in political purgatory as the odd man out in a power-sharing agreement between renegade Republican Commissioner Jim Matthews and Democratic Commissioner Joe Hoeffel. Although Castor was the top vote-getter in the 2007 election (and basically got Matthews reelected on his coattails), Matthews surrendered control of county government to Hoeffel rather than allow Castor to take the lead.
Although Wonderling's successor would have the least seniority in the 50-member Senate, the Republicans have a solid 30-20 majority and can push their agenda, especially with a lame duck governor in Ed Rendell counting down the days to the end of his second term.
Mensch would rather run every four years for the Legislature as a member of the Senate rather than every two years in the House. He would also like to be in the majority instead of suffering another two years in the Democratic controlled House.
A potential Castor-Mensch showdown for the 24th Senate District would create some friction within the Montgomery County GOP. That's why Kerns is facing some sleepless nights. He has to back the strongest candidate without alienating the other candidate's supporters.
Mensch represents many of the same communities in the state House that Wonderling has in his Senate district, but there's no question Castor has the bigger name recognition in Montgomery County and beyond.
Castor has a following as the flamboyant, two-term Montgomery County District Attorney who prosecuted some of the biggest criminal cases in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Castor also has more access to cash and has run bigger campaigns for Montgomery County D.A., county commissioner and Pennsylvania Attorney General.
Maybe Castor and Mensch can settle this with a coin flip. Otherwise, it's mostly up to Kerns.
Here's one scenario that could make everyone happy. Castor could win the state Senate seat in a special election this year, but make a run for higher office in 2010, say lieutenant governor, giving Mensch another shot at the 24th District Senate seat next year. Stranger things have happened.
Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
State Capitol Roundup
Here's the latest edition of State Capitol Roundup courtesy of state Rep. Bob Mensch (R-147):
Budget Deadline Looms With Little Progress
Another week of House session has come and gone with no action on the 2009-10 State Budget. Currently, the General Assembly has two drastically different proposals in the House Appropriations Committee-the $27.3 billion Senate-passed proposal (Senate Bill 850) and the House Democrats' $29 billion plan (House Bill 1416) to increase spending to the tune of $700 million. Figures released this week showed that May tax revenues were down more than expected, leading officials to revise projections for the budget deficit to $3.2 billion. With less than a month left before the June 30 deadline, Republican lawmakers are urging their colleagues to get the process underway and engage in serious discussions about reining in government spending and avoiding massive tax increases. For the latest state budget news, visit PAHouseGOP.com and click on "state budget news."
House Republicans Concerned About Unaffordable Health Care Bill
Legislation voted out of the House Insurance Committee seeks to expand a government-run, one-size-fits-all approach to the health care industry at taxpayers' expense. Under House Bill 1, the state's AdultBasic program would use federal funds to augment state funding for an unprecedented expansion of state-run health care despite a $3.2 billion fiscal crisis. If passed, the legislation would also impose new taxes on health insurance premiums. Despite numerous unanswered questions and requests for hearings on the long-term effects of the proposal, the legislation was strong-armed out of the committee in a party-line vote. House Republicans are committed to improving Pennsylvanians' access to health care by making it more affordable and keeping patients and their doctors-rather than bureaucrats-in charge of their health care decisions, all without the need for a tax increase. For more information, visit PAHouseGOP.com and click on "health care."
Education Funding Legislation Will Lead to Future Tax Increases
Republican members of the House Education Committee voted in favor of greater fiscal accountability and efficiency this week when they opposed an unaffordable education funding bill for the 2009-10 school year. The proposal would cost nearly $6 billion to implement and derives a great deal of funding from one-time, federal stimulus funds. When that money runs out, Pennsylvania families will face significant tax increases to fill the billion-dollar funding hole. House Republicans are committed to public education and to protecting taxpayers from further burdens by ensuring state government is living within its means. Despite concerns raised by both Republicans and Democrats, the bill was approved by a party-line vote.
Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
Budget Deadline Looms With Little Progress
Another week of House session has come and gone with no action on the 2009-10 State Budget. Currently, the General Assembly has two drastically different proposals in the House Appropriations Committee-the $27.3 billion Senate-passed proposal (Senate Bill 850) and the House Democrats' $29 billion plan (House Bill 1416) to increase spending to the tune of $700 million. Figures released this week showed that May tax revenues were down more than expected, leading officials to revise projections for the budget deficit to $3.2 billion. With less than a month left before the June 30 deadline, Republican lawmakers are urging their colleagues to get the process underway and engage in serious discussions about reining in government spending and avoiding massive tax increases. For the latest state budget news, visit PAHouseGOP.com and click on "state budget news."
House Republicans Concerned About Unaffordable Health Care Bill
Legislation voted out of the House Insurance Committee seeks to expand a government-run, one-size-fits-all approach to the health care industry at taxpayers' expense. Under House Bill 1, the state's AdultBasic program would use federal funds to augment state funding for an unprecedented expansion of state-run health care despite a $3.2 billion fiscal crisis. If passed, the legislation would also impose new taxes on health insurance premiums. Despite numerous unanswered questions and requests for hearings on the long-term effects of the proposal, the legislation was strong-armed out of the committee in a party-line vote. House Republicans are committed to improving Pennsylvanians' access to health care by making it more affordable and keeping patients and their doctors-rather than bureaucrats-in charge of their health care decisions, all without the need for a tax increase. For more information, visit PAHouseGOP.com and click on "health care."
Education Funding Legislation Will Lead to Future Tax Increases
Republican members of the House Education Committee voted in favor of greater fiscal accountability and efficiency this week when they opposed an unaffordable education funding bill for the 2009-10 school year. The proposal would cost nearly $6 billion to implement and derives a great deal of funding from one-time, federal stimulus funds. When that money runs out, Pennsylvania families will face significant tax increases to fill the billion-dollar funding hole. House Republicans are committed to public education and to protecting taxpayers from further burdens by ensuring state government is living within its means. Despite concerns raised by both Republicans and Democrats, the bill was approved by a party-line vote.
Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
Sunday, June 07, 2009
'The Failure of Obamanomics'
Despite the propaganda from the White House and the white-washing of the severity of the current recession by the state-run Obama Media, the latest economic numbers paint a clear picture of failure on the part of Barack Obama and his advisers.
Most Americans are worse off today than they were five months ago when Barack Obama moved into the White House. Obama has managed to make the economic crisis worse. So much for that "hope and change" so many American voters fell for in November.
From a new column by Dick Morris and Eileen McGann:
Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS
Most Americans are worse off today than they were five months ago when Barack Obama moved into the White House. Obama has managed to make the economic crisis worse. So much for that "hope and change" so many American voters fell for in November.
From a new column by Dick Morris and Eileen McGann:
The stimulus package was a total and complete failure. As predicted, as happened with Bush's 2008 tax cut, as happened with the Japanese stimulus packages of the '90s, fearful consumers sat on their money and wouldn't spend it. Keynesian economics didn't work. Again.Read the full column at Townhall.com
But the debt sure piled up. The deficit quadrupled and is sending interest rates soaring, as the government elbows aside businesses and consumers at the loan window, all in a desperate effort to borrow enough money to spend enough money to stimulate the economy, which isn't happening.
Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS