Far left agitators to infiltrate Tea Party gatherings

The story isn't getting the coverage it deserves from the corrupt mainstream media but the far left is so worried about the growing Tea Party movement that it is going public with plans to "infiltrate" Tea Party gatherings.

Obama disciples are being dispatched to Tea Party gatherings across the country to disrupt rallies and make Tea Party protesters look bad by shouting racial and anti-gay slurs or displaying signs with misspelled words to make Tea Party members look like "morons."

Jason Levin, founder of the Web site www.crashtheteaparty.org, told The Associated Press that the group has 65 campaign leaders in major cities across the country who are trying to recruit members to infiltrate tea party events for April 15.

Tea party groups are planning hundreds of demonstrations on Tax Day to protest runaway government spending, massive debt and higher taxes.

"Do I think every member of the tea party is a homophobe, racist or a moron? No, absolutely not," Levin told AP. "Do I think most of them are homophobes, racists or morons? Absolutely."

Speaking of morons, Levin apparently did not hear about the recent Gallup Poll that found that 51% of Tea Party members are independents or Democrats, most of them have college degrees and most of them earn good salaries. This dispels the liberal myth that Tea Party activists are uneducated far-right extremists.

A majority of Americans also agree with the Tea Party movement's call for lower taxes and lower spending, according to several recent polls. So, who's further away from mainstream America, Mr. Levin?

Read the radical left's manifesto at www.crashtheteaparty.org

Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS

Video: Obama Bows to Chinese Dictator

He's done it again. Barack Obama bows to another foreign leader, this time, the Chinese dictator, Hu Jintao.

Changes in Nonprofit Tax Status Threaten Hospitals' Ability to 'Do Good,' AHP Warns

Changes in Nonprofit Tax Status Threaten Hospitals' Ability to 'Do Good,' AHP Warns

Tea Party Protests Across Pennsylvania

POLICY BLOG has compiled a list of nearly 20 communities across Pennsylvania where Tea Party protests will be held on Tax Day, April 15, and the upcoming weekend.

Here's your chance to send a message to Barack Obama and Congressional Democrats that you pay enough taxes.

Also check out Pennsylvania Tea Party Patriots for the latest updates on Tea Party activities.

Public Invited to Comment on Capitol Police Operations as Part of International Law Enforcement Accreditation

Public Invited to Comment on Capitol Police Operations as Part of International Law Enforcement Accreditation

Spring Gobbler Season Sneaking up on the Calendar

Spring Gobbler Season Sneaking up on the Calendar; Hunters Reminded About Second Spring Gobbler Tag; Wildlife Management Unit Spring Gobbler Reports

Phyrillas to speak at MCCC on April 16

Tony Phyrillas, The Mercury's award-winning political columnist and blogger, will be the featured speaker at the Fifth Annual Healthy Lifestyles Expo Friday, April 16, at Montgomery County Community College, 101 College Drive, Pottstown.

Phyrillas will be taking part in a Q-and-A from 11 a.m.-11.:45 a.m., followed immediately by a free lunch.

The Expo, co-sponsored by state Rep. Tom Quigley, Montgomery County Community College, the TriCounty Community Network and The Mercury, runs from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Other Expo highlights include caricatures by Alan MacBain, Pipper The Clown, musical performances by the Pottstown Middle School Woodwinds Ensemble and Pottstown High School Show Choir, as well as five $100 cash drawings.

All programs, health screenings, demonstrations and entertainment are free to the public. A special section in The Mercury will list all the events as well as the full calendar of events.

Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS

The Best Way To Shut Up Joe Biden

Vice President Joe Biden devours a cheesesteak at Pat's King of Steaks Friday in Philadelphia. Biden did not say anything stupid during the visit.

Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS

April is Child Abuse Awareness Month

April is Child Abuse Awareness Month

Bill O'Reilly calls out the corrupt liberal media

Bill O'Reilly asks if the American press corps is currupt. The answer is yes!

From Bill O'Reilly's latest column:

Today, we have a problem in America. Entire news operations are devoting themselves not to reporting events honestly, but to promoting a certain ideology or party. The Fox News Channel, where I work, has been accused of this. But a study by the Center for Media and Public Affairs found FNC's coverage of the 2008 presidential campaign was tough on both candidates, while most other news networks blatantly favored Barack Obama.

Now, we have a systematic media campaign to demean the Tea Party. At first, organizations like the New York Times ignored the movement. Then they mocked it. Didn't work. As the rallies grew larger, the liberal press got meaner. There was little reporting being done; it was all about bashing.

This isn't bias, it's corruption. News organizations are supposed to be watch dogs, not attack dogs. The Tea Party should be scrutinized like every other political movement. But that's not what's going on here. A large part of the national press is out to destroy these folks. And that's flat out wrong.

Read the full column at the link below:

Bill O'Reilly: Bill's Column - Is the American Press Corrupt?

Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS

Santorum to headline Berks County GOP dinner

Former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) will be the headline speaker at the Berks County GOP Spring 2010 Dinner.

The event is scheduled for Tuesday, April 13, at the Crowne Plaza Reading Hotel (formerly the Sheraton Reading), located at 1741 Papermill Road in Wyomissing.

"It will be great to be back in Berks County and visit with many friends who I worked with during my time in the Senate," Santorum said in a written statement. "With the recent government takeover of our health care system and the administration's lack of commitment to our nation's security, our country is in need of a course correction. I am looking forward to sharing my views on these critical issues at this gathering."

The dinner begins at 6:45 p.m. Santorum is scheduled to speak at 7:15 p.m.

For tickets, call Christine Gordon at 610-587-9917.

The annual dinner is the Berks County Republican Committee's major fundraiser and also helps introduce Republicans candidates to party supporters.

For more information about the Berks County GOP, visit the party's Web site at http://berks.mygopsite.net/

Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS

Weekly GOP Address: 4 Million Jobs Lost Under Obama

In the Weekly Republican Address, Senate Republican Whip Jon Kyl (R-AZ) laments Democrats' focus on their unpopular health spending bill when Americans want Washington to promote job growth.

Sen. Kyl says, "The American people have been telling Washington that promoting job growth must be the first priority. But, for more than a year, Congress and the President have focused instead on a controversial health spending bill which a majority of Americans said they didnt want."

He gives an alternative to the big spending and big taxing ways of Washington Democrats, explaining, "Republicans have a better plan. We believe the best course is to encourage job creation by private companies. And the way to do that is to limit intrusion by Washington and to keep taxes at a manageable level."

Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS

Seven-day Countdown Begins: Mail Back Census Forms by April 16

Seven-day Countdown Begins: Mail Back Census Forms by April 16

Apologies to Dr. Seuss: 'Mean regs and scam'

I'm sure everyone has read "Green Eggs and Ham" at some point in their life.

What would Dr. Seuss write about Obamacare?

Washington Times columnist Martin Bodek gives it his best shot. Here's how the column starts:

I am Bam

Bam I am

That Bam-I-am!

That Bam-I-am!

I do not like that Bam-I-am!

Do you like my health care plan?

I do not like it, Bam-I-am.

BODEK: Mean regs and scam - Washington Times

Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS

Michelle Bachmann backs Sam Rohrer for PA governor

Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS

Dependency Nation

We are becoming a nation of people dependent on government, argues Tax Foundation President Scott A. Hodge in a thought-provoking column in Investor's Business Daily.

What's worse is that Barack Obaman is encouraging the dependency through his polices.

"President Obama's policies, from health care to taxes, are all intended to increase the number of takers in America while reducing the number of givers," Hodge writes. "Our analysis of Obama's FY 2011 budget plan shows that it would increase the amount of redistribution from the top 10% of families by nearly $100 billion per year — to a total of $854 billion — while expanding the amount of government benefits targeted to the middle and upper-middle classes."

From his column:

Are you a giver or a taker? No, that is not a bad pickup line from an Internet dating site — it's a question every American should be asking themselves these days. "Do I take more than I give?"

I'm sure most of us want to be considered givers, not takers. After all, we grew up with the old adage that "it is better to give than receive." But we all know people who are more takers than givers.

We've all seen someone who brings a small salad to the potluck but piles lots of your casserole on his plate. Or, there is always one person in the lunch group who orders the most expensive meal on the menu because she knows you are all splitting the check.

The same thing happens with government. A growing number of Americans are contributing little but taking a lot, and a shrinking number are giving a lot but taking little.

Recent IRS data for 2008 reports that a record 52 million Americans — or 36% of all filers — filed a tax return but had no income tax liability because of the generosity of the credits and deductions that have been enacted over the past 15 years.

Read the full column, "Once Self-Reliant, Now A Nation Of Takers," at the newspaper's Web site.

Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS

It's Spreading!

Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS

Clinton-era reject Robert Rubin returns

Robert Rubin returns - Eamon Javers - POLITICO.com

Deployed Military Members Encouraged to Request Absentee Ballot

Deployed Military Members Encouraged to Request Absentee Ballot

PA Implements Online Weights & Measures Resource to Protect Consumers with Easier Access to Inspection Reports

PA Implements Online Weights & Measures Resource to Protect Consumers with Easier Access to Inspection Reports

Study Ranks PA Near Bottom Of Economic Recovery Index

A new report by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) recaps what states should do to alleviate the fiscal pain of the current recession, and also what they should avoid.

Unfortunately, Pennsylvania ranks near the bottom among the 50 states, finishing 46th in Economic Performance Rank and 43rd in Economic
Outlook Rank.

Be sure to thank Gov. Ed Rendell for destroying the state's economy over the past eight years.

The third edition of Rich States, Poor States: ALEC-Laffer State Economic Competitiveness Index shows how many states (Pennsylvania included) responded to the economic crisis with higher taxes, new spending, and more debt.

"Many state legislators across America are taking the wrong actions to improve their economies," said Indiana state Sen. Jim Buck, chairman of ALEC's Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force. "As elected officials, we must be exceedingly vigilant to avoid tax increases, which would only prolong the current downturn for states."

Arthur B. Laffer, noted economist and co-author of the study, summarized the report's findings: "Tax and economic policies are essential to the competitiveness of our states. Most actions being taken in state capitals today -- and practically all actions from Washington, D.C. today -- are flat-out wrong." Rich States, Poor States presents state economic outlook rankings based on public policies that have a proven impact on growth, revealing which states have the best chance of experiencing economic recovery, and which need to re-examine their policies before they can expect to see improvement."

The 139-page report outlines steps states can take to bring about economic recovery. Somebody should make sure Rendell and every member of the Legislature read the report.

New Study Outlines the Road to Economic Recovery for States: Utah Still Leads, While New York Suffers

Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS

Pennsylvania Department of Health Announces Nearly $20 Million in Health Research Grant Awards

Pennsylvania Department of Health Announces Nearly $20 Million in Health Research Grant Awards

Report: 61 Million Americans Dependent on Government

This is scary. A new study by The Heritage Foundation concludes that nearly 61 million Americans remain dependent on the government for their daily housing, food, and health care. And Obama wants that number to rise.

From the report:

Despite the famed 1996 Welfare Reform Act and the more recent welfare adjustments in 2006, 60.8 million Americans remain dependent on the government for their daily housing, food, and health care. The number of taxpayers is shrinking - and the country may be rapidly approaching the point where more than one-third of Americans do not pay taxes for benefits they receive. In February 2009, the Democrat-controlled Congress and the new Obama Administration may have driven the final stake into the heart of any semblance of fiscal responsibility when they enacted the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act - essentially overturning the fiscal foundation of welfare reform.

Starting in 2016, Social Security will not collect enough in taxes to pay all of the promised benefits - which is a problem for all workers, but especially for the roughly half of the American workforce that has no other retirement program.

Add in spiraling academic grants, flat-out farm socialism, and the swelling ranks of Americans who believe themselves entitled to public-sector benefits for which they pay few or no taxes - and Americans must ask themselves whether they are near a tipping point in the nature of their government.

The budget, welfare, and policy experts at the Heritage Foundation lay out the gloomy facts - in the hopes of pulling Americans back from the brink of complete dependence on the government.

Read more at the link below:

The 2009 Index of Dependence on Government | The Heritage Foundation

Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS

Democrats' special-election scramble

Democrats could lose two more Congressional seats in special elections next month, including one in Pennsylvania. Of course, Democrats will definitely lose dozens of seats in November when all 435 House seats are up.

Democrats' special-election scramble - Alex Isenstadt and Josh Kraushaar - POLITICO.com

Pennsylvania Awards $29.9 Million to Support 21st Century Community Learning Centers

Pennsylvania Awards $29.9 Million to Support 21st Century Community Learning Centers

PA Revenue Department Extends Hours to Help Late-Season Tax Filers

Revenue Department Extends Hours to Help Late-Season Tax Filers

Second Round of Census Forms Mailed to 40 Million Households

Second Round of Census Forms Mailed to 40 Million Households

Liberal Lies Exposed: Gallup Poll Finds Tea Partiers Fairly Mainstream

A new Gallup Poll shatters the myth that the Tea Party movement is made up mostly of right-wing extremists. Sorry Mainstream Media. You've been caught with your pants down again.

If anything, the poll exposes how far left-wing extremists who populate the news media have gone to vilify the Tea Party movement.

Some highlights from the USA Today/Gallup Poll:

Tea Party supporters skew right politically; but demographically, they are generally representative of the public at large. That's the finding of a USA Today/Gallup poll conducted March 26-28, in which 28% of U.S. adults call themselves supporters of the Tea Party movement.

Tea Party members consist of 43 percent Independents and 8 percent Democrats. That's 51 percent, also known as a majority. The poll finds 49 percent of Team Party members are Republicans.

Another liberal media myth shot down: Tea Party members are uneducated. The Gallup poll finds that 65 percent of Tea Party members have some college education. The poll found 34 percent had some college background, 16 percent were college graduates and 15 percent had postgraduate experience.

From Gallup: "A separate question included in the March 26-28 poll showed that 37% of Americans view the Tea Party movement favorably and 40% unfavorably, with the remainder expressing no opinion."

Sounds like the Mainstream Media is in the minority in vilifying the Tea Party movement. They used the same tactics in 2008 to denigrate Sarah Palin. What is the media afraid of?

To review the full Gallup Poll results, click here.

Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS

Russ Diamond: The singing Lt. Governor candidate

Eat your heart out Bon Jovi and John Cougar Mellencamp.

For more on the Russ Diamond campaign, visit www.russdiamond.org

Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS

Tony Blankley: A sinking ship of state undrer Obama

Obama's Afghan war policy is in shambles, but the state-run media continues to cover up his incompetence.

BLANKLEY: A sinking ship of state - Washington Times

Columnist: Democrats reek of George Wallace

Tea-bagger epithet just the latest example of liberals' hate hypocrisy, says Washington Times columnist Ray Hartwell.

HARTWELL: Democrats reek of George Wallace - Washington Times

Video: Public Sector Employees Killing U.S. Economy

Also check out Nick Gillespie's post at BIG GOVERNMENT

Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS

Tony Phyrillas wins first place award for column writing

A few years back, a left-wing blogger referred to me as a "shameless self-promoter" because I posted something about a national award I won for my newspaper columns.

If that liberal blogger is still around, he's not going to like this post either.

The Mercury won three awards in its circulation category in the annual Pennsylvania Associated Press Managing Editors contest.

This is from The Associated Press story listing the winners:

The Pennsylvania Associated Press Managing Editors announced winners of the group's annual writing and photo contests.

Cash awards will be presented to the first-place winners at the annual PAPME awards dinner in Harrisburg on May 14.

The entries were judged by editors at AP member newspapers in Colorado and Utah.

Judges selected a "Best of Show" winner across all circulation divisions, and a photographer to receive the Paul Vathis Memorial Photography Portfolio Award, in honor of the late Pulitzer Prize-winning AP photographer from Pennsylvania. Winners for both prizes will be revealed at the award ceremony.

CIRCULATION 15,000-30,000

WRITING
Column
First: Tony Phyrillas, The Mercury, "Gov. Rendell is turning into a Republican"
Second: Nancy March, The Mercury, "Telling your stories is a privilege"

Public Service
First: Centre Daily Times Staff, Centre Daily Times, "Binge Drinking"
Second: Nancy March, Evan Brandt, The Mercury, "Borough on the brink"

You can read the full award-winning entry, "Gov. Rendell is turning into a Republican," at The Mercury's Web site.

Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS

Anti-Tom Corbett site launches

A "conservative political activist" fed up with "corrupt politicians who run negative smear campaigns" launched a blog over the Easter weekend called The Real Tom Corbett, a site dedicated to "revealing the seldom-seen but verifiable facts" about Republican Attorney General Tom Corbett, who wants to be Pennsylvania's next governor.

The blogger remains anonymous, using the name Only The Truth to post his or her articles about Corbett.

It's unlikely the site has any direct ties to Corbett's political rival, Sam Rohrer - the Berks County state lawmaker also seeking the GOP nomination for governor - but it's also clear that the blogger is a Sam Rohrer supporter.

So far, the site contains two posts: "The big elephant in the room," which claims Corbett is misrepresenting Rohrer's 2005 vote on the legislative pay raise, and "The curious case of the Facebook fans," which claims the Corbett campaign is somehow manipulating the number of "fans" its candidate has collected on Facebook.

If only elections were decided on Facebook.

The blog also includes links to two other blogs that are often critical of Corbett, CasablancaPA and PennPatriot.

Check out The Real Tom Corbett for yourself here.

Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS

Phillies win 2010 opener

Pitching ace Roy Halladay was dominating on the mound and Ryan Howard hit his first homer of the season as the Philadelphia Phillies began their defense of the National League Pennant by crushing the Washington Nationals 11-1 to win their 2010 opener Monday afternoon.

Now that's the way to start the season.

Oh yeah, some guy named Barack Obama threw out the first pitch.

Halladay struck out nine batters in seven innings of work, allowing one run, six hits and two walks in his National League debut.

Ryan Howard hit a two-run homer to right field in the fourth to give the Phillies a 2-1 lead.

Third-baseman Placido Polanco, making his return to the Phillies, had six RBIs, including a grand slam in the fourth inning that put the game away.

Game 1 of the 2010 World Series is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 27. Halladay is penciled in to start that game. See you then.

Keep up with the Phillies at the team's Web site.

Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS

Wild Pitch From Obama

Obama double-clutched on the mound (that's a balk) and then threw wildly left of the plate. Sums up his first year on office.

Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS

National Ability Center and Wounded Warrior Project to Host Project Odyssey

National Ability Center and Wounded Warrior Project to Host Project Odyssey

2010 White House Easter Egg Roll

Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS

'Clash of the Titans' continues 3-D streak at No. 1

"Clash of the Titans" topped the box office on Easter weekend with an estimated $61.4 million, according to BoxOfficeMojo.com

This marks the 12th consecutive week in which a 3-D release has finished No. 1 in the weekend box-office competition, 7 weeks for "Avatar," 3 weeks for "Alice in Wonderland," 1 week for "How to Train Your Dragon" and 1 week for "Clash of the Titans."

"Titans" also scored well overseas, earning another $44.2 million in international markets.

And how about that Sam Worthington. A virtual unknown a few months ago, he now stars in back-to-back Hollywood blockbusters, "Avatar" and "Clash of the Titans."

Below are the weekend Top 5 Studio Estimates for the weekend of April 2-4. Final numbers will be released Monday afternoon.

Rank. Movie Title (Distributor)
Weekend Gross | Theaters | Total Gross | Week #

1. Clash of the Titans (2010) (Warner Bros.)
$61.4 million | 3,777 | $64.1 million | 1

2. Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married Too? (Lionsgate)
$30.2 million | 2,155 | $30.2 million | 1

3. How to Train Your Dragon (Paramount (DreamWorks))
$29.2 million | 4,060 | $92.3 million | 2

4. The Last Song (Buena Vista)
$16.2 million | 2,673 | $25.6 million | 1

5. Alice in Wonderland (2010) (Buena Vista)
$8.3 million | 2,980 | $309.8 million | 5

Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS

Governor Rendell Proclaims April as 'Financial Education Month'

Governor Rendell Proclaims April as 'Financial Education Month'

Rubley backs Buckwalter in 157th House race

The woman who held the 157th District state House seat for 16 years has picked the person she would like to see win that seat this year.

Former state Rep. Carole Rubley, who retired in 2008, has endorsed Phoenixville Borough Councilman Kendrick Buckwalter in the 157th District race.

"I have known Ken for many years. I respect his work ethic, his strong
commitment to the community, and his faithful observance to our Constitution," Rubley said. "I strongly support his candidacy for State Representative. Ken is a man of principle and integrity who stands up for the Rule of Law. He can be counted on to work full time for the citizens of the 157th District.”

Buckwalter, a business owner and member of Phoenixville Borough Council, said, "I'm honored to have the support of Carole Rubley. She faithfully represented our district in Harrisburg. She is a respected member of our community and I appreciate her help and her support."

Buckwalter is running in the May 18 Republican Primary. He is a recommended candidate by the Republican Committee of Chester County.

"I'm looking forward to representing the district," Buckwalter said. "As a Councilman for eight years I’ve compiled a record of protecting taxpayers. I look to cut government programs that waste tax dollars. As a business owner for 36 years, I know the value of a dollar. I’m a businessman, not a career politician."

Rubley refused to endorse a GOP candidate in 2008. Her seat ended up in the hands of Democrat Paul Drucker, who is seeking a second two-year term in the House.

For more information on Buckwalter's campaign, see www.buckwalterforpa.com

Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS

Obama poll numbers continue to sink

The Obama lovers are going to have a hard time explaining this one. Despite the passage of Obamacare, job approval numbers for The Chosen One continue to slide.

From a new CBS News poll:

Last week, President Obama signed historic health care reform legislation into law -- but his legislative success doesn't seem to have helped his image with the American public.

The latest CBS News Poll, conducted between March 29 and April 1, found Americans unhappier than ever with Mr. Obama's handling of health care - and still worried about the state of the economy.

President Obama's overall job approval rating has fallen to an all-time low of 44 percent, down five points from late March, just before the health bill's passage in the House of Representatives. It's down 24 points since his all-time high last April.

Forty-one percent of those polled said they disapproved of the president's performance. When it comes to health care, the President's approval rating is even lower -- and is also a new all-time low. Only 34 percent approved, while 55 percent said they disapproved.

Read more poll results here.

Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS

Desperate For Votes

Prison guards criticize plan to man towers with cameras

An armed guard or a video camera? Which would you rather see on top of the walls at Pennsylvania's maximum security prisons?

The union representing state corrections officers is taking out newspaper ads across the state criticizing a Rendell Administration plan to replace 24-hour armed guards in towers with a system of video cameras.

The ads start out with the provocative question: "Which do you want as your family's last line of defense?" with a guard tower on one side and a video camera on the other.

The Pennsylvania State Corrections Officers Association says it's a safety issue. Rendell officials say they can save taxpayers about $5 million a year.

Prison guards criticize plan to man towers with cameras - The Mercury

Posted using ShareThis

For more information about the PSCOA, visit the group's Web site.

Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS

Pennsylvania Banking Department Announces Quarterly Report on Enforcement Actions

Pennsylvania Banking Department Announces Quarterly Report on Enforcement Actions

PennDOT Reminds Customers of Easy Online Organ Donor Registration

PennDOT Reminds Customers of Easy Online Organ Donor Registration

Commercial Bankruptcy Filings Up 52%

The Obama Recession Continues ...

Commercial Bankruptcy Filings Up 52% Year-over-year, Equifax Data Shows

Governor Rendell Announces Nominations, Appointments

Governor Rendell Announces Nominations, Appointments

Pa. sinks deeper in debt, Rendell in denial

The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue is expected to announce on April 1 that March tax revenues are expected to come in $273 million below the official estimate.

Pennsylvania is expecting a year-to-date budget shortfall of $750 million for the current fiscal year, which ends June 30. The state ran up a $3.25 billion deficit in the previous budget year.

Despite the ocean of red ink, Gov. Ed Rendell is in full-blown spin mode.

"With the significant revenue month of April just ahead, it is important to wait and see how the major tax category collections come in before we make assumptions about end-of-year revenues," Rendell said. "At this point it would be premature to deviate from the plan that I have already presented to balance the budget.

Republican lawmakers are more realistic about the state's fiscal woes.

From The Associated Press:

A top Republican state senator says Pennsylvania's budget situation is worsening and says it's reasonable to expect a $1 billion deficit by July 1.

Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Jake Corman said Wednesday that disappointing March tax collections are likely to bring the state's fiscal year shortfall to at least $700 million.

With three months to go in the fiscal year, the Centre County Republican says a $1 billion deficit, or more than 3 percent, is possible.

Corman says Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell should consider additional cuts in this year's budget.

However, Rendell said in a statement responding to Corman that a balanced budget is still within reach since April is also a big month for revenue.
He says it is important to wait before making assumptions.

Denial is a river that runs through Harrisburg.

Read Rendell's full statement at the link below:

Balanced Budget Still Within Reach Despite Weak March Revenues

Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS

PatriotPledge.org Launches the Patriot Pledge

The Patriot Pledge (www.patriotpledge.org) is an oath demanded by the people of all candidates running for elected office within the Congressional branch of the federal government. It is an oath each candidate signs committing him or her to the following:

* I will not serve within the Congressional branch of the federal government for more than 12 years.

* I will have a complete understanding of every provision of a bill prior to casting a vote in favor of it.

* I will spend the government's money as prudently as I would spend my own money, recognizing that each dollar the government spends was taken from a working citizen or borrowed against our future.

* I will not accept any health or retirement benefits after departing Congress provided to me as a member and will work to pass legislation ensuring Congress is part of the same social security and health benefits system provided to common working class Americans.

* I will record and post transcripts or videos on the internet of all meetings I or my staff hold with any lobbyist (or former congressmen) while serving in the Congress and I vow not to become a lobbyist following my tenure in Congress.

Read more at the link below:

PatriotPledge.org Launches the Patriot Pledge

Originally posted at TONY PHYRILLAS