Counties to Senate Republicans: No passing the buck!

Ten leaders representing 40 Pennsylvania counties visited Gov. Ed Rendell and members of the legislature Thursday carrying one simple message to Senate Republicans and their draconian budget proposal: “Don’t pass us the buck.”

County Commissioners and executives—including some from Republican counties—said they cannot afford to absorb additional costs that would become their responsibility if the commonwealth does not adequately fund programs through which they deliver services to their citizens. Counties would have to balance their…

June 27, 2009 at 9:20 am | Comments (0)

Bad news for Specter: Only 28 percent want him re-elected

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June 25, 2009 at 9:46 am | Comments (3)

Biden to Callahan: White House supports you

Vice President Joe Biden spoke last week with Democrat John Callahan and pledged the support of the White House should he challenge Congressman Charlie Dent (R-15) next fall, the Bethlehem mayor

June 24, 2009 at 8:53 pm | Comments (1)

In budget statement, Rendell makes an emotional appeal

In a truly inspiring

June 24, 2009 at 1:36 pm | Comments (0)

Budget continues to dominate news—a good thing for the GOP

The budget battle in Harrisburg is in full swing and taxpayers across the commonwealth are clutching their wallets tightly, waiting to see if Gov. Ed Rendell and his Democratic allies can impose a major tax increase during one of the worst economic climates in our state’s history. Pennsylvania Republicans are committed to supporting a fiscally responsible budget plan and are outraged that the Democrats want to raise taxes by 16 percent on Pennsylvanians at a…

June 24, 2009 at 11:42 am | Comments (1)

Taking a look at Rendell’s proposed tax increase

Republicans, as expected, are up in arms and, as usual, spreading untruths about Gov. Ed Rendell’s proposed increase in personal income tax to help cover the commonwealth’s expected $3.2 billion budget deficit.

Despite cutting more than $1 billion out of the proposed budget for fiscal year 2009-2010 with still more to come, the GOP is accusing Rendell of refusing to make any cuts and of trying to maintain prerecession…

June 23, 2009 at 2:58 pm | Comments (0)

Why state Republicans should rethink their education-spending stance

While Pennsylvania’s legislators argue over the state budget, the federal government is putting pressure on Republicans to reconsider cuts that they have up until now insisted on making.

Republican state legislators have chosen to trim the state budget instead of increase the income tax. They should probably be putting their foots in their mouths: The Obama administration has threatened to withhold stimulus money intended as aid for schools from states that cut their education budgets.…

June 22, 2009 at 3:30 pm | Comments (0)

Some warning signs for the Democrats—Part 1

It’s still early, but there are indications that the honeymoon for the Obama adminstration may be coming to an end.  Among the warning signs:

1.  The New York Times yesterday published

June 19, 2009 at 8:09 am | Comments (0)

Specter fundraisers to meet in Philly, discuss Obama visit

A group of Democratic fundraisers organized by an ally of Gov. Ed Rendell will meet in Philadelphia Monday, and its members already have “homework”: coming up with a way to raise $5,000 each for Senator Arlen Specter’s campaign before the next Federal Election Commission deadline on June 30.

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June 18, 2009 at 5:54 pm | Comments (0)

How will the 2009 state budget battle shape 2010 elections?

By calling for a 16 percent increase in the personal income tax in order to keep state spending at pre-economic crisis levels, Gov. Ed Rendell has placed his Democrat colleagues in Harrisburg, particularly in the state House, in a box—and potentially at great political risk in 2010. Democrats will have to choose whether to support the agenda of a lame-duck governor, or stand up for their constituents and reject his plan to increase taxes on…

June 18, 2009 at 4:56 pm | Comments (0)