Fast Eddie's Shuffle- Education Pays The Price

The money from the Porkulus Spendulous bill didn't leave the gate however our illustrious governor has made some eye opening decisions. He will use the discretionary money to plug holes in his budget. Okay so what's the big deal?

Rendell, who is relying on an infusion of federal money to balance the state budget, warned this week that if Congress approved the Senate's pared-down version of the stimulus package, Pennsylvanians should be prepared for severe pain from state budget cuts.

In the end, discretionary funding for governors to plug budget holes was reduced from $79 billion in the House bill to $39 billion, the amount contained in the Senate version.

But Rendell said that by drawing $600 million over two years from the stimulus package's school-district funding, the state would be able to meet its budget estimates without hurting Pennsylvania school districts.

"I thought what we got in House bill was very generous and helpful," he said. "But we roughed out with essentially the same as the House bill.

He is going to use the money for education to balance his ridiculous budget. What a Sham!!

Fast Eddie's assessment of the Porkulus Spendulous bill- "On balance, the relief that goes to citizens, the jobs created, the amount put into the economy, I'd give it a B-plus," he said.

How about trimming jobs rather than raid education? Pennsylvania is second in the nation. for number of legislators and cost.

With all that spending, it’s little wonder that in 2007, the cost to run the Legislature amounted to $25 for each Pennsylvania resident.

Pennsylvania’s per capita cost is far higher than that of legislatures in neighboring states, according to an analysis by the National Conference of State Legislatures. New York’s legislative per capita cost is $11; New Jersey’s $8.89; Maryland’s $11.85 and Ohio’s $2.75.

Adding to the state's problems are pension costs. In 2001 the legislature voted a 50 percent increase in its pension and a 25 percent increase to teachers. The market crash has annointed our pension system as its latest victim. But more on that in a separate post.