Outgoing Specter Honored With $10 Million Dollars Of Pennsylvania Tax Money

Just when Harrisburg was trying to convince Pennsylvania taxpayers that this year's budget has sacrifices in it(and it does for SELECT non-profits and social programs) this story surfaces from the political watchdog group, Commonwealth Foundation, that Pennsylvania taxpayers are supplying $10 million for the "Arlen Specter Project Library Center" and another $10 million to Johnstown for the "John P. Murtha Center for Public Policy".

Nathan Benefield of the Commonwealth Foundation, a fiscally conservative Harrisburg-based think tank, responded by e-mail: "Unbelievable. Not only are taxpayers going to be forced to shoulder the burden for these projects (which despite billions in spending over the years, have shown no economic benefits), but they're not even getting proper credit. At least call it 'The Taxpayers Library' or the 'Pennsylvania State Debt Center.'"

It's amazing that Rendell sneaks in these legacy projects but touts education as the headliner for the budget. Ed always gets you looking left when you should be looking right.

Arlen, will veterans be able to read about tax on prosthetics in your library?

Murtha's Seat Could End Up Going To A Republican

Tim Burns, Republican Congressional Candidate 12th District Speaks With Friends At A Fundraising Rally- Post Gazette Photo

The vote to keep Chris Carney from a seat on the House Appropriations Committee doesn't seem to be the only rebuke of a Democrat by a Democrat. The Post-Gazette is reporting that voters in John Murtha country are leaning Republican according to Dennis Roddy.

In a district that has long belonged to a Democrat from Johnstown even as it drifted away from the national Democratic message, Ms. Banahasky offered three words the Republicans want to hear: "I just might."

She just might, as in, vote a Republican into Congress.

The candidates are Tim Burns, 42, a conservative Republican, tea party organizer and self-made millionaire, and Mark Critz, 48, a conservative Democrat who has spent much of his career on the byways of the sprawling 12th District, working economic development projects funded through Mr. Murtha's seat on the House Appropriations Committee.

"The common theme is people who love America and want to ensure that their children and grandchildren have a strong opportunity in this country," said Mr. Burns.

It is a place in which people still consider themselves New Deal Democrats or Hubert Humphrey Democrats.

Kanjorski, Murphy,And The Vote Against Carney.

In January, 2008 Congressmen Paul Kanjorski, Chris Carney, and Tim Holden appeared on WVIA TV on its segment "Bringing the House Home". During that presentation Chris Carney took a shot at Kanjorski because he brought home almost 3 times as much in earmarks than Kanjorski as a first termer.

Their differences didn't stop there. Kanjorski and Carney were at odds with the $700 billion dollar bailout bill in November 2008.

It's no secret that Paul Kanjorski and John Murtha were close friends. Politico wrote a story about their love of earmark money in 2007. Reiterating the saga of Cornerstone Technologies Ken Vogel wrote "In 1998, with the help of Rep. John P. Murtha, a fellow Pennsylvanian and the top Democrat on the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, Rep. Kanjorski earmarked $3.5 million for the research through the Navy." John Murtha used his seat on the Appropriations committee to become known as the "legendary appropriations earmarker from Johnstown".

As the wind blows it was no secret John Murtha supported fellow Democrat Carney as evidenced by his appearance at this Carney fundraiser. It appears Murtha wanted to take Carney under his wings.

Nobody can say that Kanjorski's memory is failing him. After John Murtha's passing it came time to replace his seat on the House Appropriations Committee. The media reported Kanjorski didn't support Carney for the position. Kanjorski's rescue team tried to couch its position on the vote by claiming it was secret but the cat was out of the bag.

Gort42 reported on his blog that Murtha backed Carney for a seat on the panel. Carney's appointment would have benefited Kanjorski but more importantly Northeastern Pennsylvania. Instead it appears Kanjorski threw his support to Philadelphia and Patrick Murphy. I wonder if Kanjorski went overboard into the ocean with women and children whether he would give them the life preserver first.

The vote was deja vu for Carney all over again. In December 2006 then freshman Chris Carney was denied a seat on the same committee despite a pledge by John Murtha to see he was appointed to it. One can't blame Murtha for trying but he just didn't have the votes. Carney should have said he was an earmark. Murtha would have been all over it.

Corey O'Brien, Kanjorski's primary opponent this election season, seized on the opportunity to discredit Kanjorski even though Kanjorski's office tried to deflect the criticism of a supposed secret vote. Evidently despite the claims by Ed Mitchell and Paul Kanjorski about his senority when it comes down to brass tacks Kanjorski doesn't have enough strength to hang a piece of paper on corkboard.

You may remember that Charlie Rangel held fundraisers for Murphy, Kanjorski, and Carney. Kanjorski and Murphy refused to give the money back. At least Chris Carney was willing to donate it to charity demonstrating his military training and instilled values.

As far as Patrick Murphy goes his political tactics mirror Paul Kanjorski. This letter to the editor that appears from The Intelligencer on Philly.com exposes a press release from Murphy that appears to intentionally mislead the public.

To the Editor:


Shortly after proudly voting "yes" on the health care bill, 8th District Congressman Patrick Murphy issued a press release entitled, "Bucks County Small Businesses Thank Rep. Murphy For Supporting Healthcare Insurance Reform." As a local small-business owner, my husband has heard underwhelming business support for Murphy around Bucks County. Thus, being baffled by the press release, we did a little research.

It seems that the organization that issued this "thank you" to Murphy, The Small Business Majority, is a nonprofit formed in 2009 to supposedly "speak for the nearly 28 million Americans who are self-employed or own businesses of up to 100 employees." But looking further into it, this organization has only 28 members nationwide. So it is really only .000001 percent of the nation's small businesses that are taking the liberty to speak for the rest of small-business owners. Furthermore, of the two lone Pennsylvania small businesses declaring membership in this "majority" organization, neither is from Murphy's congressional district.

This is just one more instance of Patrick Murphy's blatant mismanagement of truth and his repeated refusal to accurately represent his constituency. He needs to be voted out in November.

If Carney wins in November, and this is no means an endorsement, maybe he will have another shot at the seat. In the meantime he should watch his back. His bedfellows appear to have bedbugs.

Paul Kanjorski Touted His Seniority

Paul Kanjorski and Ed Mitchell proffered to the public about Kanjorski's seniority and it's (lack) of importance to Pennsylvania but more important to Kanjorski and his family.

In remebering John Murtha Ed Rendell offered these words that should make Paul Kanjorksi kringe.

Rendell said Murtha's death Feb. 8 at age 77 after complications from gallbladder surgery cost him a plainspoken friend and cost Pennsylvania "the best ally we ever had" in Washington.

Murtha's influence on Pennsylvania, and especially his ability to bring defense spending and jobs to the state following the steel industry meltdown of the 1970s and early '80s, was felt well beyond his 12th District, composed of parts of nine western counties, Rendell said.

"He was our go-to guy," Rendell said.

Rendell, who said that as mayor of Philadelphia he called upon Murtha for help, credited Murtha with saving the Philadelphia shipyard industry.

"Nobody is irreplaceable in the long run," Rendell said. "But he is as close to it as anybody I've seen."


Kanjorski never had the influence he claimed and never will.

Congressman John Murtha Dies

The Huffington Post is reporting that Pennsylvania Congressman John Murtha died this afternoon from complications of recent surgery.

First elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in February of 1974, Murtha dedicated his life to serving his country both in the military and in the halls of Congress. A former Marine, he became the first Vietnam War combat Veteran elected to the U.S. Congress.