This letter proves the right message is making it through Camp Eachus's bogus claims.
Editor,
My life has been dedicated to upholding the law. In additon to being the former mayor of Boonton, NJ, I was with the Morris County, N.J., Sheriff's Department for 24 years and spent 10 years as a constable for the Superior Court of The State of New Jersey, prior to moving to this area many years ago.
I've always been passionate about issues that impact the area in which I have resided and, as such, have been closely following the race for state representative between 14-year-incumbent Todd Eachus and attorney Tarah Toohil.
So, let me get this straight. Eachus has not answered the Bonusgate questions; Eachus has not agreed to a debate; Eachus has not returned the campaign contributions he accepted from admitted felon Bob Powell. What has he done? He has raised taxes repeatedly; he has watched our area plunge into the depths of joblessness and increased violent crimes; and he has made false statements to our community.
Last year I had the pleasure of meeting attorney Tarah Toohil when she was first running for this office. In my conversation, I learned she was never asked to run for the position. Just the opposite. She informed the Republicans she was running for the office. They were going to have to accept the fact that she was going after this seat. It's not her style to ask permission of anyone, including any "political party bosses," contrary to Mr. Eachus' false assertions in flyers.
Furthermore, Mr. Eachus claims now that attorney Toohil was hired by now disgraced Judge Mark Ciavarella. This is beyond a stretch of truth! It's a flat-out lie! Toohil was a law clerk at the courthouse and all people who clerk at the courthouse must be signed off on by the president judge at the time. And at the time, Chivarella was president judge. And if someone named Joe Blow were president judge at the time, that person would have signed off on her. She was not "hired" by anyone. She was approved for a position based upon her merits and abilities - not any patronage.
Seems Mr. Eachus wants to claim anyone who ever stepped foot in that courthouse as corrupt. So, none of us better go there to renew our passports or we will be facing similar false allegations from our elected official.
And what makes this even worse is that our area was hit by a horrible armed robbery at the Laurel Mall yesterday. Mr. Eachus should be talking about plans to reduce crime in our area, not running around like a chicken with his head cut off (yes, I said the chicken word) trying to spread false assertions for his own political self-interest.
So, Eachus, buries over $16 million for the cargo airport into a state gaming bill; he does not give us property tax reliefwe were promised in exchange for table games; he takes money from felons; he uses per diems to pay off a second home he bought with our taxpayer dollars; and he has the nerve to claim others are tied to corruption?
Seems to me, as someone who has years of experience in law enforcement, Eachus is walking a very slippery slope. In fact, I just think he fell on his feathery behind with this tactic.
Lou Masterbon
Butler Township
Showing posts with label Lord of Todd Eachus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lord of Todd Eachus. Show all posts
Monday, October 18, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
When Did Politicians Last Surprise Us — By Doing What's Right?
Credit the headline to Thomas Friedman, a three-time Pulitzer prize winner, but more on that later in the post.
In an Opinion written by Mark Guydish of the Times Leader he drives home a great point about the necessity of transparency in government. He attacks House Majority Leader Todd Eachus for his "utterly uninformative remark" regarding legislative staff costs to the taxpayer's of Pennsylvania.
Eachus said “Our personnel office uses industry-wide best practices and standards, much like other public or private organizations, for salaries, ranges and job classifications. Beyond that, we don’t discuss details of our personnel decisions.”
When did the hiring practices and procedures of public officials become proprietary information? Is Eachus worried that Houses of Representatives in other states will steal Pennsylvania’s “best practices,” thus taking away our House’s competitive edge? Are we – despite having the most bloated legislative staff in the nation – at risk of a legislative staff gap?
Todd’s utterly uninformative remark was pathetic party-line self protection. In a legislature where $100 million goes toward staff, the names and salaries of staff members already are public. Sadly, you have to ask for them, and as former legislative aide turned reformer Tim Potts noted in an e-mail: “Technically, all staff work for the caucus leadership, not for the legislators.” Which means legislators can say they employ no staff, and be telling the truth.
Back to Thomas Friedman. He penned an Opinion for the New York Times about politicians doing what's right. Freidman was talking about the mosque in New York. The Standard Speaker picked up this column where the headline reads "The real divide is among Muslims." Friedman describes what he feels is missing in our leadership today by using Nelson Mandella as an example of rising above the crowd.
When the post-apartheid, black-led South African sports committee moved to change the team's name and colors, Mandela stopped them. He explained that part of making whites feel at home in a black-led South Africa was not uprooting all their cherished symbols. "That is selfish thinking," Mandela, played by Morgan Freeman, says in the movie. "It does not serve the nation." Then speaking of South Africa's whites, Mandela adds, "We have to surprise them with restraint and generosity." I love that line: "We have to surprise them." I was watching the movie on an airplane and scribbled that line down on my napkin because it summarizes what is missing today in so many places: Leaders who surprise us by rising above their histories, their constituencies, their pollsters, their circumstances — and just do the right things for their countries.
I tried to recall the last time a leader of importance surprised me on the upside by doing something positive, courageous and against the popular will of his country or party. I can think of a few: Yitzhak Rabin in signing onto the Oslo peace process. Anwar Sadat in going to Jerusalem. And, of course, Mandela in the way he led South Africa.
Eachus has been missing the point of leadership for a long time. He wants to hide behind House Rule 14 which he and his peers made to say that Per Diems are legal.
He doesn't want to disclose what the legislative salaries, ranges and job classifications. Why Todd? We must continue to ask Why? Here is a man who campaigned against midnight pay raises. Here is a man who campaigned against WAMS.
In this Opinion article from Robert Swift he informs us that WAMS are still available for incumbent protection.
It used to be that you knew a WAM when you saw one. A grant announced by a lawmaker to pay for repairs to a municipal building, the purchase of Little League equipment or a hometown festival. In recent years, you could get a good idea of the amount allocated for WAMs by checking the "community revitalization" spending item under the Department of Community and Economic Development.
That spending item is zero-funded in the new state budget, but WAMs have migrated to other repositories: "community conservation and employment" funded at $24 million and "urban development' funded at $10 million.
As WAMs have spread out so has the debate about what they are. The market-oriented Commonwealth Foundation has identified what it calls governor's WAMs. Some suggest that spending where officials can exercise discretion about who the recipients are constitute WAMs.
In this press release Rep. John Yudichak is transparent about the fact that legislatvie leadership accounts have $200 million in funds. Previously John Yudichak stated the Legislature "has to put more on the table," including long-hoarded leadership accounts, which he figures at about $200 million and calls "a padded reserve to buttress leaders."
In John Baer's column in the Philadelphia Daily News Cut services? Raise taxes? Let's try something newhe highlights some ideas that are right for Pennsylvanians.
Any WAMs, says Rep. Gene DePasquale, D-York, "should be first to go . . . clearly before cuts to health care, education or environmental protection."
Rep. Bryan Lentz, D-Delco, calls cutting WAMs "a good suggestion."
Back to Mark Guydish's Opinion. Amidst exposure of ingrained corruption and outcries for true reform, such a move is a no-brainer.
Which makes Eachus’ statement insulting to anyone with intelligence.
In an Opinion written by Mark Guydish of the Times Leader he drives home a great point about the necessity of transparency in government. He attacks House Majority Leader Todd Eachus for his "utterly uninformative remark" regarding legislative staff costs to the taxpayer's of Pennsylvania.
Eachus said “Our personnel office uses industry-wide best practices and standards, much like other public or private organizations, for salaries, ranges and job classifications. Beyond that, we don’t discuss details of our personnel decisions.”
When did the hiring practices and procedures of public officials become proprietary information? Is Eachus worried that Houses of Representatives in other states will steal Pennsylvania’s “best practices,” thus taking away our House’s competitive edge? Are we – despite having the most bloated legislative staff in the nation – at risk of a legislative staff gap?
Todd’s utterly uninformative remark was pathetic party-line self protection. In a legislature where $100 million goes toward staff, the names and salaries of staff members already are public. Sadly, you have to ask for them, and as former legislative aide turned reformer Tim Potts noted in an e-mail: “Technically, all staff work for the caucus leadership, not for the legislators.” Which means legislators can say they employ no staff, and be telling the truth.
Back to Thomas Friedman. He penned an Opinion for the New York Times about politicians doing what's right. Freidman was talking about the mosque in New York. The Standard Speaker picked up this column where the headline reads "The real divide is among Muslims." Friedman describes what he feels is missing in our leadership today by using Nelson Mandella as an example of rising above the crowd.
When the post-apartheid, black-led South African sports committee moved to change the team's name and colors, Mandela stopped them. He explained that part of making whites feel at home in a black-led South Africa was not uprooting all their cherished symbols. "That is selfish thinking," Mandela, played by Morgan Freeman, says in the movie. "It does not serve the nation." Then speaking of South Africa's whites, Mandela adds, "We have to surprise them with restraint and generosity." I love that line: "We have to surprise them." I was watching the movie on an airplane and scribbled that line down on my napkin because it summarizes what is missing today in so many places: Leaders who surprise us by rising above their histories, their constituencies, their pollsters, their circumstances — and just do the right things for their countries.
I tried to recall the last time a leader of importance surprised me on the upside by doing something positive, courageous and against the popular will of his country or party. I can think of a few: Yitzhak Rabin in signing onto the Oslo peace process. Anwar Sadat in going to Jerusalem. And, of course, Mandela in the way he led South Africa.
Eachus has been missing the point of leadership for a long time. He wants to hide behind House Rule 14 which he and his peers made to say that Per Diems are legal.
He doesn't want to disclose what the legislative salaries, ranges and job classifications. Why Todd? We must continue to ask Why? Here is a man who campaigned against midnight pay raises. Here is a man who campaigned against WAMS.
In this Opinion article from Robert Swift he informs us that WAMS are still available for incumbent protection.
It used to be that you knew a WAM when you saw one. A grant announced by a lawmaker to pay for repairs to a municipal building, the purchase of Little League equipment or a hometown festival. In recent years, you could get a good idea of the amount allocated for WAMs by checking the "community revitalization" spending item under the Department of Community and Economic Development.
That spending item is zero-funded in the new state budget, but WAMs have migrated to other repositories: "community conservation and employment" funded at $24 million and "urban development' funded at $10 million.
As WAMs have spread out so has the debate about what they are. The market-oriented Commonwealth Foundation has identified what it calls governor's WAMs. Some suggest that spending where officials can exercise discretion about who the recipients are constitute WAMs.
In this press release Rep. John Yudichak is transparent about the fact that legislatvie leadership accounts have $200 million in funds. Previously John Yudichak stated the Legislature "has to put more on the table," including long-hoarded leadership accounts, which he figures at about $200 million and calls "a padded reserve to buttress leaders."
In John Baer's column in the Philadelphia Daily News Cut services? Raise taxes? Let's try something newhe highlights some ideas that are right for Pennsylvanians.
Any WAMs, says Rep. Gene DePasquale, D-York, "should be first to go . . . clearly before cuts to health care, education or environmental protection."
Rep. Bryan Lentz, D-Delco, calls cutting WAMs "a good suggestion."
Back to Mark Guydish's Opinion. Amidst exposure of ingrained corruption and outcries for true reform, such a move is a no-brainer.
Which makes Eachus’ statement insulting to anyone with intelligence.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Tara Toohil Thinks State Government Is "Broken"
Standard Speaker veteran reporter Mia Light informs her readers about election issues Tarah Toohil feels are the important points of her campaign for State Representative in the 116th district.
"I think the government is broken. I think it has gone so far afield from the way that government was intended to be," Toohil said during a meeting with the Standard-Speaker editorial board recently.
"(The issue of) property taxes is huge."
"People are still so upset about the gambling money. People remember that last year's state budget hinged on that gambling money and senior citizens remember that they were supposed to get a tax break with that money."
She is in favor of term limits. And she believes fiscal responsibility begins with trimming a lot of the government's own fat.
"Government was supposed to have representatives that are just like everyone else in the community. They weren't supposed to be career politicians."
"The legislature we have now, they're always serving themselves with perks and per diems that are out of control to the point of becoming like an additional salary. That's the biggest problem with the legislature. Rather than being an honor and a privilege to serve their community, they feel we should pay them with excessive perks and pensions."
She believes elected officials should liken themselves to the British House of Commons. "The House of Representatives was supposed to be like in the British Parliamentary System, the House of Commons."
Most people aren't familiar with the British system but here are some highlights. Click on this link to see the expense reporting requirements for Members of Parliament(MPs).
Members of Parliament ARE REQUIRED to list ALL their expenses unlike PA legislators and they are published on a free website for public review. Travel costs, stationery and postage costs, details of catering functions and events hosted by Members, repayments made against all claim types, and net totals, reflecting the repayments made against the original claims are searchable on the net for the public's curiosity and right to know. THERE ARE NO PER DIEMS.
In June 2009 more than a million documents and receipts were published online. These related to MPs' claims dating back to 2004/05 and up to 2007/08.
In December 2009 these pages were updated to include information about MPs' claims for costs incurred when staying away from their main home in 2008/09 and the first quarter of 2009/10.
Parliament publishes
"The Green Book" which serves as a guide to MP allowances. Pennsylvania legislators have a $10,000 no receipt expense account, free health care, fully paid vision and dental coverage, free prescriptions, fully paid life insurance and long-term care insurance, and the 50% increase in pension benefits the legislators awarded themselves nine years ago.
In order to see what expenses are reimbursed to Pennsylvania legislators you must submit a right to know request. In Britain all you have to do is boot up your computer and have at it.
If Pennsylvania legislators were truly interested in reform quick adoption of this reporting system would be a start.
One other piece of information. In 2009 Members of Parliament were paid the equivalent of $103,918.00(The current annual salary for an MP is £65,738). Keep in mind that is to run a country. They must account for all of the public funds they spend.
Todd Eachus's salary is over $115,000 and Paul Kanjorski's salary is $175,000 plus. Why voters keep returning them to office is beyond me.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
It's Not My Fault- Eachus Skips Drama
Pennylvania's solons have been less than sensitve to citizens who are more sensitive to taxation than ever. More importantly the legislators' commitment to quality government is not their first priority. Unfortunatley the convictions of Michael Veon and Brett Cott demonstrate that incumbent protection and re-election are the main focus of the occupants of the seats within the Capitol Rotundra.
Witness the mentality of Mike Dawida to blame the media for the corruption in Harrisburg.
"So what has happened to seemingly reverse the requirement of ethical behavior by lawmakers and (as) a result put them on the chopping block by citizens weary of conflict and corruption? ... First and foremost is an alteration in the way the media covers Harrisburg ...," Mr. Dawida complains. The flow of information is not guided by any "wisdom, discretion or ethics," he laments.
"A 'herd' mentality rules that leads to the media overpublicizing a few of the most salacious items and under-reports all else. Another way of putting it is that there is no reward for good behavior developed by solid long term efforts. ...
"(N)ow only the sensational and scandalous get coverage and the thundering herd tramples the ground so thoroughly that the only thing the public learns is of little value."
If only the media would report all the good stuff that legislators do, there wouldn't be all that corruption, he effectively says. Thus, "Lawmakers being eminently practical follow the easier road to re-election.
In his miniscual mind he believes the media is responsible for the unacceptable behaviors in Harrisburg. Just this week I heard a story about Todd Eachus getting a ride in a "Ford" over his per diems. He claimed innocence and said his taking of per diems was legal. He forgets that he wrote the law and its provisions so no Todd, it was only legal because you and your fellow cronies devised the system that way. If you ask us as citizens who are more sensitive to taxation than ever stop the malarcky and get to work.
Witness the mentality of Mike Dawida to blame the media for the corruption in Harrisburg.
"So what has happened to seemingly reverse the requirement of ethical behavior by lawmakers and (as) a result put them on the chopping block by citizens weary of conflict and corruption? ... First and foremost is an alteration in the way the media covers Harrisburg ...," Mr. Dawida complains. The flow of information is not guided by any "wisdom, discretion or ethics," he laments.
"A 'herd' mentality rules that leads to the media overpublicizing a few of the most salacious items and under-reports all else. Another way of putting it is that there is no reward for good behavior developed by solid long term efforts. ...
"(N)ow only the sensational and scandalous get coverage and the thundering herd tramples the ground so thoroughly that the only thing the public learns is of little value."
If only the media would report all the good stuff that legislators do, there wouldn't be all that corruption, he effectively says. Thus, "Lawmakers being eminently practical follow the easier road to re-election.
In his miniscual mind he believes the media is responsible for the unacceptable behaviors in Harrisburg. Just this week I heard a story about Todd Eachus getting a ride in a "Ford" over his per diems. He claimed innocence and said his taking of per diems was legal. He forgets that he wrote the law and its provisions so no Todd, it was only legal because you and your fellow cronies devised the system that way. If you ask us as citizens who are more sensitive to taxation than ever stop the malarcky and get to work.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Ed Mitchell Linked To Times Leader City Editor
There is an interesting post over at Pennsylvania Political Clouds linking Ed Mitchell to a Times Leader editor.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Pennsylvania Workers Here's An Example of Failed Leadership
This summer state employees were pawns in a budget impasse. Here is the advice they received from one of their unions.
PSECU has developed a special 0% Annual Percentage Rate (APR) PA Budget Impasse Loan*.
Loan Details•0% APR line of credit during the 2009/2010 PA budget impasse and for 60 days after the budget is signed by the Governor. Any remaining balance after that time will begin to accrue interest at a low rate of 3.9% APR.•A $1,000 line of credit will be available on each pay date affected by the impasse. The line of credit will be increased in $1,000 increments every two weeks during the impasse.•No penalty for early repayment.
In Order To Be Eligible, You Must
After you have a PA Budget Impasse Loan set up, it will be available for use on your first affected pay. If your first affected pay is on or before July 17, the loan will follow a bi-weekly cycle starting on the 17th. If your first affected pay is on July 24, the loan will follow a bi-weekly cycle starting on the 24th.
Important: The money is available as a line of credit. You have the option to use - or not use - the money. If you choose to use it, you will need to "advance" your loan into your checking or savings shares.
After you advance your loan into a share, you can use the money to pay loans or access your money with your PSECU Check (debit) Card. You can use the card to withdraw at an ATM and/or make purchases. When using debit with the PSECU Check Card, you must have funds available in your checking shares or your transaction will be declined.
SOP can go on and on but
PSECU has developed a special 0% Annual Percentage Rate (APR) PA Budget Impasse Loan*.
Loan Details•0% APR line of credit during the 2009/2010 PA budget impasse and for 60 days after the budget is signed by the Governor. Any remaining balance after that time will begin to accrue interest at a low rate of 3.9% APR.•A $1,000 line of credit will be available on each pay date affected by the impasse. The line of credit will be increased in $1,000 increments every two weeks during the impasse.•No penalty for early repayment.
In Order To Be Eligible, You Must
After you have a PA Budget Impasse Loan set up, it will be available for use on your first affected pay. If your first affected pay is on or before July 17, the loan will follow a bi-weekly cycle starting on the 17th. If your first affected pay is on July 24, the loan will follow a bi-weekly cycle starting on the 24th.
Important: The money is available as a line of credit. You have the option to use - or not use - the money. If you choose to use it, you will need to "advance" your loan into your checking or savings shares.
After you advance your loan into a share, you can use the money to pay loans or access your money with your PSECU Check (debit) Card. You can use the card to withdraw at an ATM and/or make purchases. When using debit with the PSECU Check Card, you must have funds available in your checking shares or your transaction will be declined.
SOP can go on and on but
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Eachus Memo Surfaces Amid Allegations
SOP has obtained an email sent by Todd Eachus to Democratic Members and Legislative Assistants on November 09, 2009 at 13:37:58. Its reproduction is below.
From: Eachus, Todd
To: Dem Members & Legis Assts
Cc: Stalnecker, Angela; Kuller,Laura, Baughman, Vicki
Sent: Mon Nov 09 13:37:58 2009
Subject: Post-Budget Outreach Information
Dear Colleague:
Under my direction, the Office of Member Services recently compiled extensive budget reports specifically tailored to selected individual legislative districts. These reports detail the impact of the 2009-10 budget and were intended to serve as the foundation for Members' budget outreach with constituents and press. Whether it's a town hall meeting, a newsletter or a telephone conversation with a constituent, this information can be used to demonstrate how much better Pennsylvania fared as a result of our refusal to settle for the provisions of the Republican plan, S. B. 850.
The documents are proving to be a valuable resource to our Members, so with that in mind, I write to offer this service to you. Upon your request, I will instruct the Office of Member Services to compile a budget report for your legislative district which would include general talking points, detailed data, and a document delineating several outreach options that the Legislative Communications Office can help you execute.
If you are interested in having this information tailored for your legislative districted, please contact Angela Stalnecker in my office, at astalnec@pahouse.net or (717) 787-2229, and we'll get to work for you.
As always I will continue to do all I can to ensure that you receive the best possible service from our staff.
Todd
WOW!
Let's roll back the emails to a different time about the "incumbent protection program" put together by Eachus et al found on CasablancaPA.com.
THE VEON PAPERS
EXHIBIT F
Attachment 11
Document and mails shoping John Paul Jones performing House Democratic Campaign Committee campaign work on state time using state resources in 2007 under Todd Eachus' supervision.
From: Jones, John Paul
Sent: Wednesday, December 06, 2006 11:28 AM
To: Manzo, Michael; Cott, Brett
Cc: Manzo, Rachel
Subject: Incumbent Protection Meetings.
GOALS;
1. TO FOCUS, COORDINATE, AND DIRECT CAUCUS RESOURCES FOR THE PURPOSE OF INCUMBENT PROTECTION.
2. TO AVOID DUPLICATION OF INCUMBENT PROTECTION FUNCTIONS BETWEEN CAUCUS STAFF/offices.
3. To notify key caucus staff and leadership of progress (or lack thereof) by individual incumbents with regards to incumbent protection.
4. To share information across offices in order to constantly improve incumbent protection activities.
Meeting Composition:
Chairs- Rep. Eachus,
Mike Manzo,
Brett Cott
Leader's office- Paul Parsells
LCO- Chris Zarek
LRO- Jen Brubaker
OMS- Eric Webb
Approp.- Miriam Fox
ODA- Scott Casper
Policy Com-Rachel Manzo
Secretary-Mike Risch
Comm.-Barb Grill & Bill Patton
HDCC- Dan W. & Jess W.
F/R- Erin Madison
Misc. Staff- Jon Price, Bob Caton
Fast forward to the email "Under my direction, the Office of Member Services recently compiled extensive budget reports specifically tailored to selected individual legislative districts." Sure sounds like incumbent protection paid for by Pennsylvania taxpayers. Even in the Bonusgate climate it seems political addiction to certain behaviors are unstoppable.
Why should legislative staff be assigned to these tasks, and why should these members have to ask the leader's office for information? How can the leader justify using legislative staff when the Pennsylvania budget is still not finished?
This program smacks of the Members Incentive Program that had to go thorugh Eachus in 2007.
interoffice memorandum
to: Todd Eachus
from: Andrea Berringer
subject: INcnetive program
date: 4/2/2007
cc: JOhn JOnes
HDCC (MIP) Member Incentive Program
The most effective way to bring in money to HDCC is through call time. But call time is exactly that. TIME and time is a tough commodity here in Harrisburg. That is why it is going to take a rotation of members through HDCC's door to call on the organizations behalf to really build its bank. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to get our members to offer up their valuable time to us, especially the ones who do not use services from HDCC or receive assistance at election time or during a primary situation. This is why I am proposeing the HDCC (MIP) Member Incentive Program.
HDCC will supply lists of potential donors to the Campaign Committee from the general area that the member is from. The members will use HDCC to make the calls, handle all follow up, attribution of donations to its respective caller and thank you letters. For their time, the Member will receive 30% of the donations they raise in the form of a contribution to their campaign committee sent monthly. This program will have a cap at $75,0000 total raised ($50,000 to HDCC and $25,000 to the member.)
After the Member has raised their commitment to HDCC, and wants to continue to fundraise for his/herself, HDCC will continue to keep with lists. HDCC will supply Members with lists of democratic donors that are micro-targeted to their particula districts/committees/issues/etc/ but all follow up, phone lines, and staffing from then on will be theirs. But because HDCC will still be supplying ALL of the prospects, we will be asking for 10%. (*Mind you this alleviates countless man hours of research, data entry, and cross referencing.)
This program will be offered to the Members who are in seats that often have primary challengers first; then rolled out to our most vulnerable seats and outward to all as soon as HDCC has the finance staff to support this.
John Jones
Representative Todd Eachus
717-787-4819
I guess we are back to Brad Bumsted's opinion on where does one draw the line between legislative and campaign work. It should start when all legislative efforts are focused on Pennsylvania and not the battle between Democrats and Republicans.
From: Eachus, Todd
To: Dem Members & Legis Assts
Cc: Stalnecker, Angela; Kuller,Laura, Baughman, Vicki
Sent: Mon Nov 09 13:37:58 2009
Subject: Post-Budget Outreach Information
Dear Colleague:
Under my direction, the Office of Member Services recently compiled extensive budget reports specifically tailored to selected individual legislative districts. These reports detail the impact of the 2009-10 budget and were intended to serve as the foundation for Members' budget outreach with constituents and press. Whether it's a town hall meeting, a newsletter or a telephone conversation with a constituent, this information can be used to demonstrate how much better Pennsylvania fared as a result of our refusal to settle for the provisions of the Republican plan, S. B. 850.
The documents are proving to be a valuable resource to our Members, so with that in mind, I write to offer this service to you. Upon your request, I will instruct the Office of Member Services to compile a budget report for your legislative district which would include general talking points, detailed data, and a document delineating several outreach options that the Legislative Communications Office can help you execute.
If you are interested in having this information tailored for your legislative districted, please contact Angela Stalnecker in my office, at astalnec@pahouse.net or (717) 787-2229, and we'll get to work for you.
As always I will continue to do all I can to ensure that you receive the best possible service from our staff.
Todd
WOW!
Let's roll back the emails to a different time about the "incumbent protection program" put together by Eachus et al found on CasablancaPA.com.
THE VEON PAPERS
EXHIBIT F
Attachment 11
Document and mails shoping John Paul Jones performing House Democratic Campaign Committee campaign work on state time using state resources in 2007 under Todd Eachus' supervision.
From: Jones, John Paul
Sent: Wednesday, December 06, 2006 11:28 AM
To: Manzo, Michael; Cott, Brett
Cc: Manzo, Rachel
Subject: Incumbent Protection Meetings.
GOALS;
1. TO FOCUS, COORDINATE, AND DIRECT CAUCUS RESOURCES FOR THE PURPOSE OF INCUMBENT PROTECTION.
2. TO AVOID DUPLICATION OF INCUMBENT PROTECTION FUNCTIONS BETWEEN CAUCUS STAFF/offices.
3. To notify key caucus staff and leadership of progress (or lack thereof) by individual incumbents with regards to incumbent protection.
4. To share information across offices in order to constantly improve incumbent protection activities.
Meeting Composition:
Chairs- Rep. Eachus,
Mike Manzo,
Brett Cott
Leader's office- Paul Parsells
LCO- Chris Zarek
LRO- Jen Brubaker
OMS- Eric Webb
Approp.- Miriam Fox
ODA- Scott Casper
Policy Com-Rachel Manzo
Secretary-Mike Risch
Comm.-Barb Grill & Bill Patton
HDCC- Dan W. & Jess W.
F/R- Erin Madison
Misc. Staff- Jon Price, Bob Caton
Fast forward to the email "Under my direction, the Office of Member Services recently compiled extensive budget reports specifically tailored to selected individual legislative districts." Sure sounds like incumbent protection paid for by Pennsylvania taxpayers. Even in the Bonusgate climate it seems political addiction to certain behaviors are unstoppable.
Why should legislative staff be assigned to these tasks, and why should these members have to ask the leader's office for information? How can the leader justify using legislative staff when the Pennsylvania budget is still not finished?
This program smacks of the Members Incentive Program that had to go thorugh Eachus in 2007.
interoffice memorandum
to: Todd Eachus
from: Andrea Berringer
subject: INcnetive program
date: 4/2/2007
cc: JOhn JOnes
HDCC (MIP) Member Incentive Program
The most effective way to bring in money to HDCC is through call time. But call time is exactly that. TIME and time is a tough commodity here in Harrisburg. That is why it is going to take a rotation of members through HDCC's door to call on the organizations behalf to really build its bank. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to get our members to offer up their valuable time to us, especially the ones who do not use services from HDCC or receive assistance at election time or during a primary situation. This is why I am proposeing the HDCC (MIP) Member Incentive Program.
HDCC will supply lists of potential donors to the Campaign Committee from the general area that the member is from. The members will use HDCC to make the calls, handle all follow up, attribution of donations to its respective caller and thank you letters. For their time, the Member will receive 30% of the donations they raise in the form of a contribution to their campaign committee sent monthly. This program will have a cap at $75,0000 total raised ($50,000 to HDCC and $25,000 to the member.)
After the Member has raised their commitment to HDCC, and wants to continue to fundraise for his/herself, HDCC will continue to keep with lists. HDCC will supply Members with lists of democratic donors that are micro-targeted to their particula districts/committees/issues/etc/ but all follow up, phone lines, and staffing from then on will be theirs. But because HDCC will still be supplying ALL of the prospects, we will be asking for 10%. (*Mind you this alleviates countless man hours of research, data entry, and cross referencing.)
This program will be offered to the Members who are in seats that often have primary challengers first; then rolled out to our most vulnerable seats and outward to all as soon as HDCC has the finance staff to support this.
John Jones
Representative Todd Eachus
717-787-4819
I guess we are back to Brad Bumsted's opinion on where does one draw the line between legislative and campaign work. It should start when all legislative efforts are focused on Pennsylvania and not the battle between Democrats and Republicans.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Kanjorski and Eachus Wrong on Dredge Issue- Crying Wolf in Sheep's Clothing
In recent days Paul Kanjorski and Todd Eachus have undertaken a co-ordinated partisan attack on the City of Hazleton and Mayor Lou Barletta. Eachus used taxpayer dollars to send a franking piece concerning the Hazleton Creek Properties reclamation project. He claims "I sent a letter to Secretary John Hanger requesting the permit be delayed unitl the people of our community had a chance to learn more about the health and public safety issues. Kanjo likewise sent a letter to Secretary John Hanger to reject Hazleton Creek Properties new permit application.
Here is a link to testimony and conclusions about the original dredge project that has been mischaracterized to the public by Eachus purely for partisan reasons. Mr. Eachus why are you unnecessarily employing scare tactics against your constituents?
Council Comment: There is clearly a need to promote remediation of past abuses in the area and promote new economic development. While no testimony was presented regarding Earth Conservancy, we note that when it was first created, there was much controversy and suspicion regarding its true nature and intent; similarly, some of the activities being conducted by CAN DO have met with opposition and suspicion.
In May 2005, Hazleton unveiled its proposal for Cranberry Creek, which includes a proposed $45-million open-air performing arts amphitheater. The project site is on280 acres of spoiled mine land southwest of the city. The site was home to two former landfills. Construction is planned to start in 5 years.
The plan is to reclaim the project area with Delaware River dredge mixed with cement and limekiln dust and alkaline coal combustion ash (fly ash). The use of dredge material and coal ash for land reclamation was successfully demonstrated during the Bark Camp Demonstration Project in Clearfield County.7 Based on the data produced at Bark Camp, Council feels that, with proper management and oversight, the use of dredge material and fly ash for reclamation can be an effective, safe and environmentally responsible option for addressing Pennsylvania’s abandoned mine reclamation needs. Dredge to be used for reclamation must undergo a 3-step sampling protocol; the dredge must be tested (1) before it leaves the
holding basin; (2) when it is received on-site; and (3) after it is mixed with other materials before it is placed. The dredge must meet standards that are 10% more stringent than the most conservative Act 2 standards to ensure that there is no migration to groundwater through the soil-to-water pathway.
The capacitors referred to in the testimony were identified in a newspaper article as pre-1979 electrical capacitors. They are stamped “Eleven,” identified by the EPA as a brand name for now-banned PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls, listed by EPA as probable human carcinogens), and are leaking a black, smelly liquid. According to the article, a man who worked for a firm that was contracted to cover the capacitors with dirt said the area is full of them, plus garbage and barrels of chemicals. He said the area is also full of metal cylinders where borehole testing was done.
DEP has stated that the sources of the capacitors and some of the other wastes dumped on the site have been identified, and commitments have been made to remove them. Site assessment data indicates that there is little concern for continued groundwater contamination from these materials since most of the chemicals have already been flushed out through the Jeddo Tunnel.
On August 19, 2005, DEP inspected the area and took samples. No contamination was detected, and DEP shared that information with Messrs. Magill, Kaufman and Yurick. On August 24, DEP held a public information meeting on Hazleton’s proposed reclamation project; the meeting focused on the application submitted by Hazleton Creek Properties LLC of Kingston, Luzerne County, to use river dredge, cement kiln dust, lime kiln dust, coal ash and cogeneration ash for the reclamation project. On October 5, 2005, DEP approved a general permit for the company’s land reclamation project.
In December 2005, the Hazleton Redevelopment Authority and Hazleton Creek
Properties LLC signed a consent order and agreement (COA) with DEP detailing cleanup requirements under the state’s Land Recycling Program. The COA establishes cleanup standards for contamination or other environmental problems encountered during redevelopment. The agreement also details the removal of capacitors found on site and cleanup of any contaminated soils under the supervision of EPA.
Substantial oversight is required to allay concerns that new players and new techniques will only bring new problems to add to the existing ones. Many of the issues being raised are addressable through good planning, proper management and open communication.
DEP responses to Ms. Deakos’ questions are as follows:
• Under Act 2, the current owner is not responsible for any cleanup of the site as long as it does not pose a threat off site. Similarly, the City of Hazleton is not involved with the Act 2 cleanup and has no obligations to “clean up the site and be liable for any future health problems.”
• DEP observed the initial removal action and has made regular visits to the site to ensure the area remains secure. Additional capacitors and impacted soil are awaiting removal once a contract bid is approved. EPA has the overall lead on the PCB issue, and DEP has been coordinating with them.
• The state is not requiring the use of fly ash/dredge at the site; the Hazleton Redevelopment Authority and the Hazleton Creek Properties LLC want to use these materials under the Special Industrial Agreement.
• This project is being administered by DEP’s Bureau of Abandoned Mine
Reclamation (BAMR). BAMR has evaluated surface water flow and potential
impacts and designed the project to handle the surface water runoff and not cause flooding. Future permits needed for development of the site will also evaluate surface water flow and drainages.
Here is a link to testimony and conclusions about the original dredge project that has been mischaracterized to the public by Eachus purely for partisan reasons. Mr. Eachus why are you unnecessarily employing scare tactics against your constituents?
Council Comment: There is clearly a need to promote remediation of past abuses in the area and promote new economic development. While no testimony was presented regarding Earth Conservancy, we note that when it was first created, there was much controversy and suspicion regarding its true nature and intent; similarly, some of the activities being conducted by CAN DO have met with opposition and suspicion.
In May 2005, Hazleton unveiled its proposal for Cranberry Creek, which includes a proposed $45-million open-air performing arts amphitheater. The project site is on280 acres of spoiled mine land southwest of the city. The site was home to two former landfills. Construction is planned to start in 5 years.
The plan is to reclaim the project area with Delaware River dredge mixed with cement and limekiln dust and alkaline coal combustion ash (fly ash). The use of dredge material and coal ash for land reclamation was successfully demonstrated during the Bark Camp Demonstration Project in Clearfield County.7 Based on the data produced at Bark Camp, Council feels that, with proper management and oversight, the use of dredge material and fly ash for reclamation can be an effective, safe and environmentally responsible option for addressing Pennsylvania’s abandoned mine reclamation needs. Dredge to be used for reclamation must undergo a 3-step sampling protocol; the dredge must be tested (1) before it leaves the
holding basin; (2) when it is received on-site; and (3) after it is mixed with other materials before it is placed. The dredge must meet standards that are 10% more stringent than the most conservative Act 2 standards to ensure that there is no migration to groundwater through the soil-to-water pathway.
The capacitors referred to in the testimony were identified in a newspaper article as pre-1979 electrical capacitors. They are stamped “Eleven,” identified by the EPA as a brand name for now-banned PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls, listed by EPA as probable human carcinogens), and are leaking a black, smelly liquid. According to the article, a man who worked for a firm that was contracted to cover the capacitors with dirt said the area is full of them, plus garbage and barrels of chemicals. He said the area is also full of metal cylinders where borehole testing was done.
DEP has stated that the sources of the capacitors and some of the other wastes dumped on the site have been identified, and commitments have been made to remove them. Site assessment data indicates that there is little concern for continued groundwater contamination from these materials since most of the chemicals have already been flushed out through the Jeddo Tunnel.
On August 19, 2005, DEP inspected the area and took samples. No contamination was detected, and DEP shared that information with Messrs. Magill, Kaufman and Yurick. On August 24, DEP held a public information meeting on Hazleton’s proposed reclamation project; the meeting focused on the application submitted by Hazleton Creek Properties LLC of Kingston, Luzerne County, to use river dredge, cement kiln dust, lime kiln dust, coal ash and cogeneration ash for the reclamation project. On October 5, 2005, DEP approved a general permit for the company’s land reclamation project.
In December 2005, the Hazleton Redevelopment Authority and Hazleton Creek
Properties LLC signed a consent order and agreement (COA) with DEP detailing cleanup requirements under the state’s Land Recycling Program. The COA establishes cleanup standards for contamination or other environmental problems encountered during redevelopment. The agreement also details the removal of capacitors found on site and cleanup of any contaminated soils under the supervision of EPA.
Substantial oversight is required to allay concerns that new players and new techniques will only bring new problems to add to the existing ones. Many of the issues being raised are addressable through good planning, proper management and open communication.
DEP responses to Ms. Deakos’ questions are as follows:
• Under Act 2, the current owner is not responsible for any cleanup of the site as long as it does not pose a threat off site. Similarly, the City of Hazleton is not involved with the Act 2 cleanup and has no obligations to “clean up the site and be liable for any future health problems.”
• DEP observed the initial removal action and has made regular visits to the site to ensure the area remains secure. Additional capacitors and impacted soil are awaiting removal once a contract bid is approved. EPA has the overall lead on the PCB issue, and DEP has been coordinating with them.
• The state is not requiring the use of fly ash/dredge at the site; the Hazleton Redevelopment Authority and the Hazleton Creek Properties LLC want to use these materials under the Special Industrial Agreement.
• This project is being administered by DEP’s Bureau of Abandoned Mine
Reclamation (BAMR). BAMR has evaluated surface water flow and potential
impacts and designed the project to handle the surface water runoff and not cause flooding. Future permits needed for development of the site will also evaluate surface water flow and drainages.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Republicans Preparing For Bonusgate Issues...But
As previously reported here the time is nearing for the next round of Bonusgate indictments. CasablancaPA has been providing excellent detailed coverage of the "possible participants" in the Bonusgate tale of taxpayer wasted dollars.
However, the folks at the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review are relentless in their coverage of what could possibly turn out to be Harrisburg's biggest political scandal of the last 100 years. Brad Bumsted's excellent coverage extends to today's article about Minority Policy Chairman Stan Saylor's advice to freshmen on what to expect when the "General" files charges against current or former GOP members or staffers in an ongoing corruption case.
"I think there's a belief that Thursday is the day (Corbett) will bring down the findings," said freshman Rep. Mike Reese, R-Mt. Pleasant.
If you read the article it focuses entirely on Republicans since, to date, only Democrats have been charged in this scandal.
Hold onto your hats, folks. The Democrats are not off the hook by a long shot according to our sources in Harrisburg. Although there have been no reports of target letters it is SOP's information that a top legislator and the person he replaced as top legislator will be indicted. It is possible other persons in their offices will receive the same fate but, as of now, SOP can only confidently report that at least those two will be "invited to the party."
On the Republican side it is pretty much a forgone conclusion that former speaker of the House of Representatives John Perzel and his former chief of staff Brian Preski will be receiving a "present" as the General likes to term it.
Mike Veon, one of the original twelve indicted, brought up the names of Todd Eachus, Bill DeWeese, Steven Stetler, and others in his court filings. Word has it that those filings didn't go unnoticed on the 16th floor at Strawberry Square.
Looks like it is onto Bonus-Gate after Budget-Late in Pennsylvania.
However, the folks at the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review are relentless in their coverage of what could possibly turn out to be Harrisburg's biggest political scandal of the last 100 years. Brad Bumsted's excellent coverage extends to today's article about Minority Policy Chairman Stan Saylor's advice to freshmen on what to expect when the "General" files charges against current or former GOP members or staffers in an ongoing corruption case.
"I think there's a belief that Thursday is the day (Corbett) will bring down the findings," said freshman Rep. Mike Reese, R-Mt. Pleasant.
If you read the article it focuses entirely on Republicans since, to date, only Democrats have been charged in this scandal.
Hold onto your hats, folks. The Democrats are not off the hook by a long shot according to our sources in Harrisburg. Although there have been no reports of target letters it is SOP's information that a top legislator and the person he replaced as top legislator will be indicted. It is possible other persons in their offices will receive the same fate but, as of now, SOP can only confidently report that at least those two will be "invited to the party."
On the Republican side it is pretty much a forgone conclusion that former speaker of the House of Representatives John Perzel and his former chief of staff Brian Preski will be receiving a "present" as the General likes to term it.
Mike Veon, one of the original twelve indicted, brought up the names of Todd Eachus, Bill DeWeese, Steven Stetler, and others in his court filings. Word has it that those filings didn't go unnoticed on the 16th floor at Strawberry Square.
Looks like it is onto Bonus-Gate after Budget-Late in Pennsylvania.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Eachus Largest Deficit Since The Great Depression Under His Watch
Why would Todd Eachus admit to creating the largest deficit since the Great Depression??
Eachus said he’s busy working to try to balance the state budget, which he said is “facing the largest deficit since the Great Depression” – $3.2 billion.
Todd Eachus takes credit for the Democrats reclaiming the House for the first time in twelve years back in 2006.
What is more amazing than all of his rhetoric is this statement found on his website.
Todd hit the ground running, fighting and winning to deliver meaningful legislation efforts that include:
•Guaranteeing affordable medicine to more than 120,000 seniors by expanding Pennsylvania’s prescription drug program.
Todd I challenge you to produce facts from the Department of Aging to verify 120,000 seniors were added to the program since 2006 when there were 317,000 total at the time. Remember, you "guaranteed" 120,000 seniors would be added to the program.
Readers, call the Department of Aging for yourselves to find the answers.
Eachus said he’s busy working to try to balance the state budget, which he said is “facing the largest deficit since the Great Depression” – $3.2 billion.
Todd Eachus takes credit for the Democrats reclaiming the House for the first time in twelve years back in 2006.
What is more amazing than all of his rhetoric is this statement found on his website.
Todd hit the ground running, fighting and winning to deliver meaningful legislation efforts that include:
•Guaranteeing affordable medicine to more than 120,000 seniors by expanding Pennsylvania’s prescription drug program.
Todd I challenge you to produce facts from the Department of Aging to verify 120,000 seniors were added to the program since 2006 when there were 317,000 total at the time. Remember, you "guaranteed" 120,000 seniors would be added to the program.
Readers, call the Department of Aging for yourselves to find the answers.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Its Time For Pennsylvania To Tighten Its Belt
In a recent post a commenter has been taking me to task on different issues. I decided to make an article out of my responses concerning the "State of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania". The Democrats and Republicans are blaming each other for the budget impasse. However, neither is communicating the real problems with funding the budget and why their positions are so etched in stone.
The commenter admitted being a Democrat but so is my wife. I won't hold that against him. However he blames Republicans for not wanting to raise taxes. Here is my response with some interesting and truthful facts.
Don't blame the Republicans for a no go on natural gas tax revenue...Rendell was the one who conceded to that industry according to this article. http://www.citizensvoice.com/news/business/rendell_drops_proposed_natural_gas_tax_for_now "Gov. Ed Rendell is accommodating industry requests and backing away from a state severance tax on natural gas production, which would have added revenue to prop up a new state budget."
Typical democratic philosophy... tax, tax, tax,...I will consider that option as soon as the legislature "takes a hit" which is a famous (Todd)Eachus quote. Decrease the size of the legislature..decrease the size of the staff...according to the Bonusgate indictment the staff are only needed for political campaigns and legislative policy, not state work or state issues. The Pennsylvania legislature perpetuates itself and its bloated staff. Read the local opinion written yesterday on the subject.
Pennsylvanians pay enough tax...why do many corporations incorporate in Delaware and not Pennsylvania? Why is the gas tax in Delaware alot less? Why is our sales tax at 6%? Rendell already raised the income tax during his tenure and wants more. Why?? Tax natural gas companies, that will only be passed onto the consumer..who are mostly Democrats in this state...Tobacco companies..again a significant industry in PA but look at the tobacco tax where it is at now...
Look at Pennsylvania figures for Medicaid and the prison populations.
Prison population up 40% in 9 years... http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/state/s_639625.html
Here is a document that contains a graph on the rise of Medicaid recipients in this state(since 1998)...(to)almost 2 million out of 12 million residents
http://www.pamedicaid.pitt.edu/documents/MA%20Basics%20FS%2008.pdf
So tax tax tax to support those problems...
I think you are forgetting the age of the population in Pennsylvania...22% are 18 and under plus 15.3% are 65 and older...That's 37% of the population who can't afford to pay exhorbitant tax rates...
http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/42000.html
We are only one of 9 states with a full time legislature...Why???
http://www.phillynorml.org/forum/index.php?topic=675.0
The total size, 253 members, and cost, $312 million, of the Pennsylvania Legislature both ranked second among the states in recent studies.
In addition to salary, House lawmakers receive an average $11,349 toward health insurance, an average $5,351 for prescription drugs with a co-pay, dental and vision benefits and a number of per-diem payments. Pensions and life and disability insurance benefits also count as individual benefits.
Support costs for House lawmakers include a $20,000 office expense account, a $7,800 vehicle expense reimbursement and $4,000 postage account. House lawmakers can use a car from the state government's fleet of more than 16,000 or be reimbursed for driving their own cars.
Senators receive an average $13,791 toward health insurance and dental and vision benefits. Since 2007, senators pay 1 percent of their salary to participate in the health care plan. They receive per diems, pensions and life and long-term care insurance as well.
Support costs for senators, who have larger constituencies, include a $25,000 expense account and $26,500 postage account. They can use a state car or claim mileage, currently at 55 cents a mile.
House and Senate lawmakers can claim a $143 per diem to cover costs of lodging and meals. The per diem amount fluctuates annually based on federal guidelines. Estimates of total annual per-diem costs are in the $2 million range. House members can claim per diems for voting and nonvoting session days, attending committee meetings, the day after the last weekday of a session and for overnight stays.
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.
Pennsylvania ranked second in 2007 for taxpayer dollars spent on the legislative branch - $312 million. California narrowly made first place with a $321 million legislative budget, even though it has a population three times the size of Pennsylvania's. New York ranked third with a $213 million budget.
With 253 members, Pennsylvania's Legislature also is second-largest in the nation. Lawmakers are assisted by nearly 3,000 staffers. Pennsylvania ranks behind only New York in size of the legislative staff, according to a 2003 NCSL study, the most recent available.
Thirty-nine House employees were paid more than $100,000 last year, according to records. Thirty Senate employees were listed with salaries more than $100,000 as of Dec. 31.
Before you want tax increases look at this state like a business person would.. You can't raise prices and hope customers will be happy. You also must control your expenses. The legislature received a 50% pension increase in 2001, and that's both Republicans and Democrats...Who is footing the bill..of course the taxpayers...
In 2005 the PA legislature approved an illegal pay raise of 16 to 34%.
http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=8309
Todd Eachus and 52 others have yet to pay that money back after it was repealed.
I forgot to post that the casinos are taxed at a 55% rate. Property tax relief for Pennsylvanians was part of that legislation but property owners have yet to see any of that money. Tax collections by the Commonwealth on that amount last month, based on the 55% rate, were $98,534,824, an average of $3.18 million per day.
The commenter admitted being a Democrat but so is my wife. I won't hold that against him. However he blames Republicans for not wanting to raise taxes. Here is my response with some interesting and truthful facts.
Don't blame the Republicans for a no go on natural gas tax revenue...Rendell was the one who conceded to that industry according to this article. http://www.citizensvoice.com/news/business/rendell_drops_proposed_natural_gas_tax_for_now "Gov. Ed Rendell is accommodating industry requests and backing away from a state severance tax on natural gas production, which would have added revenue to prop up a new state budget."
Typical democratic philosophy... tax, tax, tax,...I will consider that option as soon as the legislature "takes a hit" which is a famous (Todd)Eachus quote. Decrease the size of the legislature..decrease the size of the staff...according to the Bonusgate indictment the staff are only needed for political campaigns and legislative policy, not state work or state issues. The Pennsylvania legislature perpetuates itself and its bloated staff. Read the local opinion written yesterday on the subject.
Pennsylvanians pay enough tax...why do many corporations incorporate in Delaware and not Pennsylvania? Why is the gas tax in Delaware alot less? Why is our sales tax at 6%? Rendell already raised the income tax during his tenure and wants more. Why?? Tax natural gas companies, that will only be passed onto the consumer..who are mostly Democrats in this state...Tobacco companies..again a significant industry in PA but look at the tobacco tax where it is at now...
Look at Pennsylvania figures for Medicaid and the prison populations.
Prison population up 40% in 9 years... http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/state/s_639625.html
Here is a document that contains a graph on the rise of Medicaid recipients in this state(since 1998)...(to)almost 2 million out of 12 million residents
http://www.pamedicaid.pitt.edu/documents/MA%20Basics%20FS%2008.pdf
So tax tax tax to support those problems...
I think you are forgetting the age of the population in Pennsylvania...22% are 18 and under plus 15.3% are 65 and older...That's 37% of the population who can't afford to pay exhorbitant tax rates...
http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/42000.html
We are only one of 9 states with a full time legislature...Why???
http://www.phillynorml.org/forum/index.php?topic=675.0
The total size, 253 members, and cost, $312 million, of the Pennsylvania Legislature both ranked second among the states in recent studies.
In addition to salary, House lawmakers receive an average $11,349 toward health insurance, an average $5,351 for prescription drugs with a co-pay, dental and vision benefits and a number of per-diem payments. Pensions and life and disability insurance benefits also count as individual benefits.
Support costs for House lawmakers include a $20,000 office expense account, a $7,800 vehicle expense reimbursement and $4,000 postage account. House lawmakers can use a car from the state government's fleet of more than 16,000 or be reimbursed for driving their own cars.
Senators receive an average $13,791 toward health insurance and dental and vision benefits. Since 2007, senators pay 1 percent of their salary to participate in the health care plan. They receive per diems, pensions and life and long-term care insurance as well.
Support costs for senators, who have larger constituencies, include a $25,000 expense account and $26,500 postage account. They can use a state car or claim mileage, currently at 55 cents a mile.
House and Senate lawmakers can claim a $143 per diem to cover costs of lodging and meals. The per diem amount fluctuates annually based on federal guidelines. Estimates of total annual per-diem costs are in the $2 million range. House members can claim per diems for voting and nonvoting session days, attending committee meetings, the day after the last weekday of a session and for overnight stays.
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.
Pennsylvania ranked second in 2007 for taxpayer dollars spent on the legislative branch - $312 million. California narrowly made first place with a $321 million legislative budget, even though it has a population three times the size of Pennsylvania's. New York ranked third with a $213 million budget.
With 253 members, Pennsylvania's Legislature also is second-largest in the nation. Lawmakers are assisted by nearly 3,000 staffers. Pennsylvania ranks behind only New York in size of the legislative staff, according to a 2003 NCSL study, the most recent available.
Thirty-nine House employees were paid more than $100,000 last year, according to records. Thirty Senate employees were listed with salaries more than $100,000 as of Dec. 31.
Before you want tax increases look at this state like a business person would.. You can't raise prices and hope customers will be happy. You also must control your expenses. The legislature received a 50% pension increase in 2001, and that's both Republicans and Democrats...Who is footing the bill..of course the taxpayers...
In 2005 the PA legislature approved an illegal pay raise of 16 to 34%.
http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=8309
Todd Eachus and 52 others have yet to pay that money back after it was repealed.
I forgot to post that the casinos are taxed at a 55% rate. Property tax relief for Pennsylvanians was part of that legislation but property owners have yet to see any of that money. Tax collections by the Commonwealth on that amount last month, based on the 55% rate, were $98,534,824, an average of $3.18 million per day.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)