Kanjorski MisManages Washington

In the last post I answered Paul Kanjorski's absurd assertion that Hazleton City looks bad. This post debunks the next two questions posed by Congressman Kanjorski who said he would start answering once Barletta did.

Kanjorski said he would be happy to answer any questions Barletta has, but only after Barletta tells him a few things. Kanjorski wants Barletta to tell him:

• Why Hazleton city is near bankruptcy.

• Why Barletta wants to sell the city water authority.

He issued a press release today instead of enjoying the holiday making the same claims about mismanagement so Paul, here is your answer.

When Hazleton's Mayor Lou Barletta announced his plan to lay the foundation for a long term solution to the City of Hazleton's financial crunch many of the taxpayers of the City and Congressman Paul Kanjorski actually did not see the presentation at City Hall. Due to the impact on low income working families and seniors of the City SOP has obtained the file for the presentation from the City's website.

As you are about to see the fixed cost expenses are outpacing revenue despite the Paul Kanjorski's claims in this Times Leader article yesterday that the City was mismanaged.

The first slide(not in the presentation but presented here) shows the one time revenue sources by year from 2004 that have postponed the financial crunch from occuring sooner.

The next slide demonstrates how adjusted income failed to keep pace with adjusted expenses.

This next image shows how real estate tax revenue actually declined over the period from 2004-2008.

There was a slight increase in Earned Income Tax Revenue but considering the time frame one could argue that it was essentially flat.

Likewise the Mercantile and Business Privilege Taxes were essentially flat to only very slightly down.

Emergency Municipal Services Tax revenue took a dramatic drop due to Harrisurg and Todd Eachus's messing with the way the revenue is collected. Municipalities across the state suffered, not only Hazleton, because our legislators lack the acumen to understand their mistake.

Employee insurance costs are up over $417,000 for the period 2004-2008. Every municipal employer, as well as most private entities, in the state is facing the same exhorbitant rise in those costs.

Employee salaries really demonstrate one of the biggest reasons for Hazleton's financial crunch. Unfortunately one of the only solutions to this problem is to decrease the size of the police department which in SOP's opinion is not an option given the current crime element trying to take a foothold on Hazleton's streets.

This graph showing overtime costs illustrates another uncontrollable problem for Hazleton that is tied to the last chart. Police investigations into crimes in Hazleton, just like the Derrick Kichline murder, are the biggest reasons for these overtime costs. Snowplowing in the winter time is another factor contributing to this area. If someone can figure out how to control crime and the weather, Warren Buffet and Bill Gates, move over another billionaire will be joining the crowd.

Just these three budget areas demonstrate the devastating impact on the budget of the City of Hazleton and to its taxpayers.

That presentation in a nutshell sums up the reason the sale of the Water Department of the HCA is even being considered. The Mayor and City Council weighed different options before coming to this conclusion. The proposal has spawned ideas on how to help solve Hazleton's problems while staunch Democratic opponents Todd Eachus and Paul Kanjorski use their constituents as pawns in their game of debaucherous political shenanigans. While Wilkes Barre touts its Intermodal Center Hazleton is not forgotten but purposely ignored. Hopefully those alternate ideas will help Hazleton until new representation emerges in Harrisburg and Washington that is willing to put politics aside in the name of progress.

Why doesn't Paul Kanjorski ask Todd Eachus why Pennsylvania is in the shape it is in? Paul, how about that $1.2 billion deficit? How about the federal deficit runup since you and Obama got an unchecked and unbridled hold on our purse strings in a little over a year and a half? Mr. Kanjorski you have mismanaged the financial industry for years because your two friends, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, gave you so much money you had to look the other way. Heck Freddie Mac received so much it has now changed its name to Big Mac. You are hypocritical of your claims of mismangement. Out of touch too. How many cities and states are facing severe financial crises in light of the 10+ percent unemployment and the fact unemployment benefits are looking like they will be extended for TWO years?

Mr. Kanjorski, there are the answers to your questions. Balls in your court. Start explaining your actions or inactions. You bailed out Wall Street, the auto industry, and mismanaged Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security into insolvency. You abolished town hall meetings, raised our taxes and socialized healthcare. Care to respond?

The Budget -Another Day Closer And Deeper In Debt

It's another year in the life of Pennsylvania and it's the same old song. We won't have a budget passed on time. Lack of leadership to reach across the aisle and convince all to do what is right for Pennsylvania seems to be a character flaw in Harrisburg. In today's Times Leader Andrew Seder informs us that meeting a deadline imposed by Harrisburg lawmkers upon themselves is nearly impossible at this point. Gov. Rendell's legacy will point to a record of never getting a budget passed on time during his tenure.

With the November election five months away and with voter anger still simmering from last year’s 101-day budget impasse, state legislators are trying to balance the fine line of fiscal responsibility and political expediency as they try to approve a state budget before Wednesday’s 11:59 p.m. deadline.

That deadline, said some local legislators, will not be made. But there’s no way the stalemate will last 101 days and probably not even 10 days.

If these solons were employed in the private sector and missed their deadline year after year there would be so many pink slips issued with justification. Maybe the voters should keep that in mind come November.

Speaking of lack of leadership House Majority Leader Todd Eachus must have a problem facing the public or a severe case of political laryngitis. In this article he had David Georges, a campaign spokesperson, speak for him. In this article which appeared in the Allentown Call June 17th about the budget Brett Marcy responded as spokesman for House Majority Leader Todd Eachus. If Eachus could talk for himself he could save taxpayers alot of money. It seems almost a flagrant abuse of power that a campaign spokesperson would be responding to a legislative issue when there is a legislative staff specifically hired to do just that.

To make my point read the Times Leader article. Rep. John Yudichak who will go on to be a Pennsylvania Senator this November,(yes I am calling it now) doesn't hide behind spokespeople. It points to the reason Yudichak won his primary so handily. He's a hands on people person. Mr. Eachus is the type who talks down to his constituents, that is when he is willing to face them one on one.

Karen Boback is quoted in the article, heck even Senator Bob Mellow was out front and center.

But the coup de tat behind the scenes is the fact that when the stimulus money disappears Pennsylvania's budget will be between $4 billion to 5 billion in the hole according to Senator Dominic Pileggi. Unless spending is decreased taxes are going to rise for all of us.

The Democratic leadership politicians in Harrisburg have to get serious about decreasing spending. With the impending pension funding crisis upon us it is time for their culture to change and in a severe way. Taxpayers can no longer support a legislative staff that is only there for political purposes.

Governor Rendell's Legacy Project Exposed

In this story from the Philadelphia Inquirer Governor Rendell has rescinded a contract designed to immortalize his poltical legacy that was being paid with our hard earned money. The Inquirer first broke the story on June 5, 2010by Angela Couloumbis.

Gov. Rendell said he will rescind the $30,000 contract his administration awarded to public relations expert Kevin Feeley, saying it is inappropriate for taxpayers to be paying for the publicity work.

Rendell said he will ask Feeley to return the $10,000 the state had paid him so far for the so-called legacy project. The project, which The Inquirer first reported last week, calls for amassing personal stories from residents to illustrate how Rendell's policies and programs have helped them.

The governor said he will pay Feeley with campaign funds.

"Anything else is inappropriate," he said.


Contrast that action with those of House Majority Leader Todd Eachus and his incumbent protection program paid for with our tax dollars.

...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.
If that statement isn't a political one for the Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus then there's a need for pockets in a dead man's coat. This program should have been paid for with House Democratic Campaign Committee money, not Pennsylvania taxpayer dollars. No wonder we are running a $1.2 billion deficit.

Pennsylvania's Legislature Needs To Go On A Diet

Back in October, 2009 SOP highlighted a petition drive to reduce the size of Pennsylvania's legislature. In February, 2009 SOP opined in this piece Can We Really Afford The Pennsylvania Legislature Staffing

With the May primary coming soon Robert Swift of the Standard Speaker Harrisburg Bureau filed this report today Pennsylvania near top of lists for largest, most costly legislatures. SOP used data from IssuesPa.com for its posts but the data was from 2005. Swift brings us closer to today's cost using 2008 data although some are more current.

The NCSL report shows that Pennsylvania, while sixth in population, has a legislative branch of 253 lawmakers and 2,918 support staff, dwarfing those of larger, more populous states.

No other state even comes close to the size of its legislative operation.

And the cost shows.

Only California outspent Pennsylvania on its legislature in 2008-09, said the NCSL, which used 2008 U.S. Census data for its report. Even then, it wasn't by much.

With 120 lawmakers and 2,067 legislative staffers, California spent $336 million on its legislative branch, compared to Pennsylvania's $319 million. But California, the most populous state in the nation, had 36.5 million people in 2008. Pennsylvania had 12.5 million.

And the drop-off in cost after Pennsylvania is dramatic.

The nation's third most expensive full-time legislature, New York, has 212 lawmakers and a support staff of 2,676. It spent $216 million in 2008-09, more than $100 million less than Pennsylvania, the NCSL reports.

The fourth, Florida, has only 160 lawmakers with a support staff of 1,457, the NCSL reports. It spent $175 million in 2008-09. Florida's population was 18.4 million in 2008, the NCSL noted. New York had 19.4 million people.

States with populations closer to Pennsylvania, like Ohio at 11.5 million and Illinois at 12.8 million, spent far less on their legislatures. Illinois spent $71 million; Ohio, $48 million. Illinois has 177 lawmakers and 980 staffers. Ohio has 132 legislators and 465 staffers.

The difference between full-time and part-time legislatures is even more stark.

Texas, for instance, with a 2008 population of 24.3 million, has the largest of all part-time legislatures in the country with 181 lawmakers and a legislative staff of 2,090. It spent $126 million in 2008-09, according to the NCSL.

Officially, New Hampshire has the largest state assembly in the country with a delegation of 424 lawmakers. But it, too, is part-time. With a support staff of only 147 people, it spent only $14 million on its legislature in 2008-09.

Only 10 of the country's 50 legislatures are considered full time.

The NCSL defines a part-time legislature as one in which delegates spend 50 percent or less of a work week on their legislative duties. In Pennsylvania, lawmakers spend an average of 80 percent of their work week in Harrisburg or their home offices, it says.

Legislative leaders took the recommendation and, beginning in the 1970s, the public began electing candidates who promised to be full-time legislators. Part of the consequences is that the legislative bureaucracy swelled from 532 staffers in 1969, to 1,700 in 1984 and close to 3,000 in 2003 while the number of lawmakers remains fixed at 203 House members and 50 senators.

By 2008, the legislative expense involved translated into a cost of $25.40 a year for every man, woman and child in the state. It was the third highest per capita cost in the nation, behind Alaska at $57.72 and Rhode Island at $26.79.

New York's per capita cost, meanwhile, came to $11.11 in 2008 while California, by virtue of its large population, came to $9.19

The base salary for legislators in both houses of Pennsylvania's General Assembly is $78,314 a year, fourth highest in the nation, behind California at $95,291, Michigan at $79,650 and New York at $79,500.

Salaries, however, are only a part of the actual costs. Factoring in health and pension benefits and other expenses, the real cost of the average legislator climbs to $125,000 to $150,000, depending on how much a legislator claims in reimbursements

In 2006 the League of Women Voters testified before the House State Government Committee supporting a reduction in the size of the legislature. The Commonwealth Foundation testified before the same committee in 2008. Newstalk Radio 1240 discussed this issue on its airwaves. This editorial appeared in the Delco Times calling for a reduction in the size of the legislature.

The voters should share some blame for this out of control spending. When will the taxpayer backlash and anger reach a height like the pay raise scandal to toss out the incumbents and force reform to reduce the size of the legislture? If there was only a "Jenny Craig" for government. Maybe the "fat cats" living high off the hog will finally get the message.

Senator Jake Corman- $1 Billion Deficit By July

Pa. lawmaker says $1B deficit is possible by July By MARC LEVY (Associated Press) Published: March 31, 2010 in the Times-Tribune

Back in February Todd Eachus made the claim that there shouldn't be any budget problems this year. He projected an approximate $500,000.00 shortfall in the 2010-11 budget.

One problem. As previously reported he skipped over this year's budget problems.

The Pennsylvania House announced three days ago that it approved a roughly $29 billion budget 100 days ahead of time as written in this report on PennLive.com by Kari Andersen. That press release was really only a symbolic gesture since the Senate won't take it up until next month after it sees how this year's budget is fairing out.

As the first headline indicates Pennsylvania is headed toward a $1 billion dollar deficit this year. If that figure comes to fruition it will signal a necessity to cut heavily in next year's budget if the salons want to exercise fiduciary responsiblity in spending taxpayer dollars. A dismal outcome could point to a $27 billion budget, not $29 billion.

Eliminate per diems, eliminate cell phones, eliminate travel expense, have legislatures pay towards their health care costs, eliminate franking, reduce legislative staff, consolidate legislative districts...cut, cut, and cut. The chance of those actions happening, slim to none.

If I Were Todd Eachus's Handlers This Press Release Would Never Happen

SOP has been very vocal about Todd Eachus's lack of support to help Hazleton and his constituents as part of his partisan politics, not unlike what happens in Harrisburg.

Witness this press release and its wording:

Eachus: Hazleton to receive more than $22,000 in recycling grants

"Hazleton's recycling program is extremely valuable in protecting our environment and keeping our communities healthy and vibrant," Eachus said. "But recycling programs also provide a boost to our local, regional and state economies, contributing thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in economic impact."

In addition to the environmental impact of recycling programs, Eachus said this grant program promotes the growth of recycling in the state, as well as the economic impact the recycling industry provides to the Commonwealth. Pennsylvania’s recycling industry includes more than 3,200 recycling and reuse businesses, and generates $18.4 billion in gross annual sales. It provides jobs for more than 81,000 people statewide.

Eachus said the recycling performance grant was awarded based on Hazleton's population and the total tons of material recycled in 2007. According to the DEP, Hazleton recycled more than 1,600 tons or material last year, which is an increase of more than 60 tons from 2006.

He admits the grant was due to the efforts of Hazleton's compliance. By Eachus's own admission this grant didn't reach Hazleton because of his efforts. He has failed Hazleton due to his partisan politics. He has failed seniors. He has failed the 116th district. His supposed leadership failed to bring a budget on time. It is time he resigns and apologizes to the voters in the 116th. It is time he admits his failures. It is time, Todd.

Hazleton's Financial Needs And The Case To Sell The HCA Water Department

When Hazleton's Mayor Lou Barletta announced his plan to lay the foundation for a long term solution to the City of Hazleton's financial crunch many of the taxpayers of the City actually did not see the presentation at City Hall. Due to the impact on low income working families and seniors of the City SOP has obtained the file for the presentation from the City's website.

Taxpayers in the City who sign the petition opposing the sale of the HCA Water Department are really signing a petition for higher taxes. As you are about to see the fixed cost expenses are outpacing revenue despite the opponent claims that the City was mismanaged.

The first slide(not in the presentation but presented here) shows the one time revenue sources by year from 2004 that have postponed the financial crunch from occuring sooner.

The next slide demonstrates how adjusted income failed to keep pace with adjusted expenses.

This next image shows how real estate tax revenue actually declined over the period from 2004-2008.

There was a slight increase in Earned Income Tax Revenue but considering the time frame one could argue that it was essentially flat.

Likewise the Mercantile and Business Privilege Taxes were essentially flat to only very slightly down.

Emergency Municipal Services Tax revenue took a dramatic drop due to Harrisurg and Todd Eachus's messing with the way the revenue is collected. Municipalities across the state suffered, not only Hazleton, because our legislators lack the acumen to understand their mistake.

Employee insurance costs are up over $417,000 for the period 2004-2008. Every municipal employer, as well as most private entities, in the state is facing the same exhorbitant rise in those costs.

Employee salaries really demonstrate one of the biggest reasons for Hazleton's financial crunch. Unfortunately one of the only solutions to this problem is to decrease the size of the police department which in SOP's opinion is not an option given the current crime element trying to take a foothold on Hazleton's streets.

This graph showing overtime costs illustrates another uncontrollable problem for Hazleton that is tied to the last chart. Police investigations into crimes in Hazleton, just like the Derrick Kichline murder, are the biggest reasons for these overtime costs. Snowplowing in the winter time is another factor contributing to this area. If someone can figure out how to control crime and the weather, Warren Buffet and Bill Gates, move over another billionaire will be joining the crowd.

Just these three budget areas demonstrate the devastating impact on the budget of the City of Hazleton and to its taxpayers.

That presentation in a nutshell sums up the reason the sale of the Water Department of the HCA is even being considered. The Mayor and City Council weighed different options before coming to this conclusion. SOP has of yet to see any other viable plan put forward. If Hazleton taxpayers sign the petitions to oppose the sale of the Water Department someone should explain the dire consequences beforehand. Expect a dramatic increase in property taxes due to the reassessment dropping the millage so drastically.

Rep. Mario Scavello Decries Secretive Nature of Budget Plan Details

Rep. Mario Scavello points out the billion dollar tax increase plan created by the House Democrats is devoid of most pertinent details.

Groundhog Day- Budget Impasse Finally Over

Headline from September 18, 2009

Pa. budget deal ends impasse with cuts, taxes

Headline Ocotober 9, 2009

Pennsylvania Legislature sends $27.8 billion budget to Gov. Ed Rendell for enactment


Just like the movie "Grounghod Day" the same events just keep happening over and over and over.

In philosophy, Groundhog Day has been considered a tale of self-improvement, to look inside oneself and realize that the only satisfaction in life comes from turning outward and concerning oneself with others rather than concentrating solely on one's own wants and desires

When Pennsylvania Leadership gets its head out of its ass and realizes it works for the people, not the other way around. Children in daycare, the hungry, the elderly, the poor, and the challenged will not endure the suffering caused by these men and women behaving irrationally. They not only deserve but actually earned all of the media bashing that has and will occur over taking 101 days to reach a deal.

DemocracyRising sees a constitutional convention on the horizon to examine shrinking the size of the legislature as well as whether it should be full time or part time. Bonusgate has proven it really is a part time legislature. The impasse has proven that its size cannot get the job done.

Nathan Benefield over at the Commonwealth Foundation opines that is about time to have "An Honest Debate About State Spending."

The Daily Review called Pennsylvania's Ineffective Leadership a Disgrace." That was at day 65.

One comment from that editorial.

A bipartisan group, a majority, in the PA House has brought forward a budget. The group includes Republicans and moderate Democrats from all across PA. This budget could pass the PA Senate, as well. But the radical ultra-liberal Democrat leadership in the PA House will not bring the bipartisan budget to a vote. They will not allow House members to vote. Their reason: they know the bipartisan budget would pass, and it does not include sufficient new taxes and spending to satisfy the liberals.

It will be hard for Eachus, McCall, and Evans to explain their role in this disaster. However, it will remain to be seen whether public sentiment will last until the next election. The leadership should not be suprised at a Veon Style repeat where unexpected election results were not a lesson learned.

You can say what you want but AG Corbett arrested a Republican first for actions as described in the Bonusgate indictments. Nobody listened to him. If history repeats itself the legislature will not listen to the Veon outster over the pay raise scandal.

Day 95 AND No Budget In Pennsylvania

Democrats and Republicans. Get over yourselves. A budget is a blueprint. It can be altered at any time. It is time to end the table games, (and it is okay if you want to start them). Cut the legislative staff in half- around $150 million plus benefits savings. Eliminate the WAM money- $100 million savings.

According to CommonwealthFoundation.org here is the latest braintrust proposal.

•Exempts purchases of helicopters and helicopter parts from the sales tax. This may seem a bit bizarre, like something thrown in to get the vote of one lawmaker with a helicopter manufacturer in his district, but I believe it was inspired by my pointing out that buying everyone their own Airwolf was cheaper than Corridor One.
•Increases the sales factor for corporate taxes to 83% this year and 90% next year.
•Increases the amount of net operating loss corporations can carry forward.
•Increase, retroactive to January, 2009, the Capital Stock and Franchise Tax to 2.89 mills. This rate would remain until 2012, when the phaseout would resume. The new elimination date would be January 1, 2014.
•Tax on Medicaid payments to Managed Care Organizations.
•25 cents/pack increase in the state cigarette tax.
•Tax on cigars, smokeless tobacco, and other tobacco products - 30% rate (when sold to retailer)
•License fees for tobacco manufacturers, wholesale dealers, and retailers.
•Natural gas severance tax - 5% of gross value plus 4.7 cents per thousand cubic feet (and lots of provisions how that revenue will be divied up).
•Educational Improvment Tax Credit (EITC) - increase in income eligibility for families.
•Reduces all tax credits by 33% - including the EITC and presumably the Film Tax Credit.
•Tax Amnesty for 2009-10 (delinquent as of June 30, 2009; amnesty period of April 26-June 18 2010.
•Table Games (if approved in separate legislation):
◦ License fees : $20 million from category 1 (racino) or 2 casinos, $7.5 million from category 3 (resort hotel).
◦Tax: 34% of daily gross table revenue.

Imagine that. No proposal to legalize marijuana. Is it me or is that last pproposal akin to what the Mob would extract on loan payments?

State Budget Deal Reached! Well Sorta

AP Photo From Times Leader

Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words. Do these guys really look happy with their "compromise"? Here's a link to the Times Leader story on the budget impasse or won't pass, not quite sure.

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.

Again Eachus Fails To Put Hazleton First!

If Ronald Reagan were alive today his classic idiom would be aimed at Todd Eachus, "There he goes again." It is unbelievable the extent to which Eachus ignores his district.

Those of you following the saga on the pension issue facing the City of Hazleton may be unaware of the pension problems facing Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. House Bill 1828 was introduced to help out both cities but Pittsburgh doesn't like the idea of a Commonwealth takeover of its pension funds. So it is trying to amend the bill for an exemption. In the meantime Philadelphia needs the provision in HB 1828 for a 1% increase in its sales tax to curb its pension woes.

A reporter asking about this situation received the following comments from Brett Marcy, spokesman for House Majority Leader Todd Eachus.

"We know the bill is important to both Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, as well as to other cities with pension problems, but we need to get this bill right,'' and so have delayed the House vote for at least two days, said Brett Marcy, an aide to House Majority Leader Todd Eachus.

Did anyone see Eachus's heedfulness for Hazleton in his spokesperson's comment? Once again Eachus's prime concern belies his efforts to convince voters in his district that they really matter.

Is It Time For Todd Eachus To Resign???

Editorial published in the Hazleton Standard Speaker, Citizen's Voice, Republican Herald Pottsville, News Item Shamokin, Sunday Review Towand.

It is a stinging indictment of the legislators in Harrisburg, but particularly pointed at the lack of leadership including House Majority Leader Todd Eachus. His dismal failure at his first crack at majority leader demonstrates what everyone has known all along. Just like Obama you can buy Eachus on QVC, well not literally, but he is a canned package and presentation. The record shows that what he says is not what he really is or does. He has the public hoodwinked about PACE and I blame the mainstream media for not doing its investigative obligation.

Eachus demonstrated his inability to work with others in promoting collaborative cooperation in an effective manner. When his interests directly conflict with the interest of others he is not interested in creating win-win situations. He believes in the zero sum world where the gains for him are only obtained at a cost to others. Instead he should be looking to bridge disparate interests. Issues on the table are as important as issues off the table. His bias promotes competition and stifles cooperation.

Lou Barletta has been Mayor of Hazleton for 8 of the 12 years Eachus has been a House Representative. His disdain for Lou Barletta has cost Hazleton residents in money and growth. He has failed to get the biggest city in his district its fair share of state funding due to his ongoing blatant efforts to tarnish the Mayor. I challenge him to list the accomplishments he brought to the City of Hazleton.

Todd Eachus can face serious competition for being guilty of the same transgressions Frank Harrison committed in the 11th Congressional district that allowed Paul Kanjorski to win the seat from him. He is ignoring the biggest Democratic base in his district. Being drunk with power has not allowed him to sober enough to see the light, maybe one too many political science courses at Pitzer College.

His blind rage has stifled cooperation. He carried that same attitude to the office of House Majority Leader. He may blame Lou Barletta but if the same thing is happening in Harrisburg there is one common denominator, Eachus.



Over the course of the eight-week state budget impasse, lawmakers have succeeded only in converting a political failure into a moral failure. The crisis is not just financial in nature. It is a colossal failure of governanceIt is apparent that Pennsylvania suffers not just a budget deficit, but an even more damaging leadership deficit.

Pennsylvania's most vulnerable citizens have begun to pay the price for their government's inability to carry out its most fundamental task.

And, for all of state politicians' mewling about their fidelity to taxpayers, their failure to adopt a state budget already has begun to adversely affect those taxpayers at the local level. Several Pennsylvania school districts already have arranged for loans to cover the state government's failure to provide the first two state subsidy payments of the new fiscal year. The cost of that borrowing will be added to local school budgets. So far, school districts statewide have been denied about $1.2 billion in anticipated state subsidies.

Vulnerable citizens harmed

Social service agencies, the safety net that ensures quality of life and, in some cases, life itself for the poor, the very young and the very old, have begun to suspend services. Thousands of vulnerable citizens have nowhere else to turn.

Lawmakers continue to collect their pay, however, with a few notable exceptions. Rep. Kevin Murphy of Lackawanna County, for example, has declined to accept his pay until a budget is adopted.

Pennsylvania's government faces the same economic crisis as every other state government. But 48 of those other state governments have managed to pass a budget, despite a wide array of related problems. Even California, with one of the worst state budget deficits in American history, has a budget. So does New York, even as the legislature in Albany wrangles with a crippling in-house political crisis. Only Connecticut and Pennsylvania are without budgets.

Time for leadership

Many proposals are available to shape a budget compromise. It's long past time not only for a budget but for leadership. The governor's budget proposals are clear, as are the Senate's, along with those of both caucuses in the House. There is, alas, no apparent authority for the Legislature to be forced to remain in continuous session until it emerges with a budget. But that does not preclude lawmakers from sequestering themselves - or at least sequestering the legislative caucus leaders - basically locking the Capitol door until they emerge with a balanced budget. They should do so as public penance for their moral failure, but more important, to end the suffering that they have imposed on their fellow citizens through fruitless political posturing.

On the Issue Of PA's Budget Impasse

From The Philadelphia Daily News:

New data developed by the National Conference of State Legislatures show Pennsylvania first among states in legislative staff (2,918) despite being sixth in population.

Caucus officials put the number at 2,609, but that might not include paid interns or part-timers. Either way, it's more than 10 staffers for each of our 253 lawmakers.

The Pennsylvania Legislature(note both parties) and the Governor need a counselor to settle their differences. To do otherwise is like the Iranian Hostage Crisis.

Todd Eachus- You Get PAID Before State Workers-Update

Paychecks for 77,000 state workers thanks to the "Bridge" budget signed by the Governor won't reach them until next week. But the House Democratic Caucus made it sound like they solely worked to make it happen.

In the meantime 3,000 legislative employees have been receiving their checks on a regular basis as usual.

From Jim Parsons Report for Team 4 In Pittsburgh:

Thousands of employees in the state Legislature are still getting full paychecks because the state Legislature has built up a $200 million slush fund -- but Team 4 investigative reporter Jim Parsons has learned there's no record kept of the hours those employees work.

Pennsylvania's Legislature costs taxpayers more than $300 million a year. Most of that money pays the salaries of 3,000 legislature employees. A Team 4 investigation found that those workers fill out no time sheets for their paychecks.

"You have to have a way of documenting who is working, how much time and how you're paying it," Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato said.

Recently, Team 4 submitted a public records request to the state House of Representatives. Chief clerk Roger Nick sent a letter saying the House "does not possess time and attendance records that track an employee's daily record of attendance." Team 4 got the same answer from the clerk of the Senate.

But the real kick in the pants is that the House Democrats had the House Comptroller pay them yesterday while the 77,000 workers have to wait until next week to be paidaccording to John Micek of the Allentown Call.

Moments After ...
... yesterday's vote on the Frankenbudget, House Democrats issued a triumphant press release proclaiming that they'd "[led]the charge to pay state workers," who've been going without pay or living on partial pay since July 1.

But before they cast that epochal vote, Democrats made sure their own members, who also have not been paid since June 1, got their paychecks as well. The House Comptroller's Office confirmed this morning that it cut checks for Democratic lawmakers on Tuesday. State workers will not be paid until next week at the earliest.

Brett Marcy, a spokesman for House Majority Leader Todd Eachus, D-Luzerne, confirmed the payments. We're still waiting for specific comment and will update as soon as possible.

From the Democratic Press Release: Political Rhetoric Plain and Simple

"House Democrats will continue to fight for a responsible, balanced budget that continues investments in services that matter to Pennsylvanians, while making strategic and responsible cuts to reflect the state's current economic situation," he added. "But we need the Senate Republicans to finally get serious about this budget and begin to compromise."

Todd, way to look out for yourself. Why doesn't your press release let the state workers know that you made sure you were taken care of first. You are a true money grabber. And when are you going to give back the repealed pay raise you weren't supposed to receive in 2005?

When are you going to get serious and be fiscally responsible to the taxpayers? Ohh that's right you were making sure Robert Powell & Co. would get $250 million of our borrowed money for the fantasy airport? Was the jet ride the day of the cargo airport announcement ever disclosed?

“Hazleton is one stop to virtually anywhere in the world with these jets,” Eachus said in a news release. “When we are offering a quality, cost-effective alternative to fueling and servicing of these aircraft, we’ll also become home to distribution centers, repair facilities for electronics and even manufacturing plants for new goods that companies can then ship affordably from Hazleton.” How did that work out for you, Todd?

From Gort42 on February, 2009

Todd has been a staunch supporter of this piece of corporate welfare even sending out a newsletter to people in other districts promising 100,000 jobs would be created if the airport was built. He also inserted a $16.5 million authorization for the cargo airport in a House bill listing projects under the Pennsylvania Gaming Economic Development and Tourism Fund. The slots money is supposed to be used for reducing school taxes but it has to be hard for any politician not to think of a way to spend this big pot of gold on something else.

This Is Why We Have No State Budget

July 29 House and Senate Budget Conference Committee

How in God's name are we going to have a budget when they spend this much time on deciding how they are going to do it?

PA Legislator's Approval Rating Plummets

Patriot News Photo

When George Bush left office his approval rating was 31%. The liberal media plus Obama and Co. really hammered Bush to make Obama look so much like the coming of theMahdi of the century.

The problem is that perception of the Democrats in Pennsylvania are just like George Bush but they refuse to admit it. Look at the Roll Call in the column to the right. These are the leaders in their party who have disgraced themselves with their actions and their behaviors.

According to Lauren Boyer of the Patriot News the latest Quinnipiac University poll shows the legislature's approval rating is at 27 percent -- a mere percentage point higher than it was months after the General Assembly voted themselves a pay raise at 2 a.m. on July 7, 2005.

No doubt some of this is the economy spreading gloom over all incumbents, said Peter Brown, assistant director of Quinnipiac's the polling institute. But some of this may have to do, in Pennsylvania, with this summer's long slog without a state budget.

"They... don't like the fact that the people they hired to do business can't pass a budget," said Brown.

"They've called legislators every name in the book," Durgin said of his callers. "They're just very very angry. I don't blame them."

The 2005 pay hike episode was particularly bloody for lawmakers, leading to a turnover of a full one fifth of the General Assembly's 253 seats in the 2006 election cycle by retirement or defeat at the polls. While political scientists aren't predicting a similar mass exodus in November 2010, they say the 98 percent re-election rate once customary in Harrisburg is likely a thing of the past.

"Legislators will run very scared next year," agreed political analyst G. Terry Madonna, of Franklin & Marshall College. "There will be deep concern by legislators in certain districts. They'll be looking over their shoulders."

In Dostoevsky's The Idiot Hippolite describes a dream that features a horrific monster about to devour him. This ugly monster fills him with terrible fear. On a psychological level, the monster represents nature as Hippolite sees it—a force that is about to devour him through a death from consumption. On a broader scale, however, the monster represents the ugliness and corruption within the society(and our government.) The moral decay we see everywhere threatens to devour the characters in within the novel much as the monster threatens to destroy Hippolite in his dream.

The legislative pay raise plus their pension grab of 50% in 2001 is starting to set in with voters. In the present economic crisis the lack of a paycheck will surely resonate in the voting booth this November.

The extreme lack of leadership by Todd Eachus is tearing the Democratic party apart. He rules by initimidation. I know for a fact he uses his title to initimdate and threaten lobbyists into submission to try to win on any issue. It is a known fact that persons in his own party are not satisfied with his lack of leadership. But it is more than that. He fails to emulate statesmanship. He wants to win at all costs. He forgets that the opposing side on any issue is not all wrong.

The problem for the Democrats will be told this fall when Eachus's hegemonious style cost them at the polls. He believes in monopolies not republics. His meteoric rise to the Majority post will be met with an equal precipitous fall. He may have paid off Mike Veon's debt but he didn't learn one lesson from it.

Rendell's Political Speech Coming To Hazleton

Evening Sun Photo by Meghan Gauriloff

It was reported by Sam Galski last week in the Standard Speaker that Fast Eddy Rendell was turned away on two occassions by the Hazleton Area School District when his office tried to arrange Rendell to speak at a Hazleton Area School.

Superintendent Sam Marolo and school board President Brian Earley insisted that the governor's visit is politically motivated and violates district policy pertaining to political activities on school property. Sounds like a reasonable assumption to me.

The word on the street is that eight out of nine Hazleton Area School Board members have signed a letter asking Rendell to come to Hazleton to speak.

You be the judge. Here is what PRN/USNewswire is reporting on Rendell's visits across the state.

Pennsylvania's next state budget must adequately invest in education in order to avoid local property tax increases, Governor Edward G. Rendell said today during a visit to the Fort Cherry School District in Washington County.

The Governor cautioned that a budget plan offered and approved by Senate Republicans would force school districts to hike property taxes and cut programs.

"I am not willing to accept their budget -- which is already $1.5 billion out of balance, as the economy has continued to slip -- because it is counter-productive to turning around our economy," Governor Rendell said. "In addition, a failure at the state level to fund essential programs and services simply shifts the tax burden to the local level."

He visited Adams and Cumberland County school districts with this message according to HEATHER FAULHEFER at the Evening Sun.

At the press briefing at Bermudian Springs High School, the governor defended his proposal to raise the state's personal income tax from 3.07 to 3.57 percent for three years, saying that the increase would, in part, provide funding for education and prevent local taxes from increasing.

Rendell has proposed an increase in education funding by $418 million, while the Republican-supported Senate Bill 850 would keep basic education funding the same as last year, providing $5.3 billion in basic education funding.

Rendell argued that Senate Bill 850 would hurt school districts like Bermudian Springs, which would receive $1 million less in the budget put forth by the Senate than in his budget.

Bermudian Springs School District Superintendent Paul Healey noted that the loss could not be absorbed by cutting pens and pencils - programs and people would be affected, he said.

"We need a state budget that does not pass the burden onto school boards to raise additional taxes," he said. "We need a state budget that recognizes that our most important resources are our children, and they do not deserve to be a pawn in a budget battle."

Local Republican legislators argue that, when combined with federal stimulus money, Senate Bill 850 does provide increases to school districts, just not as large an increase as the governor's proposal.

State Reps. Will Tallman, R-Reading Township, and Dan Moul, R-Conewago Township, attended Rendell's briefing and later said the governor was using scare tactics to gain approval of his tax increase.

Rendell is singling out the Republicans, not just the Senate as an institution that passed Senate Bill 850. If that isn't partisan and political nothing is.

Superintendent Paul Healey is another buffoon. Uhh Paul what difference does it make whether the state hikes taxes or the school district? Sounds like you want to make sure your school directors don't take the blame, let's blame state lawmakers. Why would you want to do that? Because your directors already raised taxes in June by 5.4%. What did you say Paul? That was the fourth consecutive hike in taxes. Mr. Healey what is your salary? $120,120.00. Ain't that a hoot. How many people in this state make $120,000 per year?

Brad Bumsted over at PittsburghLive calls Rendell's propaganda tour for what it is.

Rendell's propaganda campaign lays the groundwork for an income tax boost by pointing out all of the "devastating" consequences of spending less.

Rendell Orders Cuts But Keeps Adding To The Pot

Photo from Philly.com
On April 10, I reported that Tony Phrillas stated Ed Rendell hired 110 people since announcing a hiring freeze for the state.

Philly.com is reporting that Rendell has ordered $500 million in budget cuts from his department heads.

Is it possible one person can be this dumb?