Luzerne County Should Take A Lesson From Allegheney County

Mark Moran Citizen's Voice Photo
Caption- "I wonder if I am going to be next??"

In today's Citizen's Voice Michael Buffer reports on the sad state of financial affairs facing Luzerne County. The county is considering a 33% tax hike to make ends meet. According to Buffer the county will be able to pare that down to 22% if they lay off 150 people.

The reality is that we are in the midst of a restructuring of Luzerne County whether "they" want to believe it or not. I call it the "Southerton" effect. Except for that PizzellaFella I believe the next set of office holders WILL GET IT.

They will understand that the people are damn angry with government. Speaking of Pizzella, dude, did you not see what happened to Ciavarella when his arrogance ran about ten feet in front of him? Seriously, think about this. You couldn't walk in Conahan's shadow and you believe you are going to do what? Gort has a great post about the PizzellaFella. Frank...ly speaking if you were a pilot you would know it is a dangerous game to get caught in the propwash.

Anyone who has encountered the federal system will give you the following rundown. The Feds are not Keystone cops. The problem with the Feds is you are already caught when they come for you. When they want to talk to you they already know what they need to know. They just want to talk to tidy up a few details before they lock your ass up. Ohh off subject, sorry. Back to Luzerne County.

Commissioner Petrilla and Urban. Take a page from the Allegheny County playbook. Start with this paper written by Christopher Briem of the University of Pittsburgh that details how Allegheny County came to its breaking point of change. Efficiency in consolidation is no different for government than it is for private industry.

In line with consolidation look how Allegheny County was able to extract savings and install efficiency into its government structure by eliminating Row Offices. Allegheny County's efforts to terminate duplication saved residents millions. Although Dan Onorato doesn't stand a chance against Tom Corbett shoud the race for governor shape up that way I want to give him credit for his plan outlined in this article. Yes, not all Democrats are bad.

But the effort should not stop there. Many local governments should be looking at consolidation. The state should be mandating enrollment in the Pennsylvania Council of Governments to effect a statewide savings for each and every taxpayer.

Jim Dino of the Standard Speaker writes:

Councils of governments are meant to act as a conduit among an area's municipal governments, so that they can try to address common problems together - and perhaps save money doing it.

The Mountain Council of Governments represents 13 municipalities in the Hazleton area, including municipalities in Luzerne, Schuylkill and Carbon counties. There is no membership fee to belong to the Mountain COG.

For more information on the M-COG contact Dan Guydish, executive director, at 455-1509 or at www.hazletonchamber.org.

I know,,time to take my Prozac. Nobody will ever go for it.

Open Response To The Standard Speaker Editorial Department

Editors- Who Is In Charge Of These Editorials? I want to comment on this editorial that appeared in today's paper. It is titled "Move would help shift away from taxing property."

Folks, you can read it for yourselves. The question I have centers on the premise for the article. If you want to replace one tax for the other, why aren't you asking the legislature to reduce its size so that no matter what tax it won't be such a burden on the taxpayers? Pensions, healthcare premiums, car payments, per diem, office space rentals, light, heat, office staff...ohhh I could go on and on. Get them off our backs first before asking us to pay a tax...Sheeezzze... Any lightbulbs needed down there????

Rendell's proposal doesn't make sense when he refuses to address the problems inherent with our government in Harrisburg. Before he asks for more money from us why doesn't he reduce the money he needs, again, from us???

Fast Eddie- Where Is The Promised Property Tax Relief- Talk About A Stimulus

I saw this post on the net and decided to reproduce it here.

HERE ARE THE TAXES YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR:

Accounts Receivable Tax
Building Permit Tax
Capital Gains Tax
CDL license Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Court Fines (indirect taxes)
Dog License Tax
Federal Income Tax
Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Fuel permit tax
Gasoline Tax
Hunting License Tax
Inheritance Tax
Inventory tax
IRS Interest Charges
IRS Penalties
Liquor Tax
Local Income Tax
Luxury Taxes
Marriage License Tax
Medicare Tax
Property Tax
Real Estate Tax
Septic Permit Tax
Service Charge Taxes
Social Security Tax
Road Usage Taxes (Truckers)
Sales Taxes
Recreational Vehicle Tax
Road Toll Booth Taxes
School Tax
State Income Tax
State Unemployment Tax (SUTA)
Telephone federal excise tax
Telephone federal universal service fee tax
Telephone federal, state and local surcharge taxes
Telephone minimum usage surcharge tax
Telephone recurring and non-recurring charges tax
Telephone state and local tax
Telephone usage charge tax
Toll Bridge Taxes
Toll Tunnel Taxes
Traffic Fines (indirect taxation)
Trailer registration tax
Utility Taxes
Vehicle License Registration Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Watercraft registration Tax
Well Permit Tax
Workers Compensation Tax

In addition to the above you pay for shelter, food, clothing, utilities, automobile, gasoline, health insurance, car insurance, life insurance, homeonwers insurance, and education. WOW! Kind of makes you wonder how the average person is able to make ends meet.

This following comment was posted to it:

Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago and our nation was the most prosperous in the world, had absolutely no national debt, had the largest middle class in the world and Mom stayed home to raise the kids. What the hell happened!!!

At a time when the government wants to raise your taxes (uhhh don't believe that lowering hyperbole, you can't add debt without someone paying for it; you can't take a loan out without being responsible enough to pay it back) think about how many taxes have been instituted over time? Our national debt has risen to record highs. Ohhh that wasn't a Republican thing, the Democrats in Congress voted for it as well. Has government solved our problems or dragged us into their problems to even deeper levels?

Where is the promised property tax relief from the casinos? If you drive by the Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs there are lines to get in. The PA Budget Secretary told us last April that property tax relief was certain this year. Doug Harbach, communications director for the Pennsylvania Gaming Board tell us that each the casinos contribute $2.7 million in taxes with only half the casinos opearting under the law's authorization.

Seniors are benefiting from the casinos through property tax rebates. When are the rest of us going to see any money? It could be a stimulus for Pennsylvania that doesn't need federal money as its foundation.

Keep your eyes on the federal level. They want to control more and more of your money because they think they know how to spend it better.