The Democrats are getting a free ride in Pennsylvania. So much hullabaloo was made over George Bush's econony. Forget that the Democrats had control of Congress the last two years and the laws enacted in the 1990's under Clinton led to this mess.
The Post-Gazette tells us that Pennsylvania is $1.6 billion short on revenue estimates for the year. The article goes on to state Gov. Ed Rendell has previously forecast that the state will face about $2.3 billion in red ink by June 30, the end of fiscal 2008-09, and the new report seems in line with that projection. But some Republican legislators fear the deficit could be even worse than Mr. Rendell estimates, perhaps as much as $2.6 billion.
Where is the furor over what is happening in Pennsylvania? What is being done to bridge the gap?
Here's one move Rendell did to bridge the gap- transferring $175 million from legislative leaders' budget surplus. What the hell were the legislative leaders, not the entire legislature, doing with an $175 million dollar surplus????
That's our money folks. I think Eachus and McCall should explain it to commoners like us. To put this into perspective. I know of a company that does $100 million in revenue that employs almost 1,000 people. Do you realize how many people are not employed because the legislative leaders kept a surplus?
I know the argument back so save it because they wouldn't have used the money to save Pennsylvania employees' jobs if it weren't for the downturn. The real question to ask is if they would have used the money to create 1750 new jobs if there was no downturn. So much for the economic geniuses in Harrisburg.
Cut the legislature by 40% would save $100 million. Back to those 1000 jobs I was talking about. Imagine the pension savings that would occur. But the Harrisburg solution was to toll I-80. Take care of business in Harrisburg first before coming after the electorate. You may not like the consequence if you don't.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Five Headlines You Should Pay Attention To!!!
Fed 'Extremely Uncomfortable' About Bailouts
Unemployment Rate Hits Highest Level Since 1983
Agency Says Bailout Will Cost Taxpayers More Congressional estimate finds financial sector bailout will cost taxpayers $167B more
Fannie, Freddie Worker Bonuses Total $210M
Former AIG CEO criticizes sucessors, bailout
Unemployment Rate Hits Highest Level Since 1983
Agency Says Bailout Will Cost Taxpayers More Congressional estimate finds financial sector bailout will cost taxpayers $167B more
Fannie, Freddie Worker Bonuses Total $210M
Former AIG CEO criticizes sucessors, bailout
Murtha Goes After Earmarks When Effort To Investigate Is Thwarted
President Obama, is really the change you said you were going to bring to Washington?
On March 11, 2009 Obama signed the $410 Billion Congressional earmark spending bill in hiding. From the Star Tribune out of Minneapolis- President Obama said on Wednesday that he will sign an "imperfect" spending bill packed with special projects in order to keep government running, but he vowed that it will be the last one and proposed ways to curb lawmakers from abusing the process in the future.
Evidently nobody told John Murtha. According to CBSnews.com Murtha wants another $134 million in earmarks for his district. He posted the requests on his website.
From CBSnews.com: Four of the earmark requests from Murtha’s office are for current or former clients of a lobbying firm, the PMA Group, that is currently under federal investigation for connection to possible "straw" donations to Murtha and other Democratic members of the House.
PMA Group clients include: Advanced Acoustic Concepts ($5 million request), Argon ST ($8 million request), MTS Technologies, Inc. ($5 million request) and Planning Systems Inc. ($2.3 million request).
Two requests totaling $3.7 million are for Pennsylvania State University, but the Murtha's office says they are not intended for the Electro Optic Center (EOC) in Freeport, Pa. which has received millions in defense contracts and has been the subject of recent scrutiny by the FBI.
Please refer to my previous post where Kanjo and Carney voted to table a motion to investigate (1) the source and timing of past campaign contributions to Members of the House related to the raided prominent defense-lobbying firm; and (2) earmark requests made by Members on behalf of the firm's clients.
While a number of entities with connections to Murtha are under federal law enforcement scrutiny, Murtha himself has not been named as the target of the investigation.
President Obama, what was that about proposing ways to prevent lawmakers from abusing the process. Kanjorski and ethics is like oil and water. And Carney should know better.
Oh, one other minor detail. Murtha missed a deadline to start disclosing his ties to political action committees(PACs) as required by law. From CQ Politics: Some senior congressional appropriators are among those with known connections to committees that did not register as leadership PACs, until after being asked about missing the deadline. They include: Reps. John P. Murtha , D-Pa.,
Do you recall when Murtha called his constituents "rednecks" and "racists" last fall?
CARNEY AND KANJORSKI VOTE TO TABLE MURTHA'S ETHICS INVESTIGATION
Here is a summary of House Resolution 312.
Requires the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, or a designated investigative subcommittee, to begin immediately an investigation and report to the House on the relationship between: (1) the source and timing of past campaign contributions to Members of the House related to the raided prominent defense-lobbying firm; and (2) earmark requests made by Members on behalf of the firm's clients.
Partial Text of House Resolution 312
Whereas The Hill reported that a prominent lobbying firm, founded by Mr. Paul Magliocchetti and the subject of a `federal investigation into potentially corrupt political contributions', has given $3.4 million in political donations to no less than 284 Members of Congress;
Whereas the New York Times noted that Mr. Magliocchetti `set up shop at the busy intersection between political fund-raising and taxpayer spending, directing tens of millions of dollars in contributions to lawmakers while steering hundreds of millions of dollars in earmark contracts back to his clients.';
Resolved, That--
(1) the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, or a subcommittee of the committee designated by the committee and its members appointed by the chairman and ranking member, shall immediately begin an investigation into the relationship between the source and timing of past campaign contributions to Members of the House related to the raided firm and earmark requests made by Members of the House on behalf of clients of the raided firm; and
(2) the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct shall submit a report of its findings to the House of Representatives within 2 months after the date of adoption of the resolution.
Lobbying as usual.
Requires the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, or a designated investigative subcommittee, to begin immediately an investigation and report to the House on the relationship between: (1) the source and timing of past campaign contributions to Members of the House related to the raided prominent defense-lobbying firm; and (2) earmark requests made by Members on behalf of the firm's clients.
Partial Text of House Resolution 312
Whereas The Hill reported that a prominent lobbying firm, founded by Mr. Paul Magliocchetti and the subject of a `federal investigation into potentially corrupt political contributions', has given $3.4 million in political donations to no less than 284 Members of Congress;
Whereas the New York Times noted that Mr. Magliocchetti `set up shop at the busy intersection between political fund-raising and taxpayer spending, directing tens of millions of dollars in contributions to lawmakers while steering hundreds of millions of dollars in earmark contracts back to his clients.';
Resolved, That--
(1) the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, or a subcommittee of the committee designated by the committee and its members appointed by the chairman and ranking member, shall immediately begin an investigation into the relationship between the source and timing of past campaign contributions to Members of the House related to the raided firm and earmark requests made by Members of the House on behalf of clients of the raided firm; and
(2) the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct shall submit a report of its findings to the House of Representatives within 2 months after the date of adoption of the resolution.
Lobbying as usual.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Baker, Yudichak "Halt That Pension Request"
Area legislators want to halt Ciavarella's pension request. Bill O'Boyle of the Times Leader wrote a story today about the efforts of Senator Lisa Baker and Representative John Yudichak.
State Sen. Lisa Baker and state Rep. John Yudichak have asked the State Employees’ Retirement System to “use all of its powers” to freeze former Luzerne County President Judge Mark Ciavarella’s pension request.
In a letter dated April 2 to Nicholas J. Maiale, chairman of the state agency, Baker and Yudichak said they “respectfully urge in the strongest possible terms” that Ciavarella’s request be denied.
“This disgraced judge is arrogant and continues to show contemptible behavior,” Baker said Thursday. “He doesn’t get it.”
Now let's count. 5, 4, 3, 2, yep in keeping with history it will probably be about two days when Todd Eachus announces a request to halt the pension. His silence and being two steps behind on this matter is deafening to the conscience. Of course, he was more concerned with partisan politics in asking Attorney Tom Corbett to step down in the midst of one of the biggest public corruption investigations in the history of Pennsylvania. Probably makes sense to someone, just not me.
Senate Chief Joe Scarnati Aims To Restore Public Trust
Lancasteronline.com is reporting that Senate Leader and Lt. Governor Joe Scarnati wants to restore public confidence in Harrisburg after reeling from a series of scandals.
"Without out doubt, there is no issue more important today. The No. 1 issue we have is restoring respect and trust back into the Legislature that we once had," said Scarnati, who is the Senate's president pro tempore and the state's lieutenant governor.
Speaking at a fundraiser here on Wednesday night, the Jefferson County Republican also touched on the GOP's role in budget negotiations. He said the lawmakers in his party should view the looming $2.3 billion budget deficit as an opportunity to take a stand.
"The party of Lincoln and Reagan — some of these people have forgotten their roots," Scarnati said. "This budget deficit we're in, this can be our shining moment. Taxing and spending are the Republican rally. We have to keep them under control.
"As we move forward through this process, let me tell you one thing: There will not be a broad-based tax increase coming out of anybody's pocket," said Scarnati, drawing applause at a GOP fundraiser.
"Without out doubt, there is no issue more important today. The No. 1 issue we have is restoring respect and trust back into the Legislature that we once had," said Scarnati, who is the Senate's president pro tempore and the state's lieutenant governor.
Speaking at a fundraiser here on Wednesday night, the Jefferson County Republican also touched on the GOP's role in budget negotiations. He said the lawmakers in his party should view the looming $2.3 billion budget deficit as an opportunity to take a stand.
"The party of Lincoln and Reagan — some of these people have forgotten their roots," Scarnati said. "This budget deficit we're in, this can be our shining moment. Taxing and spending are the Republican rally. We have to keep them under control.
"As we move forward through this process, let me tell you one thing: There will not be a broad-based tax increase coming out of anybody's pocket," said Scarnati, drawing applause at a GOP fundraiser.
New York Times Gives Nancy Pelosi Some Sage Advice About Murtha
An edtiorial which appears in today's New York Times advises Nancy Pelosi to investigate Rep. John Murtha and his shenanigans with the PMA lobbyist group.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi should listen to the wise Democrats who are pushing for an ethics inquiry into the far-too-cozy relationship between lawmakers and the PMA Group of superlobbyists.
The Justice Department is investigating whether PMA used illegal straw donors to lard the campaign kitties of cooperative lawmakers. The firm — which shut itself down after being raided by federal agents — fed and fed richly off the defense appropriations subcommittee led by Representative John Murtha, the House baron of Pentagon spending.
Beyond the criminal investigation, the House needs to look into any violations of its own ethics rules. And the Democrats need to deliver on their party’s ethics promises — and more and more of them know it. As Representative Ron Kind told The Hill newspaper, “As long as this is not dealt with in the right manner, it’s just going to be a cloud hanging over us.”
Speaker Nancy Pelosi should listen to the wise Democrats who are pushing for an ethics inquiry into the far-too-cozy relationship between lawmakers and the PMA Group of superlobbyists.
The Justice Department is investigating whether PMA used illegal straw donors to lard the campaign kitties of cooperative lawmakers. The firm — which shut itself down after being raided by federal agents — fed and fed richly off the defense appropriations subcommittee led by Representative John Murtha, the House baron of Pentagon spending.
Beyond the criminal investigation, the House needs to look into any violations of its own ethics rules. And the Democrats need to deliver on their party’s ethics promises — and more and more of them know it. As Representative Ron Kind told The Hill newspaper, “As long as this is not dealt with in the right manner, it’s just going to be a cloud hanging over us.”
Lt. Governor Race- Barletta Has High Name Recognition
Grassrootspa.com has the results of a poll performed by Susquehanna Polling and Research which concludes Mayor Lou Barletta of Hazleton has the strongest name ID among both GOP voters (a ratio of 29% favorable to 6% unfavorable, including total name ID of 48%), and also the highest positive name ID among voters in your region of Northeastern PA (49% favorable to 17% unfavorable, including total name ID of 77%) when compared with the regional name ID of other candidates in their respective areas (see page 2 for a county listing within each region).
Bill O"Boyle of the Times Leader writes"Barletta has political footprint
Bill O"Boyle of the Times Leader writes"Barletta has political footprint
Thursday, April 2, 2009
MORE BREAKING NEWS- JPLFINANCIAL SECRET SERVICE HAS QUESTIONS
According to the I-Team at WBRE federal investigators are looking into complaints of the J.P.L. investment group in Kingston.
The U.S. secret service which handles these kinds of investigations told the I-Team they have received at least five complaints from J.P.L. customers involving tens of thousands of dollars. The owner, James P. Lake, has been unavailable. One woman told us, she cannot account for some $70,000 dollars that she claims she gave to J.P.L. to invest.
The secret service says they are working with the Securities and Exchange Commission and are urging J.P.L. customers to call their Scranton office if they have complaints. That number is (570) 346-5781.
I personally know of one person who was contacted by investigators from Questar Capital. Let's stress that to this point James P. Lake has not been charged with any crime.
The U.S. secret service which handles these kinds of investigations told the I-Team they have received at least five complaints from J.P.L. customers involving tens of thousands of dollars. The owner, James P. Lake, has been unavailable. One woman told us, she cannot account for some $70,000 dollars that she claims she gave to J.P.L. to invest.
The secret service says they are working with the Securities and Exchange Commission and are urging J.P.L. customers to call their Scranton office if they have complaints. That number is (570) 346-5781.
I personally know of one person who was contacted by investigators from Questar Capital. Let's stress that to this point James P. Lake has not been charged with any crime.
BREAKING NEWS- NEW FBI PROBE INVOLVING ARBRITRATION AWARDS
Times Leader's Terry Morgan-Besecker is breaking news that the FBI took 87 cases involving abritration awards in Luzerne County for a new federal grand jury that will be empaneled April 7th in Scranton.
The subpoena sought all files or records relating to underinsured motorists from Jan. 1, 2002 to the present.
Agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation took 79 case files dealing with the appointment of neutral arbitrators in uninsured motorist insurance cases from Luzerne County President Judge Chester Muroski's office this afternoon, Muroski said.
Muroski said the agents learned he had been collecting the files as part of the court's own review of the arbitration cases. Two agents visited him today with a subpoena requesting the documents and he complied.
In a related story the Times Leader is reporting:
The Federal Bureau of Investigation, already probing corruption at the Luzerne County Courthouse, is now investigating the Wilkes-Barre Area School District and Wilkes-Barre Area Vocational-Technical School.
The FBI on Thursday requested a list of the Wilkes-Barre Area Vocational-Technical Joint Operating Committee board members since 2005, said attorney Jack Dean, who provides legal assistance for the school.
Dean said the information was supplied, and he stressed that the request was not in the form of a subpoena.
A well-placed source said the FBI also requested Wilkes-Barre Area School Board meeting minutes from 2004 to the present and district’s teacher hiring policy.
The summer hasn't arrived but it sure is getting hot in Luzerne County.
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