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1.PA GOP: Rendell Repeat – Governor Fails To Complete State Budget On Time For Seven Years And Counting
2.PA GOP: The Audacity Of Joe Biden
3.Scarnati: Governor Must Stop Scare Tactics
4.State GOP Legislators Attack Potential Tax Increases
5.Editorial: Cap-And-Trade Bill Not Likely To Deliver Promised Jobs
1.PA GOP: Rendell Repeat – Governor Fails To Complete State Budget On Time For Seven Years And Counting
Republican Party of Pennsylvania Chairman Rob Gleason was disappointed to see Governor Ed Rendell plunge our Commonwealth into a budget crisis for the seventh year in a row, especially after months of overtures by Republican officials to develop a budget plan were ignored by the Governor and Democrats.
“’Governor Rendell needs to stand up and take responsibility for his actions,’ Gleason said. “’His out-of-control spending over the last seven years is the reason our Commonwealth is in this position in the first place! He needs to stop trying to push the burden of making up his budget shortfall onto hardworking Pennsylvania families who are already struggling to make ends’ meet.’”
2.PA GOP: The Audacity Of Joe Biden
While Vice President Joe Biden’s visited Pennsylvania yesterday, PA GOP Chairman Rob Gleason questioned the Vice President’s continued support for the national energy tax known as ‘cap and trade.’
“I find it incredible that Vice President Biden would visit our energy-rich Commonwealth while supporting the job-killing national energy tax known as cap and trade,’ Gleason said. ‘This massive tax increase will cripple Pennsylvania’s energy industries, including the coal and natural gas sectors, and place an additional $1200 tax burden on hardworking families.’”
3.Scarnati: Governor Must Stop Scare Tactics
Governor Ed Rendell is trying to frighten Pennsylvanians into supporting massive tax hikes, Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati said in a recent statement.
"’In order to sell something that is not in the best interest of Pennsylvanians, which is a massive increase in the personal income tax, the Governor has come to his final option…threatening a doomsday scenario in the Commonwealth,’ Scarnati said. ‘However, if we are to get to the point of significant progress on this budget, the Governor must be forthright with his information to the public.’"
4.State GOP Legislators Attack Potential Tax Increases
Republican legislators, including state House Minority Leader Sam Smith, joined with the Commonwealth Foundation to reaffirm their support for a “no tax hike” state budget.
“Mr. Smith said he would then try to amend either bill with a bottom-line spending proposal ‘in the neighborhood of Senate Bill 850, without any tax increases.’”
5.Editorial: Cap-And-Trade Bill Not Likely To Deliver Promised Jobs
An editorial appearing in today’s Detroit News argues that cap-and-trade legislation will not create new jobs and place a major financial burden on hardworking families who are already struggling to make ends meet.
“House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says her advocacy for cap-and-trade is all about ‘jobs, jobs, jobs, jobs.’ But there's no evidence that employment has grown anywhere in the world because of energy mandates such as cap-and-trade.”
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1.Sen. Pileggi Op-Ed: It’s Possible To Enact Responsible Budget Without Tax Hike For Pennsylvanians
2.York County Republican Delegation Issues Statement On Missed State Budget Deadline
3.Reed: If Prison Guards Go Without Pay, So Should Inmates
4.Stossel: “Better” Health Care?
5.Gallup: More Americans See Democrat Party As “Too Liberal”
1.Sen. Pileggi Op-Ed: It’s Possible To Enact Responsible Budget Without Tax Hike For Pennsylvanians
Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi calls on Governor Ed Rendell and the Democrats to support a fiscally responsible budget plan that does not increase taxes.
“I think it's wrong to increase taxes when so many people are losing their jobs, losing their homes and struggling to make ends meet. Two months ago, the Senate passed a budget that does not increase taxes, relying instead on cuts to state spending. Since then, the 203 members of the House have yet to debate or vote on a budget.”
2.York County Republican Delegation Issues Statement On Missed State Budget Deadline
State Representatives Stan Saylor, Will Tallman, Seth Grove, Keith Gillespie and Ron Miller issued a joint statement on the seventh straight budget crisis of Governor Ed Rendell’s tenure.
“Pennsylvania is confronting the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression and state government is facing a projected $3.2 billion deficit this year. Gov. Ed Rendell offered his solution to our fiscal crisis: spend more than $1 billion more than last year and raise your taxes to pay for it.”
3.Reed: If Prison Guards Go Without Pay, So Should Inmates
Governor Rendell’s plan to keep paying inmates in prison while withholding pay from prison guards is “crazy”, state Representative Dave Reed said in a recent statement. Reed is cosponsoring legislation with state Rep. John Payne that ensures criminals will not receive paychecks before prison guards.
“’If the state’s not paying prison guards, it shouldn’t be paying prisoners,’ Reed said. ’To think that law-abiding prison guards would have to go without pay while criminals receive compensation – that’s just crazy.’”
4.Stossel: “Better” Health Care?
Columnist John Stossel examines the socialized health care programs of Canada and the United Kingdom, and found that the infusion of government into the doctor-patient relationship leads to long lines and subpar medical care.
“We saw this in Canada, where we did find one area of medicine that offers easy access to cutting-edge technology -- CT scan, endoscopy, thoracoscopy, laparoscopy, etc. It was open 24/7. Patients didn't have to wait.
But you have to bark or meow to get that kind of treatment. Animal care is the one area of medicine that hasn't been taken over by the government. Dogs can get a CT scan in one day. For people, the waiting list is a month.”
5.Gallup: More Americans See Democrat Party As “Too Liberal”
Nearly half of all Americans view the Democrat Party as being “too liberal,” a significant increase over a similar poll conducted last year. 46% of Americans view the Democrats as too liberal, which is highest percentage measured since the 1994 midterm elections.
“Most major demographic and attitudinal subgroups show at least a slight uptick since 2008 in perceptions that the Democratic Party is too liberal. The increasing perception of the Democrats as too far left comes as President Obama and the Democrats in Congress have expanded the government's role in the economy to address the economic problems facing the country. Additionally, the government is working toward major healthcare reform legislation and strengthening environmental regulations.”
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1.Editorial: Beware Governor’s Budget Delay Game
2.Thousands Spent Promoting Governor’s Budget Plan (video)
3. Hunter: Does Obama Care?
4.Robbins Bill Extends Check Off Box For Military Family Aid
5.Taylor: Justices Reject Sotomayor’s Position 9-0 – But Bigger Battles Loom
1.Editorial: Beware Governor’s Budget Delay Game
It’s time for Governor Ed Rendell to get serious about cutting government spending and stop protecting his pet projects, according to an editorial in The Williamsport Sun-Gazette.
“The problem is the billions of dollars spent on glorified patronage hirings, excessive pension plans, overstaffing of certain, protected bureaucracies and a continual embrace of outmoded public systems such as the Turnpike Commission and the state liquor stores.
The budget solution during the Rendell administration has been to continue spending well beyond the rate of inflation to support these multiple sacred cows and tax regular people and most businesses to the hilt to pay for that spending.”
2.Thousands Spent Promoting Governor’s Budget Plan (video)
WGAL-TV’s Matt Belanger investigates Governor Ed Rendell’s use of taxpayer dollars to peddle his tax hike-filled budget plan.
“One of Rendell’s biggest bills comes from his use of the state plane. On June 16th, Governor Rendell spent nearly $7,000 flying around the state, visiting Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Erie, Scranton, and Pottstown, with the sole goal of selling his spending plan.”
3. Hunter: Does Obama Care?
In his piece for The American Spectator, Lawrence Hunter argues that the biggest danger of government-run health care is taking the humanity out of the doctor-patient relationship. The government, he argues, would insert itself into the most important of medical decisions, and focus more on the bottom line than on the right decision for the patient.
“But that is the problem with bureaucratic medicine, that's what happens when the hospital morphs into the DMV, which is precisely what the president is trying to foist on the American public in the name of cost control and equal access to equal care for all. Once the government takes over medicine and hands it over to the bureaucrats to run, there is no humanity, only bureaucrats.”
4.Robbins Bill Extends Check Off Box For Military Family Aid
State Senator Bob Robbins has introduced legislation that will allow taxpayers to help members of the military and their families in the Commonwealth. By checking a box on their tax returns, Pennsylvanians can donate to the Military Family Relief Assistance Program, which will provide aid to military families in need.
"’This program provides an important safety net for service members and their families,’ Senator Robbins said. ‘They stand up for us during times of crisis. The Military Family Relief Assistance Program is a way for the people of Pennsylvania to show our gratitude by helping them when they face a financial crisis.’"
5.Taylor: Justices Reject Sotomayor’s Position 9-0 – But Bigger Battles Loom
All nine Supreme Court justices rejected Judge Sonia Sotomayor’s endorsed opinion in Ricci v. DeStefano. The decision, which found that the New Haven, CT Fire Department cannot keep white firefighters from receiving a promotion based on the low scores of their minority colleagues, emphasizes Barack Obama’s continued push toward identity politics.
“What's more striking is that the court was unanimous in rejecting the Sotomayor panel's specific holding. Her holding was that New Haven's decision to spurn the test results must be upheld based solely on the fact that highly disproportionate numbers of blacks had done badly on the exam and might file a ‘disparate-impact’ lawsuit -- regardless of whether the exam was valid or the lawsuit could succeed.”
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1.PA GOP: Democrats To “Tax The Lights Out” Of Pennsylvanians
2. Court Rules For White Firefighters Over Promotions
3.Proposed Income Tax Hike Not A Popular Concept Around Here
4. White House Won’t Rule Out Taxing Middle-Class Workers’ Health Benefits
5.Editorial: Cap And Frown
6.Sen. Gregg Op-Ed: A Debt The Founders Wouldn’t Believe
1.PA GOP: Democrats To “Tax The Lights Out” Of Pennsylvanians
Republican Party of Pennsylvania Chairman Rob Gleason expressed his ardent opposition to ‘cap and trade.’ The national energy tax will cause gas prices and energy bills to skyrocket while forcing more American jobs overseas.
“’Cap and trade’ will have a devastating effect on Pennsylvanians who work in the energy industry, particularly in the coal and natural gas sectors. Our Commonwealth deserves a comprehensive energy plan. Instead of a massive tax increase that will force millions of jobs overseas, we need to pursue ‘all of the above’ energy strategies that will decrease our dependence on foreign sources of energy while keeping jobs here at home.”
2. Court Rules For White Firefighters Over Promotions
Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor's confirmation suffered a setback today when one of her most controversial rulings was overturned by the High Court, demonstrating once again how out of touch Obama’s nominee is with mainstream legal views and opinions. In Ricci v. DeStefano, the Court ruled that the New Haven, CT Fire Department cannot discriminate against white firefighters based on the fear that minorities who did not pass a promotion exam will sue.
"’Fear of litigation alone cannot justify an employer's reliance on race to the detriment of individuals who passed the examinations and qualified for promotions,’ Justice Anthony Kennedy said in his opinion for the court. He was joined by Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Samuel Alito, Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas.”
3.Proposed Income Tax Hike Not A Popular Concept Around Here
Residents in Lycoming County are voicing their strong opposition to Governor Ed Rendell’s plan to raise the Personal Income Tax by 16%. Pennsylvania Republicans have offered a budget plan that does not raise taxes on the millions of hardworking Pennsylvania families struggling to make ends’meet.
"I don't think it should be raised at all," said Pete Geanacopoulos of Williamsport.
Such a tax hike, he explained, goes against all good business.
The governor's $29 billion spending plan also includes a hike in the cigarette tax, new taxes on smokeless tobacco and natural gas drilling.”
4. White House Won’t Rule Out Taxing Middle-Class Workers’ Health Benefits
Despite pledging not to raise taxes on middle-class families during his presidential campaign, an aide for Barack Obama is now saying that the President will not rule out raising taxes on poor and middle-income families in order to pay for his socialized health care plan.
“But under repeated questioning from host George Stephanopoulos, Axelrod said the White House is open to "a lot of different formulations" for paying for health-care reform.”
5.Editorial: Cap And Frown
If the ‘Cap and trade’ legislation that was passed by the House on Friday night is signed into law, American families will see their energy bills rise by thousands of dollars.
“Even a moderate tax of $1 per gallon means that household costs would exceed $175 after just 175 gallons of gasoline are purchased. Readers can figure out their own gas use, but for the CBO estimates to be true, CBO would have to assume the average family uses fewer than 4 gallons of gas a week -- or 2 gallons a week per car if you have two cars.
Perhaps the bureaucrats at CBO only use their cars to go up and down their driveways, but most people have to drive to work and take their kids to baseball games, karate practice and other events.”
6.Sen. Gregg Op-Ed: A Debt The Founders Wouldn’t Believe
Senator Judd Gregg, the Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee, outlines the dangers of Obama’s spending plans for our country in an opinion piece for Investor’s Business Daily. One of the goals of this Administration, he argues, should be developing a plan to pay down our country’s increasingly massive debt.
“Since the president's budget does not propose to ask Americans today to pay for that additional spending through taxes, the only way for the U.S. government to get that money is to borrow it, which means adding to, not reducing, the debt. By the end of the budget period as proposed by the president, the debt will have skyrocketed to 82% of GDP, which is simply not sustainable.”
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1.Editorial: Obama’s Health Future
2.Civera Introduces Resolutions On State Budget Bills
3.Republican Judiciary Chairman Marisco Issues Statement On Non-Tax Paying Prisoners Getting Paid During A Budget Impasse
4.Safe Schools Package Sponsored By Piccola Approved By Senate
5.Ward Bill Provides Option For Local State Police Coverage
1.Editorial: Obama’s Health Future
President Barack Obama’s health care plan will further insert the federal government into the doctor-patient relationship, according to an editorial appearing in today’s Wall Street Journal.
“What Mr. Obama is describing is his preferred health-care future. If or when the Administration's speculative cost-cutting measures under universal health care fail to produce savings, government will start explicitly limiting patient access to treatments and services regarded as too expensive. Democrats deny this eventuality, but health planners will have no choice, given that the current entitlement system is already barreling toward insolvency without adding millions of new people to the federal balance sheet.”
2.Civera Introduces Resolutions On State Budget Bills
State Representative Mario Civera has taken steps to ensure that both the Republican and Democrat budget proposals will reach the House floor before the June 30th deadline.
“At this point, our only course of action is to introduce a discharge resolution in hopes of getting the bills out of committee. Chairman Dwight Evans has made it very clear that he is in no rush to move either budget, so we need to take the next step…We are facing the toughest economic challenge in decades, and sitting around waiting for the House Democrats to take action sends the wrong message.”
3.Republican Judiciary Chairman Marisco Issues Statement On Non-Tax Paying Prisoners Getting Paid During A Budget Impasse
State House Republican Judiciary Chairman Ron Marisco spoke out against news that, if no budget deal is reached by the June 30th deadline, Pennsylvania prisoners would receive pay while prison guards and officials would not
“I am astounded that the governor is worried about upsetting the prison population when he should really be troubled by the fact that the families of our own state workers may not be able to buy groceries or put gasoline in their cars if they don’t get paid. Yet, these state workers will still be expected to show up to work every day in order to retain their jobs.”
4.Safe Schools Package Sponsored By Piccola Approved By Senate
The State Senate has approved legislation aimed at making Pennsylvania schools safe for our children. Senate Bill 55 and 56, which were introduced by State Senate Education Chairman Jeff Piccola, seek to keep former violent offenders out of our schools and increase transparency in the school protection services.
"’We cannot have people with criminal histories employed in our schools – people who are clearly a threat to the safety of students and others, not to mention a distraction to the learning process. Likewise and just as important, are the obvious problems associated with our Commonwealth's school violence reporting system. We must improve the Pennsylvania Department of Education's ability to more effectively administer the law to ensure our schools and local police take their duty seriously in protecting students and teachers from violence,’ said Piccola.
5.Ward Bill Provides Option For Local State Police Coverage
State Senator Kim Ward has introduced legislation that will give municipalities the ability to request a permanent State Trooper in their area for protection.
"’My bill will give local governments an additional option to address the issue of police protection,’ the senator said. ‘As a result of the additional troopers, there will be more officers on the street to assist all municipalities.’ Currently, municipalities with police departments rely on state police resources as back up for public safety emergencies and serious crimes.”
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1.PA GOP: It’s Time To Reject ObamaCare
2. Poll Shows Pa. Residents Suffering In Recession
3.Rove: ObamaCare Isn’t Inevitable
4.Dr. Gottleib: Government Health Plans Always Ration Care
5.Editorial: The Cap And Trade Fiction
1.PA GOP: It’s Time To Reject ObamaCare
Republican Party of Pennsylvania Chairman Rob Gleason has taken a stand against President Barack Obama’s socialized health care plan.
“The American people recognize that Obama’s socialist health care plan is going to be terrible for our country,” Gleason said. “After inserting government control and power over the banking and automobile industries, President Obama is now looking to take over the health care industry as well. In the midst of a massive economic downturn, President Barack Obama is promoting a health care plan that will saddle our nation with over $1 trillion of debt in the next ten years, according to the Congressional Budget Office. The creation of a socialized health care plan would cause many employees in this country to lose their current privately-owned insurance and force them to become dependent on our federal government for their health care.”
2. Poll Shows Pa. Residents Suffering In Recession
Pennsylvanians prefer cutting government spending to paying more taxes, according to a study released by Franklin & Marshall. The poll once again demonstrates the overwhelming statewide support a fiscally responsible budget plan that does not include tax hikes.
"’I think Pennsylvanians are very, very worried. That's why you see the very strong sentiment to reduce government spending and bring it in line with revenue,’ [State Senate Majority Dominic] Pileggi said. ‘People are worried about losing their jobs or losing their houses. Their children are having difficulty getting jobs (coming) out of college.’"
3.Rove: ObamaCare Isn’t Inevitable
President Obama’s approval ratings are falling, a trend that will surely continue once Americans learn more about his plan to nationalize our health care system, according to Karl Rove. Recent polls, including one released by the Resurgent Republic, clearly show that Americans are tiring of President Obama’s sweeping plans to insert the government into their daily lives.
“Nearly everyone agrees that some reforms are needed. But it is also vital to protect areas of excellence and innovation. Stanford University professor Scott Atlas points out that from 1998 to 2002 nearly twice as many new drugs were launched in the U.S. as in Europe. According the U.S. Pharmaceutical Industry Report, some 2,900 new drugs are now being researched here. America's five top hospitals conduct more clinical trials than all the hospitals in any other developed country, according to Mr. Atlas. And a McKinsey Co. study reports that 40% of all medical travelers come to the United States for medical treatment.”
4.Dr. Gottleib: Government Health Plans Always Ration Care
Dr. Scott Gottlieb argues that the only way for government-run health care to bring down costs is by rationing care to its patients, and questions the overall constitutionality of the government’s ability to determine who receives medical treatment and when.
“Our best look at this construct comes from a bill released by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee. The bill calls for a ‘Medical Advisory Council’ to determine what medical products and services are ‘essential benefits’ and those that shouldn't be covered by a public insurance plan.”
5.Editorial: The Cap And Trade Fiction
The Democrat’s pending cap-and-trade legislation will result in one of the largest tax increases in American history, an editorial in The Wall Street Journal contends.
“Even as Democrats have promised that this cap-and-trade legislation won't pinch wallets, behind the scenes they've acknowledged the energy price tsunami that is coming. During the brief few days in which the bill was debated in the House Energy Committee, Republicans offered three amendments: one to suspend the program if gas hit $5 a gallon; one to suspend the program if electricity prices rose 10% over 2009; and one to suspend the program if unemployment rates hit 15%. Democrats defeated all of them.”
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1.PAGOP: ’What Can $500 Do For YOU?’ Contest Giveaway
2.State Republicans Urge Voters To ‘Post’ Tax Protests
3.Mortgage Fraud Prevention Measures Head To Governor’s Desk
4. Goldberg: Obama’s Iran Policy Is Dead
5.Morris: Obama’s Weakness Issue
6.Shuster: Western Pa. Passenger Rail Needs Improvement
1.PAGOP: ’What Can $500 Do For YOU?’ Contest Giveaway
Yesterday, the PA GOP released “$500,” a Web ad that examines the devastating effects of Governor Ed Rendell’s plan to raise the Personal Income Tax by an average of $500 per Pennsylvania family. In honor of this important video’s release, the Republican Party of Pennsylvania has announced the “What Can $500 Do For YOU?” Contest Giveaway.
“In one or two sentences, let us know how Governor Rendell’s proposed 16% hike to the Personal Income Tax would affect YOUR family in these difficult economic times. Winners will be chosen based on originality, and will receive the PA GOP’s brand-new ‘Republican Red’ polo shirt!
Please send all entries, along with your name, address, and shirt size, to Deputy Communications Director Megan Sweeney at msweeney@pagop.org. Entries must be received by 6:00 p.m. on Friday, June 26th, 2009, and winners will be notified during the following week.”
2.State Republicans Urge Voters To ‘Post’ Tax Protests
A group of Republican state House legislators are calling on Pennsylvanians who oppose Governor Ed Rendell and the Democrats’ plans for a 16% increase in the Personal Income Tax to leave Post-It notes detailing their frustrations on the doors of their state legislators. Constituents who are unable to travel to Harrisburg to leave a note can visit StateCapitolProtest.com to find ways to make their voices heard.
"’Now is not the time to be in the silent majority,’ said Rep. Jim Marshall, R-Beaver. ‘We need to hear from you. The House Democrats need to hear from you.’
3.Mortgage Fraud Prevention Measures Head To Governor’s Desk
The General Assembly has passed two important pieces of legislation that will greatly reform the mortgage industry in Pennsylvania. Sponsored by state Senator Mike Brubaker, Senate Bill 170 would make the process for acquiring a mortgage more transparent for consumers. State Representative Mike Kessler’s House Bill 985 seeks to protect employees who shed light on instances of mortgage fraud in the commonwealth.
"’No homeowner should have to suffer through the financial pain and uncertainty of falling victim to mortgage fraud,’ Brubaker said. ‘This new law will ensure that consumers have access to vital mortgage information to make certain that Pennsylvania families are not ripped off by unscrupulous mortgage brokers and other con artists.’"
4. Goldberg: Obama’s Iran Policy Is Dead
In an opinion piece that originally appeared in The Chicago Tribune, Jonah Goldberg examines President Barack Obama’s stubborn approach to the current situation in Iran. Despite an obvious shift in Iran’s political climate, the President has refused to deviate from his original plans for negotiating with the current ruling regime.
“For some reason, Obama cannot fully accept this. In his news conference Tuesday, the president finally condemned the outrages in Iran in terms he should have used a week ago. But he also kept alive the idea that the current Iranian regime could be a fruitful negotiation partner, despite what has already happened in that country. "It's not too late," Obama said, for the regime to negotiate with the international community. He wouldn't even cancel plans to invite Iranian officials to 4th of July barbecues at U.S. embassies. That amounts to tacit approval of the bloodshed and fraud that we've already seen and acceptance of the ultimate triumph of the regime. And it won't work.”
5.Morris: Obama’s Weakness Issue
President Obama’s weak positions on Iran and North Korea have sent a message to our enemies throughout the world that our new Commander-in-Chief is “weak,” according to columnist Dick Morris. His insistence on taking a soft-line stance to the crises in both countries is not only hurting our country’s image abroad, it’s putting our citizens in danger.
“In the meantime, Obama's pathetic performance vis-a-vis Iran and North Korea cannot but send a message to all of America's enemies that the president of the United States does not believe in using power. That he is a wimp and they can get away with whatever they want. A dangerous reputation, indeed.”
6.Shuster: Western Pa. Passenger Rail Needs Improvement
It’s time for western Pennsylvania to enjoy the same level of high-speed rail access that is already present in the eastern half of the commonwealth, according to remarks made by Congressman Bill Shuster. Speaking before the Railroads Subcommittee of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Rep. Shuster specifically noted the need for a high-speed rail presence in the State College area.
"I believe we are about to experience a new era in passenger rail in this country. I want western Pennsylvania to participate in this new era and to enjoy the benefits of increased and expanded passenger rail service."
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What does $500 mean to you and your family?
Is it a mortgage or rent payment? Is it the cost of taking a family vacation? How about a year’s worth of gas money for your car, groceries for your family, or medical care for your loved ones?
In honor of the release of “$500,” the latest PA GOP Web ad on the state budget (which you can see by following this link), the PA GOP is holding a contest to hear how important $500 is to YOUR family budget!
In one or two sentences, let us know how Governor Rendell’s proposed 16% hike to the Personal Income Tax would affect YOUR family in these difficult economic times. Winners will be chosen based on originality, and will receive the PA GOP’s brand-new “Republican Red” polo shirt!
Please send all entries, along with your name, address, and shirt size, to Deputy Communications Director Megan Sweeney at msweeney@pagop.org. Entries must be received by 6:00 p.m. on Friday, June 26th, 2009, and winners will be notified during the following week.
It’s time to show Governor Ed Rendell and the Democrats that $500 is not something that hardworking Pennsylvania families can “afford” to lose.
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1. PA GOP Releases new Web Ad – “$500”
2.StopPATaxHike.com: It’s Not Too Late To Tell Them NO.
3.Metcalfe, Lawmakers Initiate Pennsylvania State Capitol Taxpayers’ Protests Campaign
4.Rendell Would Allow Another 1 Percent In County Sales Tax
5.Rendell Takes Appeal For Taxes To Democrats
6.Editorial: ACORN’s New Name
7.Editorial: ‘Cap And Trade’ Is No-Win Legislation
1. PA GOP Releases new Web Ad – “$500”
The Republican Party of Pennsylvania has released its second Web ad on the state budget negotiations. Entitled “$500,” the ad examines the real-world affects of Governor Ed Rendell’s plan to raise the Personal Income Tax by 16%, or about $500 per family.
“’Pennsylvanians should be outraged by the Governor’s proposal to increase taxes,’ Gleason said. ‘Rather than make fiscally responsible decisions in Harrisburg, he has decided to shift the burden of the state’s $3 billion budget deficit to Pennsylvania families by calling for a major tax hike. Governor Ed Rendell’s decision to cut the annual budget of every hardworking Pennsylvania family by $500 is deplorable.’”
2.StopPATaxHike.com: It’s Not Too Late To Tell Them NO.
Yesterday, the PA House Republican Caucus launched a Web site that will give Pennsylvanians the chance to let Governor Rendell and the Democrats know exactly how they feel about plans to raise the Personal Income Tax by a staggering 16%. StopPATaxHike.com allows users to sign a petition supporting a fiscally responsible budget, leave comments about the current budget negotiations, and even post their own videos to the site.
“Can your family afford a state income tax increase right now? We didn't think so. Register your opposition to a state income tax hike on our petition. Then, tell the world how this is a terrible time for your family budget to be hit by a 16 percent increase to your state income taxes.”
3.Metcalfe, Lawmakers Initiate Pennsylvania State Capitol Taxpayers’ Protests Campaign
Yesterday, State Representative Daryl Metcalfe and numerous Republican lawmakers announced the Pennsylvania State Capitol Taxpayers’ Protest Post-It campaign. If taxpayers are unable to make it to participate in the program in Harrisburg, which consists of filling out a Post-It message voicing their sentiments about the state budget, they can also visit the Web site StateCapitolProtest.com for more information.
‘Although both the governor and House Democrat Appropriations Chairman Dwight Evans have come to the ‘inescapable conclusion’ that a 16 percent, $1.5 billion personal income tax hike combined with several other tax increases is the ‘easiest’ and ‘least painful way’ to close the $3.2 billion Rendell budget deficit, there is no time like the present for Pennsylvania taxpayers to begin phoning, e-mailing, faxing or personally visiting the district offices of their respective state Representatives and Senators to ask them for a commitment to pass a fiscally responsible budget, with absolutely no tax or fee increases,’ said Metcalfe.”
4.Rendell Would Allow Another 1 Percent In County Sales Tax
In addition to supporting a 16% increase in the Personal Income Tax, Governor Ed Rendell declared his support for an additional 1% hike in the state’s sales tax.
“If approved locally, that would make the sales tax 8 percent in Allegheny County. The county and Philadelphia already levy an extra 1 percent on top of the state's 6 percent sales tax.
Other counties would see a 7 percent rate if they add the extra 1 percent Rendell is pushing. Counties have asked for the extra point to reduce property taxes and cover costs.”
5.Rendell Takes Appeal For Taxes To Democrats
Governor Ed Rendell attempted to lobby support for his plans to increase numerous Pennsylvania taxes, including a 16% hike in the Personal Income Tax. In the midst of the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, the Governor is proposing a budget that will also increase government spending.
“To do that, he said he told the legislators, he needs their support in imposing taxes on cigars, smokeless tobacco and natural gas drillers; raising the tax on cigarettes; and raising the state's 3.07 percent personal income tax rate to 3.57 percent.
Additionally, Rendell is calling for allowing counties the option of imposing a 1 percent sales tax, which drew local officials to the Capitol on Monday to support its inclusion in the final budget package.
Rendell's proposed tax increases won public support from at least the top three House Democratic leaders and two top Senate Democrats.”
6.Editorial: ACORN’s New Name
The Association Of Community Organizations For Reform Now, also known as ACORN, is changing its name in light of numerous voter registration scandals across the country. ACORN is currently under investigation in Pennsylvania and 13 other states for voter fraud.
“So, ACORN is changing its name -- Community Organizations International, or COI. Remember that new name. Remember that new acronym. And beware.”
7.Editorial: ‘Cap And Trade’ Is No-Win Legislation
Congressmen Bill Schuster and Glenn “G.T.” Thompson are to be commended for their opposition to the American Clean Energy and Security Act, according to an editorial in today Lewistown Sentinel. The bill, which includes a “cap-and-trade” provision, would place an undue burden on mining towns through our Commonwealth.
“Shuster and Thompson are exactly right in strongly opposing this measure, formally known as HR 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009. It is co-sponsored by two congressmen, Henry Waxman, D-Calif., and Edward Markey, D-Mass., who have no interest in protecting areas of the country that would be hurt badly by the measure. Pennsylvania is one of those areas.”
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Governor Ed Rendell and the Democrats plan to raise the Personal Income Tax by 16% demonstrates just how out of touch he is with the struggles of hardworking Pennsylvania families.
So let's tell them just how upset we are.
Today, the PA House Republican Caucus launched StopPATaxHike.com, a comprehensive Web site that provides you with the tools that you need to fight the Governor's irresponsible budget proposal. You can comment on how a major tax increase would affect your family, sign a petition telling the Governor and the Democrats that Pennsylvanians can't afford a tax increase. This site even allows you to submit videos letting your state legislators know exactly how you feel about a paying for the Governor's bloated government!
With only a few days left until the June 30th budget deadline, now is the time to stand up for fiscal responsibility. Be sure to check out StopPATaxHike.com, and let our Governor and the Democrats know that it’s time to leave the wallets of Pennsylvania families alone!
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1.Bumsted: Rendell’s Tax Hike Shell Game
2.Barely A Week Away, Deadline Looms For Pa. Budget
3.Obama’s Presidential Approval Index Falls To Lowest Point Of Presidency
4.Siegel: Why Docs Fear Government “Help”
5.Barone: Dodge Facts, Skip Details, Govern Chicago-Style
1.Bumsted: Rendell’s Tax Hike Shell Game
The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review’s Brad Bumsted examines Governor Ed Rendell and the Democrats drawn-out plans for a 16% hike in the Personal Income Tax. In contrast, Republicans are remaining steadfast in their fight to protect taxpayers from the spending of their government.
"’Gov. Rendell has been setting us up for his tax increase proposal for weeks when he toured the commonwealth holding press conferences talking about how any cuts in the state budget would result in the apocalyptic shutdown of nearly every state service,’ said Rob Gleason, chairman of the Republican Party of Pennsylvania.”
2.Barely A Week Away, Deadline Looms For Pa. Budget
Pennsylvania Republicans are continuing the fight for a state budget that contains no tax increases. Despite the Governor’s indifference to the mandatory June 30th deadline for a final budget plan, Republicans believe that the voters of Pennsylvania deserve to have a fiscally responsible budget passed on time for the first time in the Governor’s tenure.
“Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi, pointing to the state's record unemployment and a 2008-09 revenue shortfall in excess of $3 billion, said Pennsylvanians understand that these are unusual times and expect elected officials in state government to find a way to get by on $27 billion.
‘We must live within our means,’ said Pileggi, R-Delaware, reciting what has become the GOP battle cry.”
3.Obama’s Presidential Approval Index Falls To Lowest Point Of Presidency
For the first time since taking office, more people strongly disapprove of the job President Barack Obama is doing that strongly approve.
“The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Sunday shows that 32% of the nation's voters now Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Thirty-four percent (34%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -2.”
4.Siegel: Why Docs Fear Government “Help”
The American Medical Association’s opposition to a “public option” health care plan is the result of years of frustration with Medicare and Medicaid, according to Dr. Marc Siegel. Dr. Siegel also details his own personal frustration with the programs, whose decreasing reimbursements have forced many doctors to turn away patients using the programs.
“I'm not alone. Each year, I find I have fewer specialists to refer my Medicare patients to. The best mammographer I know no longer accepts Medicare, so I find myself trying to persuade my patients to see her anyway (and pay $300-plus out of pocket) because she's so good.”
5.Barone: Dodge Facts, Skip Details, Govern Chicago-Style
Columnist Michael Barone details his three “rules” for examining the presidency of Barack Obama in a piece originally published in The DC Examiner. First, Obama is unable to adapt his long-term policy goals to the unexpected situations that often arise in a presidency. Second, his eagerness to outsource the details of his generalized policies have made many of his top initiatives incoherent. Lastly, the President’s background in Chicago-style politics has resulted in his open pandering to political allies.
“But transferring large segments of the American economy from the private to the public sector has proved to be tougher than winning Democratic primaries and caucuses. And Ahmadinejad and Kim Jong Il have proved to be harder to charm than American mainstream media.
It's generally good for American presidents to have long-term strategies. But in setting public policy, it's important to get the details right. And in guiding the nation in a dangerous world, it's vital to adjust to face hard realities and adjust to unexpected events.”
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While shilling for his latest plan to raise the Personal Income Tax by 16%, Governor Ed Rendell chided the state Legislature for not reaching a resolution to our impending budget crisis sooner.
Allow us to refresh the Governor’s memory.
On April 1st , 91 days before the budget was due, Republicans in the Pennsylvania State House sent a letter to their Democrat counterparts that called for a suspension of all non-budget legislation until a deal was reached.
On May 6th, 54 days before the budget deadline, the State Senate passed Senate Bill 850, a plan that would increase education funding for our students while protecting Pennsylvanians from any additional tax burden.
On June 8th, the Democrat-controlled House Appropriations Committee voted to block Senate Bill 850, leaving our Commonwealth with no fiscally responsible budget plan.
We’ve been trying to reach a budget solution for months, Governor. Please step away from your bully pulpit and come to the negotiating table so that we can craft a fiscally responsible budget plan that will protect Pennsylvanians from the spending habits of their government.
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1.Schroeder: Put Blame For Budget Deficit Where It Belongs – Spending
2.Rep. Pitts Honored With “Taxpayers’ Friend Award”
3.Krauthammer: Obama Clueless On Iran
4.Tyrrell, Jr. : Better Get Sick Now, Not Later
5.Editorial: The Cost Of Government And Health Care
1.Schroeder: Put Blame For Budget Deficit Where It Belongs – Spending
State Representative Curt Schroeder speaks out against Governor Rendell’s plan to raise the Personal Income Tax by 16%.
“’The Rendell administration is spending a lot of time selling the idea that we have a revenue crisis in this state and more money is needed,’ said Schroder. ‘We don’t have a revenue crisis in Pennsylvania. We have a spending crisis and it’s time we acknowledge it and begin dealing with it responsibly.’”
2.Rep. Pitts Honored With “Taxpayers’ Friend Award”
The non-partisan National Taxpayers’ Union has awarded Congressman Joe Pitts with their “Taxpayers’ Friend Award.” Recipients of the award are determined based on their degree of fiscal responsibility demonstrated in their voting records.
“Being called a ‘friend of the taxpayer’ is a high honor. I can think of few awards that are more important to a public official. Every time I cast a vote, I remember the money we are spending in Washington comes from the hard earned dollars of the American people. At a time when families are making the tough sacrifices to weather our economic environment, government should be easing their tax burden, not making it worse.”
3.Krauthammer: Obama Clueless On Iran
The Obama Administration’s silence on the events taking place in Iran demonstrates President Barack Obama’s complete naiveté with regards to the Middle East region. While tens of thousands of protesters are lining the streets in support of a massive regime change, Obama continues to give credence to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Ayatollah Khameni.
“All hangs in the balance. The Khamenei regime is deciding whether to do a Tiananmen. And what side is the Obama administration taking? None. Except for the desire that this ‘vigorous debate’ (press secretary Robert Gibbs' disgraceful euphemism) over election ‘irregularities’ not stand in the way of U.S.-Iranian engagement on nuclear weapons.”
4.Tyrrell, Jr. : Better Get Sick Now, Not Later
R. Emmet Tyrell, Jr., Editor-in-Chief of The American Spectator, derides the anti-technology philosophy contained with Obama’s health care plan.
“Dr. Ezekiel J. Emanuel, brother of White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel and a health-policy adviser in the Office of Management and Budget, has chided Americans for the expense of their ‘being enamored with technology.’ Dr. David Blumenthal, another key Obama adviser, charges medical innovations as being responsible for fully two-thirds of the annual increase in health care spending. Their solution is to limit expensive innovations. A 2008 Congressional Budget Office report agrees with their cost analysis but concludes happily that such innovations ‘permit the treatment of previously untreatable conditions.’ As I shall show, there are more humane ways to cut health care costs.”
5.Editorial: The Cost Of Government And Health Care
The Washington Times derides the astronomical costs of Obama’s health care plan in an editorial appearing today.
“President Obama claims that the government takeover of the rest of the health care system is necessary to control costs. He couldn't be more extreme in his claims: ‘If we fail to act, premiums will climb higher, benefits will erode further, the rolls of the uninsured will swell to include millions more Americans.’ The numbers tell a different story.”
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1.PA GOP: Gov. Rendell Will Find Little Support For A 16% Tax Increase
2.Scarnati: NO Tax Increases
3.Civera Speaks Out Against Governor’s Proposed Income Tax Increase
4. Budget Process Flawed, Harper Says
5. Senate Finance Committee Approves Senate Bill 1
1.PA GOP: Gov. Rendell Will Find Little Support For A 16% Tax Increase
Republican Party of Pennsylvania Chairman Rob Gleason questioned Governor Rendell’s decision to use taxpayer dollars to travel across our Commonwealth promoting a plan to raise the Personal Income Taxes by 16%.
“Gov. Ed Rendell can burn all the taxpayer funded fuel he wants on bus trips and flyovers, but he has no chance of convincing hardworking Pennsylvanians that now is the right time for a significant tax increase. We would ask all Pennsylvania taxpayers to support our Republican legislators who will be fighting against this tax increase and urge Democrat elected officials in the State Senate and House to stand up for the best interests of their constituents and reject Gov. Rendell’s lame-duck tax-and-spend budget agenda.”
2.Scarnati: NO Tax Increases
Lieutenant Governor and Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati remains steadfast in his opposition to raising taxes in order to pay for government spending.
"’At a time when we are facing an economic crisis not seen since the Great Depression, the last thing we can afford to do is raise taxes on working people and job creators who are already struggling to make ends meet,’ Scarnati said. ‘There is no support in the Republican Senate for this type of broad-based tax increase, and it will certainly not sit well with Pennsylvania families who have to make tough financial choices right now and control their own spending.’"
3.Civera Speaks Out Against Governor’s Proposed Income Tax Increase
The state government should not be taking money from hard working families in the midst of an economic downturn , according to Republican House Appropriations Committee Chairman Mario Civera, who spoke out against the Governor’s plan to raise the Personal Income Tax by 16%.
“’State government cannot continue to spend money it does not have,’ Civera said. ‘There is no money tree growing on the Capitol grounds, and this apparent idea that taxpayers can act as such needs to be tossed aside.’”
4. Budget Process Flawed, Harper Says
State Representative Kate Harper believes that the Governor’s plan to increase the Personal Income Tax by 16% is a direct result of poor budgetary planning by his Administration.
“While the Governor says the tax increase will be temporary, remember that Pennsylvanians who buy liquor are still paying the old ‘Johnstown Flood Tax,’ which was enacted more than 70 years ago.”
5. Senate Finance Committee Approves Senate Bill 1
The State Senate Finance Committee approved a bill yesterday that would create a legislative counterpart to the Governor’s Budget Office. Sponsored by State Senator Pat Browne, Senate Bill 1 will bring more accountability to future budget negotiations.
"’The [Legislative Financial Office] established under Senate Bill 1 would develop the framework for serious discussions about the state budget, outside the realm of partisan politics. It would provide parity among the co-equal branches of government and accountability on the part of programs and departments,’ Senator Browne said. ‘The end result will be that we will conclude each budget session more expeditiously with a pragmatic and realistic spending plan that most closely meets the expectations of all of the citizens of the Commonwealth.’”
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