HARRISBURG — Republican Party of Pennsylvania Chairman Spokesman Mike Barley was astounded to read comments made by the spokeswoman for Appropriations Committee Chairman Dwight Evans regarding the transportation funding bill that was recently sent to the Appropriations Committee.
According to a report by The Allentown Morning Call, “Johnna Pro, a spokeswoman for Appropriations Committee Chairman Dwight Evans insisted that Democrats do “not want to go to war” with the part of their base that gives millions of dollars to Democratic candidates and is almost singlehandedly responsible for the party’s get-out-the-vote operations on Election Day.” Rick Bloomingdale, the president of the state office of the AFL-CIO admitted, “We’re pretty pissed off,” about legislation that would impose stiff fines and even jail time on unionized workers who don’t abide by legislation requiring them to give at least 72 hours notice before walking off the job due to a labor dispute. (“Dems’ Transpo Plan Would Fine, Jail Striking Transit Workers,” The Morning Call Capitol Ideas Blog)
“With Democrats already in serious danger of losing majority control of the state House, it appears that they are willing to do anything to stay in power, even alter legislation that has one of their biggest Democratic campaign supporters ‘pissed off,’” Barley said. “The Appropriations Chair spokeswoman’s comments strike to the heart of what is wrong in Harrisburg. Rather than do what’s in the best interest of the Pennsylvanians who count on the bus to show up and give them a ride to work, legislators are willing to alter the bill to make it more palatable to the unions that help provide them with critical campaign funding that keeps them in power. One could only wish that the Appropriations Chairman and House Democrats were half as concerned about the feelings of the Pennsylvanians who were left high and dry when mass transit went on strike last November as they are about pandering to the unions that fund their electoral campaigns.
“On November 2nd, 2010, Pennsylvanians have the opportunity to ‘go to war’ with the status quo in Harrisburg by getting rid of the Democratic House Majority who is more concerned about helping those that help them first.”
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