July 2007
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Why is the Government shut down?
By Senator "Citizen Mike" Folmer

The big story in Pennsylvania politics right now is, of course, the standoff between Gov. Rendell and the Legislature over the state budget, which has resulted in state government being shutdown until the stalemate is resolved. I am appalled that the Governor is using state services, state employees, and the state's future as pawns to leverage support for his pet projects. This is wrong and not an appropriate way to do business.

During his first term in office, Gov. Rendell succeeded in imposing his agenda of higher taxes, excessive borrowing, and unprecedented spending.

We borrowed $2 billion, which our children and grandchildren will one day have to pay back.  Half of the money borrowed went toward corporate welfare, including $40 million for Comcast to build a new skyscraper in Philadelphia.

We increased General Fund spending by nearly double the combined rates of inflation and population growth.

We increased taxes by more than $1 billion. About $110 million in revenues is collected every day by the Commonwealth. You can't tell me that more is needed.

This year, Gov. Rendell again proposed a state budget with massive spending increases of triple the rate of inflation and seven different tax increases.  But hardworking Pennsylvanians can't afford to have any more taken from their paychecks; our economy can't withstand such a spending increase.

By an overwhelming bipartisan majority of 49-1, the Senate passed a budget with spending growth within the rate of inflation (3.2 percent), no new taxes either this year or next, and no new borrowing.

Unfortunately, the Governor and House Democrats have drawn a line in the sand by refusing to support a budget that doesn't contain: 1) $240 million more in corporate welfare for the Pittsburgh Penguins hockey team to help pay for the cost of a new arena; and 2) electricity taxes to pay for the Governor's so-called "energy independence."

It is worth noting that Pennsylvania currently has a $640 million surplus. So why is the Governor threatening to veto the state budget as leverage to hold Pennsylvania hostage for his ransom demand of higher taxes, more borrowing, and spending growth again in excess of inflation and population growth? It's just not right.

Both the Governor and the Legislature have an obligation to the people of Pennsylvania, to state workers facing unemployment, and to those who rely upon public services.

The governor should stop playing politics with people's lives, sign a fiscally responsible budget, and then allow his other priorities to be voted on their merits.

To use the state budget as a negotiating tool in a high stakes game of political chess, impacting millions of families, is inexcusable. We can – and we should – pass a budget with no tax increases, no new taxes this year or next, no gimmicks, and no excessive spending.