Lincoln Blog
February 02, 2010:
It is a bad time here in Penn's Woods to be a taxpayer or someone looking for a job. But is a great time to be a state worker.
A recent analysis by the Harrisburg Patriot-News shows ten more Commonwealth of Pennsylvania employees have cracked the $100,000 compensation level over the past year. This at a time when the state endured a 101-day budget stand-off that drained the "rainy day fund" and every other possible pot of revenue (except for legislative operating accounts).
This was reported by the capital city newspaper the very same day statistics were released showing the state's unemployment rate has risen to 8.9%. That is below the national average of 10%, but still unacceptably high.
Meanwhile, the bean counters under the capitol dome tell us revenue collections in January again fell short of projections; $120.2 million less than predicted to be precise. Added to revenue shortfalls from the preceding six months and collections are running $374 million below predicted levels.
This news comes as Governor Ed Rendell prepares to give his budget address next week to the General Assembly. It is expected Mr. Spendell will again propose lavishing more money on his pet projects while asking for a menu of tax hikes. The chief target for those looking to pillage more money from the private sector this year will be companies tapping the Marcellus shale reserves.
All of this sets up an interesting governmental and political dynamic. This is an election year. Pennsylvanians will (thank God) elect a new Governor, as well as fill every seat in the state House and half of the state Senate.
Given the wave of tea party activism that has swept the state, along with the recent wake-up call in Massachusetts, any incumbent who wishes to remain in Harrisburg will vote for a tax hike at his or her own peril.
Last year Governor Rendell kept the budget crisis alive into October. He will face enormous political pressure from his own party if he does that this year as a replay of the crisis would doom Democrats at the polls.
Thus something is going to have to give. Let us hope this time it isn't the weak-kneed Republicans in the state Senate who caved in last year; if they do, voters will take out their wrath upon them.
This is the year to hold the line on both taxes and spending. Anyone who does otherwise likely and should be dispatched into retirement forthwith.
