| For the seventh consecutive year Republicans in Harrisburg have held up the budget process. It has been a hallmark of their obstructionism so they can play politics at the expense of the people. This year the political games in the Capitol have sunk to new lows. The Governor's office is for grabs next year so the GOP wants issues. I don't think holding up the budget every year because a Democrat holds the office plays well with voters however.
This year the Bush Recession has made finalizing difficult decisions extremely hard. As revenues have collapsed along with the economy due to GOP deregulation, Wall Street greed and bad economic ideology 467,000 more people lost jobs last month. No state bills, salaries or programs can move forward until a budget is passed. While it seems like no one likes bureaucrats you do when it is your driver's license which needs renewal, roads need repaving and the trial for the guy who robbed you which gets delayed that we appreciate the work these people do day in and day out.
Republicans control the State Senate so any budget bill must be bipartisan. The GOP Senators need to remember this simple fact. Their proposed budget slashed critical state programs across the board and was unworkable. Some combination of increased revenues along with cuts must be accomplished. Increasing the sales tax is regressive to all the working poor and folks on fixed incomes. The best solution for reallocating revenues fairly is a progressive income tax system as proposed by Sen. Mike O'Pake. This could be implemented soon with the proper support. Perhaps a time of fiscal crisis such as now is the time to strike on this front.
Republicans caused this recession and it is imperative for Republicans to step forward and accept personal responsibility for their failures. It is imperative that all legislators do what needs to be done to solve the situation. Playing politics with this will do no one any good next year when we remind voters who decided to play politics instead of making the hard choices and doing what was best for the Commonwealth. |
