Talking Politics with Tony Phyrillas

PA Senate's top Democrat retiring

2010-02-09T14:59:00.003-05:00

And the hits just keep coming for Pennsylvania Democrats.

Following in the footsteps of the recent announcement by Speaker of the House Keith McCall that he is retiring, the Senate's top Democrat, Sen. Bob Mellow, is also calling it quits.

Sen. Robert Mellow has represented the 22nd Senate District for the past 40 years. The dual retirement of McCall and Mellow is a severe blow to the influence Northeastern Pennsylvania residents have enjoyed in the Legislature.

From Mellow's office:

Senator Robert J. Mellow, the Pennsylvania State Senate's longest-serving member and its highest-ranking Democrat, announced today that he will not seek re-election. With a lengthy record of public service, Senator Mellow's distinguished career includes two terms as Senate President Pro Tempore, the third-highest constitutional office in the Commonwealth.

"It has been my profound personal honor to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. It has literally been my life's work. I am deeply grateful for the trust that my friends and neighbors from northeastern Pennsylvania have shown me by electing and re-electing me to work for them. We have accomplished many great things together,” Mellow said.

"I have fought hard for the good people of Pennsylvania, and I have loved every minute of being in the arena. My constituents have shown me that if we stand together with honor and integrity, there is nothing that we cannot accomplish as citizens of this great state. I always knew there would come a time to make this difficult decision. I am confident I have accomplished all I set out to do for the people of Pennsylvania. I leave public life knowing that I have always strived to meet a high standard of excellence. I know in my heart that we have climbed that mountain. Now while at the top, it is time to move on to different priorities."

"The long hours in Harrisburg over the years have cost me precious time with my daughters and now my grandchildren. My choice to put them first is the right thing to do and, as jarring as this decision has been to make, I am confident that now is the right time to do it. All of those days devoted to my constituents have resulted in many good things for the 22nd District – some I never imagined possible. With those successes in mind, I am shifting my focus. My daughters and grandchildren mean the world to me, and in this next chapter of my life, I need to devote more of my time and energy to them."

Read the full announcement at Mellow's Web site.

Rendell proposes expansion of state sales tax to cover years of deficit spending

2010-02-09T13:40:00.002-05:00

It was classic Ed Rendell today as the governor delivered his eighth -- and final -- budget to the Pennsylvania Legislature. Having run out of things to tax, Rendell proposed expanding the state sales tax to cover more items.

Rendell and his lockstep Democrats in the Legislature have repeatedly opposed expansion of the sales tax to cover services when it was attached to a plan to eliminate property taxes. That's what Republican state Rep. Sam Rohrer has been pushing for years.

But now that Rendell has run out of opportunities to raise other taxes, he needs the expanded sales tax to fund his $29 billion spending plan and pay for years of deficit spending.

Despite running up huge deficits in the past two budgets, Rendell wants to increase state spending by $1.1 billion for the 2010-11 fiscal year, which begins July 1.

Rendell wants to pay for the spending by using $1.1 billion in federal stimulus funds, which may or may not be approved by Congress. (Imagine what will happen to "stimulus" handouts when Republicans take back control of Congress in November.)

And Rendell is leaving with a final "up yours" to the taxpayers of Pennsylvania.

Having presided over a massive expansion of state spending over the past eight years -- $9 billion and counting -- Rendell warned lawmakers that Pennsylvania is facing a "fiscal tsunami" -- a potential $5.6 billion deficit from the 2011 expiration of federal stimulus money and the ticking time bomb of public pension obligations.

It's basic economics. You can't spend what you don't have and Rendell (with the Legislature as his accomplice) has been spending money the state doesn't have. The chickens will come home to roost. Unfortunately for Pennsylvania taxpayers, Rendell will have flown the coop.

Rendell wants to reduce the state sales tax rate from 6 percent to 4 percent, but expand it to more than 70 services currently exempt (lawyer and accountant fees, dry cleaning, for example) and items such as firewood, candy, gum, bottled water, magazinies and "personal hygiene" products. (Groceries, clothing and prescription drugs would remain exempt from the sales tax under Rendell's plan).

Rep. Rohrer has proposed a similar plan, but it would lead to the elimination of the state's onerous property tax. Taxpayers would come out ahead under Rohrer's plan. Rendell simply wants more money from taxpayers to cover up his deficit spending.

The state finished with a $3.25 billion deficit for the 2008-09 fiscal year and is looking at a minimum $500 million deficit for the 2009-10 fiscal year.

In addition to expanding the sales tax, Rendell wants to extend the tobacco tax to include cigars and smokeless tobacco products and enact a new severance tax on natural gas extraction.

Will any of these taxes pass? Rendell is not running for re-election. He doesn't care. But all 203 members of the state House and 25 of the 50 members of the state Senate face the voters in 2010. How many of them are going to vote for one of the largest tax increases in Pennsylvania history?

Everyone says nice things after a person dies

2010-02-08T22:45:00.000-05:00

The death of powerful Pennsylvania Congressman John Murtha brought all sorts of reaction from political figures in Pennsylvania and across the nation. Here's a sampling:

"Jack was a devoted husband, a loving father and a steadfast advocate for the people of Pennsylvania for nearly 40 years. His passion for service was born during his decorated career in the United States Marine Corps, and he went on to earn the distinction of being the first Vietnam War combat veteran elected to Congress. Jack's tough-as-nails reputation carried over to Congress, where he became a respected voice on issues of national security. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife of nearly 55 years, Joyce, their three children, and the entire Murtha family." — President Barack Obama.

"He was a public servant in every sense of the word and his passing is a great loss to all of Pennsylvania," said Sen. Arlen Specter, D-Pa.

"He was a good friend to me and my family for years. He was one of the first people to say to my father (the late Gov. Robert P. Casey) after he'd lost three times that he'd support him the fourth time for governor, and believed in him when a lot of folks didn't." — Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa.

"Jack Murtha didn't just worry about his district. He worried about all of Pennsylvania and in some ways he worried about the entire country. He was really the congressman for the entire state of Pennsylvania. Sort of a super, uber-congressman," said Gov. Ed Rendell, D-Pa.

"(Murtha) served his country as a Marine in Vietnam and in Congress for more than three decades. He worked hard for western Pennsylvania and he consistently guarded the interests of our men and women in uniform," — House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md.

"Today, our nation has lost a decorated veteran and the House of Representatives has lost one of its own. I was saddened to hear of John Murtha's passing, and my thoughts and prayers are with his friends and loved ones," — Rep. John Boehner, R-Ohio.

"He's bigger than life in so many ways. ... He's a strong and powerful political titan, yet he's very human and very soft-spoken. He wasn't a table-banger in any sense of the word," — Pennsylvania Democratic Party Chairman T.J. Rooney.

"While the congressman and I often differed when it came to politics, he always had my deepest respect. The thoughts and prayers of the Republican Party of Pennsylvania go out to Jack’s family," — Republican Party of Pennsylvania Chairman Rob Gleason.

"Jack served his country in uniform and in Congress for many years, and his service will long be remembered and appreciated by the people of Pennsylvania." — U.S. Senate candidate Pat Toomey

"John Murtha may have represented Western Pennsylvania, but he was the voice of hard-working Democrats across the Commonwealth. Representative Murtha's service to his country and the strength of his convictions made him a powerful force to be reckoned with on Capitol Hill. His career took him from Parris Island to Vietnam, from Harrisburg to Washington, D.C. He was a leader until the end, fighting for American values and middle class ideals. He stood up for veterans and stood firm in his beliefs, not caring as much about political expediency as what he thought to be in the best interest of his constituents and his country. I am deeply saddened by the passing of Congressman Murtha and extend my deepest condolences to his family." — Pa. Sen. Democratic Leader Robert Mellow.

Elevating the level of political discourse

2010-02-08T22:44:00.000-05:00

Shocker: Rep. John Murtha dies at 77

2010-02-08T16:12:00.001-05:00

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review is reporting that Pennsylvania's longest serving member of the U.S. House of Representatives, the controversial John Murtha, died Monday of complications from recent gall bladder surgery.

From the Tribune-Review:

U.S. Rep. John Murtha, the longest-serving congressman in Pennsylvania history, died today at 1:18 p.m. at Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington, Va., his office announced today.

He was 77.

Murtha had been hospitalized since Tuesday with an infection that arose from gallbladder surgery in late January.

Murtha was first elected to the U.S. House in February, 1974, and became the longest-serving congressman on Saturday. He served since 1989 as chairman or ranking member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee.

His family was at his bedside when he died, said spokesman Matthew Mazonkey.

The Associated Press released a quick video about his death.

Murtha is frequently cited by watchdog groups as the worst offender in Congress of pork barrel spending. He was recently named one of the most corrupt members of Congress by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW).

Who has less experience? Obama or Brown?

2010-02-08T14:25:00.000-05:00

PCN coverage of Rendell Budget Address

2010-02-08T14:19:00.001-05:00

A week after Punxsutawney Phil made his annual appearance, another Pennsylvania icon, Gov. Ed Renell, will pop up on Tuesday to deliver his annual Budget Address to a joint session of the Pennsylvania Legislature.

Will we have another six months of deficit spending?

The Pennsylvania Cable Network will have comprehensive coverage of the event.

Live coverage begins at 9:30 a.m. at the PCN studios with former PA Lt. Gov. Mark Singel of The Winter Group.

Live coverage of the Governor's Budget Address before a joint session of the House and Senate starts at 10:30 a.m.

An encore presentation of Rendell's speech has been scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday for those of us who still have jobs and need to work during the day to support Rendell's massive spending plan.

PCN will hold an open phone session following the live budget address. Viewers can dial toll-free at 1-877-PA6-5001 to share their thoughts.

PCN will provide budget reaction from lawmakers following the address.

Rendell will be the guest on the LIVE PCN Call-In program beginning at 7 p.m. on Tuesday. Viewers can dial toll-free at 1-877-PA6-5001 to speak directly with the governor.

Through the coming weeks, PCN will provide extensive coverage of the 2010-11 fiscal year state budget proceedings. Check pcntv.com for programming details.

How screwed up is the Democratic Party in Pennsylvania?

2010-02-08T08:00:00.001-05:00

The Pennsylvania's Democratic State Committee met in Lancaster Saturday to endorse an 80-year-old man who served as a Republican in the U.S. Senate for the past 30 years as its 2010 Senate nominee.

Arlen Specter, a Republican since 1965, persuaded enough Democratic Party officials that he is their best option for 2010. All that stands in the way is Congressman Joe Sestak and angry voters who are tired of incumbents.

The party also could not reach a consensus on an endorsement for governor. The only thing the delegates were sure of was they did not want perennial loser Joe Hoeffel, who is running on a pro-abortion, pro same-sex marriage platform. Hoeffel was eliminated on the first ballot.

But the delegates could not decide between liberal Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato and moderate Auditor General Jack Wagner. Neither man received the necessary two-thirds vote for the endorsement.

Wagner finished first in the balloting, but could not garner enough support for the endorsement. Onorato, who has raised the most money and wants to continue the failed Ed Rendell policies, finished second and attracted only half as many endorsement votes as Wagner.

A Republican retread and a candidate who couldn't earn his own party's endorsement will lead the Democratic slate in 2010. Can you say "Republican sweep"?

Look for Pat Toomey to be the next U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania and Tom Corbett to be the next governor.

Anyone watching the liberal media?

2010-02-08T01:55:00.001-05:00

NewsBusters.org reports that viewership at CNN and MSNBC is down significantly from a year ago. In the key demographic group of people 25-54, viewership is down by 50 percent. Perhaps people have figured out that the mainstream media is essentially a propaganda portal for the Obama Administration. People looking for real news are turning to Fox. Read more about the decline of the liberal media here.

Obama Rolls The Dice

2010-02-06T22:00:00.000-05:00

If 'Unsustainable' Is New Normal, Collapse Is Closer Than We Think

2010-02-06T21:55:00.000-05:00

Columnist and best-selling author Mark Steyn says Barack Obama doesn't know much about economics, which is not good news considering the shape the U.S. economy is in right now.

From his latest column in Investor's Business Daily:

Obama's spending proposes to take the average Bush deficit for the years 2001-08 and double it, all the way to 2020. To get out of the Bush hole, we need to dig a hole twice as deep for one-and-a-half times as long. And that's according to the official projections of his economics czar, Ms. Rose-Colored Glasses.

By 2015, the actual hole may be so deep that even if you toss every Obama speech down it on double-spaced paper you still won't be able to fill it up. In the spendthrift Bush days, federal spending as a proportion of GDP averaged 19.6%. Obama proposes to crank it up to 25% as a permanent feature of life.

But if they're "unsustainable," what happens when they can no longer be sustained? A failure of bond auctions? A downgraded government debt rating? Reduced GDP growth? Total societal collapse? Mad Max on the New Jersey Turnpike?

Read the full column at the link below:

Investors.com - If 'Unsustainable' Is New Normal, Collapse Is Closer Than We Think

Global Warming: The Great Unraveling

2010-02-06T21:47:00.000-05:00

From Investor's Business Daily:

Professional global warming alarmists better think about looking for new jobs. It looks like they're in for a long, cold winter — and a frigid spring and summer as well.

Read the full editorial at the link below:

Investors.com - The Great Unraveling

One small cut for Obama ...

2010-02-05T19:25:00.000-05:00

Obama Cuts Reading Is Fundamental Program

2010-02-05T19:15:00.000-05:00

So much for the education president.

President Obama Eliminates Funding for Reading Is Fundamental's Book Distribution Program Serving 4.4 Million Children Nationwide

6th Congressional District debate canceled

2010-02-05T14:15:00.001-05:00

Due to inclement weather, and for the safety of the candidates, audience and volunteers, the Pennsylvania Conservative Council, is canceling the District 6 Debate scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010, at Great Valley High School. The debate will be rescheduled at a future date to be announced.

PA DEP: 259 Abandoned Oil and Gas Wells Plugged in 2009

2010-02-05T14:00:00.000-05:00

PA DEP: 259 Abandoned Oil and Gas Wells Plugged in 2009

Mr. Brown Goes to Washington

2010-02-05T13:25:00.000-05:00

Here's something scary. Before being sworn in to the U.S. Senate today, Scott Brown had more political experience as a Massachusetts legislator than Barack Obama did as a state lawmaker in Illinois before he entered the U.S. Senate in 2005. (Obama served three terms in the Illinois Senate from 1997 to 2004.)

Brown served six years in the state House and six years in the state Senate in Massachusetts before pulling off the "Massachusetts Miracle" by winning Ted Kennedy's old Senate seat.

I think this makes Scott Brown more qualified to be president.

PA Gaming Control Board Schedules First Public Input Hearing to Consider Permitting Table Games at a Casino

2010-02-05T13:15:00.001-05:00

PA Gaming Control Board Schedules First Public Input Hearing to Consider Permitting Table Games at a Casino

What's cooking in Harrisburg?

2010-02-05T13:15:00.000-05:00

See related editorial, "Capitol vermin," at The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Web site.

ReadyPA.org Offers Tools to Prepare for Winter Storms, Other Emergencies

2010-02-05T13:11:00.001-05:00

ReadyPA.org Offers Tools to Prepare for Winter Storms, Other Emergencies

Democrats = Debt

2010-02-05T13:09:00.001-05:00

$1.9T debt ceiling increase passes - David Rogers - POLITICO.com

Career Politician of the Day - Tom Caltagirone

2010-02-04T13:00:00.000-05:00

Tom Caltagirone has spent the past 34 years in the Pennsylvania Legislature.

The Reading Democratic is planning to run for an 18th term in the state House in 2010.

If you like the way Harrisburg is run, then by all means, keep sending Caltagirone back to the Legislature. If you're tired of high taxes, uncontrolled spending and all the corruption, then stop returning the same people to Harrisburg.

Let's get real. If somebody hasn't done the job in 34 years, why should voters give them another two years?

Politicians are like diapers. They're full of doo doo and need to be changed frequently.

Distinguished Sailors Saluted On Stamps

2010-02-04T12:41:00.002-05:00

Four U.S. Navy icons are being commemorated with a collectible stamps available nationwide today: William S. Sims, Arleigh A. Burke, John McCloy and Doris "Dorie" Miller.

Distinguished Sailors Saluted On Stamps

Rafferty backs bill to keep doctors in Pennsylvania

2010-02-04T12:37:00.000-05:00

From state Sen. John Rafferty:

Seeking to keep doctors in Pennsylvania, state Sen. John C. Rafferty Jr. R-44th Dist., joined medical representatives at a Harrisburg news conference Wednesday to push for legislation he is sponsoring that would create an MCARE Commission to oversee the future disbursement of MCARE Funds.

Rafferty was joined by Dr. Wayne Sebastianelli, president of the Pennsylvania Orthopaedic Society, who said the legislation is crucial to keeping young orthopaedic surgeons in the state and make health care available for more state residents.

Under Senate Bill 1174, the MCARE Commission will consist of representatives from the physician and hospital communities, the four legislative caucuses, the administration and a medical student.

"The major focus of this legislation is to allow practitioners who pay into this fund to control its disbursements and to keep insurance rates at a high level to protect doctors and patients," Rafferty said. "The MCARE fund should not be used as a checking account to be tapped by the Administration when state funds are low. Those who pay in should be able to determine how it is used."

Rafferty said his legislation would also ensure that future physicians will have a part in decisions, since they will pay the MCARE liabilities for their entire careers.

The MCARE Fund is a medical liability coverage fund run by the state of Pennsylvania. Currently, physicians are required to have $500,000 in primary liability coverage plus $500,000 in excess coverage above that. They can get the first $500,000 layer either in the private market or through the Joint Underwriting Association. They get the second layer from the MCARE Fund.

The MCARE Abatement Program subsidizes 100 percent of the MCARE surcharge for high-risk specialty surgeons and 50 percent of the MCARE surcharge for other healthcare providers. The program is the keystone of the medical liability reforms enacted during 2002 and 2003.

The program was renewed annually three times. In late December 2007, however, it became evident that the General Assembly could not agree on how to allocate the MCARE Fund's surplus, and the MCARE Abatement Program was not renewed by the year-end deadline.

If the MCARE phaseout schedule contained in Act 13 remains, in a few short years physicians may be required to carry $1 million of private market coverage while continuing to pay MCARE annual assessments. This eventual outcome creates a huge medical liability burden for society members and puts in place a significant barrier to recruiting the best and brightest young orthopaedic surgeons to Pennsylvania. SB 1174 will finally put physicians in the decision loop in regard to their money.

The Obama Monument

2010-02-03T22:55:00.000-05:00