I am writing this memo on June 29, the day before the state budget deadline.  The deadline has not been met during the last 7 years of the Rendell administration.  The focus of press coverage over the last week or so has been speculation of whether or not the legislature will pass the budget on time this year.

 A budget is a legislative package of many bills.  At the very least, additional legislation, such as a tax code bill, a fiscal code bill and an education code bill are normally required to interface with the main appropriations bill.

As of today it appears that some in state government are conspiring in a plan to use a slight of hand maneuver, with some political smoke and mirrors in an attempt to create the appearance of an on time budget if at all possible, even though the legislative package will not be signed into law until after the deadline.  In order to create this grand illusion, accomplices from the legislative branch and executive branch will have to agree on the same message for dissemination to the press and the public.  The priority for the majority of legislators during recent budget negotiations has been to finish the budget by June 30 instead of passing a budget that is fiscally responsible.

Economic hardships endured by thousands of Pennsylvanians and the uncertainty that the economic tsunami has created world-wide has had little-to-no visible impact on the tax-and-spend politicians from local school boards to the state and federal governments. 

On June 8, 2010 I hosted the 2nd Annual Pennsylvania State Capitol Taxpayers’ Protest.  The objective of the protest was to send a loud, clear and unmistakable message, on behalf of taxpayers, that government spending and taxes should be reduced.  I was joined by leaders of national and state organizations to deliver this important, but ignored message of fiscal responsibility. 

On the very same day that taxpayer advocates rallied with me in Harrisburg the Governor traveled to western Pennsylvania to deliver his tax-and-spend message.  While we gathered to demand fiscal responsibility, the Governor bragged that no legislator who voted for his 2003 tax increase was defeated in their re-election and that he personally went on to defeat his gubernatorial challenger by 22%.  The Governor’s message to legislators was to “man up” by voting for his proposed tax and fee increases.  The Governor’s  “ man up”  is akin to thugs on the streets of Philly initiating a new member by telling them to “man up” by snatching an elderly woman’s purse, only the Governor’s “man up” is legalized thievery. 

I will continue the fight to protect taxpayers!