God, I hate PA Republicans. Just hate them. If the Capitol building collapsed and killed all of them, I’d say, “Oh, that’s such a shame.” But on the inside, I wouldn’t care.
Sen. Chuck McIlhinney (R., Bucks) said in a statement that he voted against it because he was angry about the budget plan’s allowance of additional gas drilling on state forest lands to raise revenue.
Senate Republicans had been willing to consider raising revenue through tax increases – including a new tax on the extraction of natural gas from the Marcellus Shale – but Republicans in the House took a hard line against any new or increased taxes.
Under the Republican plan, spending would increase by about 2.5 percent over the previous year – but the package also adds $220 million to that year’s budget. Though there would be increases for public schools and social safety-net programs, they are not what Corbett originally asked for when he unveiled his proposal this year.
For instance, Republicans are seeking to pare back Corbett’s “Ready to Learn” program from $240 million to $100 million. Philadelphia stands to receive $33.7 million under Ready to Learn.
Republicans have also been unable to agree on a plan to rein in the cost of public employee pensions. The Senate late Monday did pass a bill that would require elected officials, including legislators, judges, the governor, and the attorney general, to move into a 401(k)-style plan.
But that is a far cry from the overhaul Corbett is seeking, which would affect all new employees.
On Sunday, Corbett and House Republican leaders had given Philadelphia Democrats an ultimatum: Vote for the GOP pension plan in return for Republican support for an increase to the cigarette tax in the city.
Democrats criticized the ultimatum as political horse trading that holds the welfare of Philadelphia schoolchildren hostage.
One of my friends just suggested we secede from the state and form our own. After all, we send a lot more money to the state than they send back!
The Republican plan: Tax breaks for the 1% and reduced spending on all social programs including schools for the 99%. And if possible destroy unions and public employee pension plans. But the war on schools is the most grievous offense. Public schools are de-funded twice by the Republicans (and lots of Democrats). First by reducing their budgets and then by giving some of their money to charter schools. The Republicans plan to starve public schools into failure and then replace them with for-profit, corporate charter schools.
I’ve said for the longest time that we should pitch ourselves to NJ. they’re a lot better at funding schools and transit (despite that fat fuck Christie). We could put the DRPA out of business, and probably get a nice opportunity to redevelop Camden.
I think they have a state Supreme Court ruling on their obligation to provide “a thorough and efficient education.” In PA, the system is so corrupt, they won’t even hear any lawsuits that address it.
The oligarchy (1%) and their flunky politicians live by an entirely different set of laws than the 99% do. And forgetabout ethics.