Alloway, Kauffman, Keller, Rock address Franklin County leaders

Local legislators on Friday touched base with Franklin County municipal leaders on topics ranging from local growth to the legislative preparations for a 2010 state budget.

[Gus]

No mention of cutting taxes. Only talk about new taxation. These guys are Conservatives? Not really. All the gab about perks, driving themselves, and not taking per diem is not impressive. What are these elected "servants of the people" doing for the people? No mention of the disaster already caused by the federal government: the $1.42 billions deficit, the trillions in debt, the fact that inflation is increasing. Of course all of those will affect state and county governments. But no mention.

[Handyman]

Gus, No mention or no report? Remember, this is the PO your reading.

[Fed Up]

Pa's budget problems and school district's problems in the coming years is pension costs. Stop the nonsense now and return the pension formula to what it was in 2000. This will save plenty, and the increased pension benefits is not something that the state workers and teachers have paid for. This was a gift by greedy lawmakers

[Taylor]

"The federal budget deficit soared to a record $1.4 trillion in the fiscal year that ended in September, a chasm of red ink unequaled in the postwar era that threatens to complicate the most ambitious goals of the Obama administration, including plans for fresh spending to create jobs and spur economic recovery. At about 10 percent of the overall economy, the gap between federal spending and tax collections is the largest on record since the end of World War II, and bigger in nominal terms than the past four years of deficits combined. Next year is unlikely to be much better, budget analysts say. And Obama's current policies would drive the budget gap into the trillion-dollar range for much of the next decade." --Washington Post today. From the Public Opinion's rendition of what was discussed yesterday, you'd think Alloway, et al, are oblivious to this.

[cburg resident]

and of course,taylor,you only name one legislature,it takes all of them to get things accomplished ,not just one ....many of us realize how bitter and mean spirited you really are....get over yourself and let's work together to get things done.....remember the republicans helped elect rock too and he cetainly isn't a shining star at this time

[Fred II]

In my opinion, the problem with government is that they only look out for themselves. Look who is reported to be leaders, only those in government. What about Mike Hurt, Norm Epstein, etc.

[Anon]

Fed Up wrote:

Pa's budget problems and school district's problems in the coming years is pension costs. Stop the nonsense now and return the pension formula to what it was in 2000. This will save plenty, and the increased pension benefits is not something that the state workers and teachers have paid for. This was a gift by greedy lawmakers

While I agree with you that pensions are a problem, you are mistaken in where the blame lies. The teachers and other workers DO pay for their retirement at the promised levels. The problem really is that the state and local governments/districts have taken about a 10 year holiday from paying their required portions to the funds. During the high-flying market times, that was fine, the performance of the fund covered them from their underfunding. Now the chickens have come home to roost, and they are crying poor. If they had funded at even half the rate they were supposed to, this doomsday that is said to be coming wouldn't be nearly as big an issue.

While I have a 401k like most others, I also realize that if I had started contributing 7.5% of my income (like teachers HAVE to) upon starting, coupled with my employer match, I will more than likely have a nicer retirement fund after 30 years than do the teachers. Let's not fault them, as they do contribute a lot to their own retirement funds. Most think that their retirement is "free", and it definitely is not.

[Joseph]

cburg resident wrote:

and of course,taylor,you only name one legislature,it takes all of them to get things accomplished ,not just one ....many of us realize how bitter and mean spirited you really are....get over yourself and let's work together to get things done.....remember the republicans helped elect rock too and he cetainly isn't a shining star at this time

"et al" means "and others". So Taylor's comment was not just about Alloway.

[Kindbd]

Maybe they could pass a tractor pull tax?

[Dave]

Kindbd wrote:

Maybe they could pass a tractor pull tax?

I'm down for heavily taxing all hick activities and items of interest. Tractor pulls, Pabst Blue Ribbon, chewing tobacco, tight jeans, poaching, etc. I also want a mobile home tax that must be paid on a weekly basis on said mobile home gets pulled out of the lot with or without the family inside.

I'm David Wrighster and I want your vote for State Senate. I fill fight for common sense and kick hicks out of Pennsylvania.

[S Okay]

Fred II wrote:

In my opinion, the problem with government is that they only look out for themselves. Look who is reported to be leaders, only those in government. What about Mike Hurt, Norm Epstein, etc.

I agree with the sentiment,and why weren't people like Mike Hurt or Pat O'Donnell consulted? Unfortunately (depending which side you stand on) Norm Epstein is has become a figurehead for Summit. Th hospital's every move is strong-armed by Keystone, run by our favorite ex-nun Joanne Cocharan. Let's just be happy that she was never close with Idi Amin.

[Lost in the 4th ward]

Dave wrote:

<quoted text>I'm down for heavily taxing all hick activities and items of interest. Tractor pulls, Pabst Blue Ribbon, chewing tobacco, tight jeans, poaching, etc. I also want a mobile home tax that must be paid on a weekly basis on said mobile home gets pulled out of the lot with or without the family inside.
I'm David Wrighster and I want your vote for State Senate. I fill fight for common sense and kick hicks out of Pennsylvania.

This guy is a total JERK Please go back to where you came from.