BREAKING: Governor Corbett just held a press conference in which he announced he signed the state budget, but line-item vetoed over $70 million in funding for the Legislature in an attempt to force passage of his proposed pension legislation. Here are the facts: 1. The Corbett-Tobash pension proposal DOES NOT WORK. By their own admission, PA will not see one penny of savings for 30 years, if ever. By cutting off the flow of money into the pension systems from workers, his proposal actually CREATES the $50 billion problem we need to avoid, which means we the taxpayers will be stuck with the bill. 2. In his rather testy exchange with reporters, Governor Corbett basically declared war on the Legislature. Considering that his party has maintained large majorities in both the House and Senate, this is truly bizarre and gives some real insight into how dysfunctional government can be when youre trying to please the Koch Brothers instead of working for the people. 3. Despite his angry claims that he has worked with the Legislature on the pension issue, I can say without question that I have never been contacted by Governor Corbett or a member of his staff on the issue. Ever. I can also say from speaking with many of my colleagues that I am not alone here. He has never once come into the Democratic Caucus to engage us on the issue- and thats 92 of the 203 members of the Legislature all in one room. 4. The Governor tried to make this all about protecting property owners in Pennsylvania. This coming from the man who forced huge property tax increases by cutting $1 billion in education funding while giving $2 billion in corporate tax breaks. Plus he also signed legislation allowing for forced pooling (or private eminent domain) for drilling companies on your property. So how is he for property owners exactly? 5. Despite the false narrative hes trying to convey, this is all about trying to force extreme ideology to benefit his political friends. If the pension funds are privatized, some people on Wall Street will make an absolute killing... right before they pull out their checkbooks and write huge campaign donations to the man who lined their pockets with your hard-earned dollars- Tom Corbett. Im willing to sit down with anyone and discuss issues, but today was just a cheap political stunt by a Governor who cant lead the Republican party, let alone the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. You can see the full press conference at: roxburynews/ltdv.php?v=7625%3C/a%3E Please SHARE.
Posted on: Thu, 10 Jul 2014 15:59:16 +0000