gdp's Comments

GrassrootsPA : Brouillette: Can Corbett keep 'no tax' pledge?...

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 00:14:21 +0000

Huw, Just so we're clear, GrassrootsPA is now a "media site" (nice work Chris), and if any group ever advertises with "the media," it is questionable when that media covers the group? That would apply to CBS, NBC, ABC, Fox, CNN, and MSNBC - who take advertisements from candidates - the Inquirer, Patriot News, Morning Call, Post-Gazette, et. al., anytime they ever quote or mention a candidate or business that advertises with them? Or is it only when Grassroots posts a link (out of dozens added today) to CF, that you scream "vast right wing conspiracy"? Also, I haven't seen much of your vitriolic comments on PolicyBlog lately. What gives? Are we less deserving of your animosity now?

GrassrootsPA : Delco ups hotel tax to pay for soccer stadium...

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 17:43:42 +0000

Proponents said the soccer stadium would "pay for itself" from all the new economic activity it would generate.

GrassrootsPA : Police investigated Big Ben foursome for golf pee...

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 00:07:08 +0000

Peeing on a golf course - what's the big deal? It's not like he raped someone...

GrassrootsPA : Corbett: 'the jobs are there' but some purposely staying unemployed...

Sat, 10 Jul 2010 20:58:48 +0000

Corbett is wrong to say "the jobs are there" - at least not in terms of the number of job opening that would dramatically return our economy to the employment levels of a few years ago - but accurate on the effects of unemployment compensation. Anecdotally, we are hearing much of the same things from businesses: that employees are refusing jobs - or in some cases asking to be paid under the table to avoid losing unemployment benefits. Now these may not be the best paying jobs, or the dream jobs for workers - e.g., the Taco Bell I eat at weekly is hiring management position - but there is no doubt paying people to remain unemployed increases unemployment. Unemployment compensation offers incentives for workers to refuse to take jobs, and to avoid seeking new jobs. In Pennsylvania, there is no penalty for turning down a job offer, and little enforcement of requirements to look for employment - two of the many problems with our UC system. Unemployment benefits create a double whammy, in that they are paid for through payroll taxes - and thus extensions and increases in benefits make it more expensive to hire workers. The economic evidence that extending unemployment benefits increases unemployment is overwhelming. A recent Wall Street Journal piece by Dr. Art Laffer highlights much of this, and these conclusions are mirrored by economists like Alan Reynolds and Larry Summers (Obama's chief economic adviser). A very recent study finds that each week UC benefits are extended increases the average duration of unemployment by recipients by 0.2 weeks. On top of that, the US Dept. of Labor reports $7.1 billion in overpayments in unemployment compensation. Corbett may sound "mean", but he's not wrong. We need to reform our Unemployment Compensation system, not extend benefits. See: http://www.commonwealthfoundation.org/policyblog/...

GrassrootsPA : Toomey: govt subsidies for home ownership don't work...

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 16:46:57 +0000

What, are you saying the homebuyer tax credit was not intended to create a temporary bubble in new home sales, followed by a 33% decline (and a record low)? http://money.cnn.com/2010/06/23/real_estate/new_h...

GrassrootsPA : PA teachers, school boards debate pension reform proposals...

Mon, 14 Jun 2010 21:51:39 +0000

"Gov. Ed Rendell, who met with legislators on the pension crisis this month, pointed to casino revenue as part of the solution. Once the property tax relief fund culled from casino revenue is fully up and running, there will be significant tax relief, he said. " Gov. Rendell has said a number of dumb things over the years, and made countless predictions that never came through ... but I cannot believe he actually said that. Normal property tax increase have already outpaced the $600/million in "property tax relief" by a factor of five. The pension "spike" is a $6 billion crisis. See http://www.commonwealthfoundation.org/pensions

Big Government : PA Attorney General Subpoenas Twitter for User Names

Thu, 20 May 2010 21:29:18 +0000

An update: The Attorney General's Office says this relates to the sentencing (to be held tomorrow) of Brett Cott - who they believe is one of the authors of CasblancaPA, and is using the blog to "defect blame and deny responsibility"http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2010/0... Related story on KDKA:http://kdka.com/politics/Corbett.subpoena.twitter... However, as CasablancaPA points out on its latest post,http://casablancapa.blogspot.com/2010/05/maybe-th... they have never once defended actions of any defendants - but only posted allegations that AG was ignoring related corruption (or engaging in similar activities himself). Expect more development at/after the sentencing hearing on this case tomorrow.

Big Government : 175 People Double Voted in One Precinct in PA-12

Tue, 18 May 2010 21:34:04 +0000

PA Independent has a full news story on this: http://www.paindependent.com/todays_news/detail/1...

GrassrootsPA : PPP: Burns 48% Critz 47%...

Mon, 17 May 2010 03:27:13 +0000

The most stunning finding, by far, is that 48% of PA-12 voters want Roethlisberger back with the Steelers.

GrassrootsPA : PA 3RD IN GREEN JOBS...

Tue, 11 May 2010 02:54:00 +0000

That Green Jobs link is from June of last year. Curious though, the original study also shows PA is 3rd in clean energy jobs lost and also ranks sixth in total jobs lost. This despite millions in subsidies for green jobs and mandates for alternative energy. How's that working?

GrassrootsPA : Survey: Gov candidates' positions on everything from term limits and vouchers to new debt, federal m

Wed, 31 Mar 2010 21:45:14 +0000

Sorry about that - data entry error. Both support a part time legislature (Rohrer's response was "generally agree"). The full responses, with a paragraph or so explanation from the candidates, are linked to. We anticipate getting additional responses from the rest of the field, and will post them as we receive them.

GrassrootsPA : WHO LEADS IN PA RACES' TWITTER FACEBOOK WAR?...

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 20:03:48 +0000

You're right, no Democrat would ever take "special interest" money, give away corporate welfare, or increase debt. Whaaaaaat? http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/summary.ph... http://www.commonwealthfoundation.org/research/cf... http://www.commonwealthfoundation.org/research/de... Seriously, how naive are you?

GrassrootsPA : WHO LEADS IN PA RACES' TWITTER FACEBOOK WAR?...

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 19:41:35 +0000

You're right, no Democrats take money from "special interests" or fund corporate welfare or increase borrowing. Whaaaa? http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/summary.ph... http://www.commonwealthfoundation.org/research/cf... https://www.commonwealthfoundation.org/research/d... Come on CentPADem, how naive are you?

GrassrootsPA : New Gerlach Poll: He leads Welch 71%-6%...

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 00:40:10 +0000

The headline should read "Gerlach: I'm more popular than Jesus". With an 87% favorability rating, he might be more popular than anyone, ever.

GrassrootsPA : Delco's Bill Adolph wins House GOP Appropriations post...

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 23:01:43 +0000

According to their news release it sends the message that they will stop unrestrained spending. Adolph's first act should thus be building a time machine, going back in time, and undoing his votes for the 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008 Rendell budgets

GrassrootsPA : Ceisler: Constitutional Convention 'would be a political freak show'...

Thu, 7 Jan 2010 04:49:31 +0000

Either the Ceisler statement "The vast majority are dedicated to serving the best interests of their constituencies - and that dedication is not determined by party affiliation" should apply to delegates elected from Senatorial Districts, or his statement, "Crazies from the left and right debating sunshine provisions with representatives of corporate Philadelphia, trial lawyers and unions" should apply to the General Assembly.

GrassrootsPA : Ceisler: Constitutional Convention 'would be a political freak show'...

Thu, 7 Jan 2010 04:44:57 +0000

I don't know that the pay raise violated the single subject rule. The "original purpose" clause ("no bill shall be altered ... so as to change its original purpose") was clearly violated - the pay raise was originally a bill to cap the top paid official. And these gut and replace bills continue.

GrassrootsPA : Ceisler: Constitutional Convention 'would be a political freak show'...

Thu, 7 Jan 2010 04:39:34 +0000

Which is more likely to occur, throwing out every incumbent, or a convention?

GrassrootsPA : Commonwealth Foundation: Citizen's Guide to Electric Choice & Competition...

Wed, 6 Jan 2010 00:12:23 +0000

Huw, Assuming you are in PPL territory, the rates are going up. By shopping with one of the competitors, you can get a rate about 10% lower (PPL and most competitors are setting fixed rates for the year, at least for residential customers).

GrassrootsPA : COMING TAX HIKES? Statewide school pension costs to rise by 25%...

Tue, 8 Dec 2009 02:36:43 +0000

The phrasing in the article is somewhat awkward. Pension costs will increase by 25% of payroll, but this represents an increase about 600% over current pension contributions. We've crunched some of the numbers for how much this increase will be for taxpayers (an average of $1,360 per homeowners/household between state and school district pension contributions) http://www.commonwealthfoundation.org/research/de...