en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/291994 Comments by PaObserver http://GrassrootsPA.com/2009/10/07/baer-crazy-legislators-put-wam-my-on-budget-try/#IDComment37626174 For the love of God, take out both the WAMs and the $11 million increase to legislative accounts and pass it. If they don't pass it soon the $12 million or $11 million won't help them in their job search after next year's election. Wed, 7 Oct 2009 15:17:18 +0000 http://GrassrootsPA.com/2009/10/07/baer-crazy-legislators-put-wam-my-on-budget-try/#IDComment37626174 http://GrassrootsPA.com/2009/10/06/house-dems-12m-in-wams-in-senate-budget/#IDComment37612846 They should eliminate all WAMs AND cut out the legislative non lapsing slush fund ($200 million). Hopefully Stilp, Potts, et al will hold their feet to the fire. Wed, 7 Oct 2009 12:40:35 +0000 http://GrassrootsPA.com/2009/10/06/house-dems-12m-in-wams-in-senate-budget/#IDComment37612846 http://GrassrootsPA.com/2009/09/10/legislative-negotiators-near-agreement-in-principle-on-27-9-billion-budget/#IDComment33900883 It is hard to imagine Senate GOP approving a 27.9 billion spend figure, or raising cig. taxes. Thu, 10 Sep 2009 19:20:36 +0000 http://GrassrootsPA.com/2009/09/10/legislative-negotiators-near-agreement-in-principle-on-27-9-billion-budget/#IDComment33900883 http://GrassrootsPA.com/2009/08/24/rendell-legislators-close-in-on-budget-spending-figure/#IDComment32021909 According to this a.m.'s news, Senate GOP says they would support expansio to sales tax, and Gov says there is general agreement on a 28 billion spend figure. But Sam Smith opposes. Wed, 26 Aug 2009 11:38:29 +0000 http://GrassrootsPA.com/2009/08/24/rendell-legislators-close-in-on-budget-spending-figure/#IDComment32021909 http://grassrootspa.com/2009/08/21/state-sales-tax-on-legal-services-considered/#IDComment31578035 This is a strange headline: State Sales Tax on Legal Services Considered. Then the rticle says GOP Leader Sam Smith says somebody else (House Dems) were considering it, and the article quotes House Dem spokesman as saying they were NOT considering it. Maybe the headline should be No One Considering State Sales Tax on Legal Services. Sat, 22 Aug 2009 14:41:33 +0000 http://grassrootspa.com/2009/08/21/state-sales-tax-on-legal-services-considered/#IDComment31578035 http://grassrootspa.com/2009/08/09/former-lawmaker-rep-frank-lagrotta-a-felon-becomes-political-blogger/#IDComment30256270 How does Rep. LaGrotta still have a state pension, while every other public employee convicted of political corruption lose theirs? And here's this ten-term legislator, Committee Chairman, who gets house arrest (no jail time), and keeps his pension, while staffers seem to lose their pensions and go to jail. Elected officials shouldn't get off easier than their employees. Howdid his pension survive? Losing the pension, especially for long term state workers, is the biggest penalty. Mon, 10 Aug 2009 12:49:46 +0000 http://grassrootspa.com/2009/08/09/former-lawmaker-rep-frank-lagrotta-a-felon-becomes-political-blogger/#IDComment30256270 http://GrassrootsPA.com/?p=24384#IDComment16699877 Well the client was the caucus, DeWeese said so often enough. Tue, 10 Mar 2009 15:55:36 +0000 http://GrassrootsPA.com/?p=24384#IDComment16699877 http://GrassrootsPA.com/?p=24386#IDComment16699800 That's funny. You're commenting on a press story about House Dems that has been in several newspapers as well as radio and TV outlets, and saying the press wouldn't notice it if it weren't about a GOP leader. LOL Tue, 10 Mar 2009 15:52:35 +0000 http://GrassrootsPA.com/?p=24386#IDComment16699800 http://GrassrootsPA.com/?p=21722#IDComment15044603 Outrageous! US Atty and Pa AG, take note! Thu, 12 Feb 2009 13:41:57 +0000 http://GrassrootsPA.com/?p=21722#IDComment15044603 http://GrassrootsPA.com/?p=21738#IDComment15044429 He got caught big time, and his self dealing from nonprofits just stinks. But as far as political work at the Capitol, my estimate is that like 49 of 50 Senators and 200 of 203 House members do the same (maybe not to the same extent). How about those offices that hardly work at all? As bad as Fumo was (pretty bad), at least his staff worked long and hard (Veon's too). Thu, 12 Feb 2009 13:32:04 +0000 http://GrassrootsPA.com/?p=21738#IDComment15044429 http://GrassrootsPA.com/?p=21189#IDComment14891984 Two points: McCall is 2 1/2 floors from the House floor. In an emergency he could walk up the steps. Second, he didn't used to be regal like that - that's sad, because he used to be a very down to earth, help everyone, respect folks kind of guy. Mon, 9 Feb 2009 16:28:32 +0000 http://GrassrootsPA.com/?p=21189#IDComment14891984 http://GrassrootsPA.com/?p=20869#IDComment14774568 Three reactions to Mellow: 1. All state gov't programs have a constituency and each is worthwhile in some way, but the cost effectiveness of the Scotland School and the Scranton School for the Deaf are outrageous, we should close them. Times are tough, and efficiencies demand that we cut out whole programs. 2. I can't believe the Senate Dem Caucus (as ineffective and dysfunctional as they are) allows Mellow to leverage his leadership position to essentially fight just for Lackawanna County. The other Dem. Senators should be pissed. 3. Mellow is circular in his argument - Rendell proposes no major or broad based taxes, which he says is a ploy for new taxes because the Gov cuts services. Doesn't Mellow get it's either service cuts or taxes? Thu, 5 Feb 2009 14:08:08 +0000 http://GrassrootsPA.com/?p=20869#IDComment14774568 http://grassrootspa.com/?p=20151#IDComment14421166 I wouldn't for a moment presume it won't be an all out investigation of the House GOP caucus with a bunch of high level indictments. First, because if the standard is the same as used in the House D indictments it'd be easy to pull in a significant number of House R members (and, btw, more Dems too, including some very high level officials); and second, it's not only the fair law enforcement policy, it's also the best politics for the AG. And don't you love when it happens that way? He (AG) indicated it'd be after the first of the year, so I'd bet very soon. Wed, 28 Jan 2009 20:53:09 +0000 http://grassrootspa.com/?p=20151#IDComment14421166 http://GrassrootsPA.com/?p=19420#IDComment14182185 Even considering a bailout of this kind of major newspaper raises lots of questions and concerns. Tierney says they are the major investigator of corruption, then Ardo admits the Goivernor considered (buying them off) bailing them out. Whoa. Maybe an Inquirer reporter needs to file a right to know request. Tue, 20 Jan 2009 14:03:51 +0000 http://GrassrootsPA.com/?p=19420#IDComment14182185 http://GrassrootsPA.com/?p=19103#IDComment14008242 If the salary is $96k, what is the total cost to the Commonwealth, including health, dental and eye coverage, prescription, insurance, retirement, contribution to social security, etc. - and is a car included? I assume the total cost is like 30% more than just the straight salary. Under the rt to know, some MSM publication should request and print a list of every hiring exception and each exception to the out of state travel ban since both were instituted some months ago. The administration gave a figure (I don't recall what) for how much each (hiring ban and travel freeze) would save - it's been long enough to start to track how much in fact it has saved. Thu, 15 Jan 2009 21:18:54 +0000 http://GrassrootsPA.com/?p=19103#IDComment14008242 http://GrassrootsPA.com/?p=18218#IDComment13705095 Stilp is right - but in fact he grossly understates the case. For example, how about the fact that virtually dozens of state (legislative) employees who are referred to in the grand jury presentment in bonusgate as testifying under immunity and admitting incredible wrongdoing on their part remain on the state payroll? I have no problem with the immunity system, in which guilty people get immunity to testify, but should they continue on the payroll after they admit they did huge amounts of nonstate political work on ythe payroll - and worse? Some of them are in pretty high positions with the new House leadership. Seems to me they are lucky not to ave been indicted, but should no way, no how keep their jobs and perks. Talk about reform! Gene's best point is that the investigation and more so the trial should lay out the all pervasive culture in the Capitol. Clearly it is in all 4 legislative caucuses, but also in the administration (please, please investigate pay to play contracts), and looks even more rampant in the independent agencies (which everyone knows the administration still controls). Then, and only then, will real change occur. Wed, 7 Jan 2009 18:48:37 +0000 http://GrassrootsPA.com/?p=18218#IDComment13705095