Play that Budget Again, Sam

Hopefully the House Republicans will stand united
and oppose the "compromise" budget from the Floor.

Todd Eachus, Democratic Majority Leader, is wrong-headed.
Instead, the House R's wisely chose not to participate in something
wrong-headed. This does not mean they have nothing valuable
to say to Pennsylvanians.

A new point amongst many: a budget should follow policy,
not set policy. A delayed budget because of the Governor's
political gamesmanship should not open our Commonwealth
to expanded gambling. Didn't we learn from midnight slight
of hand in 2004 that nefarious policy shifts need the light of day
and citizen participation?

Pennsylvania still has many unsettled issues from the first
round of gambling legislation. Consider: Licenses and construction
for the original 14 casinos have not yet concluded. We have not
carefully considered the human, worker and economic value
of "jobs created" at gambling halls. Gambling revenues are down
in the States that legalized it. Casinos here have shortchanged
the PA Lottery. Meanwhile, China's economy is booming.

As far as I know, the Attorney General and State Police are still
not properly involved in completing background checks for casino
operators. And property owners have given up on Ed Rendell's
promise in 2003 of "a 30% reduction in school taxes within 6 months"
of his election. That was standing on his head!

Add to--or subtract from!-- this: draining our state reserves,
further taxing small businesses and the poor, counting on unreliable
revenues, and spending more than we'll have on top of a deficit year.
Common sense tells us this compromise is neither wise nor prudent.