Financial disclosure forms filed by state officials this week show how Pennsylvania is behind the pack, when it comes to restrictions on gifts and perks lawmakers receive.
There’s no limit on the amount of gifts and travel perks Pennsylvania officials can receive. They just need to report presents worth more than $250, and disclose cumulative travel, lodging and meals costs once they exceed $650. That means it was perfectly fine for House Speaker Sam Smith to accept more $1,000 in meals from Harrisburg lobbying firm Greenlee Partners, to name one of many disclosures from legislative leaders.
Peggy Kerns, the director of the National Conference of State Legislators’ Center for Ethics in Government, said more states are toughening their ethics laws, with ten now banning gifts altogether. “It’s really to put this strong line of demarcation between the making of public policy, and the influencing of public policy,” she said. “And it’s really geared toward the public perception. … These states that pass these strict laws are really trying to say to the public, we’re not influenced by them. And we want to make sure that you know we’re not influenced by sitting in the skybox of some professional football game, or going on a trip or outing, or repeatedly having nice dinners bought by lobbyists.”
Kerns, who spent eight years in the Colorado House of Representatives, added, “I don’t know any legislator who could be bought for a steak dinner, or anything like that. However, that’s almost beside the point, because the public looks upon, sometimes, the perks that lawmakers get as meant to influence them.”
Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi took a 2,147 dollar trip to Ireland with the State Legislative Leaders Foundation. Governor Corbett received a 530 dollar trophy from the Pittsburgh Penguins, to mark the opening of their new arena. He also accepted a $275 “welcome basket” from the Republican Governors Association, including a tie and cuff links. Governor Rendell may not have worked for NBC News yet in 2010, but he racked up more than $2,000 in hotel room bills while appearing on Meet the Press and Morning Joe.
Showing posts with label Ed Rendell. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ed Rendell. Show all posts
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Monday, April 4, 2011
Former Rendell Staffs Reject Criticism Over Stimulus Funds
About three-quarters of Pennsylvania’s 4.2 billion dollar deficit comes from disappearing federal stimulus money.
Governor Corbett and his top staffers say the Rendell Administration should have spent the money more wisely, and avoided using it to beef up education funding and other line items. “If you were told again and again that this was a funding cliff coming in two years, and you were advised not to make an expenditure that’s going to lock you in for five, ten years down the road, it does matter,” said acting Education Secretary Ron Tomalis this week, when he defended the Corbett Administration’s decision to not replace more than $500 million in federal education funds.
“[Rendell] didn’t do transportation, as a result, we have a crisis in the bridges right now,” said Corbett on Wednesday, responding to a study ranking Pennsylvania tops in the nation for structurally deficient bridges. “We spent stimulus money – stimulus money that was put in to balance the budget last year and the year before, a total, if I remember the numbers correctly, a little over $500 million went to education for one year. That's long-term debt. It didn't go to rebuilding the bridges. That was a choice that he made. I don't agree with that choice."
How do former Rendell staffers feel about the stimulus criticism? “The new governor ought to take some time to read the stimulus bill,” said former policy secretary Donna Cooper. “None of the funds that were available to the commonwealth for education could have been used for any purpose other than education. And they had to be used in the fiscal years in which we used it, or we would have had to return that money to the federal government.”
Rendell backed her up on that fact. “We had to use the education money for education. We had to use the bridge and road money for infrastructure, for bridges and roads. And then the mass transit money for mass transit, the energy money for energy. That’s how the stimulus was designed. We didn’t have any option,” he said Wednesday.
Cooper pointed out Rendell urged lawmakers to create a “Stimulus Reserve Fund,” to prepare for the disappearing money. “We urged the legislature to impose a severance tax, to tax smokeless tobacco, and to broaden the sales tax base so that we would be able to generate sufficient state revenues, so the cliff would not be addressed by cuts, but the cliff would be addressed by state revenues,” she said.
The proposal, mocked by some as “the sterf,” never got off the ground.
Governor Corbett and his top staffers say the Rendell Administration should have spent the money more wisely, and avoided using it to beef up education funding and other line items. “If you were told again and again that this was a funding cliff coming in two years, and you were advised not to make an expenditure that’s going to lock you in for five, ten years down the road, it does matter,” said acting Education Secretary Ron Tomalis this week, when he defended the Corbett Administration’s decision to not replace more than $500 million in federal education funds.
“[Rendell] didn’t do transportation, as a result, we have a crisis in the bridges right now,” said Corbett on Wednesday, responding to a study ranking Pennsylvania tops in the nation for structurally deficient bridges. “We spent stimulus money – stimulus money that was put in to balance the budget last year and the year before, a total, if I remember the numbers correctly, a little over $500 million went to education for one year. That's long-term debt. It didn't go to rebuilding the bridges. That was a choice that he made. I don't agree with that choice."
How do former Rendell staffers feel about the stimulus criticism? “The new governor ought to take some time to read the stimulus bill,” said former policy secretary Donna Cooper. “None of the funds that were available to the commonwealth for education could have been used for any purpose other than education. And they had to be used in the fiscal years in which we used it, or we would have had to return that money to the federal government.”
Rendell backed her up on that fact. “We had to use the education money for education. We had to use the bridge and road money for infrastructure, for bridges and roads. And then the mass transit money for mass transit, the energy money for energy. That’s how the stimulus was designed. We didn’t have any option,” he said Wednesday.
Cooper pointed out Rendell urged lawmakers to create a “Stimulus Reserve Fund,” to prepare for the disappearing money. “We urged the legislature to impose a severance tax, to tax smokeless tobacco, and to broaden the sales tax base so that we would be able to generate sufficient state revenues, so the cliff would not be addressed by cuts, but the cliff would be addressed by state revenues,” she said.
The proposal, mocked by some as “the sterf,” never got off the ground.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Corbett Gets Rid of Bus
Governor Tom Corbett is kicking “Commonwealth One” to the curb. He’s auctioning off the tour bus Governor Ed Rendell used to travel the state, pitching his budget plans, transportation initiatives and other legislative priorities. “It has required $66,000 just to maintain this bus,” said Corbett at a Tuesday morning Harrisburg press conference. “In 2008, this bus cost taxpayers $18.84 per mile. In 2009, it cost $19.93 per mile. Last year this bust cost us $25.99 per mile. …It has cost us $1,336 for batteries. We spent $550 dollars having it towed. The taxpayers paid to have its windows tinted. This is one bus we can do without.”
Speaking on an unrelated conference call, Rendell declined to weigh in on the sale, but pointed out the bus was donated, and not purchased, in 2003. “I hope it will make money, because it didn’t cost us anything to purchase it, so it will be a net gain,” he said. While Rendell didn’t leap to Commonwealth One’s defense – after three or four bus questions, he told reporters he refused to answer any more -- some of his former staffers were quick to support the coach. “I think you have to keep this in context,” said former Rendell spokesman and self-described “bus-keteer” Chuck Ardo. “Was it expensive? Sure it was expensive. Does the governor have a responsibility to go out there and be seen, and listen to the people of the commonwealth? I think that’s clearly a responsibility the governor has. … [Rendell] went to more places that no other governor had gone before. They should have called the bus the Enterprise.”
Corbett’s office claims Commonwealth One traveled just 26,000 miles during its eight-year lifespan. “This…represents everything wrong with state government,” he said. “It’s out-dated, inefficient and broken down.” Rendell’s top policy advisor, Donna Cooper, disagreed. “I don’t think it represents what’s wrong with government. Because that bus took Ed Rendell and many members of his cabinet to every one of the 67 counties nearly every year,” she said. “Particularly in the rural counties, that bus represented the first time a governor or a cabinet secretary had ever been to their county and worked with them on those problems. So if Corbett thinks that represents a bad way to govern, then I think a lot of Pennsylvania’s counties are going to be more disappointed in this administration than they already are.”
The bus goes to auction in May or June.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Rendells to Split
Less than a month after leaving office, former Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell and his wife have announced that they are separating. U.S. Circuit Judge Marjorie Rendell and Ed Rendell have been married for 40 years. The two made the announcement by sending out an email to friends.
Rendell and his wife say it was a difficult decision but that they decided it was the right thing to do. The email says the breakup as "amicable" and they told friends to not worry about inviting them to the same social functions. They also asked their friends to respect their privacy and their decision.
Ed Rendell’s faithfulness to the marriage has been the subject of the Harrisburg rumor mill for years and was the subject of several news reports last year when allegations of a romantic relationship with a state employee surfaced.
Rendell and his wife say it was a difficult decision but that they decided it was the right thing to do. The email says the breakup as "amicable" and they told friends to not worry about inviting them to the same social functions. They also asked their friends to respect their privacy and their decision.
Ed Rendell’s faithfulness to the marriage has been the subject of the Harrisburg rumor mill for years and was the subject of several news reports last year when allegations of a romantic relationship with a state employee surfaced.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Rendell; Death Penalty Appeals Should be Streamlined
Governor Ed Rendell says lawmakers should either reform or end Pennsylvania’s death penalty system.
On the last working day of his administration, Rendell said an “endless appeal process” has made Pennsylvania’s death penalty effectively nonexistent.
"16 cases that I prosecuted as district attorney are on death row. I haven’t been district attorney for 25 years. It makes no sense. Again, it is not a deterrent to the criminals out on the street, because it is not a reality."
There are 217 people on death row, but only three have been executed since 1978, and none since 1999. Rendell says lawmakers need to figure out how to expedite the appeals process, or consider eliminating the death penalty through a constitutional amendment.
Andy Hoover of the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania says Rendell is wrong...
"The governor’s suggestion that this process can somehow be streamlined and made faster just really isn’t possible. Because then you increase the risk of executing an innocent person."
Hoover points out one Pennsylvania death row inmate, Nick Yarris, served 21 years in prison before he was exonerated through DNA evidence.
Richard Long, the executive director of the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association, says Rendell is right to be frustrated – but he says ending the death penalty isn’t the answer.
"We continue to talk extensively within our group about what can be done to make the death penalty a real death penalty, and an effective deterrent."
Since 1978, three people have been executed in Pennsylvania. Rendell's successor, Tom Corbett, who will be inaugurated as governor Tuesday, supports capital punishment,
On the last working day of his administration, Rendell said an “endless appeal process” has made Pennsylvania’s death penalty effectively nonexistent.
"16 cases that I prosecuted as district attorney are on death row. I haven’t been district attorney for 25 years. It makes no sense. Again, it is not a deterrent to the criminals out on the street, because it is not a reality."
There are 217 people on death row, but only three have been executed since 1978, and none since 1999. Rendell says lawmakers need to figure out how to expedite the appeals process, or consider eliminating the death penalty through a constitutional amendment.
Andy Hoover of the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania says Rendell is wrong...
"The governor’s suggestion that this process can somehow be streamlined and made faster just really isn’t possible. Because then you increase the risk of executing an innocent person."
Hoover points out one Pennsylvania death row inmate, Nick Yarris, served 21 years in prison before he was exonerated through DNA evidence.
Richard Long, the executive director of the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association, says Rendell is right to be frustrated – but he says ending the death penalty isn’t the answer.
"We continue to talk extensively within our group about what can be done to make the death penalty a real death penalty, and an effective deterrent."
Since 1978, three people have been executed in Pennsylvania. Rendell's successor, Tom Corbett, who will be inaugurated as governor Tuesday, supports capital punishment,
Friday, January 14, 2011
Rendell Wraps Up His Administration
Ed Rendell has just a few days remaining in his 8 years as governor of Pennsylvania.
The Democrat will be remembered as a big talker and a big spender, once he departs Pennsylvania’s political scene.
The state budget was a bit below $21 billion the year he took office, and last year’s budget was more than $28 billion.
At Rendell's urging, the legislature boosted education funding by billions of dollars and allocated an unprecedented amount of money to kindergarten and pre-K programs.
Rendell was also aggressive about using state money as a catalyst for economic development projects across Pennsylvania.
Listen to full report.
The Democrat will be remembered as a big talker and a big spender, once he departs Pennsylvania’s political scene.
The state budget was a bit below $21 billion the year he took office, and last year’s budget was more than $28 billion.
At Rendell's urging, the legislature boosted education funding by billions of dollars and allocated an unprecedented amount of money to kindergarten and pre-K programs.
Rendell was also aggressive about using state money as a catalyst for economic development projects across Pennsylvania.
Listen to full report.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Rendell: Federal Stimulus Has Worked in PA
Governor Ed Rendell who leaves office in five days says the federal stimulus program has been a success in the Commonwealth. Rendell credits the state's $31 billion share with creating or saving 136,000 jobs. The outgoing governor says most of the money has now been spent on infrastructure improvements, job training, investments in green energy, tax cuts and unemployment benefits......
"There's no question in my mind that the recovery act, the stimulus has contributed to the economic recovery in Pennsylvania."
Rendell says the Commonwealth is 11th in the nation in job creation leads industrial states. He says Pennsylvania businesses saved $2.2 billion through tax incentives that encourage investment and job creation....
"In addition to the short-term benefits of the Recovery Act, the federal government's investment in infrastructure and energy will provide lasting benefits that will generate future economic growth and improve the quality of life of our citizens."
Rendell says he knows it's not popular to say the stimulus has worked, but he's convinced that it has.
"There's no question in my mind that the recovery act, the stimulus has contributed to the economic recovery in Pennsylvania."
Rendell says the Commonwealth is 11th in the nation in job creation leads industrial states. He says Pennsylvania businesses saved $2.2 billion through tax incentives that encourage investment and job creation....
"In addition to the short-term benefits of the Recovery Act, the federal government's investment in infrastructure and energy will provide lasting benefits that will generate future economic growth and improve the quality of life of our citizens."
Rendell says he knows it's not popular to say the stimulus has worked, but he's convinced that it has.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
PA: 9th in National Report on Education
A new national report card released by Education Week magazine ranks Pennsylvania 7th among states for K-12 student achievement and 9th overall.
Governor Ed Rendell said the report is good news for Pennsylvania "on measuring the impact of our significant education investments."
Pennsylvania earned an overall grade of B minus, with a score of 80.1; the national grade is a C, at 76.3. Pennsylvania scored 75.6 percent for K-12 achievement... above the national average of 68.7 percent.
The report, "Quality Counts 2011: Uncertain Forecast: Education Adjusts to a New Economic Reality," scored Pennsylvania in the top third in five of the six categories it examined.
Rendell said Pennsylvania has made eight straight years of improvements in student achievement in math and reading, with 290,000 more students performing at grade level since 2003.
“Education is a key to our state’s economic future and to the personal success of our children. It’s perhaps the most important economic tool there is. Investments in education are critical to developing a workforce with the skills necessary for good-paying jobs, and one that will help attract and expand business here."
Governor Ed Rendell said the report is good news for Pennsylvania "on measuring the impact of our significant education investments."
Pennsylvania earned an overall grade of B minus, with a score of 80.1; the national grade is a C, at 76.3. Pennsylvania scored 75.6 percent for K-12 achievement... above the national average of 68.7 percent.
The report, "Quality Counts 2011: Uncertain Forecast: Education Adjusts to a New Economic Reality," scored Pennsylvania in the top third in five of the six categories it examined.
Rendell said Pennsylvania has made eight straight years of improvements in student achievement in math and reading, with 290,000 more students performing at grade level since 2003.
“Education is a key to our state’s economic future and to the personal success of our children. It’s perhaps the most important economic tool there is. Investments in education are critical to developing a workforce with the skills necessary for good-paying jobs, and one that will help attract and expand business here."
PAT Cuts Service by 15%
The board of the Port Authority of Allegheny County has voted to stretch $45 million dollars in emergency state funding over the next 18 months rather than using it all in this fiscal year. That will lead to 15% service cuts starting in March.
The PAT board had previously approved a 35-percent service reduction to take effect in March of this year but Governor Ed Rendell came up with a plan to flex an additional $45 million to the transit agency to stave off those cuts until June of this year. The board has decided instead to cut service by 15-percent and put off any further cuts until June of 2012. PAT CEO Steve Bland says the hope is that the state will act by then to provide a better funding source for transportation statewide that will allow PAT to restore the cuts. He says that is why the cuts have been labeled by the board as “temporary.” “The 15% service reduction is a bad thing, this is service that needs to be sustained, this is service the region needs,” says Bland, “I think the clarification by calling it a temporary reduction is really sending that message that look, this is good service, this is productive service, this is important to the community and we need to be in a position to put it back.”
Bland says using the money over time will give the new governor more time to look for a permanent transportation funding solution. Something that has eluded Pennsylvania governors and legislators for decades.
In the meantime, transit union President Pat Mc Mahon says the decision to stretch out the funding only takes the pressure off incoming governor Tom Corbett and the legislature. “I have not given up on stopping this thing for March, I think it’s unconscionable that we have to go here, and I definitely do not understand the time line because at the end of the day if it’s not fixed, whether we cut a little bit now and a little bit later, we are going to lose,” says Mc Mahon. He fears that once the cuts are made they will never be restored.
McMahon says he will be in Harrisburg this week to start his campaign for better funding in time to stave off the 15 percent reductions. PAT Board members have made it clear that if additional funding comes through before March 27th they will do everything they can to stop the cuts.
The 15% reduction will mean an elimination of 29 routes impacting about 5% of PAT riders, reduction of service on another 37 weekday routes impacting an additional 45% of the system’s users, and the closure of the Harmar garage. In all, about 270 jobs will be cut. Bland says with retirements and unfilled positions added into the mix, the Authority will probable have to layoff 180 workers.
A list of routes to be eliminated or reduced can be found here.
Listen to a longer version of the story here.
The PAT board had previously approved a 35-percent service reduction to take effect in March of this year but Governor Ed Rendell came up with a plan to flex an additional $45 million to the transit agency to stave off those cuts until June of this year. The board has decided instead to cut service by 15-percent and put off any further cuts until June of 2012. PAT CEO Steve Bland says the hope is that the state will act by then to provide a better funding source for transportation statewide that will allow PAT to restore the cuts. He says that is why the cuts have been labeled by the board as “temporary.” “The 15% service reduction is a bad thing, this is service that needs to be sustained, this is service the region needs,” says Bland, “I think the clarification by calling it a temporary reduction is really sending that message that look, this is good service, this is productive service, this is important to the community and we need to be in a position to put it back.”
Bland says using the money over time will give the new governor more time to look for a permanent transportation funding solution. Something that has eluded Pennsylvania governors and legislators for decades.
In the meantime, transit union President Pat Mc Mahon says the decision to stretch out the funding only takes the pressure off incoming governor Tom Corbett and the legislature. “I have not given up on stopping this thing for March, I think it’s unconscionable that we have to go here, and I definitely do not understand the time line because at the end of the day if it’s not fixed, whether we cut a little bit now and a little bit later, we are going to lose,” says Mc Mahon. He fears that once the cuts are made they will never be restored.
McMahon says he will be in Harrisburg this week to start his campaign for better funding in time to stave off the 15 percent reductions. PAT Board members have made it clear that if additional funding comes through before March 27th they will do everything they can to stop the cuts.
The 15% reduction will mean an elimination of 29 routes impacting about 5% of PAT riders, reduction of service on another 37 weekday routes impacting an additional 45% of the system’s users, and the closure of the Harmar garage. In all, about 270 jobs will be cut. Bland says with retirements and unfilled positions added into the mix, the Authority will probable have to layoff 180 workers.
A list of routes to be eliminated or reduced can be found here.
Listen to a longer version of the story here.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Corbett Wants More Open Bidding for Contracts
On his way out the door, Governor Ed Rendell is defending the amount of no-bid contracts his administration handed out.
During Rendell’s time in office, he’s been on the receiving end of a steady stream of criticism for the amount of government contracts his administration has handed out without a competitive bidding process.
"None of them were sinister. They were all made based on a judgment. None of which were my judgment initially. Based on judgment of some manager, that it was necessary for the effectiveness and efficiency of the operation of the commonwealth. And if you look at the cost-savings that we’ve been able to achieve, it pretty much bears it out. Let me tell you that the bid system is overrated. "
Rendell said renewing contracts with firms who do good work for the state creates incentive for good performance.
"Nobody sued us and won. Nobody sued us and won. So we didn’t violate any rules and regulations. And nobody indicted us, which meant there was nothing nefarious going on. And believe me – there were people out there who would have loved to indict us."
A 2009 review conducted by Auditor General Jack Wagner criticized Rendell’s contracts, pointing out 382 million dollars worth of agreements with one private company, Deloitte Consulting, swelled to nearly 600 million dollars, after various non-competitive renewals and continuations.
Incoming Governor Tom Corbett has promised to change course, and open up bidding for administration contracts.
During Rendell’s time in office, he’s been on the receiving end of a steady stream of criticism for the amount of government contracts his administration has handed out without a competitive bidding process.
"None of them were sinister. They were all made based on a judgment. None of which were my judgment initially. Based on judgment of some manager, that it was necessary for the effectiveness and efficiency of the operation of the commonwealth. And if you look at the cost-savings that we’ve been able to achieve, it pretty much bears it out. Let me tell you that the bid system is overrated. "
Rendell said renewing contracts with firms who do good work for the state creates incentive for good performance.
"Nobody sued us and won. Nobody sued us and won. So we didn’t violate any rules and regulations. And nobody indicted us, which meant there was nothing nefarious going on. And believe me – there were people out there who would have loved to indict us."
A 2009 review conducted by Auditor General Jack Wagner criticized Rendell’s contracts, pointing out 382 million dollars worth of agreements with one private company, Deloitte Consulting, swelled to nearly 600 million dollars, after various non-competitive renewals and continuations.
Incoming Governor Tom Corbett has promised to change course, and open up bidding for administration contracts.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Rendell Goes Off Over Gambling
Outgoing Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell, who is known for his angry outbursts at Capitol reporters in Harrisburg, explodes at CBS reporter Lesley Stahl in a segment recorded for tomorrow night's "60 Minutes." The subject of the piece is gambling and Stahl questions Rendell about gambling addicts......"People are losing money for the state to get its revenue," says Stahl.
Rendell responded..."Those people would lost that money anyway. Don't you understand? You guys don't get that. You're simpletons. You're idiots if you don't get that."
Earlier this week, the governor said gambling revenues reduced property taxes by an average of $200.
The governor told reporter Stahl that the benefits of casino gambling far outweigh the negatives and that the biggest downside is some people are losing their paychecks but "they're not losing their paychecks because Pennsylvania instituted gaming...those people were losing their paychecks in Atlantic City, in Delaware, at the racetracks or in West Virginia."
Rendell, who leaves office January 18, met with Capitol reporters including WDUQ's Scott Detrow and said he plans to teach, write a book, possibly practice law, and maybe be a news commentator.
Rendell responded..."Those people would lost that money anyway. Don't you understand? You guys don't get that. You're simpletons. You're idiots if you don't get that."
Earlier this week, the governor said gambling revenues reduced property taxes by an average of $200.
The governor told reporter Stahl that the benefits of casino gambling far outweigh the negatives and that the biggest downside is some people are losing their paychecks but "they're not losing their paychecks because Pennsylvania instituted gaming...those people were losing their paychecks in Atlantic City, in Delaware, at the racetracks or in West Virginia."
Rendell, who leaves office January 18, met with Capitol reporters including WDUQ's Scott Detrow and said he plans to teach, write a book, possibly practice law, and maybe be a news commentator.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Rendell Looks Back on Tenure
Regrets? Governor Rendell has a few. Well – one big one. Reviewing his tenure with Harrisburg reporters, Rendell said his biggest mistake was signing the 2005 “midnight pay raise” into law. “I knew that it would cause trouble. And I was too easily persuaded to do it, because I was told that unless I did it, we wouldn’t get legislative cooperation for the remaining time in office as governor,” he said.When reporters pointed out that when Rendell signed the bill, he said legislators deserved a pay hike, the governor responded, “A pay raise might have been merited. The pay raise, and the way it was structured, was untenable.”
"They are not term-limited and view their positions as careers…They therefore have a reasonable right to expect periodic raises, which they deserve," Rendell said in a statement on the day he signed the law. About a month later, Rendell insisted he hadn’t given a second thought to signing the pay raise. “Absolutely not,” he said, according to a transcript. “Again, every other piece of legislation that I get isn’t perfect and there are things that, you balance things and I think the pluses in this balance the drawbacks. And I also think the Legislature does work a lot harder than anybody gives them credit for. If you look at what we accomplished in the last two-and-a-half years, and again, everyone’s loathe to print this, but we have done tremendous things in terms of probably the most aggressive and complex economic stimulus program of any state in the union.”
Rendell said his proudest accomplishment is boosting state funding for education, and growing Pennsylvania’s early childhood education efforts. “Clearly if you look at the track we’re on with our economy – our economy becoming more global. Our economy becoming more technology-driven. Everywhere, and every aspect of our economy is technology-driven now. What we have done is going to endure to the benefit of millions of young people as they go into the job market.” Aside from education, Rendell said he hopes people remember him for pushing a progressive agenda.
Rendell was asked whether he was worried his legacy would instead boil down to legalizing gambling. “When you’re in the ground you’re in the ground. …I don’t give a hoot what people say about me. I know what I’ve done,” he said. Rendell defended casinos as a net positive, saying they’ve lowered property taxes and reenergized Pennsylvania’s horse racing industry, among other things.
And how will state workers remember him? “They will remember the budget deadlocks where they weren’t paid. What they should remember most? They should compare me to what’s coming,” Rendell said.
Friday, December 17, 2010
PA's Mid-Year Budget Update
Governor Ed Rendell says Pennsylvania will likely face a modest deficit next year.
But that won’t make life any easier for Governor-elect Tom Corbett and incoming legislative leaders.
Halfway through the fiscal year, the estimated budget deficit is just 63 million dollars, compared to the hundreds of millions and billion-plus shortfalls predicted halfway through the last few budget years.
Rendell points out next year’s budget will still be a financial minefield, though.
"Mandatory costs for health care, prisons and debt service will continue to increase. Contractual salary increases and pension funding obligations will continue, and there’s no way those can be legally terminated. There was a contract salary increase in October, and one in January this year."
Not to mention more than two billion dollars in stimulus money that will disappear. Sales tax and corporate tax revenue is up, but income tax figures are lower than expected.
Pennsylvania added jobs last month, but Rendell says the growth is likely coming too late in the fiscal year to turn around income tax figures.
Rendell’s budget secretary, Mary Soderberg says the Corbett Administration will need to come up with a lot of money, just to produce a status quo budget.
"It’s going to be somewhere between 3.2 to 3.8 billion, depending on what their assumptions are on the expenditures side."
Republicans say they plan on cutting spending when they take power next year.
But that won’t make life any easier for Governor-elect Tom Corbett and incoming legislative leaders.
Halfway through the fiscal year, the estimated budget deficit is just 63 million dollars, compared to the hundreds of millions and billion-plus shortfalls predicted halfway through the last few budget years.
Rendell points out next year’s budget will still be a financial minefield, though.
"Mandatory costs for health care, prisons and debt service will continue to increase. Contractual salary increases and pension funding obligations will continue, and there’s no way those can be legally terminated. There was a contract salary increase in October, and one in January this year."
Not to mention more than two billion dollars in stimulus money that will disappear. Sales tax and corporate tax revenue is up, but income tax figures are lower than expected.
Pennsylvania added jobs last month, but Rendell says the growth is likely coming too late in the fiscal year to turn around income tax figures.
Rendell’s budget secretary, Mary Soderberg says the Corbett Administration will need to come up with a lot of money, just to produce a status quo budget.
"It’s going to be somewhere between 3.2 to 3.8 billion, depending on what their assumptions are on the expenditures side."
Republicans say they plan on cutting spending when they take power next year.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Rendell to Dems: Lay Off Corbett
Over the past few weeks, the Pennsylvanai Democratic Party has sent out press releases blasting Governor-elect Tom Corbett for naming a major campaign donor to his cabinet and putting a Tea Party activist on his transition team. Democrats have also criticized Corbett’s staff for avoiding reporters’ calls, and earlier this week, Chairman Jim Burn told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review incoming Lieutenant Governor Jim Cawley is “about as qualified to lead as Sarah Palin.”
Rendell says the attacks need to stop. “Partisanship is ruining the effectiveness of government all over America. And that’s…a perfect example of what that is,” he said at a Pennsylvania Society event in New York City this weekend. “Let’s give him (Corbett) some breathing space. To attack him at this point comes with ill grace.”
Party spokesman Mark Nicastre respectfully disagrees with the outgoing governor’s take, arguing the Democrats are simply raising legitimate concerns about Corbett’s judgment, and providing a counterweight to the incoming Republican administration. “Tom Corbett has made several questionable decisions” – appointing Alan Walker, who gave more than $80,000 to his gubernatorial campaign; putting Tea Partier Ana Puig, who has called President Obama a communist, on his transition team – “These are things people should know…and [Corbett] can expect that for the duration of his term.”
For his part, Corbett says the aggressive Democratic attacks don’t bother him. “I didn’t see them complaining about anybody that Ed put on his transition team, obviously. I don’t know whether they did about Tom’s (former Governor Ridge) transition team. If they want to be partisan about this, they’ll be partisan,” he said in New York. “I think you heard me on Election Night saying we’re not going to be partisan about this.”
Don’t expect too many intra-party fireworks about the aggressive press releases. I asked Rendell whether he’ll talk to Burn or other party officials about the campaign. “In the next five weeks? Probably not,” Rendell said.
Rendell says the attacks need to stop. “Partisanship is ruining the effectiveness of government all over America. And that’s…a perfect example of what that is,” he said at a Pennsylvania Society event in New York City this weekend. “Let’s give him (Corbett) some breathing space. To attack him at this point comes with ill grace.”
Party spokesman Mark Nicastre respectfully disagrees with the outgoing governor’s take, arguing the Democrats are simply raising legitimate concerns about Corbett’s judgment, and providing a counterweight to the incoming Republican administration. “Tom Corbett has made several questionable decisions” – appointing Alan Walker, who gave more than $80,000 to his gubernatorial campaign; putting Tea Partier Ana Puig, who has called President Obama a communist, on his transition team – “These are things people should know…and [Corbett] can expect that for the duration of his term.”
For his part, Corbett says the aggressive Democratic attacks don’t bother him. “I didn’t see them complaining about anybody that Ed put on his transition team, obviously. I don’t know whether they did about Tom’s (former Governor Ridge) transition team. If they want to be partisan about this, they’ll be partisan,” he said in New York. “I think you heard me on Election Night saying we’re not going to be partisan about this.”
Don’t expect too many intra-party fireworks about the aggressive press releases. I asked Rendell whether he’ll talk to Burn or other party officials about the campaign. “In the next five weeks? Probably not,” Rendell said.
Friday, December 10, 2010
PA Politicians, Business Leaders, Lobbyists Meet in NY
The state’s politicians take Manhattan this weekend for the annual Pennsylvania Society gathering. Every December, Pennsylvania’s lawmakers, donors, movers and shakers migrate east for a weekend of parties at the Waldorf Astoria and other high-end New York City hotels.
Friday and Saturday’s agendas are filled with fundraisers and cocktail receptions hosted by lobbying firms, businesses and other political groups.
Longtime attendee Terry Madonna, a political scientist at Franklin and Marshall College, says this year’s events will have a different focus.
"The PA Society that accompanies the inauguration of a new governor is particularly important, because of the little gems of information that folks hope to glean about the new direction of new administration appointees, policy direction."
A centerpiece of the event is a Saturday morning forum sponsored by the Pennsylvania Manufacturers Association.
Governor Ed Rendell, Senator-elect Pat Toomey and Governor-elect Tom Corbett will speak at the event, along with other legislators and officials.
Not everyone’s a fan of the event.
Eric Epstein of the government reform group Rock the Capital says legislators have better ways to spend their time.
"We’re in a crisis mode. We’re experiencing a fiscal meltdown. It sends the wrong message to go hobnobbing in New York with power brokers. Right now, everybody’s asking to make sacrifices. It’s not a sacrifice when you’re going to the Waldorf Astoria to cut deals with the new administration."
Over the years, politicians have gotten in trouble for using public finances to attend the event.
Many use campaign funds to cover their travel and expenses.
Friday and Saturday’s agendas are filled with fundraisers and cocktail receptions hosted by lobbying firms, businesses and other political groups.
Longtime attendee Terry Madonna, a political scientist at Franklin and Marshall College, says this year’s events will have a different focus.
"The PA Society that accompanies the inauguration of a new governor is particularly important, because of the little gems of information that folks hope to glean about the new direction of new administration appointees, policy direction."
A centerpiece of the event is a Saturday morning forum sponsored by the Pennsylvania Manufacturers Association.
Governor Ed Rendell, Senator-elect Pat Toomey and Governor-elect Tom Corbett will speak at the event, along with other legislators and officials.
Not everyone’s a fan of the event.
Eric Epstein of the government reform group Rock the Capital says legislators have better ways to spend their time.
"We’re in a crisis mode. We’re experiencing a fiscal meltdown. It sends the wrong message to go hobnobbing in New York with power brokers. Right now, everybody’s asking to make sacrifices. It’s not a sacrifice when you’re going to the Waldorf Astoria to cut deals with the new administration."
Over the years, politicians have gotten in trouble for using public finances to attend the event.
Many use campaign funds to cover their travel and expenses.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Rendell's Bond Sale Cut By 35%
Pennsylvania Treasurer Rob McCord (photo) is reining in Governor Ed Rendell’s plan to borrow one billion dollars for construction projects.
McCord has approved a 650-million dollar bond sale.
Either the treasurer or auditor general needs to sign off on a bond sale. Usually, both officials okay the paperwork, but Auditor General Jack Wagner rejected Rendell’s proposal last week, saying Pennsylvania is “drowning in debt.”
After talking to Rendell staffers, as well as members of the incoming Corbett Administration, McCord says he’s approving 650 million dollars in borrowing for various construction projects across the state.
"We’ve been given firm assurances that this money is for already contracted, ongoing projects. And that this will fund their cash flow needs until June."
Rendell’s spokesman, Gary Tuma says the bonds were a “matter of the state paying its bills” on preexisting projects and predicts the funds will run dry in April....
"The next administration is going to have to borrow money and do its bond issues sooner than it otherwise would have, if we had borrowed the full billion. It’s important for everyone to understand that this is not a matter of approving new projects. This is simply a matter of the state of Pennsylvania paying its bills. "
Auditor General Wagner calls the bond sale a bad deal for Pennsylvania taxpayers.....
"With Pennsylvania facing a $4 billion to $5 billion budget deficit next year, now is not the time to increase the state’s debt. “Americans hold 8 million fewer credit cards than they did a year ago, because they understand that debt is a bad thing,” Wagner said. “It’s time that state government listened to the public.”
McCord Says Yes and No to Rendell Bond Request
Pennsylvania State Treasurer Rob McCord is signing off on a taxpayer-financed bond issue this month, although at a lower amount than the $1 billion initially sought outgoing Gov. Ed Rendell. The Treasurer says he will approve a bond issue of $650 million.
Rendell's chief of staff Steve Crawford says Rendell can live with the compromise and that Gov.-elect Tom Corbett will need to issue more bonds in the spring.
McCord spoke to reporters today including DUQ's Scott Detrow.
Rendell says the $1 billion bond issue is crucial to keep money flowing to public improvement projects that are under contract or construction, such as bridges, prisons and hospitals, while interest rates are favorable.
More details will be available later today.
Rendell's chief of staff Steve Crawford says Rendell can live with the compromise and that Gov.-elect Tom Corbett will need to issue more bonds in the spring.
McCord spoke to reporters today including DUQ's Scott Detrow.
Rendell says the $1 billion bond issue is crucial to keep money flowing to public improvement projects that are under contract or construction, such as bridges, prisons and hospitals, while interest rates are favorable.
More details will be available later today.
Chilean Officials Thank PA Companies
Lighting the state Capitol's Christmas tree, Governor Ed Rendell honored three Pennsylvania companies who played key roles in rescuing 33 Chilean miners this fall.
Rendell said 2010 was a glum year, with the ongoing recession and other negative news dominating headlines.
The miners' dramatic rescue was a welcome diversion, providing much-needed hope and positive vibes to people around the world.
"The didn't have to wait until Christmas. They didn't have to wait until Thanksgiving. In fact, they got out before Halloween, in mid-October. And these two Pennsylvania companies played an extraordinarily important part in what is the best story that happened in this world in 2010."
Somerset-based Center Rock Inc. and Schramm Inc. of Chester County provided equipment used to drill the rescue tunnel, while Philadelphia's Aramark supplied the food rescue workers lowered down to the miners.
Chile's Ambassador to the U.S., Arturo Fermandois also spoke at the event.
"The story of being able to help miners trapped, and keep them alive for 69 days with the crucial help of Pennsylvania companies, is one of the stories that has inspired us as a country."
Rendell explains why he focused the ceremony on the miners' rescue.
"It lifted the spirits of the world. I think it was the feel-good story of 2010 for this planet. Maybe the best story of the year. So I thought it would be great for us in Pennsylvania to honor that rescue."
Chile's Defense Minister also attended the ceremony.
Rendell said 2010 was a glum year, with the ongoing recession and other negative news dominating headlines.
The miners' dramatic rescue was a welcome diversion, providing much-needed hope and positive vibes to people around the world.
"The didn't have to wait until Christmas. They didn't have to wait until Thanksgiving. In fact, they got out before Halloween, in mid-October. And these two Pennsylvania companies played an extraordinarily important part in what is the best story that happened in this world in 2010."
Somerset-based Center Rock Inc. and Schramm Inc. of Chester County provided equipment used to drill the rescue tunnel, while Philadelphia's Aramark supplied the food rescue workers lowered down to the miners.
Chile's Ambassador to the U.S., Arturo Fermandois also spoke at the event.
"The story of being able to help miners trapped, and keep them alive for 69 days with the crucial help of Pennsylvania companies, is one of the stories that has inspired us as a country."
Rendell explains why he focused the ceremony on the miners' rescue.
"It lifted the spirits of the world. I think it was the feel-good story of 2010 for this planet. Maybe the best story of the year. So I thought it would be great for us in Pennsylvania to honor that rescue."
Chile's Defense Minister also attended the ceremony.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Wagner: Billion $ Bond Sale "Inappropriate"
Two top Democrats may be preventing Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell from issuing a billion-dollar bond sale during his final days in office.
The governor needs approval from either the Auditor General or Treasurer to issue a bond offering, but Democrat Jack Wagner says he won’t sign off on Rendell’s proposed billion dollar sale.
The Auditor General says the issue is “inappropriate” in the final days of Rendell’s tenure.
"Taking on an additional one billion in debt means for the next 20 years we will have to pay an annual debt service of approximately 82 million dollars a year, beginning next year – 2011. That’s another 82 million added on to the deficit that’s projected to be 4 to 5 billion dollars."
Rendell’s spokesman, Gary Tuma, says Pennsylvania needs the bonds, because most of the money will go toward construction projects already underway....
"We have little choice but to raise this money. If we don’t fund these projects, construction will stop, jobs will be lost. And in many cases, the builders, the contractors, the developers, could have grounds to sue the commonwealth."
Treasurer Rob McCord, another Democrat, hasn’t decided whether or not to approve the bonds.
He’s sent a letter to Governor-elect Tom Corbett asking for the Republican’s input. A Corbett spokesman says McCord will get a response later this week.
The governor needs approval from either the Auditor General or Treasurer to issue a bond offering, but Democrat Jack Wagner says he won’t sign off on Rendell’s proposed billion dollar sale.
The Auditor General says the issue is “inappropriate” in the final days of Rendell’s tenure.
"Taking on an additional one billion in debt means for the next 20 years we will have to pay an annual debt service of approximately 82 million dollars a year, beginning next year – 2011. That’s another 82 million added on to the deficit that’s projected to be 4 to 5 billion dollars."
Rendell’s spokesman, Gary Tuma, says Pennsylvania needs the bonds, because most of the money will go toward construction projects already underway....
"We have little choice but to raise this money. If we don’t fund these projects, construction will stop, jobs will be lost. And in many cases, the builders, the contractors, the developers, could have grounds to sue the commonwealth."
Treasurer Rob McCord, another Democrat, hasn’t decided whether or not to approve the bonds.
He’s sent a letter to Governor-elect Tom Corbett asking for the Republican’s input. A Corbett spokesman says McCord will get a response later this week.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
"Castle Doctrine" Bill Vetoed
Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell is defending his veto of a bill expanding the right to self-defense with deadly force.
Rendell says he supports language in the measure closing loopholes in Megan's Law statutes, but in the end, he was worried the legislation would make streets more dangerous.
Political observers expect the "Castle Doctrine" measure to become law next year, when Republicans control the House, Senate and governor's office, but Rendell says he isn't sure what will happen.
"I just don't know. We'll see. And look - I can only do what I believe is right. I can't take care of the future. I'm not going to be a factor in it. I did what I believe was right."
Rendell concedes his gun control efforts were an "abject failure," pointing out lawmakers never voted for a measure he promoted requiring gun owners to report lost or stolen weapons to the police. However, many municipalities in the state, including Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, have approved ordinances requiring the reporting of lost or stolen guns.
The governor also vetoed a bill expanding fire fighters worker's compensation claims for cancer caused by exposure to carcinogens on the job.
He says the language put an unfair burden of proof on municipalities by assuming cancer was caused by firefighting, unless lawyers could prove otherwise.......
"For things like, as I said in my veto message, prostate cancer or brain cancer, there is no evidence whatsoever - scientific evidence - that anything you do, any of your activities, can promote those. And those are perhaps exclusively genetic. But there's no scientific link. It would have been absolutely impossible to prove
He says the bill would lead to skyrocketing insurance costs, and would force local governments to cut services or raise taxes. Union leaders oppose the veto, but Rendell argues he pushed for a compromise bill expanding firefighters' ability to file for claims, but on a more limited scale that offered more legal protection for municipalities.
The bill passed the House on a unanimous vote, and just four Senators voted against it.
Rendell says he supports language in the measure closing loopholes in Megan's Law statutes, but in the end, he was worried the legislation would make streets more dangerous.
Political observers expect the "Castle Doctrine" measure to become law next year, when Republicans control the House, Senate and governor's office, but Rendell says he isn't sure what will happen.
"I just don't know. We'll see. And look - I can only do what I believe is right. I can't take care of the future. I'm not going to be a factor in it. I did what I believe was right."
Rendell concedes his gun control efforts were an "abject failure," pointing out lawmakers never voted for a measure he promoted requiring gun owners to report lost or stolen weapons to the police. However, many municipalities in the state, including Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, have approved ordinances requiring the reporting of lost or stolen guns.
The governor also vetoed a bill expanding fire fighters worker's compensation claims for cancer caused by exposure to carcinogens on the job.
He says the language put an unfair burden of proof on municipalities by assuming cancer was caused by firefighting, unless lawyers could prove otherwise.......
"For things like, as I said in my veto message, prostate cancer or brain cancer, there is no evidence whatsoever - scientific evidence - that anything you do, any of your activities, can promote those. And those are perhaps exclusively genetic. But there's no scientific link. It would have been absolutely impossible to prove
He says the bill would lead to skyrocketing insurance costs, and would force local governments to cut services or raise taxes. Union leaders oppose the veto, but Rendell argues he pushed for a compromise bill expanding firefighters' ability to file for claims, but on a more limited scale that offered more legal protection for municipalities.
The bill passed the House on a unanimous vote, and just four Senators voted against it.
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