Running on Empty

Breaking News: Gov. Ed Rendell vetoed legislation that would have given more state money to public transit agencies in smaller towns and rural areas, saying the measure would have done more harm than good. Thanks Ed.

Any of you that have read Powerblog or hear me on the air know I am no fan of Governor Rendell. I see people loosing their homes in this area because they can not afford the taxes. Rendell promised to address those problems with gambling revenue but in the meantime he continues to raise our taxes. All of us in the Keystone state get to ring in the new year with a liquid fuels tax increase that automatically kicks in Jan. 1. Yes we get to pay 48.3 cents a gallon just in taxes in 2005, Happy New Year! .The state expects $280 million in extra revenue from the tax hike much of the windfall is earmarked for Pennsylvania Department of Transportation road and bridge projects. Those who rely on public transportation are facing record fare increases and massive service cuts. But do you think our Governor would step in and help, students, the elderly and low income workers who need these buses to get anywhere? The answer so far is NO. Southwestern Pennsylvania is guaranteed $45 million but that cannot be used to help these people because state law directs it to "restricted accounts." Governor, get off your butt and change this!
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission will receive an extra $13 million for Mon-Fayette Expressway and Southern Beltway toll road expansion projects; municipalities will share an extra $8 million for local streets and equipment; and local PennDOT offices will get about $24 million to spend on county maintenance activities such as resurfacing. All this does not really matter because we in this state will now have the highest gas tax in the country, making it harder for all of us to afford to drive and those using public transportation are about to get the worst of it. All why the bucks are rolling in the door in Harrisburg. We need to ring the phones and let all of our elected officials know we will not stand for this. It's your hard earned money, start fighting to keep some of it!

To e-mail the Governor click here.
To write a letter to the Governor send to:
Governor Edward G. Rendell's Office
225 Main Capitol Building
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17120
To telephone the Governor call:(717) 787-2500.

4 comments:

Bill C said...

Powerball,

I, too, continue to be disappointed by Gov. Rendell and his administration of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He could well be the final nail in the coffin of prosperity in this state. I realize he does not and cannot be held single-handedly responsible, but the trends he is setting motion, I believe, will be difficult to recover from.

Shaun Pierce said...

Thanks for the comment Bill. There is word today that Gov. Rendell vetoed a law making flying, yes flying an airplane while intoxicated illegal in PA. No I'm not making this up!
"Welcome aboard Rendell Air, I'm your Captian Jack Daniels, enjoy your flight."

Bill C said...

I heard Marty discuss this bill last week. I didn't realize it was making its way to the Gov.'s desk and that he would veto it. Why not be drunk? What possible damage could you do in the air? Its just air after all, right?

Bill C said...

As an additional service, provided by the Gov., follow this link to read the bills he DID sign. Pay particular attention to HR 2105 and the line that increases the number of State Liquor Stores to be open for sale on Sundays along with several other items of interest.

So now you can buy your liquor on Sunday morning for your afternoon drunken flight!

Yee-haaaa!