State Spending Cap

Contributed by Alice Fling:

November 4, 2005
Rep. H. William DeWeese, Democratic Leader
Rep. Mike Veon, Democratic Whip



Beware this Republican TRAP



Although House Democrats voted overwhelmingly in the negative, the Republican majority insisted on passing a dangerous state spending cap (H.B. 2082) this week. We believe it should be called the Taxpayer Rights Assault Plan because if it becomes law, this TRAP would destroy all ongoing efforts to reduce school property taxes.



Today's editorial in the Allentown Morning Call does an excellent job in describing the severe problems this plan would create, as did an earlier analysis by the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center.



In a bit of irony we could not have scripted, at the same hour that Pennsylvania House Republicans were forcing a vote (without a single public hearing) on this bill, Colorado was counting the votes in a statewide referendum that rejected a 13-year-old spending cap that starved essential human services and education.



Republicans in the Senate and House have not yet agreed on how badly they want to stick it to municipalities, school districts, universities and local taxpayers, so the next step for this legislation is not clear. In the meantime, we have created an online resource site on this issue. It includes a wealth of information from numerous sources and is being updated frequently.



The Republican hypocrisy on state spending is thick. Collectively and individually, each week they continue to propose new spending without saying what they will cut to pay for those programs. We support Gov. Ed Rendell's effort to make Pennsylvania budgeting efforts "pay as you go."



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Kathi Cozzone Update

Contributed by Alice Fling:

Friends,
>
> The final push is here. Please read the latest from the Kathi Cozzone
> campaign below.
>
> Update:
>
> This past week has been great for the Cozzone Campaign. Our 28,000
> post cards went out to Independent and Republican voters early in the
> week. We'll be buying 30,000 phone calls to turn out Democrats,
> helping every Democrat running for any office around the county.
>
> This has also been a great week for Kathi in the media. We had a great
> press event with Andy Dinniman and Kipp Stone, highlighting the need
> for pay-to-play regulations, and the Daily Local has written two
> stories on the subject since. Nancy Peterson, of the Philadelphia
> Inquirer, wrote an outstanding article as well. You can read it at
> http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/local/13078358.htm Kathi also
> spent 30 minutes on WCOJ during drive time Wednesday evening.
>
> What can you do?
>
> Many people have responded to our call last week to help make phone
> calls to turn out voters, or to help by contributing at
> www.cozzoneforcontroller.org. It's still not too late to get phone
> calls sent to your home to make at your convenience, or help the
> campaign financially, so please chip in today!
>
> We are looking for workers on Election Day to help cover polling places
> around the county where there are no committee people. At the polls
> will be our last chance to let voters know about Kathi's superior
> qualifications. If you have any time on Election Day, especially
> during the peak hours in the evening, please contact us so we can set
> you up at a polling place.
>
> Party Time!!!
>
> Finally, please join us at the Victory Party hosted by Kipp Stone at
> Weso's in the Marchwood Shopping Center in Exton. Here is Kipp's
> invitation:
>
> "The Row Candidates will have a VICTORY PARTY beginning at 8:00pm
> Nov. 8. Location is the Marchwood Plaza (jug handle turn to the right
> if you are north bound) off Rte. 100 about midway between Exton Rte. 30
> bypass (on the south) and Rte 113 (on the north). The name of the
> place is Weso's (used to be La Sorda's). Cash bar, cash food. We will
> have internet access for election results. I will buy a round every
> time a Democrat wins. Cheering is mandatory. You are invited if you
> worked on any Democrat's campaign this election, worked the polls,
> voted for a Democrat, or wished a Democrat would win. Bring your
> qualified friends. The more the merrier."
>
> Let's have a few drinks on Kipp Tuesday night!
>
>
> Adam Swope
> Campaign Manager

Bush's Integrity Is Questioned, According to Post-ABC Poll

Contributed by Alice Fling.

Bush's Integrity Is Questioned, According to Post-ABC Poll

By Richard Morin and Dan Balz

For the first time in his presidency, a majority of Americans question the integrity of President Bush, and growing doubts about his leadership have left him with record negative ratings on the economy, Iraq and even the war on terrorism, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll.

To view entire article click on "Link" below.

Link

Food Stamp Cuts Are On Table

Contributed by Alice Fling:

Food Stamp Cuts Are On Table

By Jonathan Weisman

House Republicans are pushing to cut tens of thousands of legal immigrants off food stamps, partially reversing President Bush's efforts to win Latino votes by restoring similar cuts made in the 1990s.

To view the entire article, click on "Link" below.

Link