The Current

Ouch!

Ever feel like you’re hitting your head against a brick wall? I feel that way every time I open a newspaper these days or listen to the administration's rhetoric on business taxes.

The business tax reform debate here in Pennsylvania continues to be clouded by a misunderstanding of the negative effects the governor’s mandatory unitary combined reporting proposal (MUC) would have on job creation. The editorial writers and anyone who chooses to listen only to the Governor, fail to understand the business community’s position on this issue.

The administration claims that the Commonwealth would capture approximately $100 million in revenue by addressing “abuses” in the tax system. MUC, on the other hand, is estimated to capture nearly half a billion dollars, and many experts suggest this number is underestimated. This burdensome proposal has not been adopted by any major state in the past 20 years, and with good reason!

Clearly, MUC goes well beyond capturing any “abuses” there may be in the system, as the governor purports to address. Therein lies the business community’s objection.

The PA Chamber has continuously expressed its willingness to sit down with the administration to identify these abuses. The administration, on the other hand, would rather continue using sensationalized figures to imply that a majority of corporations are unethically avoiding taxes – all part of an effort to gain support for a flawed plan.

If the governor truly regrets not helping Pennsylvania’s job creators in the new budget, as he recently told an audience at the Harrisburg Regional Chamber, he should work with the business community to create a competitive tax system that fosters job creation, not one that merely shifts the tax burden, creating winners and losers.

Until we hear from him, I'll stock up on bandaids!

Post-depart them impressions…

The Commonwealth got a budget.

The Governor got his programs.

Public officials got their pay raise.

And the rest of us got nothing.

O.k. Maybe that’s harsh.

At least we didn’t get tax increases.

But maybe they’re saving that that for next year.

But I’ll make you the following “political” promise…

I’m done griping.

I’m done complaining.

I’m done speeding.

Hey, I said it was a "political" promise.

Red and blue lights for the Holiday

I was on my way home from the capitol the other night, trying to forget the frustrations of this never-ending budget process. Next thing I knew, red and blue lights were flashing in my rear-view mirror.

I pulled over and the officer approached the car, requested my license and registration, and told me he was stopping me for going 54 in a 35. He then asked whether there a reason I was speeding.

Now, here’s a guy, doing his job -- one that requires him to carry a gun for protection. He’s working over the holiday, just trying to keep our roads safe. Yet despite this reality check, it just happened…

“Yes. Yes, as a matter of fact there is a reason I’m speeding. You see, the state’s Constitution requires that last Thursday we were to have a budget for the Commonwealth, but it’s Tuesday and there’s still no budget. Not only did I miss the Fourth of July weekend for the third year in a row, but I'm supposed to be enjoying a five day vacation right now. But no! NO! I'm spending my vacation waiting in a non-air-conditioned capitol dome with a bunch of other sweaty bodies all waiting for the white smoke to rise signaling that there’s a new budget deal.”

“My life is at the whim of the government, and every day I drive back and forth for nothing. NOTHING! DID I MENTION THAT I'M SUPPOSED TO BE ON VACATION?”

I look him directly in the eyes.

“My family hasn't seen me, my poor dog thinks I’ve abandoned him and my cat won't look at me. O.k. he's just a cat, but when HE gets mad he urinates on my oriental rug!”

My mind momentarily wanders... maybe that’s how we can get business tax cuts…

“So, you ask if there's a reason I'm speeding?! Yes, I'm speeding because I just want to enjoy a little bit of time at the end of this beautiful holiday weekend by myself, away from the stresses of my profession! I WANT TO GET HOME!"

At that, the officer smiled and quietly returned to his car. Moments later he returned. 

Pointing to a little black device on his shirt, he said, "This event has been recorded on audio and by a camera in the car should you have any concerns or require evidence of this traffic stop."  At that, he handed me my fast driving award and concluded, "Please drive safely."

Well, I figure at least I provided the guys back at the station some laughs. And maybe, JUST maybe, my $135.50 speeding ticket can help close the budget gap and seal this deal before government shuts down.

MY mother always says...

If you don't have anything nice to say, come sit next to me!

-- the editor

My mother always says...

if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all...

How do you like me now?

Great song from Live8 performer Toby Keith.  One of my favorites.  Unfortunately, we have a little bit of business going on in the 'burg today, so I can't see him perform.

Right now, legislators and staffers are toiling over the coming to terms with a budget deal.  Lobbyists continue to press issues but we're pretty much resigned to waiting for the white smoke to rise signaling a deal between the general assembly and administration.  And reporters, well they're scrambling around the Capitol for tidbits of information on how the negotiations are proceeding.

Where do things stand?  Well, as reported by the AP, Senator Vincent J. Fumo (D-Philadelphia), one of the most powerful democrats in the state, "This is normal antics.  You've got a Democratic governor and a Republican Legislature, but in this case, you've got a Democratic governor without many Democratic allies."

It's clear the frustration with this Administration is truly bi-partisan.  Why, you might ask?  Well, first of all, a deal never seems to be a deal with them.  But more importantly, many of us just can't figure out whether he's committed to being chief executive of the Commonwealth or not.

You see, word on the street is that today, two days following the Constitutional deadline for a budget, our esteemed Governor is in Philadelphia partying with the likes of Toby Keith, Will Smith and Bon Jovi.  But it shouldn't be too much of a surprise because if you recall, back in February he by delayed his annual budget address so he could attend the Superbowl in Jacksonville, FL.

But if it's true that he's gettin jiggy with it with Will Smith, then he's doing it just one day after he released information on the furloughs that will have to happen if there's no budget completed. 

Now I ask you, is it a wonder why the frustration is bipartisan? 

So if you see our Gov on TV mouthing the words, "I'll be there for you," know that he may be just singing along with Bon Jovi. 

It was just a mission statement

In the movie Jerry McGuire, a fictitious sports agent wrote a “mission statement” for his company. Essentially, his suggestions challenged the way business was conducted and exposed the weaknesses of the profession. His bottom line -- the company should do more with less.

After having published his “mission statement” for all to read, he was applauded by his peers. “Finally someone said it!” Yet as well-meaning as they knew the concept he wrote may have been, they all gave him a week before he was fired. And they were right.

Watching this budget process, it’s tempting to write my own mission statement for government…

… but my editor had me at “Hell no!”

So just say it with me… “SHOW ME THE MONEY!”