Almost everyone has been struggling during this recession.
The smart folks are re-thinking priorities – and finding better ways to live within their means.
Pennsylvania is about to end the fiscal year with a $3 billion deficit.
The governor and state legislators need to come up with the cash to cover that gap – plus pay for next year’s budget.
Gov. Rendell is talking tax hikes.
That’s just plain nuts – whether it’s property taxes, income taxes or sales taxes.
It’s no way to attract new folks to Pennsylvania – and keep the ones it has.
Over in the legislature, House and Senate members – especially the Republicans – want to cut spending.
Unfortunately, there’s a huge difference between spending less to make the numbers work – and making the structural changes we need to get Pennsylvania back on track.
The latter involves re-thinking government – streamlining it – determining what it needs to do for its residents – and finding ways to do it smarter, better and cheaper.
Businesses in Pennsylvania – businesses around the world – have had to do this.
The folks in Harrisburg, however, show no enthusiasm for the concept.
It might require them to cut their pay, reduce their benefits and give up their perks and slush funds.
Heck, it might even mean cutting the size of the state legislature – and consolidating or eliminating state agencies.
Oh, wait. We’re talking about Pennsylvania’s government.
Brace yourself for tax hikes and vanishing state programs.
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