Here is a statement from the Independence Hall Tea Party Association regarding the weekend’s legislative activity in Harrisburg:
What a difference a day makes.
Just when we thought that our lawmakers were moving ahead with groundbreaking legislation, and the press reported it as such, we learn that it was all smoke and mirrors.
And so it was with the Pennsylvania Senate’s passage of the Liquor Privatization Bill.
The voting process began several months ago when the Pennsylvania House approved and sent to the Senate a much better privatization bill. The House version was then virtually tossed aside while Senator Chuck Millinery (R-Bucks) and his colleagues rewrote almost the entire bill.
Still, there was a glimmer of hope left for privatization when the Senate passed its version by a vote of 27-23.
But in Harrisburg, Senate approved legislation must then clear the Appropriations Committee.
And even though Republicans are in the majority on the Committee, word is they won’t move on privatization unless the House passes $2.1 billion Transportation Bill that would increase the price of gas by at least $.30 a gallon.
The House, to its credit, also won’t budge.
So, what does this mean? The PA Republican Senate would rather substantially raise taxes than support an effort to expand free enterprise in the Keystone State.
Bad news for Governor Tom Corbett who supports both the privatization and the transportation bills. Looks like, for now, the Governor is plum out of luck.
Hats off to the rank and file House Republicans for standing their ground against the pseudo Republicans that dominate the Senate, and, on the Transportation bill, the aloof Governor of our state.
Does Governor Corbett actually think the path to re-election is a $.30 or more tax increase on a gallon of gas?
We’ll find out in 16 months.
Hope to see you on the 4th.
On behalf of the Association Board,
Teri Adams