By Sen. Scott Wagner
This is in response to an email sent out by my Democratic colleague Senator Vincent Hughes (D-7) on Oct. 15 from his official Senate website.
The title of the email was, “Pennsylvania Needs a Budget, So GOP Must Compromise.”
His closing line in the email was “Let them know it’s time to end the political games, and it’s time for them to compromise.”
In my short 18 months in the PA State Senate I continue to be entertained and amused by what Senator Hughes says.
It is important for everyone to know that Senator Hughes has served in the PA Legislature since 1987 – he served in the House from 1987 to 1994, and he has served in the Senate from 1994 to today.
Do you think Senator Hughes has looked in the mirror recently and said to himself, “Wow – I have been in Harrisburg for 28 years – is it possible that I am part of the problem ?”
Do you think Senator Hughes realizes that he has been in Harrisburg for over one-quarter of a century ?
Would you agree that Pennsylvania has a pension crisis?
Does Senator Hughes remember casting his “yes” vote in the Senate on May 8, 2001 for Senate concurrence on House Bill 26 of 2001.
For those who do not know – Senator Hughes “yes” vote increased his own pension by 50 percent, increased other state pension participants by 25 percent, increased his own and others pension multiplier from 2.0 to 2.5, and the changes he voted “yes” for made his pension changes and others pension changes retroactive back to when he joined the legislature.
In addition, Senator Hughes voted for the infamous midnight pay raise on July 7, 2005 which took place at 2 am without public review or commentary.
Depending on position, the raise increased legislators’ base pay anywhere from 16 percent to 34 percent.
Senator Hughes continues to beat on the GOP over the current budget impasse.
Several months ago during an appropriations meeting I asked Senator Hughes to respond to the “no bid contracts” that were entered into by the Philadelphia School district that have caused the district to spend approximately $4 Million dollars in legal fees to defend the “no bid contracts”.
I also asked for a response to the “ghost teachers” in the Philadelphia School District who were paid $1.7 Million Dollars in salaries and never stepped foot in the classroom, but in fact were working for the Philadelphia teachers union.
Below are links to each of the news stories referenced above.
No Bid School Contracts Is Costing Millions – http://articles.philly.com/2015-07-20/news/64599372_1_ibs-communications-inc-contractors-eligible-dougherty-case
Philly Ghost Teachers Made $1.7 Million Last Year – http://watchdog.org/213400/philly-ghost-teachers-made-1-7m-last-year/
It seems Senator Vincent Hughes doesn’t want to talk about corruption in the Philadelphia School District – so why should I as a Senator vote for a ridiculous budget when everyone who receives money from Harrisburg should be held accountable first – enough is enough – it is time for accountability and not more money.
How do you feel about the suggestion of accountability?
By the way – I would like to know what Senator Hughes’ annual pension amount will be when he leaves the Senate.
It is time for Senator Vincent Hughes, and many others, to be held accountable for the votes they made in the past which have resulted in the poor financial situation Pennsylvania is in today.
Sen. Wagner represents the 28th District in the Pennsylvania Senate.