Wolf Labor Contracts Cost Taxpayers Over $1 Billion
By Leo Knepper
Governor Tom Wolf negotiated a sweetheart deal with the four largest state labor unions. That is to say, it is good for them but expensive for taxpayers.
Over the next four years, taxpayers will be shelling out an additional $1.1 billion to some of the largest donors to Governor Wolf’s re-election campaign. These same unions donated millions to get Wolf re-elected, and that raises the question: Who was looking out for taxpayers at the negotiating table?
The answer is clearly no one, and that is one of the reasons that historical figures like Franklin D. Roosevelt opposed government unions. FDR stated, “The process of collective bargaining, as usually understood, cannot be transplanted into the public service.” Keeping in mind that the government unions negotiating for more tax dollars are also some of the largest spenders on political campaigns, it is no wonder why government at every level is in financial shambles.
The new contracts are the most recent example of a broken system, and it is something that goes beyond any one governor or even any one political party. Pennsylvania’s financial mismanagement is bipartisan:
Governor Ridge gave government employees a 25 percent increase to their pensions, and members of the legislature, at the time, received a 50 percent bump.
Governor Rendell sold the public on a transportation plan that is bankrupting the Turnpike.
And, Governor Corbett gave Pennsylvania the highest gas taxes in the county.
Pennsylvania doesn’t have a Republican or Democrat problem. Politicians from both parties have been driving the Commonwealth toward a cliff. One party’s policies will just get us there faster.
Mr. Knepper is executive director of Citizens Alliance of Pennsylvania.
Wolf Labor Contracts Cost Taxpayers Over $1 Billion
What have I been saying? ALL corruption has to be bipartisan. There is no way one side can be so corrupt as to control everything. From Local to National politics, corruption is always bipartisan. This is why it is ridiculous to think either the Republicans or the Democrats are of higher moral ground.
I am not sure there is a “higher moral ground” at all. There is no “high road” that leads to it. It sounds like a mythical place that exists in our imaginations only.
–ALL corruption has to be bipartisan. There is no way one side can be so corrupt as to control everything. From Local to National politics, corruption is always bipartisan.–
Well said, Pauline, and I’m sure Leo thanks you Elaine.
I agree and you are correct.
Good article !
If contracts were awarded by state government then it falls under prevailing wage. So union and non union labor would cost the same. The article seems to try to make unions the enemy. One of the things that is holding the economy and standard of living and working condition standards in Pa is that there is still strong union presence.