Month: March 2016

Tomlinson Funeral Business Called Conflict

Tomlinson Funeral Business Called Conflict By Leo Knepper

In early January, we noted the conflict of interest between Senator Robert “Tommy” Tomlinson’s (R-6) role in the legislature and professional life as a funeral director:

“These two careers shouldn’t interfere with each other, but Sen. Tomlinson’s role as chairman of the Senate of Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee is putting his two jobs in conflict, raising profound ethical questions that should concern Pennsylvania taxpayers. Tomlinson Funeral Business Called Conflict

“Despite no documented consumer complaints, his committee and the Senate have approved SB 874, pushed by Sen. Tomlinson and his fellow funeral directors to stop legitimate competition with cemeteries in the area of pre-need sales. The name of the committee is ironic since the legislation would create less competition and higher prices for families burying loved ones.

“While he isn’t the prime sponsor of SB 874, Capitol insiders refer to it as ‘Tommy’s bill.’ Many are rightly calling this bill a product of a ‘turf war’ between southeastern Pennsylvania funeral homes and a company called StoneMor.”

Rather than backing off of the legislation that would benefit him personally, Senator Tomlinson has not only doubled down he is now using his position as Chairman in an attempt to extort the House:

“He has warned lawmakers he will not run certain bills out of his committee until his counterparts in the House Consumer Affairs Committee pass the cemetery bill, a source said. As a result, two water companies, which have no connection to the funeral industry, are lobbying the House to approve the cemetery bill so their bills, already approved by the House, get a fair shake in the Senate, that source said…Rep. Robert Godshall, R-Montgomery, chairman of the House Consumer Affairs Committee, declined to comment, saying he did not want the situation to get worse for the Legislature.” (Emphasis added)

Sen. Tomlinson denies that he is using his position to benefit his family business. Despite statements from the Federal Trade Commission indicating that the changes are unnecessary and would result in higher prices, Tomlinson insists that he wants to change the law for the benefit of consumers.

We will keep you informed about the legislation if there is any movement, or if Tomlinson can explain how higher prices and reduced competition are good for you.

Mr. Knepper is executive director of Citizens Alliance of Pennsylvania.

Tomlinson Funeral Business Called Conflict

William Lawrence Sr Omnibit 3-2-16

So why do we call the pants jeans and denims? Credit the French. Weavers in Genoa, Italy back in the 1600s developed an inexpensive but tough blue fabric that became popular in France. The French name for Genoa was Genes and hence comes jeans. Then weavers in Nimes, France created their own version. This fabric was said to come from “de Nimes” (from Nimes) and hence comes denims.

So why do we call the pants jeans and denims? Credit the French. Weavers in Genoa, Italy back in the 1600s developed an inexpensive but tough blue fabric that became popular in France. The French name for Genoa was Genes and hence comes jeans. Then weavers in Nimes, France created their own version. This fabric was said to come from "de Nimes" (from Nimes) and hence comes denims. Why do we call the pants jeans and denims William Lawrence Sr Omnibit 3-2-16

Millennials Socialism And Hope

Millennials Socialism And Hope — Some pundits are expressing fear for the Republic because of reports that “millennials” are embracing socialism. Millennials Socialism And Hope

A “millennial” can be loosely described as someone born between 1985 and 2000. A recent poll found that 53 percent of them had views favorable to socialism.

When the polling is broken down further, though, we find that while 58 percent of those between 18 and 24 like socialism, 56 percent of those between 25 and 34 don’t.

The older millennials, by the way, hate socialism more than those in 35 to 44 year old category of whom just 52 percent disapprove.

Take this all as a good sign.

If you are not a socialist at 20 you have no heart. If you are not a conservative at 30 you have no brain.

The kids are on the right path it seems but to help them along we offer these quotes on socialism from noted National Socialist propagandist Joseph Goebbels.

Yes children, the Nazis were socialists.

Money is the curse of mankind. It smothers the seed of everything great and good. Every penny is sticky with sweat and blood. . . .It poisons our own values and subjects us to the service of low and base instincts.
Joseph Goebbels

To be a socialist is to submit the I to the thou; socialism is sacrificing the individual to the whole.
Joseph Goebbels

Lenin is the greatest man, second only to Hitler, and that the difference between Communism and the Hitler faith is very slight.  
Joseph Goebbels

The worker in a capitalist state—and that is his deepest misfortune—is no longer a living human being, a creator, a maker. He has become a machine. A number, a cog in the machine without sense or understanding. He is alienated from what he produces.”
Joseph Goebbels

We are against the political bourgeoisie, and for genuine nationalism! We are against Marxism, but for true socialism!
Joseph Goebbels

It is rotten and dismal that a world of so many hundred million people should be ruled by a single caste that has the power to lead millions to life or to death, indeed on a whim…This caste has spun its web over the entire earth; capitalism recognizes no national boundaries…Capitalism has learned nothing from recent events and wants to learn nothing, because it places its own interests ahead of those of the other millions.
Joseph Goebbels

Millennials Socialism And Hope

More Budget Hearings Reveal More Waste

More Budget Hearings Reveal More Waste by Sen. Scott WagnerMore Budget Hearings Reveal More Waste

Last week, Governor Wolf disclosed that he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer – Governor Wolf reported that his cancer was detected in the early stages and that he would be under-going treatments – although Governor Wolf and I do not agree on many issues – I want to take this opportunity to wish Governor Wolf a full and speedy recovery.

Yesterday (Feb. 29) the Pennsylvania Senate Appropriations Committee held budget hearings for the Department of Corrections, Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and the Department of Labor & Industry.

The first hearing held was for the Department of Corrections. For the 2016-17 budget year the Department is looking for a $200 million  increase in funding.

Within the $200 million request are $73 million that will be used for pension obligations.

Most troubling is to learn that overtime at Corrections facilities is out of control.

A review of last year’s over time records reveal that:

7 Employees made more than $100,000 in overtime

130 employees made more than $50,000 in overtime

Nearly 1,000 employees made more than $25,000 in overtime

More than 3,700 employees made more than $10,000 in overtime.

The total of all of the categories listed above is $69.2 million for overtime. Factor in benefits of dollar to dollar of actual pay and the total cost of the overtime is almost $140 million.

Consider the request in funding of $200 million — $73 million for Pensions and $140 million for overtime with benefits  equals $213 million.

It is important to note that personnel earning large amounts of money working overtime fully understand that by driving their full annual earnings as high as possible will result in a greater payout for their pension when they retire. Annual pension payouts are based on a percentage of earnings at the time that the person retires.

The overtime cost is particularly troublesome because the Department of Corrections has increased it’s staffing by more than 400 positions over the last year.

During the hearing we challenged the Secretary of Corrections by asking what can be done to control the Correction Department’s spending on overtime.

The Department continues to hire more staff and overtime costs continue to skyrocket.

It is important to point out that inmate population has decreased over the last four years. Total employees within the Department of Corrections as of the 2014-15 year was at 17,259. Of the total number at least 14,000 employees are unionized. It is my opinion is that the Department of Corrections has become so large that it has become unmanageable and must be reined in quickly.

The second hearing was for the Department of Transportation (PennDOT).

A major finding reveals that the Pennsylvania State Police receive funding through Gasoline and Diesel Fuel taxes collected by PennDOT.

If you recall in November of 2013 the legislature increased the gasoline and diesel taxes to fund more road and bridge construction projects.

History reveals that in 2001 a change was made to fund the State Police out of fuel taxes. A cap was to be put in place. It never was. In the 2001-02 year funding to the State Police from fuel taxes was $351.8 million. For the 2016-17 year it is projected to be $813.9 million.

The funding the State Police will receive from Penn-DOT in 2016-17 over the 2015-16 year is a 7.2-percent increase.

Using the current funding scenario where Pennsylvania motor fuel taxes fund the State Police – 11.7 cents on every gallon of motor vehicle fuel goes toward State Police funding.

Another large challenge Pennsylvania faces is that cars and trucks continue to get greater fuel efficiency – meaning more miles per gallon as the EPA mandates that car and truck manufacturers increase fuel efficiency.

As electric cars and vehicles powered by natural gas become more popular — they do not pay fuel taxes – there will be less tax revenue to fix roads and bridges.

In addition, as our population continues to age, people in their 70’s and up are driving less. Many millennials that grew up in Pennsylvania that live in large cities are choosing not to own a ca. Many people are also using Uber instead of owning car. This again also means less motor fuel taxes generated.

It is important to point out that Pennsylvania has one of the lowest passenger vehicle registration fees in the nation. I continue to be very aware of the thousands of trucks that enter Pennsylvania every day from Maryland on I-83, travel to I-81 and other routes through Pennsylvania without purchasing diesel fuel in our state because fuel taxes in surrounding states are anywhere from 20 to 30 cents less.

A large over the road truck can hold up to 200 gallons or more of diesel fuel – if they re-fuel in MD or NY the savings in fuel taxes over PA could be $40 to $60 per re-fuel.

The Pennsylvania State Police serve a critical function and it is important that we find a way to fund them without using liquid fuel taxes.

Fuel taxes were increased to rebuild Pennsylvania’s roads and bridges – the budgeted amount of over $800 million should be going to road and bridge construction, not funding the State Police.

Pennsylvania has the highest fuel taxes in the nation – click here for a chart of nationwide gasoline taxes.

Click here to view diesel taxes.

The last hearing was for the Department of Labor and Industry (L&I).

The number of employees with L&I as of 2014-15 was 5,902 – the Department is looking for an increase from the General Fund of 8.2 percent.

The Department of Labor & Industry is also a critical department of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and it provides critical functions such as elevator inspections, fuel tank inspections, and provides workers compensation insurance through the SWITF Fund (State Workers Insurance Trust Fund).

As I sat through all of the budget hearings last week and so far this week my brain remains focused on this:

It was reported last week during the hearing for the Treasury Department that the rate of inflation as reported by the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh CPI indexes was a negative number (0.02 percent for the 2015 year – so if inflation is negative and revenue coming into the state is growing at approximately 3 percent per year (mainly through Personal Income Taxes and state Sales Tax) and each agency in Pennsylvania is looking for funding increases greater than 3 percent  additional money over and above 3 percent must come from somewhere. Governor Wolf has a solution for the somewhere answer – increase taxes on Pennsylvanians.

It is very clear that state employee benefit costs coupled with the current pension crisis are now approaching one dollar  for every dollar  of pay — if this trend was taking place in the private sector business world it would mean CODE RED to do something — Pennsylvania is about to get buried in the dust.

I have a solution. We must get Pennsylvania State Government spending under control and go on a diet. It will require many tough decisions and will require making changes and getting away from the status quo.

Governor Wolf. it is time to act. Every day we delay  the pain will increase for Pennsylvanians.

Raising taxes is not the answer. Taking action on spending is the answer.
Sen. Wagner represents the 28th District in the Pennsylvania Senate.

More Budget Hearings Reveal More Waste

Political Class Faces Rebellion

Political Class Faces Rebellion — A big win is expected for Donald Trump this Super Tuesday night and while expectations are not certainties there is a reason for the expectations.

Political Class Faces Rebellion
Billionaire of the People

Most Americans are bat-caca upset with those who have been controlling the political process. This includes the elected officials, appointed officials, hired bureaucrats, non-profit tax-funded administrators and the media that duly regurgitates what it is told by those getting rich off tax dollars.

We have been manipulated by the craven for decades. How? Let’s take a recent case. Most of us want those down on their luck to have access to health care so we agree to a program that will provide this aid which we are told will actually make things better for all.

But then life gets worse  especially for those paying the bill.

And then we learn that those responsible for the problem in the first place are laughing to the bank.

Kind of makes you want to build a guillotine don’t it?

Or consider education. Most Americans think education is pretty important. We are told the “schools are underfunded” so we say “gotta help the kids” so we tighten our belt and let more of our money go to taxes.

And now we learn that the schools aren’t underfunded but the government people are still asking for money anyway so we start wondering where it goes and we start finding answers.

Revolution cometh.

Political Class Faces Rebellion