Category: Pa Legislature

The push by the wannabee lords and ladies to disenfranchise the citizens of Pennsylvania continues.

Jack Nagel, a professor emeritus of political science at Penn, has a guest view in today’s (June 25) Philadelphia Inquirer about how the unicorns will play and the rainbows will shine if the size of our legislature is shrunk as per the proposed constitutional amendment passed by the State House that is pending before the State Senate, or –better yet in his view — have the entire legislature turned into a unicameral body with proportional representation like a European parliament

The Amendment on the table while not turning our legislature into a total highway to central government control as per Nagel’s wish will cut the size of Pennsylvania’s House from 203 to 153 and the size of the Senate from 50 to 45 (the Senate’s preference) or 38 (the House’s preference).

The argument being made is that it will save money as our legislators draw a base salary of $84,012, which is second highest in the nation behind corrupt California.

OK, help me out here. If we were trying to save money wouldn’t it be better to cut the salary by 25 percent rather than the number of representatives by 25 percent?

Even better yet, how about we cut the salaries to $7,500 — which is what Texas legislators get — and leave the size as is? That would be a 91 percent savings.  Texas by all accounts is doing pretty well.

Or how about this: we cut the salaries of the legislators to $7,500 — and end all benefits — and expand the number of senators to 67 with each county getting its own senator.

That way Anthony Williams won’t have to represent Philadelphia and Delaware counties.

Disenfranchisement Push Continues

State Rep. Daryl Metcalfe (R-12) took to the floor of the Pennsylvania House to defend himself against attacks made against his character to the ire of the real bullies and bigots of our society.

Standing up to the bullies and bigot is something all people who care about things like the truth and other people should do. Well done Rep. Metcalfe.

Watch Metcalfe defend himself here:

Daryl Metcalfe Responds

Members of the Pennsylvania House return to the Capitol, today, Sept. 23, for fall session, says State Rep. Jim Cox (R-129).

Several important issues will be on the agenda, including pro-jobs measures and pension reform. In addition, lawmakers will continue to work to identify funding for much-needed repairs to the state’s transportation infrastructure, while also working to ensure any plan does not substantially increase the burden for taxpayers.

Court Upholds Redistricting Plan — The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has upheld the constitutionality of a plan to redraw the boundaries of state House and Senate districts following the 2010 census, reports State Rep. Jim Cox (R-129)

Court Upholds Redistricting Plan

10 Pennsylvania Legislators Reject Pensions — The difference between a leader and a tyrant is that a leader acts first expecting others to follow knowing full well that he will share in their sacrifice while a tyrant orders others to accept pain in order to keep himself in wealth and comfort.

Brad Bumsted, the Harrisburg reporter for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, informs us that there are 10 true leaders in the Republican contingent in the state Capitol, as that is the number who refusing their legislative pensions.

They are: Rep. Matt Gabler of Clearfield County,  Rep. Tom Sankey of Clearfield County, Rep. Rick Saccone of Allegheny/Washington counties, Rep. Rosemarie Swanger of Lebanon County, Rep. John McGinnis of Altoona, Rep. Justin Simmons of Lehigh County,  Chester County representatives Dan Truitt, Warren Kampf and John Lawrence, and Sen. Mike Folmer of Lebanon.

The average legislative pension is $31,314 with some reaching $120,000. The honest 10 are making a real sacrifice. They deserve your thanks and praise.

Hat tip Bob Guzzardi.

State Representative Jim Cox (R-129 has assigned to serve on four standing House committees during the 2013-14 legislative session — the Commerce, Professional Licensure, Game & Fisheries, and Labor & Industry committees.

“These committees play a significant role in reviewing legislation that greatly impacts our economy,” Cox said. “From determining company behaviors to deciding who is licensed to work in certain sectors and how employers and employees will get along, the legislation I will be reviewing will help chart our economic future. Each of these committees deals with a segment of our Commonwealth that greatly contributes to our economy. I’m excited about the important work ahead.”

The state House Commerce Committee vets legislation regulating the behavior of Pennsylvania companies.

The House Professional Licensure Committee reviews legislation that establishes rules governing the licenses required to engage in certain professions in the Commonwealth.

The House Game & Fisheries Committee deals with legislation that affects hunters, fishers and outdoor enthusiasts.

The House Labor & Industry Committee handles legislation dealing with employee-employer relations and the Commonwealth’s unemployment compensation system.

“While I am pleased to serve on these committees, they will not detract from my main focus, which is replacing school district property taxes,” Cox said. “I plan to reintroduce the Property Tax Independence Act and work with the grassroots taxpayer groups that are pushing for it to be enacted into law.”

Cox On 4 State House Committees