Category: Sen. Scott Wagner

SEIU Abandons Members, Backs Scrooge Wolf

SEIU Abandons Members, Backs Scrooge Wolf

By Scott Wagner

SEIU Abandons Members, Backs Scrooge Wolf
Scrooge Wolf

There are two different types of unions operating in Pennsylvania – public sector unions and private sector unions.

Public sector unions represent government employees and other workers such as school teachers.

Public sector unions in Pennsylvania include the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), and  the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).

One of the largest public sector unions is the school teachers’ union. The Pennsylvania State Education Association, also known as the “PSEA”, representing approximately 180,000 members.

Members of the PSEA union pay annual dues of approximately $800 to $1,000. This money is, by law, deducted from every employees paycheck.

From union dues alone, the PSEA is collecting between $140 million  and $180 million annually.

Is anyone else scratching their head wondering what the PSEA does with all of the dues money collected from members?

The second union group is private sector unions, also known as “trade unions.”

These trade unions represent carpenters, plumbers, electrical workers, brick layers, and steamfitters, to name a few.

There is huge difference between public sector unions and private sector unions.

Public Sector Unions, also known as government unions, negotiate over tax dollars, which are viewed as an endless source of revenue. Government union leaders can, and do, constantly seek more taxpayer money for their own benefit.

Private sector unions negotiate over company profits, meaning when the company is not profitable, the union recognizes that and negotiates accordingly.

As you can see, the source of revenue is very different for each of these groups.

Over the last few weeks, the issue of furlough for over 500 state employees at various Pennsylvania Unemployment Compensation Call Centers has been a front and center issue.

Many people have weighed in with their opinions on who exactly is to blame for these furloughs; Governor Wolf or the state senate.

Frank Sirianni, president of the Pennsylvania State Building and Construction Trades Council is quoted in an article by Chris Comisac from  Capitol Wire saying:

“In all reality, they don’t have to cut there,” said Frank Sirianni, president of the Pennsylvania State Building and Construction Trades Council about the planned UC call center closures. “They can cut somewhere else – they’re doing that because it’s a high leverage point, and they can leverage other people with it.”

SEIU Abandons Members, Backs Scrooge Wolf
This flyer was distributed by union leadership regarding the pending layoffs of state workers. Note how it doesn’t mention Gov. Wolf who could stop the job losses with a wave of a pen.

At a state office building union representatives, Wednesday, Dec. 7, were handing out a flyer that references me.

I have repeatedly stated that the SEIU, which represents the workers of the Unemployment Compensation Call Centers, should use the union dues they have collected from their members to put together a plan of legal action to block the closure of the call centers.

In addition to losing their jobs, the effected call center employees will have their benefits terminated at 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 19. Why haven’t their union representatives stepped in and offered to cover the cost of the health insurance for  their members for the next six to 12 months?

If asked these questions, the union will respond and say that they do not have the money to file legal action or to cover the cost of the employees health care for a few months. What happened to all the dues money that was collected from these call center employees?

According to “How Union Bosses Sold Out Their Workers” by Real Clear Politics — published the day the flyer was being distributed —  $100 million–  money collected from their members —  was spent on political races in support of losing candidates.

Just think how much health insurance coverage could be provided to these union dues-paying members with that $100 million.

As of right now, It appears that Gov. Wolf is going to allow the layoffs to take place. It also appears that the SEIU union will be not assisting their members.

It is very unfortunate that Gov. Wolf is laying off the call center workers on Dec. 19, just six days short of Christmas.

Sen. Wagner represents the 28th District in the Pennsylvania Senate.

SEIU Abandons Members, Backs Scrooge Wolf

 

Unemployment Calls Center Closings Political Game

Unemployment Calls Center Closings Political Game

By Sen. Scott Wagner

Unemployment Calls Center Closings Political GameContained in this column is a response letter that I submitted to the York Daily Record regarding the closing of state Unemployment Compensation Call Centers.

Very simply put – it is time to “Drain the Swamp in Harrisburg.”

I am completely sympathetic toward the union employees affected by this political game orchestrated by Governor Wolf.

Last month I met a Maryland State Senator and she was asking me how I liked being an elected official.

I told her a few stories of the waste, fraud and abuse that I see every day in Harrisburg and how powerless I see our Legislature when it comes to out of control spending.

She made a statement to me which cut right to the center of the problem in Government, whether in Harrisburg or Washington, DC.

The Senator stated, “The real problem in government is the career bureaucrats who work in government as a full career. They watch elected officials come and go and most times have an attitude that we have to put up with certain elected officials until they move on or get out of government. These career bureaucrats are the belly of the beast.”

How true is that statement ?

Trust me on this – the people who elected me are the real patriots. I am honored that the voters trusted me. I can assure you on this point – I will not stop until the swamp is drained in Harrisburg. I am on my way to the scuba shop to get the gear necessary to go down in the water, find the drain, and drain the swamp.

There are billions of dollars being wasted in Harrisburg – it is time to hold people accountable.

Below is the letter.

I am writing in response to Carl Huber’s letter to the editor (“Scott Wagner playing Scrooge this holiday,” Nov. 28).

Unfortunately, the call center employees have become political hostages of Gov. Wolf – so don’t blame me or my senate colleagues.

I was elected as a Pennsylvania state senator to do a job. I am expected to do my job. I will not be a rubber stamp for waste, fraud and abuse in Harrisburg.

There is an alarming amount of taxpayer money being wasted in Harrisburg. I see it first-hand every day. This project was fed approximately $240 million over the last four years with zero accountability. Now the senate is being pressured into throwing another $57.5 million down a black hole without any questions being asked.

In 2006, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania signed a $106.9 million contract with IBM to be completed in 2009.

IBM’s contract was to give the state a new computer system to track employee wages, employer taxes, handle unemployment claims, appeals, and payments.

In July of 2013, the state terminated the contract with IBM because it was $60 million over budget. The $60 million was in addition to the $106.9 million initial contract, and it was 42 months late. What happened with this contract? Who was held accountable for the cancelled IBM contract?

Later in 2013, the Legislature voted to allocate $60 million per year for four years, and that ends at the end of this year. This was for the same project that was contracted with IBM and then cancelled.

So let’s recap for taxpayers – $106 million plus another $60 million for IBM.  Add the last four years of $60 million per year for a total of $240 million – all for a grand total of more than $400 million in taxpayer money.

Everywhere I go throughout the state, taxpayers complain to me about the pension crisis, school property taxes, and many other hot button issues such as lack of accountability in Harrisburg. If we don’t stop the waste and abuse of taxpayer money, we will never fix other problems in Pennsylvania.

Without getting into too much detail, there is another project that has wasted almost $1 billion of taxpayer money over the last 10 years, and that is the statewide radio system. Guess what – the statewide radio system doesn’t work!

Gov. Wolf recently terminated the 10-year failed radio contract and re-signed with another company in the last 90 days for another stab at the statewide radio project.

That’s another almost $1 billion wasted. Again, I ask – who is being held accountable?

I have a suggestion for the affected employees at the call centers: Why don’t the union officials who represent you and collect dues from the affected employees at the state call centers that Gov. Wolf is threatening to close look into taking legal action to stop the layoffs and force Gov. Wolf to find funding to keep these employees from being laid off?

Instead of criticizing me or my colleagues in the senate, the unions who represent these affected workers and collect dues from these same workers should step up and fight for them.

Is the relationship between these unions and Gov. Wolf too cozy for them to fight for their members?

To Carl Huber: You are obviously a Democrat by your Republican comment in your letter. As an elected Pennsylvania state senator, I represent Democrats, Republicans, and Independents.

Maybe waste and abuse of taxpayer money in Harrisburg is not an issue for you – but I can assure you a large majority of the taxpayers in Pennsylvania are fed up with Harrisburg.

Sen. Wagner represents the 28th District in the Pennsylvania Senate.

Unemployment Calls Center Closings Political Game

Petty Wolf Punishes Opponents For Doing Job

Petty Wolf Punishes Opponents For Doing JobPetty Wolf Punishes Opponents For Doing Job

By Sen. Scott Wagner

Last Wednesday, Nov. 16, the Pennsylvania  Senate had one session day in which Senate Leadership for the next legislature session was elected and several bills were considered. One bill that caught my attention was House Bill 2375 which would have amended the Unemployment Compensation Law to provide up to $57.5 million in funding to the Service and Infrastructure Improvement Fund (SIIF) in calendar year 2017.

The bill clarified that money may be used for technological upgrades to the delivery system for unemployment compensation benefits. A lively discussion took place in the Senate Republican Caucus at which point I learned that four years ago the legislature approved $60 million per year for four years to upgrade the delivery system (computer hardware and software).

Wait a minute – the legislature authorized $60 million a year for four years  which ends on Dec. 31. Over four years the Department of Labor and Industry (L&I) was given $240 million and now they want another $57.5 million? I have had enough of zero accountability in Harrisburg. Why wasn’t the project completed on time and why was the Senate expected to vote to give L&I another $57.5 million at the eleventh hour?

Later that afternoon, after the Senate did not vote to give L&I the additional $57.5 million dollars, Governor Wolf issued a press release that he was angered by the Senate’s failure to vote and approve this funding and that call centers may close. Over the next two days, Thursday and Friday, Governor Wolf stated that call centers will close around the state because of the funding issue. Not a surprise to me, Governor Wolf has selected to close call centers that are all in Republican Senate Districts.

In the private sector people would lose their jobs if $240 million was spent to upgrade  a system and then four years later it was still not completed. A good place to start would be to fire the Secretary of Labor and Industry and the managers who failed to deliver the final product. And who does the Secretary of Labor and Industry report to? Governor Wolf.

Why aren’t people being held accountable in Harrisburg?

In 2018, taxpayers of Pennsylvania get to hold Governor Wolf accountable and elect him out of office.

This is another great example of abuse of taxpayer funds, lack of leadership from Gov. Wolf and his unwillingness to hold people accountable. I have had enough.

I have been in Harrisburg since April 2014 and I have witnessed first-hand the financial games being played by Gov. Wolf and his Administration. Trust me when I tell you this, Gov. Wolf and his Budget Secretary know where to find money to continue to fund the call centers.

Gov. Wolf did not have a problem finding money this past August to give almost 30,000 state employees wage increases of almost 12 percent over a 27 month period – based on my calculation these wage increases total over $150 million and were not part of the 2016-17 budget. I serve on the Senate Appropriations Committee and we were not informed of these increased wage costs.

I was elected by voters in the 28th Senate District to do my job – the pension crisis has not been solved, school property taxes continue to increase, roads and bridges are crumbling, and we have the highest state gas tax in the nation – it is time we hold Harrisburg accountable which starts in the Governor’s office.

Stay tuned and watch how Governor Wolf grandstands and turns this issue into a political issue resulting in closing call centers and using state employees as hostages.
Sen. Wagner represents the 28th District in the Pennsylvania Senate.

Petty Wolf Punishes Opponents For Doing Job

Keystone State Key In Trump Win

Keystone State Key In Trump Win

By Sen. Scott Wagner Keystone State Key In Trump Win

We did it!

What a roller coaster election.

Congratulations to the 2.9 million Pennsylvania voters who came out yesterday and cast their vote for Donald J. Trump as our next President of the United States.

We have once again earned our nickname, “The Keystone State.”

Pennsylvania was instrumental in pushing Donald Trump over the finish line, turning our state RED for the first time since 1988.

York County voters came out big to vote for Donald Trump.

Here in York County, the unofficial vote count is as follows:
Donald Trump – 126,933
Hillary Clinton – 67,428

I keep hearing the same question being asked in the media: How did this happen?

I can tell you how it happened.

Working class men and women came out in record numbers to vote for Donald Trump.

They’re tired and fed up with getting the same old excuses out of our elected officials and bureaucrats in Washington.

Our roads and bridges are crumbling; Obamacare is strangling the middle class; our economy is stagnant; and most importantly, taxpayers are tired of being overlooked and underappreciated.

Donald Trump’s victory is a huge win for taxpayers – your message and this Movement were heard loud and clear.

I’m optimistic that Donald Trump will surround himself with professionals who are experts in their fields and can help him be successful.

I am also happy to report that we have secured a veto-proof majority in the Pennsylvania State Senate.

Republicans picked up three more Pennsylvania State Senate seats, giving us the ability to override the Governor’s veto pen.

In a huge upset in Erie, Dan Laughlin was able to claim victory in the 49th Senatorial District.

My long-time friend John DiSanto was able to unseat the Democratic incumbent in Harrisburg winning the 15th Senatorial District.

Wayne Langerholc was able to claim victory in the 35th Senatorial District which covers Bedford, Cambria and Clearfield counties.

Finally, Senator Tom Killion was re-elected to serve a full four-year term in the 9th Senatorial District representing the Philadelphia suburbs.

We were unsuccessful securing the 19th Senatorial District which covers Chester County but we had a superior candidate, Jack London, who as of this past Sunday knocked on over 21,000 doors in the District.

As the Cycle Chairman for the Senate Republican Campaign Committee (SRCC), I am extremely proud of our candidates who were on the ballot this year and I look forward to working with our newest Senators to Make Pennsylvania Great Again.

A special thank you to our volunteers across the Commonwealth. You are the unsung heroes of elections. Without you, we wouldn’t be celebrating these victories today.

Sen. Wagner represents the 28th District in the Pennsylvania Senate.

Keystone State Key In Trump Win

Hillary Juror Question From Sen.Wagner

Hillary Juror Question

By Sen. Scott Wagner

The Presidential election is just five days away and both the Clinton and Trump campaigns are in full gear to win.

Hillary Juror Question From Sen.Wagner
Imagine you were on their jury.

I am deeply disturbed as the news continues to pour out every day revealing more of Hillary Clinton’s activities while she served as the Secretary of State for our country and her involvement with the Clinton Foundation. 

The news last week that the FBI has obtained more emails from Hillary Clinton’s top aide Huma Abedin via her husband Anthony Weiner, a former U.S. Congressman, has turned this story of massive political obstruction into a complete disgrace of our justice system.

If you or I broke 1% of the laws broken by Hillary Clinton we would have been arrested, convicted and given a life sentence in prison.

Here is a great example of what I am talking about.

It has now become clear from news reports that President Obama had inserted himself into the FBI and Justice Department investigation which resulted in no charges being brought against Hillary Clinton.

Over the last several weeks President and Mrs. Obama have been campaigning across the country for Hillary Clinton – both of the Obama’s are traveling on Air Force One with Secret Service Security Details campaigning for Hillary Clinton all paid for by American Taxpayers. Does that bother you? IT BOTHERS ME.

News articles have reported the following:

 FBI Docs:  Aide Destroyed Hillary’s Old Phones With A Hammer:

http://dailycaller.com/2016/09/02/fbi-docs-aide-destroyed-hillarys-old-phones-with-a-hammer/

Clinton Foundation Scandal: A Justice Department Cover-Up Exposed?:

http://www.investors.com/politics/editorials/clinton-foundation-scandal-a-justice-dept-cover-up-exposed/

 Bill Clinton’s airport run-in with Loretta Lynch was no accident:

http://nypost.com/2016/10/03/book-details-how-team-obama-schemed-to-let-hillary-skate/

Memo shows Bill Clinton’s wealth was tied to Clinton Foundation:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/onpolitics/2016/10/27/memo-shows-bill-clintons-wealth-tied-clinton-foundation/92842822/

The FBI Director’s Unworthy Choice:

http://www.wsj.com/articles/the-fbi-directors-dishonorable-choice-1477863402

It is completely baffling to me that there are Americans who are willing to turn a blind eye to the criminal activities committed by Bill and Hillary Clinton.

Simply put, Bill and Hillary Clinton are criminals and the thought that these two criminals would step foot inside the White House makes me sick to my stomach and outraged as an American.

 All of the criminal activities committed by the Clinton’s and their foundation took place while Hillary Clinton was receiving a paycheck from the federal government. I ask again – do you smell rotten fish?  

 Donald Trump is by no means an altar boy but his words and actions have not begun to approach the level of political corruption committed by the Clinton’s.

I will be glad to wake up next Wednesday morning with this election behind us. The American people are now catching on to Hillary Clinton’s bag of tricks and her mission to do anything she has to do to get elected.

I ask you to vote next week with this thought in mind: If you were selected for jury duty and you were asked to serve as a juror during a Hillary Clinton federal political corruption trial where bribery, destroying of evidence, influence pedaling, and violating national security laws were the major issues that she was charged with, would you as a juror, based on the evidence presented by the prosecution, find her guilty or not guilty?

When I vote next Tuesday for the next President of the United States, my choice is very clear – I will be voting for Donald Trump.

Sen. Wagner represents the 28th District in the Pennsylvania Senate.

Hillary Juror Question From Sen.Wagner

Harrisburg Broken. Really, Really Broken

Harrisburg Broken. Really, Really Broken

Harrisburg Broken. Really, Really BrokenBy Sen. Scott Wagner

In my past articles, I have reported repeatedly many of the findings in Harrisburg where I see first-hand waste, fraud and abuse.

Here is another great example of how mismanaged Harrisburg really is. Last Thursday (Sept. 29) the Auditor General held a press conference and reported the findings of an audit that was performed at the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS). 

It was reported at the press conference that from July 2013 to June 2014 DHS paid public assistance benefits (CASH) to over 2,300 deceased (DEAD) people.

Click here for a report from TV station WNEP- http://wnep.com/2016/09/29/audit-2300-deceased-people-on-welfare/

I continue to pound on the table that “Harrisburg does not have a revenue problem – Harrisburg has a spending problem.”

Well here is another slogan – “Harrisburg is out of control – zero accountability – who cares, it is not our money.”

I have reported previously that there is a total lack of accountability in the various state agencies. DHS is the best example of an agency out of control.

You may ask yourself how an agency could be out of control. Here is the best and most accurate answer: Lack of leadership, direction and accountability.

Where should leadership, direction, and accountability start in Harrisburg you might ask – here is the simple answer – the Governor’s office.

Gov. Wolf has been in office for almost two years and I have not seen any large initiatives in any single state agency to determine how well a specific agency is performing or not performing.

In the last several months I have met with two separate companies and their representatives who have presented to me a scenario where, due to fraud and abuse, there are between $1.8 billion to $4 billion of fraudulent claims being paid by Medicaid through the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services annually – the $1.8 billion and $4 billion are numbers that the federal government has provided based on total Medicaid dollars spent in Pennsylvania. Medicaid is the subsidized health care program for low income people that is managed by DHS.  What is being done about this fraud and abuse?

Absolutely nothing.

Since the beginning of this year I have received continued complaints from private sector companies and the natural gas industry that the Department of Environmental Resources (DEP) is delaying earth disturbance permits for pipeline projects.

Why are these permits being delayed? Here is the answer:  No leadership, direction and accountability.

Just a few weeks ago I received a complaint from a constituent that a specific agency was not returning telephone calls to discuss the constituent’s issue.  I directed a person in my Senate office to work on a resolution and guess what? Our telephone calls went unanswered.

How could our telephone calls go unanswered? No Leadership, direction and accountability.

I could go on for hours of how mismanaged Harrisburg really is. No leadership, No accountability, career bureaucrats and an attitude that instead of doing any heavy lifting and managing the money that already flows into Harrisburg. The first quick solution is to just raise taxes.

Governors come and go. House and Senate members come and go. Career bureaucrats stay below the radar screen to keep their jobs, generous benefits, and their coveted pensions when they retire.

At the end of September I completed my 30th month (two and a half years) in the Pennsylvania State Senate. All I can say is – WOW. I knew that state government was out of control in Harrisburg before I arrived and guess what?  It is 10 times worse than I expected.

I anticipate that in January of 2017 the Pennsylvania Legislature will be presented with a budget from Governor Wolf that will ask for substantial tax increases.

Who cares?

The current mentality from Governor Wolf is that Pennsylvania taxpayers can afford to pay more taxes.

If you are willing to pay more taxes instead of Governor Wolf providing leadership, direction and holding every person who works in state government accountable, please send me an email so we can put your name on a list so Harrisburg can send you a tax bill.

Out of control government in Harrisburg – the gift that just keeps on taking !

Harrisburg Broken. Really, Really Broken

Republicans Must Back Trump

Republicans Must Back Trump

By Sen. Scott Wagner

Republicans Must Back Trump
Scott Wagner represents the 28th District in the Pennsylvania Senate.

This column is regarding the ever frustrating presidential campaign.

Shown below in this email is a letter to the editor by Charlie Sexton from Delaware County, Pennsylvania.

Charlie Sexton has been involved in politics for over 60 years and is a well-known advocate for Republican candidates and causes in the Philadelphia region and across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Charlie’s letter to the editor makes great points about the upcoming General Election and who we elect as our next President.

I have heard many Republicans over the last several weeks say they will never support Donald Trump.

They’re embarrassed to be associated with him and they’re afraid how they’ll be perceived if they publicly support him.

I can understand to some extent why people are hesitant to put their name behind someone who seems to be constantly putting his foot in his own mouth.

Donald Trump is not polished; he says what he’s thinking and many times he goes off the reservation.

I certainly do not agree with everything he says and does but that does not change the fact that he is our Republican nominee.

Donald Trump was not appointed – Donald Trump was not handpicked – he was elected by individuals across the United States to be the Republican candidate in the upcoming November General Election.

Donald Trump represents a movement by the voters and taxpayers who are sick of the same old waste, fraud, and abuse that has become synonymous with both Washington and Harrisburg.

Donald Trump was elected by individuals who are sick of the status quo and want to see changes.

I have attended many events all around Pennsylvania over the last month – I have heard repeatedly from individuals and elected officials that say, “we need to beat Hillary Clinton.”

Do people understand the path to beating Hillary Clinton in November is by electing Donald Trump? At this point, there is no other way that is going to happen.

A congressman made the following comment to me several weeks ago and I wholeheartedly agree – If Hillary Clinton wins in November every Republican elected official should be concerned.

People need to understand how critical this election is – If Hillary Clinton wins, there’s a good chance Republicans will lose the US House and Senate.

In addition, the single largest factor people need to understand is that if Hillary Clinton is elected she will appoint Supreme Court Justices who will impact our country over the next 40 years.

We cannot afford to have Hillary and Bill Clinton back in the White House.

It is critical that people who want change in America vote for Donald Trump on Nov. 8.

Letter to the Editor: Forgive Trump’s big mouth and let him lead the world
POSTED: 08/08/16, 7:56 PM EDT | UPDATED: 1 DAY AGO

Original Source: http://www.delcotimes.com/opinion/20160808/letter-to-the-editor-forgive-trumps-big-mouth-and-let-him-lead-the-world

To the Times:

I have been involved in American politics for 60 years, starting as a block worker, junior committeeman, committeeman, and township chairman of the most successful Republican committee in Delaware County. I was chairman of the Springfield Township Republican Committee from 1976 to 2007. I was elected by the voters seven times as a delegate to the national convention. I was three times the vice chairman of the credentials committee.

During this 31-year period, as chairman, I said and did some things that were plain dumb and sometimes stupid. Being Irish and not willing to take a punch in the nose was part of my problem; the other part was lack of discipline. The discipline part is something I couldn’t understand, I was a product of Catholic schools and taught by St. Joseph nuns. After my education I enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, I only shot my big mouth off once — they shut it and I found out what discipline was all about.

I was not a supporter of Donald Trump, I like Gov. John Kasich of Ohio. I went out to the convention as an observer, I was not happy when Mr. Trump was nominated. The people who nominated him were representatives who the voters, Republican voters picked, they were from all over the country. A decision was made, an honest and fair decision, by the Republican electorate. Once they made that decision it was and still is my duty as a Republican to support our party’s nominee.

Mr. Trump has made some very bad mistakes with his undisciplined big mouth; probably the biggest mistake was his comments about the Gold Star mother’s silence. I can understand where he is coming from when being attacked verbally by opponents. He must have some Irish in his background because he also will not take a punch in the nose from anyone. If I said to you he must learn discipline, it would be an understatement.

Do I think he will discipline himself in the future? Yes I do. I think he is a smart guy. He has to know that he is destroying his chances to lead this nation into a national recovery, and be the leader of the free world.

I will now tell you my reasons other than he is my party’s choice, for supporting Donald Trump for president.

For the last eight years I have lived through changes in this country that have turned it from a nation that was founded and raised by a capitalistic principles, with a work ethic second to none to become a politically correct welfare state and a divided nation.

President Barack Obama and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton both have blood on their hands from the deaths of our ambassador to Libya. That three o’clock phone call came in and Secretary Clinton did nothing to help protect those brave Americans that made the ultra-sacrifice for our nation. Benghazi is something I think the American people cannot and will not forget. There is also the matter of the missing emails, I heard what the FBI director stated. I heard what she said. Again she lied to the American people. Mrs. Clinton cannot tell the truth when the truth would do.

She was a part of an administration that has been anything but transparent. Now the latest scandal is the money laundering, $400 million in Swiss francs and euros sent to Iran for the release of prisoners held there. She supports this deal that was made with Iran and it is unpopular in this nation. I believe a lot of these funds will find their way to terrorist organizations.

Most importantly is the terrorist organization known as ISIS. This group gained their power and made their so-called bones under Mr. Obama’s and Mrs. Clinton’s watch. How could anyone ever elect her president with the dismal record she has posted as Secretary of State?

As a 27-year-old attorney for the House Judiciary Committee during the Watergate Investigation, Hillary Rodham was fired by her supervisor, Democrat Jerry Zeifman. When asked why Hillary was fired Zeifman said in an interview, “Because she was a liar. She was unethical, dishonest lawyer, she conspired to violate the Constitution, the rules of the House, the rules of the committee, and the rules of confidentiality.”

I submit to you, leopards don’t change their spots.

This election is so important to the future of our children and grandchildren, their safety, the protection of the Constitution with regard to the appointment of Supreme Court justices! Forgive Trump’s dumb, stupid shooting off of the mouth. I do believe he has what is needed to lead the country in a different direction. In all good conscience how could you ever support Secretary Clinton, who can’t tell the truth and had proven by her reckless behavior, at Benghazi, emails, and other misgivings, she is not fit to lead.

Charles P. Sexton Jr., Springfield

Republicans Must Back Trump

Criminal Union Contract In Pa.

Criminal Union Contract In Pa.

By Sen. Scott WagnerCriminal Union Contract In Pa.

There is a phrase in the outside world called “ass backwards”. Here is a story that reinforces this term.

A second phrase that is used frequently is – “Timing is everything.”

And a word that applies to Governor Wolf is “Secrecy.”

Late yesterday afternoon (Aug. 3) Penn Live posted a story titled, “Proposed contracts reached with Pa’s two largest state employee unions.”

The article reports that Governor Wolf negotiated pay increases for employees represented by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 13 and Service Employees International Union Local 668.

The first increase becomes effective on Oct. 1 – there are total of five increases – the last increase becomes effective on Jan. 1, 2019.

Oct. 1, 2016 to Jan. 1, 2019 is 27 months.

Oct. 1, 2016 2.75%
July 1, 2017 2.00%
Jan. 1, 2018 2.25% (Step increase)
July 1, 2018 2.50%
Jan. 1, 2019 2.25% (Step Increase)
Total increase 11.75% – over 27 months

Here is where the “ass backwards” phrase applies – The PA State legislature just voted on the 2016-2017 PA budget this past June. Where in the budget that was just passed are these increased labor costs factored and what is the total cost?

The Independent Fiscal Office is reviewing the contracts so we should know soon how much this will cost PA taxpayers.

Should the legislature have been given details so that we could evaluate these additional labor costs to determine where the money is coming from to cover these costs?

The Penn Live article states that “neither the union or administration would release details of the tentative agreement” – it is important to note that Governor Wolf has the sole authority to negotiate with the public sector unions representing state employees without any input or review from the legislature – the legislature simply gets handed the bill for these increases – this is “Secrecy” at its best.

On Aug. 3 on ABC 27 Governor Wolf stated that he is running for re-election – Governor Wolf gives generous raises to unionized state employees and then announces that he is running for re-election – so you see folks – “Timing is everything.”

My beef as a PA State Senator is with the current budget process in Harrisburg and the lack of transparency – what are the details?

If the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania was a public company traded on the New York Stock Exchange, actions by the legislature, Governor Wolf, and his staff would be considered criminal acts and we would be led out of the Capitol building in handcuffs for hiding money and not disclosing off balance sheet liabilities.

It is important to note that I asked dozens of questions over the last year regarding the budget – I serve on the Senate Appropriations Committee – I asked a lot of questions and did not get answers to many of my questions – Governor Wolf and his budget staff operated with a large amount of secrecy.

The current budget process and its many faults could be solved by moving to performance-based budgeting.

I have a rule in my business world – if I ask questions – I expect answers – over my 350year private sector business career I have had times where I did not get all of the details and it ended up costing me money, and in some instances, a lot of money.

As a result of unanswered questions on the budget – I voted “NO” on the increased spending package of $1.4 billion and tax increases of $1.2 billion in June.

Last time I checked – voters in my district sent me to Harrisburg to do the right thing – I can assure you I will continue on that path.

Sen. Wagner represents the 28th District in the Pennsylvania Senate.

Criminal Union Contract In Pa.

Zero-Based Budgeting Would Save Billions

Zero-Based Budgeting Would Save Billions

By Sen. Scott Wagner

At the end of this month I will have been in the Pennsylvania State Senate for 28 months.

I see first hand the opportunities to get Pennsylvania back on the financial track that it needs to be on.

While everyone continues to believe the outstanding Pennsylvania pension obligations for state employees and public school system employees is $60-70 billion, with recent market fluctuations and other world events (i.e. Brexit), I believe the pension obligation is creeping closer to $100 billion.

Zero-Based Budgeting Would Save Billions
Sen. Scott Wagner (R-28)

Pennsylvania has an obligation to fulfill all of the pension commitments that were made.

What Pennsylvania needs is a strong leader who understands cutting edge business practices.

The first step is to have the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania move to zero-based budgeting.

A quick back-of-the-napkin estimate shows me that savings could be between $1.5 -6 billion just in the first year alone after switching to zero-based budgeting.

Our “code red” financial situation is not a Democrat problem or a Republican problem – it is everyone’s problem who lives in Pennsylvania.

I have at least a dozen ideas that would yield sizable efficiency savings in Pennsylvania state government.

I lay awake at night thinking about all the opportunities here in Pennsylvania that we are missing out on.

We have an opportunity to make Pennsylvania a powerhouse but we are squandering it away each and every day because of lack of inaction.
Sen. Wagner represents the 28th District in the Pennsylvania Senate.

Trump Train Rolls Out Of Cleveland

Trump Train Rolls
Uniter not a divider.

Trump Train Rolls — With the Republican Convention over, all should be on the Trump train unless, perhaps, one is a government civil employee or otherwise milking the public cow.

Donald Trump’s acceptance speech, last night, was long, substantive, extraordinarily unifying  and consistent what he had been saying for the last 16 months. Trump has been remarkably consistent, in fact, regarding what he thinks is wrong with the country and how he plans to fix things.

The scary thing is that the simple, common-sense solutions he advocates have not merely been ignored for the last two decades but out-and-out condemned by our political and media leaders.

Also remarkable were Trump’s children. We cannot recall any candidate’s child ever giving such detailed, meaningful conventions speeches, much less three of them.

Donald Jr., Eric and Ivanka are products of the first marriage so give a hand to Ivana, too.

The most significant speech, last night, apart from Trump’s, was made by Silicon Valley businessman Peter Thiel, who baldly said he was proudly gay.

Theil also baldly said that “fake culture wars only distract us from our economic decline.”

And this baldly applies to those pushing incredibly stupid and unpopular laws that would open public ladies rooms to all and make businesses unmanageable by drastically increasing the protected class  when they should have been fighting for pension reform and to keep an unbalanced budget from passing.

Are you listening Scott Wagner?

Trump Train Rolls