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Theater of the absurd

2 min read

Republican leaders in Harrisburg are responding to the state budget impasse with increasing doses of absurdity.

The GOP shuns Democratic input and shoves its budget bill to the governor with no Democratic votes and then expresses shock that it is summarily vetoed? Seriously?

Gov. Tom Wolf agrees to GOP leaders’ demand for action on the state’s public pension systems and agrees to a hybrid system that limits traditional defined-benefit pensions for future hires. Not good enough, say Republicans, even though a hybrid system was recommended by former Gov. Tom Corbett’s budget secretary and would provide 80 percent of the savings touted in the GOP pension legislation. By rejecting compromise, the GOP leadership continues to hold hostage funding for schools and programs for older and vulnerable Pennsylvanians. The leaders also ignore another Republican pension recommendation – my measure that would provide incentives for public and school employees to retire without penalty upon reaching certain “30 and Out” milestones.

Instead, Republicans last week flouted the state constitution and insisted on override votes on portions of a budget that was vetoed as a whole.

The piecemeal override attempt, a stunt without apparent precedent in Pennsylvania or any other state, produced zero bipartisan support but hours of crocodile tears and feigned shock even though the GOP alternatives would:

• Maintain $27.9 million in cuts to county human services programs.

• Provide zero property tax relief.

• Resume fiscal gimmickry that has produced multiple credit downgrades.

• And turn a $1.3 billion structural deficit into a $3 billion shortfall next year.

Many Republicans are eager to embrace compromise. We just need the GOP leaders to clear the theater of the absurd.

Opening soon in Harrisburg, I hope, is the reality show “Compromise – the Only Option.”

Pete Daley

California

Daley represents the 49th Legislative District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

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