Senate Dems will co-operate, not give in

Despite a 30 to 19 disadvantage in votes, state Sen. Vincent J. Hughes (D-Philadelphia), minority chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, is making it clear he will not be rolling over on the upcoming state budget.

“While we are ready to work cooperatively to achieve results, we will not succumb to political expediency or waver in defending our own principles and core beliefs in jobs, investment and progress for all,” Mr. Hughes wrote in an opinion piece in Tuesday’s Harrisburg Patriot-News.

Mr. Hughes was referring to the approaching struggle over the next state operating budget and the $4 billion to $5 billion shortfall that will have to dealt with by the General Assembly and Republican governor-elect Tom Corbett.

Mr. Corbett will be sworn in on Jan. 18 and present his budget plan for fiscal year 2011-12 in early March. He has said he will deal with the financial crisis without raising taxes or fees, a bold promise many feel will be impossible to keep.

The shortfall represents about 16 percent of the state’s current $27 billion operating budget and Mr. Corbett’s budget address will set the tone for his administration which has painted itself as fiscally conservative. He will undoubtedly propose budget cuts, but where and how deep they will be are the critical questions for lawmakers. Republicans also hold a 21 seat majority in the state House.

It is conceivable, though unlikely, the Republicans can steamroll the Democrats on any legislative issue if the GOP marches in lockstep.

“Most objective analysts agree that the state already operates on a bare-bones spending plan. Thus, any new yet-to-be-disclosed cuts of the magnitude being discussed by the incoming governor would likely range from devastating to disastrous,” Mr. Hughes wrote.

“When politicians scream for simple sounding, non-threatening solutions such as across-the-board cuts to solve the budget crisis, they might not realize the potential devastating effects of this policy, if it is put into action,” said Mr. Hughes.

Mr. Hughes claimed a 16 percent cut would require the release of 8,000 prisoners; the Philadelphia School District would face the loss of $250 million, forcing hundreds of teachers to lose their jobs; and cuts to medical assistance would drive up health care and hospital costs.

A “potentially troublesome clash of political campaign promises and fiscal reality lies ahead. Our economic future and the ability to create family sustaining jobs and employment opportunities for future generations are at stake,” Mr. Hughes wrote.