PA Politics: An E-mail from Governor Ed Rendell

[Penndems]

It's about time the legislature got around to passing this. Now if they could just pass the slots bill.

I lift a Yuengling/Rolling Rock/Iron City/microbrewed beer to Pennsylvania's new economic prosperity! :toast:
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Office of the Governor

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

April 1, 2004

Dear Friends:

I’m writing to share some great news for all Pennsylvanians: The General Assembly has passed -- in overwhelming, bipartisan fashion -- and I have now signed legislation creating an unprecedented economic stimulus plan that will boost existing businesses, bring new ones to our Commonwealth and, best of all, put Pennsylvanians to work.

This plan will help fulfill one of the key promises I made to you when I ran for Governor two years ago: that, together, we would reverse our alarming position as 47th among the 50 states in job creation, and as 48th among the 50 states in economic development; that we would end the exodus from Pennsylvania of our youth; and that we would revive our dying cities and towns.

By leveraging up to $2 billion in grants, loans and guarantees over the next three years, this plan will generate an anticipated $5 billion in private-sector investment to help start new businesses in Pennsylvania and help existing companies expand their presence here.

All told, our economic-stimulus plan involves more than two-dozen initiatives, many of them brand new. For instance, the New Pennsylvania Venture Guarantee Program guarantees up to $250 million to venture capital companies interested in investing in Pennsylvania companies.

Another new program, Business in Our Sites, creates a $300 million pool from which communities can obtain funds they need now to develop sites for the near and distant future. It’s available to all communities but is especially helpful for smaller and mid-sized ones that have fewer resources for site development.

To help potential applicants, I have instructed the Department of Community and Economic Development to implement “one-stop” assistance to anyone interested in taking advantage of these new initiatives. This team of economic professionals knows all facets of our economic-development programs, old and new, and they are there to help. For more information, contact the Governor’s Center for Local Government Services at 1-866-GO-NEWPA, or visit www.newPA.com on the Internet.

In concluding, let me thank the leadership of both parties in the state Senate and the state House of Representatives, and all of you who have supported this groundbreaking agenda for building a New Pennsylvania. With these programs we will help restore our Commonwealth to its rightful place among the states as a leader in attracting investment and creating jobs.

Sincerely,


(signature)

Ed Rendell
Governor

[7 Lazy P]

1. I'll lift the beer when...

we get the prosperity, not the plan. I've been pretty disappointed with Ed so far. He has written a lot of checks he could not cash.

[hexola]

2. Agreed...not impressed with Rendell...

He comes off like some Philly Mob Boss...

[Penndems]

3. Respectfully disagree

but, then again, I worked on the Rendell campaign in Harrisburg. I'd rather have him in the Governor's Mansion than Mike Fisher, who would've done nothing.

This has been the centerpiece of Ed Rendell's agenda. When I moved to South Central PA from Northern Virginia (where I'm from; I'm back here now), I was literally shocked by what I saw. Empty office buildings. Fast-food and buffet restaurants that had gone under (I've NEVER seen a Hardee's or a Baskin Robbins go out of business).

And the mentality of many of the people in that area -- just unbelievable. Believe everything the RNC churns out is gospel. One man asked me when I was working on the campaign, "Why should my tax money go towards educating somebody else's kid?" HUH?! Well, maybe because they're the FUTURE of this state?

My God, no wonder people are leaving Pennsylvania. How can a young person be expected to stay, make a life and prosper amongst a populace that believes becoming night manager at a KFC is putting a four-year degree to good use?

It's time for that state to come into the 21st century.

[hexola]

4. Agreed - Shuster is the real bum!

I'd still probably vote for Rendell - I just don't like him that much...

South Central here too - -

Shuster is the one who needs to go.

I went to college with a guy who grew up in Evertt, PA and was pals with the Shusters. This guy has been protected by the Pennsylvania State Police since he was a teenager. My friend told me - as teenagers - they could do anything...the police would just escort them home or let them go if they got in trouble...DUI - Smoking Reefer - this guy is such a BUM...

The worst part is I might have to vote Repub just to get rid of him...DelGrosso seems like a step up.

[Penndems]

8. You're SO right about Shuster

That's one Pennsylvania political dynasty I'd like to see an end put to. When the story came about about ole Bud having an affair with his Chief of Staff, I thought they were on their way out. Turns out I was wrong. :grr:

There's gotta be a credible Dem candidate up there somewhere.

[hexola]

11. Del Grosso is really making hay...and good Spaghetti Sauce!

I doubt a Dem could catch up at this point...I dont even know if one is running...

The Republicans in this area are not happy with the current leadership...One fellow told he almost "tore up his card" when the story about Shuster spying on DelGrosso hit...

http://www.publicopiniononline.com/news/updates/4806.html

Recently a local government had one Republican run against and defeat another...they do not like that...

DelGrosso happens to be my favorite spaghetti sauce...!!!

[Wheaty]

15. Del Grosso is really making hay...and good Spaghetti Sauce!"

DelGrosso happens to be my favorite spaghetti sauce...!!!

Isn't it like one of only a few kosher spaghetti sauces in the US?

I live less than 2 miles from the plant right near DelGrosso Park formerly known as Bland Park. I run in to at least one the DelGrosso's at the post office every day. I'm one of the few Democrats in the area though. I don't think there is a dem candidate. Heck Old Man Schuster ran unopposed here election after election for years. At this point I'm ashamed to say I'm routing for DelGrosso just to break the dynasty. :puke:

:scared: These people around here really scare me though. You tell them how corrupt Schuster was and all they ever repeat like a mantra was "we have I-99." :shrug: :grr:

[Penndems]

20. OMG, that IS scary

Too bad those people can't repeat something like, "Shuster brought jobs here, Shuster brought jobs here" . . .

I'll have to check out this spaghetti sauce. Maybe it's sold in a Safeway or Giant store here in NoVa.

Of course, I'm still trying to find Martin's Potato Chips around here somewhere! ;)

[Wheaty]

22. LOL at Martin's

Martin's Kettle Cooked Chips are excellent. When I lived out of PA all I ever craved was Middlesworth BBQ chips in the cardboard barrel and Gardner's PeanutButter Meltaways.

Rural Pennsylvania seems to make some of the best snack foods :)

We just need to work on our politics though.

DelGrosso's needs to start Internet ordering for cases of sauce. I have an Uncle in Kansas who always goes home with a couple of cases of sauce in his van every time he visits

[Penndems]

25. Best potato chips Hubby and I have ever eaten

Not greasy, just nice and crisp. Martin's was named by Philadelphia Magazine as "Best Potato Chip". My husband likes the barbeque-flavored ones.

Forget Utz's or the Hanover brand. These are just the greatest! :9

[hexola]

26. Kettle cooked! But sometimes we "Nibble with Gibbles"

Hanovers are ok - I like the Darks - almost burnt...Yummy!!!

[7 Lazy P]

6. I'll give you that

he's preferable to Fisher. A wooden cigar store Indian would have been preferable to Fisher. All I'm saying is that he has failed to deliver on much of what he promised during his campaign.

I think Ed forgot that Pennsylvania is composed of Philadelphia on one end, Pittsburgh on the other, and rural Alabama in between. The statehouse has been controlled by Republicans for as long as I can remember. If I remember correctly, the Republican candidate for Congress in my district in York Count ran unopposed. I think the Democrats threw up their hands in despair and did not bother to run anyone.

[Penndems]

9. Is that Platts?

That guy is just a Bush lackey.

[newyawker99]

7. Hi 7 Lazy P!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Penndems]

10. ((((((hugs))))) to you, 7 Lazy P!

N/T

[Mandate My Ass]

5. He did do a lot to revitalize Philly

My personal feelings for the man are another matter entirely, but he is an effective wheeler dealer and I'm glad to have someone with a (D) after their name in the governor's seat with a "close" election coming up.

However, in the past few weeks I've been getting the uncomfortable feeling that PA is in the crosshairs to be Kolly-foor-nyah-ized.

First there's a big splashy story in the Daily News about Fast Eddie (hardee har har) speeding at 100 mph plus going back and forth from Harrisburg to Philly with the emergency flashers blinking.

Now the Inky is doing a series of articles on ghost voting, which they admit is a bipartisan practice, but they only name dem names when describing who was absent from the House and still had a vote cast as if they were present.

Then the Pentagon inexplicably decides to cancel the Commanche helicopter after decades and billions spent on R&D, which puts moderate (R)Arlen Specter on the hot seat to prevent layoffs, who is coincidentally facing a primary face-off against raging RW neocon loon Toomey.

Okay, okay. :tinfoilhat:

[Penndems]

12. I'd like to see Hoeffel win that seat

He'd make a great Senator. Allyson Schwartz would be a terrific Representative, too. I really like her. You're right, Toomey is a real looney toon. So is this clown the GOP is running against Tim Holden in PA-17: Scott Paterno, of all people. Just because his daddy's "Joe Pa" doesn't make him a credible candidate. Evidently, he had something of a wild social life at Penn State, which he's now dismissing as youthful misadventures. Considering he's only 31 years old, that reasoning is downright laughable.

I read that story about Ed Rendell's chauffeur. Is that the best the Repubs can complain about? That his chauffeur has a lead foot? Why aren't they bitching about people speeding through the work zone on the Harvey Taylor Bridge leading into Harrisburg (a woman was clocked doing 83 MPH in a 50 MPH work zone a while back) PennDOT employees get killed doing their job by people flying through road work areas. Or about the lack of state troopers on I-83, where there's an accident almost every day? Now those are problems!

Then there's the big food scandal where -- supposedly -- the food bill in the Governor's Mansion was $75,000 last year. I know Ed Rendell likes to eat, but $75,000 worth of food? Give me a break! If he spent 75,000 G's wining and dining people who want to set up shop and hire people in PA, that's tax money well spent, as far as I'm concerned.

Just my two cents.

[hexola]

13. Most traffic on the 81 corridor is moving at 80 + miles an hour....

so 100 is not much worse...

[Penndems]

14. Yeah, I'd always heard the Pennsylvania Turnpike was bad

but it's not anywhere near as bad as 81. :scared:

You really have to watch yourself if you're at the intersection of Carlisle Pike and the I-81 exit in Mechanicsburg. Yikes!

[hexola]

16. The turnpike is a Police State...

I rarely take it above 70 on the pike...

Stop for minute in view of trooper and they will run an NCIC check on your plates. Flat tire - background check. Engine trouble - background check.

[PaDUer]

18. That's for certain...

I was to my drs in Phila on Wednesday via turnpike...Troopers not even 50ft apart w/ cars pulled over...

[PaDUer]

17. Wasn't Rendell driving...

it was his chauffeur, who was a state trooper.

[hexola]

19. South Central PA Interest :: Crosspost

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=113x8222

[NMDemDist2]

21. He came to Arizona Dems luncheon with Richards

and he was the best of the 3 (Janet, Richards and Rendell)

He's a good guy i think

[Township75]

23. Western PA here...

and I don't have much to add either.

Like some others here, I am slightly dissapointed with Rendell. As someone from the rural western part of the state, he comes across so much like a Philly mob boss with grease dripping off of his chin because of the cheese-steak he just gobbled down.

I am concerned, not convinced, that he is in a competition with Bush over which one will hurt their party the most in PA. The economy is going down teh crapper, which hurts Bush, but that also hurts Rendell, and the fact that he has balanced budgets on the back of state workers (or city workers) is going to do damage with traditional dem voters.

I am not sure who will "win" this competition.

[hexola]

24. Well you got to give Bush credit...

for saving us from TOM RIDGE...

THANK YOU MR BUSH!!!

[devinsgram]

27. Yeah, LOL, Shrub gives away the federal treasury

and Ridge gave away the PA treasury.

[bleedingheart]

28. Ridge destroyed our state

he basically f*cked public education by defunding it and yet no one got a property tax or income tax break...where did the money go Tom???

We have had a republican controlled legislature for over eight years!!! Eight years of republicans controlling the state assembly and guess what... Rendell still wanted to take the position...for that he gets an A for Chutzpah.

Personally I would love to just start cutting out state representatives....we have 202 of them for one state and they make approx $62,000 a year and they have two offices. One in their district and one in Harrisburg....how is that not waste...

How about the republicans trim govt by trimming up that???

It would save some $30 million dollars...