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Friday, November 20, 2009

The cynical take on Gov. Rendell's announcement that he wants to spend his last year in Harrisburg pursuing governmental reforms is that the plan is all talk. Basically, the argument goes, you've got a lame duck executive making promises he can't keep so that when he leaves office he can say, "hey, I tried."

But check out the DN's take on this today: Not this time. Not with all the recent scandals in Harrisburg.

Whether the governor expects his plan to work or not, the public should get behind him. We should make the governor take his own agenda seriously -- and enable him to move it forward.

Rendell has identified some of the most important reforms you could ask for in Harrisburg: campaign finance, redistricting, and judicial merit selection. And maybe, just maybe, the time for these ideas has come. Says the DN:

All of these changes threaten the status quo. The problem is, they also require action from the Legislature, whose members like their quo to remain static. But this is a time when public push-back could make a big difference. Outraged citizens should call their state lawmakers' office, and tell them that unless they want a repeat of the blood that followed the pay-raise scandal, they ought to pay attention.

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Posted by Doron Taussig @ 3:21 PM  Permalink | 5 comments
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:24 AM, 11/21/2009
    We don't need Rendell, we never did. We now need a governor with tennis size testicales, to rip them all off their coveted seats. If any college grads are listening, enter the upcoming May 2010 primaries, and get involved. This is the right time.
    FJG JR
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:30 AM, 11/21/2009
    Among the nation's governors, Ed Rendell is the most over-rated. The Philly and Harrisburg newsmedia still have a lingering love affair with "Fast Eddie".
    PhireHamels
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:09 AM, 11/21/2009
    As FJG JR alludes, this will be seen as a Dem Party power grab, but the PA GOP is smart enough to see what is reform that benefits them as well. But will Rendell be able to form a bipartisan reform bill with teeth? His legacy depends on it.
    CleanupPhilly
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:16 PM, 11/21/2009
    Psst...Governor Rendell has Killed people...and destroyed families. His legacy? Let's review the crime problem in Killadelphia over just the last year...K? Let's look at Gov. Rendell, the State Parole Board, the State Attorney General (Tom Corbett)and remember the following SMALL, partial list of State Parole Offenders who made the papers.... Besides Murchison and Wilson (The PIAZZA MURDERS) and Porter, Evans (Murderers), let's add Carrisquillo (Rapist), Shaw (Frankford Rapist), don't forget Burgess (Serial Killer and Rapist); Giddings, Cain, Warner (COP KILLERS); Wilson, Norman, Magee, Lassister, Hill, Trinsey, Wise, Latham, Bryant and the 4 out of the 5 gunmen who just recently murdered "Piggy" the mother of 4 children (All are Shoot-Out Artists and again were under State Parole "Supervision"). Why were they on the street and kept on the street? Money...to save money. State Budget Monies (specifically) that were spent on "No Bid" and about 60 million on other "Inappropiate" Contracts that went to Campiagn Contributors and friends of Governor Rendell. Why are so few Parole Violators being sent back to prison for serious offenses and even kept on the street while they have new open court cases...like Carrisquillo? Why are there so few State Parole Field Agents in Killadelphia? Why are 2,000 State Inmates being released each month? MONEY. Why is he allowing McVey to NOT turn over documents to State Auditors? He has turned a World Class City into the Largest Open Air Prison in America and 1st in the Nation in COP KILLINGS! Studies...proposed legislation...it’s all more opium for the masses. Legacy? Like making a career out of using Government Workers and their families as pawns...writing letters for a Convicted Felon (FUMO). Want to help "Fast Eddie/Teflon Ed"? Email Mike.Levy@usdoj.gov and ask him to investigate and prosecute "The Rendell Murders", he'll know what you are talking about 215-861-8200. The President's Comment Line = 1-202-456-1111. Legacy?
    John Law
  • Comment removed.


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Every year, city government spends slightly more than $4 billion. Where does all that money come from? More importantly, where does it go? Are we getting the most bang for our tax buck? “It's Our Money” is a joint project between Philadelphia Daily News and WHYY, funded by the William Penn Foundation, designed to answer these questions.





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