Eggleston: Scarnati should cut staff costs
By DEAN WELLS dwells@timesobserver.comWarren County Commissioner Chairman John Eggleston lashed out at Lt. Gov. and Senate Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati's criticism of Gov. Ed Rendell's proposed income tax increase Thursday, urging Scarnati to show his "fiscal responsibility" by cutting his staff's wages.
Scarnati spoke out against Rendell's proposed 17 percent personal income tax increase as a means to balance an estimated $2.3 billion budget deficit on Wednesday, calling the proposal "job-crushing" and "fiscally irresponsible."
"What he doesn't tell you," Eggleston said, "is that if the Senate's budget gets passed, things like your local library will go away."
The Senate's budget proposal calls for no taxes increases while slashing funding to social programs, law enforcement, education and other areas.
"Virtually our (local) library system would be wiped out," Eggleston said. "They might be able to live for a year with their endowment."
"I realize (the state legislators) are in a tough position. Everybody wants you to cut somebody else's programs, not their favorite programs. It's a big chunk of change. We understand that. But I wish they would frame it in a way that people understand if they are going to do this, these are the implications."
Eggleston scoffed at the notion that a "no tax increase" state budget actually means no tax increases in the state.
"If they pass that budget, your state taxes won't go up," Eggleston said. "But your local property taxes will because there are state mandates that still need to be funded."
Eggleston used the state mandate of counties employing a full-time district attorney as an example.
"There is no money in that budget for the district attorneys' salaries they are supposed to be paying us," Eggleston said. "Those guys made a deal and they are ignoring it."
Eggleston chided state legislators to start cutting staff members and reducing salaries as part of the belt-tightening measures in Harrisburg. "We let local people go because we don't have the money to keep them on," he said. "If you want sacrifice, let's make some in Harrisburg. Cut some of your staff's wages. Go ask Joe to do that and see what he says. He never talks about any of that stuff. Hey, Joe if you want to be fiscally responsible, take a look at your own house."
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danyay
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06-20-09 12:23 PM
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"Finally, the needed increase is not draconian" It never is. Instead, they do it incrementally just like this - year after year after year, until you're finally sitting back, looking at your paycheck, and saying, "Where the*****is half of it?"
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Eaglewatcher
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06-20-09 10:54 AM
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The budget cuts come not just for the library. They hit the Historical Society, Conservation District, General Hospital, all museums, National Public radio and TV, and Penn State Cooperative Ex. All these groups and others add to the quality of life in Warren Co. I pay taxes. I own a home. I have kids. I am retired. I am willing to pay taxes to help the common welfare and for the public good. I would rather not pay taxes to make war but I do. This and other tax increases needed to help our quality of life I am willing to pay and glad to pay. I want good education for our children and I want the public to have the ability to get good information. i don't trust the bankers and CEO"s to do anything to do anything for the good of the public.Finally, the needed increase is not draconian
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Eaglewatcher
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06-20-09 10:52 AM
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The budget cuts come not just for the library. They hit the Historical Society, Conservation District, General Hospital, all museums, National Public radio and TV, and Penn State Cooperative Ex. All these groups and others add to the quality of life in Warren Co. I pay taxes. I own a home. I have kids. I am retired. I am willing to pay taxes to help the common welfare and for the public good. I would rather not pay taxes to make war but I do. This and other tax increases needed to help our quality of life I am willing to pay and glad to pay. I want good education for our children and I want the public to have the ability to get good information. i don't trust the bankers and CEO to do anything to bring up the do anything for the good of the public.The needed increase is not draconian
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danyay
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06-19-09 10:46 AM
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How cute, the resident commie comes out and defends tax increases. You must be part of the proportion of Americans who pay no income taxes yet scream for higher taxes on the rich.
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totheright
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06-19-09 10:20 AM
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Draconian tax increase? $3 a week? The village called, Danyay--they need their idiot back.
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jaycee
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06-19-09 9:59 AM
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"Pay attention to New York, you could learn a lot about how to force people out of your state." It's quite obvious Pennsylvania has already taken lessons from NYS. It doesn't take "rocket science" to see that PA, including Warren County, isn't bulging at the seams these days.
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danyay
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06-19-09 8:28 AM
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If Eggleston is going to try to evict emotion from Warren County to support a draconian tax increase in the middle of a recession, he's going to have to do better than talk about the library system. Go back to the DNC playbook, John: Let us know that we have to cut policemen! Cut firemen! Cut ambulances! Nana won't get the help she needs. Then you can pass whatever tax increase you need because the constituents will never allow THAT budget to be cut! Pay attention to New York, you could learn a lot about how to force people out of your state.
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Morrison
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06-19-09 7:50 AM
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And you thought the Democrats would make everything better. Rendell is in line to move up Obama's food chain. He can take Murtha and Specter with him.
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