Editorial voices from around Pennsylvania
Editorial voices from around Pennsylvania as compiled by the Associated Press:
That sound coming from Harrisburg Monday was the “thud-thud-thud” of a shaky, pyramidal budget deal losing its foundation and collapsing upon itself.
The tentative accord that had been reached by Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and Republican legislative leaders – an additional 1.25 percent in sales tax to generate $2 billion in property tax cuts and beef up school funding – was all but declared dead.
And just to pile on the uncertainty, the state Senate deadlocked Monday on Senate Bill 76, the diversionary tactic that would abolish the school property tax. Lt. Gov. Mike Stack cast a tie-breaking vote, but Republicans vowed to recruit absent votes to keep the illusory tax-killing plan on the front burner. That would be a mistake.
We need a budget. Now.
Pushing the elements of compromise into 2016, an election year – property tax relief, a gas extraction tax, liquor privatization, restructured school funding and pension reform – is a lose-lose-lose proposition.
Covering formidable ground usually begins by finding common ground. Developing big relationships usually begins by developing small ones.
And mending shattered fences between nations usually begins by building firm bonds between people, be they presidents or paupers.
The Penn State baseball team’s trip to Cuba, which began Saturday and runs through the end of this week, may meet the eye as little more than a noteworthy novelty. Just as the eight journalism students covering the sojourn may appear to be little more than a lucky few enjoying a singular educational opportunity.
But both the games and the students represent so much more than that.
They’ll get to be tangible tools of an intangible change. They’ll also get to be, in their own modest but meaningful way, whether or not they realize it, initial instruments in melting a half century of mistrust.
They will do it through baseball, the storied pastime of each nation. They will do it through storytelling. They will do it through interaction, on and off the field.
And they will do it through the fresh eyes and open minds of youth.
The popularity of unconventional political outsiders like Donald Trump and Ben Carson is said to be a result of voters’ disaffection with politics and governance as usual.
Given the bellicose nature of the Republican presidential primary to date, it’s refreshing to note that voters in several states took constructive steps on Election Day. And it’s dreary to note that Pennsylvania politicians cling to many of the same policies that voters in other states have corrected.
Pennsylvania maintains an unlimited contributions policy, giving over the system to wealthy interests. And it has done nothing to cast some light on the flow of “independent” third-party anonymous “dark money” that increasingly supports certain campaigns.
Contrast that with Maine, where voters overwhelmingly voted to strengthen disclosure law, increase penalties for campaign finance violations and bolster the Clean Elections Fund.
In Seattle, 60 percent of voters approved an initiative to give every voter $100 to donate to the candidate of his choice in local elections, while limiting large-contribution donations.
The most important vote was in Ohio, where a resounding 71 percent of voters rejected gerrymandering.
They voted to create a seven-member commission that will take legislative and congressional redistricting out of the hands of politicians themselves and assign to an independent seven-member commission.
That is exactly what Pennsylvania should do to stop politicians from selecting their voters, and begin letting voters select their representatives in fair, competitive elections.