Obama Encourages Vets to Apply for Stoploss Pay

from the inbox:

Today, the White House, Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs jointly released a new web video in which President Obama encourages active duty troops and veterans whose service in Iraq or Afghanistan was involuntarily extended or retirement was suspended due to ‘stop loss’ to apply for the special retroactive pay to which they are entitled. Under legislation President Obama signed into law last year, servicemen and women who served between September 11, 2001 and September 30, 2009 and whose service was extended due to ‘stop loss’ are eligible for $500 per month in retroactive pay for each month their service was extended.

“As your Commander in Chief, I’m here to tell you that this is no gimmick or trick,” President Obama says in the video. “You worked hard. You earned this money. It doesn’t matter whether you were Active or Reserve, whether you’re a veteran who experienced ‘stop loss’ or the survivor of a service member who did—if your service was extended, you’re eligible.”

To see the full video, click here: LINK

Eligible servicemen and women should submit their applications for this retroactive pay to www.defense.gov/stoploss. While by law, service members who received a bonus for voluntarily reenlisting or extending their service are not eligible, it is strongly recommended that all who may be eligible submit an application before the deadline. The deadline to apply is October 21, 2010. The tens of thousands of veterans who have already been approved have received an average of nearly $4,000.

Special retroactive pay for servicemen and women impacted by ‘stop loss’ is just one of the many ways the Obama Administration is working to serve the men and women who have served our country. Since President Obama took office, the Administration has:

* Provided one of the largest funding increases in decades to help create a 21st century VA that provides our veterans better health care, better services, and better support, including in rural communities.

* Eliminated inpatient, outpatient and prescription co-pays for the catastrophically disabled, which today account for a historically large percentage of our veterans coming home from war.

* Worked to break the back of benefit claims backlog so vets don’t have to wait years for the benefits they need, and continues to work to improve and modernize VA’s delivery of services.

* Helped our veterans transition back to civilian life by helping them get jobs and sending them to college through the post-9/11 GI Bill, which has already helped more than 300,000 veterans or their family members pursue their dream of a college education.

* Provided unprecedented resources to treat the wounds of today’s wars -- traumatic brain injury and post traumatic stress disorder – and provided additional resources to help family members and caregivers who put their own lives on hold to care for their loved one.

* Made it easier for those suffering from PTSD to qualify for VA benefits. A veteran can now establish a claim based on his or her own testimony of events that caused PTSD without the requirement of corroborating evidence -- no matter which war they served in.

* Eliminated obstacles for about 200,000 Vietnam veterans who may have been exposed to Agent Orange to get the health care and benefits they need.

More Presidential Remarks on the Small Business Bill

from the inbox:

Good afternoon, everybody. I just met with my Cabinet and members of my economic team, and I wanted to speak about a few developments concerning our ongoing efforts to strengthen the economy and the middle class.

After months of partisan blockade in the Senate, we are finally on the verge of passing a small business jobs bill that will cut taxes and provide loans for millions of small business owners across America.

And while I am grateful for this progress, it should not have taken this long to pass this bill. At a time when small business owners are still struggling to make payroll and they’re still holding off hiring, we put together a plan that would give them some tax relief and make it easier for them to take out loans. It’s a bill that’s paid for. It won’t add a dime to the deficit. It’s a bill that was written by both Democrats and Republicans.

But for months, the Republican leadership in the Senate has said no. For months, they’ve used legislative maneuvers to prevent this bill from even coming up for a vote. And all the while, small business owners kept waiting for help. They kept putting off plans to hire more workers and grow their businesses.

Now, thankfully, two Republican senators –- Senators George Voinovich and George LeMieux –- have refused to support this blockade any longer. And because of their decision, this small business jobs bill will finally pass.

I want to thank them for their efforts, because they understand that we simply don’t have time anymore to play games. Not just on this small business jobs bill. Let me give you another example. Right now, we could decide to extend tax relief for the middle class. Right now, we could decide that every American household would receive a tax cut on the first $250,000 of their income.

But once again, the leaders across the aisle are saying no. They want to hold these middle-class tax cuts hostage until they get an additional tax cut for the wealthiest 2 percent of Americans.

We simply can’t afford that. It would mean borrowing $700 billion in order to fund these tax cuts for the very wealthiest Americans -- $700 billion to give a tax cut worth an average of $100,000 to millionaires and billionaires. And it’s a tax cut economists say would do little to add momentum to our economy.

Now, I just don’t believe this makes any sense. Even as we debate whether it’s wise to spend $700 billion on tax breaks for the wealthy, doesn’t it make sense for us to move forward with the tax cuts that we all agree on? We should be able to extend right now middle-class tax relief on the first $250,000 of income -- which, by the way, 97 percent of Americans make less than $250,000 a year. So right off the bat, 97 percent of all Americans would get tax relief on all their income. People who are making more than $250,000 a year, say, you’re making half a million dollars, you’d still get tax relief on half your income.

And everybody agrees that this makes sense. Middle-class families need this relief. These are the Americans who saw their wages and incomes flat-line over the last decade, who’ve seen the costs of everything from health care to college tuition skyrocket and who have been hardest hit by this recession.

Extending these tax cuts is right. It is just. It will help our economy because middle-class folks are the folks who are most likely to actually spend this tax relief -- for a new computer for the kids or for maybe some home improvement.

And if the other party continues to hold these tax cuts hostage, these are the same families who will suffer the most when their taxes go up next year. And if we can’t get an agreement with Republicans, that's what will happen.

So we don't have time for any more games. I understand there’s an election coming up. But the American people didn't send us here to just think about our jobs; they sent us here to think about theirs. They sent us here to think about their lives and their children’s lives, and to be responsible, and to be serious about the challenges we face as a nation.

That's what members of both parties have now done with the small business jobs bill. And I hope we can work together to do the same thing on middle-class tax relief in the weeks to come.

Thanks very much, everybody.

Notes from Fitzpatrick / Murphy Debate

Larry Kane moderated a debate between Congressman Patrick Murphy [legislative site and campaign site] and former congressman Mike Fitzpatrick. Murphy defeated freshman Fitzpatrick in 2006 in a close race; polls in the 2010 rematch are also close.

Here are my notes from a podcast of the debate. It is not intended as a complete transcript. As always I apologize in advance for any errors or misconceptions and encourage voters to listen for themselves.

LK: Tonight we are very happy to welcome 8th congressional district candidates Patrick Murphy and Mike Fitzpatrick. First some biographical information. Murphy is married with two children. He attended Bucks County Community College and then King’s College. He went into the military and served in the 82nd airborne in Bosnia and Iraq. After serving in the military he practiced law for two years. In 2006 he was the first Iraq War veteran elected to congress. Fitzpatrick went to St. Thomas University in Miami and then Dickinson School of Law. He has six children. He represented the 8th district from 2005-2006, and was a Bucks County commissioner from 1995-2004, and worked as a lawyer from 1985-1998.

Q: #1 issue economy. how do you do something in congress to bring jobs

MF: To improve economy we need smaller government and more jobs, empower job creators, cut taxes reduce spending so they can invest in the economy. Job creators are concerned about uncertainty about health care costs, tax cuts extended – in favor of this, Murphy against. job creators want certainty.

Q: Would extending tax cuts increase the deficit?

MF: I don’t’ think so, when JFK cut taxes there was growth, when Reagan cut taxes, economy rose, when taxes go down economy goes up

Q: stimulus

PM:: I did vote for it ,wish I didn’t have to. It was emergency spending. We were losing 800K jobs a month, sliding into depression, wish we didn’t have to go there. My opponent thinks we should wait out recession. We should grow jobs. There couldn’t be more of a contrast. My opponent shipped jobs overseas. He was the deciding vote to extend trade agreements to central amerce

LK: Ds in favor of this for years

PM: When nafta passed Republicans held the majority in congress. It was disastrous. cafta crippled Bucks County. When you taLK to a woman who worked for 22 years at Jones NY a garment company. She lost her job. When caftan was decided she lost her job.

LK: Were you the deciding vote?

MF: It passed by two votes not one. When Murphy took office unemployment was at 4% now doubled under his watch. Taxes increased. PM and his colleagues have no plan, their plan will double national debt in 5 years, triple it in 10. If there is any recovery going on it is a jobless recovery. Jobs will get us out of this.

LK: free trade agreement?

MF: Murphy doubled the unemployment rate under his watch. The debt was $8T now $14T ,unemployment was 4.3 now 9.6. Explain or stop looking over our shoulder. Murphy should explain what happened. I have a plan going forward. My plan is to reduce taxes and cut government spending.

PM: My opponent thinks we all have amnesia. The Bush Fitzpatrick years were disastrous for the economy. I wish I didn’t have to vote for the stimulus. What I focused on in 3.5 years in congress is bringing jobs back to Bucks, brought 3K jobs back. Focusing on making things [manufacturing] in Bucks and in our country again. I will say that the record couldn’t be more clear on this issue. I’ve been focused on this for 3 years. Stimulus has helped somewhat. People are hurting out there and are frustrated.

MF: Murphy says he’s been focused on manufacturing but unemployment had doubled. Listen to the people who create jobs. A businessman sent email to me and Murphy this morning. he supported me in 04 and PM in 06. The businessman says let tax cuts continue until unemployment under 6%. that’s an independent successful businessperson who creates jobs

LK: truth squad. would you continue tax cuts:

PM: for 98% of Americans, for middle class families across this country and Bucks County.

LK: don’t the affluent fuel the economy?

PM: They don’t get taxed for the money they reinvest in their business. But for the Paris Hiltons’ of the world. These are the same tax cuts they did twice in the Bush years.

MF: In a recession is not the time to increase taxes. They are already talking about a second stimulus that isn’t creating jobs

PM: We have the larges solar field in America, Gamesa got 2M to manufacture things in Bucks. [blogger’s note: I did not catch all of this answer and my note here is very sketchy.]

LK: Small businesses cannot get loans, why not force banks to lend to small businessmen?

MF: bank bailout bill. I would have voted against it. It put all the money into the banks, paid big bonuses to executives. No requirement for banks to loan money. We have to require banks to do that. The federal government is competing against small businesses for loans.

PM: Fitzpatrick was on the committee overseeing banking. Seniors and middle class saw their 401K accounts slashed…I voted for bank bill. It is now US law there will never be a bailout again. One it is about bigger banks, borrowing money from treasury and not giving access to capital. We have to force their hand. Small banks, community banks, are like the blood of our community. They need to have backing for these loans.

MF: Murphy voted for cash for clunkers, voted to bail out teachers unions. This government and federal system cannot afford procedures of Obama and Pelosi that Murphy votes with 98% of the time. Our children are going to have to pay for their govt and our govt.

LK: close race in 06 and close this year, targeted by almost every party. Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Pres says its over but its really not over till its over. What do you do?

MF: We have to win. These are wars we must win. Said this in 04 and 06, let’s win and immediately withdraw. PM was for strict deadline for withdraw. PM against the surge but that worked. now PM for surge in afgh. problem going forward outlined in obama’s speech to military academy. send in troops but not as many as Gen. McChrsytal asked for then gave deadline for withdraw. That was a mistake.

PM: Afghanistan is were it came from. I have always been very hawkish about bringing Osama bin Laden and [missed this] to justice. I proudly served in Iraq. But we should have been focused on Afghan the whole time. Its’ not just about what al Qaeda is trying to do. They are trying to overthrow Pakistan govt and get hands on nuke weapons. MF diverted our attention (bush) to iraq, spent $3T and lost [missed this] heroes.

MF: I wasn’t in congress when the Iraq war was started. but when we were there we had a choice, come home or win. Murphy ran on immediate withdraw in 06 and we are now in 2010.

LK: If Iran had nuclear weapons, would you support a military option

MF: yes

PM: Yes, that is on the table but lets use diplomatic efforts first, as someone who served in military, served in military. Economic sanctions – China and Russia are putting economic constraints on Iran. We have cheerleaders saying let’s go to war, putting our men and women in harms’ way.

LK: why Israel might attack if we don’t (cites an article in Atlantic). should we destroy Iran’s infrastructure

MF: Israel is a sovereign nation. they don’t need our nod ahead of time.

PM: I serve on intelligence committee. Israel has absolute right to defend themselves. once Iran has nuke weapon the genie out of the bottle.

LK: domestic issues. mosque near WTC site?

PM: I don’t think it’s the right idea. They have the right but not appropriate.

MF: very inappropriate location. It’s not a mosque but a cultural center. Failure of leadership on the local level. Proud to see governor of NY step in and try to negotiate moving site.

LK: family values, we don’t hear much about it, but issue is still prevalent out there. for example, should govt be involved, eg abortion

MF: pro-life. family values – the family is the basic unit of society, need to adopt policies, tax and educational polices that support families

PM: My wife a Republican, 2kids, pro-choice. my opponent is extreme on this issue, against right to choose in cases of rape and incest, against stem cell research.

MF: for stem cell research for those types of projects where we were making progress.

LK: why you in 201o

MF: I’ve had 4 years to sit back, practice law, raise family, had cancer, recovered, 6 children, can’t sit back any longer and watch what’s happening to our country. loading obligations on our children that they can’t pay for

PM: wake up at 5 every day thinking about how to bring jobs back to Bucks. MF gave tax cuts in time of war when we couldn’t afford it.

LK: both described as extremes.

PM: a moderate

MF: I was the second most …. [recording cuts off]

Obama Speech to School Children

from the inbox:

Hello Philadelphia! It’s wonderful to be here. Today is about welcoming all of you and all of America’s students back to school – and I can’t think of a better place to do it than Masterman. You’re one of the best schools in Philadelphia – a leader in helping students succeed in the classroom. And just last week, you were recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School for your record of achievement. That’s a testament to everyone here – students and parents, teachers and school leaders. And it’s an example of excellence I hope communities across America embrace.

Over the past few weeks, Michelle and I have been getting Sasha and Malia ready for school. And I bet a lot of you are feeling the same way they’re feeling. You’re a little sad to see the summer go, but you’re also excited about the possibilities of a new year. The possibilities of building new friendships and strengthening old ones. Of joining a school club, or trying out for a team. The possibilities of growing into a better student, and a better person, and making your family proud.

But I know some of you may also be nervous about starting a new school year. Maybe you’re making the jump from elementary to middle school, or from middle to high school, and worried about what that’ll be like. Maybe you’re starting a new school, and not sure how you’ll like it. Or maybe you’re a senior who’s feeling anxious about the whole college process; about where to apply and whether you can afford to go.

And beyond all these concerns, I know a lot of you are also feeling the strain of these difficult times. You know what’s going on in the news and your own family’s lives. You read about the war in Afghanistan. You hear about the recession we’ve been through. You see it in your parents’ faces and sense it in their voice.

A lot of you are having to act a lot older than you are; to be strong for your family while your brother or sister is serving overseas; to look after younger siblings while your mom works that second shift; to take on a part-time job while your dad is out of work.

It’s a lot to handle; it’s more than you should have to handle. And it may make you wonder at times what your own future will look like; whether you’ll be able to succeed in school; whether you should set your sights a little lower, and scale back your dreams.

But here is what I came to Masterman to tell you: nobody gets to write your destiny but you. Your future is in your hands. Your life is what you make of it. And nothing – absolutely nothing – is beyond your reach. So long as you’re willing to dream big. So long as you’re willing to work hard. So long as you’re willing to stay focused on your education.

That last part is absolutely essential – because an education has never been more important. I’m sure there will be times in the months ahead when you’re staying up late cramming for a test, or dragging yourselves out of bed on a rainy morning, and wondering if it’s all worth it. Let me tell you, there is no question about it. Nothing will have as great an impact on your success in life as your education.

More and more, the kinds of opportunities that are open to you will be determined by how far you go in school. In other words, the farther you go in school, the farther you’ll go in life. And at a time when other countries are competing with us like never before; when students around the world are working harder than ever, and doing better than ever; your success in school will also help determine America’s success in the 21st century.

So, you have an obligation to yourselves, and America has an obligation to you to make sure you’re getting the best education possible. And making sure you get that kind of education is going to take all of us working hand-in-hand.

It will take all of us in government – from Harrisburg to Washington – doing our part to prepare our students, all of them, for success in the classroom, in college, and in a career. It will take an outstanding principal and outstanding teachers like the ones here at Masterman; teachers who go above and beyond for their students. And it will take parents who are committed to your education.

That’s what we have to do for you. That’s our responsibility. That’s our job. But here’s your job. Showing up to school on time. Paying attention in class. Doing your homework. Studying for exams. Staying out of trouble. That kind of discipline and drive – that kind of hard work – is absolutely essential for success.

I know – because I didn’t always have it. I wasn’t always the best student when I was younger; I made my share of mistakes. In fact, I can still remember a conversation I had with my mother in high school, when I was about the age of some of you here today. It was about how my grades were slipping, how I hadn’t even started my college applications, how I was acting, as she put it, “casual” about my future. It’s a conversation I suspect will sound familiar to some of the students and parents here today.

And my attitude was what I imagine every teenager’s attitude is in a conversation like that. I was like, I don’t need to hear all this. So, I started to say that, and she just cut me right off. You can’t just sit around, she said, waiting for luck to see you through. She said I could get into any school in the country if I just put in a little effort. Then she gave me a hard look and added, “Remember what that’s like? Effort?”

It was pretty jolting, hearing my mother say that. But eventually, her words had their intended effect. I got serious about my studies. I made an effort. And I began to see my grades – and my prospects – improve. And I know that if hard work could make the difference for me, it can make the difference for you, too.

I know some of you may be skeptical about that. You may wonder if some people are just better at certain things. And it’s true that we each have our own gifts and talents we need to discover and nurture. But just because you’re not the best at something today doesn’t mean you can’t be tomorrow. Even if you don’t think of yourself as a math person or as a science person – you can still excel in those subjects if you’re willing to make the effort. And you may find out you have talents you’d never dreamed of.

You see, excelling in school or in life isn’t mainly about being smarter than everybody else. It’s about working harder than everybody else. Don’t avoid new challenges – seek them out, step out of your comfort zone, and don’t be afraid to ask for help; your teachers and family are there to guide you. Don’t feel discouraged or give up if you don’t succeed at something – try it again, and learn from your mistakes. Don’t feel threatened if your friends are doing well; be proud of them, and see what lessons you can draw from what they’re doing right.

That’s the kind of culture of excellence you promote here at Masterman; and that’s the kind of excellence we need to promote in all America’s schools. That’s why today, I’m announcing our second Commencement Challenge. If your school is the winner; if you show us how teachers, students, and parents are working together to prepare your kids for college and a career; if you show us how you’re giving back to your community and our country – I’ll congratulate you in person by speaking at your commencement.

But the truth is, an education is about more than getting into a good college or getting a good job when you graduate. It’s about giving each and every one of us the chance to fulfill our promise; to be the best version of ourselves we can be. And part of what that means is treating others the way we want to be treated – with kindness and respect.

Now, I know that doesn’t always happen. Especially not in middle or high school. Being a teenager isn’t easy. It’s a time when we’re wrestling with a lot of things. When I was your age, I was wrestling with questions about who I was; about what it meant to be the son of a white mother and a black father, and not having that father in my life. Some of you may be working through your own questions right now, and coming to terms with what makes you different.

And I know that figuring all that out can be even more difficult when you’ve got bullies in class who try to use those differences to pick on you or poke fun at you; to make you feel bad about yourself. In some places, the problem is more serious. There are neighborhoods in my hometown of Chicago, where kids have hurt one another. And the same thing has happened here in Philly.

So, what I want to say to you today – what I want all of you to take away from my speech – is that life is precious, and part of its beauty lies in its diversity. We shouldn’t be embarrassed by the things that make us different. We should be proud of them. Because it’s the things that make us different that make us who we are. And the strength and character of this country have always come from our ability to recognize ourselves in one another, no matter who we are, or where we come from, what we look like, or what abilities or disabilities we have.

I was reminded of that idea the other day when I read a letter from Tamerria Robinson, an 11-year old girl in Georgia. She told me about how hard she works, and about all the community service she does with her brother. And she wrote, “I try to achieve my dreams and help others do the same.” “That,” she wrote, “is how the world should work.”

I agree with Tamerria. That is how the world should work. Yes, we need to work hard. Yes, we need to take responsibility for our own education. Yes, we need to take responsibility for our own lives. But what makes us who we are is that here, in this country, we not only reach for our own dreams, we help others do the same. This is a country that gives all its daughters and all its sons a fair chance. A chance to make the most of their lives. A chance to fulfill their God-given potential.

And I’m absolutely confident that if all our students – here at Masterman, and across this country – keep doing their part; if you keep working hard, and focusing on your education; if you keep fighting for your dreams and if all of us help you reach them; then not only will you succeed this year, and for the rest of your lives, but America will succeed in the 21st century. Thank you, God bless you, and may God bless the United States of America.

Obama on Small Business Bill

from the inbox:

Statement by President Obama on the Small Business Jobs Bill

“Today’s vote brings us one step closer to ending the months-long partisan blockade of a small business jobs bill that was written by both Democrats and Republicans. This is a bill that would cut taxes and help provide loans to millions of small business owners who create most of the new jobs in this country. It is fully paid for, it won’t add to the deficit, and small businesses across the country have been waiting for Washington to act on this bill for far too long. I am grateful to Senators Reid, Baucus and Landrieu for their leadership on this issue as well as the two Republican Senators who put partisanship aside and joined Democrats in overcoming this filibuster. I urge all members of the Senate to support final passage as soon as possible."

Murphy on Yardley Flood Prevention Project

A note from the inbox. In case you were curious about what exactly backflow preventers are, I wrote a post on it in 2008. That is a statement I think very few (if any) other Pennsylvania political bloggers can make.

Next time the Delaware River rises over its banks, Yardley’s storm water system will be better prepared to handle the floodwaters. Thanks to funding secured by Pennsylvania Congressman Patrick Murphy (D-8th District), construction workers broke ground Tuesday on a project to install more than a dozen much needed backflow preventers in Yardley, which will help keep water from backing up onto roads and into people’s homes.

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” Murphy said. “This project creates jobs and helps prevent the costly damage we’ve had after previous floods.” He added that the project will generate construction jobs, as workers will be needed to install and maintain the backflow preventers.

“Thanks to Murphy’s efforts, Yardley will be in better shape and families will avoid a lot of the heartache that comes with seeing your home underwater,” said Bill Winslade, Yardley Borough manager.

The Congressman secured $280,000 for the project, though the National Flooding Insurance Program (NFIP) estimates that the cost of the project would be offset by the savings it incurs after a single flooding event, in terms of damage done to roads and homes. The backflow preventers will eliminate water backing up in Yardley’s storm water pipes and up through the inlets on the street.

When Murphy first entered office, he said he wanted to stop talking about flooding and start doing something about it. Since then, he has brought together Democrats and Republicans together to make flood prevention a priority.

To help residents and municipalities recover from previous floods and prepare for future ones, Murphy brought home over $3 million in FEMA grants and federal flood prevention funds, including funding for high-powered pumps that can quickly displace water from a flooded area. These projects save millions of dollars that would otherwise be spent on insurance claims and flooding repairs.

Penn State Report On Natural Gas Industry in PA

from the inbox:

A severance tax on natural gas extraction in Pennsylvania would create increased costs for gas drilling companies, but the resulting increase in state revenue could yield positive effects for the state’s economy, according to a new report from Penn State’s Institute for Research in Training & Development.

The report, Benchmarks for Assessing the Potential Impact of a Natural Gas Severance Tax on the Pennsylvania Economy, examines the potential impact of a proposed severance tax on natural gas extraction in Pennsylvania. The study was designed as a way to estimate to what extent a gas tax might affect Pennsylvania’s economic picture.

The report is available at http://PA-SevTax.notlong.com.

The report comes amid the rapid growth of the state’s gas-drilling industry. A number of companies have begun extracting natural gas from the state’s Marcellus Shale formation on the heels of new drilling technology.

Institute researchers, Rose M. Baker and David L. Passmore, assessed the effects of generating and spending each $100 million of severance tax revenue between 2011 and 2015 on Pennsylvania’s business sales, employment, income, and population.

Baker and Passmore found that, potentially, every $100 million in production costs that are imposed on oil and gas companies through a severance tax could have a slight negative impact on the state’s economy and population. This is because, with an increased tax burden, the gas companies would create less employment, output, and disposable income for Pennsylvanians. But these negative effects could be more than offset by the effects of increased spending of severance tax revenue by state and local governments.

It is a 26 page pdf. Download Baker, Rose M. and Passmore, David Lynn, Benchmarks for Assessing the Potential Impact of a Natural Gas Severance Tax on the Pennsylvania Economy (September 13, 2010). Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=1667022

Corbett's AG Budget Increases

Tom Corbett, current state Attorney General and Republican candidate for governor, has been saying he wouldn't raise taxes if elected. His Democratic opponent, Dan Onorato has been pointing out that as Attorney General Corbett asked for more money for his department, which would seem to conflict with his promise of not increasing spending.

Some of these claims are examined in "Onorato, Corbett and the 13% solution," by Tom Murse 9/09 Lancaster Online. This is a really interesting and well-researched article. It turns out that Onorato's claim that Corbett asked for a 12% increase this year was wrong. It was actually 13%.

Hmmmmm ......

Micek in Politico Playbook

I'm a little late with this, but last Friday Morning Call reporter and Capitol Ideas blogger John Micek was quoted in Mike Allen's Politico Playbook. The occasion was David Broder's 81st birthday and assorted remembrances of him. Here is Micek's:

--John L. Micek, State Capitol Reporter, The Morning Call, Harrisburg, Pa.: “I'm sure every state political reporter has their own memory of running into Mr. Broder on the campaign trail. Here's mine: It's 1997, I'm 27, and a young reporter in the Medill News Service's graduate program on Capitol Hill. I was working that term for the Observer-Times of Fayetteville, N.C., and one slow afternoon, found myself in the House press gallery watching a debate on tobacco crop insurance subsidies -- it was a big issue for the farmers of Fayetteville, N.C. In strolls David Broder with press gallery superintendent Jerry Gallegos. They chatted for a minute, and then Mr. Broder sat down to watch the debate. Plucking up my courage, I went over and introduced myself. True to every story I've heard about him, he was warm and genial, and not the least bit imposing for someone of his stature. 'So, what's going on here today, John?' he asked me. And there I found myself, a young reporter, explaining the vagaries of tobacco crop insurance subsidies to a man who's forgotten more about American politics than I'll ever know. He listened attentively and asked questions when appropriate. It was an important lesson. As much as we think we know about our beats, there's always something new to learn -- no matter how long you've been doing it. So it's a pleasure to wish Mr. Broder a happy birthday. I feel privileged to have had that one brush with him.”

Congrats on well-deserved recognition.

GOP Views on PA Redistricting

We haven't heard much about it recently but one factor in play in this year's governor and state house elections is redistricting. Our congressional and state house / senate districts will be shifted in response to the new census numbers. It was interesting to note an article on Campaigns & Elections site, "Republican redistricting after 2010 -- An Interview with GOPAC'S Frank Donatelli and David Avella," by Nathan Rothman (9/10/2010) Donatelli and Avella are both with GOPAC, the Republican Party's premier education and training organization.

Here are some relevant excerpts:

C&E: If Republicans get the opportunity to draw congressional and legislative boundary lines, which states will be the most significantly redefined?

Avella: Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Indiana and Texas. If Republicans were just given fair district, not gerrymandered snake-districts, we can be competitive. We don’t have to do what the Democrats have traditionally done.

Donatelli: Whoever draws the lines has a big advantage. I’d rather be redrawing the lines than not. I think that is a byproduct of having a good election, so now the focus is on November 2nd.

It should be noted that in Pennsylvania, when districts were redrawn 10 years ago, a Republican was in the governor's office and the Republicans held a majority in the state house. We ended up with districts like the 6th congressional:




the 172nd house district:



and the 161st house district. See a map of state house districts for the south-east Pennsylvania area here.

Another quote from the C&E article:

C&E: Pennsylvania:

Donatelli: I feel very good about prospects in Pennsylvania. Corbett is a good candidate; he is a good fit for Pennsylvania. We will keep the Senate and the House looks very promising. We need 3 or 4 gains, but we have three times as many strong challengers as we need. There is a strong hope to win everything.

Avella: Another state, just like Ohio, where Corbett’s lead continues to grow and we’re only down two in the House. We could go from having just the Senate to having the whole state government go to the GOP.

This is an issue voters need to be aware of -- districts should be drawn, as much as possible, along existing county, township, or municipal lines. Montgomery County is currently represented in part by five congressional representatives (districts 6, 7, 8, 13, and 15). Some townships have three or more state house representatives, each spread across more than one township. Tracking district boundaries can become very confusing for voters.

New Poll in 8th

Daily Delco is reporting that a new poll in the 8th congressional district (Democrat Patrick Murphy vs. Republican Mike Fitzpatrick). A Fitzpatrick poll had him up 7 points. A new poll by a Murphy pollster had the race leaning towards Murphy 47-43. Read more at Daily Delco.

Stop Loss Veterans Eligible for Extra Pay

from the inbox:

Today, Congressman Paul E. Kanjorski (PA-11) announced that about 145,000 service members who were forced to extend their tours of duty, known as stop loss, in Iraq and Afghanistan, are eligible to receive payments that they deserve for their service to protect the United States. Congressman Kanjorski strongly supported legislation which ensures that that those eligible for the special pay will receive $500 for each month or partial month served in stop loss status. At the Dupont VFW, Congressman Kanjorski discussed that our troops deserve these payments and pointed out that many service members and veterans who are applicable still have not applied to receive these payments. The deadline to file paperwork to receive the stop loss payments closes on October 21, 2010. The payments apply to service members affected by the stop loss between September 11, 2001 and September 30, 2009.

“Our troops and service members have put their lives in jeopardy and fought to protect our country – one of the most noble and selfless acts possible,” said Congressman Kanjorski. “For many of these troops, their tours in Iraq or Afghanistan were extended involuntarily, and I have worked in Congress to ensure that at the very least, they are fully compensated for their hard fought efforts. I strongly encourage eligible veterans to apply to receive the payments they deserve before the deadline in just over a month. I also encourage Northeastern Pennsylvanians to help spread the word to local service members and veterans about these payments. We must work to continue to support our troops and their families, and provide needed services to our troops and veterans who put their country above all else.”

“I would like to thank Congressman Kanjorski for supporting legislation that ensures that eligible Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans, such as myself, are recognized and compensated for our involuntary extensions,” said Jeff Demko, an Iraq war veteran from Luzerne County. “I hope that all eligible service members apply for the payments in advance of the deadline next month. I signed up to serve and defend my country, and like many other service members, my tour in the Army was involuntarily extended at the request of the military. Because of the legislation that Congressman Kanjorski supported, I, and many others are able to receive compensation for the sacrifice we made to protect the country that we love.”

Mr. Demko served in the Army from January 8, 2003 until April 30, 2006. His enlistment terms stated that he should have completed his service on January 7, 2006, but it was involuntarily extended for almost four months.

As of July 29, 2010, the Pentagon had paid out $111 million to 25,000 service members and veterans affected by the stop loss. The average payout is $3,000 to $4,000 per claim. The Pentagon has approximately $423 million left in the program’s fund.

The 2009 War Supplemental Appropriations Act, which Congressman Kanjorski supported, states that those eligible for the special pay will receive $500 for each month or partial month served in stop loss status.

Who is Eligible for Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay?

Service members, veterans, and beneficiaries of service members whose service was involuntarily extended under Stop Loss between Sept. 11, 2001 and Sept. 30, 2009 may be eligible for Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay. This includes members of the Reserve Components, former, and retired members who served on Active Duty while their enlistment or period of obligated service was extended, or whose eligibility for retirement was suspended from one of the following:


* Contractual Expiration of Term of Service (ETS), Expiration of Active Service (EAS), or Reserve End of Current Contract (RECC)
* An approved separation date based on an unqualified resignation request or Release From Active Duty (REFRAD) order
* An approved retirement based on length of service


Who is Not Eligible for Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay?

Service members who received a bonus for voluntarily re-enlisting or extending their service after being involuntarily extended no longer qualify for retroactive stop loss pay.

How to Apply for the Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay Program

Service members can apply for the Retroactive Stop Loss Special Pay Program online at www.defense.gov/stoploss.

Service members can also download and print the form by clicking here.

In order to apply, service members will need their DD 214 or DD 215.

More on Murphy and Outsourcing

from the inbox:

Today, Pennsylvania Congressman Patrick Murphy (D-8th District) announced that he successfully fought to end a program that was using millions of taxpayer dollars to outsource American jobs to South Asia. Last month, Murphy had called for the U.S. Agency on International Development (USAID) to abandon the new outsourcing program and announced he would draft legislation to defund it, should they continue moving forward.

USAID contacted Murphy on Wednesday to let him know that because of his intervention, the program would end. They had originally planned to spend $10 million to provide 3,000 Sri Lankan workers with English language proficiency classes as well as training in IT skills, call center support, and business process outsourcing. Upon completion of the program, the newly-trained South Asian workers would have been placed with American companies looking to outsource American jobs and take advantage of the region’s cheap labor.

To make matters worse, these individuals would have been brought to the United States so that soon-to-be-outsourced American employees could train the foreign workers in how to take over their job.

In a call earlier today, Murphy reiterated his commitment to fight against outsourcing and protect American jobs for American workers. “There are unemployed Americans out there today who would be happy to get that IT training and learn those computer programming skills so they could open new career paths and support their families,” he said.

When he called for the program to be stopped last month, Murphy was joined by communication workers who were unemployed because of the recession. Jim Gardler, President of the Communications Workers of America Local 13000 said, “Murphy took the lead on this issue and fought to put American workers at the head of the line. We know Murphy is fighting for the middle-class, working families back home.”

Obama Attends School in Philadelphia

from the inbox:

As students begin their school year, President Barack Obama will deliver his second annual Back-to-School Speech at 1:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, September 14 at Julia R. Masterman Laboratory and Demonstration School in Philadelphia, PA, a 2010 National Blue Ribbon School. The President’s Back-to-School Speech is an opportunity to speak directly to students across the country. Last year, President Obama encouraged students to study hard, stay in school, and take responsibility for their education.

“Every single one of you has something you’re good at. Every single one of you has something to offer. And you have a responsibility to yourself to discover what that is. That’s the opportunity an education can provide,” President Obama said to students last year.

President Obama’s Back-to-School Speech will be live streamed on WhiteHouse.gov. For more information about watching the speech, visit www.whitehouse.gov/back-to-school. This event is by invitation only, and additional media coverage details will be released soon.

Something Pat Toomey Said in 2001

The Heritage Foundation hosts a number of lectures each year. In 2001 one of their speakers was then Congressman Pat Toomey. "Tax Cuts: Bigger and Faster is Better" was the title of his talk.

And of course, there is the assumption that I mentioned earlier, the assumption that despite everything else being equal, tax relief will not generate greater economic output and there will be no robust growth in corresponding federal revenue feedback, and we know that's simply not true. It's also worth noting that even if we have a recession on the magnitude, say, of the recession we had in the early '90s -- the projected surplus would be diminished by only about 2.5 percent.

I'm no economist but he does not appear to have taken into account that the surplus could disappear into wars, and that much greater recessions were possible.

Toomey is now the Republican senatorial candidate in Pennsylvania.

Notes on an Inky Commentary Article

Normally I don't pay much attention to op-ed pieces; I have my own opinions. However, a piece by Kevin Hassett of the conservative American Enterprise Institute caught my eye. His view and the op-ed title, "Americans Make Too Much," gives two specific examples of wages that should be cut:

Third, the natural reluctance of workers to accept lower pay is amplified by how their wages help define their identity. A $60,000 a year worker might have a very hard time coming to terms with becoming a $40,000 a year worker.

Yeah, that's all about identity, and nothing to do with not being able to feed your family if your pay is cut by a third.

The other example:

Democrats chose to lift the minimum wage at the worst possible time, just as wage should have been reduced.

So, apparently, the only wages Mr. Hassett thinks should be cut are those earned by the lower wage groups. There is nary a peep about over-sized executive compensation or golden parachutes.

This I found just mind-boggling:

Finally, workers and jobs might be mismatched, either geographically or occupationally. Workers might be needed in places they don't want to move to or can't afford to live in.

There are many signs that these obstacles to lower wages are helping drive high unemployment today.

Seriously, does anyone actually read these things for sense before they are published?

PA-07, Local Bloggers on C-SPAN

C-SPAN did a nice story on the 7th congressional district race (Democrat Bryan Lentz vs Republican Pat Meehan). Dan Hirschhorn, proprietor of statewide political website www.pa2010.com makes an appearance, as does Philadelphia Inquirer reporter / blogger Tom Fitzgerald. It's only a few minutes long and presents the candidates well.

Dichter to Early Childhood Education Group

The First Five Years Fund (FFYF) www.ffyf.org, a national non-profit that encourages greater federal investment in early childhood education, announces that Pennsylvania Secretary of Public Welfare Harriet Dichter will join the organization. National Director Dichter, who has served in a variety of leadership roles relating to children and families, will be based in FFYF's new D.C. office.

PA College Athletes to the White House

from the inbox:

On Monday, September 13, President Obama will continue a tradition started by President George W. Bush by honoring championship teams and student athletes from across the NCAA with a reception at the White House. The President will welcome student athletes from dozens of schools and various sports to congratulate them on their accomplishments in the classroom as well as on and off the playing field. In association with this event, various championship teams and players will be recognized for their efforts to give back to their communities, continuing an effort begun by President Obama of sports champions being commended for service as part of a White House visit.

Among the teams being honored:

Pennsylvania State University Women’s Volleyball
Pennsylvania State University Men’s & Women’s Fencing
Villanova University Women’s Cross Country
Villanova University Football

Generic Ballot Shift

from Chris Cillizza of the Washington Post:

One week ago, Gallup released a weekly tracking poll that showed Republicans with a 10 point edge on the so-called generic ballot question -- "If the election for Congress were being held today, which parties' candidate would you vote for in your congressional district?" -- a finding that set off a rash of media coverage that the Democrats' hold on their House majority was rapidly slipping away.

(We dedicated the lead item of our "Morning Fix" column to the Gallup generic findings -- and what they meant -- while Post pollster Jon Cohen offered his take in a story for the paper.)

On Tuesday, Gallup released its latest numbers, which showed Democrats and Republicans tied at 46 percent on the generic ballot -- a stunning reversal that had Democratic operatives crowing that the media had jumped the gun on writing their party's political obituary.

See the full column for his theories on the shift.