I told you yesterday that the September 29 special election to fill Rob Wonderling's state senate seat will cost Pennsylvania taxpayers around $400,000. That's what Governor Ed Rendell said in a letter slamming Lt. Guv Joe Scarnati for an unnecessary expense that could be avoided by simply waiting for the general electon in November.
Actually, the cost may be somewhat lower. Secretary of State Pedro Cortes placed the cost at between $250,000 and $375,000. County officials place the cost even lower, at about $100,000.
It's still an unnecessary expense.
Today's one-liner: "The shortest way to the distinguishing excellence of any writer is through his hostile critics." Richard LeGallienne
Local Government TV
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Wednesday, August 05, 2009
13 comments:
You own views are appreciated, especially if they differ from mine. But remember, commenting is a privilege, not a right. I will delete personal attacks or off-topic remarks at my discretion. Comments that play into the tribalism that has consumed this nation will be declined. So will comments alleging voter fraud unless backed up by concrete evidence. If you attack someone personally, I expect you to identify yourself. I will delete criticisms of my comment policy, vulgarities, cut-and-paste jobs from other sources and any suggestion of violence towards anyone. I will also delete sweeping generalizations about mainstream parties or ideologies, i.e. identity politics. My decisions on these matters are made on a case by case basis, and may be affected by my mood that day, my access to the blog at the time the comment was made or other information that isn’t readily apparent.
Typical Republican stratgy. They have a candidate and the Dems don't have one yet. Freeman declined, Panto was pressured but doesn't want to leave his city that he is serving well and Reibma won't leave his cushion job at the bridge. We need a candidate from our county -- not Montgomery.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. Have you asked her?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.duanemorris.com/attorneys/lisaltresslar.html
http://www.wilsonareasd.org/BoardofSchoolDirectors/ContactUs.htm
Never heard of her? Tell us more.
ReplyDeleteEddie Rendell knows the law firm well - they're headquartered in Philly, and before becoming a judge his wife was a partner there.
The Banker
Bernie I thought you'd be in Allentown for the meeting tonight?
ReplyDeleteThe Banker
Wesley Barrett out of Emmaus would be a dynamic candidate against "More of the Same" Mensch
ReplyDeleteBanker, Actually, I was in A-town tonight. I had this set to autopost at 9 PM.
ReplyDeleteCounty officials are just parroting the Republican Party line.
ReplyDeleteI have noticed several comments in the recent past noting how we need a "Northampton County" Senator. Yet, if you look at the map of Wonderling's 24th, Browne's 16th, and Boscola's 18th Districts one can not help but think the word gerrymander while raising an eyebrow. Logic would put the Lehigh Valley in one district, rather divide into three districts diluted into neighboring counties.
ReplyDeleteThat said, the base salary of a PA legislator is (I believe) under $80k, and per news accounts many staffers make substantially more than that. How is it justified to spend more than these combined salaries just to hold an election a mere 35 days earlier? Municipal election years are already notoriously low. To spend anywhere from $100k to $400 for a special election a mere 35 days before the regular election in all of the 24th District's four counties is obscene.
I obviously meant between $100k and $400K above, not $400
ReplyDeleteTo put in perspective, according to the Habitat for Humanity LV website, "The average cost of constructing a simple, decent Habitat for Humanity house is $75,000."
ReplyDelete1 to 5 families could have their own home for the equivalent cost of a mere 35 days.
The largest % of Democrats in the 24th are in Northampton. Most of the Republicans are in Montco. Hence the push for a Dem from here. Yes this district was a gerrymander originally created for a Montco Republican Lafayette grad. I believe his name was Lewis. It's a shame Freeman isn't running, Panto or Tresslar would be great.
ReplyDeleteI don't understand the vitriol with "the REps have a candidate and we don't. Not fair. We need time." Dems dominate in PA. It's a disgrace that we can't come up with anyone and the Reps can and I blame it all on the lousy leadership. Joe Long in the Paper today said, "Don't worry, we'll get someone." With only Dertinger, McHale, and Reibman on his forever repeating list....who is this mystery guest going to be? Lousy leadership scares away good new talent. Good talented potential leaders don't want to be associated with the LongDems, leaving us at a deficit. That's the problem. Not the timing. We should be ready for a Nov. or a Sept election, just liek the Reps, especially in these times so favorable to Dems.
ReplyDeleteSo 5:34, why not step up and run the Party. Since you are great at anonymous personal attacks, you should be great at leadership.
ReplyDeleteAfter all as one of the Stoffa trolls you already know how to twist and hide the Truth.
So man up and change things. The same names are out there because they are willing to be attacked by people like you. Not all have the courage to run for Office, only attack.
The special election is crap, it is a huge waste of money and the Republican should be defeated by whoever the candidate is purely on principle. Won't happen but it should.