Pennsylvania in Pain if Rendell Doesn't Step Up

Despite national attention on how horribly TABOR has failed Colorado, it seems that many are not learning the lessons. Even the Colorado business community is now opposed, yet efforts are underway across the country, from Maine to Montana (Town Hall reports 22 states are considering such measures). And in Pennsylvania, it appears that preventing one of the worst provisions of TABOR will fall squarely on the shoulders of Democratic Governor Rendell.

Pennsylvania's bill would limit spending increases to the smaller of two figures: growth in personal income statewide or the sum of inflation and population growth.

In short, no one can disagree with the goal of this policy or its effect, which is to cash-strap state governments and end or undercut essential public programs. Unfortunately, despite it being widespread that we know precisely what these proposals will do, Democrats are still running scared on the issue.

Hopefully, Rendell does the right thing here and vetoes this bill. If he doesn't, school children and low-income families will be hurting very soon in Pennsylvania.

--Matt Singer

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