New Governor
has much work
ahead
After being sworn in on January 21,
In Governor Rendell has a tough road ahead.
My Pennsylvania's economy is 48th out of 50 states
Opinion and 80,000 jobs have been lost over the past two
years. The Keystone State harbors the second old
est population in the country. And to top it off,
property taxes are soaring higher while state funding for schools has
dropped 15% since 1970.
But Rendell's plans show promise. He plans to revitalize the
state economy by allowing revenue from slot machines, making an
unprecedented level of investment into an economic stimulus program,
and finding five percent of the state budget that qualifies as "unneces
sary spending." The economic stimulus plan involves granted money
for upstart businesses, some Which may include graduates fresh out of
college.
The downside to Rendell's plan could be job losses in the
state government. However, he hopes that his economic stimulus pro
gram will provide jobs for laid-off state employees in the private sec
tor.
In addition, he hopes to reduce property taxes by increasing
the amount of state funding to public schools. This, he says, will allow
schools to improve the quality of preschool education, adopting full
day kindergarten, decreasing class size, and implementing more after
school and summer school tutoring. "Alongside that investment must
come strict standards, accountability, and teacher training, but let's be
honest. We cannot do the things we know will increase student
achievement... without additional money to pay for them." Rendell
believes that investing in public schools will also help to retain the
young workers.
Rendell should be able to pump up PA's economy just as he
did Philadelphia's when he was mayor. Though he was notorious for
cutting city jobs, Rendell brought Philly out of a $250 million hole
with many of the same tactics he intends to implement as governor.
Rendell was able to balance Philadelphia's budget and generated five
consecutive budget surpluses on top off six consecutive years of job
gains. His success for Pennsylvania may not come as fast, but it will
probably come eventually.
The only promise Rendell has made that will not hold up is
his quest to eliminate squabbling between regions and political parties
Squabbling between regions and political parties will exist as long as
American democracy remains intact. If a mistake is made, a Democrat
will never hold back from blaming the Republicans.
by Peter Strella
Assistant Layout Editor
Above: Rendell waves to the crowd after being sworn in just
moments before
Right: U.S.
Senator Arlen
Specter waves
to the crowd
Below: Some
of PA's finest,
Governors Tom
Ridge and
Mark Schweiker
photos by Douglas Coolbaugh / The Fourth Estate