Dems say Corbett 'heartless' toward working families
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HARRISBURG -- It's only a month into the new year, but things are already getting ugly at the state Capitol.
While election-year wars are always rough and tough, House Democrats have kicked things up a notch with an early attack accusing Republicans of pushing policies that are "mean-spirited and heartless toward working families in Pennsylvania."
"It's shameless," said House Democratic leader Frank Dermody of Oakmont. "Since Day 1 of his administration [in January 2011], Gov. Tom Corbett has waged a relentless, all-out attack on Pennsylvania's middle-class families, including children, workers and retired seniors."
He criticized the Republican governor for removing people from food-stamp rolls, cutting almost $900 million in public school aid by not replacing federal stimulus funds and knocking 150,000 lower-income people off Medicaid rolls.
Other House Democratic leaders, including Dan Frankel of Squirrel Hill, echoed his views.
Mr. Frankel has sharply criticized the governor for not taking steps to generate $3 billion a year to repair roads and bridges and prevent a huge slash in bus/subway service by the Allegheny County Port Authority in early September.
The current two-year legislative session began in January 2011 and lasts until Nov. 30. Democrats are now shut out of power because the GOP controls the House by a 112-91 margin and the Senate by 30-20. No political observers believe Democrats could make the necessary net gain of six seats to take over the Senate, so their only shot to regain some power is by winning control of the House in November. But that will be difficult because Democrats would need a net gain of at least 11 seats.
As the Democratic political attacks ramp up, Republicans and their allies are not turning the other cheek.
House Majority Leader Mike Turzai of Bradford Woods said the GOP record for the first year of the session has been outstanding, with lawsuit abuse reform, welfare changes "to ensure that only those truly eligible receive the help they need," casino law changes "to restore the public's trust" and passage of a balanced, no-tax-hike budget on time in June.
First Published February 5, 2012 12:00 am
