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Arlen and Bobby know best

Arlen and Bobby know best

July 19, 2007
Specter to Reid: You don't know PA

Sen. Arlen Specter had some strong words for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., yesterday after the Senate's unusual all-night debate on the Iraq war. Apparently, Mr. Reid stopped Mr. Specter in mid-speech and offered the Pennsylvania Republican some advice about the Keystone State. Mr. Specter didn't like that:

"When the majority leader cut me off, then made reference to what the people of Pennsylvania want, the last time I looked, Senator Casey and Senator Specter represented the people of Pennsylvania, not Senator Harry Reid.

"When he talks about my state, then he talks about me, and he raises an intonation that I did not know what my constituents want. I at least ought to have an opportunity to reply because I think I know more about Pennsylvania than Senator Reid does."

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Mr. Specter also called the all-night session "meaningless" and "insulting."

GOP spokesman knows how to irk Democrat guv

If you want to get Gov. Ed Rendell irritated, say that he cares only about Philadelphia issues. It really isn't true, because Mr. Rendell, former mayor of Philly, has spread state largesse to many communities, especially Allegheny County, but Steve Miskin, a spokesman for House Republican leader Sam Smith, knows how to push the governor's buttons.

Mr. Miskin said the reason that many House members, especially Republicans, voted against House Bill 1631, the new slots-funded development fund, was because it is "Philly-centric." By that he meant that the slots fund is providing $880 million to expand the Philadelphia convention center. The bill barely passed the House on a 102-100 vote.

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"That's $880 million for just one building in Philadelphia," he said. "The governor said he wanted gaming in order to provide property tax relief to homeowners, but homeowners haven't seen any yet. The most optimistic projection for that is July 2008. But the governor thought it was more important that the Philadelphia convention center got its money. Everyone knows he's so 'Philly-centric'."

This slots fund is the same pool of money that is providing $225 million over 30 years for the new Pittsburgh multi-purpose arena, plus seven other projects in Allegheny County. Many legislators, both GOP and Democrat from other areas of the state, complained that other counties should have a chance to get some of the money, and House Democratic leaders promised that would happen in the fall.

"Other communities should have a chance to break the 'Philly-Pittsburgh ceiling'," said Mr. Miskin.

Grammar Lesson I: Use Analogies to explain concepts

Banning smoking in one part of a casino but allowing it in another is like having swimming pools with peeing and non-peeing sections, state Rep. Babette Josephs, D-Philadelphia, so eloquently said during House debate this week.

The smoking ban passed in the House, but the Senate, which wants a less-restrictive ban, refused to concur. Both chambers plan to take up the issue again in the fall.

Grammar Lesson II: Avoid trite language

"Your right to smoke ends at my nose."

House observers heard that phrase at least five times during the smoking debate.

Grammar Lesson 3: Avoid malapropisms

State Rep. Louise Bishop, D-Philadelphia, seemed a little unclear on a proposal to expand insurance coverage for autistic children.

During floor debate, she urged colleagues to vote yes because it's important to help "children with Alzheimer's" and those who are artistic.

Autism is a developmental and neurological condition that affects children, mostly boys. Alzheimer's afflicts the elderly.

The bill passed unanimously.

First Published: July 19, 2007, 7:30 p.m.

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