Received this e-mail today gubernatorial candidate, Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz (D. PA-13):
Our team received more great news on Wednesday -- a leaked poll from Public Opinion Strategies, one of the nation's best known Republican polling firms -- shows Governor Tom Corbett trailing Allyson Schwartz by 12 points.
You read that right, 12 points.
But, before we can beat Corbett, we have a primary to win. We're building up our base to show that Allyson is the right choice for the Commonwealth -- can you take a moment to say you stand with Team Schwartz?
https://services.myngp.com/...
Allyson leads in nearly every Pennsylvania media market. According to the poll "Corbett especially struggles in the Pittsburgh media market, which helped propel him to victory in 2010." And the numbers don't get any better for the current Governor. Corbett trails Allyson in the Pittsburgh market by 26 points, despite winning the region by 12 points in 2010.These poll numbers are so dismal for the Governor that they prompted one paper to suggest that Corbett was "the walking dead".
We know that Allyson is the right choice for Pennsylvania, but we just can't do this without you. Say you stand with Allyson today.
https://services.myngp.com/...
We've got a ways to go until election day and I'm thankful for all of your help along the way.
Best,
Neil Deegan
Political Director
You can click here to show your support for Schwartz's campaign:
https://services.myngp.com/...=
By the way, here's a little more on the leaked GOP poll:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/...
The Public Opinion Strategies poll, which was obtained by the Philadelphia City Paper and conducted from April 30-May 2, shows Corbett trailing Rep. Alyson Schwartz (D) 46 percent to 34 percent.
It is not known whom the poll was conducted for.
In addition, when Pennsylvanians were asked whether Corbett deserved another term, 65 percent either said no (49 percent) or leaned that way (the rest). Even 44 percent of Republicans leaned toward electing someone new. - Washington Post, 6/19/13
Here's a few new reasons why even GOP polling shows Corbett's approvals in the toilet. First, there's this:
http://blogs.phillymag.com/...
Larry Sabato, political swami and talking head, has looked into his mythic “crystal ball” and determined that PA’s own Tom Corbett is the single most vulnerable incumbent governor in the country. Once rated a “Toss-Up,” Sabato and his crew at the University of Virginia have deemed that the race “Leans Democratic.”
We believe Gov. Tom Corbett (R) is the incumbent likeliest to lose if he makes it to November 2014. One of the reasons for it has to deal with the state’s flagship university, Penn State. - The Philly Post, 6/21/13
You can read more about Corbett's timeline regarding the Penn State sex abuse scandal here:
http://blogs.phillymag.com/...
Then there's Corbett's pensions reform plan that he wrote an op-ed piece about:
http://www.pennlive.com/...
Under my pension reform plan, new state and public school employees will be enrolled in a defined contribution plan, rather than a defined benefit plan.
In my view, conversion from a defined-benefit plan to a defined-contribution plan is the most responsible way to provide an adequate retirement for state and public school employees, while shielding the taxpayers from bearing the burden of contributing billions to help balance an outdated and expensive defined benefit plan that has become increasingly rare in the private sector.
Moreover, as I have said countless times, my plan does nothing to affect the benefits of retirees or the benefits of current employees that have already been earned.
So count me in. As governor, I pledge to you that if the General Assembly passes pension reform, I will gladly join new state and public school employees as a member of the new defined contribution system. Together, we can solve this pension crisis and make Pennsylvania a better and less expensive place to live, work and raise a family. - Governor Tom Corbett (R. PA), The Patriot-News, 6/18/13
Though Pennsylvanians agree with Corbett that something needs to be done about the "pension problem", no one is really buying his plan:
http://www.pennlive.com/...
Corbett's plan doesn't put the taxpayer first, stworker2113 says:
Please come up with something that is fair and legal for all. The Feb. 5, 2013, Zogby PowerPoint, Slide 3, line 1 says, “Put taxpayers first – no tax increases”. Well sir, I am a taxpayer like everyone else and your plan certainly does not put me first. As a state employee, I am now glad to know where we stand with you.
Corbett and his staff should freeze their pensions, thus leading the way, says bierce1:
The Defined Benefit Pension Plan has to be changed because the taxpayers and the state is tapped. The Governor and his staff should lead the way and freeze their pensions first.
The looming loss of Pensions by state and federal workers, and the decline of Union jobs, along with a lot of sectors that dropped pensions in the last decade will have a drastic effect on our society.
Is this a "money grab"? whatwilludowhatwilludo thinks so:
So when they stopped paying the money in did the average PA resident get a tax cut? This is a money grab plain and simple. A gift to those in the financial field that will reap millions in fees and commissions no matter how the new system performs.
uptownphrogg says the plan does nothing to fix the pension shortage:
Your bill "collars" the payments made by the state and local school districts, causing an even larger hole in the pension fund. You want a 401k plan, but your plan doesn't say how much money the state would contribute. I agree pension needs fixed, but this is not a fix. How about you tax pensions above a certain amount - say 50K? and use that revenue to make up missing money the Commonwealth did not put in to the fund? - The Patriot-News, 6/19/13
Democrats and the Keystone Research Center argue that Corbett's pension plan would cost up to nearly $51 billion:
http://www.centralpennbusiness.com/...
The KRC on Tuesday released additional briefing papers on the governor's proposal, which would convert the state's public sector pension systems to defined-contribution plans for new hires and make changes to future benefits for current employees.
The Republican plan also would make short-term collar adjustments on the annual increase in the employer contribution limit.
Actuarial projections released by the Public School Employees' Retirement System and the State Employees' Retirement System show cost increases as a result of the governor's plan that total $50.8 billion, according to the KRC. State taxpayers will pay more than $40 billion more, the organization said.
"These independent actuarial studies reinforce the point many have made since the governor's plans were first announced," said Stephen Herzenberg, economist and executive director of the KRC. "We cannot afford to dig a deeper pension hole, raise costs for taxpayers and undermine retirement security. Advanced in the name of fiscal restraint, the governor's proposal would leave taxpayers picking up a $42 billion tab."
Most of the losses result from lower investment returns as the current defined-benefit pension plans wind down, the collar adjustments and the cost of retirement plans for future employees, according to the KRC.
The studies estimate the proposed restructuring would produce $28.7 billion in savings, most of it from reductions in future pension benefits earned by current employees. If these savings survived a state constitutional challenge, which could occur if the plan is advanced, the net costs of the governor's plan would be $22.1 billion, according to the KRC.
If the governor's pension cuts for current employees are not enacted or are ruled unconstitutional, his plan would cost $42 billion.
"It is more clear to me than ever that the governor has not proposed a pension reform plan," state Treasurer Rob McCord said. "He has proposed a scheme to allow him to close a hole in this year's budget at both far higher costs for taxpayers and far lower benefits for retired workers down the road." - Central Penn business, 6/19/13
Democrats advocate letting the pension reforms made in 2010 under Act 120 run their course. Another issue is Corbett's plan to privatize the liquor industry which is having a difficult time getting passed in the state Senate:
http://www.mcall.com/...
Beer is king in Pennsylvania. Tom Corbett is just governor.
Those facts played out Tuesday when a Republican state senator unveiled his long-awaited plan to privatize liquor sales in a way vastly different and much slower than the two-year proposal favored by Corbett and the Republican-controlled House.
The plan, which comes with its own questionable cost estimates, could spell political doom for Corbett's liquor privatization plans — one of three key policy initiatives he has sought to put into his 2013-14 spending plan.
The plan, presented by Bucks County Sen. Chuck McIlhinney, protects the interests of the state's privately owned beer distributors, taverns and restaurants, hotels, cafes and some supermarkets. It allows them to sell different types and quantities of alcohol than they currently are allowed to sell. While those existing 14,000 licensed outlets expand sales, the Liquor Control Board would decide when to close unprofitable state stores — but there's not timetable to do so.
McIlhinney's plan would allow the state to retain ownership of the lucrative wholesale liquor distribution system for an unspecified time instead of selling it in two years as a Corbett-endorsed House Bill 790 would.
The plan, however, tasted flat to grocery and retail store owners.
Some grocery stores that have in-store restaurants, such as Wegmans, already sell beer using an "eatery" license, said David McCorkle, president and CEO of the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association. But grocery stores without "eatery' licenses would be out of luck, he said.
"We believe in order for consumers to be satisfied we need to find a way to put more licenses in the hands of grocery stores," McCorkle said.
Wendell Young IV, president of the union that represents about 3,500 state store workers, said he opposes any bill that would eliminate jobs. But he cannot imagine McIlhinney's bill has much chance of passing because so many people oppose it.
Senate and House Democrats oppose any legislation that would close retail stores. There is not enough support for McIlhinney's plan among the remaining Republicans, either, said Sen. Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi, R-Delaware. - The Morning Call, 6/18/13
And instead of restoring the steep education cuts in his budget, Corbett is now turning to the federal government for help:
http://www.timesleader.com/...
Gov. Tom Corbett’s administration is attempting to get new funding for Philly schools by convincing the federal government to let the state off the hook for a $108 million debt, according to city, state and federal sources.
All parties involved cautioned that the plan is far from a sure thing, as the federal Department of Health and Human Services, which is owed the money, has not indicated whether it will go along. An HHS spokesman did not respond to a request for comment.
In a statement yesterday, Corbett gave the strongest indication yet that funding the Philadelphia School District, which will lay off about 3,800 employees without a cash infusion, is a priority.
“As governor, I am committed to finding a long-term solution for the Philadelphia School District that is focused on students and is fiscally responsible for taxpayers,” the statement said. “Over the past several weeks, many viable ideas and solutions have been suggested.”
At Corbett’s request, Philly U.S. Rep. Bob Brady and other local members of Congress are asking HHS to forgive the state for a $108 million debt resulting from past overpayments to Pennsylvania counties in a federal foster-care program, according to sources with direct knowledge of the talks who only agreed to speak anonymously because the deal is up in the air.
Corbett has talked with legislative leaders in Harrisburg about reappropriating a large part of that money, if it comes through, to fund Philly schools. - Times Leader, 6/21/13
With this Tea Party Congress, I highly doubt that Corbett is going to get the funding. Plus Corbett turning to the federal government for help won't make the Tea Party crowd happy. But the latest offense Corbett has committed to really piss off voters, especially female voters, is this:
http://www.philly.com/...
Women in Pennsylvania who sign up for health insurance under the federal Affordable Care Act's new insurance exchange will not be able to purchase abortion coverage - even with private dollars.
Gov. Corbett signed into law a bill today that prohibits abortion coverage in insurance plans offered through the exchanges.
Pennsylvania is now one of about 20 other states limiting coverage under the health care exhanges. set up to provide lower cost health care to independent workers and small businesses that cannot afford insurance for their employees.
Corbett decided not to set up a Pennsylvania-specific exchange, so residents must rely on plans administered by the federal government.
The bill passed both the House and Senate with bipartisan support.
House Republican leaders touted the law 's passage as a way to "protect taxpayer dollars" from funding abortion, a contention the ACLU called "ludicrous."
"They're comparing insurance from Blue Cross with Medicare and Medicaid," said Andrew Hoover, legislative director of the ACLU of Pennsylvania, "Under this law a person could buy insurance with the exchange with their own money couldn't get abortion coverage even when their health was threatened."
Hooever noted both the House and Senate had the opportunity to offer an exemption in cases where a woman's health was in danger and voted it down.
"Women who face complications in pregnancy and are better off having an abotrtion will have to pay out of pocket if they buy through the exchange."
The exchanges will still cover abortions in cases of rape, incest or when the mother’s life is in danger..
Hoover said the new law goes beyond provisions of the Pennsylvania Abortion Control Act's restrictions on public money.
"The state has never banned private insurance companies from covering abortion," he said. - Philadelphia Inquirer, 6/17/13
Schwartz has long been a strong voice for women's health and reproductive rights and with Corbett being a loyal foot soldier in the GOP's War On Women, Schwartz will be able to energize the base and help get female voters out to the polls in large numbers. High voter turnout will be necessary and if Schwartz is the nominee, voters in Pennsylvania will be able to make history next year by making Schwartz the first female Governor. Even though she's competing with him for the party's nominee, John Hanger (D), former head of the Pennsylvania EPA, discussed how Corbett and the GOP would go over after Schwartz:
http://www.keystonepolitics.com/...
After saying that Congresswoman Schwartz was a friend of his, Hanger said that he would ultimately be the better candidate. When pressed for why, Hanger said that the Republicans “already have a plan” for how to beat Schwartz. According to Hanger, the GOP’s anti-Schwartz strategy consists of four parts.
First, she has a long voting record, which will make it easier for the Republicans to paint her in a variety of negative lights. “She has lots of votes in Congress” and “she voted for the last legislative pay raise,” said Hanger.
Second, “she’s from Congress,” which Hanger said “is not the best organization to be from” in terms of popularity. Hanger said Corbett supporters will “appeal to the hatred of D.C.” to cast Schwartz as a beltway politician.
Third, Hanger said that the GOP will appeal to strains of racism in the commonwealth by describing her as a Philadelphia politician. Hanger said that even though Ed Rendell proved that a Philadelphian could take the governor’s office, “being described as a Philadelphia politician isn’t a compliment” in certain parts of the state.
Fourthly, Hanger said that because Schwartz “ran a reproductive health clinic that did provide abortion services,” the GOP would use that to mobilize their conservative base and make gains with Reagan Democrats.
Hanger was quick to add that he will work hard for Schwartz if she is the nominee. Hanger is beginning a multi-day school bus tour of the state, and said that he needs to reach 15% in the polls by December to be competitive in the primary election. - Keystone Politics, 6/21/13
Corbett may be a polarizing and unpopular Governor and I am hoping that 2014 looks a lot like 2006 in Pennsylvania but Democrats need an exciting candidate that will get voters to the polls. I firmly believe Schwartz is that candidate.
Meanwhile, Schwartz was recently awarded for her work for small business owners:
http://www.menafn.com/...
U.S. Reps. Allyson Y. Schwartz (PA-13) was recently recognized as a 2013 Small Business Champion for her leadership in assisting Pennsylvania's small business owners and entrepreneurs to create jobs and grow the economy. The Congresswoman received the award from the Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) on June 12, in advance of this week's celebration of National Small Business Week.
"Small businesses have always been the engine of the American economy. From family-owned restaurants in Conshohocken to high-tech manufacturers in Northeast Philadelphia, the success of our small businesses is vital to our region's economic growth and strengthening our nation's global competiveness," said Congresswoman Schwartz. "In Congress I have fought for smart, bipartisan solutions to strengthen our economy, create jobs and grow the middle class, and I am proud to be named a Small Business Champion by the Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers."
Small businesses represent 98 percent of all employers in Pennsylvania and employ half of the U.S. private work force. Rep. Schwartz recently urged leaders of the House Appropriations Committee to support the Small Business Administration's SBDC program, which provides critical training and counseling to America's entrepreneurs. Rep. Schwartz called for full federal support for the program to assist millions of small businesses.
"We are grateful for Congresswoman Schwartz's support of a strong, viable small business sector and efforts to secure resources that will enable these companies to realize their growth potential," said Pennsylvania SBDC State Director Christian Conroy. "If Congress provides the funding support requested by Rep. Schwartz, the SBDCs will be able to continue to help entrepreneurs and small firms expand sales and bring new products and services to market. Based upon the program's documented history over the past 32 years, the direct benefits in the 13th District of this federal investment will be hundreds of new jobs and the federal treasury will see millions in new tax revenue beyond the small sum invested in the program."
As a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, Rep. Schwartz is the lead Democratic member of a bipartisan working group that is seeking to update and simplify the U.S. tax code to help small businesses expand and create jobs, and strengthen the middle class. On Ways and Means, she has fought for targeted tax cuts that promote innovative and emerging industries that will create an environment for private sector job growth for generations to come. - MENAFN, 6/19/13
And in the House, Schwartz introduced a bill to help expand food options and job creation:
http://www.perishablenews.com/...
U.S. Representative Allyson Y. Schwartz (PA-13) introduced legislation to support a national Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI), a market-based approach to bring jobs and investment to underserved communities where healthy food options are scarce or unaffordable.
Rep. Schwartz’s bill would authorize $125 million to continue the HFFI to help make more grocery stores, farmers markets, food cooperatives and other options accessible by providing one time start-up grants and affordable loan financing. This targeted investment will spur economic development, create private sector jobs in Pennsylvania and across the country, and help combat obesity, which costs the U.S. health care system $190 billion annually.
“More than 25 million Americans lack access to healthy foods and this crisis demands aggressive action. The Healthy Food Financing Initiative will expand food options in underserved areas, improve the health of children and families, and spark local economic development,” Congresswoman Schwartz said. “As we continue to reinvigorate our economy, this public-private partnership will create good-paying jobs, help people live longer and healthier lives, and strengthen our neighborhoods.”
Modeled after the successful Pennsylvania Fresh Food Financing Initiative, the HFFI is a public-private partnership that expands investment in underserved communities, known as “food deserts,” by providing flexible grant and loan financing. Since 2011, the HFFI has supported a wide range of innovative projects in rural, urban, and suburban communities. On average, a 50,000 square foot supermarket creates 250 full-time jobs, associated construction work, and expanded opportunities for American farmers. A 10,000 square foot supermarket creates 25 full- and part-time jobs.
Congresswoman Schwartz’s bill is a companion measure to legislation (S 821) U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) introduced in the Senate.
“When we connect farm-fresh food with communities that have little or no access to affordable, local produce, we can help children and families lead healthier lives, and strengthen our economy,” Senator Gillibrand said. “Our legislation would open new grocery stores and other retail options where we need them most to create new jobs, eliminate food deserts, and provide families with access to fresh, healthy foods.”
“Barriers to healthy food have worsened the growing epidemic of obesity, diabetes and other diet-related health problems in low income communities, both urban and rural. A multi-state study found that adults with no supermarkets within a mile of their homes are 25 to 46 percent less likely to have a healthy diet than those with supermarkets near their homes,” said Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge (D-OH), an original co-sponsor of Rep. Schwartz’s bill. “The Healthy Food Financing Initiative seeks to address this imbalance. Through public-private initiatives, it would leverage millions of dollars in private capital at the national level to increase access to healthy food retail. With better options, we build up communities and give underserved residents the nutritional building blocks they need to maintain a healthier lifestyle.” - Perishable News, 6/17/13
Schwartz's bill has the support from more than 90 organizations nationwide, including the American Heart Association, the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association, the American Diabetes Association, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the NAACP, and the American Public Health Association. If you would like to know more about her campaign, you can go here:
http://www.allysonschwartz.com/...