July, 9, 2007

The Honorable Edward G. Rendell
Governor of Pennsylvania
225 Main Capitol
Harrisburg, PA 17120

Dear Governor Rendell,

It was difficult to type "Honorable" in the above salutation. There
is no honor in what you have done; refusing to allow 25,000 state
workers the right to continue working and keep the state operating.
Regardless of what you say; you had and have the power to keep
Pennsylvania running. Shutting the state down is a decision you may
well regret.

You're using 25,000 hard working state employees as a wedge to get
your way with the state budget. They are not reimbursed for the lost
time. You and the Legislature are reimbursed. Each day of closure
is a day of lost and needed income of which they'll never recover.
I'm certain many were supporters in your run for governor. Ask them
their feelings now, and if their layoffs continue. Regrets? You
just might have a few.

Why is it that four other states with late budgets are still up and
running? Thanks to a favorite columnist of yours (and mine), John
Baer of the Philadelphia Inquirer, he wrote on July 6th – "As of
today, only five states have late budgets: California, Illinois,
North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Two of those, California
and Wisconsin, have built-in protections permitting state operations
and payrolls to continue while politicians haggle, according to
Arturo Perez, a fiscal expert with the Denver-based National
Conference of State Legislatures."

John's article continues – "Two more, Illinois and North Carolina,
just adopted stopgap budgets for one month, allowing state functions
and pay to go on while budget negations go on. So the only state now
playing without a net? Ta-da!" Many thanks, John! Great article!

You use the excuse that it is against the law to keep operating
without a budget. On what basis? Why can the other four states keep
operating? Must Pennsylvania always be the orphan? Is it you like
the national exposure of radio, TV and newsprint? It does keep your
name in the national news. What office would you like to be
appointed to should a Democrat win the White House in November 2008?
Isn't it all about politics and publicity at the cost of
Pennsylvania; its workers and citizens? Isn't it?

Why do I even try? In all the letters I've written to you; you've
never replied to one and I do not expect a reply this time. Why?
You haven't the answers. Don't concern yourself! These letters are
copied to hundreds across the state and nation, including the print
and broadcast media. Many do reply. Yes, you are getting exposure.
Too bad for you it isn't favorable.

A disgusted,

Bill McIntyre, voter and taxpayer
Not in the mood for humor today – There is none!

PS: A signed hardcopy will be sent to you, as usual.

CC: Executive, Legislative & Judicial Branches of PA Government
All in my address book