By Rep. Samuel E. Rohrer (R-Berks)

The new year is upon us and what better time to turn over a new leaf? New Year’s resolutions have come to be a euphemism for broken promises, or kind of a “I meant well” gesture. And yet, 2010 is the perfect time for redeeming the reputation of resolutions and committing to a better year for Pennsylvania.

This past year’s budget process (if it can be called that—budget “shenanigans” may be more appropriate) will go down in history as probably one of the best—rather, worst—examples of bipartisan politics and poor fiscal management. Redeeming Pennsylvania government in the eyes of our citizens won’t be easy—but this year, we have a chance.

To be sure, both political parties carry their fair share of blame. Yet the leadership of the chief executive of the Commonwealth, both to introduce a balanced budget and to be a good fiscal steward of the Commonwealth’s monies, cannot be understated. This year’s budget address from the governor may yet be the most difficult—and thus, most important—budget address that Gov. Ed Rendell has had to give. Since last year’s budget drained the state’s reserves, borrowed money, levied new taxes, and depended on temporary federal funds, this year’s budget promises to be even harder—and this with tax revenues still declining.

And so I call on Rendell, as well as leadership in both the Pennsylvania House and Senate, to make—and keep—a New Year’s resolution for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

This resolution should include a promise to address the pension problem for our teachers and state employees. We cannot continue to push off this enormous fiscal obligation any longer. We must work this year to stabilize our current obligations so we can meet our commitments. We must also resolve to address the issue for the future so we can provide a practical, reasonable retirement plan that takes into account the current economic environment.

This resolution should include a promise not to raise taxes on our hardworking citizens. If the Pennsylvania government is struggling, imagine how much more our families are being affected. We can’t know how long the recession will last or how long state revenues will decline. We can’t continue borrowing against our future by raising taxes ever higher each budget year. Along those lines, we must resolve not to borrow any more money to balance the budget, which essentially taxes our citizens later on down the line as interest and repayment comes due. We must resolve to prioritize our spending and live within our means.

This resolution should include a promise to get the budget done on time. Pennsylvanians have had it with seven years of overdue budgets. The economic situation was no surprise.  We had months of data showing that revenues were declining. Simply stated, the budget the governor presented to the Legislature in February 2009 was not balanced. This year, we must be given a truly balanced budget, taking into account the expected decline in revenue, fully disclosing all hidden costs, and realistically funding the Commonwealth’s obligations. We must resolve to treat our citizens with the respect they deserve by getting the job done right and done on time.

And finally, this resolution should include a promise that this budget will be forward looking. It is bad management and bad fiscal policy to continue to operate from year to year without regard for the long term ramifications. The taxpayers are often left with the baggage of years of increased taxes and deferred debt. We have nothing to fall back on this year since last year’s budget drained the Rainy Day account.

We must develop a long-range plan to rebuild our state’s savings. While we might not be able to set aside money this year for that, we still must come to the table with an understanding and a plan of how to recover those emergency funds. We must plan for the day that is coming in the not-too-distant future when the federal stimulus funds run out and leave us with a gaping hole in our budget.

We must look at how to make our state more attractive to businesses, so we can not only bring in more industry, but also ensure that our companies won’t continue to leave us for the friendlier environments of our neighbors.

This resolution shouldn’t be a hard one to keep. It’s just common sense. And yet, that might be the side of the leaf that Harrisburg needs to turn over in this new year.

Rep. Samuel Rohrer

128th District

Pennsylvania House of Representatives

(610) 775-5130

(717) 787-8550

www.SamRohrer.com

Contact: Dan Massing

House Republican Public Relations

(717) 772-9845

www.pahousegop.com