PORT ALLEGANY – There’s not much to like about Governor Ed
Rendell’s budget proposal, two area legislators told about 50
people at an “Eggs and Issues” breakfast in Port Allegany
Friday.

In fact, there’s not much to like about any of the governor’s
proposals, agreed Rep. Marty Causer, R-Turtlepoint, and Sen. Joe
Scarnati, R-Brockway.

Causer talked about the present budget impasse, noting that many
were questioning whether a final budget acceptable to both sides
could be brought together by the June 30 deadline.

He noted that Rendell is asking for a one percent sales tax
increase, touting it as part of the property tax relief everyone
wants.

But, Causer pointed out, of the estimated $1.2 billion the tax
would bring in, only $400 million is earmarked for property tax
relief, the rest would go into the General Fund for Rendell’s new
programs.

Causer also faulted the governor for cutting from the budget
programs with legislative support – “programs that work” – to free
up funds for his new programs.

That is where much of the difficulty in agreeing upon a budget
comes from, he said.

Both legislators attacked the governor’s proposals for increased
mass transit, arguing that the bulk of the money would go to
Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

Scarnati mentioned the proposed tax on oil profits, a tax which
would fall heavily on small oil producers in this area, businesses
just enjoying a resurgence and recovery, while the money would go
to the metropolitan areas.

Both called for more fiscal responsibility and the cutting of
spending, and Scarnati was particularly critical of what he called
the “tax and spend style of Democrats.”

“You can’t tax, spend and borrow your way to prosperity,” he
stated.

He also made much of the difference among legislators, saying
“It’s not only Republican vs. Democrat, conservative vs. liberal,
it’s also rural vs. urban.”

Scarnati also offered that a sure way to make certain the budget
is passed in a timely fashion is to stop lawmakers’ pay the moment
the deadline runs out – “I guarantee it would get done then!” he
said.

He also spoke at length about cutting school spending and
appeared to favor voter referendums on school budgets.

Causer spoke against reducing the size of the legislature,
saying that a reduction would make it more difficult for
representatives and the constituency to communicate and that it
would not save money, because legislators would have to open more
offices and hire more staff.