Reassessment of the Reassessment by Fitzgerald — Too Little, Too Late?
No. 777 When we wrote “Christmas Reassessment” (below at No. 774) we gave Rich Fitzgerald credit for being shrewd enough to pass a one mill tax increase this year — before the assessment year in which increases would be limited to 105% of the prior year, at least in theory, by Act 146. However, to listen [...]
Christmas Reassessment
No. 774 The County Assessors really do have a heart. They tried to keep from delivering the first batch of reassessment notices before Christmas. But Judge Wettick would have none of it. I must admit, I didn’t initially give Rich Fitzgerald credit for shrewd thinking. It was puzzling that the County Council rushed to pass [...]
Pelosi Ethics
No. 768 So, according to news reports, former Speaker Pelosi threatened to reveal 1,000 pages of records from the House EthicsCommittee when it investigated Newt Gingrich. Dumb, dumb , dumb! Its just like the who-dun-it character who, in Chapter One, threatens to kill the poor bastard who is eventually murdered in Chapter Two or Three. [...]
Understanding Leadership.
No. 757 Several of the Republican candidates for President were asked what 20th Century President belongs on Mt. Rushmore. All of them said Ronald Reagan. All except one, that is. Newt Gingrich said that FDR belongs on Mt. Rushmore. A significant answer. He alone was able to look past policy and ideology and recognize great leadership. [...]
Is Gingrich the One?
No. 752 Listening to commentators on the Republican field, there seems to be a consensus that Romney is the only complete candidate in the group, ready to head a national ticket. But Romney, who is well-financed and well positioned, has troubled the party’s base, who don’t seem to trust him. The inability of other candidates [...]
Vice President Talks to Students about (what else?) Student Loans
No. 749 Our junior colleagues at Third Chair: Pittsburgh brought to our attention last night that the Vice President went to Pitt yesterday and talked about student loans rather than the Jobs Bill. [See our out-of-date comments on the Jobs Bill speech, two posts below.] I say “junior” to point out that student loans are [...]
Bricks and Mortar
Vice President Biden is coming to town tomorrow to push the administration’s Jobs Bill by appealing to our selfish side. He will tell Pittsburgh that its older schools can be rebuilt (that’s all of them), with lots of local workers doing the work. Last month the administration was talking about paying teachers from the same program.
Pennsylvania District Court holds individual mandate provision of Patient Provision and Affordable Care Act unconstitutional.
The constitutionality of the individual mandate provision of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act under the Commerce Clause may come before the United States Supreme Court later this term. A District Court in Pennsylvania recently joined those holding the individual mandate unconstitutional, which means that the Third Circuit may get into the debate before the Supreme Court settled the split among the circuits.
Its All the Rage!
There is a lot of talk going about (especially on a certain fair and balanced news channel) to the effect that what may be happening in the special election in the 9th Congressional District is a referendum on the Obama record. A novice Republican is currently leading a popular and experienced Democratic State Assemblyman from a prominent political family in the polls by about 6 points. I hear that the Republicans have not carried the district since 1923. But wait –
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