Newsradio 1020 Editorial: Forget Reality TV
Forget "reality" shows on TV –
Pennsylvanians can just watch the continuing dysfunction in Harrisburg.
After four and a half months of bickering –
Democratic Governor Tom Wolf and Republican legislative leaders –
Have a tentative budget agreement –
That includes a more than 1-percent hike in the sales tax.
No one wants to pay higher taxes –
But it's probably inevitable.
For years –
Pennsylvania's budgets have been balanced by one-time fixes –
And accounting sleight-of-hand.
If lawmakers won't tackle issues like pension reform –
The state will need more cash.
This is still a proposal – not an approved budget –
So at the moment –
School districts and human services agencies –
Are no closer to getting their long-overdue state funding –
Than they were July first.
If the budget crisis isn't enough –
We can change the "reality show" channel to the Kathleen Kane saga.
The Pennsylvania Attorney General is now being sued in federal court.
Five former employees accuse Kane of retaliation –
After they helped uncover her alleged criminal and ethical violations.
She's already facing charges for allegedly lying to a grand jury.
The state Supreme Court has suspended her law license –
And a senate subcommittee should decide –
Whether she can keep her job without it.
It's some of the best drama money can buy –
And as taxpayers – we're paying for it.
