Pennsylvania Governor Says No Whining About Layoffs

This is what Governor of Pennsylvania, Ed Rendell, has to say in relation to his announcement that there will be layoffs for many state employees. The Governor had previously announced a state wide hiring freeze, followed by the creation of a new position that was given to former Representative Dan Surra with a salary of $95,000.

While the hiring of such a person, for such a position, at such a salary ticked off a lot of Pennsylvanians, Rendell defended himself saying it was a much needed and justified hire although the job was never listed. He stated at the Pennsylvania Farm Show early this month that when he implemented the hiring freeze he explained he had every right to make exceptions.

As Governor Ed Rendell has paid out over $2 Million in lawyer fees related to the privatization of the Pennsylvania Turnpike alone. The state deficit was originally announced at around $1.6 billion, and has now been announced to be closer to $1.9 billion, according to the Governor.

Mr. Rendell is no stranger to controversy, but his remarks about not wanting to hear any whining when it comes to people losing their jobs are taking many Pennsylvania residents over the top. Recently the Governor supported a bailout to a local Boscov's in order to save 155 jobs of those who were employed at the Schuylkill County location in the Fairlane Village Mall. But now announces he doesn't want to hear whining about statewide layoffs and cutbacks.

As obvious as this is to all Pennsylvanians, some do not realize the hypocritical nature of the past year. Mr. Rendell has been found to have accepted a campaign contribution from Norman Hsu, a convicted Ponzi Scheme mastermind. The Governor has also stated publicly that he would not return that donation even after learning of Mr. Hsu's scheme.

While many say 'the state has to take some cutbacks, too' it is apparent that the cutbacks are only made on a personal pick-and-choose basis. While extending support of millions to be funneled into Boscov's to save 155 jobs, he will now layoff or cutback many more state jobs that he lobbied to save. It is hypocritical.

I know layoffs and cutbacks are happening everywhere, and I know most employers and companies, as well as states, are not being given much of a choice. With large deficits and a failing economy something indeed has to be done. There is, however, no immediate and apparent reason to help 'save' one retailer, and weeks later turn around and be ignorant toward the people of Pennsylvania about cutting back on jobs.

These people that are losing their jobs are the same as many others. They have family, and they have mortgages. Many barely make ends meet traveling more than an hour to get to their office each day.

The Pennsylvania Unemployment Fund is nearing bankruptcy. The Department of Labor and Industry announced in December that without federal help the agency would be bankrupt by April. Today, the Governor has announced that he will be sending an untold amount of state workers to the unemployment line as well.

He is banking on federal funds to bailout unemployment, while handing out huge salaries for unlisted, and unneeded, jobs to friends. His statement about whining has made it clear that this state Governor no longer cares about the people of Pennsylvania, and apparently, he no longer feels any sympathy for those of us who have been affected by the economy and this financial crisis.

I think it is clear that Governor Ed Rendell of Pennsylvania has worn out his welcome, especially after publicly humiliating anyone who has been laid off, or will be laid off in the near future, by whining that he doesn't want to hear their whining.

It disgusts me, and many other Pennsylvanians, that a person in his political seat would speak that way to, and about, the very people who elected his overpaid, uncaring, butt into office.

sources:

http://www.wgal.com/forums/index.html?q=http%3A//forums.ibsys.com/viewmessages.cfm%3Fsitekey%3Dlan%26Forum%3D323%26Topic%3D19423

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_Rendell

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/s_607410.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_Hsu