Letters: Votes tell real story; Reason to fear a Republican governor in PA
Votes tell real story
It’s been fun watching the people Glenn Thompson pays to defend him write in to the CDT to justify his voting habits. I’m sure Glenn Thompson does love firefighters, and he loves working people. Just not enough to actually spend any money on them, or vote to help them when it matters.
If a bill funds rural broadband, supports small businesses, feeds the poor, or insures the uninsured ... well, it’s too big, too complicated, and increases the deficit too much for good old GT. But if a bill takes money from working folks and gives it to the richest 1 percent of Americans? Then concerns about deficit and “fiscal responsibility” fly out the window, and Thompson can’t run to push the yes button fast enough.
Keep licking those boots, Congressman! It won’t pay off for the people of central Pennsylvania, but I’m sure it’ll pay off for you.
Fear a Republican governor in PA
Pennsylvania residents watching what’s happening in other states are justifiably frightened at one possible outcome of our 2022 elections: the election of a Republican Governor.
No matter who ends up being the Republican nominee, we can’t let him near the Governor’s office unless we want to look like Florida, Texas, Arizona, and other states where the Republicans control both the state legislature and the governor’s office.
Attacks on women’s rights, attacks on science, attacks on voting rights, gerrymandered districts, attacks on education, attacks on health care, attacks on mail-in ballots, neighbors empowered to turn into vigilantes against neighbors, attacks on fair elections and more are all in the Republican DNA these days.
Don’t think for a minute it can’t happen here. It certainly can if we elect a Republican governor. Items from the above list have become laws in states across the country where the GOP has complete control. Only Governor Tom Wolf has prevented this from happening here already.
Pennsylvania voters will hear a lot of sweet talk from Republican candidates for governor about how they will “protect our freedoms” and “put people first.” Don’t believe a word of it.
The record is clear: That’s not what Republicans do when they control state governments.
Adjustment needed for SERS retirees
This letter is to the many SERS — State Employees Retirement System — retirees living in areas covered by the CDT. Did you know that it has been 20 years since the last COLA — cost of living adjustment — for SERS retirees? During those 20 years the buying power of retirement income has declined by nearly 50%. Given current inflation, in another 10 years the decline will be an additional 50%.
What can we do about it? I suggest that you call, email or write to your PA State Representative, Senator and the Governor demanding a substantial COLA for SERS retirees. Also, contact friends, relatives and former colleagues who are members of SERS living outside the CDT coverage area and ask them to get involved. With enough members making phone calls, writing letters, or sending emails something positive can happen in Harrisburg. We need everyone’s support.
Opposed to casino
We want to express our opposition to the proposed casino in the Nittany Mall in State College. Uncontrolled gambling has caused tremendous heartache in too many families. Too often, it’s the folks who can least afford it who do it.
With Penn State University just a few miles away, students would likely also be gambling and may start lifelong gambling addictions. Too many of these students would lack judgment as to when to stop before losing too much money.
It would be helpful if Penn State administrators, faculty and trustees who also oppose the casino for the sake of the students would share their views.
Please submit opposition feedback regarding the casino to the PGCB by emailing boardclerk@pa.gov with “Nittany Mall Casino” in the title of each message.
We would be most grateful not to have a casino at the Nittany Mall! There are much better ways to raise taxes and supply jobs for College Township.