Ed Rendell in 2010 Governor's State of the State speeches
On Corporations:
We have grown our economy by cutting business taxes
Over the last seven years, together, we have worked hard to reduce the size and the cost of state government, to cut wasteful spending, to make historic investments in public education as a cornerstone of economic development, and to reduce property taxe
for all Pennsylvanians. We have grown our economy by cutting business taxes, and by making smart investments that have leveraged billions of dollars in private investment to create jobs and opportunity for our citizens.
Source: Pennsylvania 2010 State of the State Address
Feb 9, 2010
On Crime:
Fund education well, and we can cut incarceration costs
The cost of housing prisoners in Pennsylvania continues to rise. We must reverse this trend, if for no other reason than the failure to do so threatens to overwhelm our ability to meet skyrocketing prison costs. Increased funding for public education is
one great way to address this problem, because it provides an opportunity for our young people to choose the right path. But we must do more to reduce the rising costs of incarceration, & I welcome the opportunity to partner with you to achieve this goal
Source: Pennsylvania 2010 State of the State Address
Feb 9, 2010
On Energy & Oil:
18% of retail electricity from clean and renewable resources
Pennsylvania is a national leader in the field of alternative energy. Six years ago, we passed an Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard, requiring that 18% of all retail electricity sold in Pennsylvania had to be from clean and renewable resources. Since
then, we doubled the amount of wind power operating. By this December we will be among the top five states generating solar power and we now have more than 300 solar component companies in the state. All told, we have invested nearly a billion dollars in
alternative energy and fuel projects creating jobs in every corner of this state. And our funds have been matched by more than $3 billion in private investment. Due to our efforts, Pennsylvania was ranked third in the nation for green job creation. But
other states have enacted higher standards that will make them more attractive for future investment. It's not just about energy, it's about jobs, and we must protect these opportunities by raising our alternative energy requirements as soon as possible.
Source: Pennsylvania 2010 State of the State Address
Feb 9, 2010
On Energy & Oil:
Focus on win-win efforts: stem global warming & create jobs
Given the diverse make-up of the Climate Change Advisory Group, it's astonishing that 90 percent of the recommendations were unanimously adopted. Many of the Group's recommendations advance our efforts to stem global warming and create jobs.
Let's focus on those that are "win-win" for the planet and our people. We may not agree on everything, but this is something we can do together, and I urge you to pass the legislation to put these recommendations into action this year.
Source: Pennsylvania 2010 State of the State Address
Feb 9, 2010
On Jobs:
Pass Work Sharing legislation: part-time unemployment
I would bet that almost everyone in this room knows someone collecting unemployment right now. You might also know someone who is out of work but cannot collect unemployment compensation because of our outdated laws that often don't count every hour you
worked. The good news is that the federal government will give us hundreds of millions in additional funds if we end our antiquated approach.We applaud the employers who made the moral decision to keep their businesses going with fewer hours just so
their workers can count on some income. If we act swiftly to pass Work Sharing legislation, workers in these companies could get unemployment for the lost hours that helped preserve jobs.
I realize that down the road there may be some long-term cost
to employees and employers alike by crafting a modern system. But it's the right thing to do: if you work and pay in, and then lose your job through no fault of your own you should be able to collect. It should be as simple as that.
Source: Pennsylvania 2010 State of the State Address
Feb 9, 2010
On Tax Reform:
Eliminate 74 exemptions & reduce sales tax from 6% to 4%
We should eliminate the 74 non-essential exemptions to the state sales tax. Under our proposal, there will still be no sales tax imposed on essential items like food, clothing, and prescription drugs. And it preserves sales tax exemption for our
manufacturers and non-profit cultural institutions. But we will eliminate exemptions for professional services like fees for lawyers and accountants.By closing these loopholes, we can broaden the base of the state sales tax and actually reduce it from
6% to 4%. Let me put it another way: my proposal will cut the sales tax statewide for every Pennsylvanian by one-third.
The sales tax today is a testament to the power of lobbyists and special interests. There is little rhyme or reason why we tax some
items or services and wholly exempt others, except that in years past someone lobbied to secure favored treatment for themselves. My proposal calls for the elimination of these loopholes so that everyone pays his or her fair share of the sales tax.
Source: Pennsylvania 2010 State of the State Address
Feb 9, 2010
On Welfare & Poverty:
Cut waste & fraud in welfare & food stamps
We have been tireless in our pursuit of eliminating wasteful and fraudulent spending. As a result, PA is a national example for cutting down on welfare & food stamp fraud & abuse. We also have implemented state of the art systems to make sure that only
US citizens who qualify for them receive public benefits. Only seven years ago the state struggled to move welfare recipients to work. Today the percentage of single parents who are collecting TANF and who are working or in training is at an all-time hig
Source: Pennsylvania 2010 State of the State Address
Feb 9, 2010
Page last updated: Dec 03, 2018