The LuLac Edition #306, Sept. 17th, 2007

PHOTO INDEX: WILKES BARRE CANDIDATE FOR MAYOR LINDA J. STETS, GOVERNOR ED RENDELL AND BLOG EDITOR.

SANTA ED???

You know I love Ed Rendell, you know I was one of the first guys in the area to see he had a chance to be Governor, you know I gave him money and Mrs. LuLac and I get Christmas cards every year and even went to that that freezing 2003 inaugural. I think Ed would make a damn good President someday too. All that said, I couldn’t help but notice the story on Saturday.
As you know, three companies in Luzerne County received $5.8 million in economic incentives from the state to create 1,000 new jobs over the next three years.
Lowe’s Home Centers Inc., Solid Cactus and Medico Industries were awarded opportunity grants, job training funds and job creation tax credits and vowed to expand their facilities and workforces.
“If you just looked at the narrow focus of state money when we give out that type of state money, we are getting back 10-fold that money in state taxes down the road,” Rendell said. “But more important than that, we are getting jobs that are sustaining families. Good high-quality jobs.”
Notice that quote? Good high paying jobs he says. Yet during the news conference, no one from Lowe’s, Solid Cactus, Medico Industries, the Chamber or the Gov himself mentioned a dollar amount. They used words like life sustaining but that to me conjures up a diet of bread and water. No one has given any information on an hourly wage. The word “competitive” wasn’t even used. Job creation is a good thing, the people who have these businesses employ many local workers but at what rate? And is it a good idea to throw million of dollars at already successful businesses to expand while people in the local workforce are getting wages of $8.00 an hour? I worked for a national company that got tax breaks for coming in here a few years ago. Even had Senator Specter tour the facility. Yet, because of corporate belt tightening, Wall Street pressure and constantly revised incentive guidelines, I made less every year, ultimately getting laid off last year. That’s my story and I don’t want to make it indicative of what the Governor is proposing. But what bothers me is that in no news story I saw was there a dollar amount for the new employees who are getting these jobs because of expanded economic largesse from the state. At some point, a balance sheet should be produced to see how much the big guys profit and how much the little guys make. And to those people in the community who will say I’m a naysayer, I’ll tell you this, “I’m just asking the question”. Is this corporate welfare or will those new employees be making more than 9 bucks an hour?

AND WE’RE OFF!!!!

The fall general election campaign has begun in earnest in the city of Wilkes Barre. Kathy Kane, candidate for a seat in District B has her campaign benches out and about and Linda J. Stets held a widely attended meeting Sunday at the Anthracite Café on Scott Street in Wilkes Barre. Here are two YOU TUBE videos from Stets, one that features the events of yesterday afternoon’s fundraiser. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VFmXbe6pD4http://youtube.com/watch?v=epPLeJoQ1pI.



HARKIN HOSTS

Former Presidential candidate and 30 year Senate veteran Tom Harkin on Sunday hosted his annual steak fry in Iowa yesterday. Most of the Democratic candidates came out for the event and there were many, many references to Iowa cornfields, building it and they will come and field of dreams. It got to the point that the words and candidates could be interchangeable.

SALLY, STOP!!

I love Sally Field, the very first fan letter I wrote as a nine year old kid produced an autograpghed photo of her. Still have it somewhere. Last night's speech though at the Emmy's was great. Until of course she refused to stop. She should have ended when the music started. You don't always have to tell everyone everything that's on your mind. Sometimes it's best to stop. And Sallty should've last night.

MASH AT 35

Today, 35 years ago, MASH came on TV. It was a commentary on war and peace, humility and humanity. A masterpiece.