The LuLac Edition #594, Oct. 7th, 2008

PHOTO INDEX: GOVERNOR RENDELL AND OR ELCTION TOP 40.

ED'S RX

The push to cover uninsured comes as experts predict $3 billion deficit for State, but that hasn’t stopped Governor Ed Rendell from trying to salvage his health plan. Rendell sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi, saying it's time to give 240,000 of the state's uninsured residents "a fraction of the health care benefits that you and your fellow caucus members enjoy at taxpayer expense." Rendell's letter came on the same day economists predicted Pennsylvania will face a budget deficit of up to $3 billion by next June. After that budget prognosis, retiring state Sen. Vincent Fumo, expressed doubts about the chances of passing the plan to help the uninsured. Fumo referred to doubts about the dark economic situation and the fact that the state Senate has only two scheduled working days before leaving for the year. Republicans expounded on their warnings that Rendell's plan could be financially unsustainable, especially given the prospect of a budget deficit that would demand major cutbacks or tax increases. Still, Rendell is pressing on to see if he could handle a semblance of health care in the state.

BEGGING TO BORROW

It must be delicious irony for Judge Anne Lokuta to hold the hearings on the county budget and whether they can borrow added funds to get through the year. Lokuta as you know was shunned by the courthouse elite for years and now the fate of whether the county can function is in her hands. Handling the hot seat pretty well is Budget Director Tom Pribula who explained why the county needed the money. Unlike other years, Pribula in his first go round in this budget precisely pointed to where the money was needed and why. Plus he also explained why the county could not borrow from agencies to make the budget. Wilkes Barre advocate Walter Griffith testified and hoped the Judge would say nay to the request. That would be a disaster because there are county services that need the money to function. My plan would be to have the Judge parcel out the money on “as needed” basis and instead of giving the county a big check, let them justify each item. It’ll make Pribula’s job hell but the lad can handle it. Plus he'll tell the truth.

ELECTION TOP 40

CLEAN COAL #29

OBAMA

For it.

McCAIN

For it.

NPR IN TOWN

National Public Radio came to town Sunday and interviewed some folks about the Presidential campaign. Here’s the link to the interesting comments. The big thing I found is that many are undecided in this area, at least the ones NPR interviewed. http://www.npr.org/templates/rundowns/rundown.php?prgId=3

PITTSTON POLITICS

Joe Valenti has taken his “Pittston Politics” out of the Sunday Dispatch and started his own website. Good move since the Dispatch has been running on line the same Sarah Palin with glasses column for about a month now. To get the latest update on Greater Pittston politics, here’s the link:

http://www.pittstonpolitics.com/

GO JOE GO

Our friend Joe Leonardi, former Congressional candidate in the 11th District has started a new blog. This one is not political but about his amazing transformation physically. Check it out, you’ll be inspired.

http://fatthenfitnow.wordpress.com/