The LuLac Edition #1880, December 30th, 2011

Top ten logo.

2011 TOP 10 STORIES/PENNSYLVANIA

10. RICK SANTORUM: It takes a rare breed to run for President and not many Pennsylvania politicians have tried it. In the last century two Governors, Scranton and Shapp made runs for the top job. Santorum a former Senator has established a beach head in Iowa and has run a campaign that touts his family values credentials. This top story of 2011 will bleed into 2012 if Santorum garners some success in Iowa.
9. FLOOD OF 2011: The state takes a big hit when flood waters hit in the late summer of 2011. Governor Tom Corbett puts the state in emergency mode and tours the affected areas.
8. REDISTRICTING: The Pa. House and Senate, under the control of Republican majorities redraw the Congressional districts. It gives the GOP a leg up by trying to shore up Republican strong holds. The state has a huge Democratic registration.
7. 911 COMMEMORATION: In the middle of a vast stretch of grassland in western Pennsylvania, poet Robert Pinsky read out 40 names to a somber and silent crowd. After the poet said each name, two large bells were chimed.
Former presidents, state officials, bereaved relatives, artists and members of the public gathered Saturday to open a 1,500-acre national park on the outskirts of Shanksville, in honor of the 40 passengers and crew members who died on United Airlines Flight 93 on Sept. 11, 2001. Former Presidents Bush and Clinton attended the event along with Vice President Joe Biden.
6. CORBETT BACK SURGERY: Governor Tom Corbett went under the knife for back surgery. Control of the state was given to Ltn. Governor Jim Cawley. Corbett has recovered nicely.
5. MACELLUS SHALE DEBATE: The debate over a Marcellus Shale tax or assessment still goes on in the state. The legislature is close to putting together some sort of assessment but in deference to the Governor aren’t going to call it a tax.
4. ON TIME BUDGET: Pennsylvania passes an on time budget. It was the first one since 2002 and the document even contained some cuts that reduced its size. Also for the first time in ten years.
3. INAUGURATION OF TOM CORBETT: Tom Corbett takes over the reigns of state Government and becomes the state’s 46th Governor. In his first six months as Governor, Tom Corbett passed an on-time budget for the first time in nine years. Governor Corbett closed a $4.2 billion deficit by controlling state spending while not raising taxes on Pennsylvanians. Also, Corbett passed historic tort reform that safeguarded Pennsylvania’s small businesses and signed property tax reform that put spending control back in the hands of Pennsylvania’s taxpayers.
2. JOE PATERNO OFFERS TO RESIGN/THEN GETS CANNED: I always thought they’d have to carry out Joe Paterno on a slab. That’s the way I thought he’d end his time as Penn State coach. That was not to be. Paterno was forced to resign in the wake of the sex scandal that enveloped the Penn State University. Paterno at first wanted to dictate the terms of his resignation, asking the board of trustees to let him coach the rest of the year. In a hastily called meeting, they said no and fired him. Paterno’s sacking was met with protests from Penn State fans and students. It was revealed he is suffering from cancer and broke his pelvis in a fall in early December. Not the way we envisioned JoPa going out.
1. PENN STATE SEX SCANDAL: The Penn State sex abuse scandal refers to allegations that former Pennsylvania State University football assistant coach Jerry Sandusky sexually assaulted or had inappropriate contact with at least eight underage boys on or near university property. After an extensive grand jury investigation, Sandusky was indicted on 42 counts of child molestation dating from 1994 to 2009, though the abuse may date as far back as the 1970s.
Per the findings of the investigation, several high-level school officials were charged with perjury, suspended, or dismissed for allegedly covering up the incidents or failing to notify authorities. In the wake of the scandal, head football coach Joe Paterno was dismissed from his position and school president Graham Spanier was forced to resign. Sandusky has denied the allegations. This will be a story that will continue into the next decade.