Rendell acts like a 4-year-old again

Here we go again.

Republican lawmakers suggest an alternative to Gov. Ed Rendell's tax-and-spend agenda that has sunk the state into a $2.3 billion fiscal hole and how does the governor respond?

With a patented Ed Rendell Temper Tantrum, complete with childish name-calling.

From an article by Brad Bumsted in today's edition of The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:

HARRISBURG — Republican Rep. Mike Turzai "must be nuts" for seeking a state tax cut when the state needs more revenue, Gov. Ed Rendell said Tuesday.

Turzai of Bradford Woods yesterday suggested reducing the state's 3.07 percent personal income tax to 2.99 percent, and more deeply cut the Department of Community and Economic Development's budget than Rendell proposed in February.

"It's ludicrous," said Rendell. He said it might mean a $20 tax break for most people.

With the state facing a $2.6 billion deficit and people losing jobs during the recession, the last thing Pennsylvania needs is Turzai's plan, Rendell said. "It's about creating more jobs and putting more money back into the economy," he said.

Turzai, the minority whip, fired back: "I think the governor is nuts for having overspent the last six years. He increased spending by 40 percent while the inflation rate increased 20 percent. He's absolutely nuts for mortgaging the future of our kids and grandchildren. He's borrowed over $6 billion that we will pay back to the tune of $10 billion, all to satisfy his insatiable appetite (for spending)."

Check out what POLICY BLOG has to say about Rendell's tactics, Who's Really "Nuts" on Economic Policy?

For more background on the GOP proposal, check out my earlier post, A GOP alternative to Rendell path of fiscal ruin

GrassrootsPA also has a response to the governor from House GOP Leader Sam Smith posted at its site.