'Follow Your Own Advice,'
Smith Tells Gov. Rendell
HARRISBURG - Suggesting Gov. Ed Rendell follow his own advice, House Republican Leader Sam Smith (R-Jefferson County) said today the governor's plan for spending federal stimulus funding will grow the state budget and force a big tax increase in two years. "The governor is warning school districts to be careful in using the federal stimulus dollars since the funds won't exist in two years. Republicans agree and would add that the same warnings should be heeded by the governor," Smith said. "The governor's $2.5 billion-plus structural deficit needs to be dealt with. and by increasing state spending over last year's budget he is just going to make his deficit problems worse." Yesterday, as Rendell announced his plans for using the federal stimulus funds, he commented that his administration is warning school districts that the money is only available for two years, and they should budget accordingly. The governor suggested districts might use the stimu...