I want to use today's post to remind everyone how distant our representatives have gotten from their constituencies.
Pennsylvania Senate Bill 33 of 2015 was introduced on January 14, 2015 and referred to the Senate Education Committee. If enacted, the bill is "requiring institutions of higher education to provide health insurance coverage, athletic scholarships and life skills workshops to student athletes; and providing for collective bargaining rights and publicity rights for student athletes." As written, the bill, only affecting the Universities of Temple, Pittsburgh and Penn State for now, would allow student athletes in those Universities to unionize. Essentially the sponsor and co-sponsors of the bill have had enough with the exploitation of college athletes in that - they believe - these Universities make millions of dollars off of them.
Not to be outdone, this same Senate recently voted 30-19 to pass a proposed constitutional amendment that " would allow the legislature to establish the uniform standard and qualifications for criteria to determine the tax-exempt status of non-profit organizations" and not the Courts.
During last fall's election, I can't remember candidates talking about these two pressing issues. Can you?
Here are some issues that seem more pressing, at least to me (in no particular order):
Why do so many politicians talk the talk during the election, but don't walk the walk when it comes to meeting issues head on? I guess they do, however, because they do decide which issues are pressing -- to them.
Obviously, the state senate believes who determines a tax exemption for charities and allowing the unionization of college football players is more important than giving me a break on my taxes or fixing bridges. In other words, "sit down Tim and be a good little citizen -- we know what is best for you."
It's senate bills like these that are re-energenzing me to the path I abandoned last summer.
Pennsylvania Senate Bill 33 of 2015 was introduced on January 14, 2015 and referred to the Senate Education Committee. If enacted, the bill is "requiring institutions of higher education to provide health insurance coverage, athletic scholarships and life skills workshops to student athletes; and providing for collective bargaining rights and publicity rights for student athletes." As written, the bill, only affecting the Universities of Temple, Pittsburgh and Penn State for now, would allow student athletes in those Universities to unionize. Essentially the sponsor and co-sponsors of the bill have had enough with the exploitation of college athletes in that - they believe - these Universities make millions of dollars off of them.
Not to be outdone, this same Senate recently voted 30-19 to pass a proposed constitutional amendment that " would allow the legislature to establish the uniform standard and qualifications for criteria to determine the tax-exempt status of non-profit organizations" and not the Courts.
During last fall's election, I can't remember candidates talking about these two pressing issues. Can you?
Here are some issues that seem more pressing, at least to me (in no particular order):
- Education Funding
- Budget Deficit
- Transportation Infrastructure Deficiencies
- Public Pensions
- Minimum Wage
- Sale of Liquor Stores
Why do so many politicians talk the talk during the election, but don't walk the walk when it comes to meeting issues head on? I guess they do, however, because they do decide which issues are pressing -- to them.
Obviously, the state senate believes who determines a tax exemption for charities and allowing the unionization of college football players is more important than giving me a break on my taxes or fixing bridges. In other words, "sit down Tim and be a good little citizen -- we know what is best for you."
It's senate bills like these that are re-energenzing me to the path I abandoned last summer.