Fed Lawmaker Talks PA Budget

A US Senator is getting involved in the Pennsylvania budget process. Sen. Bob Casey of PA toured the state yesterday with Pennsylvania Education Secretary Gerald Zahorchak. The two were touting the Governor’s budget proposal and bashing the version passed by the Republican controlled state Senate. The Republican plan would reduce state spending for education and use $728 million in stimulus money to keep overall funding at a level pace. On the other hand, Governor Ed Rendell’s plan would use a combination of state and federal dollars to increase the education budget. Sen. Casey says he understands the need to cut spending, but wants lawmakers to look elsewhere. He says, “At a time when we’ve got a terrible economy—people have lost their homes or their jobs and their hopes and their dreams—the worst thing we can do is cut education funding.” Republicans says the Rendell Administration is exaggerating the impact of their budget, which they say reflects Pennsylvania’s reduced revenue. The House Appropriations Committee has rejected the Senate spending plan, so it now has no chance of becoming law.

Rendell and Casey Look to Grow Ties With Obama

"Yes We Did" was the theme of Pennsylvania Democrats' Inaugural celebration in Washington D.C. on the eve of the swearing in ceremony. Both Governor Ed Rendell and Senator Bob Casey voiced their high hopes for an Obama Administration. Gov. Rendell says Pennsylvania can claim a special role in electing Barack Obama. He says after all the resources the McCain campaign poured into the commonwealth, when it was called for Obama just after eight pm, he knew the Illinois Senator was headed to the White House. “He told me a couple weeks later that he knew at 8:06, too. So we think we were the ones that put Senator Obama over the top and we're real proud of that.” Rendell says he's hopeful that Pennsylvanians will benefit from the economic stimulus package Obama says he'll be pushing for upon being sworn in to office. Senator Casey agrees, and says the new president will have allies on Capitol Hill when that bill comes up for a vote. “I think there's a lot of unanimity across party lines to stimulate the economy. I think we'll have a lot of support for it.” Many analysts expect Casey to work closely with the Obama Administration. The two senators developed a close bond during the campaign and are said to often share a basketball court.

Casey Supports Clinton for Sec. of State

When Hillary Clinton goes before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee this week, Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey will be among the lawmakers asking questions. After meeting with Clinton, Casey he's confident she'll be a solid Secretary of State. He says he's hopeful Clinton will steer the State Department in a different direction, arguing the Bush Administration hasn't solicited outside opinions on any major issue. He says it's critical for leaders at Foggy Bottom to work with the international community, as well as lawmakers on Capitol Hill and , “Senator Clinton respects that, and she knows the value and the importance of engaging Congress. As well as the obvious need to engage the world in talking about these difficult foreign and military issues that she will confront and the administration confronts.” Casey says when he recently sat down with Clinton to discuss her vision for the State Department, he was impressed with how much thought she had given to operational and management issues. Clinton is expected to win easy confirmation.