Prior to the raises being passed, the atmosphere in Harrisburg on voting night, said Nickol, was rather precarious. Bickering was common throughout the assembly. “Senior members were standing up, trying to intimidate others out of voting no. Two people almost came to blow,” said Nickol. “This issue has torn the caucus apart.”
State Rep. Steven R. Nickol, R-193 when asked about the Pay Raise ___________________
Nickol addresses legislative pay raises in Biglerville
By SCOT A. PITZER - Times Staff Writer
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State Rep. Steven R. Nickol, R-193, didn’t vote for the controversial legislative pay raises.
There isn’t a passing day, however, that he doesn’t hear about it.
During an Upper Adams Lions Club meeting Tuesday at Biglerville High School, Nickol talked to several dozen club members about those raises, as well as other pressing governmental matters.
“I think the state is going in the wrong direction,” said Nickol.
He was referring to three recent legislative approvals — the pay hike, state budget endorsement, and passing of the school subsidiary bill. Nickol voted no on all three.
While the pay hike has gotten the bulk of the attention, Nickol thinks the state budget and school subsidiary bill are no less significant.
“A lot of (government officials) didn’t anticipate the outcry that has occurred since the pay raises went through,” said Nickol. “If you’re a legislator here in this area, and you vote on something like this, you won’t slip under the radar screen.”
Prior to the raises being passed, the atmosphere in Harrisburg on voting night, said Nickol, was rather precarious. Bickering was common throughout the assembly.
“Senior members were standing up, trying to intimidate others out of voting no. Two people almost came to blow,” said Nickol. “This issue has torn the caucus apart.”
The 14-year state representative said the budget approval was a “horrendous mistake,” and that along with the school subsidiary bill, it slipped under the radar screen due to the pay raise being passed. Nickol thinks the state caved in and approved of Governor Ed Rendell’s budget, so that he, in return, would approve of the pay raises.
“As a result, a disaster situation has approached us,” said Nickol. “If we keep spending more than we bring in, one of two things will happen — there will be tax increases, or programs will be radically cut.”
When the House goes back in session, Nickol anticipates plans for a local tax reform. A problem will exist, he said, because there are likely to be 20 different plans on the table, making it difficult to gather unified support behind one.
“The only (tax reforms) that were ever signed were those that the governors have pushed,” said Nickol.
As for the recent state-wide school district disapproval of Act 72, Nickol said constituents can expect a new main contender for property tax reduction — a sales tax plan that would require four percent across the board for every purchase, from hospital visits, to food and water, to clothes and services.
“Those involved with the proposal think it could raise enough revenue to eliminate property taxes. The concept of it has really caught fire,” said Nickol. “But my fear is that there will be so many alternatives, that getting everyone in the House and Senate to choose one will be a chore. And with the governor being behind Act 72, that may make it even tougher.”
Contact Scot Pitzer at spitzer@gburgtimes.com or 717-334-1131, ext. 247.
Source: http://www.gettysburgtimes.com/headlines/news/092105/front2.htm
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