By Dick Miller
WE.CONNECT.DOTS: – Politicians listen to us . . .at least until they are elected. From then on, they tell us what they will do (or not do). Too busy to listen to us anymore.
Known as “Top – Down” form of communications, the style ignores ideas from a broader base. Business experts (particularly the Japanese) think such a process is less effective.
This year I did not yet make suggestions, even though there were a few left over from prior administrations. The following list is not all-inclusive.
1. Cabinet members should be an extension of the Governor. They need to travel – Chambers, Kiwanis, fairs, expos, radio talk shows, newspaper editorial boards. This is why one deputy in each department is designated “executive deputy secretary.” He (she) is the one expected to run day-to-day affairs.
(Gov. Wolf dispatched his chief of staff and revenue secretary to travel the state and explain his budget proposal. Republican versions of his operating scheme, designed to provide cover to the opposition for its pending “No” vote in the legislature, needed countering.)
2. Press relations can always be improved. The Governor’s chief flack should be in on the hiring of all other department publicists. Department public representatives should communicate regularly with each other.
The Capitol press resents having to undergo a police background check to get credentials. Some scrutiny should be given to the entity that appoints this correspondent. Anything more, smacks of censorship.
3. The legislative margins are the worst for Democrats since Gov. Leader in the 1950s. Possible seats in the House and Senate in 2016 should be targeted now. Events can be manipulated to the advantage of prospects. Even though Gov. Wolf won in a landslide, both branches of the General Assembly actually extended GOP margins. While gerrymandering may be to blame, Democrat leadership appeared to allow it to happen.
4. Democrats are too forgiving and/or lazy. Every example of corruption, waste and mismanagement in the previous administration needs exposed. The resulting publicity will help lengthen the honeymoon the new administration enjoys.
5. People in the “Alabama” section of PA do not trust government. They only see the enforcement side is one reason. Computers allow de-centralization. Some functions of state government could be moved from the capital to the “boonies.” A minimum of 5,000 state jobs would not be missed from the Harrisburg work force.
A dozen or two in small communities would represent economic expansion. To counter a recession, Gov. Shapp moved the 100-job vital statistics bureau to New Castle in the early 1970s. The bureau is still there and no one complains.
(Gov. Rendell rejected this idea because he did not want to do battle with employee unions.)
6. Duplication and overlap in job training and adult education has been rampant since the Ridge Administration. Too much reliance on Federal dollars requires programs to help people at the bottom of the food chain. Problem is that people already working have to be trained to move into advanced jobs to make room for those without jobs.
Indiana reduced its unemployment compensation tax 0.1% and then adopted a training tax of 0.09% a dozen years ago. These dollars – free of stupid Federal restrictions – target critical upgrade skills.
7. The state-related institutions have grown into money-hungry beasts with too many classroom seats. Schools that teach how to teach are in greatest oversupply. Thousands of young people were actually channeled into this vocation while Gov. Corbett spent the last four years reducing employment opportunities.
A couple of state universities need to be phased out. Penn State and Pitt are the highest tuition state supported schools in the country. This paragraph just scratches the surface.
Bottom Line – The writer is without ego. If someone wants to dispute any of these ideas, this blog will publish responses.
