ABC27 WHTM Pa. GOP has no strength in numbers, critics say

Pa. GOP has no strength in numbers, critics say

Republicans control every branch of state government, but what are they accomplishing with that power?

Not much say critics who point to the huge GOP majorities in the House, Senate and the governor's mansion.

School vouchers is the latest of Gov. Tom Corbett's key proposals to fail in the legislature. It didn't get out of caucus in the House. Privatization of liquor stores is languishing, a tax or a fee on Marcellus Shale gas drilling is still not finished, and fixing Pennsylvania's crumbling roads and bridges is off the radar.

"The Republicans have the largest majority enjoyed by either party in the last half century here in Harrisburg and yet they've done nothing with that majority," House Democratic Caucus spokesman Bill Patton said.

"We had a year in which we cut a billion dollars in public schools, increased class size, and threw 43,000 kids off of health care," Rep. Bud George (D-Clearfield) said. "I'd think you'd have to say that's a pretty bad year."

There's also Republican infighting. House Transportation Committee chairman Rick Geist said he rounded up the votes to raise taxes and fees to fix roads and bridges, but the governor's applied the brakes.

"We need a governor and a governor's leadership and a governor to say what package he wants," Geist said.

Corbett is upset at House Republican leaders who say they didn't have the votes to pass a tuition voucher bill.

"Sure there's frustration," Corbett spokesman Kevin Harley said. "The governor's not looking for excuses. The governor's looking for results."

House leadership blames the governor.

"It would appear the governor's spokesperson has no clue on how the legislative process works," House Republican Caucus spokesman Steve Miskin said. "To lead, you need to make a case and it would help if the administration would make the case of why certain things are necessary."

To be fair, there have been accomplishments. A budget was done on time with no tax increase, a texting while driving ban was enacted and Megan's Law loopholes were closed.

The session doesn't end until this time next year, so there is still time to get things done.