It will be interesting to see which politicians have the courage to do the right thing and sign our Drink Tax Pledge - it’s what the majority of western Pennsylvanians want!

In a move that absolutely reeks of desperation, Brenda Frazier has sent out a press release claiming that HosPAC has engaged in “illegal” and “criminal” behavior by reminding the public of her complete abdication of legislative responsibility and civic leadership in voting for the malodorous Drink Tax.   She is also threatening criminal prosecution against those who speak truth to power. 

Here is the Press Release:

Press Release

For Immediate Release

Pittsburgh, PA, April 16, 2008:  Brenda Frazier, former Allegheny County Councilwoman and candidate for the Pennsylvania State House in the 21^st District, announced today that a complaint has been filed with the Allegheny County Department of Elections accusing HosPAC and its purported officers of not being a legal political action committee (PAC). The complaint further alleges that HosPAC and its officers accepted contributions and distributed the contributions in an advertising campaign against Frazier.  Ms. Frazier states that HosPAC is in violation of Pennsylvania State Ethics Law, as well as Pennsylvania Campaign Law, and is calling for an investigation by the Allegheny County Department of Election and a review by the District Attorney of Allegheny County to see if any criminal charges should be filed.

 Ms. Frazier is also calling for all illegal ads paid for by HosPAC to be pulled immediately by all participating media outlets including print, radio and television.  [End Press Release]

Last Tom Paine checked, the First Amendment was still in force in Pennsylvania.  Although claiming criminal conduct in the Press Release, in an interview with KQV radio Ms. Frazier could not cite a single violation of campaign finance law committed by HosPAC, and vaguely referenced that her “lawyers” were handling it.  

This is a blatant and disgusting attempt to intimidate and silence HosPAC and its members by threatening criminal prosecution for the exercise of their First Amendment right to call her unfit for office and for ignoring the will of the people of Allegheny County.  The good news?  Brenda will be watching events from her couch come Wednesday.    

TP

From:  Tom Paine

County Controller Mark Flaherty has projected massive budget deficits over the next five years, even with the collection of the unfair and counterproductive Drink and Rental Car taxes. producing revenues which far exceed projections (or claimed needs)  He calls the situation “alarming.”  More evidence of Dan Onorato and his minions’ mismanagement of County government, and the need for real reform instead of band-aids. 

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08107/873651-85.stm

From Tom Paine:

Low bid on the new subway tunnel from Gateway Center to Heinz Field is almost $50 million over budget.  That drives the cost to ride the subway (amortizing project costs over twenty years) to $105,000 per passenger ride. [I made that last part up, but you get the point]. 

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08107/873655-53.stm

From Tom Paine:

At the Chinese Fire Drill that constitutes a County Council meeting last night, so enamored with the flow of cash provided by the Drink Tax, the Drink Taxers on County Council cannot even agree to a paltry 1% early pay discount to restaurant and bar owners.  http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_562601.html

From Tom Paine:

There’s an old saying:  If your’e going to [Anglo Saxon explective for a sexual act] me, please kiss me first.  Tom Paine has the same reaction to the pathetic, insulting sop to tavern and restaurant operators proposed by County Council today.  County Council, like Louis XVI prancing down the steps of Versailles, tosses restaurant operators a wooden sous in the form of a one percent rebate if you pay your ridiculous and ill-advised Drink Tax early.  By way of example, if you pay $10,000 in taxes early, you get a rebate of — $100!  Time to head to Mountaineer!  Well thanks for nothing.  If County Council wants to help restaurant operators, don’t engage in insulting measures:  repeal the tax.  Show some leadership.  Do the right thing. 

In the meantime, please just give me one little kiss.  So I can keep my respect. 

TP 

Here’s some great coverage about this past Monday’s HosPAC Press Conference written by Adam Fleming and our good friends at the Pittsburgh City Paper.

Read the story here: Bar owners make Brenda Frazier public enemy #1

Here is our good friend in Pittsburgh and Irish Balladeer Terry Griffith with his very own Drink Tax Jig!

Terry Griffith – Drink Tax Jig Lyrics

I sat down one evening to figure income tax
I read the regulations and I wrote down all the facts
Before too long me pencil was just a little nub
My head was achin’ badly, so I went down to the pub

I called for a pint of Guinness, it had a lovely head
The barman put it on the bar and he looked at me and said
“I know it was six dollars the last time you were out,
but now it’s six and sixty for a pint of Guinness Stout.”

I asked him what the deal was and why the price was high
Was the publican so greedy, he had to wring us dry?
He said County Allegheny had decided to tax the drink
To bail out Public Transit, which was tittering on the brink

I thought about the logic of taxing those who drink
It seems to me the reasoning is a little out of synch
The only time I take the bus, I’m trying to stay alive
Because home is just too far to walk and I’m too drunk to drive

There’s a sin tax, a luxury tax, a tax on what we earn
A tax on entertainment, but what really makes me burn
Is taxing people in the pub who’d like a drink or two
I guess Dan Onorato is not like me and you

He says it’s not an issue, that matters much to him
He’d rather bow to pressure than to go out on a limb
Other areas tax the drink, they’re in the very same boat
We’ll see how much it matters when we all go out to vote

If you think it’s an unfair tax and don’t know who to tell
Remember the Whiskey Rebellion started here as well
Remember the tax you pay on every single beer
And then you tell Ol’ Danny Boy that he’s not welcome here

Dear Onorato Onorato Rental Tax to boot
I’m surprised that Enterprise hasn’t brought a legal suit
If Port Authority wants to live, I’d rather to stay alive
I guess they’ll just encourage us to rent and drink and drive

Do to do to do to do do do do do do do!

In response to HosPAC’s educating the public about her key vote in favor of the Drink Tax, Brenda Frazier was quoted by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette as saying: 

“I think it’s unfortunate that they have taken this approach,” Ms. Frazier said yesterday, adding: “I did what I felt was in the best interest of the community when I voted for the [drink tax.]” 

Notwithstanding the campaign against her, Ms. Frazier said, she is counting on the electorate in her district to overlook her “one vote for the drink tax.”

“I’m hoping people won’t be fooled by this single issue and I think we’re doing well in this campaign,” she said.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08106/873327-85.stm

Well.  God forbid people should hold a politician accountable for one eensy, teensy little vote that has cost businesses hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost revenues, cost line employees lost hours and tips, and cost patrons millions of dollars.  Accountability among elected officials for misguided decisions and abdication of leadership — what a concept!