OK, maybe just two.
There’s the cut-cut shade of a guv who doesn’t face voters for two more years. And there’s the we-face-re-election-this-year shade of lawmaker.
This explains why the GOP Senate ignored Corbett’s deep-dish cuts and wants money restored for education, human services and more. And why the House appears ready to join the Senate in this effort.
Leaders are to meet with the guv this week. I’m imagining pre-meeting text messages between Corbett and Senate Leader Dominic Pileggi designed to make the upcoming sit-down go smoother.
Corbett is TCSC, as in Tom Corbett, Space Cadet, a nod to the 1950s TV, radio and comic-book character he sometimes seems to impersonate.
Pileggi is DP, as in Dominic Pileggi. I thought it meant Dynamic Personality. But I checked. It doesn’t.
TCSC: We should talk.
DP: Age/Sex/Location?
TCSC: IT’S ME!! The GUV!
DP: Sup? Something on your mind?
TCSC: Is that a dig?
DP: I leave digs to Democrats.
TCSC: Well, u ignored my budget cuts.
DP: OMG. They’re draconian.
TCSC: They’re nothing to do with the stars!
DP: (sigh) Not talkin bout the constellation Draco, talkin bout Draco the harsh Greek legislator, 600 B.C.
TCSC: Wuteva.
DP: The economic numbers look better. We can spend more than you say we can.
TCSC: I don’t want to c that.
DP: U could just close your eyes.
TCSC: NOT FUNNY!
DP: Speaking of not funny, what’s with nominating your former chief of staff for a judgeship that requires 2/3 Senate approval, which means DEMOCRATIC votes, during budget talks? You’re gonna need to give them something to get him.
TCSC: Wuteva.
DP: Anywho. I’ll be over to go through the budget numbers; me and Turzai.
TCSC: Who?
DP: Mike Turzai. House Leader? He’s from Pittsburgh, like you!
TCSC: Is that the one they keep medicated?
DP: They better.
TCSC: LOL! LMAO!
DP: So we can work something out?
TCSC: Need to check with my top advisers.
DP: Penny and Harry?
TCSC: Props please. You’re talking about the state’s First Dogs.
DP: I thought the state’s First Dogs were the House Democrats.
TCSC: HA! Hey maybe you and me can be BFFs.
DP: BFFs? Bought with Frackers’ Funds?
TCSC: NOT FUNNY!
DP: A little funny … IMHO. n
For recent columns, go to philly.com/JohnBaer. Read his blog at philly.com/BaerGrowls.
