Rendell gives GOP free ride in election for budget votes

Pledge not to battle tax hike backers in 2004 might cost his party control of Legislature.

By John M.R. Bull
Of The Morning Call

HARRISBURG | To get his budget and a $1.2 billion tax hike passed last month, Gov. Ed Rendell made Republicans a sweeping offer.

Any GOP lawmaker who voted for the budget would receive a free pass from him in this year's election. The Democratic governor vowed not to raise money to use against them, or actively campaign against them.

That deal dramatically dims Democrats' chances of winning control of the Republican-majority House or Senate this year, and could subject Rendell to opposite party control of the Legislature for the remainder of his four-year term.

''Anytime you take the most popular Democrat, the most respected Democrat in the state, off the playing field, it certainly makes it more difficult,'' acknowledged state Rep. T.J. Rooney, D-Northampton, and chairman of the state Democratic Party. ''It will have an impact.''

more: http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-a1_5govjan22,0,1381984.story?coll=all-news-hed

Like anyone should be surprised.