Free Republic

Since 1995 the average mathematics score for fourth-graders jumped 11 points. At this rate we catch up with Singapore in a little over 80 years . . . assuming they don’t improve.” – Norman R. Augustine, retired CEO of Lockheed Martin Let’s keep that quote from a recent George Will column in mind as the school choice debate unfolds. ***** Even in a bad housing market, if someone were to initially offer his home at the lowest acceptable price, he would be called an idiot. And rightly so. Likewise, negotiators never come to the table with their bottom line proposal....

Rendell: No P.I. Needed For Lobbying Flap (KYW 1060) PHILADELPHIA Governor Rendell said he does not see the need to hire a private investigator to probe one of his friends who failed to properly register before lobbying on behalf of a film company. Dauphin County Republican Jeffrey Piccola, chairman of the Senate State Government Committee, said he plans to hire an investigator to probe the actions of a film company, Lionsgate, and of a Pittsburgh lobbyist for the firm who failed to properly register before she began seeking tax credits for the film industry that were ultimately signed into law....

Piccola Out of Gubernatorial Race PoliticsPA has just learned that State Senator Jeffrey Piccola has officially withdrawn from the race for the GOP Gubernatorial nomination. In a speech, Piccola said this campaign was never about him, but his ideas which he feels have been advanced. Piccola went on to criticize Rendell for his failed leadership. Piccola said while he enjoyed the race and advancing his agenda, it had become apparent that the resources would not be there to continue.