Pennsylvania's Democrats
by Thomas McMahon

Pennsylvania is one of the most populated states in the country. According to 1990 Census figures, it ranked 5th in the nation population-wise at that time. In land space, the state ranks only 32nd  on a national level despite it’s deceivingly wide area. The state has two large and well-known cities in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Both are led by Democratic mayors. There is the popular Edward Rendell in Philadelphia and Tom Murphy leads Pittsburgh. Due to term limits, Rendell must leave office at the end of 1999. Pre-election indications are that the race to succeed Rendell is too close to call. This is a race between Democrat John Street and Republican Sam Katz. The three biggest statewide offices are all held by Republicans. They are Gov. Tom Ridge and Senators Arlen Specter and Rick Santorum. Major colleges include the “Big 5” of Philadelphia, namely Villanova, Temple, St. Joseph’s, Lasalle, and Ivy League school  Pennsylvania U. There is also Penn State in the middle of the state and the University of Pittsburgh.                       The Democratic party in Pennsylvania has the misfortune of not holding any of the highest state offices at this time. The party focuses on trying to make a difference on important issues like education, health care, family needs, crime, and environmental concerns. The issue of education is a huge concern among representatives of the party. Democrats are strong in their belief of much financial support for public education. The party feels there is a need for more support to help rebuild poor school districts in the state. Democrats have a strong desire to forge greater public educational commitment. They point to the state’s 47th  rank out of 50 in higher education appropriations per capita. Democrats do not look upon a school voucher system as an answer. They look to greater emphasis on public education as an answer.            Health care issues are very important to state Democrats. They place an emphasis on protection for care-dependent elderly people. The state Democrats seek to empower health care patients by pushing for legislation to give health care consumers more information and protection. State House Dems were behind a plan to expand a prescription drug assistance program for senior citizens.            State Democrats are also strong in their backing and support of Social Security, as are most Democrats in the United States.             Party Democrats favor more help for working families. They see a need to create more affordable housing in the state. They feel there should be more legislation and more money spent to improve the quality of the state’s daycare. The Pennsylvania Dems see a clear need for health insurance improvements toward working families. The Democrats also point out that the Republicans have given no relief to property owners but have cut business taxes for five straight years. They want to provide tax relief through legislation.            State Democrats want some money from 11.26 billion tobacco settlement to be spent on volunteer firefighters.  They want cultural aid such as for the ballet, which has contributed to Pittsburgh’s renaissance.  They want more aid for emergency workers and more money to be spent on environmental projects.  A bill favored by state Democrats will provide funding to clean, protect, and deliver water, well into the next century.  They favor grants for public parks, airports, and homes.  The Democrats want wider DNA testing for violent criminals.  They urge legislation to aid those affected by the summer drought.  They feel a need is there to cut down on the trash dumping allowed into the state.  All in all, the Democrats see a real need for much more government spending to help cash-shortened but important environmental programs.              State Democrats have proposed public financing for state gubernatorial races.  They feel this will attract more quality candidates,  therefore making the races more competitive.              State Democrats do not favor additional gun-control legislation.  They feel the laws are good on the illegality of weapons possession.  They see a need to combat illegal gun use in other ways as well as by the deterent of the law.             Two strong issues among Democrats , both in Pennsylvania and throughout the nation are crime prevention and a determination to battle the curse of poverty. Democrats in pennsylvania emphasize several ideas that can bring the battle against poverty closer to a solution in a positive manner. One of the party's stronger positions is the issue of the minimum wage. The Democrats in Pennsylvania are working hard to achieve the goal of an increase in the minimum wage. The feeling is that this will go a long way toward helping poor working families in the quest for financial survival and improvement. Another issue of strength among the state Democrats is to focus attention and resources on the need to provide an extensive boost in the affordable housing market. The Dems feel this battle against poverty is an important battle in the battle against crime. The Dems feel that the less poverty there is will lead to less desperation and despair among poor people. In, general there is a conservative approach toward crime among the state Democrats. They feel the laws are strong and if they are properly enforced , it will create deterence. Democrats focus on a tough, solid, firm approach to the crime problem and the punishment of the criminals.