Letter to the editor: Unions causing state budget impasse

The Pennsylvania Legislature is stalemated in passing a new budget because the socialist Democrats are holding out for more money for mass transit and education. I think this is code for “let’s funnel more money to the bus drivers’ and teachers’ labor unions,” to whom they are beholden.

Why should the taxpayers foot the bill for bus drivers to make $50,000-$60,000 or more per year when many of them don’t even have a high school education and could never hold a job in the private sector? As for teachers, they make roughly the same amount at their part-time jobs, and some studies show students are getting dumber and dumber every year.

I suggest giving both half of the increase they want, but only if they decertify their unions and cut their payrolls by at least 33%. Of course, neither of these things will happen because these politicians would be cutting off their own noses and depriving themselves of a primary source of income derived from their union bosses.

The only way to truly reform the system is to vote for the opponent of any candidate endorsed by a labor union. After a few election cycles, perhaps the Legislature can do the right thing and make Pennsylvania a right-to-work state, thus saving taxpayers millions of dollars.

E. Joseph Biss

Greensburg