Auditor General Barbara Hafer has called for a 10 percent cut in state spending to offset the budget crisis created by Gov. Robert Casey's "conspiracy of silence," Hafer said.
Revolt Against Taxes, or RAT, is an informational group aimed at telling people how to become effective lobbyists while supplying them with accurate information, Hafer said in an address to the State College Business and Professional Women's Club at the South Ridge Motel, 1830 S. Atherton St., last night.
Sharon Brumbaugh, director of the Bureau of Communications, said that if members of RAT can persuade legislators to slash spending across the board, the cuts will take effect in late January or early February as part of next year's budget.
Hafer said that women in particular should be angered by tax increases because they are underrepresented at the state level. Women were not involved in the budgeting process, which Hafer said is manipulated by men.
"Not one woman sat in on those closed budget negotiations. Not one woman is ranking enough," Hafer continued. "But, women have contributed their fair share in taxes."
Hafer said there are lobbyists for all groups except taxpayers.
"Women who are angry about the new taxes in Pennsylvania have a right to call this budget 'taxation with representation,' " she said.
Hafer went on to say that women have made progress in politics, but still have a long way to go. She pointed out that women running for school board have the advantage over men, but in a race for thepresidency, a woman starts off at a disadvantage.
Voters think women can take care of issues like schools and families, Hafer said, but are not competent to make policy decisions of a larger scope.
"Traditionally, women learn the system, fight for a cause, and work to change the system because it so adversely disfavors our interests," she said.
Hafer encouraged women to learn the rules of business and politics to create new rules and set the agenda.
Hafer, 48, was the first woman to be elected commissioner in Allegheny County, where she served two terms. She was also president of the Allegheny County Prison Board and a founder, as well as executive director, of the Allegheny County Center for Victims of Violent Crime.
Hafer is a registered nurse who also holds a bachelor's degree in nursing from Duquesne University. In 1990, she was the Republican candidate for governor. Currently, Hafer is serving her first term as auditor general and said she plans to run again for that position.
Hafer stated at a news conference before her speech that state spending increased by 8 percent this year and 11 percent last year. She said that the largest-ever increase in borrowing of $1.45 billion was called for by Gov. Casey last year.
"There is a spiral of spending that, once started, will not stop and will out-price Pennsylvania. Someone has got to say, 'stop spending,' " she said.
