Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Why is The Governor Silent about the US Steel Announcement?
US Steel just announced a $1 billion investment program at the Clairton Coke Works that will keep hundreds of jobs in the state for many years to come. Normally, an economic development announcement of this magnitude would be expected to elicit effusive comments from the Governor about how important this is for Pennsylvania and how it proves Pennsylvania is an attractive state for manufacturing investment. But to date, Governor Rendell has not uttered a word for public consumption through a press release or press conference.
Could it be that the US Steel announcement is actually an embarrassment for the Governor? After all, for him economic development is state driven and the hand of government must be involved to promote and guide through programs, subsidies, tax incentives, advisor groups, and so on and so on.
What a perceived slap in the face it must have seemed for US Steel to make this announcement with little or no recognition of the state’s help except promises to assist in expediting environmental regulatory hurdles. Not showing up for the announcement or commenting on the record amount to a gubernatorial snub of US Steel by a Governor who makes trips to hand out cardboard checks of a half million dollars or less.
Could it be that the US Steel announcement is actually an embarrassment for the Governor? After all, for him economic development is state driven and the hand of government must be involved to promote and guide through programs, subsidies, tax incentives, advisor groups, and so on and so on.
What a perceived slap in the face it must have seemed for US Steel to make this announcement with little or no recognition of the state’s help except promises to assist in expediting environmental regulatory hurdles. Not showing up for the announcement or commenting on the record amount to a gubernatorial snub of US Steel by a Governor who makes trips to hand out cardboard checks of a half million dollars or less.
