Fayette Searchlight

As sure as the sun rises in the east, one can count on grants of taxpayer funds being passed out just prior to an election and credit being claimed by politicians as if the monies were free or came from their own pockets.

To wit:

Mahoney announces $1.5 million for Boeing expansion

The corporate welfare handout announced by State Rep. Timothy S. Mahoney (D-51) gives public funds to a private company.  It is nothing less than the plundering of taxpayers, and it is wholly unconstitutional.

See:

Article VIII
TAXATION AND FINANCE Uniformity of Taxation
Section 1. All taxes shall be uniform, upon the same class of subjects, within the territorial limits of the authority levying the tax, and shall be levied and collected under general laws.

Commonwealth Credit Not to Be Pledged Section 8. The credit of the Commonwealth shall not be pledged or loaned to any individual, company, corporation or association nor shall the Commonwealth become a joint owner or stockholder in any company, corporation or association.

The Oath of Office taken by state representatives before taking office requires a sworn oath of obedience to the Constitution of the United States and to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania:

Art. VI, § 3. Oath of office. Senators, Representatives and all judicial, State and county officers shall, before entering on the duties of their respective offices, take and subscribe the following oath or affirmation before a person authorized to administer oaths. "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support, obey and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of this Commonwealth and that I will discharge the duties of my office with fidelity." The oath or affirmation shall be administered to a member of the Senate or to a member of the House of Representatives in the hall of the House to which he shall have been elected. Any person refusing to take the oath or affirmation shall forfeit his office. (May 17, 1966, 1965 P.L.1928, J.R.10)

Evidently, to Rep. Tim Mahoney, that Oath of Office means about as much as the oath on his altered and falsely sworn Affidavits of Circulator.

Update:
The Friends of Tim Mahoney Cycle 4 Campaign Finance Report shows Boeing's campaign contribution of $500.00 on the top of Page 10.  That's one hell of an unconstitutional return on investment!