In a letter published in today’s Lancaster Intelligencer Journal, hizzoner had this to say about the Republican congressman’s reasons for opposing the economic stimulus act:

I was dismayed to read Rep. Joe Pitts’ defense of his voting against the economic stimulus act (Intell, Feb. 2). I am concerned that his rationale for opposition shows a lack of understanding about what is happening in the largest municipality in his district.

Pitts scoffs at a relatively small appropriation, when considering the size of the stimulus proposal, for the National Endowment for the Arts. Showing his lack of understanding of the revitalization of Lancaster, Pitts ridiculed this expenditure and, while doing so, states, “That’s more money for art than for small business that will create jobs and get our economy moving again.”

Perhaps Pitts should take a First Friday tour of Lancaster to discover that art is a small business that creates jobs in our community. He could see the art galleries, restaurants and retailers that sell to those who patronize the arts. Pitts also would find the performing arts alive and well if he went to a show or heard our excellent symphony at the Fulton Theatre. Our educational institutions that address the arts — the Pennsylvania College of Art and Design or the new Pennsylvania Academy of Music — I am sure would be glad to explain to him that there are people employed at these facilities who train future artists to work, many independently in “small businesses.”

These “arts” directly benefit the residents of the county by an infusion of millions of dollars a year into our local economy. In addition, they directly and indirectly contribute to the creation of jobs. All of this has been recognized by the Lancaster Community Foundation’s prioritization of the arts.

It is unfortunate that rather than address the serious economic situation facing our country, Pitts chooses to denigrate one of the very industries that so many in our community are supporting with their time and finances. The new convention center and hotel and other amenities springing up in Lancaster are part of the renaissance that includes the arts. If we want to continue to attract those who have special skills and the option to choose where they wish to live, we must continue to enhance our cultural base for residents and visitors alike.

If we differ over what our economy needs, so be it, but we must realize that the arts are an important economic tool in the development of our community. Shephard Fairey, a well-known national artist, recently said, “Art and commerce need each other.” I would go one step further: Art is commerce.

J. Richard Gray
Mayor, City of Lancaster

Here is the Pitts op-ed from Feb. 2:

I understand people may be frustrated with what they see as partisanship in Washington. The House passed a $1.2 trillion (when you include the interest on the borrowed money) “stimulus” plan this week. I, along with all of my Republican colleagues in the House, opposed the bill. Let me be clear: This had nothing to do with partisanship, and everything to do with doing what is right for our country.

In fact, in a show of desire to work across party lines, President Barack Obama took the unusual step of coming to the Capitol and meeting with House Republicans. I was impressed with his desire to reach consensus. Unfortunately, Democratic leaders do not share his desire to include Republican ideas.

So the bill we voted on this week was not a bipartisan product, but rather a trillion-dollar pork-barrel spending spree, written by Nancy Pelosi, without input from Republicans, that expands government and rewards special interests.

Newspaper editorial pages across the ideological spectrum, from the Wall Street Journal to the Washington Post, have pointed out the lack of actual stimulus in the Democrats’ economic stimulus plan. I would like to point out some of the most egregious examples of such spending that were included in the bill that passed the House.

A total of $50 million will go to the National Endowment for the Arts, whose recent expenditures include $95,000 for the American Ballet Theatre in New York City and $300,000 to restore an outdoor sculpture collection in Miami. In fact, the bill provides fewer funds for small business tax relief in the form of expensing than it provides for the NEA. That’s more money for art than for small businesses that will create jobs to get our economy moving again.
Another $650 million will go to subsidize the purchase of TV converter boxes, and $3 billion will be spent on prevention and wellness programs, including $335 million for sexually transmitted disease prevention education.

Not wanting to leave out the federal bureaucracy, the bill included $600 million to buy new cars for government workers. This is in addition to the $3.5 billion a year the federal government already spends to acquire, operate, and maintain a fleet of about 642,000 vehicles. Another $1 billion was allocated to be spent for the follow-up to the 2010 Census.

In fact, the only thing bipartisan about this bill was the group of lawmakers voting no in the House, as several Democrats crossed the aisle to oppose the plan.

But it is important for people to know that I did not simply seek to stop a bad plan from moving forward. Along with my Republican colleagues, I have been advocating alternative ideas.

This includes permanent tax relief. In the past, tax cuts have led to tremendous prosperity. Tax cuts under presidents Kennedy, Reagan and Bush generated prosperity by reducing our tax burden. Tax cuts will have an immediate effect on the spending power of employers and families. New government programs will take months or years to have any effect.

Additionally, we should reform America’s energy infrastructure. One of the best things government can do to stimulate the economy is encourage energy growth. New investments in clean, safe and efficient power made in this country would create millions of jobs and provide the groundwork necessary for economic vitality.

We should stabilize the housing market as well. The real-estate market is paralyzed as potential buyers wait on the sidelines, fearing that prices will fall even further. This is becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy. Congress should offer a home-buyers credit of $7,500 for those buyers who can make a minimum down payment of 5 percent. This would help encourage responsible buyers to enter the market and stabilize prices, which would, in turn, decrease foreclosure rates.

We need a stimulus plan that is quick and focused on the policies that will help create jobs. I voted against the bill in the House this week because I didn’t think it was either of these things. However, I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues in Congress to advance a responsible economic policy. I encourage people to visit my Web site at www.house.gov/pitts where I have posted a detailed memorandum for getting the American economy back on track.