Congratulations, Governor! Like most Pennsylvanians, we are delighted by your election. We urge you to change the Commonwealth's direction, to change its priorities and to improve the society for all of us. ABOLISH The Noxious School Property Tax Through A Change of Vision and Direction! Dramatically Reduce the Glutted Prison System While Improving Our Society! The "Corrections" budget is over $1,300,000,000.00! We imprison 39,200 potential workers/taxpayers! In a bloated bureaucracy employing over 15,000 persons. 20% of prisoners are "technical" parole violators who haven't committed new offenses. By getting them back out of the prison system:
Save: $250,000,000.00	Earn Thru Taxes: $16,000,000.00
An additional 20% of prisoners are now eligible for parole. By getting them out of the prison system:
Save: $250,000,000.00	Earn Thru Taxes: $16,000,000.00
An additional 200+ prisoners are over 55 years of age. They could be housed cheaply in the community while earning an income and paying taxes:
Save: $6,000,000.00	Earn Thru Taxes: $400,000.00
An additional 100+ prisoners are lifers who've served over 20 years in good behavior. They could be housed cheaply in the community while earning an income and paying taxes:
Save: $3,000,000.00	Earn Thru Taxes: $200,000.00
Summary
Parole violators Saving	$250,000,000.00
Paroling the Eligible Saving	$250,000,000.00
Community Housing the Aged Savings	$6,000,000.00
Community Housing of 20+ Year Lifers Savings	$3,000,000.00
Tax Income (at a mere $2000/person)	$32,600,000.00
TOTAL TO APPLY TOWARD SCHOOL FINANCING	$541,600,000.00
[Even if estimates are 20% too high, the saving is still:
	$433,000,000.00!]
Reduce the enormous Corrections Department staff through attrition, retirement and, most importantly, retraining as Parole Counselors to help parolees succeed in society! Suggest financing schooling with a graduated statewide school tax to replace school property taxes: $80 for those earning over $24,000 $160 for those earning over $55,000 $320 for those earning over $110,000 [Plus the HALF A BILLION Saved From Prisons] Additional considerations: The great majority of prisoners are poor minorities. Most removed from the voting pool of Philadelphia and other large cities. Appointing new and responsible Parole Board members (at $90,000.00/year) will assure a change in priorities and direction. Appointing new prison Superintendents will assure a fresh and cooperative change in vision. Helping people, especially the young, must be more important that vindictive punishment! ** SCHOOLS OVER PRISONS! **