Jul 10, 2024

Jarrett Coleman, A Maverick In Harrisburg

When Jarrett Coleman challenged entrenched state senator Pat Browne two years ago, he never imagined that after defeating Browne two years later he would still be sparring with him. When Jarrett ran he pledged to look into exactly what the NIZ has done for the taxpayers. Although it has been beneficial beyond their dreams for a couple local developers, the benefit to the taxpayers isn't apparent.

The NIZ was the brainchild of Browne, and on the way out of the senate he added an amendment which shields the financial details from scrutiny. Supposedly, revealing that information would infringe on the tax confidentiality of the few fat cats benefiting. As if that roadblock wasn't enough in Coleman's way, after Browne left the state senate, Governor Shapiro appointed him Director of Revenue. So now Jarret must request the info from the very man who schemed to keep it private.

Coleman has appealed directly to Josh Shapiro to order release of the information. Recently Shapiro has been touted as potential presidential material. This would certainly be an opportunity for the governor, who previously was the attorney general, to show that he can rise above usual politics for the taxpayer's benefit.

Jarrett, putting our interests first, is also preparing a lawsuit seeking the information.

Shown above is the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, which covered this important development.

13 comments:

  1. Another indication of the widespread ruling class corruption, both democrat and republicans cooperting for their own benefit and covering it all up. It all becomes more obvious every day.

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  2. Thanks for keeping us up to date on this continuing story, and thanks to Senator Coleman for continuing to fight for all of us who pay the taxes the NIZ is stealing. But the bigger story here is the link you provide to the Pittsburgh Post Gazette article.

    I don't read the Post-Gazette, and maybe they're as biased as any other newspaper these days, but the article you link to seems incredibly balanced and without the reporter trying to take sides and point the reader in one direction or another.

    Again, this might be a rarity for the Post-Gazette, but as I was reading it, the article reminded me of something that I hadn't seen in decades here in the Morning Call.

    Actual REPORTING.

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  3. The Pittsburgh Post Gazette has new ownership, still liberal journalism but some conservative editors. Wonder if local news outlets will cover this. Thanks for bringing this to our attention.

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  4. Just as any other organization, ANIZDA needs to be audited by an accounting firm, like Deloitte or Price Waterhouse, to insure its finances are in good order, money properly spent, and nothing illegal is taking place.

    The City and School District need the same. You know how soon any of this is going to happen, don't you ?

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  5. M8ke why isn't any local news except for you covering this? There was a little mishap in there tool box on Monday that really has had very little coverage. The Womack building lost a few windows and it's side facade.

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  6. LehighValleyNews.com | By Tom Shortell has also covered this.

    https://www.lehighvalleynews.com/allentown/sen-jarrett-coleman-expected-to-force-subpoena-vote-on-allentown-niz-tax-returns?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0NCrwKNUlpdxKinlV37Z4rRskSozDWRxuDVHnL1Tz0P80UiHXxjZ-4ICk_aem_fTBBjevpqfLsa5TDOGK8UA


    ALLENTOWN, Pa. — A Lehigh County state senator plans to hold a vote Wednesday that would force Secretary of Revenue Pat Browne to reveal long-secreted financial information about the city's signature special tax zone.

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  7. Thanks for the link. Amazing that an out of town paper has to take the risk of low-local interest to bring light into this corner. Yes, the fox is in charge of protecting the henhouse. How could Shapiro, Mr. Transparency, appoint Browne? It never made sense.

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    Replies
    1. Politicians cover for each other. Remember the entire NIZ deal slipped though Harrisburg after midnight while no one was awake to oppose it.

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  8. I just saw the PA Senate Committee voted to subpoena Pat Browne to get the records. I hope he refuses and gets thrown in a cell with Ed Pawlowski.

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    Replies
    1. Ed Pawlowski violated the contribution law. Pat Browne wrote the NIZ law. I do agree that this law(NIZ) cheats the taxpayers for private enrichment, but it's legal. However, I believe the guidelines have been so diluted, that it should be rescinded by the state.

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    2. I understand the law itself is “legal”, but was hoping there’d be a consequence if Browne refuses to comply with the subpoena.

      I have to say, I used to think that it was only Browne who was responsible for the law that only a few (mainly his childhood friend) benefited from.

      But Shapiro’s appointment of Browne as Revenue Secretary and his administation’s (Shapiro’s) refusal to provide the information makes me think this goes beyond Browne and Reilly. There’s something that we don’t know here, that will be exposed if the information is released.

      Go Senator Coleman!

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  9. Fleecing taxpayers and using the stolen tax money to pay for center city buildings seems like a crime.
    And then getting your name on a hospital building too, seems like ultimate chutzpah.

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    Replies
    1. Don, talking of chutzpah,J.B. Reilly named the remaining portion of the former Morning Call building after Pat Browne,

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