Analysis:

MASSA ADMINISTRATION DELIVERS ON "ZERO TAX" INCREASE BUDGET!

Tanelli, Granell are responsible for reforming the budget process and delivering on what GOP just likes to "talk" about!

It was a sight to seen last week as GOP insiders looked on in awe and shock as Finance Chairman Al Granell called for an amendment to the 2008 municipal budget to further cut spending and deliver a zero tax increase.

"Bianchi & Hughes, who sat on the finance committee offered nothing. They sat back and hoped that taxes would soar and two more Republicans would be elected come the fall, it just didn't happen," said one happy Democrat as Republicans huddled in confusion on how to react to the good news.

"I couldn't stop laughing. The Republicans in the audience had sour faces. You thought somebody died while the crowd gave Mayor Massa a big round of applause. They looked like someone punched them in the gut. They never saw this one coming," smiled one Democratic Committeeman who can't wait for the fall campaign to start.

"Council President Steve Tanelli will be seeking live debates in every school with the Republicans on issues like EnCap and the budget. He's already walking door to door and getting ready. He wants to debate the Republicans and he won't let them off the hook this time," said one Democratic strategist who asked not to be identified.

During the council meeting, so-called conservative Rich Hughes questioned the viability of further reducing the reserve on uncollected taxes and tried to put the borough's CFO in the political hot seat to make a point.

Councilman Al Granell, the architect of the zero tax increase budget pounced on Hughes.

"Are you telling me you oppose cutting taxes? Which is it? You ran against high taxes and now we have a chance to stabilize the rate and you want to raise them?" countered the first-term Democrat.

In the end, the Republicans were embarrassed into voting yes because they have yet to provide a single financial idea or alternative while Councilman Al Granell continues to carry the load.

"This is a good budget. They know it and we know it. We did what we said we were going to do. Good government is good politics. We're providing conservative fiscal practices and the results speak for themselves, observed Granell, the husband of school trustee Sharon Granell.

While the jammed council chambers roared with approval upon the introduction of the Democratic budget, you could hear GOP apologists searching for answers as to how this happened.

"How did this happen? How did they get to zero, Joe? What are we going to do now? That was the conversation overheard by Democrats who couldn't help but laugh in the face of GOP incompetence!

"The Republicans are reeling. They fully anticipated a double-digit tax increase and just sat back and waited for it to happen. While they sat back and did nothing, Al Granell was burning the midnight oil getting the budget prepared and working closely with borough officials to ensure a fiscally conservative document was being crafted. The Republicans are all hat and no cattle when it comes to getting anything done. They're Monday morning quarterbacks without a clue how to govern or providing solutions for voters," said one Democratic operative after learning about the "zero" budget.

Another blow to local Republicans is the truce that apparently brought local and county Democrats together for the first time in years.

An example of that unity was Senator Paul Sarlo's presence at the council meeting and his open support for the Massa Administration as well as Council President Steve Tanelli and Councilman Al Granell.

"A divided Democratic Party only helps the Republicans. The county understands our position and we understand their concerns. On issues of public policy, we will continue to fight EnCap and put the taxpayer first. This budget is proof of that commitment to small, conservative local government," observed Nick Antonicello, the party's municipal chairman.

With the EnCap litigation looking positive and the budget out of the way, the Democrats are rejuvenated and have their sights on defeating the local GOP decisively come the fall.

"Last year they won because we had to raise taxes thanks to EnCap and GOP incompetence. That is not the case this year. Democrats are the fiscal conservatives and Republicans are the out-of-control big spenders that nearly bankrupted this community. They have no ideas or solutions. Bianchi is a political lightweight and Hughes is simply inexperienced in the ways of government. With Steve Tanelli leading the ticket, we anticipate a huge win for Democrats. We are cautiously optimistic," said one ardent Massa supporter while leaving the borough hall parking lot.

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