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Where the Rural parts outweigh the Big Cities in Political arena of the State.
I've just never seen this dynamic...neither Pittsburgh or Philadelphia have the political power in Harrisburg to match or outweigh Rural PA...it takes common interest from Both cities to join forces and even then its still a dog fight for either of the cities to get anything done or have state attention for city issues.
Philadelphia just has its former Mayor as Governor for 8 yrs, and I like Ed Rendell but he did very little for the city of Philadelphia in his time as GOV....some will argue he did more for the Burgh than Philly...I dont see that, either way he had no really big forward progress accomplishments in either city, maybe the Casino's...
I just can't imagine any other state with 2 big, well nationalized cities that are treated as 2nd string to the Rural parts of the state. It's no secret that Rural PA hates the cities damn near equally and b*tches about any attention that they get from the state.
I mean most states with Major cities the city dominates the states attention...in the case of NY and IL the cities damn near own the state.
I just found this a very strange set-up....I guess maybe OH?????
Last edited by Blackbeauty212; 03-23-2011 at 10:11 PM..
Location: The Greatest city on Earth: City of Atlanta Proper
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Georgia, but unlike Philadelphia and Ohio Atlanta doesn't have anyone to get it's back. Augusta is trying to boom on their own and their city's leadership is more in line with the conservatives in the State house. Savannah is to far away (or drunk ) to care what happens up here. Oh well.
^^But Atlanta is the state capital and not unlike Boston it makes it much easier to be able to fund projects and get things done. Philadelphia and Pittsburgh have Harrisburg to answer to. Not sure why as these two cities fuel most of the states economy.
Location: The Greatest city on Earth: City of Atlanta Proper
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 2e1m5a
^^But Atlanta is the state capital and not unlike Boston it makes it much easier to be able to fund projects and get things done.
You would think so, but unfortunately not.
Prime example: The rapid transit authority for Atlanta (MARTA) is funded entirely by a sales tax in the city and the inner suburbs and by fares. The State contributes zero funds for running or maintaining it and never has.
That should give you a clue as into how bad the situation is at the capital. This is mainly due to Georgia's over abundance of counties. The state has 159 total, which means no matter what rural counties will always have control of State level decisions.
^^But Atlanta is the state capital and not unlike Boston it makes it much easier to be able to fund projects and get things done.
Not at all. Candidates for governor in Georgia can get elected by openly spitting in the face of Atlanta. Not only do you have the typical urban/rural dynamic going on, but there's also a large racial component to it as well.
Hah. That darned old quote that is taken out of context every time it's used. I like Carville, but let's just say he's not the most eloquent of pundits.
As to the OP, I think many states with major cities and large rural populations competing for resources often find themselves in the same boat as PA -- even Illinois and New York. There's long been a huge urban/rural divide in this country. However, I think as urbanization and rural population loss continues, not only will metro areas begin to carry more political weight, but even rural constituents will begin to understand the critical role that cities play as the primary drivers of economic development.
^^But Atlanta is the state capital and not unlike Boston it makes it much easier to be able to fund projects and get things done. Philadelphia and Pittsburgh have Harrisburg to answer to. Not sure why as these two cities fuel most of the states economy.
seriously. i'm so tired of hearing why should philadelphia and pittsburgh get all this state money? oh i don't know... maybe because we're the ones who made it?
it's just ridiculous, talk about biting the hand that feeds you. the amount of loathing that rural PA has against pittsburgh and especially philly is beyond comprehension.
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) to care what happens up here. Oh well.
