Oct 6, 2010 By Joyce Koballa 3 min read

CONNELLSVILLE – Fayette County residents wishing to voice their concerns about government spending are invited Thursday to participate in a rally and bus signing as the red and blue emblazoned National Spending Revolt bus tour rolls into the parking lot of Laurel Mall in Dunbar Township. The bus tour, financed by numerous conservative groups, will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. as it makes its way across the country, bringing speakers, events and a mobile activist hub to 12 communities across the state.

The nationwide tour focuses on educating citizens about how federal spending is jeopardizing America’s future and engages them in taking action against the reckless spending.

Danielle Hagen, vice president of communications for Nahigian Stragegies in Washington, D.C., said the bus is wrapped with a special paper so residents can sign or convey their own personal message directly to members of Congress where it will be delivered in November.

“We have massive liabilities on the horizon at the state level affected by what is going on in Washington,” said Matt Brouillette, chieg executive officer and president for the Commonwealth Foundation, based in Harrisburg.

Brouillette, who joined the tour several months ago, said the foundation serves as a think tank that focuses on economic aspects in Harrisburg.

Spending Revolt is comprised of a broad coalition of taxpayers, families, women business owners and policy organizations committed to real and permanent spending reform in Washington.

The coalition includes organizations such as Americans for Prosperity, The Council for Citizens Against Government Waste, Concerned Women for America and 60 Plus Association.

During the tour, Brouillette said he will speak about what local legislators are doing about the spending and debt in Pennsylvania and how it is affecting local taxes.

According to Brouilette, taxpayers are at serious risk, especially with the pension liability in the state that is poised to take effect in 2012 for teachers, state workers, legislators, judges that will cost the average household about $1,400 in taxes.

Jim Marking of New Jersey and the founder of 60 Plus Association, said he formed the organization 18 years ago in representation of senior citizens and how they are affected by government spending.

“We all have to live within our means and the government should have to do the same,” said Marking.

According to the spending revolt website mandatory spending is growing at a pace five times faster than discretionary spending and already takes up two-thirds of the entire federal budget.

The U.S. Department of Labor reports that 48 out of 50 states are still losing jobs while the federal government continues to spend at a rate of nearly $14 million per hour.

In addition to Brouillette and Marking, the Connellsville tour includes speakers Nancy Staible of the Concerned Women for America; Greg Wrightstone, Pennsylvania Coalition for Responsible Government, David Show, Fayette Tea Party Patriots and Alan Cobb and Thande David of Americans for Prosperity. Matt Kandrach will also speak on behalf of 60 Plus. For more information, go to Spending Revolt at www.spendingrevolt.com.