The Chester County Board of Commissioners, led by Republicans Terence Farrell and Carol Aichele, approved a budget for 2010 that calls for no tax increase for Chester County taxpayers.

In Chester County, the Republican administration balanced the budget without cutting services. Contrast this result with the Democratic administrations in Philadelphia, Harrisburg and Washington, D.C., where they are driving their constituents deep in debt and slashing essential services.

The difference is that Chester County is governed on sound Republican fiscal policies. There is no nonessential spending. Chester County has followed a sound management philosophy.

One of the keys to the balanced budget was the reduction in costs of borrowing money. This savings came about because of the county's sound fiscal policies. The county has attained three AAA bond ratings by internationally recognized rating agencies. Chester County is among only 24 counties in the nation to have three such ratings and the only county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Attaining a zero tax increase hasn't been easy, just ask Terence and Carol. They have been disciplined all year, evaluating requests and making sure the citizens receive needed services. In recent weeks, they worked hard and re-examined department budgets to find an additional $3.9 million in cuts.

All that being said, difficult fiscal decisions will have to be made in 2010. Only essential positions and staff will be filled when a vacancy occurs. Contrast this policy with the comments of a Democratic Philadelphia councilwoman who wanted to save 80 jobs only because they were patronage positions and not because they added any value to the residents.

In closing, during these tough times, Chester County families do not need an extra tax burden. The Republican administration didn't fail our citizens. They adhered to sound Republican fiscal policies, and we all should thank Commissioners Carol Aichele and Terence Farrell for their hard work and dedication to the citizens of Chester County.

Skip Brion, Chairman