Changing strategies

Tom Ridge made his budget debut with a package of tax cuts for Pennsylvania businesses amounting to more than $280 million. But that was a year ago. This year, Ridge's encore was awaited eagerly by business. How would it play? Would the governor get a curtain call or the hook? Right now, it's too early to tell. Ridge's latest budget proposal offers a decidedly different approach toward the business community. Gone is the big tax break, replaced with other forms of tax relief and a new look and new name on the marquee at the state commerce agency. (excerpt)