Should Gov. Ed Rendell try to save taxpayers' money when it comes to purchasing goods and services for Pennsylvania? Most voters would say, yes.

Should Gov. Rendell save taxpayers' money, even it costs some jobs in the state? Most voters would struggle with that one, but probably conclude that the state should operate as efficiently as possible.

It is clear most people, when faced with this scenario are conflicted. Saving money often is at odds with supporting local, or state, employment.

At the national level, the same conflict is at work as millions of Americans lament the loss of manufacturing jobs to factories and workers overseas while at the same time shop for the best prices at big box stores and Wal Mart instead of local merchants.

Many Americans echo the rhetoric from politicians angry about manufacturing jobs going to China, Mexico and other low-wage countries. Yet the as consumers, Americans continue to stream into Wal Mart, often forsaking smaller, locally owned businesses.

It might be the plain reality the personal finance and maximizing buying power trump jobs for American workers, but there is a clear disconnect about what people say about American jobs and what they do when shopping.

These same conflicts exist with the issue of state purchasing. Do taxpayers want the state to operate efficiently and save money, or do they want the state to buy from local or regional stores and base purchasing decisions on supporting Pennsylvania businesses? For most people it's a tough call.

Just this week, Gov. Rendell announced that Pennsylvania will save approximately $19.1 million by buying all state computers from computer giant Dell Inc. The Associated Press article announcing the Dell deal also noted that small business advocates and some Republicans in Harrisburg criticize the governor's efforts to save money by streamlining contracts for goods and services.

While any negative impact on employment or profits in the state is unfortunate, most voters would support Rendell's plan to save $19 million a year as the state replaces its 73,000 computers over the next several years. The Dell contract will reduce the average price of computers bought by the state to $714, down from $1,277, the price under the expiring contracts.

In his campaign for governor, Rendell pledged to reduce state spending by $1 billion. He has said he hopes to get about $100 million of that by better utilizing the state's massive buying power when it comes to purchasing a variety of goods and services.

It's a difficult call, when savings come at the expense of state-based businesses and jobs, but most Pennsylvanians expect the state to spend their tax dollars as efficiently as possible.

- J.L.W.III