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DECEMBER 14, 2009 | Testimony by JOE STERNS
Qualifications for Governor (HB 2083)
House Bill 2083 begs us to consider whether or not an Attorney General longing to be Governor would be inclined to abuse his power to achieve his political goals, and further, whether or not there should be a four-year hiatus between an Attorney General's transition to Governor. House Bill 2083 doesn't apply the logic of its premise to the spect
NOVEMBER 23, 2009 | Commentary by MATTHEW BROUILLETTE, TIM POTTS, BARRY KAUFFMAN, OLIVIA THORNE
Every Generation Needs A Revolution
Pennsylvania's government is a prime exhibition of Lord Acton's well-known admonition that "power corrupts."
NOVEMBER 16, 2009 | News Release by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION
Good government groups unveil "A Citizens' Guide to a Modern Constitutional Convention"
The Pennsylvania Constitutional Convention Commission, in conjunction with the Civic Research Alliance, today unveiled "A Citizens' Guide to a Modern Constitutional Convention."
Recent Blog Posts
JUNE 21, 2010
Are All Lawmakers Crooks?
This past Friday, former State Rep. Mike Veon, who had served as PA House Democrat Whip, was sentenced to 6 to 14 years in prison for his role in the ongoing public corruption case. Under indictment, but still to face trial, are former Pennsylvania Speakers of the House Bill DeWeese (D) and John Perzel (R), and former Representatives Brett Feese (R) and Steve Stetler (D).
On the same day, the FBI and IRS raided PA State Senator Bob Mellow's home and office (Mellow is the Senate Democrat Leader). This becomes the fourth high-profile case on that side of the Capitol, following an FBI raid of Sen. Ray Musto (D), the indictment of Sen. Jane Orie (R), and the conviction of former Senator Vince Fumo.
The leading spokesman for those opposing legislative reform, Sen. Daylin Leach, is certain to repeat his chorus that not all legislators are corrupt. But the crime rate in the Pennsylvania Capitol must be higher than any city in America. And Sen Leach and the vast majority of his colleagues sat around and did nothing, said nothing, or saw nothing while this corruption was taking place. In fact, most of the lawmakers who have been convicted, indicted, or are under investigation for corruption were elected to positions of leadership by their peers.
So I think we can move past the idea Pennsylvania does not need drastic reform in our legislature. Noting that most of those convicted or facing charges are among the longest serving members (indeed, several were first elected during the 1970s), term limits should be among the top priorities. Likewise, restoring the Pennsylvania General Assembly to a citizen legislature - as most other states have - is a necessity.
But it is becoming increasingly obvious legislators will not reform their own house, and it is high time citizens take control of their state government by demanding a Constitutional Convention or Initiative and Referendum.
posted by NATHAN BENEFIELD | 09:19 AM | 0 comment
MAY 25, 2010
Grand Jury Demands Legislative Reform
The long-awaited grand jury report written in response to the Bonusgate trials has declared that the grossly inefficient Pennsylvania legislature needs an overhaul. The grand jury wrote, "The current hierarchy of the House is designed to bestow the vast majority of the power on a select few, to the detriment of the other members of the House, as well as the public." Presiding Judge Feudale wrote of the citizen jury, "This grand jury will not be satisfied with non substantive window dressing and/or sound byte utterances; regarding the concerns set forth in their report."
A Lancaster Online report summarizes some of the grand jury's recommendations for legislative reform:
- Eliminating taxpayer-funded political caucuses.
- Conducting a routine full, independent audit of all legislative expenses and providing results to the public.
- Becoming a true part-time legislature, with commensurate reductions in legislative salaries, staff, and staff salaries.
- Prohibiting legislative staffers working on campaigns from receiving legislative money, including pay, benefits, or contribution to retirement plan.
- Creating a standardized, annually updated written ethics policy for the entire General Assembly.
- Making the budget planning process open and transparent.
- Returning all unused budget money to the state treasury.
The report mirrors many recommendation the Commonwealth Foundation has been championing for years - such as the merit of a part-time legislature, the necessity of state spending transparency, the elimination of incumbent protection plans, and a limited constitutional convention.
posted by LEAH ACHOR | 02:25 PM | 0 comment
MAY 19, 2010
Conklin Would Serve as LG and State Rep
If the results hold, and they remain extremely close, Scott Conklin would be the Democrat nominee for Lieutenant Governor and for reelection to his PA House seat. Conklin recently promised to serve both offices if elected. While it would seem odd for Conklin to vote on legislation in the House, then cast the tie breaking vote in the senate, there is nothing unconstitutional about it.
I point this out for anyone who says, "We don't need a state Constitutional Convention, we just need to enforce it. The Pennsylvania Constitution is perfect." Uh...except for the huge oversight that the Lt. Gov can continue to serve as a legislator (as is currently the case with Lt. Gov & President Pro Tem of the Senate Joe Scarnati).
Note that Conklin is a proponent of a Constitutional Convention.
posted by NATHAN BENEFIELD | 10:09 AM | 0 comment
