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JULY 22, 2010 | Commentary by MICHAEL NEROZZI, NATHAN BENEFIELD
I&R: Our Inalienable Right to Reform
It is clear our government will not reform itself. Article I, Section 2 of the Pennsylvania Constitution recognizes the right of the citizens to "alter, reform or abolish their government in such manner as they may think proper." It is past time to exercise this right, but the General Assembly and Governor have not provided the m
APRIL 30, 2010 | Testimony by NATHAN BENEFIELD
Does Legislative Size Matter?
Testimony of Nathan A. Benefield to the Pennsylvania Senate State Government Committee
In summary, our analysis suggests that a reduction in the size of the Pennsylvania General Assembly could improve the lawmaking process, but only if it includes other, more comprehensive reforms such as those I just outlined. We, at the Commonwealth Foundation, would be pleased to work with you on any of these good government reform me
APRIL 20, 2010 | News Release by COMMONWEALTH FOUNDATION
Poll Shows Voters Support Pension Reform, I&R, and Spending Limits
Today, the Commonwealth Foundation released results of a recently commissioned statewide measuring Pennsylvanians' opinion of three landmark reforms. The poll of 700 registered voters was conducted by Susquehanna Polling and Research Company between April 7 and 12, 2010.
Recent Blog Posts
SEPTEMBER 2, 2010
A Slap in the Face to Pennsylvania Taxpayers
The Tribune Review revisits the Rendell Administration's leasing tens of thousands of acres of state forest lands via no-bid contracts.
State records the Tribune-Review obtained show that, in one noncompetitive agreement Jan. 7 with Texas gas company Anadarko, the state received $1,000 an acre for 2,300 acres in Sproul State Forest, in Centre and Clinton counties.
Two weeks later on Jan. 19, a public auction of 31,976 acres in Cameron, Clearfield, Potter, Clinton and Tioga counties generated $128 million, or about $4,000 an acre, for taxpayers.
A similar situation occurred in May, when another no-bid contract with Anadarko resulted in a lease of 33,000 acres at an average $3,650 an acre. Greg Wrightstone, a petroleum geologists notes private landholders were getting $5,000 to $6,000 acres at the same time.
Both of these private, no-bid lease schemes ... were consummated at less than market-bonus rates, Wrightstone said, calling the deals "a slap in the face to Pennsylvania taxpayers."
As we've blogged in the past, Gov. Rendell's no-bid deals -- in light of a budget crisis, pension crisis, and transportation crisis -- smack of corruption. And yet he wonders why lawmakers don't support his push for higher taxes.
posted by ELIZABETH STELLE | 04:05 PM | 0 comment
AUGUST 13, 2010
Corrupt Courts Refuse Transparency
The Scranton Times reports that the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records (OOR) is appealing a court ruling extending an exemption to open records to the judiciary branch. (HT FYI by PLS)
The Commonwealth Court this week ruled records of ancillary offices to the state's court system are not subject to the 2008 Right to Know Law. The Times-Tribune sought Lackawanna County records for its Department of Domestic Relations. The media sought "inappropriate e-mails" sent and received by Pat Luongo, Director of Domestic Relations, for which he had been suspended without pay.
OOR Director Terry Mutchler responded:
“It is a brand-new law and everybody is in a stage of weighing in. This court weighed in with a very strong opinion related to this and we’re welcome for any guidance,” she said. “The Office of Open Records still feels that our final determination was correct.”
While some court records are exempted by laws governing privacy and security, it is up to the agency receiving the request to prove the information in question falls under the 30 Right to Know exemptions.
The Commonwealth Court is effectively usurping the spirit of the Right to Know law. This is cause for concern, given the recent criminal activity within the court system in Luzerne County and allegations of corruption within the PA Supreme Court. It is more important than ever to establish transparency in the state judicial system.
posted by ELIZABETH STELLE | 09:37 AM | 0 comment
JULY 27, 2010
Lawmakers Call for Public Integrity Commission
In the wake of convictions, indictments, and investigations of Pennsylvania lawmakers and staff, several legislators have called for a new Public Integrity Commission. The Commission would replace the current Ethics Commission, and put some teeth into it.
The new legislation has bipartisan support, with Reps. Curt Schroder (R-Chester) and Eugene DePasquale (D-York) as the primary sponsors (click here for a press release from Rep. Schroder).
The proposal has received praise from good-government groups like Democracy Rising PA and gubernatorial candidate Dan Onorato.
A common-sense reform like this with strong bi-partisan and public support might even have a chance of passing.
posted by NATHAN BENEFIELD | 08:56 AM | 0 comment
