Those who fought for reform, now taking advantage of benefits
By Alison Hawkes, For the Herald-Standard
03/03/2007
Updated 03/04/2007 12:16:10 AM EST
HARRISBURG - As candidates they rallied against the legislative pay raise and in favor of government reform, but as newly-elected state lawmakers many of those same individuals are taking the full array of taxpayer-financed benefits.
State-funded cars, free medical, dental and vision plans, $148 per diems, life insurance and a generous pension plan - many freshmen have signed up for them.
They include Fayette County Reps. Tim Mahoney and Deberah Kula, according to a review of House records.
Lawmakers' benefits package is far and above that of ordinary Pennsylvania workers, who have steadily been paying more and more in health insurance premiums and have largely lost pensions in the wake of defined contributions plans like 401(k)'s.
House lawmakers, on the other hand, receive free medical care for themselves and their families for the rest of their lives after 10 years in office, may retire with a pension at age 50, and do not have to turn in receipts to show actual expenditures to receive per diems which are supposed to cover lodging and meal costs in Harrisburg.
Some freshman lawmakers defended their decision.
Rep. Rick Taylor, a Montgomery County Democrat, said public office shouldn't just be for the rich who could afford to pay their own way and the benefits help fortify the Legislature against the power of the governor.
"I support the idea of lifting people up instead of emasculating the Legislature," Taylor said.
Rather than take away lawmakers' benefits, Taylor said Pennsylvanians should be getting health care and pensions, too. He wouldn't say whether the health care he expects citizens to get would be "free" in the same way as lawmakers.
Matt Brouillette, president of the conservative think-tank Commonwealth Foundation, said for lawmakers who trumpeted reform, the practice should start at home.
"The question is, did they campaign to end the very thing they are now taking advantage of?" said Brouillette. "Plenty of freshmen campaigned on reform but reform must begin at home, first and foremost. So it's a little troubling that so many are at the trough."
Some, however, are vowing that reform is not on the back burner. Rep. John Galloway, a Bucks County Democrat, said he plans to bring up lawmakers' benefits package to the House Legislative Reform Commission when it takes up phase two of its work this spring...
http://www.heraldstandard.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18031816&BRD=2280&PAG=461&dept_id=480247&rfi=6
We're going to have input into reforms! Here in Pennsylvania. Believe. Believe...
House seeks voter input on reform
By Peter Jackson
THe Associated Press
HARRISBURG -- A special House panel studying the need for legislative reforms has established an e-mail address where residents can send ideas for improving the lawmaking process.
"We want to make sure that we are sending a new signal" from the House, said Rep. Josh Shapiro, D-Montgomery, one of two co-chairmen of the 24-member, bipartisan commission.
The e-mail address is reform@pahouse.net.
The Speaker's Commission on Legislative Reform, which held its first meeting Tuesday, will focus initially on new rules to improve the way the House of Representatives operates.
It is expected to make recommendations by March 12, the earliest that the full House could vote on them.
Later, the panel plans to explore an array of broader government reforms, including restrictions on campaign financing, expanded public access to government records and the imposition of term limits for legislators.
That phase is not expected to begin before summer and could stretch into next year, said the panel's other co-chairman, Republican Rep. David Steil.
House Speaker Dennis O'Brien established the commission earlier this month to underscore his commitment to reform in the aftermath of an electoral housecleaning that stemmed from the short-lived legislative pay raises of 2005.
http://www.centredaily.com/mld/centredaily/news/local/16530870.htm
Freshmen Legislators take the taxpayer-funded cars 24 of 50
A Capitol Question: Can Harrisburg Change?
An occasional series on efforts to 'reform' Harrisburg.
New Pa. House members get free carsInquirer Analysis: Nearly half the freshman members of the state House have signed up for taxpayer-funded vehicles.
By Mario F. Cattabiani
Inquirer Staff Writer
HARRISBURG - Nearly half of the 50 freshman members of the State House - many of whom campaigned against free-spending politicians - have jumped at the chance to join the most-generous legislative auto-leasing program in the nation.
Even before they were sworn in Jan. 2, 23 first-time representatives lined up their free keys, with most picking out SUVs from the state's growing pool of fleet vehicles, an Inquirer review of House records shows...
http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/16494061.htm
What Pa. freshmen legislators drive
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=what+pa+freshmen+legislators+drive&btnG=Google+Search
By The Associated Press
Friday, January 19, 2007
A list compiled by The Philadelphia Inquirer of the state-subsidized vehicles that freshmen members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly drive and the monthly cost to taxpayers:
--Rep. Deberah Kula, D-Fayette; 2005 Jeep Cherokee; $290
--Rep. Tim Mahoney, D-Fayette; 2004 Dodge Durango; $439
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/election/s_489382.html
Rep. Timothy Mahoney took the taxpayers' subsidized state-lease vehicle
Freshman Forward in a Dodge Durango
Meanwhile Herald Standard's Paul Sunyak Gives the Duo Wows and No Scowls for car leases
...
Wow: Newly seated state Rep. Timothy S. Mahoney, D-South Union, is one of 12 House Democrats appointed by Speaker Dennis M. O'Brien to his Bipartisan Commission on Legislative Reform. Take time to remember this the next time a crusty, entrenched incumbent tells you one big reason for keeping him around is that a newcomer can't get anything done in Harrisburg. Mahoney has catapulted to the front row because he's willing to stand up and be counted, not cower in the corner and be a wallflower.
...Wow: Count newly seated state Rep. Deberah Kula, D-North Union Township, as an immediate philosophical improvement over her predecessor, the retired James Shaner. Here's why: Kula supports badly needed reforms in Harrisburg, including making a top priority of changing the Open Records Law that for too long has exempted the state Legislature. As a former magisterial district judge, Kula became used to public records being open and readily accessible to the public, a foreign concept to some of her current peers. Kula also supports establishment of a waiting period for all legislation, so all legislators and the public can fully digest what's in bills being put on the table. Taxpayers deserve no less, which is a concept Shaner never gave evidence that he grasped
http://www.heraldstandard.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17737445&BRD=2280&PAG=461&dept_id=468517&rfi=6
Tim Mahoney watching
2. LEGISLATIVE REFORM:
Pennsylvania has one of the largest State Governments in the nation. We don't need that many politicians. Tim would be willing to give up his seat in the interest of consolidating the legislative body. Tim is also committed to open government and disclosure. Pennsylvania residents should always have easy access not only to their state representation, but also to where and how their hard earned tax dollars are being spent.
http://www.votetimmahoney.com/platform.html
pennsylvania legislative slush fund
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=pennsylvania+legislative+slush+fund&btnG=Google+Search
TAXPAYERS AND RATEPAYERS UNITED CRITICIZES SLUSH FUND AND DESTRUCTION OF PUBLIC RECORDS
TRU, founded by activist Gene Stilp of Dauphin County, is asking the legislature for answers and action in regard to a recent audit of the Legislature which he deems is incomplete.
He also wants Legislative leaders to determine what records have recently been destroyed by outgoing legislators and what the relevance of the destruction is to the constituency.
TAXPAYERS AND RATEPAYERS UNITED
CONTACT: GENE STILP, DIRECTOR 717-829-5600
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JANIARY 22, 2007
TAXPAYERS AND RATEPAYERS UNITED SAYS 2005 AND 2006 LEGISLATIVE AUDITS ARE A WHITEWASH, CALLS ON MEMBERS TO PRODUCE REAL AUDITS FOR 2005 AND 2006, DEMANDS $215 MILLION SLUSH FUND BE INVESTIGATED. AND DEMANDS INVESTIGATION OF DOCUMENT DESTRUCTION
In a letter to all 253 members of the General Assembly, the citizens action group Taxpayers and Ratepayers United (TRU) is calling the recently released 2005 and 2006 audits of the financial affairs of the legislature a complete whitewash.
Gene Stilp, Director of Taxpayers and Ratepayers United stated, ‘We are asking the members of the General Assembly to immediately pass a resolution to do a complete professional internal public audit of all the funding of the General Assembly for the fiscal year 2004 - 2005 and 2005 - 2006. If it spent $308 in fiscal year 2005 – 2006 and $283 million in fiscal year 2004 – 2005, that’s $591 million that is unaccounted for. The 59% increase in slush funds in two years to $215 million must also be investigated and explained (2004 - $135 million; 2005 -$161 million).”
http://truthinourhouse.blogspot.com/2007/01/taxpayers-and-ratepayers-united.html
Taxpayers and Ratepayers United
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Taxpayers+and+Ratepayers+United+&btnG=Google+Search
TAXPAYERS AND RATEPAYERS UNITED MEMBER LETTER #1
1550 FISHING CREEK VALLEY ROAD 1-22-07
HARRISBURG, PA 17112
Attention Legislative Member:
The Legislative Audit Advisory Commission (appropriately named L.A.A.C.) has once again placed you at a complete disadvantage. It has just released the annual audit reports for 2005 and 2006. It is on your desk. If you haven’t read it yet, it is time.
http://truthinourhouse.blogspot.com/
More on legislators
http://netthetruthonline.blogspot.com/search?q=tim+mahoney
http://netthetruthonline.blogspot.com/search?q=pennsylvania+speaker+house
Campaigns
http://www.campaignfinance.state.pa.us/CFReport.aspx?CFReportID=43759&Section=III&StartRow=1&RowsPerPage=45
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