The latest round of criminal charges in Pennsylvania’s Bonusgate scandal have a familiar theme.
Like others previously announced, they describe an arrogance of power, and an astonishingly easy willingness to use public funds for personal political gain.
This time around, however, the charges target Republicans, primarily within the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Although 10 people were charged last week by the office of Attorney General Tom Corbett, the key figure was former House Speaker John Perzel.
The allegations against Perzel are extensive. In fact, they total 82 different counts of corruption and obstruction of justice. In a nutshell, Perzel is accused of leading an effort to divert tax dollars into efforts to re-elect himself and boost the campaigns of other Republicans.
Much of this allegedly involved using high-tech resources to help identify and target potential voters. But the charges also outline a scheme to place ghost employees on state payrolls. These employees allegedly did nothing for taxpayers, but they assisted with GOP campaigns.
These charges, combined with those previously announced, paint a decidedly shabby picture of the Pennsylvania Legislature — particularly the House. And Corbett’s staff has made it clear the probe is not over and additional arrests may be forthcoming.
What’s more, the allegations now involve both House Democrats and Republicans cooking up similar abuses of the public trust. One can’t help but suspect there was a sharing of notes somewhere along the line.
Ever since the Bonusgate scandal broke, there has been a lot of talk in Harrisburg about legislative reform and cleaning up a self-serving system. And although there has been some movement toward improved openness and accountability within state government, these mainly involve steps that readily can be reversed somewhere down the road.
More ambitious and meaningful reforms, ranging from campaign finance changes to reducing the size of the Legislature, have lingered in committees with little action. As public outrage from the Legislature’s infamous bonus payments waned, the pressure to reform has eased.
But Corbett’s probe may help to inflame public passions. And combined with the fact the Legislature was more than 100 days late with its budget this year, challengers have the potential to stir things up in 2010’s legislative elections.
To claim that the Legislature has learned its lesson from its embarrassments is neither sufficient nor particularly persuasive. Lawmakers know that they can bide their time and resort to past behaviors when citizens no longer are paying attention to their antics.
That’s a message to the people of Pennsylvania. This year’s budget debacle and Bonusgate aren’t ancient history. They are current and even ongoing. And until the Legislature implements changes that will stick, no one should assume that the worst is over.
Editorials
EDITORIAL: A growing scandal
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Congress acts to close information loophole, but is it enough?
It’s generally recognized that knowledge is power. That’s why some knowledge deserves equal treatment. Perhaps that assessment is most appropriate when it comes to information held by government. Government data and the collection of information, after all, comes courtesy of tax dollars, so everyone should have equal access to its benefits.
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High court forces lawmakers back to drawing board
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s decision to throw out a legislative redistricting plan exposes a fundamental truth: The mapping of House and Senate districts in the commonwealth have nothing to do with representation or serving the people.
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Our Opinion: City hurts businesses by ticketing during lunch hours
Most of the candidates running (and now elected) for New Castle City Council and mayor last year said they believed downtown redevelopment was important. This was a common theme during editorial board meetings at the New Castle News prior to last spring’s primary and before the general election.
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Citizens offer to take open seat on New Castle City Council
It’s good to see there is so much interest in serving on New Castle City Council. On Tuesday, council interviewed nine citizens who have expressed a desire to fill an existing vacancy. The only unfortunate part is that most of these people weren’t interested in the post last year, when it was on the ballot.
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Second thoughts
County commissioner decides to take charge of prison board
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Our Opinion, Part 2: Mayor’s hiring of his son raises more serious questions
If you ask New Castle residents to identify the biggest problem in local government, one word will stand out:
Nepotism. The term, of course, refers to the hiring of one’s relatives for positions, regardless of the fact others are equally — or more — deserving of available positions. -
Our Opinion: Why didn’t council keep Chief Tom Sansone?
Last week, a majority on city council refused to confirm Mayor Anthony Mastrangelo’s appointment of Tom Sansone to continue as police chief. For the moment, the city has no police chief, and city residents are left to wonder why.
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Writers reveal ignorance of school board politics
Editor, The News: In a recent edition of The News there was a letter by James Smith that caught my attention.
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Fairness is consideration in Jameson Hospital’s request to city
Jameson Hospital wants New Castle to give it a break. And it’s something city council should consider — if doing so makes sense, and if it is fair to all.
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Proposal to cut size of Legislature moves modestly ahead
Efforts to streamline Pennsylvania’s Legislature took a step forward this week. But plenty of additional steps remain in what promises to be a daunting process.
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Congress acts to close information loophole, but is it enough?
