Challengers target accountability
excerpts from a feature by David Spett from Sunday, August 10th's Patriot-News

A month after 12 people with ties to the state House Democrats were charged with misusing government time and money, reform is on many minds.

It's certainly on the minds of people running for the Legislature. In a follow-up to conversations with state officials on legislative reforms, The Patriot-News asked their challengers their thoughts on the matter. What specific reforms do you support? Do you agree with state Attorney General Tom Corbett that a culture of corruption exists in Harrisburg? Do you support a special legislative session on ethics reform? Should House Majority Leader William DeWeese, D-Greene, should resign from leadership.

JUDY HIRSH, a Democrat seeking the 15th state senatorial seat held by Republican Jeffrey Piccola

Reforms: "Make budget negotiation transcripts public; impose limits on campaign contributions of $2,500 for individuals and $10,000 per candidate for political action committees; require lobbyists to disclose all expenditures; put a nonpartisan body in charge of redistricting; and increase funding for the State Ethics Commission to ensure they have the resources to investigate complaints."

Culture: "I can't speak to the 'culture' of the Legislature. The appearance is that there's too many people that think they're above the law. I think it's time we have new blood and new energy."

Special session: "I'm not sure what would be accomplished in a special legislative reform session that couldn't have been accomplished over the last term, where bills were sitting in [Piccola's State Government] committee."

DeWeese: "I think he probably has a tough sell as to why he should remain in the leadership post. It will be dependent upon his caucus and what his caucus decides."


Click here to view the full feature from the Patriot-News.