That was then, this is now
There’s nothing like comparing lines from some letters to the editor from 2006 with some news stories from 2007. Enjoy. “This old Navy man is sticking by his Marine buddy.”
HARRISBURG – House Democrats have given certain legislative aides taxpayer-financed bonuses, but Majority Leader H. William DeWeese will not give any details about how much and who received the extra pay.
“When people say that DeWeese is not involved with or is out of touch with his constituents, I am puzzled.”
HARRISBURG – House Democrats headed by Leader Bill DeWeese handed out $2 million in bonuses to their legislative staff over the last two years, ballooning the total amount the Legislature spent to reward staff to more than $3 million in taxpayer money.
DeWeese, of Greene County, released the list of staff names and bonus amounts late Thursday afternoon, a day after the three other legislative leaders came out with their bonus information. DeWeese initially estimated the bonuses would tally up to $400,000 per year, but the actual 2006 total was far higher: $1.6 million paid out to more than 650 of the 814 caucus employees, according to the released records.
“Mr. DeWeese’s position in Harrisburg as the Democratic Floor Leader is a post many legislators envy … In closing, I say to the voters of the 50th District, do not make this a one-issue campaign and look at the whole picture before you cast your vote May 16.”
HARRISBURG – House Democratic Leader Bill DeWeese handed out bonuses to all but one of his 28 legislative staffers last year, and to at least 20 additional House employees who separately participated in campaign work in various ways.
The bonuses to DeWeese’s employees, in his Harrisburg and his Greene County district offices, added between 1 percent and 62 percent on top of their established salaries. They expanded his $1.3 million taxpayer-funded payroll by $123,700, or 9 percent, in 2006.
“I would hate to see what Fayette and Greene counties would receive if the power and prestige of Mr. DeWeese’s office would transfer to Philadelphia -which is certain should Bill lose the November election.”
HARRISBURG – In a dramatic move that caught many by surprise, House Democrats orchestrated the appointment of a new Republican Speaker to lead the chamber for the next two years.
The presumed House Democratic Leader H. William DeWeese, who had set the stage to become speaker himself, made a stunning reversal by dropping his ambition under a new Democratic majority. Instead, he backed Philadelphia Republican Dennis O’Brien for the post.
“Bill represents our values as sportsmen and gun owners, and I want him representing me in Harrisburg.”
HARRISBURG – Reform activist Gene Stilp blew up his 25-foot inflatable pig outside the Capitol Wednesday to call for the resignation of House Democratic Leader H. William DeWeese and the two Republican House leaders.
Stilp said the scandal over $3.7 million in legislative employee bonuses over the last two years – of which $3.2 million came from the House – was the last straw from leaders promising reform.
“No freshman legislator is going to have the voice in Harrisburg that DeWeese does.”
HARRISBURG – A growing number of lawmakers – 36 as of Friday – are supporting Rep. Tim Mahoney’s legislation to make the spending habits of the Pennsylvania Legislature and other state entities public for the first time.
“I’m sticking by Bill DeWeese because the health care needs of the 50 District are better off with his leadership in Harrisburg.”
UNIONTOWN – House Majority Leader Bill DeWeese has eliminated catered meals for the Democratic caucus during session days – a recurring expense that’s cost taxpayers up to $6,300 per pop – as part of his support for reform, spokesman Tom Andrews said late Friday.
“Why do the Herald-Standard and its editorial writer Paul Sunyak have such a vendetta against state Rep. Bill DeWeese (D-Waynesburg)? Rather than applauding Rep. DeWeese’s work at trying to raise the state’s minimum wage, you criticize him.”
UNIONTOWN – Just days after canceling catered meals for state House Democrats during session days, Majority Leader H. William DeWeese, D-Waynesburg, has ended the practice of paying a driver to transport him around the state.
I wonder … How are all you 2006 letter writers feeling these days?
Paul Sunyak is editorial page editor of the Herald-Standard. Reach him at 724-439-7577 or at psunyak@heraldstandard.com