Daley’s our pick
Veteran lawmaker gets H-S backing For the 49th Legislative District, the Herald-Standard Editorial Board unanimously endorses longtime incumbent Peter J. Daley over challenger Randy Barli in the May 18 Democratic Party Primary.
The candidates had very different opinions on what was most pressing for the district. Daley expressed concern over the spread of poverty and the passing of the state budget. Barley’s comments, meanwhile, focused on getting more people to vote.
In fact, Barli’s comments during the editorial board meeting were more in line with a campaign to get out the vote rather than get Daley out of office. While we agree with Barli that more people do indeed need to vote, he never presented justification why he would do a better job than Daley if voters sent him to Harrisburg.
That may be because, with nearly 30 years in office, Daley has found his groove in the state legislature. We see no reason why he shouldn’t return to represent the 49th, which includes parts of eastern Washington County and all of Brownsville and Redstone townships along with ward 3 of Menallen Township and ward one of Washington Township in Fayette County.
Daley has been a vocal supporter of reforming Harrisburg, offering a condemnation of a “culture of corruption” during his meeting with this board. His reform efforts go beyond just words. We were impressed by Daley’s proposal of a unicameral system, even if constituents were not in favor of eliminating what is perceived as the check and balance system of having a House and Senate. He has also proposed limits for the length of time a lawmaker can serve in a leadership position.
We agree with Daley that it’s time the Legislature “steps up to the plate and fixes itself.” As such we are pleased he is in favor of a constitutional convention to address changes needed in the Legislature, as long as the parameters of the convention are spelled out.
Along similar lines, Daley has been a strong proponent of a strong open records legislation, a cause we see as vital to the state. Ensuring the public has the right to know the workings of state and local governments is a crucial piece of a healthy democracy.
Barli, meanwhile, did not have as many ideas for reform. “I’m not too schooled on it,” Barli said of the reform movement in Harrisburg.
It is also worth noting that, unlike other members of his caucus, Daley, despite his long tenure, has been untouched by the Corbett investigations into misuse of taxpayer money. Daley said he always had separate legislative and campaign offices and has not used his staff for campaigning because he doesn’t even want the appearance of a conflict.
While we’ve had some disagreements with Daley in the past, he’s stepped up to the plate with the reform movement, and we feel certain he has the wherewithal to be a force for the good, making him the obvious choice for the 49th District.