Office needed
Panel would root out legislative corruption The House is off to a good start to the new legislative session by pushing several reform bills this week.
On Tuesday, it voted on measures to get tougher on lobbyists, a bill to extend the whistle-blower protection law, legislation to reform the way state contracts are reviewed along with one that would mean the Right to Know Law would be applicable to public procurement contracts.
The chamber also voted to prohibit legislators from receiving public funds for nonprofits they create.
These are all ideas in keeping with the Legislature’s vow last year to become more accountable to the public, more up front on spending taxpayer dollars, more transparent on its workings. All these bills should quickly pass the Senate and make their way to Gov. Tom Corbett’s desk, where he should sign them.
While they are positive steps forward, more needs to be done if the Legislature is serious about reform and transparency. At the top of that list is creating a Public Integrity Commission.
The commission, the idea of which was floated last year, would monitor and investigate public officials in the Legislature, Governor’s Office and judiciary.
It would replace the Ethics Commission but encompass its staff and have law enforcement powers. The idea is to train investigators who would have access to criminal records and be given subpoena power. They would not, however, bring criminal charges, which would be handled by county prosecutors or the attorney general.
The legislation soon will be introduced by Rep. Curt Schroder, R-Chester, and Rep. Eugene DePasquale, D-York, who have told this editorial board in the past they believe the only way to make certain there is no corruption in the Legislature is to have a constant independent presence to weed out wrongdoing.
While now is not a good time to be considering the creation of any new offices because of the budget deficit, Schroder and DePasquale say the office could be funded through redirecting money from a 2009 surcharge imposed on court filings.
The idea, which has support from government reform groups, should be supported by the General Assembly.
The office would provide people with a direct place to report suspected wrongdoing, although the bill needs strong provisions to protect whistle-blowers.
The Legislature is correct to start the session by focusing on these types of measures. It could mean moving Pennsylvania from beneath the dark cloud that has covered the General Assembly for several years – with the hugely unpopular late-night pay raise vote and then with the Bonusgate investigation.
The public is watching to see whether lawmakers are truly serious about change.
The (Harrisburg) Patriot-News