Protecting House perks
And so the Pennsylvania House of Representatives began its new session in much the same light as it ended the old, protecting members’ perks. The House blocked an effort to amend rules that allows legislators to use taxpayers’ money as campaign funds. Rep. Greg Vitali’s effort to amend the House rules failed. In fact he wasn’t even permitted to bring his proposal before the House for a vote. The Delaware Democrat proposed that lawmakers stop using legislative accounts to purchase television airtime for public service announcements during election years. These are spots in which local lawmakers appear to be providing the public with information on energy assistance or children’s health insurance, yet are used to advance their own names and faces before the voting public. State agencies already budget funds to inform residents of these programs, so the duplication by lawmakers isn’t necessary. Even if the messages were deemed vital, then why not air them in every legislative district? That isn’t occurring.
According to Vitali, 60 House Republicans and 10 House Democrats – most of whom were locked in a re-election struggle – spent $1.7 million airing public service announcements in the months prior to the election.
Vitali also wanted to prohibit the use of legislative accounts for hiring outside telemarketing firms to make automated phone calls to constituents or to send bulk e-mails. Let lawmakers, who already have the advantage of amassing campaign funds, dip into this largess to advance their re-election message.
It is far too difficult for an ordinary citizen to attempt to unseat an incumbent, especially when an incumbent can use taxpayers’ money to launch a public-relations blitz.
Vitali’s proposal failed. But his message comes through. It is one that needs repeated at every opportunity. Keep forcing the issue, Mr. Vitali. Even if most of your colleagues fail to recognize that this type of conduct is unprincipled, at least their constituents will the next time they stand for re-election.