Law needed
Well, it was a good first step. But it won’t mean much unless it leads to further steps in reforming the Pennsylvania State Legislature.
We’re talking about action taken by Republican and Democratic leaders in the state House of Representatives this past week to ban cash gifts under its code of ethics.
The action came amid allegations that some lawmakers were caught on videotape accepting cash and gifts as part of a sting operation. Under current ethics rules, legislators may accept gifts, including cash, as long as they report accepting anything over $250 on their annual financial-disclosure forms. The alleged gifts in the sting operation apparently weren’t reported, and the lawmakers could face some legislative action for that, but nothing has been filed so far.
Steve Miskin, spokesman for House Republicans who hold the majority in the chamber, said party leaders saw the ban as a quick way to put a stop to the questionable practice.
“A lot of members in the House were frankly surprised that cash donations were even legal,” Mr. Miskin said. “The ban was something that we could do immediately to change that.”
A spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi, R-Philadelphia, said that chamber could take up a similar rule next week.
There is also talk in both the Senate and the House about passing legislation to end the practice, and that’s what must happen for this reform to have any real meaning.
Ethics violations are handled internally by the Legislature and can result in reprimands but little else of real significance. Lawmakers often will talk tough about ethics violations but do little once the heat is off.
However, laws are different. They can have penalties, including jail terms for those who violate them. That’s why a law on gift bans must be passed. That will send a clear signal that the culture in our state Legislature is, at last, changing for the better.
In the process, Pennsylvania lawmakers should draw up the toughest gift-ban legislation in the nation. Money orders, checks, gift cards, certificates, prepaid debit and credit cards all should be banned along with cash. And there should be no limit. Simply put, any gift of any kind should be illegal.
As we all know, though, passing bills in the state Legislature is a long and complicated process Even the simplest measures with the best intentions can get bogged down and take years to become law. That can’t happen with this legislation. Action has to be taken quickly and with bipartisan support.
Gov. Tom Corbett has expressed his support for such legislation, and he should do whatever he can to help move things along quickly. That certainly couldn’t hurt his chances in the general election next November.
In the end, though, it will be up to residents across the state to keep the pressure on their lawmakers to make sure such a ban gets enacted. All too often in the past, Pennsylvania taxpayers have expected too little of their legislators, and as a result too little has happened, especially in the way of reforms.
But things could be different this time. Reform is in the air.
A lot of people are upset with all the shenanigans by state lawmakers over the years, including a number of legislators themselves.
The time for action is now.