Resident's Letter To Editor Against Eachus

This letter proves the right message is making it through Camp Eachus's bogus claims.

Editor,

My life has been dedicated to upholding the law. In additon to being the former mayor of Boonton, NJ, I was with the Morris County, N.J., Sheriff's Department for 24 years and spent 10 years as a constable for the Superior Court of The State of New Jersey, prior to moving to this area many years ago.

I've always been passionate about issues that impact the area in which I have resided and, as such, have been closely following the race for state representative between 14-year-incumbent Todd Eachus and attorney Tarah Toohil.

So, let me get this straight. Eachus has not answered the Bonusgate questions; Eachus has not agreed to a debate; Eachus has not returned the campaign contributions he accepted from admitted felon Bob Powell. What has he done? He has raised taxes repeatedly; he has watched our area plunge into the depths of joblessness and increased violent crimes; and he has made false statements to our community.

Last year I had the pleasure of meeting attorney Tarah Toohil when she was first running for this office. In my conversation, I learned she was never asked to run for the position. Just the opposite. She informed the Republicans she was running for the office. They were going to have to accept the fact that she was going after this seat. It's not her style to ask permission of anyone, including any "political party bosses," contrary to Mr. Eachus' false assertions in flyers.

Furthermore, Mr. Eachus claims now that attorney Toohil was hired by now disgraced Judge Mark Ciavarella. This is beyond a stretch of truth! It's a flat-out lie! Toohil was a law clerk at the courthouse and all people who clerk at the courthouse must be signed off on by the president judge at the time. And at the time, Chivarella was president judge. And if someone named Joe Blow were president judge at the time, that person would have signed off on her. She was not "hired" by anyone. She was approved for a position based upon her merits and abilities - not any patronage.

Seems Mr. Eachus wants to claim anyone who ever stepped foot in that courthouse as corrupt. So, none of us better go there to renew our passports or we will be facing similar false allegations from our elected official.

And what makes this even worse is that our area was hit by a horrible armed robbery at the Laurel Mall yesterday. Mr. Eachus should be talking about plans to reduce crime in our area, not running around like a chicken with his head cut off (yes, I said the chicken word) trying to spread false assertions for his own political self-interest.

So, Eachus, buries over $16 million for the cargo airport into a state gaming bill; he does not give us property tax reliefwe were promised in exchange for table games; he takes money from felons; he uses per diems to pay off a second home he bought with our taxpayer dollars; and he has the nerve to claim others are tied to corruption?

Seems to me, as someone who has years of experience in law enforcement, Eachus is walking a very slippery slope. In fact, I just think he fell on his feathery behind with this tactic.


Lou Masterbon
Butler Township

Tarah Toohil Shedding Light On Concerns She Wants Answered By Eachus On WILK Corbett's Show

Eachus Embroiled In Bonusgate Corruption

This article originally went to press December 22,2009 written by Marc Scolforo of the Associated Press. After Todd Eachus's vicious attack on Tarah Toohil, a professional practicing law SOP wanted to reprint it. Eachus is trying to stretch her profession of representing clients to being part of the system that led to the juvenile problems in Luzerne County. As Judge Musto stated "That is the most ridiculous stretch that I have heard in my entire life."

APNewsBreak: Transcripts say Pa. House majority leader directed campaign activitiesBy: MARK SCOLFORO
Associated Press
12/22/09 7:03 PM EST

HARRISBURG, PA. — The majority leader of the Pennsylvania House directed campaign activities by legislative employees and raised campaign funds from inside the Capitol, according to witness testimony in transcripts obtained by The Associated Press.

The witnesses in the widening probe, which has reached top levels of the state General Assembly, allege conduct by Todd Eachus similar to that for which 25 others have been charged.

Eachus has not been charged, and the allegations date to before he was elected majority leader a year ago.

John Paul Jones, a $62,000-a-year legislative research specialist until December 2007, told the grand jury that Eachus, D-Luzerne, brought him onto the state payroll after the November 2006 election, which returned Democrats to the majority in the House, with a cover story about his legislative work.

"That was sort of like the code of, here's what I do, but really I was solely there as a political guy," Jones said.

Jones testified that Eachus told him he considered the General Assembly's capability to produce public service announcements a free tool to help incumbents get re-elected.

For nearly three years, state Attorney General Tom Corbett has been investigating whether state lawmakers and their aides used legislative employees and state-owned equipment for campaign purposes.


The scandal began with news that millions in bonuses had been quietly handed out to employees of the General Assembly, and a series of five grand jury reports has alleged that many of those bonuses were part of a conspiracy that also involved state contracts and computer equipment, as well as some of the highest-ranking members of the state House and aides.


The transcripts were provided on the condition of anonymity by a person connected to the defendants who are expected to go on trial in January.

Eachus declined to comment, as did a spokesman for Corbett, a Republican running for governor.

But Eachus told WNEP-TV in Scranton this week that he was shocked and saddened "to see colleagues of ours having problems. But I say this, that anyone who has created a problem should face justice."

In a May 2008 grand jury appearance, Jones said that while he was working for the House Democratic Campaign Committee in the run-up to that pivotal 2006 election, he and another campaign committee employee worked closely with Eachus out of an office in the Capitol's East Wing.

He said they helped Eachus phone Democratic state representatives to pressure them either to donate to the campaign committee or promise to spend a certain amount on their own races.

"As Todd would often say, he wanted to spend what he called soft dollars, which were government dollars, on public service announcements so that we had to ultimately spend less hard campaign dollars," Jones testified.

Jones said that for a time he and two other legislative aides spent nearly all day on political matters, raising money and performing other campaign-related duties. A phone number could not be located for Jones.

An unidentified state prosecutor, in the grand jury transcript, asked Jones whether Eachus was "directing and encouraging" their campaign efforts.

"Oh, yeah, sure," Jones responded. "There were plenty of times where (an aide) and I would be in to make phone calls or to staff Todd so he could make fundraising phone calls out of his office."

Eachus was closely allied with former House Whip Mike Veon, D-Beaver, whom prosecutors have portrayed as a leading figure in a conspiracy to divert public employees and resources for campaign work before he lost re-election in 2006.

Veon and as many as four others with ties to House Democrats are expected to go on trial next month on charges of theft, conspiracy and conflict of interest.

Veon co-defendant Rachel Manzo had been House Democratic policy committee executive director under Eachus at the time of her arrest in July 2008. On the same August day that she appeared before the grand jury, she signed an agreement with prosecutors to plead guilty to a single misdemeanor count of theft of services.

A prosecutor asked Manzo about talking to Eachus about moving state workers spending time on campaigns to another office, according to a transcript.

"So those discussions manifested direct knowledge by Eachus that these people were involved in politics as part of their daily work?" the prosecutor asked.

"Yes," she testified. "He used them daily for politics."

Phone messages left for her and her lawyer, Bill Ward, were not returned.

The only defendant among the 25 arrested as part of the investigation who has gone to trial, former state Rep. Sean Ramaley, D-Beaver, was acquitted of all charges this month..

Eachus has been called a protege of Michael Veon, closely allied with former Whip Mike Veon, now convicted Michael Veon. Eachus unilaterally authorized the retirement of Veon's campaign debt. In the past Eachus stated he was proud to introduce Robert Powell. Eachus's campaign donated four times to Jill Moran's campaign committee. Eachus accepted money from Robert Mericle. Testimony before the grand jury was presented that Eachus flew in Robert Powell's jet but the flights don't appear on any Ethics Commission filings. Eachus accepted money from Greg Skrepenak's campaign committee.

Eachus made the claim in the Standard Speaker that Toohil "tried to destroy the Eachus family name." From this article it seems he was responsible for the questions he is facing in this election.

Disclaimer:  Todd Eachus has yet to be charged with any crime

We Can Do Better

Is Eachus Admitting Role In Bonusgate Scandal?

In a story published May 19, 2010 written by Mia Light of the Standard Speaker House Majority Leader Todd Eachus makes this repsonse to the reporter over comments made by Tarah Toohil, his challenger.

But "the voters are in an anti-incumbent mood because of what's going on with the corruption," Toohil said.

In response, Eachus said he inherited a legacy of problems when becoming the majority leader in 2009.

"I'll take some of the responsibility, but not all of the responsibility. I'm trying to fix the problems," he said. So how many "legislative" newsletters that contain statements showing what "Todd Eachus did" have you received in between the campaign flyers from Eachus's office? If he refuses to answer questions about Bonusgate and shields himself with three different spokespersons how are we supposed to know what he is and isn't taking responsibility for?

Here is a video that asks the question- Did Congressman Paul Kanjorski and Eachus use legislative staff for a veiled attempt at campaigning?

House Democratic Caucus Has Legal Appetite

Treasury Secretary Jack McCord has a link on his website for the public to search contracts made by Commonwealth Agencies. SOP performed a search of contracts made by the House Democratic Caucus. Since 2008 there are 12 legal firms who have been hired in a total of 27 contracts and amendments. The total cost to the taxpayers was $1,183,180.00.

There are several interesting contracts that SOP found in its research.

Christopher Casey was hired by Todd Eachus to serve as outside counsel to him according to this report by Robert Swift of the Times-Tribune in December, 2008. Chris Casey, the brother of U.S. Senator Robert Casey, is a partner at Dilworth Paxson LLP.

Christopher Casey is a partner in the Litigation, Corporate Investigations/White Collar, and Media Law Practice Groups. He represents companies, governmental entities and individuals in a broad range of counseling and litigation matters, involving such areas as antitrust, securities, contracts, property disputes, fraud, and political corruption.

These contracts were let out by the House Democratic Caucus with Dilworth Paxson, LLP. Contract Number HDC01021009 had a term of December 01, 2008 to January 16, 2009 not to exceed $100,000.00. Another contract, Number HDC02021009 was approved for Dilworth Paxson, LLP with a term from January 15, 2009 to March 02, 2009 not to exceed $50,000.00. Contract Number 4HDC05031009 termed from March 03, 2009 to June 30,2009 not to exceed $150,000.00 for Dilworth Paxson, LLP. There were two amendments to that contract. The first amendment, HDC02072209 went from July 01.2009 to December 31, 2009 not to exceed $150,000.00. The second amendment, HDC01121009, was for another $50,000 limit extending from December 03, 2009 to December 31, 2010.

Patrick Casey of Scranton is a partner is the legal firm Myeres, Brier, and Kelly. Attorney Casey represents Louis Pagnotti III. Questions on whether his client cooperated in the federal probe looking into corruption at the Luzerne County Courthouse were met with a "No Comment" according to this Legal Intelligencer article appearing on Law.com from June, 2009.

Pat Casey has served as lead counsel in federal jury trials involving charges of bank fraud; ERISA fraud; wire fraud; mail fraud; check fraud; credit card fraud; tax evasion; counterfeit; obstruction of justice; and other monetary crimes.

Myers, Brier, and Kelly were the recipients of contracts let out by the House Democratic Caucus of Pennsylvania as well. Contract number HDC02031909 had a term of December 01, 2008 to June 30, 2009 in an amount not to exceed $50,000.00. An amendment to the original contract extended the term from December 01, 2009 to December 31, 2010 in the same amount of $50,000.00.

It peaks the curiosity that the House Democratic Caucus in Harrisburg would hire a firm in Scranton. As previously reported the HDC also hired the firm of Sprague and Sprague from Philadelphia who represented Robert Powell in the Luzerne County Courthouse corruption probe. The total amount not to exceed in that contract was $100,000.00. It commenced on November 03, 2008 with no end date. The HDC was to inform the firm when it no longer needed its services.

Since all contracts are confidential as to the nature of the scope of work we can only surmise from the areas of practice of the lawyers hired as to the nature of the need for engagement.

On February 10, 2009 Eachus announced the appointment of Attorney Laura Kuller as his chief of staff at salary of $161,000 and Attorney Nora Winkelman as his chief counsel at a salary of $149,900 according to John Micek's March, 2009 column over at Capital Ideas . He must have this need to be surrounded by high priced attorneys.

Mr. Eachus should explain to the public as to the nature of these contracts. Of course he has yet to answer questions about Bonusgate so I wouldn't hold my breath he would be forthcoming anytime soon.

Sprague And Sprague Connection To Todd Eachus

Trial lawyer Richard Sprague, a member of the legal firm Sprague and Sprague, represented Robert Powell in the Kids For Cash scheme that is part of the Luzerne County corruption scandal. He was also represented by Mark Sheppard, formerly of Sprague and Sprague according to this article that appeard on Law.com from The Legal Intelligencer. The article dealt with the F.B.I. putting its sights on now former Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas Judge Michael Toole.

When asked if Toole had taken a payoff from Powell, one of Powell's attorneys, Mark B. Sheppard, formerly of Sprague & Sprague and now a partner at Montgomery McCracken Walker & Rhoads, said he could not comment.

Law.com features another story from The Legal Intelligencer dated February 13, 2009. It details a letter signed by Attorney Richard Sprague on behalf of Robert Powell in connection with the ongoing probe.

In a letter signed by Mark B. Sheppard of Sprague & Sprague in Philadelphia, Powell's lawyers said he had been unfairly portrayed in news reports on the corruption probe.

"First, it is grossly inaccurate to suggest that our client ever sought or had any influence in the sentencing of any juvenile offender. In fact, Bob Powell never offered to pay a single penny to these former judges. Instead, Bob Powell was a victim of their demands for payment," the letter says.

The letter goes on to say that, although Powell recognizes he made a mistake by not going to authorities, he remained silent about the judges' demands because they exerted pressure on Powell and his clients.

"The record will show that despite this, Powell not only refused the Judges' continued demands for additional payments, but ultimately reported the conduct to authorities," the letter says.

The letter, also signed by Richard A. Sprague and Geoffrey R. Johnson, says Powell is continuing to cooperate with authorities and is integral to the U.S. Attorney's prosecution of Ciavarella and Conahan.

What does all of this information have to do with Todd Eachus?

On February 3, 2010 Jennifer Lin of the Philadelphia Inquirer penned this article about lawyer Richard Sprague's testimony before two dozen legislators who grilled him, wanting to know just what his group - the Pennsylvania Casino Association - was up to.

The casino group sent big names into yesterday's hearing: Sprague, whose career as a prosecutor and defense lawyer dates to the 1950s, and PCA's adviser, Stephen A. Zappala - a former chief justice of the state Supreme Court.

During the joint hearing of the House Gaming Oversight Committee and the Senate Committee on Community, Economic and Recreational Development, Sprague conceded that last fall, in the heat of the debate over changing the state's gaming law to allow poker and other table games, his trade group sent three e-mails to all legislators in an effort to budge them on two points of contention: proposed tax rates for table games, and adding more licenses for so-called resort casinos.

He said that was lobbying - but not to a degree that would trip the 2007 law's rules for registering publicly.

The casino association also has drawn particular attention from lawmakers because of its staff. Sprague said he initially brought in Zappala, the former chief justice, as "chair of the association," while Michele Zappala Peck, his daughter, is its director of operations.

In addition, Lisa DeNaples, a principal and financial backer of the Mount Airy casino, is a director of PCA.

Sprague said Zappala brought stature to PCA. "The fact I have Chief Justice Zappala with me is what gives me a voice," he said.

Zappala said he did not lobby lawmakers.

Sprague said his own outreach to legislators was limited to personal visits in 2008 with eight senators and representatives, including House Majority Leader Todd Eachus (D., Luzerne) and Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R., Delaware).

"When I went to each of them," Sprague said, "my opening statement was 'I am here, and I don't want you to do a thing for me. . . . I'm here to introduce myself.' "

The purpose of his calls? To see "who does what and who's on which side.".

Treasury Secretary Jack McCord's website has a feature where the public can search state contracts called e-Contracts. There is a very interesting piece of information concerning Mr. Sprague's firm and Mr. Eachus.

On November 03, 2008 the House Democratic Caucus awarded Contract Number HDC01111008 not to exceed $100,000.00 in billing to Sprague and Sprague. There is no end date on the contract. The House Democratic Caucus will inform Sprague and Sprague when it no longer desires it services according to page 3 of the document.

Was it convenient that Attorney Sprague didn't mention this fact during his testimony or was it unknown to all those present that Mr. Eachus as well as all of the House Democratic Members of the House Gaming Oversight Committee were being or had been represented by Attorney Sprague's firm? I seriously doubt the second part is plausable.

The question that the media should be asking is whether the engagement of the Sprague firm by the House Democratic Caucus is any way connected to the Robert Powell investigation and are the taxpayers of the Commonwealth paying for Mr. Eachus's possible defense in Bonusgate or any other matter?

Maybe Mr. Eachus should explain to the public which side he is on?

The ending to the story concerning Attorney Sprague and the Pennsylvania Casino Association? Pennsylvania Casino Association Registers with State

Corbett's Bonusgate Investigation Didn't Help

The Pennsylvania Treasury site contains a link to e-Contracts where taxpayers/the public can search to see what contracts were let out by state agencies.

SOP performed a search of the House Democratic Caucus to determine what types of contracts it makes on behalf of the Democratic legislators belonging to this LEGISLATIVE body. Please don't confuse the House Democratic Caucus with the House Democratic Campaign Committee. The later is the political body used for election purposes.

The first interesting contract was made with StrongMail. From their website one can ascertain its type of business.

StrongMail enables businesses to reach, engage and influence their target audience. We can help you improve your email marketing campaign performance, boost deliverability and lower costs, while extending your reach to new audiences using social media.

Contract Number HDC02060809 is for an "Email Marketing Server" plus software and support. It goes from Friday, May 22, 2009 to Friday, May 21, 2010.

The next contract is with Listrak, Ltd to furnish email services to the House Democratic Caucus. What makes this contract interesting is that it was signed by Christine Zarek who's name appears multiple times during Grand Jury testimony in the Bonusgate investigation.

Contract Number HDC01052510 states "Whereas the Client desires to communicate on legislative issues with the residents of the Commonwealth". The amount of the contract is for $20,000.00. It's term is from Saturday, May 1, 2010 to Friday, December 31, 2010. Now anyone with half a brain knows that the term coincides with the election season. There is no good reason to terminate legislative issue notification to Commonwealth residents on December 31st except that election season is over.

Lables and Lists obtained a VOTER FILE AGREEMENT in 2008 for the purpose of providing an enhanced voter regsitration file to the PADITO. The contract amount was $9,600.00. NOTE: PADITO= Pennsylvania Democratic Informtaion Technologies Office.
This agreement is very clear it is for voter names, not constituent names.

Lables and Lists, Inc. goes on to receive a contract to provide statewide constituent data files to the House Democratic Caucus from Thurday, January 08, 2009 to Thursday, December 31 2009 in the amount of $49,500.00.

This contract seems to contradict the Code of Conduct posted by the House Democratic Caucus on its website about the prohibition of political activity by its members and staff. Keep in mind that many constituents are not registered voters.

According to the contract terms with Labels and ListsItem 4. Provision of Constituent Files it states a. Creation of Constituent Files Labels and Lists hereby agrees to create and supply to the PADITO two specially formatted and electronically processed copies of the Pennsylvania constituent file. The base data for these files will be obtained from publicly available lists of all Pennsylvania voters in each county of the state. These data will then be processed to create statewide data files of uniform format and will be enhanced to matches of national telephone databases and the U.S. Post Office's National Change of Address(NCOA) and Locatable Address Corrections System(LACS). The copies of the file will then be processed into a format specified by the PADITO. The final enhanced files shall be referred to as the "PADTIO Constituent Files".

It gets better. b. Delivery Dates Labels and Lists shall provide the PADITO with two PADITO Constituent Files during the year 2009. The date of delivery of the files will be the sole determination of the PADITO but no earlier than 30 days following notification of Labels and Lists of the requested dates. Item c covers Use and Ownership of PADITO Constituent File Data. Two elections per year, furnishing two files per year, really not that hard to figure out.

But then it gets to item d. Transfer of Raw County Data Files. Labels and Lists agrees to provide to the PADITO, at the latter's request and at no additional charge, copies of all the raw county or state voter files acquired and used by Labels and Lists as the basis for the creation of the PADITO Constituent Files.

Let's roll back to a previous post by SOP from December 30, 2009. It refers to emails at a different time about the "incumbent protection program" put together by Eachus et al found on CasablancaPA.com.

THE VEON PAPERS
EXHIBIT F
Attachment 11
Document and mails shoping John Paul Jones performing House Democratic Campaign Committee campaign work on state time using state resources in 2007 under Todd Eachus' supervision.

From: Jones, John Paul
Sent: Wednesday, December 06, 2006 11:28 AM

To: Manzo, Michael; Cott, Brett
Cc: Manzo, Rachel

Subject: Incumbent Protection Meetings.

GOALS;
1. TO FOCUS, COORDINATE, AND DIRECT CAUCUS RESOURCES FOR THE PURPOSE OF INCUMBENT PROTECTION.

2. TO AVOID DUPLICATION OF INCUMBENT PROTECTION FUNCTIONS BETWEEN CAUCUS STAFF/offices.

3. To notify key caucus staff and leadership of progress (or lack thereof) by individual incumbents with regards to incumbent protection.

4. To share information across offices in order to constantly improve incumbent protection activities.

Meeting Composition:
Chairs- Rep. Eachus,
Mike Manzo,
Brett Cott

Leader's office- Paul Parsells
LCO- Chris Zarek
LRO- Jen Brubaker
OMS- Eric Webb

Approp.- Miriam Fox

ODA- Scott Casper

Policy Com-Rachel Manzo

Secretary-Mike Risch

Comm.-Barb Grill & Bill Patton

HDCC- Dan W. & Jess W.

F/R- Erin Madison

Misc. Staff- Jon Price, Bob Caton

Seems like things haven't really changed in the House Democratic Caucus political activity using taxpayer funds. If they were truly interested in Constituent Data files all they had to do was purchase public mailing addresses. This contract includes the identification of cell phone numbers, county and state voter files.

It should be noted that Lables and Lists received a new contract, Number 100129002, for $48,750.00 which ends January, 2011 by the entire House of Representatives, Democrats and Republicans, for email addresses in file format.

Disclaimer: This post implies no misconduct on the part of Strongmail, Listrak, Ltd. nor Labels and Lists, Inc.

Todd Eachus's Attempt To Escape Voter Backlash

Back in 2005 a legislative "midnight" payraise bill passed the House of Representatives and was signed into law. To be accurate the bill passed at 2A.M. The Post-Gazette penned this article on the bonus scandal timeline that includes the pay raise debacle.

July 7, 2005
State lawmakers approve hefty raises for themselves, sparking voter outrage and turning the next election cycle into one of the most contentious in Pennsylvania history.
• "General Assembly votes itself a 16 percent minimum pay raise"

Nov. 5, 2005
Lawmakers buckle to public pressure and repeal the pay-raise bill. Democratic Whip Michael Veon, D-Beaver Falls, stands alone as the only lawmaker to vote against the repeal.
• "Repeal of pay raises passes quickly, 50-0, as leaders ask for forgiveness"

DemocracyRising reported on this article from RockTheCapital.org on July 10, 2010 titled "60 Current and Former Legislators Continue to Profit for Stealing Taxpayer Dollars and Refuse to Pay the Money Back"

Initially, 131 House members and 27 Senators signed up for “unvouchered expenses.” Payments were received between July 7 and November 16, 2005, ranging from $1,288 to $14,553.32 (before taxes). The repealed pay raises would have boosted lawmakers’ salaries from 16 to 54 percent, depending on seniority, rank, title and leadership.

House Democratic members who took “unvouchered expenses” and did not pay the money back or “donated” the “unconstitutional” income to charities have been rewarded with leadership positions, job promotions, or committee chairmanships and assignments to the Speaker’s Commission on Legislative Reform.

Democratic Payjackers in House Leadership (5):
• Keith McCall (D-Carbon), Speaker.
• Todd Eachus (Luzerne), Majority Leader.

According to the Majority Leader, Todd Eachus (D-Luzerne), "The payraise thing, I think, is finally behind us. I think we're on to other issues now."(Patriot News, February 17, 2008).

Eachus believes he is going to "escape" this issue. That ain't gonna happen.

Remember the budget impasse in Harrisburg last year. CnnMoney.com reported on how that failure of leadership hurt Pennsylvanians. Here' what Todd Eachus had to say about the impasse as reported in the News Item while racking up his per diems during that time.

Eachus said it was his responsibility as a leader to engage in the negotiations with Gov. Ed Rendell and Senate leaders and work out the compromises needed to pass the budget. While it took a long time to resolve, Eachus said the final budget came together in the way he hoped by maintaining health care for children, distributing additional money for education and providing enough recurring revenues so Pennsylvania doesn't have to reopen its budget like some states are doing this fall.

"We ought to be able to get through the next two years without a revenue increase," he said.

Eachus pointed out that lawmakers - unlike the governor - don't have a taxpayer-funded residence to stay in when they are in Harrisburg. That is the most disingenous statement to the citizens of the Commonwealth as they come. What do you call this Mr. Eachus?

He will try to escape the issue of owning this home in Harrisburg while still collecting per diems. That ain't gonna happen.

When Todd Eachus ran for office in 1996 he was proud that then "State Representative Michael Veon and Democratic Majority Leader William DeWeese were prime sponsors" of a fund raising event scheduled for him on April 4, 1996. In the same publication he stated that "While voters are attentive to the political process, we are determined to build positive name recognition. Today Michael Veon is in prison and DeWeese faces trial on charges stemming from the Bonusgate investigation.

On June 30, 2007 Gort reported on his blog that Todd Eachus was trying to secure funding for Robert Powell's company in its quest to open a cargo airport outside of Hazleton. Powell donated over $17,000 to Eachus's campaign over the years. In an apparent pay to play scheme Eachus returned the favor.

Supporters of a proposed cargo airport in the Hazleton area are eyeing slots revenues to help pay for the $500 million project. State Rep. Todd Eachus, D-Butler Township, inserted a $16.5 million authorization for the cargo airport in a new House bill listing projects under the Pennsylvania Gaming Economic Development and Tourism Fund. Robert Powell plead guilty for his role in the FBI's Luzerne County corruption probe that has snared 30 officials to date.

He will try to escape the corruption that swirls around those he surrounds himself with. That ain't gonna happen.

Standard Speaker reporter Bob Salitza reported on Todd Eachus's announcement that he was running for state representative in the 116th Legislative District on December 7, 1995. Below is a snapshot of that article. Eachus is quoted in the article.

"Now is the time for fundamental change in Harrisburg,." he declared. "We must put an end to midnight votes on pay raises for legislators. We have been taxed and WAM'ed(WAM is "walking around money" that state lawmakers does out as they see fit) until we can't take it anymore."

Todd Eachus not only voted for a midnight pay raise, he failed to return it to the citizens of the Commonwealth.

Maybe it is time we can't take Todd Eachus anymore. He shouldn't escape losing this election. Obviously he is part of the culture that Dan Onorato says pervades Harrisburg.

How Does The Media Let Eachus Spokesman Get Away With His Comments

Back in 2009 Eachus Spokesman Brett Marcy made this statement to the press about Todd Eachus and Bonusgate.

HDC spokesman Brett Marcy said Eachus was not among the legislators who testified before the grand jury, nor was he interviewed by any law enforcement officials regarding the Bonusgate case.

In the very same article Todd Eachus had this to say.

Eachus wanted to make it clear that the subpoenas were not served by the attorney general or any law enforcement agency, but by the defense. He said he and current HDC staff have “cooperated fully” with the attorney general’s investigation.

On Decembere 4, 2009 Dennis B. Roddy and Tom Barnes of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette wrote this article, House leadership invited to testify to grand jury.

HARRISBURG -- A statewide grand jury has invited the state House majority leader, the man he displaced in that job and the state secretary of revenue to appear before the panel, a move that has presaged charges against others who received such letters in an ongoing corruption probe.

The letters went to State Rep. Todd Eachus, D-Luzerne, the House majority leader; State Rep. H. William DeWeese, D-Greene, who served as majority leader until Mr. Eachus succeeded him in a caucus shakeup; and Revenue Secretary Stephen Stetler, a former eight-term Democratic House member from York.

Eachus never testified. So let's get this straight. Eachus makes the claim he fully cooperated but his spokesman says Eachus was not among the legislators who testified before the grand jury, nor was he interviewed by any law enforcement officials regarding the Bonusgate case.

The deception doesn't stop there. Statements are being made about Michael Manzo, admitted participant in the Bonusgate proceedings.

In February, 2010 Fox News 43 out of York ran this story.

HARRISBURG - The former chief of staff to the House Democratic floor leader testified Monday that none of the people who were given bonuses out of state funds for working on campaigns ever turned down or returned the money.

Mike Manzo spent a fifth day on the stand in the theft, conspiracy and conflict-of-interest trial of former Democratic Whip Mike Veon and three of his ex-aides.

Manzo also told the jury he never asked any of the caucus lawyers directly about the legality of handing out cash rewards from the state treasury for election efforts.

"I knew what the answer would be," said Manzo, who previously testified that he knew what he was doing was wrong.

There were months when 90 percent of his e-mails concerned campaigns, Manzo said.

He said he has run his own public relations and communications company, Hurzo LLC, for about a year.

"I still design strategies for folks who work in the House," Manzo said.

Brett Marcy, a spokesman for current House Democratic Leader Todd Eachus, said Manzo has not been doing work for the caucus and is not being paid by the caucus.

That isn't what Michael Manzo said Mr. Marcy. He said he worked for folks who work in the House. However, Michael Manzo was former chief of staff for the House Democratic Caucus.

So we have a spokesman who states Eachus was never approached by law enforcement but Eachus stating he fully cooperated. We have a former chief of staff testifying about his role in Bonusgate but a spokesman stating he doesn't work for the Caucus now.

Keep the count. Brett Marcy is the spokesman for Eachus as Majority Leader. David Georges is his campaign spokesman. In this article we have a new spokesman for the House Majority Leader, Bill Thomas.

Three people need to tell us what Todd Eachus has to say. But the one person, Attorney General Tom Corbett, who asked Eachus to speak for himself was met with silence.

We Are Determined To Build Positive Name Recognition- Todd Eachus 1996

March, 1996 Campaign '96 Update- Todd Eachus Campaign Flyer

The House Democratic Campaign Committee has announced that a fund raising event has been scheduled for Todd Eachus in Harrisburg on April 4, 1996. State Representative Mike Veon, Chairman of HDCC and Democratic Minority Leader William DeWeese are prime sponsors of the event.

"Like the French Fleet at Yorktown, we will be there with all guns blazing", said DeWeese emphasizing the assistance Democrats plan to give challenger Todd Eachus to unseat Tom Stish.

"I am honored that the Democratic Leadership has taken such a public stand and concern about this race in the 116th District."

Jury convicts ex-Pa. lawmaker Mike Veon in public corruption trial- March 22, 2010

Former Pennsylvania House Speaker Bill DeWeese charged in Bonusgate scandal- December 15, 2009

Is that what Eachus meant by building Positive Name Recognition?

Is this what he meant by guns blazing?

Mr. Eachus Define Term Limits

In an August 1996 mailing Todd Eachus stated he was for term limits.

"Tom(Stish) is a career politician who has been on the public payroll throughout his career; first with the public school system and now with the State of Pennsylvania... I, on the other hand, believe in term limits. We should expect public service, not self service."

It is now 2010. I was just wondering what Mr. Eachus considered an appropriate time to keep his campaign promise. Mr. Eachus claims that Tom Stish was a career politician. Todd Eachus has been in office since 1996. Nuff said. One has to wonder how the teachers feel when Todd Eachus made it sound like something illegal to work in the public school system.

His reference to serving as a Congressional staff member including serving under Paul Kanjorski.

Tara Toohil Calls On Eachus To Respond To Bonusgate Allegations

In today's Standard Speaker staff writer Sam Galski is reporting that Tara Toohil, candidate for the Pa. House of Representative seat in the 116th district is calling out House Majority Leader Todd Eachus to answer questions surrounding his role in the Bonusgate investigation and misuse of taxpayer funds conducted by Attorney General Tom Corbett's office.

Toohil issued a news release Tuesday that sets a 5 p.m. Thursday deadline for the incumbent to respond to 10 questions about the legislative corruption scandal that has led to several convictions and charges against House lawmakers and staffers, charging that Eachus has repeatedly refused to answer questions regarding his involvement. Toohil contends that constituents deserve answers to the questions, which she says she e-mailed to Eachus Campaign Spokesman Dave Georges.

"His name has repeatedly surfaced in the Bonusgate investigation even being named as a close ally to convicted felon and former State Representative, Michael Veon," Toohil wrote. "According to published reports, Representative Eachus's own aide, John Paul Jones, testified before the Grand Jury that Representative Eachus directed state employees to work primarily on political campaigns while on state time. Jones admitted that he did political work for Mr. Eachus while operating under the cover story that he was a legislative research specialist making $62,000 a year in state money."

She demanded answers to the following questions:

How much taxpayer money was spent on political work by state employees under your direction? During what time period did this occur?

Did you ever utilize state resources improperly in order to assist in campaigns?

Were you aware that your employees were doing political work on state time?

Have you ever used the term "soft dollars" in referencing state money that you directed to be used for political campaigning?

Did you personally make campaign phone calls out of your legislative office?

Did you direct John Paul Jones to do political work on state time?

Did you authorize bonuses (paid with state money) to state employees who did campaign work?

Have you discussed your involvement in Bonusgate with your employees or with your former ally and convicted felon Michael Veon?

Why do you refuse to answer questions from the media regarding your involvement in the Bonusgate Scandal?

"Representative Eachus, the people who put you in office deserve answers to these questions," Toohil wrote. "As an elected official you do not have the right to remain silent when it comes to answering to the public.

Eachus Campaign Spokesman Dave Georges tried to deflect Toohil's public call for answers about the "Bonusgate" scandal on Tuesday, saying Toohil should instead take a position on pertinent issues such as mine land reclamation, job creation and programs that could help veterans returning from the Middle East.

Here was Eachus's statement back in February about the pending closing of veteran outreach centers in Pennsylvania.

House Majority Leader Todd Eachus, D-116, Hazleton, and Rep. Ken Smith, D-112, Dunmore, vowed to bring together all the relevant state agencies and organizations like the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars to try to work out a solution that meets veterans' needs while recognizing budgetary realities. That's political speak. What is really means is that Pennsylvania doesn't have the money to continue to fund these outreach centers because the legislators are taking the money for themselves in the form of per diems, expense accounts, lavish pensions, and "country club" health benefits.

As to the issue of jobs and the mine reclamation project currently being conducted by Hazleton Creek Properties one only has to turn to this statement made by Paul Kanjorski, former boss of Todd Eachus. I understand that many workers rely on this project for jobs. Todd Eachus has been the representative of "NO" on this project from the beginning. It has brought at least 10 new police officers to the City of Hazleton. Maybe it is Todd who should explain his stance against Lou Barletta and the City of Hazleton.

A open question to David Georges. You said rather than question Todd Eachus Toohil should instead take a position on pertinent issues such as mine land reclamation, job creation and programs that could help veterans returning from the Middle East. Are you saying that public corruption and all that has happened in Harrisburg and Luzerne County aren't "pertinent"? What a commercial for Toohil.

On the subject of the "Party of No"

Eachus's Community Conversations- Soft Dollars?

Amanda Christman of the Standard Speaker reported on Todd Eachus's announcement of "Community Conversations" he is going to hold in his legislative district.

If you have a concern or question you've been wanting to ask a state legislator in person, now is your chance.

State Rep. Todd A. Eachus, D-116, will host three "community conversations" this month in different locations.

The first event will be held Wednesday at the Conyngham Borough Municipal Building, 215 Main St., from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Eachus said in a prepared statement the events will allow constituents to ask questions, express concerns and provide input regarding state and local issues. Eachus will also provide information on the state budget.

Community conversations will also be held Aug. 17, 6 to 7:30 p.m., at the Freeland Northside Community Ambulance Association, 417 Johnson St.; and Aug. 25, 6 to 7:30 p.m., at the Church Street Station Intermodal Facility, 126 Mine St., Hazleton.

Choosing the Intermodal Facility sight is laughable. Eachus refused to help Mayor Barletta secure funding for the building. But it gets better.

Tara Toohil, Republican candidate for the 116th district running against Eachus said Eachus' taxpayer-funded mailings that gauged residents' concerns for the "community conversations" were not necessary. People's concerns, she said, remain with government corruption, job availability and property taxes. Toohil said Eachus could have knocked on doors to find that out instead of sending out the mailing to announce the meetings. Toohil also wanted to know how much was spent on the mailings.

Thomas said the mailings are directly related to constituent service and came from that fund. He said the mailings have no relationship to the upcoming election. Citing a series of meetings held last year, Thomas said, the mailings and meetings are "purely legislative" and meant to inform people.

He said state legislature has rules to prevent taxpayer money fueled campaigning.

Evidently Bill Thomas missed this Grand Jury Testimony about Mr. Eachus.
Brad Bumsted reported on the testimony January 3, 2010.

In grand jury testimony, former aides identify him as aggressive and portray a politically ambitious lawmaker climbing the ladder in the House. He previously served as policy committee chairman and also chaired the House Democratic Campaign Committee.

Former staffer John Paul Jones said he was brought onto Eachus' staff "solely" to do political work. He said he had a "beard assignment" that he was supposed to be working on "alternative energy" issues.

"But you didn't study alternative energy?" a prosecutor asked him. "No," Jones told the grand jury.

Jones testified that Eachus wanted to spend "soft dollars" through state-paid public service announcements so the campaigns would spend less of their resources.

There were occasions, Jones testified, where he and another aide were called in to provide staff support so Eachus could make fundraising calls in his office.

Hmmmm..Mr. Thomas would you like to revisit your quote?

Tara Toohil Thinks State Government Is "Broken"

Standard Speaker veteran reporter Mia Light informs her readers about election issues Tarah Toohil feels are the important points of her campaign for State Representative in the 116th district.

"I think the government is broken. I think it has gone so far afield from the way that government was intended to be," Toohil said during a meeting with the Standard-Speaker editorial board recently.

"(The issue of) property taxes is huge."

"People are still so upset about the gambling money. People remember that last year's state budget hinged on that gambling money and senior citizens remember that they were supposed to get a tax break with that money."

She is in favor of term limits. And she believes fiscal responsibility begins with trimming a lot of the government's own fat.

"Government was supposed to have representatives that are just like everyone else in the community. They weren't supposed to be career politicians."

"The legislature we have now, they're always serving themselves with perks and per diems that are out of control to the point of becoming like an additional salary. That's the biggest problem with the legislature. Rather than being an honor and a privilege to serve their community, they feel we should pay them with excessive perks and pensions."

She believes elected officials should liken themselves to the British House of Commons. "The House of Representatives was supposed to be like in the British Parliamentary System, the House of Commons."

Most people aren't familiar with the British system but here are some highlights. Click on this link to see the expense reporting requirements for Members of Parliament(MPs).

Members of Parliament ARE REQUIRED to list ALL their expenses unlike PA legislators and they are published on a free website for public review. Travel costs, stationery and postage costs, details of catering functions and events hosted by Members, repayments made against all claim types, and net totals, reflecting the repayments made against the original claims are searchable on the net for the public's curiosity and right to know. THERE ARE NO PER DIEMS.

In June 2009 more than a million documents and receipts were published online. These related to MPs' claims dating back to 2004/05 and up to 2007/08.

In December 2009 these pages were updated to include information about MPs' claims for costs incurred when staying away from their main home in 2008/09 and the first quarter of 2009/10.

Parliament publishes
"The Green Book" which serves as a guide to MP allowances. Pennsylvania legislators have a $10,000 no receipt expense account, free health care, fully paid vision and dental coverage, free prescriptions, fully paid life insurance and long-term care insurance, and the 50% increase in pension benefits the legislators awarded themselves nine years ago.

In order to see what expenses are reimbursed to Pennsylvania legislators you must submit a right to know request. In Britain all you have to do is boot up your computer and have at it.

If Pennsylvania legislators were truly interested in reform quick adoption of this reporting system would be a start.

One other piece of information. In 2009 Members of Parliament were paid the equivalent of $103,918.00(The current annual salary for an MP is £65,738). Keep in mind that is to run a country. They must account for all of the public funds they spend.

Todd Eachus's salary is over $115,000 and Paul Kanjorski's salary is $175,000 plus. Why voters keep returning them to office is beyond me.

Legislative Corruption

From the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Editorial Department:

Legislative corruption: The frayed thread

There is a troubling thread emerging from the ongoing legislative corruption prosecutions. And it should be considered a frayed thread, a troubling metaphor for what too many public servants consider "public service" to be.

How many times have we heard from attorneys defending those charged with politicking on the public dime that the laws prohibiting such activities are "vague." We've heard that even from legal eagles representing state legislators who voted for the measures.

Or, how about this oldie but goodie: "Everybody does it." That's not a defense. That's a whine more typically associated with a sixth-grader whose parents won't let their 12-year-old daughter go on an unsupervised camping trip with the seventh-grade boys hockey team.

And the excuse-making knows no party or gender bounds and no limit on audacity.

State Sen. Jane Orie, R-McCandless, claims a political persecution by Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala. But she's been ordered to stand trial on charges that she used one of her offices and legislative staff to politick, a contention staffer after staffer has corroborated.

State Rep. Bill DeWeese, D-Waynesburg, admitted in his grand jury testimony that he was on the other side of the statute. That was the clincher for his being held for trial on public corruption charges. Yet his attorney, William Costopoulos (also employed by Ms. Orie), refers to Mr. DeWeese's actions as "pettygate."

But this isn't petty stuff. The law says it's a crime. And it should be. Taxpayers should not be forced to underwrite an incumbent protection program.

From yesterday's post, tell me this isn't incumbent protection:

Jones testified that Eachus wanted to spend "soft dollars" through state-paid public service announcements so the campaigns would spend less of their resources.

Yudichak Leads Effort To Reform Pennsylvania Government

In this Pittsburgh Tribune-Review article by Ashley Mannings and Brad Bumsted State Rep. John Yudichak is credited with leading the effort to reform the way Pennsylvania government accounts to its citizens.

"This effort is aimed at making sure we do not repeat the past mistakes," said Rep. Eugene DePasquale, D-York. "We have a lot of work needed to get Pennsylvania back on track."

"Our freedoms and liberties, guaranteed and enshrined in the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, are under attack, and the threat is from within," said Rep. Curt Schroder, R-Chester County.

Schroder and DePasquale, with Rep. John Yudichak, D-Luzerne County, and Rep. Mike Vereb, R-Montgomery County, unveiled their proposal outside Independence Hall in Philadelphia.

"This legislation is a step in the right direction," said Vereb, a former police officer. "A Public Integrity Commission with law enforcement powers will be able to root out corruption and make government more transparent for all citizens of Pennsylvania."

House Majority Leader Todd Eachus first won his seat with the support of State Rep. Bill DeWeese, now facing serious charges in the Bonusgate matter and headed to trial. Todd Eachus previously said he was "proud" to introduce Robert Powell, now admitted criminal, formerly associated  with Gladstone Partners, many times at public announcements regarding the proposed Hazleton Cargo Airport. Todd Eachus previously stood at the podium and introduced now admitted criminal Greg Skrepenak at the proposed cargo airport press conferences.

According to a January, 2010 article by Brad Bumsted [Former staffer John Paul Jones said he was brought onto Eachus' staff "solely" to do political work. He said he had a "beard assignment" that he was supposed to be working on "alternative energy" issues.

"But you didn't study alternative energy?" a prosecutor asked him. "No," Jones told the grand jury.

Jones testified that Eachus wanted to spend "soft dollars" through state-paid public service announcements so the campaigns would spend less of their resources.

There were occasions, Jones testified, where he and another aide were called in to provide staff support so Eachus could make fundraising calls in his office.]

I wonder when Todd Eachus is going to lead the charge for reform and greater transparency in Pennsylvania government.

DeWeese Held Over For Trial

A hearing was held today concerning charges leveled against State Representative Bill DeWeese in the Bonusgate investigation by AG Corbett's office. DeWeese stepped down earlier this year as House Majority Whip as a result of the charges but refuses to resign his office. He won the Democratic renomination for his office by the voters in his district in the spring.

The Post Gazette reported that Kevin Sidella, one of his aides, testified earlier today about the magnitude of campaign work he performed for DeWeese at the expense of Pennsylvania taxpayers.

Legislative aide Kevin Sidella was disenchanted with his assigned tasks of arranging meals and car washes for his boss, state Rep. Bill DeWeese, and there wasn't enough legitimate work to go around.

That's why he took on campaign fundraising, Mr. Sidella testified this morning in a preliminary hearing for Mr. DeWeese, D-Waynesburg.

"There was only so much work to go around. There wasn't a lot of work left," said Mr. Sidella, who is testifying under a grant of immunity.

Prosecutors now say it was a crime for Mr. DeWeese to keep Mr. Sidella on state payroll while his work days were consumed with political work. Mr. Sidella said he maintained the campaign check book, provided talking points for Mr. DeWeese's fund-raising phone calls and dug up dirt on political opponents.

It is illegal to use state resources for political work.

As Tracey Mauriello reported this afternoon DeWeese's defense was "We all did it" mentality.

Asked whether he was concerned that political work was being done on state time, Mr. DeWeese told the grand jury this: "That was not unusual. That was part of the culture. Looking back it was wrong. We shouldn't have done it but it was part of the political culture on Capitol Hill."


Prosecutors said Ms. DeWeese's own words helped them make their case during a preliminary hearing today.

"The defendant has clearly admitted to the crimes with which he was charged," prosecutor Kenneth Brown said.

Mr. DeWeese's attorney, William C. Costopoulos, disagreed, saying the Democratic state representative from Waynesburg "has not admitted to any crime" and that the charges against him are politically motivated and petty.

Whether he is guilty will be up to a jury.

It's a wonder with that statement why DeWeese went to trial.

DeWeese encouraged his protege Todd Eachus to run for Tom Stish's seat in 1995. DeWeese and his cronies poured money into successfully getting Eachus elected and Stish ousted. DeWeese mounted Stish's parking space sign on the marble fireplace in his office, so in his words, "he would never, ever forget."

Funny how life has a way of biting one in the arse.

Here is a report from Brad Bumsted of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review outlining testimony concerning Todd Eachus's role in the Bonusgate matter.

In grand jury testimony, former aides identify him as aggressive and portray a politically ambitious lawmaker climbing the ladder in the House. He previously served as policy committee chairman and also chaired the House Democratic Campaign Committee.

Former staffer John Paul Jones said he was brought onto Eachus' staff "solely" to do political work. He said he had a "beard assignment" that he was supposed to be working on "alternative energy" issues.

"But you didn't study alternative energy?" a prosecutor asked him. "No," Jones told the grand jury.

Jones testified that Eachus wanted to spend "soft dollars" through state-paid public service announcements so the campaigns would spend less of their resources.

There were occasions, Jones testified, where he and another aide were called in to provide staff support so Eachus could make fundraising calls in his office.

From the Seattle Times: But Eachus told WNEP-TV in Scranton this week that he was shocked and saddened "to see colleagues of ours having problems. But I say this, that anyone who has created a problem should face justice."

Maybe the local Northeastern Pennsylvania media outlets would like to explain why this information hasn't made it to print here when it makes all the way to Seattle.

John D. Forester Jr.'s Take On A Full Time Legislature

Yesterday, John D. Forester, Jr. penned this opinion in the Reading Eagle of the Pennsylvania legislature's claims to being a full time body.

I have a full-time job.

So far this year, I've taken one week of vacation and a few personal days, and I was off New Year's Day, Memorial Day and Independence Day. Not to mention weekends.

Still, I've managed to put in 130 workdays so far in 2010.

That's a full-time job.

State lawmakers also have full-time jobs.

So far this year, members of the House of Representatives have worked a total of 46 days, while members of the Senate have put in 44 workdays.

That's a full-time job?

State Senator Daylin Leach(leech of taxpayers money) tried to counter that opinion earlier this year with an op-ed column of his own. He blasted the Bonusgate Jury conclusion that Pennsylvania should return to a part time legislature. Yes, at one time Pennsylvania did have a part time legislature. In fact Pennsylvania only had 100 representatives in the 1800's.

Recently, the Pennsylvania Bonusgate grand jury issued a report which has received a great deal of media attention. This report had nothing to do with the specific criminal charges against specific individuals it investigated. This report was an extremely rare supplemental grand pronouncement on the state of our government, along with numerous recommendations for restructuring the entire Legislature.

The methodology, conclusions and recommendations of the report are, in many respects, dead wrong.

But because the grand jury's methodology was incomplete given its self-appointed role as the re-inventor of state government, its members' factual findings were often inaccurate. And given that, the recommendations based upon those findings were, for the most part, ill-conceived.

They also say being a Pennsylvania legislator should not qualify as full-time work. Wrong again. Most legislators spend 70 to 80 hours per week, every week, at their jobs and still struggle to keep up.


Inaccurate information leads to poor recommendations. Sure, some of the technical suggestions, such as consolidating House printing offices, might have merit, but their broad policy suggestions would do great harm to our state if implemented.

For example, a part-time Legislature is a terrible idea. We make decisions affecting tens of billions of dollars in complicated policy areas such as transportation, health care, criminal justice and economic development. In some matters, such as abortion, the death penalty and access to medical care, our decisions literally have life and death consequences.

Of course Senator Leach is way off the mark with his comments.

Nathan Benefield, director of policy research for the Commonwealth Foundation wrote an Opinion in The Mercury making the case for a part time Pennsylvania legislature.

Ask Pennsylvanians what comes to mind when they hear the words "state government," and the responses will regularly include corruption, late budgets, cronyism, wasteful spending, and ineffectiveness. In a January Franklin & Marshall College poll, only 16 percent of Pennsylvania voters said the state legislature was doing a "good" job.

It's not surprising, then, that the idea of returning Pennsylvania's Legislature to part-time is gaining steam given the lack of trust in our elected officials.

With a price tag that's grown to $300 million, Pennsylvania's 253-member General Assembly is the most expensive (and second largest) state legislature in the country. It's also among the four most "professionalized" in the nation, with staff totaling nearly 3,000. For perspective, the legislatures of Illinois and Ohio — the states closest in population to Pennsylvania — have 1,023 and 465 staff, respectively.

The annual salary for rank-and-file Pennsylvania legislators ($78,314) is the fourth-highest in the country.

There is a direct link between our full-time Legislature and our state economy. A Commonwealth Foundation analysis shows a strong connection between legislative professionalization and higher spending per capita, a higher tax burden, and less economic freedom. Specifically, each increase in the level of professionalization results in an estimated $441 increase in spending per person, and a 0.4 percent increase in taxes as a percentage of income. For highly professionalized legislatures, like Pennsylvania's, the effect is five times those estimates.

In contrast, consider the case of Texas. The Lone Star State has twice the population of Pennsylvania and is four times the size of the Keystone State geographically. Yet, the Texas legislature meets once every two years for 140 days to produce a biennial budget. When Texas lawmakers need to deal with emergency situations or revise their budget, they return for a limited, special session. During its 2007 session, Texas' legislature passed 1,672 bills, while Pennsylvania's full-time General Assembly passed less than one-fifth that number.

Over the last two years, Texas has created more jobs than Pennsylvania and the other 48 states combined!

The Department of Justice gives Pennsylvania an "F" for its limited disclosure of legislators' assets, holdings, and related information. A December 2008 USA TODAY analysis of Department of Justice statistics ranks Pennsylvania tied with Florida as the 11th most corrupt state in the union (with 4.5 public officials convicted for every 100,000 residents).


Brad Bumsted of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review chimed in with his own Opinion this weekend.

In all, 27 legislators, former lawmakers and staffers have been accused of crimes since 2008. That counts the federally indicted Fumo and former state Rep. Frank LaGrotta, D-Lawrence County, sentenced to House arrest after pleading guilty to two felony counts of conflict of interest.

The Ories, DeWeese and Perzel maintain their innocence.

The surge in corruption cases, at least in the public's mind, hasn't yet reached critical mass. It will unfortunately take more charges before the public demands a complete and thorough overhaul of the Pennsylvania General Assembly.

Legislators have used state tax money as their own, creating an Incumbency Protection Program that has perverted representative government and robbed Pennsylvanians of fair elections.

The title of Bumsted's Opinion says it all "When will enough be enough?"

Pennsylvania Corruption Begs For Election Reform

In the ongoing federal probe it has been reported that an aide to Senator Mellow had his home searched. The Philadelphia Inquirer carried the story yesterday but newspapers in Northeastern PA are just catching up.


FBI and IRS agents investigating Pennsylvania's highest-ranking state Senate Democrat, Robert J. Mellow of Lackawanna County, have searched the home of a longtime aide tied to a property the senator co-owned and rented to himself, sources close to the investigation said.

Federal agents, the sources said, are scrutinizing a deal in which Mellow located his district office in the building owned at various times by aide Gabriel J. Giordano; the aide's wife, Celestine P. Giordano; the senator's wife; and ultimately the senator himself.

The Senate spent more than $200,000 in taxpayer dollars in rent, The Inquirer revealed last year.

In 1990, the Giordanos bought a two-story property on Main Street in Peckville for $90,000. Months later, Mellow moved his district office there.

In 2001, Celeste Giordano and Mellow's then-wife, Diane, formed a corporation called Brad Inc. that purchased the Main Street property for $1.

Diane Mellow, who has since been interviewed by the FBI, has said that Brad Inc. and the Main Street property purchase were something of a mystery to her. "I just signed what [the senator] put in front of me," the former wife told The Inquirer last year.

The Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission has been investigating the sweetheart deal regarding the rent but has yet to render a decision. Mellow has been maintaining innocence through both ordeals.

Brad Bumsted over at the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review penned this article about the rash of arrests and convictions among Pennsylvania legislators and staffers.

"We're among the top four or five states, certainly, in public corruption," said G. Terry Madonna, political science professor at Franklin & Marshall College. Illinois, Louisiana and Tennessee are frequent competitors for the top spot, according to surveys and analyses over the past two years.

What needs to be changed "is how business is done in Harrisburg," said Montgomery County lawyer Mark Schwartz, a former aide to the late House Speaker Leroy Irvis. "I don't see any leadership in Harrisburg," he said. His comment reflects poorly on House Majority Leader Todd Eachus who keeps telling his constituents he is the best thing since apple pie.

Speaking of election reform look at this article from the Philadelphia Inquirer concerning the campaign of Senator Anthony Williams who ran for the Democratic nomination for governor.

No one had ever donated anywhere close to this much cash for a political campaign in Pennsylvania.
Previous reports showed that a trio of executives at Susquehanna International Group in Bala Cynwyd already had ventured far into historic territory by giving at least $3 million to support State Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams' Democratic primary race for governor.

Postprimary reports are now in, and they reveal that the number was actually higher. A lot higher: $5,385,000.

Joel Greenberg gave $2.07 million. Jeffrey Yass contributed $1.86 million. Arthur Dantchik chipped in $1.45 million.

Not counting a few cases in which a wealthy candidate has financed his own campaign - Philadelphia mayoral contender Tom Knox spent $11 million on his primary in 2007 - these sums far exceeded all Pennsylvania benchmarks, veteran analysts said.

Not even Gov. Rendell, the most prolific fund-raiser in state history, ever had million-dollar donors.

There has never been a greater time in this century for election reform. The problem is that our legisaltors are self-serving. In a recent confrontationt between Todd Eachus and one of his constituents he was attacked over per diems. His response was that the money he took was legal. What Mr Eachus is not being honest with his constituents in his answer is the fact that he and his Harrisburg cronies made the rules up to make it legal. The taxpayers had no say in the practice. Is it ethical to stand behind the "legal" label without letting the public know your own role in making the rules? Stock analysts must disclose their holdings if they talk about stocks they own. Eachus and the rest of the legislature should have to disclose each and every time they talk on this subject that they were the ones who made the rules.