Letters: One Reader's View

0 Comments | Philadelphia Inquirer, The, July, 2008

Confidence in Harrisburg has been shaken once again with the recent indictment of the former chief of staff to House Majority Leader Bill DeWeese and his deputy leader, along with 10 Democratic caucus staff members. These indictments allege that taxpayer dollars were used to run campaigns, including out of the Capitol itself.

Not only was this behavior tolerated, it was encouraged and rewarded with bonuses paid for at taxpayers' expense. After the pay-raise scandal, the mismanagement of slot machine parlors, and now this, it is no wonder citizens and taxpayers have lost faith in Harrisburg. If elected, I will push to adopt eight commonsense, nonpartisan ideas to clean up Harrisburg and restore the public trust. Here are the reforms: (1) Ban all lobbyist gifts to...