Custer, Lee Call For New Leadershipby: John MorganSun Jul 20, 2008 at 17:54:15 PM EDT |
| State House candidates Frank Custer and Kevin Lee stated they would vote for new leadership in the State House if elected this fall. Controversy over Majority Leader Bill DeWeese is again swirling over reform and corruption issues. Didn't we go through this two years ago? DeWeese is so bad we wound up with a Republican House Speaker in spite of a one vote majority.
The core issue here is the legislative slush fund administered by DeWeese's office. I've railed against this corrupt form of management for as long as this blog has been going (2+ years). Tax dollars are allocated to both Parties to be used for the costs of running the legislative offices and paying staffs. This money, $300+ million, is divided between the Leaders and they spend it without oversight, accountability or auditing by the Auditor General. How the funds are allocated depends on how your Leader likes you and your votes. This fund is the biggest obstacle to real reform because its how DeWeese and Perzel keep their troops in line. If you, as a State Representative, dare vote your conscience, your beliefs or the sentiment of your District and go against them they can strip you of your budget. Bingo, no more staffers, no more offices. Its tough to do constituent work without district offices, staffers and their resources. Few dare to cross these powerful Leaders. Until we change this nothing in Harrisburg will ever change. This is the money used to pay the legislative staffers for their campaign activities. It is money which is used and abused regularly. Isn't it time we began funding and allocating support funds intelligently? Every State Rep gets so much budget based on the geographical size of their District (some need more offices), seniority, and position. Committee Chairs get additional funds for their Committees. It will never work to keep sending good people like Kevin Lee and Frank Custer and others to Harrisburg and allow DeWeese and Perzel to block any real reform with their power of the purse string. |