Fitzpatrick Toddles into the Fray

GOP incumbent Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick (PA-08) didn't even let the ink dry on the election papers before issuing a press release (via politicspa) on Patrick Murphy's status as his Democratic challenger. Here are the first two paragraphs:

“I’d like to congratulate Pat Murphy on his nomination.”

“The voters now have a clear choice between Pat Murphy, a ‘cut and run’ liberal and me, Mike Fitzpatrick, a proven independent leader who knows we need a new plan for success in Iraq – and calls for an independent commission to develop it – but who won’t risk our families’ security by cutting and running.”

Hey, that's some congratulations. The press release goes on in the same vein. If he had waited a day or two, and hadn't used such overblown rhetoric (it gets much worse as you go on) he wouldn't sound quite so much like a scared rabbit.

One of the little Janes has been dealing with a bully at school and we've been practicing some comeback remarks at the dinner table. I'd like to offer this response:

independent? precipitous? tenuous? I'm surprised you know big words like that.

Election Recap

Jon Delano has a really good recap of the election over at politicspa -- who won and what it means. In state senate and house races he focuses on the Pittsburgh area.

Locally, Chris Bowers of mydd won a spot on the state Democratic committee.

Phillynews.com has a complete wrap up of the numbers on contested primaries.

Valerie McDonald Roberts send out a great statement on her unsuccessful bid for lt. gov.:

"We have made history. Last year, we set out to offer a fresh perspective to Pennsylvania by bringing the localities back into state government and making government work for the people. And we have done that.

Through the efforts of people in the community and the power of the internet, we have changed expectations of what citizens should demand from candidates and public servants.

I continue to stand ready to serve as a watch dog and a voice for the people. Now is not the time to give up hope on good government. We must continue to hold government accountable and demand excellence from our elected officials.

I have served my community for 16 years as an elected official. It has always been my honor and privilege to serve the people. This is not over. I have committed-as have you all-to making our communities and our state a place where we can all flourish. And I will not ever turn my back on that commitment.

I would like to extend my appreciation to the other candidates in this race, and I offer my congratulations to Catherine Baker Knoll.

I also want to thank all of my supporters here and across the state. I am overwhelmed by the support from Philadelphia, Bucks, Montgomery, Chester and Delaware Counties, Allegheny, Washington, Westmoreland, Crawford, and Erie Counties, and from the middle of the state, places like Bradford, Tioga and Center County, and North East in Schuylkill, Lehigh, Lackawanna and Northampton Counties. The response from around Pennsylvania has been so heartening.

Again thank you to all of my supporters and especially to the online community, who helped spread the word. And thank you to my staff, friends, and family and most importantly to God. I am humbled by your faith and trust in me."

Off Topic: Preconception Health Care

An article in the Washington Post ("Forever Pregnant Guidelines: Treat Nearly All Women as Pre-Pregnant" by January W. Payne May 16, 2006; Page HE01) and a similar article in the Wall Street Journal have caused a stir by recommending that physicians encourage all women of child bearing years to consider themselves "pre-pregnant."

Among other things, this means all women between first menstrual period and menopause should take folic acid supplements, refrain from smoking, maintain a healthy weight and keep chronic conditions such as asthma and diabetes under control.

Generally, this seems to be good overall medical advice and, other than the folic acid part, would be applicable to men as well. Yet it has caused some concern in the blogosphere. I have a hard time getting too upset about it, in part because of this statistic:

The U.S. infant mortality rate is higher than those of most other industrialized nations -- it's three times that of Japan and 2.5 times those of Norway, Finland and Iceland, according to a report released last week by Save the Children, an advocacy group.

Better preconception and early pregnancy care could decrease the infant mortality rate. Susie over at the Suburban Guerilla has some stories about her experiences as a midwife and the lack of knowledge she encountered. I was at the other end of the spectrum. I had pre-conception checkups before each pregnancy, and a full quota of prenatal medical visits. At no point did anyone discuss nutrition with me, other than to ask if I understand what a good diet was. I said yes, and that answer was accepted without question. I learned more from reading the "What To Expect" book than I did from the docs.

The general state of health knowledge, especially where reproduction is concerned, is poor in this country. If you ever want to have some really wicked fun, talk to a group of high school or college women and casually mention that many standard antiobiotics will interfere with birth control pills and anyone who uses the pill for contraception should use an alternative method while taking antibiotics and for some weeks afterward (ask your doc for details). Every time I've done this at least 3/4 of the women will be so startled they nearly fall out of their chair.

Any kind of life planning that would include some basic health information could only be an improvement.

Quick Morning Roundup

Just a few notes from the final results off philly.com

Valerie McDonald Roberts recieved almost 20% of the votes for lt. gov. Not bad. Not bad at all. She had a good team and worked hard at this. I hope we see more of her.

Enough incumbents will be clearing out their desks in December that the legislature might listen up. Let's focus on a few key issues (lobbying disclosure, more transparency, etc.) and give some clear direction on what we want.

Mike Paston and Tom Murt will face off in the 152nd. That's a lucky district. Two good candidates.

As reported last night, Patrick Murphy will run against incumbent Mike Fitzpatrick in the 8th congressional district. He will need your contributions to do that, so trot over to www.murphy06.com and toss some coins in the bucket, folding money if you have it to spare.

Lois Murphy will, as we all expected, run against Jim Gerlach in the 6th district.

One Last Update for the Night

philly.com has called the lt. gov. Democratic primary for Knoll, with McDonald Roberts coming in second.

Brightbill may not be the only legislative leader to fall this evening. It isn't looking good for Jubilerer either, but the race has not been called. (oop! WFMZ just said Jubilerer has lost.) Okay, we have the legislature's attention, now what are we going to do with it?

WFMZ has Warren's concession speech and has called the race for Murphy! Warren's speech focused primarily on his disappointment in the low turnout, in not being able to run in November, and on his dismay at how much money it costs to run. You know that I am strongly biased for Murphy but Warren's speech did not seem as gracious as it could have been.

The other races I have been watching are still up for grabs but it's late. Check phillynews.com or tomorrow's papers for the final word.

Youngblood and Gingrich Called

10:24 Philly.com is calling the GOP primary in house 101 for gingrich with 72% of the vote, 80% of the vote in. In the 198 Democratic primary, they are calling the race for incumbent Youngblood who has 69% of the votes, with 90% of hte precincts in.

Warren Concedes!

WFMZ channel 69 is saying Andy Warren is condeding the PA-08 race to Patrick Murphy!!!

philly.com reports Murphy ahead 67% with 41% of the returns in.

Brightbill Concedes

Chip Brightbill concedes to Folmer (via channel 69).

Is this the revenge of Twister the Cat?

Slavic, Rapp, Cruz Called

9:46, Philly.com calls it for Democratic primaries in house races: Salvick with 73% in district 109 with 86% of the vote in

district 180, Cruz with 61% of the vote and 81% of the returns

district 181, Thomas

GOP primary Rapp at 72% with 88% retursn in

PA-08 with 26.88% returns in, Murphy at 66.92% and Warren at 33%.

PA-08 Update

13.29% of the returns in -- 66% Patrick Murphy, 33% Andy Warren.

Yes on Video Surveillance, Yes on Ethics

Philly.com has called it as a "yes" for both of the referendums in Philly -- video surveillance and an ethics commission. 51% of the returns in.

Philly.com Calls It for Casey

9:28 p.m. With a little over 14% of the returns in, philly.com has called the senate race for Casey, who has 82% of the vote. At this point Sandals has 10% and Pennacchio 6%.

Checking Returns

Okay, I've got 3 Firefox windows open for election returns:

Philly News, just refresh every few minutes

The Next Mayor which is liveblogging from WHYY (reporting 10% of returns in from PA-08 with Patrick Murphy at 68.5% of that. The night is still young but I am hopeful).

WFMZ has a results page, refresh this one also.

Watching channel 69 WFMZ for live returns.

Voter #4

When I voted at 7:40 a.m., I was voter #4 in my precinct. [sigh]

Usually I have to wait in line for at least a minute or two. This morning the place was deserted. The only good thing was that with the rain the people who loiter at the doors handing out paper weren't there and I didn't have to run the gauntlet.

Oh, I hope people go out and vote today. I've chatted it up with people I see regularly so much that they back away when they see me coming or dodge me completely. [another sigh]

As soon as the polls close I'll be glued to the tv for election results.

Bad Election Poetry

I worked on some bad electin poetry today but nothing worth posting. However, if you hurry over to politicspa, they have a nice parody of the Night Before Christmas up. Hopefully it will still be there tomorrow.

Election Reminder

I'm blogging from the local public library. There is a thunderstorm near my house and it is playing havoc with dsl. The Friends of the Library's meeting conflicts with the kid's school PTA so for several years my contribution to the Friends (besides membership) has been a pan of brownies for each Friends election day bake sale. While I'm here and their internet is working I thought I'd blog just in case it doesn't get resolved at home.

As a side note, GOP incumbent Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick (PA-08) has introduced legislation that would make it impossible for me to do this (read more here on Blinq). He wants filters in schools and public libraries that would block social spaces like myspace and blogger. While I agree strongly that children do need to be protected from online predators I think they are far more at risk from the unsupervised pc in their room than a terminal in public view at the local library. Plus, those who do not have internet access at home and depend on the library for their connections are also cut off. That's a lot of senior citizens and lower income people of all ages. Not good. Public libraries are the people's university.

On a purely personal note I have always depended on libraries for my internet access while on vacation. No matter how remote the location there is bound to be a public library with a terminal available somewhere within driving distance. Tiny modular buildings near the beach, double wide trails in the mountains, you name it, there is a library near it. Restricting access in these places would be, in effect, restricting access for much of the public at large.

But, I digress. My main point for tonight's post is how disappointed I've been by the response from people at church, at the kids' school, along the street, etc. to my reminders about tomorrow's election. Most people have no idea that there is one, let alone who is running. Sad, very sad.

Remember to vote tomorrow. I'll be out bright and early (or rainy and early as the case may be). In statewide races I'm going for Sandals (senate) and McDonald Roberts (lt gov). Vote for whoever you want, just vote.

Off Topic: The Weekend

Today is Mother's Day and it's customary to say something profound or tug at the heartstrings. Something has been running around the mousetrack in my head but it hasn't come out yet so thoughts motherhood will have to wait.

This weekend Casa Jane had 5 kid-related events, the shortest 30 minutes, the longest 6 hours. (It involved me wearing an apron, safety googles, and plastic gloves, being splattered by sticky kid food, and then rained on. Yeehaw.) However, one of these events involved the kids going somewhere else for 2 hours and that coincided with the dinner hour on Saturday. Mr. J and I went out for dinner, no place fancy, something we get to do, oh, maybe 2 or 3 times a year. Driving to pick up the kids, the sun had gone down and we got to listen to whatever we wanted on the radio. Those readers in the same spot on the parenting cycle will recognize this as the big deal it is. Those who aren't, take my word for it, it's a big deal. Later in the evening we stumbled onto an Eddie Izzard show on BBC America. He did the riff on Darth Vader in the Death Star cafeteria. Hilarious. If you are in the midst of a primary campaign and find it annoying that people are going about their business when so much is at stake, I apologize, but let me assure you that, given a choice, I would gladly have traded 6 hours of your hectic schedule for the safety googles and the sticky kid food. I've shampooed twice but still find bits of it in my hair.

Does It Matter Who Lives in Your House?

One of my email buddies brought this to my attention. People applying for jobs at the Gaming Control Board are being asked a lot of questions. One is who else lives at their house. Some are taking this as a way of identifying applicant's sexual orientation. Rep. Babette Josephs has asked for further explanation on why these questions are necessary. (see story from KYW here).

Smoke and Mirrors and Lots of Mud

When I talk to people outside politics about politics the one thing I hear over and over is how distasteful they find the mean-spiritedness of campaigns and campaign literature. Many of the people in politics that I respect say the same thing. It's one thing I watch for in a campaign -- how do they present themselves? What language do they use?

So, I took note of a press release on politicspa in a race I have been watching closely. And I see utter nonsense like this:

[candidate's name] is the creation of the Philadelphia political machine which appears to be hell bent on extending its empire into the suburbs.

Is there just ONE political machine in the city? Every time I pick up the paper I read about intra-party fighting and jockeying for power. One faction backs one candidate, another faction backs another. The creation of bogeymen with intent to frighten is a very old advertising and political trick. It never speaks well of people who use it.

All I hear from [candidate] are platitudes and talking points spoon fed to him by someone in a place far away from [district].

Ditto for this. No examples are given. No evidence is provided. It's trash talk from a campaign that I have come to expect that from. I find this particularly irksome because a few years ago I was involved in an argument between two battling politicians. One made it very clear that he considered me incapable of independent thought and viewed me as no more than a wheezing rheumy-eyed attack poodle for the other politican. He had spent enough time in my company to know better. Any time I hear someone dismissed as a brainless agent or water carrier for someone else I become very suspicious, unless specific details can be given. It is the rallying cry of those who have nothing substantive to say and are usually trying to hide their own inadequacies.

To be honest, I think highly of the candidate being dissed in the press release, but I have reasons for doing so (here here and here). I think poorly of the candidate opposing him (for reasons specified here). The person sending out the press release was the attorney representing the plantiff in this case. If you have the time, listen to the two candidates in a joint appearance on Radio Times (either this link or this one).

Everyone is entitled to an opinion. I have a very strong one on this race (as you might have guessed). However, empty rhetoric and baseless mudslinging never reflect well on the people slinging the mud.

(doomsy has a few things to say on this also.)

A Real Political Cat Fight

John Micek's Capitol Ideas column is especially amusing today. Check out the "Quick Primary Update" section and "File Under Pandering Dept."

I would like to note that Casa Jane keeps its cats indoors, except for supervised play in the fenced backyard.

Your Semi-Weekly PA-08 Update

From today's "up and down" list on politicspa:

Meanwhile, PA8 Democratic candidate Andy Warren goes up as he picked up endorsements of the the Intelligencer and Courier Times. The bad news, he is still going to lose the primary to Patrick Murphy.

Murphy is having an online fundraiser. They took my money; I'm sure they'd take yours, too.

Off Topic: PA Bagpipers

Carnegie Mellon University has the nation's only bagpipe major. There are a few other schools that teach the bagpipes but CMU has the only student who is a full bagpipe major.

(Source: Paul Glader, "Scholarship Package is $7,000 a year and Subsidized Kilts," Wall Street Journal May 11, 2006, p. A1)

YPP Happy Hour

I stopped in briefly at the YPP (Young Philly Politics) Happy Hour this evening. There were a lot of interesting people there. I had a chance to see Valerie McDonald Roberts again, and plan to vote for her on Tuesday. Anne Dicker and Tony Payton were there but always surrounded by crowds so I wasn't able to get a close look or listen. As a very pleasant surprise, someone I had written about earlier was there and I elbowed a path over to say hello. I'm not sure he/she was supposed to be there so I won't mention any names. There were a few other candidates around, too. Some big name bloggers as well. Atrios, Daniel UA of YPP, and Chris Bowers of mydd among them. Ray Murphy played host admirably.

The room was packed and everyone seemed to be having a good time. My special thanks to the man in the blue shirt who struck up a conversation while I was still trying to find my "party feet."

weekly legislative update

No bills were voted on in the Pennsylvania house or senate this week. A few were shuffled around to committees.

There are some weekly updates, though.

Our accountant friends at PICPA
Senate GOP
House Democrats

WSJ on Gerlach: Vulnerable

In today's Wall Street Journal (Calmes, Jackie, "Local Politics Turns National," p. A4):

With their House and Senate majorities at stake, Republicans are swimming against a national tide of voter unrest in the presidential midterm elections.

Later

His (Rep. Rob Simmons) rival, former state rep. Joe Courtney, and other Democrats are running "nationalized" campaigns. They are hoping to capitalize on anger about the Iraq war, gas prices, congressional corruption and a White House seemingly at sea, to unseat enough "Bush Rubberstamps" -- as they call all Republican incumbents -- to recapture a majority.

Later

"is her (Anne Northrup) seat a likely turn for Democrats?" Mr. Rothenberg asks. "No. but it's sure possible in a dramatically Democratic national environment." Much the same goes for Republican Reps. J. D. Hayworth in Arizona, Clay Shaw in Florida, Jim Gerlach in Pennsylvania and both Steve Chabot and Deborah Pryce in Ohio.

Voters' Views on Government

I've been neglecting IssuesPA. It's on my sidebar but I haven't looked at it in some time. Today someone emailed me about a new poll so I took a look at what they've done lately. In March and then again in April they've had polls looking at voters' views on government.

In March this was reported:

How vulnerable are incumbent state legislators in this year’s elections? While confidence ratings are down somewhat from pre-pay raise levels, people’s own state senators and representatives continue to be held in much higher regard than state legislators collectively. Sixty percent of state residents have a lot or some confidence in their own state senator and 63% have similar confidence in their own state representative. Political Independents, a bellwether of anti-incumbent sentiment, are more likely to have confidence in their own state senator (55%) and representative (55%) than in Governor Rendell (50%) and the legislature as a whole (44%).

In April it is not so rosy:

Asked for a one-word description that best describes the legislature, the largest number of Pennsylvanians surveyed – 69 respondents – said, “Greedy.” Though the top 10 list of responses included some positive or neutral words like “good,” “okay,” and “fair,” most had a negative connotation such as “crook,” “poor,” and “corrupt.”

It could be that, in usual fashion, people think their own legislator is okay but all the others are dishonest. (True to form I think my own state rep is okay but I'm wary of everyone else's.)

Read the full reports for more information on this and other topics. The polls have numbers on support for gubernatorial candidates, voter views on issues, and tons of other interesting stuff.

Chris Bowers Running for State Democratic Committee

Chris Bowers of mydd and Kevin Scott are running a write in campaign for state Democratic committee in the 8th state senate district. If you are, or think you are, in that district, check out Chris's mydd post for a district map and instructions on how to write in a name.

Board. And Furious.

Last week there was a lot of buzz in the papers and on the blogs over John Perzel's absence at the big property tax non-vote in the state house. Turns out he was off in Florida attending a corporate board meeting. Here's an excerpt from the Inky's story on it ("Perzel's absence puzzles Capitol The property tax bill unraveled as he tended to a business duty," by Mario F. Cattabiani, May 5, 2006):

Perzel (R., Phila.) was in Florida, preparing for an entirely different kind of vote.

He was attending corporate meetings of GEO Group Inc., the Boca Raton company of which he is a board member.

At yesterday's annual meeting at the Boca Raton Resort & Club, where Perzel was staying, shareholders of the publicly traded company voted to give him another term on the board. The job pays $20,000 a year, plus stock options and thousands of dollars more to attend meetings - including about $5,000 to attend this week's.

One repeated defense of the ill-fated pay raise was that you had to pay more to get good people. One rationale for paying corporate board members additional money to show up for the meetings of the boards they are paid to be on, is that you have to do that to get good people. That just makes me furious. Isn't that saying that the "good" people you are paying $20K to be on the board have to be bribed with additional money to show up for work?

Like a lot of people involved in their community, I sit on the board of a small local organization. I'm trying to get off of it in case the blog explodes one of these days (I don't want the group to be caught in the debris). I get no money to be on the board and nothing to show up for board meetings. There are tons of people out there who serve on local boards and they show up for meetings and do their job for absolutely nothing. Aren't we "good people," too?

Battling Endorsements in 10th State Senate District

As previously reported, Democratic primary candidate for the 10th State Senate district, Robin Rosenthal, has been endorsed by the Inquirer.

Chris Serpico, the other Democrat in the race, has been endorsed by the Bucks County Courier Times.

Curt Weldon Links (PA-07)

A few links to information on the GOP incumbent congressman in the 7th district, Curt Weldon, have shown up in my mail recently (hat tip Colin). For your perusal:

An article in Harper's on Weldon's use of campaign funds.

An article from CQ Politics on another of Weldon's conspiracy theories.

An article from the Inky on Weldon's defense industry ties.

Art of Political Campaigning Deadline

The nice folks at Campaigns & Elections would like to remind us that the deadline for advance registration to attend their 3 day Art of Political Campaigning workshop is coming up soon. The schedule of events is now online. My personal favorite is this session on Friday, June 2nd:

Handling Bloggers and Using Them to Help Your Campaign
Michael Turk, National Cable & Telecommunications Association
Taming the blogosphere is a time-consuming effort that involves reading and writing constantly. These prolific bloggers talk about the care and feeding of their brethern so you'll know how to work with them during campaigns.

Because, you know, taming the blogsphere and handling those bloggers is, indeed, a time consuming effort.

More on Paul Lang

Paul Lang, Democratic candidate for the 6th state senate district, is now writing for the Huffington Post. To date he is the only state-level candidate to be highlighted. His first post is here.

Excerpt:

As I continue my run for state Senate in Pennsylvania, I discover that our country is rich with hard-working candidates fighting for our values at the community level. Often, they are overshadowed by Fox News, Keith Olbermann, Chris Matthews, and big bloggers who cannot risk losing their national audience by focusing on “small races”. However, the candidates in these local races will impact your life more immediately and more deeply and they need your help. Progressive candidates from all over the country need you to put their lawn signs up, hand out their literature, and throw them a donation (even if it is only the price of the appetizer you order the next time you are out).

I agree completely. Watch your local races carefully. Get out and meet the candidates. If you live in the 6th state senate district, vote for Paul. For more information on him see his web site or his interview on this blog earlier this year.

More Inky Endorsements

I neglected to mention the Inquirer's endorsement of Lois Murphy in the Democratic primary in PA-06.

Today the Inquirer endorsed Valerie McDonald Roberts. Excerpt:

That leaves VALERIE MCDONALD ROBERTS.As a former Pittsburgh city councilwoman and school board president who is now Allegheny County recorder of deeds, she is far and away the Democrats' most plausible choice.

She's had to balance government budgets and manage a bureaucracy. She's been on the front lines of decision-making about crime, community development and education.

The two main roles of the lieutenant governor are leading the state's emergency services and chairing the parole board. After the Hurricane Katrina debacle, no state should be cavalier about the former duty. Of the four, Roberts promises the steadiest hand in a crisis.

Good choices all around.

More on Andy Warren

In the May 6th Morning Call, there is an article on Andy Warren, saying he mortgaged his house and used the proceeds to loan his campaign $75,000, in addition to the $50,000 he has already loaned the campaign. I always want to see a candidate donate some money to their campaign, but anything that is primarily self-funded doesn't show a lot of public support.

In yesterday's Bucks County Courier Times article (on phillyburbs), Warren said this:

Warren said he always dreamed of becoming Pennsylvania’s governor, a hope he admits is no longer a possibility. He lost his only race for state office in 1986, when he was defeated by then-state Rep. Jim Greenwood for a seat in the state Senate.

Ever since he left Doylestown for his job at PennDOT, he said he has itched to get into another race and, he believes, Congress might be his last run.

I'm not sure that is a good reason to vote for him. He is running against Patrick Murphy for the Democratic spot in the 8th congressional district.

Your Semi-Weekly PA-08 Update

Sorry, I just can't stay away from this one.

Here are a few PA-08 links.

Phillyburbs profile of Patrick Murphy.

Phillyburbs profile of Andy Warren.

Murphy press release on their Radio Times appearance.

The WSJ on PA Flooding

In Saturday / Sunday's Wall Street Journal:

For instance, Pennsylvania, which has no oceanfront, had more flood-insurance claims in 2004 that any state except Florida, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The reason? Heavy rains from Tropical Storms Ivan and Frances. ("Who Needs A Flood Policy?" by M. P. McQueen, May 6-7, 2006, p. B1)

Reading Valerie McDonald Roberts

On her campaign website Valerie McDonald Roberts has some notes on her activities on the Pittsburgh City Council. It is labeled Feb. 1995 - July 2005, but actually only goes 2001, 32 pages in all. When I heard her speak she talked about working with the Pittsburgh police on police reform. You can see that thread in her city council work. Another thread I saw was the importance of helping and understanding and paying attention to the impoverished and disinfranchised. A third is on community / job / school / training partnerships. One might expect that to fade over time but in the five years worth of notes on her site it did not. I have pulled out a few quotes that I think are illustrative of her better work. You should take the time to read through all of it yourself, especially before the primary.

On the Three Rivers Stadium:

"I'm having a real hard time with this. When I see neighborhoods falling apart, youth hanging out on the streets, we're talking about picking them up, locking them up, throwing away the key, and we can't give a lousy stinkin' $1 million to a neighborhood for a youth organization for some kind of recreational center? These kids have been crying for a youth recreational center for years and we're putting $27 million into the Stadium -- they can't even get to the Stadium?" (3/08/95)

On a Police Sensitivity Bill:

"We need to open up to a concept citizen police academy to train the residents. We talk about community oriented policing, it works both ways. The police officers need to be trained to work better with the community, to have the right attitude and the community needs to understand and have more respect for what a police officer has to do and why they act the way they do and they may have to be tough." (11/01/95)

On recycling:

"I think that the problem that you're going to find in the public housing is just plain apathy. The don't care because they're living hand to mouth and day to day. A lot of them don't see a future. They don't feel that they are empowered whatsoever. When you feel that way, you're not going to say, let me just put the cans out in the blue bags. It doesn't work that way. They have other concerns that are overwhelming them." (05/15/96)

On historic preservation:

"I don't know what the debate was in terms of balancing against the whole historic designation process and the work therein butI think there can be some happy medium but if there is a decision that has to be made I am going to be siding with the owner of the property. I take more stock in a human being than a building." (6/19/96)

On job training partnerships:

"I've often asked employers, particular high tech employers, when they say we don't have anyone, what are you all doing to encourage, not even just to encourage, but insist that these new employees have more contact with our universities. We have a whole bunch of college and universities that are pumping out a lot of skills and a lot of talent, academically and otherwise, and they're going out of the City. I would like to see a lot of these young people, these young adults stay in the City and become a viable workforce. What type of communication or what type of recruiting is being done in the University?" (03/12/97)

As I said, these are just a few examples. Some of the other good ones, especially later on, were just too long to retype. Read for yourself.

Philly Car Share Honored

This arrived in my inbox this week (hat tip Jeff):

PhillyCarShare and City of Philadelphia Named Finalists for Harvard "Oscar”

Compete for Prestigious $100K Prize

Philadelphia, PA – PhillyCarShare’s groundbreaking car-reduction initiative with the City of Philadelphia is among 18 pioneering Finalists for Harvard’s prestigious Innovations in American Government Award, the “Oscar” of American government. More than 1,000 forward-thinking programs from across the country submitted applications to compete for the seven final $100,000 prizes.

PhillyCarShare’s project is among “the best and brightest, and represents government’s great capacity for creating positive change and achieving results,” says Gowher Rizvi, Director of Harvard’s Ash Institute. The project “takes a creative approach to a significant problem and demonstrates that [the] solution works.”

PhillyCarShare and the City of Philadelphia teamed in 2004 to create the first system worldwide in which government employees and local residents would share vehicles by the hour in a major car-reduction effort. Advanced technology facilitates easy independent access to vehicles 24/7, automated cost allocation, and unprecedented superb accountability.

The pioneering project has leveraged the City’s elimination of 330 vehicles, saving taxpayers nearly $2 million annually. Philadelphia residents have sold or avoided purchasing another 1,500 vehicles through the program. They drive 9.9 million fewer miles per year; walk, bike, and take transit 37% more; and save about $6 million annually versus owning cars, according to detailed participant surveys. All participants pollute 90% less while driving PhillyCarShare’s hybrid gas-electric vehicles.

The prize money is awarded specifically to support winning programs in the teaching of their model to other jurisdictions. “By celebrating and disseminating this kind of creative thinking at all levels of government, the awards program helps turn innovative ideas into commonly accepted practices,” said Patricia McGinnis, President of the Council for Excellence in Government.

Stephen Goldsmith, Director of the Innovations in American Government Awards at the Ash Institute says, “When you learn about the variety of programs, the range of problems they tackle, and the creative ways they do it, it gives you a renewed confidence in the quality and commitment of our public servants. By shining a bright light on these innovators, we hope to encourage others in government to follow their amazing lead.”

Winners will be selected later this month following presentations they will make to the National Selection Committee at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government on May 25, 2006. The seven final winners will be announced on July 10 at a dinner ceremony in Washington, D.C., during the 2006 Excellence in Government Conference.

About
PhillyCarShare, a non-profit organization founded in 2002 by five local Philadelphians, operates a rapidly growing fleet of hybrids, wagons, and fun vehicle models from 40+ locations in central Philadelphia and Mt. Airy. Each member receives a personal key and 24-hour access to the entire fleet. Then driving is easy: reserve online, hop in, and go! Affordable hourly and mileage rates cover gas, premium insurance, and reserved parking. Members enjoy the convenience of driving, without the hassles of ownership.

The Innovations in American Government Awards, founded in 1986, is a program of the Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. The award is administered in partnership with the Council for Excellence in Government in Washington.

The Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government fosters excellence in government around the world in order to generate and strengthen democracy. Through its awards program, research, publications, curriculum support, and global network, the Institute champions critical milestones in creative and effective governance and democratic
practice.

The Council for Excellence in Government is a national, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization whose mission is to improve government performance by strengthening results-oriented management and creative leadership in the public sector, and to build understanding by focusing public discussion on government’s role and responsibilities.

For more information on the Innovations in American Government program and this year’s finalists, please visit www.ashinstitute.harvard.edu or www.excelgov.org.

weekly legislative update

As I mentioned in the previous posting, the governor called a special legislative session to look into property tax reform. Information from that session is included here as well. Standard caveats apply (resolutions not generally included, list of sponsors deleted if it was too long - three lines in the originally formatting).

I assume that at this point everyone knows the property tax bill met a sad end in the House.

As for resolutions, there were a number of environmentally related issues passed.

Our accountants friends at PICPA have updated their legislative page, and have a lot to say about property tax reform.

Other weekly updates are available for this week:

PA House Democrats
PA House GOP daily updates
PA Senate Democrats
PA Senate Republicans


Special Session

Monday In the House, HB1 and SB 30 laid on the table and removed
Tuesday In the House, HB 40, 41, 43 were laid on the table and removed, HB 39 conference committee report presented to and adopted by the Senate, presented to the House
Wednesday no action
Thursday no action
Friday no action

Regular Session

Resolutions

HB 711 A Resolution designating the month of May 2006 as Watershed Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.

HR 456 A Resolution directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a study and report on the use of rubberized asphalt in the other 49 states and to indicate the number of waste tires consumed in the highways and the new markets created for recycled rubber.

HR 480 A Resolution supporting a Pennsylvania high-speed maglev industry.

HR 747 A Resolution recognizing the month of May 2006 as "National Bike Month," the week of May 15 through 19, 2006, as "Bike-to-Work Week" and May 19, 2006, as "Bike-to-Work Day" in Pennsylvania.

HR 680 A Resolution designating the week of May 27 through June 4, 2006, as "Pennsylvania Hiking Week."

HR 706 A Resolution recognizing April 28, 2006, as "Arbor Day"; promoting public participation in the celebration; and further recognizing the value of trees to our environment.

HR 742 A Resolution designating the month of May 2006 as "Community Action Month" in Pennsylvania.


Bills

House

HB 382 Prior Printer's No. 409. Printer's No. 3527. An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, further providing for powers and duties of the intermediate unit board of directors; providing for State reimbursement for mobile classroom facilities; and making editorial changes.

HB 2042 Prior Printer's No. 2819. Printer's No. 3962. An Act amending the act of June 22, 1937 (P.L.1987, No.394), known as The Clean Streams Law, further providing for penalties; and providing for limitation on certain actions.

HB 2375 Prior Printer's No. 3391. Printer's No. 4054. An Act requiring institutions of higher education to implement alcohol policies; providing for enforcement by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board; and prescribing a penalty.

HB 2472 Prior Printer's No. 3605. Printer's No. 4055. An Act establishing a farmers' market development grant program to develop or expand farmers' markets; conferring powers and duties on the Department of Agriculture; and providing for funding.

HB 2542 By Representatives BAKER, CAUSER, RAPP, DiGIROLAMO, CAPPELLI, DALLY, HARPER, PHILLIPS, SIPTROTH, THOMAS, TIGUE, WILT and DENLINGER. Prior Printer's No. 3748. Printer's No. 4003. An Act amending Title 13 (Commercial Code) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing, in secured transactions, for effectiveness of actions prior to amendment and for continued effectiveness of financing statements.

HB 2627 By Representatives FLICK and MELIO. Prior Printer's No. 3958. Printer's No. 4053. An Act amending the act of October 6, 2005 (P.L.319, No.59), entitled, "An act amending the act of June 24, 1976 (P.L.424, No.101), entitled, as amended, 'An act providing for the payment of death benefits to the surviving spouse or children or parents of firefighters, ambulance service or rescue squad members, law enforcement officers or National Guard members killed in the performance of their duties,' further providing for death benefit eligibility and for definitions," further providing for retroactivity of death benefit eligibility.

SB 583 By Senators BOSCOLA, GREENLEAF, EARLL, LAVALLE, KASUNIC, MUSTO, TOMLINSON, ERICKSON, KITCHEN, WAUGH, TARTAGLIONE, RAFFERTY and PILEGGI. Prior Printer's Nos. 607, 1485. Printer's No. 1792. An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for arson and related offenses, for the offense of endangering welfare of children and for the offense of unsworn falsification to authorities.

SB 601 Prior Printer's Nos. 633, 896, 1142, 1239, 1692. Printer's No. 1791. An Act relating to confidentiality of Social Security numbers; and making a related repeal.

SB 711 Prior Printer's Nos. 858, 897, 1110, 1524. Printer's No. 1793. An Act providing for the protection of consumers from having spyware deceptively installed on their computers and for criminal and civil enforcement; and providing for civil immunity under certain circumstances.

SB 997 By Senators ERICKSON, ORIE, RAFFERTY, M. WHITE, PILEGGI, KITCHEN, D. WHITE, VANCE, EARLL, WONDERLING, REGOLA and ROBBINS. Prior Printer's No. 1337. Printer's No. 1629. An Act amending the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), known as the Public Welfare Code, further providing for medical assistance payments for institutional care.

SB 999 By Senators LEMMOND, THOMPSON, EARLL, D. WHITE, RAFFERTY, MUSTO, PILEGGI, GORDNER, WENGER, WAUGH, WONDERLING, ROBBINS and ARMSTRONG. Prior Printer's No. 1327. Printer's No. 1790. An Act amending the act of June 3, 1937 (P.L.1333, No.320), entitled "An act concerning elections, including general, municipal, special and primary elections, the nomination of candidates, primary and election expenses and election contests; creating and defining membership of county boards of elections; imposing duties upon the Secretary of the Commonwealth, courts, county boards of elections, county commissioners; imposing penalties for violation of the act, and codifying, revising and consolidating the laws relating thereto; and repealing certain acts and parts of acts relating to elections," further providing for Voting Standards Development Board, for compensation of district election officers, for polling places selected by county boards and for public buildings to be used where possible and portable polling places and for prohibiting polling places in buildings or rooms where malt or brewed beverages or liquor dispensed; providing for polling places in other buildings; further providing for nominations by political bodies and for affidavits of candidates; further providing for opening of polls, posting cards of instruction and notices of penalties and voters' rights and examination of voting machines, for voting procedures, for date of application for absentee ballots, for canvassing of official absentee ballots and for violation of provisions relating to absentee voting; and making a repeal of the act of October 8, 2004 (P.L.830, No.98).

HB 2295 Prior Printer's No. 3220. Printer's No. 3734. An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for a special registration plate for recipients of the Korean Defense Service Medal.

HB 2468 By Representatives GOOD, GEIST and McCALL. Prior Printer's No. 3600. Printer's No. 4006. An Act providing for the highway capital budget project itemization for the fiscal year 2005-2006.

HB 1503 By Representatives PAYNE, CAPPELLI, CREIGHTON, J. EVANS, GILLESPIE, GINGRICH, HARRIS, HERSHEY, M. KELLER, MUSTIO, PYLE, SCHRODER, SOLOBAY, E. Z. TAYLOR, J. TAYLOR and YOUNGBLOOD. Prior Printer's No. 1837. Printer's No. 3733. An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for the offense of fleeing or attempting to elude police officer.

HB 1895 A Joint Resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, providing for special tax provisions relating to land conservation.

HB 2169 By Representatives McGILL, BUNT, CALTAGIRONE, FABRIZIO, GEIST, HENNESSEY, READSHAW, SHAPIRO, E. Z. TAYLOR, YOUNGBLOOD and BEYER. Printer's No. 3008. An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, defining "governmental incident responder," "incident," "incident area," "incident clearance," "responder" and "response personnel"; further providing for accidents involving damage to attended vehicle or property; providing for vehicles involved in accidents and spilled cargo on freeway or limited access highway, for immediate custody and removal of vehicle constituting hazard, for road user duties approaching incidents, for avoidance of lane blockage and expedited removal of vehicles and for liability for authorized incident clearance functions; and establishing the Incident Management Committee and providing for its composition and duties.

HB 2368 Prior Printer's Nos. 3377, 3453. Printer's No. 4007. An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for driving under influence of alcohol or controlled substance with a certain occupant; and further providing for prior offenses, for accelerated rehabilitative disposition and for operation of all-terrain vehicles and snowmobiles by persons under age sixteen.

HB 2437 An Act amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for the amounts of part-time student assistance grants.

HB 2441 An Act amending Title 62 (Procurement) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for application of part; and providing for electronic bidding by local government units.

HB 2457 An Act redesignating the bridge carrying section A80 of the East Side Access Highway, SR 4034, over Fourmile Creek and the Wintergreen Gorge in Harborcreek Township, Erie County, as the Sergeant Donald S. Oaks Memorial Bridge.

SB 1081 Prior Printer's Nos. 1458, 1499. Printer's No. 1512. An Act amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for limitations and eligibility in educational assistance program.

Senate

HB 2319 Prior Printer's Nos. 3281, 3560, 4004, 4043. Printer's No. 4052. An Act prohibiting the use of illegal immigrant labor on projects; imposing powers and duties on executive agencies of the Commonwealth; and providing for remedies.

HB 750 By Representatives SCAVELLO, BOYD, CAPPELLI, CREIGHTON, FAIRCHILD, GILLESPIE, GINGRICH, HENNESSEY, LEACH, PALLONE, PAYNE, REICHLEY, SATHER, SCHRODER, THOMAS, TIGUE, YOUNGBLOOD, HARPER and DENLINGER. Printer's No. 841. An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for compulsory arbitration.

HB 2319 Prior Printer's Nos. 3281, 3560, 4004, 4043. Printer's No. 4052. An Act prohibiting the use of illegal immigrant labor on projects; imposing powers and duties on executive agencies of the Commonwealth; and providing for remedies.

SB 238 By Senators WENGER, PICCOLA, WONDERLING, CORMAN, KITCHEN, GORDNER, PILEGGI, EARLL, RAFFERTY, WOZNIAK, COSTA, BOSCOLA, WAUGH, RHOADES, M. WHITE, ARMSTRONG, GREENLEAF, ERICKSON and TOMLINSON. Prior Printer's No. 237. Printer's No. 1771. An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175), known as The Administrative Code of 1929, further providing for fees chargeable by Department of State; and providing for a uniform form.

SB 1114 By Senators ROBBINS, CONTI, STOUT and WOZNIAK. Prior Printer's Nos. 1581, 1655, 1715. Printer's No. 1782. An Act amending the act of May 1, 1933 (P.L.103, No.69), known as The Second Class Township Code, further providing for county associations; and authorizing appropriations to counties.

HB 15 Prior Printer's Nos. 2632, 3167, 3448, 3876. Printer's No. 4008. An Act amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses) and 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for the Substance Abuse Education and Demand Reduction Fund, for driving under influence of alcohol or controlled substance and for penalties.

SB 809 By Senators THOMPSON, ROBBINS, STOUT and WOZNIAK. Printer's No. 1020. An Act amending the act of May 1, 1933 (P.L.103, No.69), known as The Second Class Township Code, further providing for the duties of township supervisors.

SB 261 By Senators ROBBINS, PUNT, THOMPSON, LAVALLE, RHOADES, COSTA, RAFFERTY, MUSTO, ORIE, WOZNIAK, PILEGGI, KITCHEN and GORDNER. Printer's No. 265. An Act amending the act of June 27, 1996 (P.L.403, No.58), known as the Community and Economic Development Enhancement Act, providing for a Deputy Secretary for Local Government Services in the Department of Community and Economic Development.

SB 810 By Senators CONTI, THOMPSON, ROBBINS, STOUT and WOZNIAK. Printer's No. 1021. An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175), known as The Administrative Code of 1929, further regulating duties of Department of Community and Economic Development.

Big Bloggy Welcomes

Some new blogs have been sprouting up that I'd like to give a shout out to:

Lehigh Valley Ramblings is written by another small time big-mouth community activist, focusing on the Lehigh Valley. Stop in and give it a look see.

A Big Fat Slob, who really needs to get a different photo taken, is doing some really good political analysis, southeast and Lehigh Valley emphasis, a Chuck Pennacchio enthusiast. Another good blog to check out.

Welcome to the rodeo, fellas.

A Quick Look at the Democratic Candidates in the 10th State Senate District

There are four candidates for the 10th state senate district (parts of Bucks and a nubbin of Montco), currently held by retiring Republican Joe Conti, two from each party. This is a quick look at the two Democratic candidates, Robin Rosenthal, who has been endorsed by the local party and the Inquirer (on her website), and Chris Serpico.

The Inquirer noted the differences in their backgrounds in its endorsement:

Serpico has the more traditional resume for Harrisburg; its halls are full of private-practice lawyers with a dose of prosecutorial experience. But that may be a reason voters should look closely at Rosenthal.

If elected in the fall, she would bring a diversity of experience to Harrisburg - not only by being being a woman in an overwhelmingly male preserve. Real estate salesperson, retail buyer, title company all-around, business owner and parent - Rosenthal's background shows a bright person with a taste for hard work and a down-to-earth perspective on issues such as education, health care and property taxes.

Their websites will provide longer biographies that present both as having solid credentials to run and Serpico has a list of personal endorsements from recognizable names from the area.

The Bucks County Courier Times has a good overview article, including comments made by both on a local radio show. Read the full article here. Here is a pargraph describing Serpico's take on the issues:

Serpico is focused on changing “the sordid way the Legislature does business.” He pointed to the pay raise lawmakers gave themselves and later rescinded last year and the “obscene” amount of money flowing to incumbents. He said when it comes to experience in his race with Rosenthal there is “no contest.”

He said he's lived through prior election “battles,” having run unsuccessfully for two positions — Bucks County commissioner and the state representative from the 143rd District, which he lost to Chuck McIlhinney.

Here is the same on Rosenthal:

Rosenthal, a working mother, said she's lived the issues that affect people struggling to afford health care insurance. “I clean my own house and color my own hair,” she said. “I am not your money candidate.”

Both Serpico and Rosenthal have submitted answers to the standard questions the Inky is asking of all state senate and house candidates. Many of their answers are similar. Here are their answers to one question where they differed.

Q. Pennsylvania has nearly 1.5 million adults without health insurance. How should the state address this problem, and should it adopt the Massachusetts program as a model?

Serpico: With over two million uninsured people living in this region, we must do a better job in making health care more available and affordable to all Pennsylvanians. Massachusetts should be commended for taking a bold step in confronting the health care crisis. If we require people to maintain auto liability insurance in order to drive a car, it’s not too much to ask those who can afford to maintain health insurance, to do so. We must also focus attention on supporting small businesses struggling to provide health insurance to their employees and we should provide free coverage to the poor, especially for catastrophic health problems. This will require innovative approaches to holding the line on increased costs, such as encouraging the state to always purchase vital medications in bulk.

Rosenthal: Pennsylvania should address the health insurance problem by enacting a single payer, universal healthcare system such as the program defined in Pennsylvania SB 1085, �The Balanced and Comprehensive Health Reform Act" introduced by Senator Jim Ferlo. SB 1085 provides for comprehensive coverage of medical, dental, mental health and prescription drug benefits for every Pennsylvanian, with no deductibles, co-payments or caps. It is publicly funded and privately delivered, with patients choosing their own providers. It establishes a culture of wellness through a K to12 health education and physical fitness curriculum as well as programs for better health care practices and medical error reduction. It addresses the medical malpractice crisis through a no-fault system assuring fair compensation where appropriate while eliminating nearly all malpractice premiums.

The Massachusetts program does not provide equal access to quality health care for everyone. It is a plan designed by the insurance industry; an industry which is already the major source of inefficiency in delivering healthcare today, increasing its cost and reducing its affordability and accessibility. Like the Medicare prescription drug plan, which was designed by the pharmaceutical industry, the Massachusetts plan actually adds layers of complex bureaucracy and cost, but does not provide for quality healthcare for everyone in that Commonwealth. Therefore we should not use the Massachusetts plan as a model. Rather, we should pass a meaningful plan for Pennsylvania like the one currently proposed in SB 1085.

Voters seem to either get feast (too many good candidate) or famine (none). Democratic voters in the 10th have a feast, although I will confess that I would like to see more women in office, which would tilt me towards Rosenthal. I encourage Democratic voters in that district to use the tools linked from this post to carefully research the choices, get out and meet them if possible, and be sure to vote in the primary.

Missing Person Update

Taneke Daniels is one of the missing persons who has been highlighted in the regional Missing Monday posts. Her body was found in New Jersey a few days ago. Details here.

From the Ridiculous to the Even More Ridiculous

Raj Bhakta, the only Republican running in the 13th congressional district, is highlighted in this article from the Hill (via politicspa). Having previously acknowledged two DUIs and then advertised for campaign staff on craigslist, he's moved on to more outlandish tactics. The first two paragraphs:

Raj Bhakta is not a typical Republican candidate. But that is not plain from his website assertion that “this is a race between a reformer and a machine politician.”

No, what makes his campaign unconventional is the likelihood that when he wins his uncontested primary for Pennsylvania’s 13th Congressional District on May 16, cameras will start rolling and turn his bid for Congress into reality TV.

I don't think Allyson Schwartz, the Democratic incumbent, is overly worried. Her campaign website still has nothing but a bio and a place to contribute. C'mon, with all that money in the bank, can't you at least take down the "under construction" sign on the main page?

More Interviews!! Yippee!!!

The Inky has, to my great joy and delight, decided to put the interviews they do with all state senate and house candidates on the web. They are up on a "mini-blog." An index is available here.

(found via Tom Ferricks Poliblog 2006).

As a coming attraction, tomorrow I'll review the interviews and other info related to the two Democrats running for the 10th state senate district, Chris Serpico and Robin Rosenthal.

Learning the Ropes

The time-honored way of learning the ropes politically has been to volunteer on a series of campaigns, taking on increasingly more involved and responsible jobs as you go. However, as with everything in politics these days, this has become professionalized.

Here are some options:

DFA Night School: If you missed any of the spring semester Night School sessions, you can receive the full Spring 2006 Night School series on DVD for a $30 contribution to Democracy for America. This is a great way to take Night School offline and into your community. Your DVD will come with an activist training kit that includes discussion materials for each workshop. Get your training kit today:

http://www.democracyforamerica.com/trainingkit

Class 1: Moving our Message
Class 2: Building a Grassroots Army: Volunteer Recruitment
Class 3: Rules of the Road: Canvassing
Class 4: How to Make Phoning Fun

If you have more expensive tastes, this may be for you:

Campaigns & Elections: The Art of Political Campaigning, June 1-3, Washington, D.C.

THE BEST GETS BETTER- The most comprehensive training seminar in the country. Learn everything you ever wanted to know about campaigning, fund raising, the Internet, polling, media, the press, telephones, voter files, voter ID, and much, much more. Come and learn from the best in the business!

For 22 years, our campaign training seminars and trade shows have been the best in the business. Seminars sponsored by Campaigns & Elections magazine have attracted people from across the world who need to know more about the strategies, techniques and technologies of modern political campaigns from a wide range of experts.

Join us for three blockbuster days of practical panels workshops and presentations that run the gamut of political campaigning - from fund raising to media production, opposition research to grass-roots organizing, campaign software to attack strategies and responses, candidate speeches and appearances to campaign management and legal compliance.

For more info: www.campaignline.com

Locally (PA) connected speakers include: Joe Trippi, Flavia Colgan, John Brabender, and Charlie Gerow

PA-08 Roundup

Lots of press releases and other info floating around today on the 8th congressional district.

Howard at Philly Future has posted a link to an article on PhillyBurbs about the odd bits of Montgomery County and Philadelphia that have been tacked on to the 8th district. Interesting stuff -- and worth remembering when the next round of redistricting is done after the 2010 census. (In 2004 Andy Warren was quoted in Bucks County Courier Times as saying that people in Bucks County were innately more civilized than those in Montgomery County, which will surely help ease these tensions).

Andy Warren has been endorsed by the Allentown Morning Call, the paper that brings us the beauteous John Micek and his always thought-provoking Capitol Ideas. Allentown is not, however, in the 8th district. [Update -- Yes, I do know that the MC does have a lot of subscribers in the 8th. I put this in primarily in response to the Warren campaign's questioning of Murphy's residence in the district, down to their checking to see if the house he grew up in inside district lines or outside of it by a matter of blocks. If you nitpick at that level you should expect some nitpicking back.]

Patrick Murphy would like us to know that 40 of his volunteers from MurphyCorps showed up to give blood last week, and that he planted trees at an Earth Day celebration in Middletown. (Mr. Jane was out planting trees for 2 hours on Saturday also, although at a different locale. It is not easy work, but I was relieved to find out there was a good reason for him to be keeping a pick axe and a shovel in the trunk of the car.)

And, lastly, the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America Political Action Committee would like Andy Warren and his campaign staff and volunteers to stop denigrating Patrick Murphy's military service. I've mentioned before that I'm from a military family and I really have a problem with this. A lawyer in the 82nd Airborne still has to jump out of a few planes. A lawyer on the field in a war doesn't have a magic bubble around him that keeps the bullets and bombs out. A recent letter to the editor of the Bucks County Courier Times referred to his work in Iraq as that of a "claims adjustor," but I think resolving disputes in a war zone is a little different than looking at the damage from a fender bender on the Blue Route. Unless you were over there yourself at the same time in the same place and can speak to the circumstances personally, I don't think you should say a whole lot. So, I would request that those who do not want Murphy in office find something else to hang their hat on. Being a veteran doesn't automatically make someone fit for office, but it's nothing to sneeze at either.

Things to Do

For those who read this before 10:00 a.m. tomorrow, Patrick Murphy and Andy Warren will be on Radio Times on WHYY.

If you are out and about later in the week, Bryan Lentz is celebrating his campaign's office grand opening on Thursday, May 4th. The office is located at 7 South Chester Road in Swarthmore, and the party is from 4 to 8.

Patrick Murphy Endorsed by Inquirer

Patrick Murphy, leading contender for the Democratic nomination in the 8th Pennsylvania congressional district, has been endorsed by the Philadelphia Inquirer. Read here.

Excerpt:

A native of Northeast Philadelphia, Murphy is the son of a city cop. He has worked as a staffer in the Pennsylvania legislature and in the U.S. Attorney's Office in New York. The lawyer joined the Army in 1993 and served two deployments as a JAG Corps officer, in Bosnia and Iraq. It's a background that could help Congress overcome its inability to police itself. Murphy, who favors tougher ethics rules to fight corruption, says: "People do not believe in our government anymore."

Few candidates for Congress have as intimate an understanding of the Iraq war as Murphy, who supports bringing the troops home this year. He called U.S. soldiers "targets with no clear mission."

Murphy, who is endorsed by the party, advocates abortion rights and supports federal funding for embryonic stem-cell research. He would expand the federal children's health insurance program, and calls cuts to Medicaid "Mike Fitzpatrick's legacy."

Missing Monday

CHRISTINA WALKER
Case Type: Endangered Runaway
DOB: Jan 3, 1990
Missing Date: Nov 29, 2005, from Abington, PA.
Race: Black
Age Now: 16
Height: 5'3" (160 cm)
Weight: 135 lbs (61 kg)
Hair Color: Black
Eye Color: Brown
Circumstances: Christina was last seen at school on November 29, 2005. She has a pierced nose and a scar on the left side of her neck.

Catching Up: An Interview with Joe Hoeffel

Regular readers will have noticed that I think well of Joe Hoeffel. I wondered what he has been doing lately and thought you might also. He graciously agreed to answer a few email questions.

How are you and what have you been doing lately? Are you lawyering full time? Do you enjoy that?

I am doing fine and enjoying the spring weather. I am doing both legal and consulting work at the law firm Kohn, Swift & Graf. I am enjoying the work and think highly of my colleagues at the firm, but haven't lost my interest in politics and public policy.

Are you concerned about the integrity of electoral ballots in Pennsylvania? I keep reading about voting machines and falsified absentee ballots, etc. What can we as voters do to ensure that our votes count?

I am worried about the integrity of the ballot. It is important that we not only upgrade our voting technology but also provide a paper trail to aid in recounts and to reassure individuals about the accuracy and security of their vote. I don't share all the conspiracy theories we are hearing about pre-programmed machines and hacked-up software, but we need to keep the public pressure on county election boards to verify the accuracy and fairness of their systems. Those meetings are public and need to be attended by the public.

It is very discouraging to read that judicial decisions on such things as petition challenges and challenges to candidate financial disclosure forms don’t follow legal precedent. What can be done about this as well?

There does seem to be some subjectivity in the way judges handle petition and disclosure challenges. Usually, judges seem to favor granting access to the ballot so that the voters can decide on the candidates, and so the courts overlook minor and technical discrepancies in the qualifying paperwork, and I agree with that approach. Now, outright fraud and forgery on nominating petitions is another matter, and maybe it would stop if a few of those forgeries resulted in jail time. Again, public attention and attendance at public meetings is a terrific disinfectant.

What strategy would you recommend for those of us who would like to see a different junior senator sworn in next January?

Unity. All progressives, liberals and moderates (in both parties) need to rally behind Bob Casey after the primary. The primary itself is fine and not the problem - it is healthy for Democrats to have a debate and Pennachio and Sandals are raising good issues and waging vigorous campaigns. But they don't have the financial resources or name recognition to effectively challenge Casey or Santorum - that is not their fault, it is just the way it is in modern politics. But the problem of disunity will occur after the primary if the defeated candidates or their supporters act as if they got screwed or the party got hosed or liberals got disrespected or life is unfair. Actually, life often IS unfair, and Pennsylvanians will get no help from their junior senator to deal with that unfairness as long as their junior senator is Rick Santorum. So, we need to be unified in our determination to defeat Santorum.

You’ve been giving a lot of speeches and talking to a lot of groups lately. Do you ever get tired of that and just want to take up gardening or go fishing or something?

You forgot golf! Please don't leave golf off the list. I like doing all those things and do them as often as I can. But I still have the bug for public service, and I am glad I do.

Philadelphia is a Democratic city. The number of registered Democrats in Montgomery and Bucks Counties are growing. Yet even when officials are from the same party there is dissension. Why don’t we have better regional coordination on matters like mass transit and development?

Tip O'Neill was right - all politics is local. So, local concerns frequently trump party loyalty or the big regional picture. But don't just blame the local politicians, since a lot of times the voters want and reward that kind of parochial thinking. We all need to understand better that we are involved in a regional competition with the rest of the state and the country, and against other countries, for jobs, public and private investment and cultural amenities. We need to reject the politicians that try to divide the region, or demonize and marginalize their opponents, for their own benefit. In the greater Philadelphia region the biggest, most powerful politician is always the Mayor of Philadelphia, and I have never seen the kind of sustained, energetic outreach from a Philly mayor that is needed to kick start serious regional cooperation on anything. Of course, the elected suburban Republicans are usually too busy trashing the city and its residents to even hear a message of regionalism from the mayor or anyone else. But one of the delicious ironies of the outrageous and hyper-partisan GOP redistricting of 2002 is that several state legislative and congressional seats now cross the city-suburban boundary in a big way - and all are currently held by Democrats. So there.

You have served both in the state and federal house, what do you think would be the best kind of ethics reform in each setting?

No gifts of any kind or amount from lobbyists. No trips from lobbyists and no privately financed travel. Taxpayers should pay for all travel (which can be very educational and broadening), and the pols can buy their own meals.

Do we need to repair international relations and if so, how should the country go about it?

Yes, we badly need to repair our relations with the rest of the world. How? Replace George Bush, Dick Cheney, Don Rumsfeld and Condi Rice with people who understand that our unilateral foreign policies and cowboy diplomacy have made us less safe, not more safe, and have created more terrorists than we have captured or killed. Acknowledge that we are stronger and safer when we act with our traditional allies, not against them, and when we promote and use international organizations, not trash them.

What was it that originally got you interested in running for office?

Opposition to the war in Vietnam and disgust with Richard Nixon. And a wonderful college professor who made me understand in her American Diplomatic History course that the way to influence American foreign policy is through domestic politics.

You’re not in office currently so you can tell us the truth – what about all those perks we read about? Do you get free movie tickets? Do lobbyists chase you down the halls of Congress trying to give you free trips to Cancun or other sunny places? What is the real influence of lobbyists on government? Are there good and bad aspects?

Never got a free movie ticket. Would have enjoyed that. Never got a free golf trip. Would have really enjoyed that. Once got two freebies to The Flying Dutchman at the opera. Did not enjoy that. As a young state legislator, I used to allow Harrisburg lobbyists to buy me dinner at first, but I stopped that because we always had to talk about their pet issues and it was boring. It was much more fun and relaxing to grab a burger and a beer with my colleagues, on our own dimes. Followed the same policy in D.C. I did turn down a lot of nice trips while in Congress, and was careful to accept only those private trips I could really justify to my constituents as to the host, the purpose and the place. So I accepted trips from AIPAC to Israel, the Sierra Club to ANWR in Alaska, and the Kennedy School of Harvard to two health care conferences. Frankly, all such private travel should be banned, no matter how worthy. If a trip has real merit, the taxpayers should pay and the Congressman should be ready to explain why the trip was beneficial. Actually, the appearance of these trips is much worse than the reality, but appearances count and Congress needs to clean up its act. Then it needs to clean up campaign financing.

On your website Joe Hoeffel and Friends you endorsed some local candidates. At speaking engagements you seem to give some candidates a seal of approval. How do you make those decisions?

I endorse candidates if they are progressive and if I like them.

In the bargain between elected officials and voters, what are the responsibilities of each?

Great question with a simple answer. Voters must stay informed, and officials must stay honest.

What do you see as the top three priorities for the state of Pennsylvania? How should those tasks be divided up among levels of government, other organizations, and the citizenry?

Economic development, improved public schools, health care for all.

Obviously, all the actors and stakeholders must be involved in all three of those challenges. State and local governments must take the lead in investing in job creation and revitalization, but the private sector actually creates the jobs. So the public subsidies, tax breaks and infrastructure improvements that can spur such development must be tied to enforceable commitments with the private companies to create certain numbers of jobs with family-supporting wages and benefits. If the private companies break the deal, the government should get its money back.

Public schools need more federal and state money for remedial programs. We should all support high standards and frequent testing on those standards, but only if we also add funding for remedial programs to help the individual students who don't measure up to the standards.

Health care reform needs everyone's attention. Medicare has 3% overhead. Canada's single payer system has 3% overhead. U.S. healthcare overall has 25% overhead. That is the problem that must be fixed - spending one quarter of every health care dollar on administration, duplication, overhead, unnecessary paperwork and insurance company profits. The healthcare reforms in Massachusetts will get almost everyone in the state covered, which is terrific, but it won't fix the inefficiencies that plague American health care. We need Medicare For All.

I posted a blog entry that quoted from a 1984 Inquirer article saying you had shared an apartmentt with another legislator [David Sweet] that didn’t have a phone. Is that a true story? Weren’t there per diems in those days? (Source: Eshelman, Russell E., Jr., "When House is No Longer Home," Philadelphia InquirerDec. 20, 1984.)

True story. David Sweet and I shared an apartment with two bedrooms, two baths and no phone. Our per diems then were $44. I spent mine on one half of the apartment rent and all those burgers and beers.

Another earlier article I found, from 1982 has this sentence: “For if there is one thing that everyone says about Joe Hoeffel – and they usually say it right away, without prompting – it’s that he is a nice guy who speaks well and works hard.” It is something people still say about you. Having spent so many years in politics, how have you maintained those qualities? [My theory is that it is because you have lost a few elections.] (Source: Von Bergen, Jane M., "He's the Exception to GOP Rule," Philadelphia Inquirer Nov. 11, 1982.)

Yeah, you are probably correct. Every time I lose I get nicer. I am getting entirely too nice. That's gotta change.

Is there anything else you would like to tell us?

I have probably said enough.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Endorses McDonald Roberts

Today's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette endorses Valerie McDonald Roberts for Lieutenant Governor. Editorial/endorsement here. Excerpt:

In this field, in this primary, she is the standout candidate. She would be a fiery, intelligent teammate for Ed Rendell (and not just because she's an African American and he'll be facing an African-American opponent). She is not running so much against the incumbent as she is running for the office -- something the incumbent this spring has chosen not to do.

In the aftermath of the pay-raise debacle, elected officials cannot take their office for granted. Now more than ever, candidates must present themselves to the public, interview for the job with the people. Catherine Baker Knoll hasn't done that. Valerie McDonald Roberts has -- and that's why she's earned the Post-Gazette endorsement.

Tom Murt Roundup

Tom Murt, who is challenging GOP incumbent Sue Cornell for the Republican spot on the ballot for the 152nd state house, has been very diligent about sending me his press releases. Here is a recap of what he's been doing lately:

Thomas P. Murt, a candidate for State Representative in the 152nd Legislative District has:

* further articulated his position on PENNDOT’s Woodhaven Road Expressway Project. Murt has pledged to fight against this PENNDOT project and instead, support the Route #1 Alternative proposal.

* called for the re-establishment of a Lower Moreland Historical Association

* pledged to seek state support for storm water management and flooding problems in Lower Moreland Township and in Huntingdon Valley

* pledged his support for the revitalization of the Philmont Avenue corridor

* called for a dialogue regarding the establishment of a walking trail along the former railroad line through Lower Moreland Township and Bryn Athyn

* been awarded the Army Commendation Medal for his service in the U.S. Army Reserve

* pledged to support and seek state funding for prominent and permanent historical markers commemorating the Battle of Crooked Billet which took place in Hatboro on May 1st, 1778. Murt envisions a trail of history in Hatboro, documenting the location of the battle and the historical particulars such as the bivouac and skirmish locations

He always ends his press releases with a district description; this is something I appreciate since it's hard to keep all these things straight in my memory:

The 152nd Legislative District includes the townships of Upper Moreland and Lower Moreland, the boroughs of Hatboro and Bryn Athyn, and sections of the townships of Upper Dublin and Horsham, and the Philmont Heights section of Northeast Philadelphia.

Mike Paston is running for the Democratic slot on the ballot and does not have a challenger in the primary.

Another Online Resource

The Center for Public Integrity has some really interesting state by state comparisons on lobbying and disclosure regulations. Check out the Pennsylvania page here; it isn't pretty. We get an "F" on some things and actually rank 50th in the nation on lobbyist spending disclosures. (hat tip, Tom).

weekly legislative update

As I mentioned in the previous posting, the governor called a special legislative session to look into property tax reform. Information from that session is included here as well. Standard caveats apply (resolutions not generally included, list of sponsors deleted if it was too long - three lines in the originally formatting).

Our accountants friends at PICPA have updated their legislative page.


Other weekly updates are available for this week:

PA House Democrats
PA House GOP daily updates
PA Senate Democrats
PA Senate Republicans

Special Session

Monday In the House, HB 80 was referred to Finance
Tuesday no action
Wednesday no action
Thursday no action
Friday no action

Regular Session

Bills

This is a list of bills that passed the Pennsylvania House and/or Senate this week.

House

HB 567 Prior Printer's Nos. 640, 3658. Printer's No. 3941. An Act providing for administration of employee records; imposing powers and duties on the Department of Labor and Industry; imposing penalties; and making a related repeal.

SB 713 Prior Printer's Nos. 880, 1331, 1376, 1525. Printer's No. 1736. An Act prohibiting a provider of commercial mobile service from including the dialing number of any subscriber without first obtaining the express consent of that subscriber.

SB Prior Printer's Nos. 1180, 1368, 1402, 1414. Printer's No. 1738. An Act amending Title 26 (Eminent Domain) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for limitations on the use of eminent domain; and making a related repeal.

HB 2064 Prior Printer's Nos. 2840, 3481. Printer's No. 3963. An Act amending the act of February 1, 1966 (1965 P.L.1656, No.581), known as The Borough Code, further providing for collections of assessments and for intergovernmental cooperation, joint ownership and maintenance.

HB 2065 Prior Printer's Nos. 2841, 3482. Printer's No. 3964. An Act amending the act of June 24, 1931 (P.L.1206, No.331), known as The First Class Township Code, further providing for manner of assessment and for intergovernmental cooperation, joint ownership and maintenance.

HB 2066 Prior Printer's Nos. 2842, 3483. Printer's No. 3965. An Act amending the act of May 1, 1933 (P.L.103, No.69), known as The Second Class Township Code, further providing for intergovernmental cooperation, joint ownership and maintenance and for liens for assessments.

HB 2185 By Representatives TANGRETTI, HERMAN, ROSS, GINGRICH and LESCOVITZ. Printer's No. 3041. An Act amending the act of August 9, 1955 (P.L.323, No.130), known as The County Code, further providing for required financial reporting.

HB 2186 Printer's No. 3042. An Act amending the act of July 28, 1953 (P.L.723, No.230), known as the Second Class County Code, further providing for required financial reporting; and making editorial changes.

HB 2425 Prior Printer's No. 3490. Printer's No. 3822. An Act amending the act of April 24, 1931 (P.L.48, No.40), entitled "An act requiring the recording of certain written agreements pertaining to real property, and prescribing the effect thereof as to subsequent purchasers, mortgagees, and judgment creditors of the parties thereto," providing for the requirments for valid recording of documents.

SB 723 By Senators WENGER, WAUGH, VANCE, ERICKSON, MUSTO, RAFFERTY, GREENLEAF, EARLL, BROWNE, O'PAKE, LEMMOND, PILEGGI, PICCOLA, ORIE, ROBBINS, FERLO, WONDERLING, ARMSTRONG, THOMPSON and KASUNIC.
Prior Printer's Nos. 867, 879, 975, 1026, 1547. Printer's No. 1749. An Act amending the act of June 30, 1981 (P.L.128, No.43), known as the Agricultural Area Security Law, further providing for statement of legislative findings, for definitions, for limitation on certain governmental actions, for purchase of agricultural conservation easements, for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Purchase Fund, for legislative report and for the Land Trust Reimbursement Program; providing for acquisitions by donation; and abrogating a regulation.

SB 925 By Senators THOMPSON, VANCE, CORMAN, BOSCOLA, FONTANA, D. WHITE, COSTA, PUNT, MELLOW, C. WILLIAMS, TARTAGLIONE, FUMO, TOMLINSON, Printer's No. 1216. An Act amending the act of December 18, 1980 (P.L.1241, No.224), known as the Pennsylvania Cancer Control, Prevention and Research Act, further providing for sunset provisions.

HB 1561 Prior Printer's No. 1936. Printer's No. 3981. An Act amending Title 53 (Municipalities Generally) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for municipal police education and training and for powers of home rule charter counties; and making an inconsistent repeal of the Sheriff Fee Act.

HB 2122 Prior Printer's Nos. 2926, 3449. Printer's No. 3985. An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for sentences for offenses against infant persons.

HB 2203 Prior Printer's No. 3071. Printer's No. 3984. An Act amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses) and 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for grading of the offense of failure to comply with registration of sexual offenders requirements; and providing for mandatory sentencing.

HB 2283 By Representatives MACKERETH and VEON. Prior Printer's Nos. 3195, 3295. Printer's No. 3986. An Act amending Title 23 (Domestic Relations) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further defining "sexual abuse or exploitation"; further providing for persons required to report suspected child abuse, for penalties for failure to report suspected child abuse, for investigation of reports and for information on prospective child-care personnel; providing for information relating to other persons in contact with children; and requiring criminal history record and child abuse record information for certain persons who reside in family day-care homes.

HB 2350 Prior Printer's No. 3357. Printer's No. 3452. An Act amending the act of April 12, 1951 (P.L.90, No.21), known as the Liquor Code, prohibiting the use of alcohol vaporizing devices.

HB 2391 Printer's No. 3415. An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for purchase, consumption, possession or transportation of liquor or malt or brewed beverages.

HB 2408 By Representatives MARSICO, RAYMOND, BARRAR, CORNELL, D. EVANS, HARRIS, McNAUGHTON, MUSTIO, PAYNE, QUIGLEY and ROSS. Printer's No. 3442. An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for inducement of minors to buy liquor or malt or brewed beverages.

HB 2447 Prior Printer's No. 3523. Printer's No. 3982. An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for collection of restitution, reparation, fees, costs, fines and penalties; and for, in registration of sexual offenders, information made available on the Internet.

HB 2458 Printer's No. 3570. An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for corruption of minors.

Senate

HB 121 By Representatives ROEBUCK, KIRKLAND, KOTIK, LEDERER, McCALL, PISTELLA, THOMAS and WASHINGTON.
Prior Printer's Nos. 126, 3818, 3878. Printer's No. 3939. An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for period of disqualification, revocation or suspension of operating privilege; providing for passing and overtaking streetcars and for snow and ice dislodged or falling from moving vehicles; and further providing for ignition interlock.

HB 601 Prior Printer's Nos. 674, 3053, 3403, 3758, 3819. Printer's No. 3940. An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for period of disqualification, revocation or suspension of operating privilege and for chemical testing to determine amount of alcohol or controlled substance.

HB 2380 Prior Printer's Nos. 3396, 3875. Printer's No. 3942. An Act amending the act of July 7, 2005 (P.L. , No.1A), known as the General Appropriation Act of 2005, adding appropriations to the Attorney General for reimbursement to counties for expenses for full- time district attorneys and to the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs for transfer to the United States Merchant Marine World War II Veterans' Bonus Fund; further providing for appropriations for additional Pennsylvania State Police troopers; increasing the State appropriation to the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency for the Homeowner's Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program; further providing for lapsing of unused funds; and providing for lapsing of certain Department of Revenue funds.

SB 214 By Senators GREENLEAF, WAUGH, LOGAN, O'PAKE, COSTA, WOZNIAK, ORIE and KITCHEN. Printer's No. 206. An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for municipal police serving process and enforcing orders.

SB 1069 By Senators GREENLEAF, LEMMOND, COSTA, O'PAKE, BOSCOLA, PIPPY, WONDERLING, FONTANA, BROWNE, KITCHEN, WOZNIAK, C. WILLIAMS, STACK, FERLO, LAVALLE and WASHINGTON. Prior Printer's Nos. 1468, 1519. Printer's No. 1714. An Act establishing the Innocence Commission of Pennsylvania; providing for its duties; and providing for the powers and duties of the Joint State Government Commission.

HB 137 By Representatives FLEAGLE, HERMAN, WATSON, BAKER, KILLION, MAITLAND, DENLINGER, BALDWIN, MUSTIO, HERSHEY, ELLIS, NICKOL, BASTIAN, SATHER, S. MILLER, PHILLIPS, ARMSTRONG, THOMAS, ZUG, McGILL, McILHATTAN, PICKETT, WILT and WOJNAROSKI. Prior Printer's No. 138. Printer's No. 2311. An Act amending Title 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for lighted lamp requirements for motorcycles and for restrictions on highway and bridge use.

HB 218 Prior Printer's Nos. 244, 2104. Printer's No. 3877. An Act amending the act of June 22, 2000 (P.L.318, No.32), known as the Downtown Location Law, further providing for definitions.