Notes on PA Congressional Reps

Keystone Politics also alert me to this USA Today article which points out that our freshman congressional representatives are certainly bringing home some bacon. "Earmark analysis shows money follows power," by Matt Kelly (12/12) lists 4 PA congressman (plus Sen. Casey) as the top sole sponsors of earmarks funded. Chris Carney (D-10), Jason Altmire (D-04), Patrick Murphy (D-08), and Joe Sestak (D-07) are the freshman in question. The article provides numbers and quotes. Worth reading.

"Heard in the Hall" notes today the Michael Nutter's new special assistant, Jordan Schwartz, has, in addition to solid job credentials, some political connections as well. His mother is Rep. Allyson Schwartz (D-13).

Links to Pennsylvania Society Reports

The papers didn't seem to have much to say about this year's Pennsylvania Society meeting. However, there are a few published notes.

"Heard in the Hall," one of the Inky's blogs, has three posts on it:
"Overheard in New York," by Thomas Fitzgerald
"Survival Tips for the Pennsylvania Society" by Marcia Gelbart
"Live from New York" by Marcia Gelbart


Keystone Politics also led me to a report in the City Paper, "The Annual Society Page," by Mary F. Patel (10/12), which includes these intriguing paragraphs:

So, who had the best table? Public relations maven Kelly Boyd, in an Oscar de la Renta gown, commandeered one that included Radnor Trust presidents Marla Green and Jim DiDio, Goldman Sachs executive Bill McLaughlin and Philly Mag editor Larry Platt.

Platt said he is seriously considering running as a Democrat next year against GOP U.S. Rep. Jim Gerlach because he is tired of writing about change and wants to actually do something to change the political landscape.

Presidential Notes

A note about two Democratic presidential candidates:

John Edwards is resolved. In today's Iowa debate he had a wonderful answer to a question on his New Year's resolution. It shows a unusually and markedly rational knowledge of his place in the world. He points out that all the candidates will be fine regardless of how the election goes, but that those in fragile economic or medical do not have such a safety net. Worth watching.

Barack Obama wants women. Lots of them. To feather the nest the campaign has set up Women for Obama (http://women.barackobama.com). It has a blog, a place for individuals to tell "why I support Obama" stories, and abstracted stands on issues perceived to be of interest to women. Worth looking at.

A Note for Early Birds About Brett Lieberman

Brett Lieberman, Pennsyltucky Politics blogger and Washington reporter for the Harrisburg Patriot News, is slated to be profiled on PCN tomorrow morning at 6:00 a.m. I don't remember reporters being profiled before but I may have missed them. The profiles are usually rebroadcast so this may be an older program. If you miss it, don't fret, it will surely be on again.

legislative updates

As an update to a few items written about previously:

SB1, the open records law, passed the Pennsylvania House and will have to be reconciled with the Senate version in January (text of SB 1, read more at passopenrecords.org).

The House also passed a bill funding hazardous waste cleanup which the governor has said he will sign even though he doesn't like it very well. ("House votes on cleanup bill today," by Kori Walter Bucks County Courier Times 12/12

On the federal level, I've followed some legislation relating to veterans' issues. Rep. Patrick Murphy has issued a press release outlining the status of veterans legislation he has sponsored or introduced. The press release is not on his website yet so I include excerpts from it here:

To restore military readiness, improve accountability over contractors and give our troops a raise, Pennsylvania Congressman Patrick Murphy (D-8th District) today voted for the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Rep. Murphy, a former Army captain and veteran of the war in Iraq , fought for and successfully inserted several provisions in this piece of legislation to increase oversight, accountability and improve the lives of American servicemen and women. Even before the recent controversies involving contractors in Iraq , Murphy had introduced a measure to increase oversight over contracting in Iraq and Afghanistan . His provision would force the different American agencies in Iraq to establish a “Memorandum of Understanding” deciding the roles of contractors. He also fought for a study of contracting in Iraq and Afghanistan by the Government Accountability Office. Earlier this year, he authored and introduced House Resolution 97 – which in part called for a Truman Commission to weed out waste, fraud and abuse in Iraq . That commission will be established following this bill. Also in the NDAA is the Murphy-supported 3.5% pay increase for our troops and the Murphy-sponsored provisions that will help reservists pay for college and help medically evacuated military personnel afford luggage. The National Defense Authorization Act passed by a bipartisan margin of 370 to 49.

later

The NDAA, or H.R. 1585, sets the policy for the armed forces, authorizes the budget authority for the Department of Defense and the national security programs of the Department of Energy. The bill also authorizes funds for emergency needs, including resetting equipment to restore readiness, equipment to protect our deployed troops, and support for ongoing military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan during Fiscal Year 2008. The bill also includes $17.6 million for Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles and the Wounded Warrior Act which was passed unanimously to prevent future Walter Reed-type incidents. The Wounded Warrior Act improves access to quality medical care for wounded service members, cuts through bureaucratic red tape and improves the transition of wounded soldiers from the Armed Forces to the Veterans Affairs system. It also creates a system of patient advocates who fight for proper treatment and establishes a toll-free hot line for reporting deficiencies in facilities.



Provisions Introduced and Passed by Rep. Murphy Call for Increased Accountability over Contractors in Iraq and Afghanistan . The Defense Authorization bill addresses the lack of oversight and accountability by requiring that the Department of Defense, the State Department and USAID decide which agency is responsible for each part of every contract and what each agency’s role is in carrying out contracts. The “Memorandum of Understanding” will clarify the roles and responsibilities in managing and overseeing contracts, including tracking and overseeing contractor personnel and maintaining a set of common databases containing information on such contracts. The bill also addresses oversight by requiring that the Government Accountability Office conduct a study of contracting in Iraq and Afghanistan . In fact, it requires the Secretary of Defense, working with the Secretary of State, to issue detailed regulations for private security contractors mandating the appropriate use of force and accountability. GAO is required to report annually on the handling of contracts in Iraq and Afghanistan .



Provisions Introduced and Passed by Rep. Murphy to Improve the Lives of Soldiers:

* The first of these would expand an education loan repayment program to reserve officers as well as expanding the types of educational loans the military would repay. This will help not only improve the lives of soldiers but also with recruitment and retention.

* The second of these adds a commonsense allowance for service members who have been medically evacuated. There have been stories of wounded soldiers being evacuated and having to place their possessions in garbage bags because their allowances could not be used to purchase luggage – this provision would end that senseless prohibition.



Provisions Murphy Pushed for Also in Defense Bill. Rep. Murphy has been pushing for a 3.5% pay increase for our troops, the establishment of a Truman-type Commission to weed out waste, fraud and abuse in Iraq and changes to the rules of engagement and security regulations with contractors in Iraq and Afghanistan . These measures have been included in the National Defense Authorization Act.

Two More for Treasurer

I'm late with this, but there are at least two Democrats in the running or semi-running for state treasurer. Rob McCord and John Cordisco. McCord is a venture capitalist in Montco. Cordisco is chair of the Bucks County Democratic party and a former state representative. (Source: "From Pa. suburbs, 2 run for treasurer," by Thomas Fitzgerald Inquirer July 2, 2007)

It looks like Cordisco's campaign site will be cordiscofortreasurer.com, but it isn't up and running yet. No word on what McCord's site will be. I see a few possibilities but currently they just open up multiple ad windows so I won't mention them at this point.

Ed's People Call Me (Again!)

The governor's people left another message for me today. I feel so special. The call was in support of a HSCA (hazardous waste clean up) funding bill, the Petri Harper plan in particular. I either wrote down the bill number wrong or they gave it incorrectly because it doesn't match up with the subject, nor could I find any info on that plan. The message asked me to get in touch with my state rep and ask him/her to vote in favor of this bill / plan. Make of that what you will. Golly, I'm popular these days.

Ladies, Start Your Engines!

For women who have considered running for office but are not sure of the process, the Pennsylvania Women's Campaign School might be for you. From the inbox:

Women can gain “The Winning Edge” for elections and learn how to build a successful campaign at the Pennsylvania Women’s Campaign School on January 25-27, 2008 at Chatham University in Pittsburgh . Sponsored by the Pennsylvania Center for Women, Politics, and Public Policy at Chatham University and the Pennsylvania Women’s Campaign Fund (PWCF), the two-and-a-half day intensive workshop led by facilitator Diane Cromer will cover topics including but not limited to creating an effective campaign message, handling communication crises, managing criticism, and fundraising. Participants will work in teams to simulate a real-life political campaign and will have the opportunity to network with local women elected officials.

Note that Chatham is near Pittsburgh so it may be a drive for local folks. More information and registration forms are available at www.chatham.edu/pcwppp and www.pawcf.com. Registration closes on January 9, 2008.

Saying Hello to Michael Nutter

I’ve heard Michael Nutter speak a few times; he’s good at this, strings his words together well, shows some humor, interesting to listen to. It was only recently, however, that I had the opportunity to talk with him in person one on one. We both happened to be in the same place at the same time. I worked my way over to his side of the room. As the conversation he was in was winding down I tapped him on the sleeve and said hello. There is nothing I could say to him that he has not heard hundreds if not thousands of times before and my attempts at humor were probably more than feeble, but he was very pleasant and laughed in the right spot.

No one man can save a city but he can provide the leadership that brings out the best in others and brings together disputing parties. I have high hopes for the city with a Mayor Nutter at the helm.

Holiday Shopping Suggestion: Dangerous and Daring

There are two books out on the market now that you might have heard of: The Dangerous Book for Boys by Conn Iggulden and Hal Iggulden, and the Daring Book for Girls by local area authors Andrea J. Buchanan and Miriam Peskowitz. Both would be excellent holiday gifts for youngsters, say 13 and under, from parents, uncles, aunties, grandparents, or other interested adults.

In the introduction to the Dangerous Book, the authors state:

Boyhood is all about curiosity, and men and boys can enjoy stories of Scott of the Antarctic and Joe Simpson in Touching the Void as much as they can raid a shed for the bits to make an electromagnet, or grow a crystal, build a go-cart, and learn how to find north in the dark. You’ll find famous battles in these pages, insects and dinosaurs – as well as essential Shakespeare quotes, how to cut flintheads for a bow and arrow, and instructions on making the best paper airplane in the world.

What more could you want? There is also a short (1.5 pages) section on girls, very age appropriate. For example, it says that girls are not as interested as boys in using urine as secret ink. Generalizations can be tricky but I think this is a pretty good one. It also suggests being involved in a sport. “It doesn’t matter what it is, so long as it replaces the corpse-like pallor of the computer programmer with a ruddy glow.”

The Daring Book also has sections on knots, lighting fires, and building scooters and short biographies (though of women here), as well as the periodic table and birdwatching. There are practicalities – how to change a tire, information on stocks and bonds, and the whimsical, how to make daisy chains and friendship bracelets. My favorite, though, is the part on how to tie a sari. It conjures up such images. Every sophisticated woman of the world, whether she hails from small town or big city, should know how to tie a sari. You never know when you’ll wake up in India and need to know. It could happen, or why else would it be in the book?

Both books have badges that can be copied or printed off a website, if the reader is a badge collector.

What I like most about both books is that they are not logically arranged. This is not something you sit and read cover to cover in subject order. The sections are put together with no apparent pattern. You just dip into it. It could take ages to work all the way through, in bits and pieces, here and there.

What fun.

A Quick Look at HB 1643

Those who dislike the idea of gun control legislation often say the problem is not the guns but the people using them. I do not necessarily disagree with this ideology. So, you would think that legislation aimed at controlling people who had a problem with guns, especially as it relates to public schools, would pass through the state house like streaked lightning. Not so.


Case in point: HB 1643. The abstract at the top of the bill reads:

Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An act relating to the public school system, including certain provisions applicable as well to private and parochial schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the laws relating thereto," further providing for REPORTS TO DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, FOR RULES AND REGULATIONS AND SAFETY PATROLS, FOR FINANCIAL REPORTS, FOR residence and right to free school privileges, FOR POSSESSION OF WEAPONS PROHIBITED AND FOR SUSPENSION AND EXPULSION OF PUPILS.

The words in caps are additions.

The bill makes it possible for schools to hold students responsible for school rules while at school activities or on their way to and from school. Schools can organize safety patrols to act as de facto crossing guards. It also says that children whose parents have two households can attend the schools in either school district, regardless of who has custody, but the district is not required to provide transportation outside the district.

There is also wording on reports to the Dept of Education.

Then it gets interesting:

[(E.1) A school district receiving a student who transfers from a public or private school during a period of expulsion for an act or offense involving a weapon may assign that student to an alternative assignment or provide alternative education services, provided that the assignment may not exceed the period of expulsion.]

The bills goes on to state other disciplinary issues that allow schools to direct incoming students to alternative schools and other related issues.

If one of our social goals is a safe place for our children to go to school and learn, these would seem to be reasonable rules. Students who need greater discipline and behavioral programs should get them. All too often when we read about violent incidents in schools at least one of the students involved has been in trouble before.

Especially when weaponry is involved, schools should not be required to take a student who is transferring from another school because of a disciplinary incident.

The voting on this bill? It came up for the 3rd consideration on Dec. 3rd. It was voted on at 101-100 which was considered a defeat. I do not understand how a 101-100 vote is considered a defeat but that’s what the voting roll and bill history say. It was immediately put to a vote for reconsideration, which passed 104-97. The voting was primarily along party lines. Two Democrats had an excused absence. Two Democrats voted against it. Four Republicans voted for it. One of those was Daryl Metcalfe!

I was surprised at one of the Democratic no votes, Rep. Bryan Lentz of Delaware County’s 161st district and had the opportunity to ask him about it. His objection:

I voted against because of the provision that allowed separated or divorced parents to send their children to either parent’s home school district regardless of where the children live. I think this would put an additional burden on the school districts that border the city like Upper Darby which is already under tremendous pressure as a result of an influx of students from outside the district.

This is a logical reason to oppose the bill and it is unfortunate that the two concepts were put together in the same legislation. One does wonder if the entire Republican delegation (minus 4) felt the same way. It would indeed be very educational to know what the discussion was surrounding this bill was but we will have to wait 6 months to find out. The most recent House Journal available online is for June.

If this bill passes on reconsideration I wonder if the Black Caucus of the House, which walked out in protest over the inaction on gun control, would consider this sufficient progress to return.

PA in the WSJ

This is a list of articles regarding Pennsylvania in this week's Wall Street Journal. Chances are I missed something, but these are the articles that caught my eye.

It should be noted that I routinely do not read the editorials in the WSJ. So any discussions of the state, its elected officials, businesses, or citizens, in editorials will not be mentioned here.

PA Politicians

For good or ill, our folks stayed out of the papers again this week.

PA Businesses

A Cintas laundry outside Pittsburgh is mentioned in “Safety issues beset industrial laundries,” by Kris Maher (12/05)

Patrick Barron a business consultant in West Chester is quoted in “Some cry foul over relief plan for borrowers,” by Sudeep Reddy, Douglas Belkin and Jonathan Karp (12/04).

“Hershey rating is cut by Moody’s,” (12/04)

“Toll Brothers likely has to face the music,” by Michael Corkery (12/06)

“Toll Brothers sees some relief from Bush plan but issues a grim forecast,” by Michael Corkery and John Spence (12/07)

American Eagle is among the chains listed in “Retail chains record mixed sales,” by Mary Ellen Lloyd (12/07)

“Toll gains; Nordstrom moves up,” by Karen Talley (12/07)

Other PA

Moises Chan, a physicist at Penn State, needs helium, as noted in “As demand balloons, helium is in short supply,” by Ana Campoy (12/05)

Philadelphia is included in a map but not mentioned in “Why every day isn’t a holiday for air travel,” by Scott McCartney (12/04), on the opening of military airspace for busy air travel days.

A Penn State study on the health benefits of garlic is mentioned in “Finding the true power of a pungent bulb,” by Laura Johannes (12/04)

A University of Pittsburgh researcher and a Homestead, PA resident are mentioned or quoted in “The graying of shock therapy,” by Shirley S. Wang (12/04).

The Pittsburgh court is deciding whether or not to allow the U.S. trustee for Pennsylvania to depose a Countrywide Financial Corp. executive; see “U.S. expands scrutiny of home lenders,” by Amir Efrati (12/03)

In “Lessons learned from a wild year,” by Carolyn Cuti, John Bogle of Vanguard, and Jeremy Siegel of the Wharton School are among the 12 experts giving advice. Others may have had PA connections as well, those are just the ones I could pinpoint.

Russian immigrants in Philadelphia are among the immigrant groups mentioned in “How subprime-loan mess hit poor immigrant groups,” by Jonathan Karp and Miriam Jordan (12/06)

J. Peter Rubin, a Pittsburgh plastic surgeon is quoted in “Evidence grows that consumers are pulling back.” By Rhonda L. Rundle and Kelly Evans (12/08)

Other Interesting Tidbits

Something I view as a disturbing trend, the growth of professional fundraisers in lower levels of political campaigning, is outlined in “Fund-raising brokers reshape U.S. campaigns,” by Christopher Cooper (12/05)

weekly legislative update

This is a list of bills that passed the Pennsylvania House or Senate this week, and mention of any noteworthy resolutions. Standard caveats apply (resolutions not generally included, list of sponsors deleted if it was too long - three lines in the originally formatting).

Our accountant friends at PICPA don't have an update this week.

Other updates this week:

PA GOP Senate
PA Democratic Senate
PA GOP House
PA Democratic House


Resolutions

HR 522 A Resolution recognizing the patriotic, cultural, historic and artistic aspects of stamp collecting and related documents.

Bills

Special Session

SB 25 By Senators WAUGH, PUNT, GREENLEAF, MUSTO, COSTA, M. WHITE, WOZNIAK, STOUT, MELLOW, ARMSTRONG, FOLMER, MADIGAN, ROBBINS, SCARNATI, VANCE, REGOLA and RHOADES. Prior Printer's No. 16.Printer's No. 39. An Act amending the act of November 30, 2004 (P.L.1672, No.213), known as the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act, further defining "alternative energy sources" and "Tier II alternative energy source"; and further providing for alternative energy portfolio standards.

General Session

HOUSE

HB 1308 By Representatives CALTAGIRONE, BELFANTI, CREIGHTON, DALEY, GEIST, HENNESSEY, JAMES, KIRKLAND, KORTZ, MURT, YOUNGBLOOD, SIPTROTH, HORNAMAN and THOMAS. Prior Printer's Nos. 1613, 1841.Printer's No. 2915. An Act amending the act of June 23, 1931 (P.L.932, No.317), known as The Third Class City Code, providing for a probationary period for police officers and firefighters.

HB 1408 By Representative D. EVANS. Prior Printer's No. 1788.Printer's No. 2106. An Act amending the act of February 9, 1999 (P.L.1, No.1), known as the Capital Facilities Debt Enabling Act, further providing for appropriation for and limitation on redevelopment assistance capital projects.

HB 260 Prior Printer's No. 292.Printer's No. 2771. An Act requiring executive agencies to prepare and submit strategic plans, performance plans and performance reports; and imposing additional powers and duties on the Office of the Budget.

HB 306 Prior Printer's No. 347.Printer's No. 2831. An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, repealing provisions relating to certain appeals from the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board.

HB 1250 Prior Printer's Nos. 1538, 2227, 2801.Printer's No. 2874. An Act amending the act of September 27, 1961 (P.L.1700, No.699), known as the Pharmacy Act, further providing for definitions; providing for registration and permits for pharmacy technicians; further providing for multiple licensure, for refusal to grant revocation and suspension, for State Board of Pharmacy, for hearings and suspensions, for reinstatement, for drug therapy protocols and for penalties; and providing for collaborative drug therapy management.

HB 1664 Printer's No. 2199. An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for theft of leased property.



SENATE

HB 1604 An Act designating a portion of State Route 145 in Northampton County as the Battle of the Bulge Veterans Memorial Highway.

HB 296 By Representatives R. STEVENSON, BOYD, CALTAGIRONE, DENLINGER, GINGRICH, HUTCHINSON, M. KELLER, KOTIK, MILLARD, O'NEILL, PHILLIPS, PICKETT, PYLE, REICHLEY, GEIST, SIPTROTH and WANSACZ. Prior Printer's No. 338.Printer's No. 2873. An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for costs imposed following conviction for passing bad checks and for the offense of debt pooling.

SB 778 By Senators ARMSTRONG, ORIE, RAFFERTY, FERLO, COSTA, EARLL, RHOADES, WAUGH, MADIGAN, STOUT, WONDERLING, STACK and BRUBAKER. Prior Printer's No. 901.Printer's No. 1581. An Act providing for long-term care patient access to pharmaceuticals; and conferring powers and duties on the State Board of Pharmacy.

SB 826 By Senators ARMSTRONG, MUSTO, MELLOW, FONTANA, CORMAN, ERICKSON, BRUBAKER, FUMO, GORDNER, O'PAKE, WONDERLING, ROBBINS, VANCE, SCARNATI, D. WHITE, PILEGGI, BROWNE, BAKER and REGOLA. Prior Printer's No. 1009.Printer's No. 1609. An Act amending Titles 24 (Education) and 71 (State Government) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for actuarial cost method.

SB 1000 By Senators WONDERLING, C. WILLIAMS, CORMAN, ORIE, GREENLEAF, ERICKSON, RAFFERTY, FUMO, PICCOLA, FOLMER, KITCHEN, BROWNE, MELLOW, O'PAKE, FONTANA, WASHINGTON, MADIGAN, McILHINNEY, COSTA and HUGHES. Prior Printer's No. 1346.Printer's No. 1490. An Act prohibiting the regulation of voice-over-Internet protocol and other Internet protocol-enabled products and services; and providing for preservation of consumer protection, for fees and rates and for preservation of cable franchise authority.

SB 1125 By Senators ORIE, SCARNATI, PILEGGI, PUNT, FONTANA, COSTA, RAFFERTY, LOGAN, ROBBINS, MUSTO, ERICKSON, BAKER, GREENLEAF, ARMSTRONG, CORMAN, KITCHEN, DINNIMAN, WAUGH, PIPPY, STACK, BROWNE, BOSCOLA and WASHINGTON. Prior Printer's No. 1505.Printer's No. 1573. An Act amending Titles 18 (Crimes and Offenses) and 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, prohibiting the use of name, portrait or picture of a soldier in certain cases.

SB 1147 By Senators WASHINGTON, FONTANA, HUGHES, MELLOW, C. WILLIAMS, KITCHEN, MUSTO, WOZNIAK and STACK. Prior Printer's No. 1529.Printer's No. 1575. An Act amending Title 23 (Domestic Relations) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for information relating to prospective child-care personnel.

SB 1156 By Senators FOLMER, PILEGGI and BOSCOLA. Prior Printer's No. 1536.Printer's No. 1576. An Act amending Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for notice and hearing and for disposition of dependent child.

SB 1159 By Senators RHOADES, MADIGAN, BAKER, STOUT, PUNT, MUSTO, RAFFERTY, ORIE, COSTA, WONDERLING, WAUGH, O'PAKE, DINNIMAN, BROWNE and ARMSTRONG. Printer's No. 1548. An Act designating Long Pond Road in Tunkhannock Township, Monroe County, from the intersection with SR 115 eastward to the intersection with Stony Hollow Road, as Dr. Joseph Mattioli and Dr. Rose Mattioli Drive.

Another Prank Call

On my voicemail this evening, a call saying House Democrats have not kept their promises to fix health care. The Republicans can solve it zippy quick. They want me to call my rep and ask for their support on a particular amendment to HB 1973 and SB 1137. The amendment is named after two reps but when I went to the pahousegop.com site to verify my interpretations of the names, I discovered their list of reps was outdated. For instance, LeAnna Washington is still listed, even though she has been in the state senate for two years. Cherelle Parker, who now represents Washington's old house district, is not on the list. I cannot imagine what list I am on to get that call.

A Word on Guns

Last night I called an old friend from college who lives near Omaha, to make sure she and her family were okay. They were, but a relative of hers was in the mall store when the gunman was firing. They hid during the shooting. My friend was still shaky. Who could blame her? Someone in my household had a gun encounter earlier this year. When I was in my early 20’s I got a good look at the wrong end of a firearm. I am hopeful it was a one time event; things like that tend to stick with you and once would surely be enough.

We’ve had some personal safety issues this year. The kids are strongly encouraged to play in the backyard as opposed to the front. We’ve altered some long time habits and reinstated some lapsed precautions.

There is some truth to the theory that taking guns away will not stop murders and violence. A relative of mine was murdered by an estranged spouse in a particularly gruesome way. He set her on fire. She did not die immediately but lingered in the burn ward for a few weeks. Think about that.

And yet, much of the violence in this area is surely the result of the easy availability of weaponry. Not all of it, certainly, but those domestic disputes or friendly arguments that so quickly go wrong. Then there are those who act impulsively, like the young man in Omaha who killed 8 people.

I don’t know what the answer to this is. Trying to end straw purchases would surely help. But I’m fairly certain that holding up all legislative work until gun control laws are passed won’t solve the problem.

I ask State Reps Thaddeus Kirkland, Tony Payton, Jr., Jewell Williams, John Myers, Angel Cruz, Rosita Youngblood, Curtis Thomas, Thomas W. Blackwell, James Roebuck, Jake Wheatley, Cherelle Parker, and Harold James to reconsider their walkout.

A better open records law would also be a help to the citizens of the state. I wish they had picked different legislation to start the protest.

Source: “Black Caucus walks out over guns,” by Angela Couloumbis and Mario F. Cattabiani, Inky, 12/06

Early Endorsements

The Drexel Democrats have endorsed Anne Dicker in the Democratic primary for the 1st State Senate District.

In the 10th Congressional District, a couple of Republicans are taking on Chris Carney, the incumbent Democrat. One of the GOP contenders, Dan Meuser, announced that he has been endorsed by former senator and current Inky columnist, Rick Santorum. (Given the election results last November, is that something to broadcast?)

Prothonawhat?

There was a lot of media attention on the Democrats winning five row house offices in Montgomery County last month. Two of these were prothonotary and clerk of courts. The general public (and some political insiders) may have wondered what the heck a prothonotary is and why it mattered.

Let’s take a look at these two offices and how they intersect. First off, one might think the word is pronounced pro/tho/notary, but it isn’t; it’s pro/thon/a/tory. So now you can say it at cocktail parties without fear of embarrassment.

Both offices handle the paperwork of the court system but one is civil and one is criminal. If you are getting a divorce or are party to a lawsuit with a neighbor, you file your papers on the civil side, with the prothonotary. If are accused of embezzlement, etc., it is on the criminal side and you deal with the clerk of courts. Or at least that is how I understand it. Others are welcome to chime in.

To get the local views on it, here are how Bucks and Montgomery County define the positions.

Prothonotary

Bucks County

The office of the Prothonotary is the Clerk of the Civil Division of the Court of Common Pleas. This elected row officer has administrative control over and responsibility for all official documents and records of the civil and family divisions. It is the duty of the office to record such legal documents as Appeals, Assignments, Commencement of Actions, Equity, Divorce, Complaints, Executions, Final Orders, Judgments, Liens, Name Change Petitions, Signatures of Notaries Public, Satisfactions, Subpoena's, Exceptions to Judicial or Tax Sales, Revivals and Minor's Compromise. Additionally, the Office of the Prothonotary initiates judgments entered by magisterial district justices to the Court of Common Pleas. The prothonotary also processes appeals from the magisterial district justices to the Court of Common Pleas as well as appeals from the Court of Common Pleas to the Superior, Supreme and Commonwealth Courts.

The mission of the Office is to see that these documents are docketed, microfilmed and processed timely and in accordance with State requirements.

Montgomery County

The Prothonotary is the Chief Clerk of the Civil Court. The word is of Greek origin, and it means "First Clerk." The Prothonotary's office of Montgomery County is responsible for filing, storing, and distributing official civil documents.

Clerk of Courts

Bucks County

The mission of the Clerk of Courts office is to provide a wide range of services to the public, judicial systems, county government and other agencies. Employees, in performing their constitutional and statutory duties are committed to operation in a fair, helpful and efficient manner. We accomplish this by maintaining high professional standards through employee training and technology optimization.

Montgomery County

The Clerk of Courts is the clerk of the criminal court and retains custody of all original cases. The office maintains a computerized index and docket in which a record is kept of all documents filed in each case.

Court costs and restitution are assessed and collected for each case. These court related costs are distributed in accordance with the law to the appropriate municipal, county and state offices and restitution victims.

The office is responsible for the collection of bail money and its return to the surety upon completion of court action.

The office maintains miscellaneous records and dockets relating to the division of election districts, the appointment of election officials, constables and private detectives.

Delaware County

Not unexpectedly, Delaware County does it differently and has combined these two offices into one.

Office of Judicial Support

Prior to the adoption of the Home Rule Charter, the functions of this office were performed by the Office of the Clerk of Courts and the Office of the Prothonotary. The office now functions under one department head, Deborah Gaston, with an additional Criminal Division and a Civil Division.

The Criminal Division is responsible for case files in all criminal cases processed from the local District Justices. In addition, the division handles the posting of bail, the return of bail, summary appeals and appeals to the appellate courts.

The Civil Division handles all civil cases which involve suits by individuals, unincorporated and incorporated businesses, liens against properties and judgments on individuals are also filed and maintained in this office.

The office also provides a Court Clerk for each sitting judge and others handling matters pertaining directly to the courts. Notaries must register their signatures in this office.

Now you know.

These Boots Are Made for Walkin'

The Brookings Institution has ranked the country's cities by walkability. The full report is called "Footloose and Fancy Free: A Field Survey of Walkable Urban Places in the Top 30 U.S. Metropolitan Areas"

Christopher B. Leinberger, a real estate developer and visiting fellow at Brookings, set out to quantify the walkability trend by counting the number of "regional-serving walkable urban places" in each of the 30 biggest metropolitan areas in the country.

"Regional-serving" means the place is not just a bedroom community, but has jobs, retail or cultural institutions that bring in people who don't live there.

Pennsylvania's two largest cities made the list. Pittsburgh is #9; Philadelphia gets unlucky #13.

(Source: AP. "Metropolitan areas ranked for walkability," found on CNN site.

2007 Interview Series

There were fewer races this year and interviews were fewer and farther between than last year. I ventured a little outside the typical political arena and picked up two non-candidates. As with the 2006 series, some people approached me, some I approached, and not all those asked said yes. We'll have to see what next year holds.

Peter Amuso (candidate for Montgomery County District Attorney) 10/23

Scott Yates of LgDb 9/25

Diane Marseglia (recently elected as Bucks County Commissioner) 9/18

David Landau (candidate for Delaware County Council) 8/21

Sy Snyder (pseudonymous editor of PoliticsPA) 12/18/06

Off Topic: Mailing Care Packages

Again this year I sponsored a project for one of the kid's organizations to send care packages to soldiers overseas. Today is the suggested deadline to mail packages if you want them to arrive before Christmas. So I spent part of the day packing and repacking to make sure everything that could be put into two ziploc bags was, none of the donated reading material was objectionable according to military rules, that everyone had one of everything, and that those packages going to female soldiers had a few extra things. To make the actual mailing easier I picked up the custom forms in advance, but even so, filling out a bunch of them is no fun. Fortunately there was no line at the post office counter and the gentleman on duty was nice about me showing up with 15 or 20 minutes worth of weighing, labeling, stamping and so on. The only people who came in while I was there just slid letters into the slot. My part was relatively easy, not so much on the other end. It's sad that someone's idea of a happy holiday is getting toothpaste and a paperback novel from a stranger.