Act Blue Page for State Candidates

I've been really bad about plugging the ActBlue page eRobin and I set up for state house and senate candidates. If there is extra change in your pockets consider donating it to the people listed here. (Or if you prefer the national races, this is always this guy.)

A Miscellany of Links

I do have some debate notes but won't have them ready to post until tomorrow if then. In the meantime, here are a few links for your perusal.

The AFL-CIO has a political portal with a lot of good data, and there is a state page for PA, also with a lot of good data.

One of these interesting data bits is a poll showing Democratic challenger Patrick Murphy ahead of incumbent Republican Mike Fitzpatrick 44-40 in the 8th congressional district, but the polling firm is tagged as partisan.

If you don't like any of your choices for a particular race on the ballot, NOTA-PA would like to show you how to write in "none of the above" or any other name you'd like to substitute.

The Sunlight Foundation is sponsoring a research project to investigate how many congressional representatives keep their spouses on the campaign payroll.

IssuesPA has some new items up on health care and the candidate's views on the issue.

Belated Bloggy Welcome

Someone recently alerted me to another fine PA-based political blog that had previously escaped my notice. A belated big bloggy welcome to the Public Radio Capital News Blog, written by Damon Boughamer. There are a number of good posts on the main page right now, including the synopsis of a report on how many PA state lawmakers become lobbyists once they leave office, as well as Boughamer's forecast for the state house elections.

It's worth a look see.

Santorum / Casey Debate

Senatorial Debate

This debate was between incumbent Republican Sen. Rick Santorum (RS) and Democratic challenger Bob Casey, Jr (BC). It was sponsored by KDKA and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Ken Rice moderated. I missed the first 5 minutes or so of the PCN rebroadcast. Casey was answering a question when I tuned in. As always, my apologies for any errors or misinterpretations. The candidates talked over each other quite a bit so in places it was impossible to tell who was talking and what they were saying.

BC: This is as much about hypocrisy as it is about residence. Sen. Arlen Specter says the senate doesn’t meet often and he wants to extend workweek.

RS: We spend 35 to 40 weeks at work. How often were you at work last week. Look in the camera and tell the people how often you are at work. I have a 98% voting record and BC only spends 50% of his time at work.

BC: Don’t be a desperate campaigner. I get results.

RS: He won’t answer questions.

BC: I hope Rick answers the question you posed. You ripped the taxpayers off. Pay the money back.

[They were talking over each other and it was impossible to catch what they were saying. The moderator tries to bring order and wishes the next questioner good luck]

Q2: Nuclear scientists from Iran and North Korea are working together. What should we do?

BC: We must do everything possible to prevent Iran and North Korea from developing a nuclear weapon or a nuclear bomb. Pres. Bush pointed out 3 axes of evil, but we started with weakest of the 3. We must put all options on the table. Don’t take military option off the table. RS just talks and talks and talks about sanctions and then allows loophole for Halliburton to do business in Iran.

RS: My opponent does not provide any answer to the question. I’ve tried to deliver on a policy that will change security of this country. I disagree with Pres. Bush on having former pres of Iran to come and visit [taunts BC over whether he knows Khatami’s name]. We must contain Iran, don’t let them get nuclear weapon.

BC: He didn’t answer the question. Are you going to do everything possible [follow up what should we do] We should use allies but the terrorism threat is greater now because of our policy we have alienated allies. RS should fill in gap in loophole.

RS: Didn’t fill loophole because we didn’t want to offend our allies. BC doesn’t understand the issue. Islamic fascism is the greatest threat to this country.

Q3: The war in Iraq is one front in a war on terrorism and Islamic facism. Is Iran stronger because of the war in Iraq?

RS: That analysis is compared to what? Classic Monday morning quarterbacking. What would have happened if we hadn’t gone into Iraq? After 9/11 we went after Al Qaeda in Afghanistan; it was a success. Baathists leaders in Iraq were state sponsors of terrorism. We could no longer allow radical regimes to let weapons of mass destruction be used. A third threat developed – Iran. We haven’t been attacked in 5 years. This is not a mistake but because of US policy. We have refashioned homeland security

BC: National Intelligence Estimate (??) The war on Iraq made it difficult to fight war on terrorism. RS is satisfied with where we are on war on Iraq. What we should have in Iraq is a series of focused ideas, clear and measurable benchmarks.

RS: BC has not offered anything. We have clear benchmarks and have set them out. On “Meet the Press” he said [something about special forces] [They argue about how many special forces are in Iraq and what they are called and how long it takes to train them, etc.]

[moderator tries to move on, they keep arguing. The moderator says they are “killing our time keeper and trashing your own rules]

Q4: work ethic. RS says BC lazy, resting on laurels of his father, hand picked by National Dems to run, isn’t campaigning or showing up for work

BC: If this case comes down to who’s working harder, I’ll win that battle. I’ve gotten results as state treasurer, developed new program for hospitals to borrow money at a lower rate. RS doesn’t use his power to do things like that. I used state treasurer’s office to get good investments for the state. RS thinks we should stay where are. Specter says they don’t work hard. The Senate has more recesses than any school in America.

RS: I asked BC and he refuses to answer how often he is in his office. BC gets a $135K paycheck. BC has done two public events a week to run for senate. I didn’t coast into this job because of my last name. I’ve worked hard for people of PA. BC doesn’t show up for work or campaign. I don’t think BC has done a good job as state treasurer.

BC: You’re listening now to someone who is a desperate candidate. Wild desperate candidate. He doesn’t want to talk about his own record, a record of rubber stamping a failed policy. We haven’t heard a single new idea about what RS would do if relected. BC set forth 10 very specific plans.

RS: Delivered section 508? to 14? Hospitals in PA. He mentions a hospital that gave him an award. He has real deliverables to health care for this state. Again, calls for BC to look in the camera and tell how often you are at work.

[In the next section of the debate, they play campaign commercials, and the candidates can rebut and defend. RS commercial on Casey contributors being crooks]

BC: That ad was not only unfair but full of non-truths, that’s what Post-Gazette said. One of those people is dead. It is bad enough to talk about the dead, but RS sought the support of two of the people in the ad for his campaign. They are not related to the issues of the campaign, such as BC’s record. If the race comes down to who you hang around with in your job or campaign RS spends a lot of time on K Street.

Rs: This is really sad. He doesn’t answer the question. We put up this factual ad and he doesn’t respond. The guy who is dead gave BC office space in his gubernatorial race. BC gave money at someone’s behest to politicians in NJ.

[show casey ad saying RS voted against minimum wage but raised his own pay, also mentions RS’s kids cyberschool]

RS: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette paper is very liberal and left-wing and has never said a good thing about me in 16 years. RS voted against min wage 10 times and for it 10 times. The min wage he voted against didn’t have a provision for small businesses. It isn’t for or against minimum wag but for or against small business. BC could have stopped state legislative payriase. In 16 years RS has voted for a 6% payraise in senate when cost of living has gone up 44%. Says BC signed state legislative paychecks without checking on the legalities of it.

BC: RS is hyperventilating about the state payraise because people in PA know he took 3 payraises but denied payraise to the hardworking people of Pennsylvania 13 times. If it comes down to who has benefited from payraises, RS told district constituents [missed the rest of his answer].

Q5: social security and medicare as time bombs, little appetite for privatizing , how to keep solvent?

RS: I am Chairman of the social security subcommittee [missed the rest of this], and asked all sides to come together. People who are retired have guaranteed benefits. The problem is long term, we must guarantee current benefits, let younger works take some social security money and invest. That is the long term way to bridge solvency gap. People are living longer and having fewer kids. BC says grow economy by increasing taxes.

BC: Rick gave part of my answer and I appreciate that. We need a strong economy. Debt number has gone up several trillion dollars since RS in office. The crisis in social security right now is privatization. Taking away part of a guaranteed benefit and replacing it [something about how this is a guarantee only for Wall Street].

RS: Again he doesn’t answer the question. Why is it ok to let the rich invest in stocks but those with a lower income he doesn’t want to let invest.

BC: That’s a reaffirmation of his position, to privatize social security. To do that alone in short run would drain trust fund. What we have to do is stop thievery from social security trust fund.

Q6: immigration. BC is against amnesty but does supports a bill that allows illegal aliens to get on path to citizenship

BC: I don’t think what the senate bill sets forth is amnesty. RS didn’t take tough stand on stronger border control, voted against border control and holding employers accountable. 16 weeks before the election he discovers an issue that he thinks will get some traction. The number of illegal immigrants is up, but cases against employers are down. BC would support this bill over doing nothing.

RS: BC is saying illegal immigrants can stay. In 96 I did try to toughen up immigration bill but it didn’t work. Bipartisan bill. It didn’t work effectively and as a result increased immigration. BC says I want to raid social security. But BC wants to give illegal immigrants social security benefits.

[follow up : against local law enforcement deporting illegal aliens]

RS: I want a bill that enforces employer verification, I don’t want to give tuition benefits, social security benefits to illegal aliens.

BC: Doesn’t want illegal immigrants to get social security benefits. Sen. Specter and McCain agree that the bill does give amnesty.

RS: Border guards go up 40%, voted for increased funding.

Q7: Are you a uniter or a divider? PA traditionally favored moderates

RS: I can and will provide a list of bipartisan issues that I have worked on. Mentions combating autism, puppy mills, lyme disease, open space, Syrian accountability, Iran freedom and support act, welfare reform (refers to Clinton / Santorum Welfare reform bill). I thing people perceive me this way because I look people in the eye and tell them what I think.

BC: No one would begrudge Santorum being an effective Republican in the senate. He has spent far too much time in dc on Republican ideology than interests in Pennsylvania. Why did he give away taxpayer dollars to oil companies instead of redirecting money to alternative energy. Votes 98% of the time with GB.

RS: The last compromise on the welfare reform bill put more money in for childcare and reverse commute funds. Mentions dairy farmers. No one has worked harder for coal industry and cleaning up coal mines

BC: RS is #2 in congress in big oil money, #1 in insurance money and pharmaceutical money.

Q8: BC do you want to be senator more than you wanted to be gov., are you just a guy who wants to be something?

BC: I ran for gov in 2002 and lost. It was a humbling experience and I benefited from that. I ran for state treasurer and won with a record # of votes. I was asked to consider running for senate. It was a hard decision for my family and for someone new in office as treasurer. What’s at stake is more important than the ambitions of any public official or candidate. We cannot stay on road of deficit and debt. RS is satisfied with where we are. RS is not showing independence. BC represents a change. [follow up do you still want to be gov?] Running for senate precludes running for any other high office like gov.

RS: How can you say so many words and say nothing? Talking point after talking point. He’s run for 4 statewide offices in 6 years. I’ve run for one office 3 times. I want to spend time working hard as the senator from Western PA. I’m not running for any other office over the next 6 years.

BC: RS leaves out of his little speech there, I pledged that I won’t run for any other office if elected. I supports pre-k education, ethics reform.

RS: When BC announced in March that he would run for office he had his campaign web site up before the state treasure’s web site was up.

BC to RS: On Sept. 3 on Meet The Press, you said Rumsfeld was doing a fine job. Why?

RS: I’m the only candidate to have sued Rumsfeld, and Rendell over [missed this]. Rumsfeld transformed the military into something that can respond to new threats. I used the term asymmetrical threat for terrorism before most people. I have been on the watch and put forth ideas that congress has passed.

BC: You didn’t use the word Iraq. Principle concern of the Am people have with Rumsfeld is Iraq. RS is not critical of policy in Iraq

RS to BC: How much $ is in public school retirement system? Do you invest in outsourcers of American jobs?

BC: That retirement system has over 75 billion dollars and gets great returns. [RS: don’t you know ?] I don’t know how much is invested in outsourcers. RS is having trouble living up to his record.

RS: The answer is 25% of funds invested in outsourcing.

Closing Statements:

RS: Thank yous. We’ve worked to represent the people of our community. VA hospitals are not closing in Western PA. I’ve worked hard to keep 2 sports teams here, keeping Sony and 2800 jobs here. I’m a passionate guy, tough, a fighter. I’m an Italian kid from a steel town. My father is an immigrant. I get to every single county every year. I’ve been elected to serve in leadership and can help do more to help the community.

BC: Thank yous. KDKA. Ken Rice. The choice is clear. You can stay on road we’ve been on, deficit and debt, don’t put people of Pennsylvania first. More high health care costs. 180K manufacturing jobs in PA lost. We need change. Roll up our sleeves in a bipartisan way. Fight terrorism, trade deals protect our workers. I’ve spent the last decade as a public official fighting fraud.

Patrick Murphy Delivers National Democratic Radio Address

Patrick Murphy, Democratic candidate for the 8th congressional district, delivered the National Democratic Radio Address today. You can listen here.

Reading over a transcript the campaign provided, I found the last few paragraphs to be very eloquent:

I have no illusions that the path ahead will be easy. Whether it is bringing our troops home from Iraq, ending nuclear proliferation, or restoring American prestige, there are no easy answers. But I fought for an America who never shies from the challenges it faces and always rises to meet even its greatest threats. We need leaders who understand that America faces real challenges in an ever more dangerous world.

In my time in the United States Army, I was taught that true leaders tackle the toughest challenges head on. And when I am elected to the United States Congress, I will continue to do the same. I'm Patrick Murphy and I'm running for Congress because I believe we need to change the direction of our country.

PA-07 Update

A few updates in the 7th Pennsylvania congressional district. Incumbent Republican congressman Curt Weldon is being invstigated by the FBI. There was an article in today's Inquirer, "Rep. Curt Weldon faces FBI investigation," by Kimberly Hefling and Lara Jakes Jordan (full text here). The first two paragraphs give the gist:

The FBI is investigating whether Rep. Curt Weldon, R-Pa., used his influence to secure lobbying and consulting contracts for his daughter, two people familiar with the inquiry said Saturday.

The inquiry focuses on lobbying contracts worth $1 million that Weldon's daughter, Karen Weldon, obtained from foreign clients and whether they were assisted by the congressman, they said. They spoke on condition of anonymity because of the confidentiality of the criminal investigation.

Were that not bad enough, one of those automated telephone polls shows Weldon trailing Democratic challenger, Joe Sestak, by more than 10 point. The details are in an article from the Delaware County Times, "New poll shows Sestak leading Weldon," by William Bender (10/13/2006, full text here). First two paragraphs:

An automated phone poll conducted this week shows Joseph Sestak running eight points ahead of U.S. Rep. Curt Weldon, with Democrats poised to form a majority in the House if current trends hold, a polling group announced Thursday.

Sestak is leading 52-44 in the 7th District, according to a poll released by Majority Watch -- a partnership between RT Strategies, a bipartisan polling firm, and Constituent Dynamics, a Seattle-based company specializing in automated polling technology.

I'm never quite comfortable with automated phone polls, but there have been other indications that the race is either close or tilting towards Sestak.

weekly legislative update

No bills or resolutions were passed this week in the Pennsylvania legislature, although several were shuffled around to comittees.

Nonetheless, our accoutant friends at PICPA have provided their legislative update anyway.

Inquirer Candidate Profiles

No debate or event coverage for a few days. Family matters and a faulty transmission have been taking up my blogger time. In the interim, you might enjoy reading through some of the candidate profiles (primarily congressional races) and other coverage of regional political races. They are collected together at http://go.philly.com/pavoters.

New Poll for 161st State House (Lentz / Gannon)

According to a press release from the Bryan Lentz campaign:

A recent poll, however, conducted on behalf of the Lentz campaign demonstrates that in the face of that negative onslaught, Lentz closed a 22 point gap since August and is now in a dead heat with Tom Gannon.

later

Jeff Pollock of Global Strategies, who conducted the poll, said the numbers speak for themselves. As Lentz's message continues to percolate through the district, more voters will get on board.

Lentz, a veteran of the Iraq War, as well as service in Bosnia and the Sinai Peninsula, was a prosecutor in the Philadelphia DA's office before going into private practice. He is the Democratic challenger to incumbent Republican Tom Gannon who has been in the state house for 28 years.

[Note: I had originally copied the same press release quote twice when I meant to include two different quotes. My apologies for this error. It had now been fixed.]

Waiting for Bill Clinton

Unlike Godot, Bill Clinton does actually show up in this post, but not until the very end. Those who do not wish to read about the rest of my day's adventures can scroll down. I bolded Clinton’s name when he actually appears. You can read Susie’s post about Bristol here and Atrios’ brief note on Bryn Mawr here. An early news report is here.

I had a comp day coming and decided to take it and spend the day chasing former president Bill Clinton. He was scheduled to appear at a rally in Bristol for Patrick Murphy around noon and then at a later rally at Bryn Mawr for Lois Murphy and Ed Rendell. What else would a sane person with piles of things that need to be done at home do on an overcast day away from the office? It should be said that one reason for traipsing around after Clinton is that I had heard him speak in Philadelphia when he was running for president the first time and seeing him again in the area would have some symmetry. Serendipitously he was on PCN last night in a rebroadcast of a Joe Sestak rally. Knowing that political events don’t always go as planned I enjoyed watching Clinton on tv, in case I didn’t get to see in person again.

For the morning rally people were advised to show up around 10:30, with the gates opening at 11:30 and Clinton slated to talk at noon. The times had shifted in the flurry of announcements I saw, always going later.

Expecting a crowd, I arrived in Bristol right around 10:30, and found parking about 5 blocks away from the street area where the rally was to be held. People were orderly and patient. The side streets were blocked off and the policeman at the main entrance area was polite. I noted buttons or t-shirts for Patrick Murphy (“The 8th district is Murph Turf”), Paul Lang, Mike Diamond, and Harris Martin. A number of people were working the crowd with volunteer sign up sheets. The one who told me the secret service wanted everyone to sign up for security reasons was, in my view, pushing the honesty envelope just a tad. One of the local cats stepped out an open window on the third floor of a building onto the roof of a second floor bay window and sashayed around, looked the throng over and decided we were less interesting that the birds in nearby trees. A few tail flicks later the cat went back inside. One or two people were concerned about the cat’s well-being but no one shouted “Jump, Kitty, jump!” as they might have in a more disorderly setting. There was a banner over the intersection. It had never occurred to me to look at how banners are attached to buildings but since the cat had gone and the volunteers with sign up sheets had moved on there wasn’t much else to occupy the mind. There are metal strips bolted to the bricks on the buildings and at the end of the metal strip there is a place for a banner ropes to be attached. How ingenious. My respect for architects and urban planners grows.

At 11:30 we were allowed onto the blocks near the stage. Bristol is a pretty town. There were a lot of streetside trees. I ended up in front of a store called Design Works that had a lot of interesting lamps and home furnishings, along with Halloween decorations. If I had more disposable income (or were more willing to part with what I have) I could probably spend a lot of money in there. As it is I resisted temptation and stayed outside. Just to the right of the stage someone had put a life-sized (or thereabouts) statue of Yoda in an upper story window. He appeared to be looking over the festivities. There were several cameras on a raised area across from the podium. They took crowd shots and a couple of the cameramen encouraged people to cheer. My guess is this footage is for reactions shots but I could be wrong. A few people started grumbling about having stood so long. When I arrived there were already a lot of people there so some had probably been on their feet for over two hours at this point.

At noon Neal Samuels (?), vice chair of the Fighting Dems team came onto the podium. It was a pleasant surprise to see a sign language interpreter on the stage also. The platform was high enough that you could get a good view from where I was, about half a block away. There was a HUGE flag behind the stage. Samuels gave a welcome and asked everyone to recite the pledge. Then a woman came out to sing the Star Spangled Banner and the crowd joined in. CBS3 said there were thousands in attendance and I would not dispute that. As sappy as it sounds there is nothing quite like standing in a mass of strangers saying the pledge and singing the national anthem. Really. Just ahead of me were two young men with an alarming number of facial piercings. My teeth hurt just looking at the multiple lip rings. Their underpants were hanging out of strategic holes in their jeans. One had on a shirt with the caption “3 inches of blood.” Not my usual noontime compadres. On either side were an older woman in a fleece sweatshirt with pictures of birds appliquéd on it and an older gentleman in a “veterans against the war” t-shirt that had clearly seen better days. A yuppie looking mom with a stroller had passed by not long before, as had a man with a boy on his shoulders. There we all were, together, reciting the pledge and singing together, under the trees on a street in Bristol. I thought it was a beautiful moment.

Joseph Saxton, the mayor of Bristol, came to the podium next. I don’t know anything about his mayoral abilities but he is a great speaker. He talked about the history of the town, and its motto – “Welcome, Friend,” and invited everyone back for future events. I was really impressed. The city has a very effective booster in Mayor Saxton, as least from what I could see at this one event.

Next up was Bucks County Commissioner Sandy Miller. In her talk she said if Patrick Murphy were not such a wonderful candidate, Bill Clinton wouldn’t be here today.

Following Miller were a host of state house and senate candidates. Each spoke for a minute or two. I didn’t take notes during most of these talks. My apologies to the candidates for that.

John Norvaisas, 145th state house district
Larry Glick, 143rd state house district
Jay Trimble, 144th state house district
Brad Kirsch, 29th state house district (he made a point of saying he was running on his own money because he could but we should donate to other candidates)
Marion “Les” Leszczynski, 178th state house district
Mike Diamond, 31st state house district
Chris King, 142nd state house district
John Galloway, 140th state house district
Harris Martin, 18th state house district
Tony Melio, 141st state house district (incumbent)
Jeff Albert (not in attendance, but mentioned and a bio read), 12th state senate district
Dave Wilsey (not in attendance but his remarks were read), 24th state senate district
Chris Serpico, 10th state senate district, who gave a very lively talk with references to elephants and teaching his children to drive (R to go backwards, D to go forwards)
Paul Lang, 6th state senate district, was next. His speech was, as usual, very good. He compared his and Patrick Murphy’s military service to that of their opponents.

At this point a singer came on stage to entertain us until Murphy and Clinton arrived. It was 12:50. I had been standing on middle-aged knees, one less sturdy than the other, for two and a half hours. If you can walk around your knees won’t freeze up but swooping around the crowd probably would have attracted the attention of security, and not in a pleasant way. There were few enough people to shift now and then but too many to stroll unimpeded. I weighed my options – stay and wait for Clinton here or head on over to Bryn Mawr and try to get a good seat there. The flyer for that event said it would begin at 1:45 and it was rumored to be a full-house. I made an executive decision and headed back to the car. Other people who had to be back at work or who looked like their knees were even older than mine, were also leaving, but most people stayed.

Traffic on the turnpike and the Blue Route was relatively light. Finding a parking spot was no fun. The place I found turned about to be a 15 to 20 minute walk from the building where the Clinton / Lois Murphy rally was to be held, with two stops along the way to ask for directions. Some colleges put up signs everywhere to make it easy for people to find buildings and such. Bryn Mawr is not one of these. I guess if you are on campus you are supposed to know where things are. The location made it sound like an indoor setting but this was incorrect. It was in a green area in the middle of an old stone building. It was nowhere near as crowded as I was expecting and I found a spot on the grass to sit down. Three serious looking men in dark suits came in and someone came over to ask me if Clinton still had a secret service detail. The same thought had crossed my mind and we discussed this topic for a few minutes. I looked at a stone pillar behind me. At the bottom was an inscription that the stone had been laid in 1903. Some had scratched a note below that saying it had not been laid since.

Near the center of the green area there was an octagon-shaped stone cistern, about 2 feet deep. I wondered how many people had fallen in it while strolling around at night. Two women in spike heels stood on the edge to get a better view and I worried about their safety. At this point, around 3:00 p.m., it started to rain. I needed to leave by 3:30 or 4:00 to leave time for traffic before picking up the kids, and considered packing up then and calling it a day.

At 3:10 the headliners arrived. Rendell spoke for about 2 minutes, introducing Lois Murphy. She talked for about 2 minutes about her race and introducing Clinton. He opened by telling us that even though it was chilly and raining he had taken off his suit jacket because this was his 31st wedding anniversary and he was taking Hillary to dinner and didn’t want his jacket to be rumpled. The crowd loved it. He talked about his friendship with Rendell and what a good and honorable candidate Lois Murphy was. He said the founding fathers were pretty smart people who set us on the path to form a more perfect union, not a partisan union. This led to the observation that the people in power now were not representative Republicans but from a narrow strip of the Republican Party. This left the Democrats as both the liberal and conservative party. Some of his remarks were similar or identical to ones I had heard on PCN the night before but, make no mistake, Clinton is a spell-binding speaker. I abandoned note taking to just listen to him talk. He uses words well and has a wonderful voice. In his closing remarks he said the problem with rallies is that you were preaching to the saved and he urged everyone to talk to their friends and neighbors and get out the vote. By 3:40 I was out the door and headed back to the car.

I wish I could have heard Clinton in Bristol and in Bryn Mawr to compare his remarks and the audience reactions but it just didn’t work out that way. The trip to Bristol was well worth it, just to say the pledge and sing if nothing else, but also to hear the state house and senate candidates, especially those I had not heard before. I did regret missing Patrick Murphy’s remarks, as it is always a pleasure to hear him, and he doesn’t usually give the same speech twice, so there is always something new.

For those who are wondering why I didn’t just write two paragraphs giving the political gist of what happened at the two events, well, if I had to spend the whole day watching cats on balconies and looking at ribald inscriptions, you could at least read about it. Plus, this is what a lot of political stuff is like and there’s no sense pretending otherwise. A special thank you to the nice young man at one of the campaigns who did everything possible to encourage me to come to Bryn Mawr. I appreciate your efforts.

Oct. 10th Gubernatorial Debate

Gubernatorial Debate

Incumbent Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell (ER) and his Republican challenger Lynn Swann (LS) debated on Oct. 10th, 2006 in Philadelphia.

I caught the rebroadcast on PCN. These are my notes. As always, I apologize for any errors or misinterpretations.

Moderator Jim Gardner

Q1: Problems in the city are increasing, but Philadelphia’s influence is decreasing. A Democratic governor is often hamstrung by a Republican legislature

ER: I hope governor is the governor of the whole state not just Philadelphia as he has been. 38,000 more Philadelphia school kids are proficient in reading now than before. Better mass transit. Working with the legislature we have gotten things done.

LS: We need change, putting the entire interest of commonwealth at heart. Once elected, the governor should be the governor of the entire commonwealth, stop playing favoritism and stop playing politics.

Q2: Legislature recently heard 100 bills on reducing gun violence.

LS: There are a number of laws on the books currently. We need to enforce current laws. I was recently in Philadelphia speaking to community activists, spent 1.5 hours talking with them. No one ever mentioned guns. The problem is caused by lack of hope and despair, lack of good education, lack of jobs. Create more hope and people will turn away from crime

ER: First need more police. We have put more police on the street. We need better law enforcement and sensible laws to control distribution of guns. Philadelphia should be able to have its own gun laws. We need to stop straw buyers. An ordinary citizen could buy 12 a year, with a once gun a month rule. How would that be a problem?

[Follow up 41 states allow cities to set own gun laws]

LS: The problem is not the gun but the person who has a gun. We need to crack down on straw purchasers.

Q3: Property taxes. Assessments are out of whack. We have a gambling effort that has yet to put money in pockets of homeowners. What will you do?

ER: 5 governors for 30 years have promised property tax relief. I did something. For senior citizens this is a great bill. I wanted to do more. I wanted to raise sales tax, but couldn’t get it through the legislature. We have to keep at it. We need leading Republicans to come out in favor of sensible gun control, 1 gun a month.

LS: ER’s property tax reform for seniors falls short. 1 in 6 get some relief but others don’t. It gives some money back but doesn’t reform the system. My plan ties into purchase price, and is guaranteed not to go up more than 3%. It creates a system of equality, gets rid of assessment.

ER: Everyone gets property tax relief. 60% of seniors would get dramatic property tax relief. LS’s plan is not predictable because it is based on surplus, requires constitutional amendment and so is 3 or 4 years away, based on CA plan.

LS: Only takes 3 years for a constitutional change. Caps property tax based on purchase tax. Has nothing to do with surplus. Only goes up 3%, inflationary hedge.

Q4: State has surpluses right now. People talk about permanent subsidies for police, witness protection program.

LS: Absolutely for that. My crime package calls for another 5,000 police in state. ER’s recent budget offered 0$ for witness protection program. The problem did not happen overnight. We need to work with communities, let law enforcement do their job.

ER: Agree with more police. Witness protection program was funded at around one million dollars. We must control spread of gun violence, up 84% in terms of murder rate. Urges LS to have a press conference with him to support 1 gun a month and slow down straw buyers.

[follow up – one crime bill voted down, to buy ammo must have gun license]

LS: I don’t know what the discussions were, and have not seen bill. If we had more open meetings I would know more. Need more transparency.

Q5: Superior Court Judge wants to return pay raise, even if she gives it back she has to pay taxes on it, and the state’s contribution to pension fund is based on higher pay.

ER: This makes no sense. I tried to work on this with IRS. I said I wouldn’t take raise but I would have to pay taxes on it. Pay raise a mistake. Gov. Ridge gave a pay raise to the legislature. That also a mistake. I should have done what did in Philadelphia and have a citizen commission with open meetings, make recommendations.

LS: It is nice that ER says now that payraise was a mistake. He wasn’t willing to follow up on promise of property tax but give legislators a raise. Shouldn’t ER’s experience have taught him this was not a good thing? That’s why we want good leadership.

ER: LS keep saying we didn’t achieve property tax reform but we did. LS hypocritical, did not back reformers, but legislative leaders who came up with payraise idea. LS said they should be judged on the totality of career not just the payraise.

LS: ER backed people who supported payraise too. People voted incumbents out. Ed’s chance will come.

Q6: In Philadelphia and other cities the drop out rate remains a serious problem.

LS: Must put emphasis on high schools. Look at what schools that are doing well are doing and transfer those ideas to schools doing poorly. 50% kids in Philadelphia who enroll in high school are dropping out. Create educational zones. Make sure poorly performing schools get the resources they need. We need to talk with teachers and administrators.

ER: PA is one of only 7 states to show good progress in proficiency in reading and math. The achievement gap between minority and majority is narrowing. We need to invest in early childhood education. When they get to high school they need after school tutoring. This program is having tremendous results.

LS: I have two sons, 8 and 10 years old. They are getting a great education. All I have achieved is the result of a great education. As an African American I am embarrassed that of 2200 minority students in Pittsburgh, 29 took advanced placement test, only 3 passed. Not closing educational gap.

[follow up on what does it mean to pass ap]

LS: only 3 got high enough scores to get ap credit

ER: We are making progress. It is a long haul. We are making an improvement by doing smart things. Things are getting better, not rapidly enough for LS or even ER.

Q&7: One million Pennsylvanians don’t have health insurance. What can we do to solve this problem: Cites Massachusetts plan.

ER: Very proud that we have more Pennsylvanians covered by health insurance than before took office. We need to do more than just add them to state plan. Mentions that he must pay out of pocket to get name brand drugs instead of generic. We must let nurse practitioners do more things, for example put in stitches in the emergency room.

LS: Good question. We need reform. Not just adding people and cost. Massachusetts is on a good path, as is Florida. We need reform instead of more taxes. We also need tort reform. 10 hosp in Pennsylvania have closed, another in bankruptcy . ER did not sign Fair Share Act. We only keep 7.8% of the doctors we train in Pennsylvania, in 94 it was 50%.

Q8: Pennsylvania’s readiness for terrorism attack, biological or chemical warfare.

LS: I’m not privy to certain things because I’m not in office and some information is only available to elected officials for security reasons. Pennsylvania received a certain amount of money from Homeland Security. The state has spent about 50% of that. The lt gov, sits at head of FEMA. My lt. gov. candidate, Jim Matthews is well qualified to lead us forward.

ER: We have distributed all the Homeland Security money to 9 regional taskforces which will distribute to municipalities. We have done desktop exercises and get specific training in those issues. We have shown ability to deal with emergencies, such as the response to recent flooding (National Guard, 1200 helicopter rescues). We have responded well to natural disasters.

Q9: Reliable funding base for SEPTA. The Delaware Valley Rail Passengers organization says accumulated mismanagement is a problem and the SEPTA board has little or no practical experience in transportation.

ER: SEPTA was mismanaged in the past. When I was mayor there was a 40 day strike. SEPTA reduced workforce to better levels. Better now. We still need dedicated source of funding. I flexed funding but that doesn’t solve the long run problem. Maybe we should take a higher percentage of sales tax to dedicate to mass transit.

LS: The DVRP report came out in 2004? [yes] Problems well-documented in trying to find dedicated source of funding. Flexing funds only prolonged the problem but didn’t fix it. There are a number of problems and issues to find solution. Transit shouldn’t be so costly that people who need it most can’t afford it. Don’t raise taxes to make it work.

[don’t’ increase fares and don’t raise taxes, how to pay for it?]

LS: We need to see that it is run correctly. Work problem through not put a bandaid on it. Not another commission. Investigate public private partnerships.

ER: When I flexed the money it was because the legislature wouldn’t pass a dedicated funding plan. A transportation reform commission has been working on it for 18 months. We need to make tough decisions. In the end we have to find dedicated funding.

Q10: State recently received an F in college affordability.

LS: We must see that kids can afford college. We must have jobs and opportunities. If there aren’t jobs college students will leave. Greatest export in Pennsylvania is college students. We must invest in new businesses of tomorrow. Between June and the end of Aug we lost 35,000 jobs and added 15,000 more people to unemployment.

ER: In 9 out of the last 10 months Pennsylvania has broken its record on the number of jobs. We have increased subsidies to community colleges. State colleges have held tuition increases to 2 and 3%. The average grant is now $3,000. We’ve done a good job so far but need to do more.

Q11: Within days of the Amish school shooting Inquirer reporters could walk into schools. Would you support uniform safety rules? What other solutions?

ER: Yes, I would support both. Schools violence is more than just a person coming in and killing people. In last 2 years incidents involving guns gone down. Incidents of sexual misconduct and problems in elementary schools are up. We need to put troubled kids in alternative schools. We must also do something about bullying.

LS: Yes, there should be standards across states. The basic fundamental thing a government should do is make people safe. We must move forward. We need talk with community groups and to young people about behavior. Young people having babies and single parents who don’t know how to parent. We must work with faith-based group and community groups. I was on the board of Big Brothers and Big Sisters. I have seen what an effect a positive role model can have.

Q12: State money to cultural groups. We have built sports stadiums but the Philadelphia zoo is losing its elephants. Should state be doing more? Cites NJ support of the Camden aquarium and Maryland’s support of their zoo, where our elephants are going

LS: A circus without an elephant is not a circus. A zoo without elephants is not a big zoo. Education and quality of life is not just about schools, but we need culture and arts. We need a well rounded diverse culture. We should look and find ways for the elephants to stay.

ER: The arts and culture produce more economic activity than sports. In Philadelphia we have given over $100 million to arts and cultural groups. States has grants for this. We must do more. I am working with Sen. Conti and others to give surplus that LCB has to arts and cultural organizations around the state.

Q13: PA legislature is the 2nd largest legislative body in the US and has 253 members. Why do we need so many lawmakers.

ER: We should reduce the size of the legislature but do it when redistrict. We also need term limits. Citizen soldiers not professional legislators. Need citizen redistricting to make competitive districts.

LS: I think governor just endorsed me with his citizen soldiers comment. It is very difficult for someone who has been in public service for 25 years but has not led charge for reform. Sen. Pippy introduced proposal to reduce size of legislature. We can’t wait for redistricting.

Q14: Is gambling a good way to improve jobs and growth?

LS: I don’t know that gambling will produce large number of jobs. If gambling is going to be an economic engine then adding a PA middleman distributor of machines will increase costs. Gaming commission says only about half money that ER thinks will come in.

ER: Gambling can be a help. It will stabilize 30,000 jobs in the horseracing industry. It will add another 30,000 jobs. It has brought in developers of a shopping mall near the track. 5% of gaming revenues go to economic development proposals. Gaming commission says it will not only meet but exceed expectations.

Q15: Global warming, carbon dioxide from coal plants. Do you believe in global warming a problem or an exaggeration.

ER: Global warning is a serious problem. We have been aggressive in handling the problem. We have adopted stronger mercury standards than federal. Pennsylvania sportsmen endorsed the higher standards. We have higher standards for emission standards for cars. We must do something about air quality.

LS: We must take care of the environment. Sometimes it is difficult to raise state standards higher than federal standards. Emissions standards will increase the costs to consumers. Instead of regulatory actions, we need to get business to help resolve problems. Possible effctive and productive. Don’t create adversarial relationship.

ER: LS incorrect again. 10 states including NY and NJ have higher emission standards and it does not increase the costs of cars. Things can coexist. California created 2nd highest job growth in nation and they have higher car standards.

LS: I asked people in the automotive industry; they said cars would cost more.

Q16: English as official language

ER: It is a bad idea. Government should put forms out in any language possible.

LS: We are a nation of immigrants. You can often find direction in many languages. English only is shameful.

Closing statements.

ER: I dedicated my entire life to public service, as a district attorney, mayor and governor. This experience has afforded me the opportunity to see what government can to help people. Today life in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania is better than it was 15 years ago. I have worked across party lines. Working together we accomplished a great deal. Together we can can continue to work for a better Pennsylvania.

LS: It is a great opportunity to be able to run for governor. I ask for your vote. If you are better off now than 4 year ago, and agree with policies put forth in last 4 years, then vote for Ed. If you think we need to move forward vote for me. Reform and Results.

Sestak / Weldon 7th Congressional District Debate

This past Friday in the 7th Pennsylvania congressional district incumbent Republican Congressman Curt Weldon (CW) debated his Democratic challenger Joe Sestak (JS). The debate was replayed on PCN on both Satuday and Sunday. The Saturday replay started earlier than advertised and I missed the first part. I caught the part I missed on Sunday but having it split over two days breaks up the flow. Also, the rules of the debate, either requested by or simply agreed to by, both candidates, were somewhat unusual. Candidates did not get rebuttal time so each regularly took the first part of his answer time for the next question to rebut what his opponent had said in answer to the previous question. I'm just not mentally quick enough to keep all of it straight. Plus, a few of the questions were sufficiently vague or long-winded that it was difficult if not impossible to transcribe.

Taking all that into account, here are my rough notes. When I say rough I mean rough and I apologize for that and, as always, for any errors or misinterpretations. There are a number of things I missed. If you are interested in the race and if the debate is rebroadcast I encourage you to watch it for yourself.

Introductions by Barbara Zippy, President of the Delaware County Press Club.

Larry Mendte, born and raised in Lansdowne, served as moderator.

In the opening statement both pointed out humble origins.

The first question was on Iraq. JS says Iraq was never a clear and present danger and is a tragic misfortune. CW thanks JS for serving and serving honorably. He says war is always a symbol of diplomatic failure. UN passed 19 resolutions, each time Saddam Hussein refused to comply.

The second question was on illegal immigration. CW says we need to close borders and that terrorists come in through Mexico. We should also work on a guest worker program. JS also thinks we need to secure our borders but does not like the idea of building a wall, especially as people have already built a tunnel under the border. Mentions the possible use of unmanned aircraft to spot people crossing the border illegally.

The third question had something to do with small businesses owned by women. JS discusses the prejudice his sisters and his wife has faced. Cites a long list of CW's votes that he thinks were detrimental to women. He says unemployment in the district is down because people are moving out of it, and suggests ways of increasing venture capital funds. CW says he has been working on this topic for 30 years and that he has worked with Cheyney and Villanova to ease the transfer process and helped author the Family and Medical Leave Act in the House. [There was an exchange between the that the moderator interrupted.]

The fourth question was on mass transit and alleviating traffic problems. CW pledges continuing effort for mass transit and says he is part of the Commuter Caucus. Worked for funding on 422 project and projects in King of Prussia. Works with heads of local transit groups. Used to be chair of the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission. Rendell took money from PennDOT to give to mass transit. Will work for funding for AMTRAK and SEPTA. JS goes back to previous question and says CW has voted with current leadership 9 out of 10 times. Makes subtle reference to Mark Foley scandal. Then he turns to transit and said it must be done but done with accountability. He mentions earmarks and says they are important but the process must be made more transparent with names and votes next to them. We need a strategic day to day implementable energy plan. Must invest in public transportation. Must open up more transit lines. Also security. Open accountable investment in public transportation.

The fifth question was on the candidate's roots, where they grew up, etc. JS: born and raised here. Love this place. Voted here for 31 years. In the Persian Gulf where there were real threats and not conspiracies they sometimes got absentee ballots after the election. He does have a home in VA bought when he worked at pentagon. Still has it for daughter’s medical care. The military is the most respected group in America according to polls, congress next to last. He wants to fix that. CW: Lived her emy entire life. Taught school here, fought fires here, putting his life in danger. Youngest of 9 children in Marcus Hook. In his family you had a role, everyone has a role. He went to congress poor and will leave poor. He has never owned a share of stock and never will. He helped form the Community Action Agency, a nonprofit not a government agency. National Boeing union forced to endorse Sestak but rank and file will vote for him (Weldon).

Q6: FAA wants to change flight patterns at the Phildelphia Airport. One proposal would put more landing patterns over Delco. CW: Dealing with the government is not always easy. He worked to get helmet insert in Marine helmets. He will fight the delco proposal. He has had meetings at home and in DC. You’ll have the toughest fighter in America on your side in me. Fights CIA fights Rumsfeld. Will fight for this too. Philly owns Philly airport and NE airport but most of the runways are in Delco. JS: He really wishes CW had opposed Rumsfeld on war in Iraq. [Discussion of the V-22 which escaped me completely] Appreciates CW's public service. Poverty gone up from 6% to over 9%. Lost jobs. We need to address a lot of issues differently. Issue of airport began in 2001. Everyone wants to be a leader in a crisis to lead us out of a crisis but it is better to work to avoid the crisis in the first place. Of the 27 meetings held already only 1 in Delco, 0 in Tinicum. Must be addressed differently and early. Need to address other issues besides noise, like health [something about airplane fuel].

The seventh question concerned education and opening lines of communication between educators and legislators. JS says he is endorsed by many unions, local as well as national. When he went into navy of the Chief Petty Officers only 1 in 5 had a high school degree. Now they must have associates degree. CW voted in Feb for largest student aid cut in nation’s history. No Child Left Behind underfunded. CW particularly reposible for war, didn’t listen to Gen. Shinseki who wanted more troops. CW cut funding to NCLB. Only as good as the strength of our people, their health, etc. CW: He can’t believe JS takes credit for V-22. There are 25 teachers in congress, most of them lawyers. He says he didn't vote to take one dime from student aid. He paid off his student loans as did his wife. His 5 kids had student loans that he is still paying off. Don’t say he cut student loans. Has increased eduction funding by 45%. Increased special education funding. In America costs for basic education paid by the states. Go talk to the governor. Also about excessive property taxes. Rendell said he would eliminate property taxes. CW has outreach program for teachers.

The last question also dealt with illegal immigation. CW: Immigration is a federal issue. Get senate to move on immigration bill. House has taken position. After Nov CW will work on bipartisan measure with both houses. Need guest worker program. JS: Appreciate CW being there but is he being effective? Reiterates claim that CW cut student aid, including Pell grants. We don’t distribute brains according to property taxes. We need federal funding for education. Immigration is a federal issue. Protect borders. Bush only put fines on 4 companies for hiring illegal workers and only prosecuted 3.

Closing statements:

JS: Leadership was needed on 9/11. We still need leadership and a new direction of change. The future of our nation being mortgaged. CW only vote for minimum wage when it was tied to tax cuts for rich; otherwise he voted against it 8 previous times. JS is a home town boy who never forgot what it was like to live here.

CW: Thanks press club and moderators. Celebration of democracy. Not a perfect a system, but the best one. In his career he has brought people together. Some of his best friends in congress are Democrats. He an build consensus. He is being targeted by every national liberal group in the country. Joe has nationals. CW has locals. They live here they know what is like to work with me.

Can't Tomlinson Go It Alone?

On Friday, Paul Lang and Robert "Tommy" Tomlinson met with the editorial board of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Tomlinson is the Republican State Senator for the 6th state senate district; Lang is his Democratic challenger. It is common for candidates to have a meeting like this as a pre-endorsement screening, and some have written about how rigorous they can be. Tomlinson was accompanied by his former chief of staff, Jim Cawley, who is currently a Bucks County Commissioner. Lang asked if Cawley was taking a vacation day. According to a press release from the Lang campaign, Cawley said "Don't go there." It seems to me to be a reasonable question. Why would a sitting county commissioner take time on an afternoon to attend such a meeting? Tomlinson has been in the state senate since 1995 and served in the state house for four years before that, surely he can manage on his own, can't he? If he can't, maybe it's time to retire. And doesn't Cawley have county business to attend to?

A Few Points on a Bronze Star

This past Friday incumbent Republican Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick, of Pennsylvania’s 8th congressional district (Bucks County, a sliver of Montgomery County, and a bit of Philadelphia), held a press conference. Fitzpatrick is in his first term of office, and running in a tough re-election campaign against Democratic candidate Patrick Murphy. It is a truism of politics that the first re-election campaign is the most difficult, the incumbent most vulnerable. Sometimes that makes people reckless. Sometimes it makes them stupid.

Murphy has made his service in Iraq a hallmark of his campaign. He mentions it often in debates and interviews. Military service records are detailed documents, where you were, what your MOS (roughly, a military job description) was, what company you were with, company commander, letters of recommendation or rebuke, and so on. There is also little privacy in the military, especially in wartime, and almost everything you do has at least one, and often a number, of witnesses. Falsifying or exaggerating military service, or misrepresenting someone else's, is a foolish thing to do, especially when the term of duty was relatively recent and memories still fresh.

Please note this report of Rep. Fitzpatrick’s press conference:

At the press conference in Newtown Township with Fitzpatrick, U.S. Air Force Major Kevin Kelly said Murphy, a former Army captain and paratrooper, has misled voters by claiming on the campaign trail he spent his time in Iraq dodging bullets and disarming improvised explosive devices. Murphy was “not a frontline fighter,” said Kelly, a Philadelphia resident who served in Iraq as an F-16 pilot from January 2006 to May 2006.

U.S. Army Capt. Richard Barbato, who served in the 82nd Airborne, the same division as Murphy, joked that Murphy was always back at the unit's headquarters while the rest of the unit's soldiers were fighting.

“While we were up on the front lines ... [Murphy] didn't see the same things we did,” Barbato said.(Source: “Murphy targeted by Iraq war vets,” by Brian Scheid, Bucks County Courier Times, 10/07/06, full text here)

Let’s dispense with Major Kelly’s remarks first. Capt. Murphy has made the recommendation letter for his Bronze Star available on his website. http://www.murphy06.com/sheets/m06_bronze-star-info.pdf. Look on page 3 of the pdf. In the first paragraph,

“Additionally Capt. Murphy was the convoy commander in over 75 movement-to-contact missions throughout the Baghdad area of operations, one receiving small arms fire and another successfully scouting the eventual detonation of an improvised explosion device, but all resulting in mission accomplishment and no soldiers killed or wounded in action.”

I think Major Kelly owes Capt. Murphy an apology and Capt. Barbato should find something else to joke about.

The issue of the Bronze Star, the fourth-highest medal for heroism, bravery or meritorius service, is another matter that perhaps needs to be addressed. Of the 500,000 soldiers who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan less than 10%, 47,000, have been awarded the Bronze Star, and some people think that is giving out too many ("Bronze Star loses its luster," by Christine Ramirez of the Scripps Howard News Service, Capitol Hill Blue, July 25, 2006, full text here). Even so, 47,000 is not a lot, and those who have shared that honor with Capt. Murphy may not look too favorably on Rep. Fitzpatrick for sharing the stage with two men who denigrate it. To be eligible for the Bronze Star Medal, a military member must be getting hostile fire/imminent danger pay, during the event for which the medal is to be awarded.

Murphy’s duties in Iraq also included training our troops, and working with Iraqis to establish or restore their judicial system. Read the full Bronze Star recommendation. It is fascinating

But, back to Fitzpatrick, who has never served in the military, what did he do while the men sharing the stage with him denigrated a decorated veteran? Nothing. According to the previously cited Bucks County Courier Times article:

After the press conference, Fitzpatrick said he disagreed with the veterans.

“In no way, shape or form would I ever question Pat Murphy's service to our country,” said Fitzpatrick, who is not a military veteran. “I recognize and appreciate Pat's service to our country as much as anyone in our community.

“As far as his military service in Iraq, I take him fully at his word,” Fitzpatrick added.

After the fact he says he wouldn’t question Murphy’s service, but at the time he stood quietly while others did. He let someone else question it for him.

That’s not to say that Fitzpatrick has no direct knowledge of Iraq. He himself took a short trip there last year. At the Anaconda Airbase in Balad things got lively when mortars hit. Here is a quote from the Bucks County Courier Times ("Fitzpatrick under fire in Iraq," by Brian Scheid, 12/31/05):

As explosions and gunfire ripped through the night, Fitzpatrick said he was escorted into a bunker with other soldiers for about an hour until the "all clear" signal was sounded.

Fitzpatrick who was in Iraq on a tour of the war-torn Middle East with seven other congressmen, said no one was injured in the bombardment. He said one of the soldiers he met seemed to be accustomed to the shelling.

"You get the impression that they operate under these circumstances from time to time," he said from a phone at a U.S. air base is Islamabad, Pakistan. "It was a surprise and a serious time."

So Fitzpatrick has visited there, seen hospitals being shelled, is surprised by this, and thus has first hand knowledge that even supposedly safe areas in Iraq are vulnerable to attack, and he stands there and lets people imply that anyone who served in Iraq wasn’t in harm's way? Not exactly a profile in courage.

You can contribute to Patrick Murphy's campaign on his website, www.murphy06.com.

(Full disclosure: This evening I was part of a telephone conference call where someone who served with Murphy verified the record of his service. I have also heard other veterans who served with Murphy talk at other events.)

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 accountants friends at PICPA have updated their legislative page; anyone who pays an EIT may wish to read over their update this week.


The Inquirer has renewed their practice of listing significant bills that passed the state legislature. I haven't been able to find their materials online but will continue to invesigate the possibility of linking to them.

Other weekly updates are available for this week:

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

Resolutions

Several resolutions passed, but none really struck my interest.

Bills

House

HB957 Prior Printer's Nos. 1092, 1958.Printer's No. 4738. An Act relating to hours of employment of certain employees; providing for penalties and remedies; and imposing powers and duties on the Department of Labor and Industry.

HB 2544 By Representatives DIVEN, TURZAI, COSTA, KOTIK, EADSHAW, MUSTIO, T. STEVENSON, RAMALEY, PETRONE, FRANKEL, DeLUCA, MARKOSEK, WALKO and WHEATLEY. Printer's No. 3750. An Act amending the act of July 28, 1953 (P.L.723, No.230), known as the Second Class County Code, further providing for county employee retirement allowances.

HB2584 Prior Printer's No. 3865.Printer's No. 4410. An Act providing for umbilical cord blood banking; requiring health care facilities and providers to give pregnant patients information regarding umbilical cord blood banking; and requiring health care facilities to permit pregnant patients to arrange for umbilical cord blood donations.

HB 2731 By Representatives S. MILLER, BOYD, CALTAGIRONE, CRAHALLA, GEIST, GINGRICH, HENNESSEY, HERSHEY, LEH, MAJOR, MARSICO, MUSTIO, PALLONE, PARKER, SANTONI, SIPTROTH, E. Z. TAYLOR, YOUNGBLOOD, DENLINGER and PETRONE. Printer's No. 4153. An Act designating the Duryea as the official State automobile of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

HB2893 Prior Printer's No. 4539.Printer's No. 4737. An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for unlawful contact with a minor.

SB 993 By Senators BROWNE, WONDERLING, ORIE, M. WHITE, LEMMOND, EARLL, BOSCOLA, RAFFERTY, JUBELIRER and REGOLA. Prior Printer's No. 1334.Printer's No. 1893. An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, further providing, in sales and use tax, for assessment, for reassessment, for review by Board of Finance and Revenue, for appeal to Commonwealth Court, for refund of sales tax attributed to bad debt, for refund or credit for overpayment, for restriction on refunds, for refunds, for refund petition, for review by Board of Finance and Review, for appeal to Commonwealth Court and for extended time for filing special petition for refund; further providing, in personal income tax, for assessment, for jeopardy assessments, for procedure for reassessment, for review by Board of Finance and Revenue, for appeal to Commonwealth Court, for restrictions on refunds and for limitations on refund or credit; further providing, in corporate net income tax, for definitions, for reports and payment of tax; for changes made by Federal Government, for settlement and resettlement and for enforcement relating to corporate net income tax; providing, in corporate net income tax, for assessments, for jeopardy assessments, for limitations on assessments, for extension of limitation period, for audit by Auditor General and for collection; further providing, in gross receipts tax, for imposition; further providing, in realty transfer tax, for determination and notice, for lien and for refunds; further providing, in mutual thrift institutions tax, for imposition and report; providing, in malt beverage tax, for assessment by department; providing for procedure and administration; further providing, in general provisions, for estimated tax, for underpayment, for refund petitions and for timely filing; and providing, in general provisions, for assessments to be made by department.

SB 1242 By Senators FERLO and PIPPY. Prior Printer's No. 1918.Printer's No. 2105. An Act amending the act of December 14, 1992 (P.L.818, No.133), known as the Port of Pittsburgh Commission Act, further providing for the definition of "port district."

Senate

SB 1235 By Senators RHOADES, BOSCOLA, ERICKSON, WONDERLING, C. WILLIAMS, WASHINGTON, O'PAKE and COSTA. Prior Printer's Nos. 1917, 2056.Printer's No. 2106. An Act amending the act of February 14, 1986 (P.L.2, No.2), known as the Acupuncture Registration Act, further providing for regulation of the practice of acupuncture; and providing for medical diagnosis.

HB 1285 By Representatives McCALL, GEIST, BELFANTI, CALTAGIRONE, FABRIZIO, GEORGE, GOODMAN, JAMES, PRESTON, READSHAW, REICHLEY, SCAVELLO, THOMAS, WALKO, YOUNGBLOOD and MELIO. Prior Printer's Nos. 1529, 1966, 4362, 4643.Printer's No. 4714. An Act amending Titles 74 (Transportation) and 75 (Vehicles) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for administrative practice and procedure; further providing for period of revocation or suspension of operating privilege; and abrogating a regulation.

SB 983 By Senators WONDERLING, PICCOLA, JUBELIRER, BRIGHTBILL, CORMAN, FONTANA, ERICKSON, PIPPY, PUNT, WENGER, ORIE, BROWNE, RAFFERTY, BOSCOLA, MADIGAN, GREENLEAF, RHOADES, ARMSTRONG, PILEGGI, REGOLA and CONTI. Prior Printer's No. 1325.Printer's No. 2112. An Act amending the act of June 29, 1953 (P.L.304, No.66), known as the Vital Statistics Law of 1953, further providing for registration districts and local registrars' duties and for death and fetal death registration.

SB 1297 By Senators KITCHEN, WASHINGTON, HUGHES, A. WILLIAMS, FUMO, TARTAGLIONE, FERLO, RAFFERTY, ERICKSON, RHOADES, COSTA, MUSTO, LEMMOND, ORIE, BROWNE and DINNIMAN. Prior Printer's No. 2013.Printer's No. 2033. An Act providing for the designation and recognition of the third Saturday in June as "Juneteenth National Freedom Day."

SB 1305 By Senators VANCE, PICCOLA, WAUGH, ORIE, ARMSTRONG, CORMAN, COSTA, EARLL, FERLO, MADIGAN, PILEGGI, PIPPY, RAFFERTY, ROBBINS, WENGER, D. WHITE, M. WHITE, WONDERLING and REGOLA. Prior Printer's No. 2062.Printer's No. 2114. An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175), known as The Administrative Code of 1929, providing for transfers of appropriations and for notice of transfers and loans between funds.

McGill in Hot Water

Gene McGill, representative for the 151st state house district, is in hot water, and that isn't a reference to the plumbing in the township-owned house he's been staying in for free.

In 2003 McGill wrote a letter asking for leniency for a constituent. Who was being sentenced for having a sexual relationship with girl, starting when she was 14. And whose father had contributed around $1,500 McGill's campaigns over a period of years. The man was declared a violent sexual predator. McGill's letter to the judge asked the court to take the man's community involvement into account when sentencing him. According to the Inky,

[He], then 35, began courting the girl when she was 13 through an Internet chat site, according to court records and testimony. For more than two years, starting when she was 14, [he] had sex with the girl in a park near her home, at his recording-studio business, and at his home when his wife and children weren't there. He also took sexually explicit photos of the girl, had her look at pictures of other children engaged in sex, and had her beat him and mock him for sexual pleasure.

While McGill says this is the only letter he wrote for someone charged with a sex crime, he does have this to say about the people of the 151st:

McGill said that he was very careful with such letters, and that he took great strides not to weigh in on the crime but to merely tell the court what he knew about the person.

"I take their personal situations and their tremendous problems sincerely," he said. "Sometimes you almost fall out of the chair when you hear them... . I'd like to tell you that all the people in the 151st District are saints, but the fact is that they are not."

I'm going to have to add "don't denigrate the voters in the media" to my personal list of no-nos for elected officials, right after "don't ask for leniency for sex offenders."

Read the entire article in today's Inquirer (Cattabiani, Mario, "Official vouched for sex offender -- State Rep. Eugene McGill defended his court letter," Oct 6, 2006)

Read an interview with McGill's Democratic opponent, Rick Taylor, here.

News Round Up

Just a few items that have escaped previous notice:

Lois Murphy has spruced up her campaign website www.loismurphy.org. Allyson Schwartz has added more issues information to hers, www.allysonschwartz.com. The Lehigh County Democratic Committee has launched a website at: www.lehighdems.org. Visit all three and you could while away an hour or so of work time (not that I would recommend such a thing, mind you).

Jeff Albert, Democratic candidate for the 12th state senate has been asking some interesting questions about the gifts given to the Republican incumbent, Stewart Greenleaf. The press release hasn't shown up on politicspa yet but I'll link to it when it does. Speaking of Albert, the more I read about judicial elections the more I support his plan for merit selection of judges.

Looking for something to do next week? On Tuesday one of my favorite advice columnists, Dan Savage (no, not the prospective Philly councilman, the other one) will be in town to help raise money for Philadelphians Against Santorum. SAVAGE LOVE LIVE will be Tuesday, October 10th, 7:30 PM @ the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch Street, Philadelphia / $25 donation ($10 student), Tickets also available at the door. Be aware that Savage's humor is not for everyone, certainly not for kids.

Gubernatorial Debate, 10/04/06, Rendell / Swan

I was able to watch PCN's reply of the debate between incumbent Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell (ER) and Republican challenger Lynn Swann (LS). Here are my notes, and I extend my apologies in advance for any errors or misinterpretations. It is difficult to interpret the remarks the candidates made about themselves and each other in their answers so, as awkward as it looks and sounds, it was clearer to refer to each by his initials, whether he was speaking of himself or his opponent.


Gubernatorial Debate, Point Park University, Pittsburgh

Sponsors: KDKA and The Pittsburgh Post Gazette

Moderator: Ken Rice of KDKA

Opening Statements

ER: Take a moment to remember families in Lancaster County who lost children this week. PA #1 business location in the nation for new jobs. One of only 7 states in the nation to be making good progress in reading and math. National leader in creating cleaner more efficient renewable energy. #1 senior drug plan in the nation. All this while cutting $1 billion in waste from the state government.

LS: Pennsylvanians sense things not right, working long hours, less money, less time with family. Property tax reform, equitable education across the board, safety, believes in reform and results. In sports, game plan and competing, need to see results. Need to change governor to change PA. Rendell believes in rhetoric and Rendell. Have you received a 30% reduction in property taxes?

Q1: Profoundly sad week, with horror at Amish schoolhouse. Was it the act of an unstoppable madman, or is there anything we can do to prevent these things?

LS: This appears to be the random act of someone who was unstoppable. How do you stop random acts of violence?

ER: Agree but we have to do more to stop gun violence in PA. More police on the streets. Secondly, stronger law enforcement. Send gun felons to federal court. Mandatory sentences for any drug dealer who uses a gun. Straw buyers – need laws that won’t affect hunters or lawful gun owners.

LS: Incident in Lancaster different from crime package ER has presented. If crime has been such an issue then why is it only now brought up.

ER: Lists achievements in this area (most in his prior answer).

Q2: What is the best way to deal with pay raises and legislative, executive, and judicial pay.

ER: Mistake to sign pay raise. In Philly when council wanted a raise there was a citizens commission to research issue.

LS: ER on all sides of pay raise. Only against it when people upset. ER blamed the legislature. Now judicial branch determining their own pay raise. Where was ER’s experience in law enforcement on this issue?

ER: Before ER signed raise he said he wouldn’t take the raise. LS supported legislators who supported the pay raise.

LS: ER supported legislatures who supported pay raise also. ER negotiated it and signed it. [follow up – what is your plan] Several plans.

Q3: Pittsburgh light rail plans to expand under the Allegheny River. Promised subisidies from DC. Is there a roll for the state in stabilizing mass transit.

LS: Should be a form of dedicated funding for mass transit. Current administration has not sat down at the table to resolve this issue. Not sure tunnel under river a good idea.

ER: Tunnel may not be a good idea but can’t be changed at this time. In Philly ER found some short-time solutions until longer term solution can be found. There used to be federal subsidy.

LS: ER talked about flexing funds, but took monies from highways to mass transit. Our highways and bridges rated a D. Took money for mass transit, not a solution.

ER: Gives statistics funds and projects for highways and bridges. Republicans in legislature blocked dedicated funding for mass transit.

Q4: Both spoken on taxes. ER promised a 30% reduction in property taxes. How can you deliver?

ER: No governor in last 50 years reduced property taxes. This year legislation passed to lower taxes. Couldn’t get legislature to do more. Maybe tax shifting next year.

LS: Dollars being thrown at senior citizens but not reforming property tax. Not real reform. Only reduction for 1 out of 6 citizens. ER complains it is always legislature at fault.

ER: People don’t elect you as king, must work with legislature. LS’s plan would take a constitutional amendment, so at least 4 years away. Based on surpluses. If no surplus, taxes go up. Based on California plan.

LS: ER wrong. LS’s plan reforms entire system. Throws out assessment system.

[follow up to ER, was promise a mistake?]
ER: No, plan ER initially proposed would have met promised reduction.

LS: In LS's plan there is a reduction, and capping it. ER made a mistake, made a promise and didn’t deliver.

Q5: Swann plan calls for disposal of conflict of interest, yet have disclosed only one year of tax returns. Would you pledge to disclose any relevant conflict of interest?

LS: Yes, there should be transparency in conflicts of interest when passing legislation. Refers to ER’s work as Eagles commentator for Comcast while state monies going to Comcast. Says LS disclosed tax return.

ER: Donated whole Comcast salary to charity. IRS says can’t, so donated all after tax earnings to charity. Money to Comcast will go to create new jobs.

LS: ER got tax write off for charitable donation. Appearance of conflict.

ER: We didn’t try to hide anything. Anyone could see ER on tv, ER acknowledged money and donations.

Q6: Banning smoking in public places in Allegheny County. Is this good?

ER: Sympathy for smokers but health benefits outweigh it. Supports a statewide law against smoking in public places.

LS: Ban in workplaces other than restaurants and bars.

[follow up] Can we raise enough money from gambling if people can’t smoke in casinos?

ER: Health issues more important.

LS: If people want to smoke in bars and restaurants and rules posted allowing it that is okay. People can chose to go in or not.

Q7: Young people need a quality education. PA public colleges and university charge more than other states.

LS: Correct, PA tuition higher. Need greater fiscal responsibility. Save money in other areas and spend more on education. Investigate how to reduce college costs.

ER: Intervened personally to lower tuition increases at public schools. Increased grant money for students. Average grant over $3000.

LS: Taking all colleges in PA into account, costs still too high. Need to ensure quality and affordable education.

ER: Increased community college funding. Community colleges very important.

Q8: Forbes says PA one of the 10 worst states for business.

ER: Forbes study based on Greener Report based on 2002 and 2003 statistics. Ignores recent developments. Tax Foundation found PA 15th. Site Selection Magazine found PA 16th. Our CNI (corporate net income tax) is 9.9%, high, but 73% of corporations paid not one dollar of corporate taxes. Could lower Corporate Net Income Tax if all companies paid it.

LS: Plan to roll back corporate net income tax. PA currently not competitive. ER talks about job growth but we don’t see it. One of our greatest exports is college students. ER raised income tax.

ER: LS plan will cost $2.5 billion. LS's plan doesn’t add up.

LS: ER wrong. Commonwealth Foundation looked at plan and said addition 6.6% increase in job growth (?).

Q9: Government experience. What in LS’s background should give confidence that you can run a state?

LS: Citizen politicians are not new to US. Ronald Reagan, Mitt Romney, Bill Bradley, all started as governor or senator. Career politicians have heavy baggage.

ER: A celebrity has every right to run for office. Judge on plans. LS’s property tax plan and other plans are disasters.

LS: LS's plans are in his book. Plans are sound.

ER: Bottom line is none of LS's plans make any sense. [LS interrupts. ER chides him. Gets a chuckle from audience.]

Q10: What would you do to curb youth crime?

ER: Short answers – more police. Long answer – get to root causes. As a DA read case files. No honor student or kid with a job committed a crime.

LS: Talked with groups in Philly about crime. Jobs, education and dignity important in reducing crime. Students not thriving in school. Only 50% of 9th graders in Philly graduate. ER has rhetoric not results.

ER: If you haven’t seen the results you haven’t been reading them. PSSA’s doing well. PA only one of 7 states with good increases in reading and math. Achievement gap between minority and majority students decreased 9%. [follow up why increase in youth crime in Allegheny Co] Can’t explain it, go back to root causes.

LS: PA improved compared to where PA was or against other states. Quotes statistics on differences in African American students passing AP exams as opposed to other students.

Q11: Gambling. Should we match neighboring states by approving table games?

LS: Should have limited gambling to existing race tracks. Gaming commission (should be called gambling commission) should be shut down until problems fixed. [Refers to bill, I missed the details.]

ER: Against any expansion of gaming. Vetoed bill because it would allow legislators and their families to own casinos.

LS: ER did not sign reform package. [ER makes sound; LS gives him look, audience laughs]

ER: That reform bill allowed legislator’s family to own stake in casino.

Q12: State pensions and health plans going up. Is it a big fiscal time bomb?

ER: Yes, a future time bomb. Legislature sent Ridge a bill to increase pensions for teachers and legislators. Need to increase time of payment. School districts at risk.

LS: Agree 100%. Something should have already been done. Incumbent upon leadership to make some hard decisions. Governor should attack the issue today.

[follow up: problems for school districts]
ER: Will have to look at refinancing over a longer period of years. If we do it directly can avoid tax increase.

LS: Schools may have to increase taxes to cover costs. System is broken.

Q13: College Board said in 2002 PA finished lower in SAT scores than neighboring states. How to fix?

LS: Approach schools that are underperforming. Bring in educational programs proven to work.

ER: Statistic skewed. Over 70% of our high school students take the test, in most states it is 40% -- only college bound. Spend money to put laptops on desks in schools. Need best tools to do great job.

LS: What good is a laptop if you can’t read.

ER: PA one of 7 states doing well in reading.

Closing Statements:

ER: Over 20 years experience in public service. Experience with making people’s lives better. We’ve moved this state forward but more to be done. Find innovative ways to cut health care costs. Increase educational opportunities. Make higher education affordable. Reduce costs for doing business in PA. Make state a leader in biomedical and alternative energy research. It has been an honor to serve as your governor. Excited about future possibilities.

LS: Is it another 3 or 4 years of rhetoric. Numbers sound nice but there are kids not getting an education. Need to keep doctors in the state. Ten critical care hospitals shut down in PA [did not catch time frame for this]. Need tort reform. Average family paying $27 more in taxes. Need fiscally responsible leadership. Government shouldn’t be this complicated. With all this government’s experience there are still problems.

Fitzpatrick and Patrick Murphy on Smerconish Radio Show

This morning on AM1210, Michael Smerconish spoke with Republican Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick, running for reelection in the 8th congressional district (Bucks County and a bit of Philly and Montgomery County) and his Democrat opponent Patrick Murphy. Both candidates were late getting to the studio because of traffic problems. Smerconish asked if their cars had been next to each other on the road. They said no.

I heard most of the discussion, the radio providing background for the packing of lunches and other school and work preparations. I may have missed the last question or closing remarks.

Smerconish opened by asking about Rep. Mark Foley of Florida who resigned from Congress on Friday after suggestive emails he sent to a teenage male page.

MF: He has written a letter about this [I missed who the letter was to] and is asking for an independent Department of Justice investigation. He said he had not spent much time with the gentleman [meaning Foley].

PM: He suggests Dennis Hastert, Speaker of the House, resign.

Smerconish: Should we build a fence along the southern border of the US?

PM: Yes, and institute other security measures.

MF: Yes, and institute other security measures.

Smerconish: The estate tax is un-American and should be abolished.

MF: Agree. Individuals who have saved their whole lives and want to give something to the next generation should be able to. Mentions family farms.

PM: What is un-American is borrowing money from China, increasing the deficit. Only 234 families in Pennsylvania are affected by the cuts on the estate tax. He would be for reducing the estate tax if there were no deficit. It is a time of shared sacrifice.

Smerconish: Congress had no business getting involved in the Schiavo case

PM: Agree

MF: Her parents had the right to access the court system.

Smerconish: Should we take into account the similarities, race, appearance, gender, etc. of the 9/11 terrorists and target security measures towards young Arab males.

PM: Yes but we need random searches also. Mentions also the need to protect mass transit.

MF: Yes, mentions he has read Smerconish’s book Flying Blind

Smerconish: Should we establish a timeline for troop withdrawal from Iraq?

MF: “Cut and run” is a media term. He could go along with a goal-oriented strategy if the generals on the ground say it is a good plan.

PM: MF has called him a “cut and run” liberal in mailings. He agrees with the timeline approach.

Smerconish: Dunkin Donuts or [I missed this]

Both: Dunkin Donuts

Smerconish: Fox or CNN

MF: Fox

PM: CNN

Smerconish: Last book [or good book] read?

MF: While Europe Slept

PM: [I missed the title] by James Carville

Smerconish: Caddyshack, up or down?

MF: down (but agreed that when in college he would have said “up.”)

Smerconish: Animal House, up or down?

PM: up

Smerconish: Favorite album?

Both: Springsteen’s Born to Run

Smerconish: What is one thing you would compliment the other on?

PM: MF is a good family man.

MF: Appreciates PM’s service to his country.

Smerconish: Use of FISA (Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act) to spy on the bad guys?

MF: It works under certain circumstances, but is paperwork intensive. The president briefed Congress and Congress is happy with the methods he suggested.

PM: Mentions 4th Amendment. FISA allows you to go back 3 days later and say the surveillance was done. This may not be such a good idea.

Smerconish: Is it okay to waterboard [I missed the Arabic sounding name]?

PM: Americans should neither conduct nor condone torture. In the paper people have surrendered to the US because they knew they would be treated well. The military is a profession and should not use torture. From an academic and strategic standpoint torture doesn’t work well.

MF: People want to know what the rules are, what is and isn’t proper.

At this point we had to leave so I could get the kids to school on time but I think they were wrapping up.

Poll Dancing

Sorry, couldn't resist using that blog post title.

There are a number of new polls out.

PA-07 -- polls show a dead heat between incumbent Republican Curt Weldon and Democratic challenger Joe Sestak.

PA-10 -- incumbent Republican Don Sherwood is reported to be trailing Fightin' Dem Chris Carney, 38-47.

IssuesPA and the Pew have released survey results showing the issues on voters' minds by region. (full report here). Note our region:

People who live in Philadelphia city and suburban Southeastern PA display very different political values than those living in the other four other regions. Support for gun control is the top distinguishing political value in both regions. Residents of these two regions are defined by their greater acceptance of immigrants and the use of a second language. Those living in the city tend to be less supportive of using aggressive military force; those in the Southeastern suburbs are more internationalist in their perspective.