Politics PA

Bonusgate case goes to jury today

maryanne.laager — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:11:53 +0000

Defense attorneys in the Bonusgate corruption case say their clients are not criminals, but victims of a political culture that has existed for decades.

They are not architects of scheme to use public resources for campaign work, but scapegoats, the attorneys said.

That was the theme of the defense’s final pitch to jurors who hold in their hands the fate of former state Rep. Mike Veon and three former aides who could face jail time if convicted.

Jury deliberations are expected to start today after Senior Deputy Attorney General Patrick J. Blessington delivers the prosecution’s closing argument.

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Sheila Dow Ford announces run against U.S. Rep. Tim Holden for 17th Congressional District

maryanne.laager — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:00:34 +0000

Harrisburg attorney Sheila Dow Ford formally announced her candidacy for Congress Thursday at the state Capitol.

Dow Ford will challenge U.S. Rep. Tim Holden for the Democratic nomination in the state’s May 18 primary to represent the district that includes Dauphin, Lebanon and Schuylkill counties, and parts of Berks and Perry counties.

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Commentary: As bonus-pay scandal trial nears end, both sides keep the punches flying

maryanne.laager — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:57:09 +0000

For a minute, it felt like a scene out of “American Idol” was going down on the fifth floor of the Dauphin County Courthouse.

Remember when judges Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell would get into some kind of tiff?

Or “Idol” host Ryan Seacrest and Cowell would prolong some snarky sidebar exchange that left the bewildered contestant standing dumbfounded on the stage?

Well, on the day that closing arguments for four Bonusgate defendants stretched late into the day, lawyers for former state Rep. Mike Veon and state Attorney General office prosecutors took turns throwing uppercuts and roundhouses at each other.

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Pathologist: Senavitis had “world-class” levels of alcohol in system; Co-worker: He didn’t slur his speech or stumble

maryanne.laager — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:53:53 +0000

A forensic pathologist testified Thursday that Thomas P. Senavitis had a “world-class” level of alcohol in his system when he was involved in the car accident that killed state Sen. James J. Rhoades.

However, Senavitis’ boss said he saw the accused man an hour beforehand and didn’t see any signs he was drunk.

About 11 a.m. Thursday, the prosecution rested its case against Senavitis, 46, of Pohopoco Drive, Kunkletown, who is charged with homicide by vehicle/DUI and other charges in connection with the Oct. 17, 2008, accident on Route 209 near Brodheadsville in which Rhoades was fatally injured. Rhoades died at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Allentown, the following day. The trial began Wednesday.

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PoliticsPA: Russell says ‘the fix was in’

alex.roarty — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 03:03:31 +0000

SEE ALSO: Republicans pick Burns

By Alex Roarty
PoliticsPA Staff Writer
roarty@politicspa.com

Bill Russell lost Thursday’s vote by GOP conferees to determine who would have an opportunity to succeed the late John Murtha in Congress.

He told reporters afterward that the vote wasn‘t a fair fight.

“The fix was in,” he said, minutes after Tim Burns won the Republican nomination in the 12th Congressional District.

The former Army officer said state party leaders, who has publicly feuded with since 2008, and state committee members pressured many of the 132 conferees to support the businessman Burns. Russell has said state GOP Chairman Rob Gleason has disliked him for years because of his aggressive campaign against Murtha, with whom Gleason was friends.

Gleason, told of Russell’s remarks, said he was sorry Russell felt that way.

“I feel it was an open process,” said the chairman.

Thursday’s vote was taken by 132 conferee members from the 12th District nine counties. The county chairmen of each of them selected who would be the conferees.

UPDATED: Republicans pick Burns; Russell vows to fight on

alex.roarty — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 02:05:14 +0000

By Alex Roarty
PoliticsPA Staff Writer
roarty@politicspa.com

LATROBE — Tim Burns will represent the Republican Party for the special election to pick John Murtha’s successor after a group of GOP conferees Thursday night voted for him over his chief rival, former Army officer Bill Russell.

The vote total was 85 votes for Burns, 46 for Russell.

Burns will now face Murtha’s former district director, Mark Critz, in the May 18 special election, a contest sure to draw nationwide attention as Republican try to keep the political momentum gained since President Obama’s election in 2008. It offers the GOP a chance to win Ted Kennedy’s U.S. Senate seat and Murtha’s congressional seat — two legendary Democrats — in back-to-back special elections.

Businessman Ron Robertson, Luke Summerfield of Indiana, and Bill Choby of Johnstown also sought the nomination, but their candidacies were considerably lower-profile than the two favorites. Although some Republicans thought Russell had an outside chance to win Thursday’s nomination, Burns was the solid favorite for the nod.

Although Burns defeated Russell Thursday night, he will face him again on the May 18 primary ballot. Russell made it clear in an interview after the vote that he still plans to run.

“We have open primaries for a reason,” he said. “This is the republican party of pa not the communist party of North Korea.”

Burns, a political neophyte, is an independently wealth businessman from Eighty Four, which is in Washington County. Critz hails from Murtha’s hometown of Johnstown, in Cambria County.

The 132 conferees present at the meeting came from the nine counties spread across the southwest 12th Congressional District. The number of each conferees for each was determined by the number of votes cast for John McCain in 2008.

Each candidate gave a five-minute speech outlining their proposals and qualifications before answering questions from the conferees.

Burns, speaking before the vote was taken, used his opportunity to frame the conferees’ choice as one of the most important decisions in the 12th District’s history because of the impact it would have on Washington. His comments were in line with what seems like a clear strategy by his campaign and Republicans to make the election a national referendum on President Obama and the Democratic controlled Congress.

When you look back at tonight will you think “this was the moment when we began the movement to save the country, or will you’ll look back at this moment as a point in time when we had the opportunity and let it slip away?” Burns asked.

The candidate said he wants to eliminate the federal deficit and vociferously opposes the Democrats’ health care bill.

Russell, who spoke after Burns, didn‘t hesitate to criticize his opponent.

“My opponent has openly stated he doesn‘t know how Washington works,” he said. “I appreciate his interest, but a seat in congress is not a site for on-the-job training.”

He later called Burns the “party-chosen candidate,” an allusion to past criticism from Russell that state party leaders have tried to thwart his campaign.

Newly Formed SEPA NOW PAC Announces Endorsement of Joe Hoeffel for Governor

sean.coit — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 23:11:45 +0000

NORRISTOWN, PA-On Thursday a newly formed PAC of SEPA NOW announced their endorsement of several candidates for local and state office. “We are very aware that the people we elect in Southeastern PA don’t just affect their districts but the Delaware Valley region as a whole” Said President Helene Ratner. “It is our honor to announce our list of endorsed candidates and especially excited that PA NOW has endorsed Joe Hoeffel for Governor. Joe has a career of standing up for the rights of everyone and has been extremely supportive and active among Women’s and Pro-Choice groups for years. We know that he is the only candidate who will fight to maintain a woman’s right to choose and actively pursue equality for the thousands of LGBT voters in Pennsylvania.”

In response to the endorsement Joe Hoeffel had this to say “I’m proud to have fought the fights I’ve fought throughout my career in public service to stand up for the rights of women, from fighting for economic empowerment, to protecting the right to choose. Together, with the support of Southeast PA NOW PAC, and Pennsylvania NOW, we will elect a progressive governor in Pennsylvania. “

Among the other endorsees are State Senator LeAnna Washington, State Representative Vanessa Brown and State Senate candidate Ruth Damsker. “Whenever it is possible, NOW and our local PAC will be as supportive of Pro-Choice female candidates as possible” said Ratner. “I am very proud of the women we are endorsing today, for all of their accomplishments and look forward to them serving in our Legislature. We will also be endorsing more women this year and I am thrilled to see the list of women running for office, a more diverse government serves us best.”

“Of all endorsement that come my way, it gives me great sense of pride to receive the endorsement of Philadelphia NOW. This endorsement has greater meaning to me because it takes place during March, “Women History Month”, and it recognizes the accomplishments and contributions women have made in our communities, in our families and in our work. My life’s work of advocacy has been motivated by the 1966 NOW’s Purpose Statement, especially the following passage, ”WE BELIEVE THAT women will do most to create a new image of women by acting now, and by speaking out in behalf of their own equality, freedom, and human dignity.” Said State Representative Vanessa Lowry Brown

State Senate candidate Ruth Damsker had this to add “As a lifelong public servant I have dedicated my career to helping those in need, especially women, children, and the elderly. I am eager to bring my experience and proven abilities to the daunting task of ending partisan gridlock in Harrisburg and finally giving Pennsylvanians the government they deserve. As a State Senator, I plan to focus my energy on economic revitalization, smart growth policies, property tax reform, ethics and campaign finance reform, and equal rights for all. I will continue to fight for a woman’s right to choose and the right for equal pay for equal work.”

SEPA NOW PAC includes the Philadelphia, Montgomery and Bucks NOW chapters and members from Delaware County.

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SEPA NOW PAC includes the Philadelphia, Montgomery and Bucks NOW chapters and members from Delaware County.

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Pat Toomey Commends House Democrats for Banning Some Earmarks, Urges Ban on All Earmarks

sean.coit — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 23:10:58 +0000

Allentown, PA – U.S. Senate candidate Pat Toomey commended House Democrats for finally moving to ban earmarks for private companies after years of supporting outrageous, wasteful pork projects (Washington Post, 03/11/10). Mr. Toomey also urged Democrats to support a move by Republicans to ban all earmarks.

Toomey has opposed the practice of inserting wasteful pork projects into spending bills since his early years in Congress. He often voted against outrageous projects even when a majority of his congressional colleagues supported them, including wood utilization research programs (RC #160, 05/26/99); the center for peanut competitiveness (RC #161, 05/26/99); asparagus research (RC #360, 06/29/00); and mohair subsidies (RC #383, 07/11/00).

He has long been an active proponent of banning all earmarks. It is nice to see the Democrats finally taking his advice.

Unfortunately, both Arlen Specter and Joe Sestak have supported the wasteful earmarking process for years. Specter was designated Porker of the Month for May 2001 (CAGW) and October 2003 and Porker of the Year for 2003 by Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW Press Release, 02/05/04). Specter also refused to eliminate specific wasteful projects, voting to spend taxpayer dollars on the 2008 presidential nominating conventions (RC #121, 03/28/07), the Woodstock Festival Museum (RC #377, 10/18/07), and the $223 billion Bridge to Nowhere in Alaska (RC #262, 10/20/05).

In his three years in the House, Sestak has been quick to follow in Specter’s footsteps. In 2009, Joe Sestak had 68 opportunities to vote to get rid of specific outlandish pork-barrel projects, and he rejected EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM. In 2007, Sestak had 50 opportunities to vote to get rid of outlandish pork-barrel projects, and rejected ALL BUT ONE. These included $325,000 for the Institute for Seafood Studies in Thibodaux, Louisiana (RC #382, 06/18/09), $1 million for potato research in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington (RC # 507, 07/09/09), and $2 million to establish the “Rangel Center for Public Service” at City College of New York, requested by none other than Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-NY) (RC #678, 07/19/07).

“After years of supporting some of the most outrageous wasteful spending, it is encouraging to see the Democrats finally recognizing the error of their ways,” Toomey said. “But if they really want to protect taxpayers’ hard-earned money, they will reject half-measures and embrace an effort to ban all earmarks. The earmarking process is wasteful, unfair to taxpayers, and creates a culture of secret backroom deals.”

Toomey went on, “Pennsylvanians deserve to hear from Arlen Specter on this issue. Here is a perfect opportunity for him to reject the Washington insider spoils system, and join a bipartisan effort to reign in wasteful spending. Just once, is Arlen Specter willing to change the ways of Washington for the good of Pennsylvania taxpayers?”

He has long been an active proponent of banning all earmarks. It is nice to see the Democrats finally taking his advice.

Rep. Pitts Applauds Vote in Favor of Earmark Moratorium

sean.coit — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 23:09:58 +0000

Washington– The House Republican Conference in a meeting this morning voted in favor of a one-year moratorium on all earmarks. Rep. Joe Pitts (PA-16) voted in favor of the moratorium, which passed by voice vote with near unanimous support. The ban applies to all earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits.

Rep. Pitts, who stopped submitting earmark requests in 2007, is an original cosponsor of a H.Con.Res. 201, a resolution to establish a Joint Select Committee on Earmark Reform. The Committee would be composed on members of both the House and Senate and would enforce a moratorium on both legislative and executive branch earmarks until both bodies adopt rules for a transparent and ethical earmark process.

Rep. Pitts’ statement follows:

“I’m glad we took this small but significant step in the direction of fiscal responsibility. I’ve been encouraging this action for years now, but I think we need to take further steps to establish permanent reforms. I believe the moratorium should stay in place until both the Senate and House have agreed on an ethical and fair process.”

“I think we should have acted sooner, but today’s vote demonstrates that House Republicans are ready to take action to restrain federal spending. We know that we cannot continue down the path of massive federal deficits, and part of the solution is to stop pork barrel spending.”

Text of the Republican Conference resolution is available at: http://www.gop.gov/resources/library/documents/misc/earmark-HRC-resolution.pdf

Text of H.Con.Res. 201 is available at: http://www.congress.gov/cgi-lis/query/z?c111:H.CON.RES.201:

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Rep. Pitts’ statement follows:

Text of the Republican Conference resolution is available at: http://www.gop.gov/resources/library/documents/misc/earmark-HRC-resolution.pdf

Text of H.Con.Res. 201 is available at: http://www.congress.gov/cgi-lis/query/z?c111:H.CON.RES.201:

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Schroder Receives Chamber’s Legislator of the Year Award

sean.coit — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 23:09:19 +0000

HARRISBURG – Rep. Curt Schroder (R-East Brandywine) was honored as Republican Legislator of the Year by the Greater Exton Chamber of Commerce this evening.

Robert Hall, chairman of the chamber’s Government Affairs Council, said Schroder was selected for his attention to the needs and concerns of small businesses in the community. He said Schroder is supportive of local businesses and focused on improving the business climate in the greater Exton area. He is accessible, he listens and he is working on our behalf, Hall said.

“Small businesses are the heart of this community and communities all across our nation,” said Schroder. “Small businesses employ more than half of the private sector workers and account for 44 percent of the total U.S. private payroll. They generated 64 percent – or about 14.5 million – of the net new jobs in this country over the past 15 years. As an elected official, I am mindful of the critical role small businesses play in creating and maintaining good, family sustaining jobs. It is incumbent on me and other elected leaders to support small businesses in any way we can.

“I am honored and humbled by my selection as the Republican Legislator of the Year by the Greater Exton Chamber of Commerce. I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the chamber for its recognition of my efforts on your behalf and for the great work all of your members do to promote small businesses in the greater Exton area,” he said.

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HARRISBURG – Rep. Curt Schroder (R-East Brandywine) was honored as Republican Legislator of the Year by the Greater Exton Chamber of Commerce this evening.

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