It takes a special breed of person to be a successful county party chair. They must be savvy and hard-working, good at fundraising, and skillful diplomats, too.
Some are activists, some fundraisers, and still others are behind-the-scenes players. Some are working to build a strong party organization where there hasn’t been one before.
We want to hear from you: who are the best of the best? We’re looking for Republicans and Democrats who get the job done.
Submit your suggestions to Sy Snyder here, or in the comments section below. Naturally, submissions are anonymous.
Governor Tom Corbett is slated announce his transportation plan on February 5th. The proposal will include ways to increase funding for public transportation, roads, and bridges.
One suggested way to generate funds for the planned projects is the removal of the cap on the oil company franchise tax.
Wholesale gasoline taxes are currently limited to $1.25 per gallon. According to the Corbett administration, the profits from uncapping the gas tax could eventually yield up to $2 billion per year, which would go a long way toward raising the $2.5 billion currently needed to fix transportation in the state.
Out of 665 voters, 348 of them were pessimistic about re-election for Corbett and think that voters will see the lawsuit as a political move. 92 voters thought it would affect his re-election positively, regardless of whether is lawsuit is seen as political or not.
Will Corbett’s NCAA Lawsuit Boost His Re-election Chances?
No. Voters will see this as a political move. (52%)
No. His numbers are too far gone. (18%)
Yes. Even if voters think the suit is political. (14%)
Depends on whether he wins the case. (8%)
Yes. This will help him win over Penn State alumni. (8%)
More than a quarter million of Pennsylvania’s residents are Penn State alumni and their backing of the lawsuit appears to be rooted in the issue itself and does not imply confidence in Corbett, whose handling of the Sandusky case in 2009 was widely criticized.
Eastern Sports & Outdoors Show. In the aftermath of the Newtown, Connecticut shooting, organizers of the annual event misfired bigtime. They announced a ban on so-called assault weapons like the AR-15, outraging gun rights enthusiasts and scattering their sponsors. A boycott grew, and now the event been effectively cancelled – a $44M hit to the regional economy.
Vegetables. A lot of people, us included, had a chuckle at the news that imprisoned ex-Senator Vince Fumo’s fiancée had begun a campaign in favor of fresh fruit and veggies for prisoners. But that amusement turned to guilt last night when news broke that Fumo has been diagnosed with life-threatening artery blockages. He’ll be having surgery soon.
Pennsylvania. For the second time in four months, the unemployment rate in the Commonwealth (7.9 percent) is higher than the national average (7.8 percent). Both are under 8 percent, but that’s the silver lining. Pa. spent all of the recession better than the country as a whole; it had been 6 years since the last time Pa. fell below the national average
Joe Biden. Literally. In a recent speech about gun violence to the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the VP said he heard the gunshotsat the 2006 Nickel Mines shooting. He said he was golfing near the Lancaster County school. Just one problem: there’s no indication that that’s true. The nearest golf course is 6 miles away, and employees there say they didn’t see the then-Senator that day.
Dept of Corrections. Local lawmakers will always oppose closings of government facilities in or near their districts, includingthe two prisons now set to be shut down in western Pa. But a bobbled rollout (read: leak) added confusion and more anger than usual to the mix. Announcing bad news is like removing a band-aid. It has to happen definitively and all at once.
Tweet of the week: Citizens Alliance of Pa. If you’re watching the GOP side of the 2014 Guv race, this is an issue you should follow.
“A roll of the dice” one would-be wit called it. Others have described it in considerably less family friendly terms. But, however, described, it’s described a lot. Indeed, it’s been widely reported nationally as well as across Pennsylvania.
The Corbett administration intends to turn management of the Pennsylvania lottery over to the British firm, Camelot Global Services. “Privatization” of the operation of the state lottery is about to become a fact, subject to legal reviews by the attorney general, the state treasurer and a court challenge by AFSCME, the union representing lottery employees.
Not surprisingly, turning the lottery over to a British firm has been controversial. Supporters of Corbett’s plan cite the money it will save, the expected profits it will return and the efficiencies it will produce. Opponents bewail the Pennsylvania jobs that will be lost, the lack of transparency that characterized the awarding of the contract and the possible illegality of the management change.
Both supporters and opponents, however, seem to be missing the real issue. In debating the fine points of the deal, they are playing Nero, fiddling while Rome burns. The point both sides miss so completely is that neither the lottery as it exists, nor Corbett’s proposed plans, are really good ideas.
Privatization never worked as well as its proponents argued. Outsourcing and downsizing bring as many problems as they solve. In fact, if we are ever to solve the modern problems of fiscal solvency, massive infrastructure needs, and unprecedented challenges to education, we won’t do it by zombie like application of yesterday’s techniques to today’s problems.
It’s a cliche, but a good one–we must begin to think outside the box. And one way to do that is to solve problems in government as they are solved outside government– not inflexibly or bureaucratically, but with imagination and creativity. To the point: government and government created entries must become entrepreneurs.
As it turns out, Camelot Global Services, now only a few short steps from managing the Pennsylvania lottery, offers us a virtual blue print for doing just that. Camelot is a British company, which operates Britain’s national lottery and advises lottery operations in Illinois and California.
All of this is well known. Not so well known is the ownership of Camelot. They are owned by (we are not making this up) the Ontario Teachers’ Pension fund, the largest plan of its kind in Canada with assets of 117 billion. Perhaps even more interesting, the Ontario Pension fund has numerous similar investments, owning similar corporate entities around the world.
So, while here in Pennsylvania, we are worrying about the unfunded liabilities of our own “teachers’ pension plan” (as well as our own state employees plan), Canadian entities are making a healthy buck selling services to our own state lottery.
Not a bad gig. Pennsylvania sends lottery profits to a British company, one owned by a Canadian pension fund, while we lose some unknown number of Pennsylvania jobs in the process. Meanwhile, legal issues may keep the whole thing in legal limbo for months if not years.
The winner in this one isn’t hard to locate. Hint: it’s not us. That great “socialist colossus” to our north is knocking our socks off when it comes to playing the Capitalist game.
But it doesn’t need to end this way – and it won’t if we begin to apply entrepreneurial principles to our policy challenges.
With respect to the Pennsylvania lottery and our aspirations to increase its revenue, a simple expedient might enable our two embattled pension funds (SERS and PSERS) to play the same role as the Ontario pension fund.
Jointly or together, they might spin off a new company, whose board would consist of representatives of the two pension funds and the union. The profits would go to the two pension funds to help retire the 41billion in pension debt. The expanded revenues would increase monies for senior citizens programs. And Pennsylvania could save the jobs slated to be lost as well as including the employees to be part of the decision-making process itself.
It sounds simple. But carrying it off would require some negotiation, more than a little give and take on both sides of the issue, some good will and more than a modicum of commonsensical old time Yankee ingenuity.
But what promise and what potential if this kind of thinking took hold in state government–literally getting all stakeholders invested in a major governmental reform, thinking pragmatically to a win-win solution that benefits citizens, taxpayers and government workers alike.
That’s not what we have done so far. But there is still time, not just for the Lottery but for the phalanx of problems Pennsylvania must solve in coming years.
We are not going to bring Pennsylvania into the 21st century using the tools and techniques of the 20th. The problems confronting us are massive, multiple and sometimes overwhelming. But we can solve them if we move away from rigid ideological thinking on the one hand –and trite and tired cookie cutter approaches on the other. We must begin to think outside the box–and the lottery is a good place to begin.
The beliefs and convictions of a member of Congress are important determinant of his or her votes. But effectiveness? That depends on the staff he or she assembles. Here is the official team of newly-minted Rep. Keith Rothfus (R-Allegheny).
This is the third of three features. You can check out the new staffs of Pa.’s other two freshmen here: Reps. Matt Cartwright (D-Lackawanna) and Scott Perry(R-York).
Armstrong Robinson
Chief of Staff: Armstrong Robinson
College and Graduate School: The George Washington University and The Catholic University of America’s Columbus School of Law
Robinson brings extensive policy, constituent service, political and management experience to the team. Robinson previously worked for Representative Geoff Davis [KY-4] where he worked his way up from volunteer to Chief of Staff. His mother was from Pittsburgh.
Legislative Director: Danielle Janowski
Hometown: Grosse Pointe, Michigan
College and Graduate School: University of Michigan and The George Washington University Graduate School of Political Management
Janowski moved to Washington, D.C. in 2009 to attend The George Washington University Graduate School of Political Management. She previously served in legislative roles in the offices of former Representatives Thaddeus McCotter [MI-11] and Rick Berg [ND-AL].
Communications Director: Edward Yap
Hometown: Oceanside, New York
College: University of Notre Dame
Yap previously worked for former Representative Nan Hayworth, M.D. [NY-19] and Representative Tom Rooney [FL-17]. Prior to joining Representative Rooney’s office, he served in various roles on political campaigns in Indiana, Michigan, and Virginia.
Executive Assistant: Ana Ellis
Hometown: Ridgewood, New Jersey
College: University of Vermont
Ellis most recently served as a Deputy Regional Political Director at the National Republican Congressional Committee. In her role, she focused on races in the Northeast and on the West Coast and assisted Rothfus in his 2012 victory. Ellis also worked for Representative Paul Gosar [AZ-1] as Executive Assistant. She will serve as the office’s primary point of contact for scheduling.
District Staff
District Director: Jonathan Raso
Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
College: Franklin & Marshall College
Raso served as Finance Director for the 2010 Rothfus campaign and was Campaign Manager for his 2012 victory. In the interim, he managed the Pittsburgh office for Senator Pat Toomey, covering economic development for ten counties of Southwest Pennsylvania and much of the new Twelfth District.
Deputy District Director: Allison Beresnyak
Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
College: Penn State University
Beresnyak has extensive constituent service and community outreach experience from her time working for Senator Rick Santorum [PA]. She will oversee constituent services and military academy nominations for the office.
District Staff: Ashley Sisca
Hometown: Mars, Pennsylvania
College and Graduate School: Denison University and Duquesne University School of Law
Sisca worked for the Pennsylvania State Senate throughout law school and most recently served as Executive Director of the Westmoreland County Republican Committee.
Grand bargain. Things are happening! It looks like the stage is being set for a big, all-at-once arrangement to tackle some of the most-debated issues in state government. First Gov. Corbett began his push to privatize the operation of the lottery. Next surfaced his plan to address transportation funding by axing a $1.9B tax breakon wholesale gasoline (making Dominic Pileggi happy). Now it’s looking like he’s preparing to launch a blitzkrieg on state ownership of liquor stores (making Mike Turzai happy). Throw in anticipated pension reform plans, and 2013 could be a busy year.
Per Diems. Congratulations state Rep. Dom Costa! You’re the face of Pa.’s massive legislator reimbursement arrangement. The Allegheny County Democrat amassed the most – $55,495 – in per diem payments for the 2011/2012 session – though he isn’t alone by a long shot. All told it cost taxpayers $3.9 million over the past two years. Lawmakers who travel to Harrisburg for work get money for food and lodging but are never required to turn in receipts. Rep. Dan Truitt (R-Chester) has introduced a bill to create a private sector style, turn in receipts system. We’ll hold our breath.
Joe Waters. The Philly municipal judge and former police captain remains the sole Democrat (that we know of) in the race for Pa. Superior Court. He dodged a bullet when Philly Bar Foundation Prez Wendy Beetlestone decided against a bid. “After exploring the possibility of running I have decided that this is not the right time,” she told PoliticsPA. A second Philly name on the ballot would have hurt Waters and opened the door for a western Pa. candidate. The Republicans in the race so far are attorney Vic Stable and former Washington County DA Steve Toprani.
Cherelle Parker. The Democratic state Rep. from Philadelphia was found guilty of drunk driving this week, stemming from a 2011 incident involving a state-owned vehicle. She’s appealing the verdict based on the details of the arrest, but the damage of such headlines cannot be undone.
Luke Ravenstahl. The Pittsburgh Mayor had two good news items this week. The first came from his camp: he has $781,000 cash on hand – more than twice his nearest opponent. The second is from another camp: Michael Lamb. The City Controller launched his mayoral bid on Wednesday, forcing anti-incumbent voters to choose between two candidates (he and City Councilman Bill Peduto).
Tweet of the week: Melissa Daniels of the PA Independent. Yuk yuk yuk.
Covering the Camelot PMA has been a lotto fun. #imsorry
I’m writing this editorial because I want to be completely and totally upfront and transparent about what’s next for PoliticsPA and for me.
PoliticsPA is not a normal news source. We exist both in the world of journalism and of politics. But I’ve worked – successfully, I think – to make the content on PoliticsPA honest, accurate and engaging. I believe my record speaks for itself.
That’s why I feel confident, if nervous, about my next step. I have the ability to stay at the helm of the site I love at the same time as I explore new a professional opportunity.
Starting later this month, I will begin working for Ceisler Media & Issue Advocacy. As you may know, Larry Ceisler is one of PoliticsPA’s three owners. In my role there, I will provide public relations services for non-political clients. The change accompanies a move from Harrisburg to Pittsburgh.
While working at Ceisler Media, I will also continue to run PoliticsPA as the site eventually transitions to its next managing editor in time for the 2014 election cycle.
If that strikes you as unusual, you’re not alone. The practice of working in journalism and PR at the same time – even in unrelated areas – is not typical.
But PoliticsPA is not typical, either. The reason that we’ve been denied admittance to at least one news association is that the site’s owners are lobbyists and PR professionals – though they respect a total firewall between their work and PoliticsPA. On top of that, economic realities necessitate that the site must operate as a non-traditional news outlet. Some parts of making the site operational, such as selling ads, fall to me as its sole employee.
Despite those unique requirements, PoliticsPA is a top resource for political news from Philadelphia to Erie and everywhere in between. Since I took the reins two years ago, we’ve quadrupled our impact on the news landscape and been cited hundreds of times by statewide and national publications.
I’m excited to be able to continue that work.
As you’ve trusted me to maintain a wall between the content of the site and its ownership and advertisers, I hope you will trust me to keep separate my work for PoliticsPA and my work for Ceisler Media.
I’m devoted to the integrity of PoliticsPA, and I will never allow other work to compromise the content on the site.
PoliticsPA isn’t going to change. Now and in the future, the site will maintain a robust approach to political news complete with a constant stream of content.
I’m grateful for PoliticsPA’s loyal readers and committed to preserving the high standards of the site. I hope I’ve earned your trust as I take this next step.
The beliefs and convictions of a member of Congress are important determinant of his or her votes. But effectiveness? That depends on the staff he or she assembles. Here is the official team of newly-minted Rep. Scott Perry (R-York).
Note how many names are staying on from the staff of former Rep. Todd Platts, the man Perry succeeded.
This is the second of three features. Check out freshman Rep. Matt Cartwright’s team here. Next up: Keith Rothfus.
Chief of Staff: Lauren Muglia
Hometown: Middlesex, NJ
College: Dickinson College, Carlisle
Muglia has extensive legislative, policy and military experience. She has served at the executive and legislative levels of government since 1992. She was commissioned into the U.S. Army in 1990 and presently serves in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel where she’s been deployed twice to hostile fire zones.
Deputy Chief of Staff: Bob Reilly
Hometown: Lebanon, PA
College: Shippensburg University
Reilly previously served as Deputy Chief of Staff to former Congressman Todd Platts. He oversees Congressman Scott Perry’s district offices in Gettysburg, Wormleysburg and York and serves as liaison to state and local elected officials, the business community and non-profit organizations to help identify solutions for issues facing the 4th District. He previously worked as a newspaper reporter and as a writer/consultant for the transportation construction industry.
Legislative Director: Marianne Myers
Hometown: Spring Grove, PA
College: West Virginia University
Marianne moved to Washington D.C in 2001 after working in the PA State House for four years to work with Rep. Todd R. Platts (R-PA). Marianne made the transition to the private sector in 2004 with an International PR firm, GolinHarris. Marianne returned to Capitol Hill in 2011 as Legislative Director for Todd R. Platts to serve the constituents of south central Pennsylvania.
Director of Operations/Scheduler: Carol Wiest
Hometown: Millersburg, PA
College: Harrisburg Area Community College
Wiest has extensive scheduling and management experience with the state and federal government. She worked for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, and most recently for Congressman Todd Platts.
Communications Director: Ryan Nawrocki
Home: Baltimore, MD
College: St. Mary’s College of Maryland
Nawrocki previously served as the Communications Director for Rep. Andy Harris (R-M.D.). Before joining Rep. Harris’ office he worked as the spokesperson for BWI Marshall Airport and in the administration of former Maryland Governor Bob Ehrlich.
Muglia delivers books to Bosnian students during a 2003 mission. Source: Stars and Stripes. http://www.stripes.com/news/bosnian-students-benefit-from-major-s-good-deed-1.942
Things are back to normal in Harrisburg… for better or worse.
Adrian King. The attorney and Rendell alum has the distinction of being the First Deputy Attorney General under Kathleen Kane. She announced her top staff Thursday and King, who served in the Rendell administration, is a nice pickup.
Ron Castille. The Chief Justice of the Pa. Supreme Court took lumps from his colleagues on the bench, who voted to remove him as the court’s official overseer to the Philadelphia court system. He took the hit because they blamed him for making public an embarrassing report that detailed rampant ticket fixing in the Philadelphia Traffic Court – including suggestions that fellow Justice Seamus McCaffery had his wife’s ticket dismissed.
Wayne Woodman. It’s nice to get compliments from your friends, but it’s more satisfying when they come from an opponent. This week liberal blogger and Lehigh Valley native Jon Geeting wroteof Woodman, the Lehigh Valley GOP chairman, “he happens to be very skilled at the mechanics of winning elections – candidate selection, fundraising, policy formation and coalition management.”
NCAA Lawsuit. One one but two polls – one from Public Policy Polling, another from Harper Polling – show that Gov. Tom Corbett’s lawsuit is generally popular with Pa. voters. Will he benefit from its strong numbers? Only time will tell.
Tweet of the week: Sen. Pat Toomey. The Senator earns this week’s marks for a vote he took outside of the Senate. Luckily for him (we guess), no Phillies were in contention.
@thecutch22 has my vote for the cover of MLB 13. Make sure you vote, Pennsylvania. Go Buccos! #MLB13CUTCH
It takes a special breed of person to be a successful county party chair. They must be savvy and hard-working, good at fundraising, and skillful diplomats, too.
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