… is about the seedling legislative push to change how political corruption is addressed in Pennsylvania. Link’s here. Pre-edited-down-for-space draft is here …
Using an Independence Hall backdrop yesterday, legislators and activists made known their desire to replace the state Ethics Commission with a new entity with bolstered anti-corruption powers.
State Rep. Curt Schroeder (R- Chester County) said finishing touches were being put on legislation to create the independent Public Integrity Commission. With statehouse support, it would have expanded powers to investigate corruption, but at an expanded cost: the Commission’s current budget is $2 million; PIC would double that.
“When the state is sending more elected officials to prison than mafia members, something is radically wrong,” said Allen Hornblum, one-time commissioner of the now-disbanded Pennsylvania Crime Commission.
A nominating committee (of a district attorney, two law school deans and one reform advocate) would submit 15 names to the governor who, with 2/3 state senate support, would pick seven to “uncover and investigate public corruption at all levels and in all branches of government within the Commonwealth.” PIC would have subpoena power. Unlike the current commission, it would also have access to law-enforcement records.
Officials from the League of Women Voters, Common Cause Pennsylvania and Democracy Rising were on hand to show support, along with representatives from both parties. Ethics Commission Chairman John Contino declined comment as hasn’t seen the proposed legislation.
“This will be an uphill battle,” said Schroeder, noting some peers don’t want investigators “looking over their shoulders.”