New light shed on state lawmakers' secretive grants

Tens of millions of tax dollars that support Pennsylvania lawmakers' favored causes are directed by legislative leaders through a secretive process that appears to benefit some leaders' constituents the most, according to an analysis by The Associated Press .

[jones]

More of the same from Rendell and DeWeese at the helm of this slave ship.

Rise up against these traitors to the United States of America.

[snowman allentown PA]

I cannot believe that someone said that the system operates this way BECAUSE SOME PEOPLE ARE MORE EQUAL than others. It appear that the only people that are at the bottom of the EQUAL list are the TAXPAYERS. Stop the system now. Since it has not been voted on, it can be stopped.

[Chris Casey]

I am happy to see the local media bring this to the public's attention. But I would point out the RTK legislation was passed last year,. they could have ran this story during the election cycle.
Instead they wait for the off year cycle. In 18 months, when the same corrupt bunch is up for retention, the media will run their endorsement of the local cretin. There are good legislators and bad legislators.
But nobody wants to admit that their person might be part of the problem.

[American]

Another example of too large a government and too much secrecy. We need to take back the control from these self serving crooks.

[StaberDearth]

American wrote:

Another example of too large a government and too much secrecy. We need to take back the control from these self serving crooks.

A huge start would be to simply VOTE them out! Our electorate tends to be too apathetic and self absorbed and I fear that we are losing our ability and drive to want to take such actions. I also fear that those in power know this.

If we don't weed the field, the weeds will take over. We get the government we have and all of its filth because we allow it.

[StaberDearth]

An easy way to lacate your own electorate is to ply them with money. The relic, jack-a-ss Murtha knows this well.

[StaberDearth]

placate...

[whatever]

Corruption????? Gee, what a surprise!

[comment]

Yes, vote them out and then vote out WAM. This lack of non-transparency must end.

This is a waste of money. Any money directed to programs should come through normal appropriations process.

[Too Much]

Is this really a surprise?

[Disturbed]

When are these people going to get it? THEY WORK FOR US!! Apparently, the common assumption made by PA politicians in Harrisburg is that they (once elected) now work for themselves and can make up their own rules as they go along.
You are in Harrisburg to serve the taxpayers of PA! You are not there to see how much of the State's business you can conduct and manipulate behind closed doors. What are you afraid we might see, Congressmen and Senators? Manipulation...corruption...fa voritism...bribes...lobbyist money/gifts...it all seems to rampant in Harrisburg.
Ladies and gentlemen of Harrisburg...this is not a game you have been elected to play. Your service to PA taxpayers is not an exercise in how much fatter you can make your pockets or those that lobby you. Although you are there to represent your own constituency from your home district, you are also there to do what is right for the state of PA in general. Additionally, your term in office is not primarily for campaigning or fundraising for your next election either.
YOU HAVE BEEN ELECTED TO DO THE PEOPLES' BUSINESS...HONESTLY, LEGALLY AND FISCALLY RESPONSIBLY!
Why is this concept so difficult to understand? You are being paid a more than fair wage with benefits second to none.
Harrisburg is not a big-boy/girl playground for those that are simply looking to fatten their own wallets or resumes.

[Disturbed]

StaberDearth wrote:

<quoted text>
A huge start would be to simply VOTE them out! Our electorate tends to be too apathetic and self absorbed and I fear that we are losing our ability and drive to want to take such actions. I also fear that those in power know this.
If we don't weed the field, the weeds will take over. We get the government we have and all of its filth because we allow it.

The problem with simply voting them out of office is there is a huge line of people who want to take the seat that is vacated. Most of these people are more than willing to tell us anything we want to hear in order to get our vote. They will lie to us about what they stand for and they will lie to us about what their opponent stands for. Lies, Lies, Lies! That appears to be the primary requirement for holding elected office in Harrisburg and Washington.
The system must be changed to prevent those elected from serving only their own self-interests.
The problem is the system will never change because those that can change the system are an intregal part of the system itself and have no interest in changing anything about a system that allows them such power and accumulation of wealth.

[Allentown Taxpayer]

Too Much wrote:

Is this really a surprise?

Yes, maybe we should follow what the Iranian protesters are doing and take this state back as well as the nation. We are too complacent with the way things are and just complain but do nothing. We should make welfare harder to get and drive the do nothings back to where they came from. Rendell should be impeached and take Pawlowski with him. As it is, it is almost cheaper to collect. Isn't it a sin when a cashier at a grocery store doesn't know how to handle a cash transaction instead of an access card. The minutemen men of the Revolutionary War are probably rolling over in their graves. They were the brave ones.

[Gary]

Keep voting in those Democrats folks, there's no end to how they'll waste your money, then come back for more.

[Just me]

Those big cardboard checks are what keep the same people in office term after term. Do you think the voters will change as long as the pipeline of money keeps flowing? Not a chance. When will people realize this is "our money" that is being pissed away for the good of the few?

[Bob R]

All of this is very interesting but remember, it is the constituents of these representatives who are "squeezing" their rep for this money. This is the old "ask and ye shall receive" system of government.
What is really needed, is a fair, state wide review of worthy projects submitted to a central clearing house and based on some kind of "really needed" system. Of course, in this day and age, I suspect that's wishful thinking??

[tom]

Allentown Taxpayer wrote:

<quoted text>Yes, maybe we should follow what the Iranian protesters are doing and take this state back as well as the nation. We are too complacent with the way things are and just complain but do nothing. We should make welfare harder to get and drive the do nothings back to where they came from. Rendell should be impeached and take Pawlowski with him. As it is, it is almost cheaper to collect. Isn't it a sin when a cashier at a grocery store doesn't know how to handle a cash transaction instead of an access card. The minutemen men of the Revolutionary War are probably rolling over in their graves. They were the brave ones.

Actually the Iranians surprised me, and I initially had the same thought.
But Americans don't have the guts to take that kind of stance on what they believe in

[clover]

Bob R wrote:

All of this is very interesting but remember, it is the constituents of these representatives who are "squeezing" their rep for this money. This is the old "ask and ye shall receive" system of government.
What is really needed, is a fair, state wide review of worthy projects submitted to a central clearing house and based on some kind of "really needed" system. Of course, in this day and age, I suspect that's wishful thinking??

Yes Bob, the constitutents are asking their elected officials for the money - and for a good reason - where else can they get it. State Rep. Keith McCall is doing a fantastic job in getting monies for our local communities. Why shouldn't money go to small counties instead of the usual Philadelphia and Pittsburgh areas? Ask and you shall, hopefully, recieve, is a lifesaver in these times.

[Senior Plus]

Very well stated Disturbed!. All we have to do is go back about 3 years when a number of legislators either resigned or were voted out by folks who ran on transparency and change ad nausuem. We are still waiting. The article points out how they went to court to keep this information secret. As some pundits have written, Pennsylvania fights continually to not be dragged into the 21st century.
As for those who have written in response to this article about our taking over, just count the number of responses on this important issue. Under 20 at present.. As I have said so often, entrenched legislators or their replacements have as their mantra “this too shall pass.” It matters little the issue they know we have a short attention span and will move on to the really important things in lifesuch as American Idol, Paris Hilton, Brittany Spears who generally receive hundreds of responses to any article in which their names appear

[Pengy]

It is only a way of buying votes to keep the same ol same ol. Big budget deficit, need to raise taxes? How about getting rid of the WAM's while your at it get rid of the automobile allowance and the $125 a day per diem. Must be great lunches at that price. Thats right they cannot possibly live on just a salary that is approximately 4 times that of their constituents.