PACleanSweep, a non-partisan organization aimed at reforming state government in Pennsylvania, today revived its online Hall of Shame feature to pressure lawmakers into signing a petition to call a special session of the General Assembly focusing on ethics and reform in Harrisburg.

The web page lists all incumbent legislators who have not signed the petition launched on July 21st by Senator Jeffrey Piccola. Also listed are the Harrisburg and district office phone numbers of the legislators to enable Pennsylvanians to easily contact them.

"We're stunned that more legislators have not yet signed the petition," said Russ Diamond, chairman of the group. "There are 55 freshman legislators in Harrisburg, most of whom were elected in 2006 based on their campaign promises of reform. We're especially disappointed with the individuals that PACleanSweep backed who have not signed on."

It is sad that the Media will not cover the Appeal of the Clinton Fraud Case (appeal granted in January) which will certainly be used by the Republicans. The GOP has already made a movie for use in the fall called "Hillary- The Movie" The movie can be viewed in 9 - ten minute segments. The case has a hearing to set a trial date 3 Days after the Pennsylvania Primary. Before Senator Clinton comes to Pennsylvania seeking votes, she should respect voters here and disclose that this case exists, (Go to www.lasuperiorcourt.org , Click on “Case Summaries” in the “Civil” column, then enter this case number: BC304174. She should disclose it before one vote is ever taken. The Plaintiff tells his story on video also, it can be viewed by searching Google: “Hillary Uncensored”

The Committee of Seventy, hot off of the success of its co-sponsorship of The Next Mayor project, has turned its attention to updating the city charter, arguing (as Sylvester Johnson also recently said) that the police commissioner should have more power to appoint his subordinates and to recruit police officers who don't currently live in the city. My reaction to this was similar to Dan's:

This is a little strange. I understand they are a good government group, so getting their opinion on taking away civil service jobs and moving them to appointments makes sense. But, doesn't it seem strange that instead of being asked about whether they would support a move, they are actually proposing policing policy changes?... (I)t seems more like the Committee of Seventy is either greatly expanding its mission, or that someone asked them to issue this call for change, so as to use their goodwill in the media, etc.

On Sunday, Zack Stalberg appeared on Live at Issue. He said that with the change in office, the Committee of Seventy was likely to shift its attention away from ethics violations (the main issue during the Street Administration) and towards "good government," i.e., efficiency, the quality of city services, etc. The proposed changes to the city charter, then, would fall under how the Committee is now interpreting its mandate.

But even if it's a broadening of focus rather than a wholesale change, I find this troubling -- especially insofar as it seems part of a narrative that with Street out and Nutter in, the city's ethical problems are over and we can move on to other issues. The presumption that a change of the top office holder somehow changes both the prevailing dynamics and universal potential for corruption is woefully short-sighted. [Read on after the jump.]

If you think that the City of Philadelphia is in desperate need of ethics reform, try the School District.

Last year parents raised concerns about the most basic ethical violations, including no-bid and/or sweetheart contracts for politically established firms, a School Reform Commission (SRC) chair with a penchant for regular dining at the Four Seasons on the School District dime, an SRC budget padded with consultants who duplicated extant district services, a CEO who wrote a letters to public school parents explicitly supporting a state legislator during election season (Perzel), and a budget process that appeared secretive and back door.

Including the capital budget, the School Reform Commission is in charge of $4 billion a year, almost comparable to the City of Philadelphia. As we discuss bringing more money to the public schools, the District needs ethic guidelines to prove that it is a responsible steward of such money.

With a politically appointed commission, some of whom run their own businesses and move in highly political circles, keeping business above board is not always a given. Outgoing Chair James Nevels, for example, ran one of the nation’s largest private equity firms, but had no responsibility to divulge any conflict of interest as he signed off on billions of dollars in questionable contracts some of which didn’t even require open review. One consequence was the revelation that Edison Schools had received a contract which guaranteed enrollment and paid them for almost 20% more students that they didn't even have. Every month the SRC meets for hours in “closed session.” In June, parents pointed to the closed sessions as violations of the Sunshine Law, especially after Commissioner James Gallagher was quoted in the media as admitting to “probably” having violated the law.

So how do we create a basic ethics agenda for the School District? Post your ideas here, and expect to see us raise them with the District in the new year. Our initial suggestions:

1. Eliminate no-bid contracts;
2. Eliminate pay-to-play: if you contribute politically, you can’t bid;
3. SRC Commissioners, district leaders required to file statements of financial disclosure, including conflict of interest statements, financial interests, as well as political contributions;
4. Guidelines re: gifts, meals, credit cards, etc.;
5. Two-year lobbying restrictions on ex-employees;
6. Conduct School District business in public and avoid the appearance of secrecy and back door deals.

For those interested in Ethics Reform:

The Committee on Law & Government will be holding a public hearing on Councilman Rizzo's Ethics Package this Tuesday, November 13th at 2:00 in City Hall, Room 400.

The Committee will hear testimony on Bills No. 070705 (anti-nepotism), 070795 (limiting outside employment), 070172 (lobbying), and 070828 (gifts). Members of the public are encouraged to attend.

If you would like more details, or would like to testify, please contact Councilman Rizzo's Legislative Aide, Will Robinson, at 215-686-1906.