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Our Opinion ... Fret Not, Dear Reader....
Another Opinion Let’s Have Fewer Special Elections
Legislative Dist. This means more than 50,000 Pennsylvania citizens will go unrepresented in the State House for more than six months. For these reasons, I have introduced legislation (HB 2340) which will put an end to the practice of public officeholders’ running for one office while holding another, or from running for two offices in the same election cycle. My legislation will not affect the current election cycle, but I am concerned about the avoidable cost of special elections. My legislation will not prevent someone from seeking higher office, but it would require a candidate to resign from one position in order to seek another, if the terms of the two positions would overlap. The proposal also would end the practice of candidates’ seeking two offices in the same election cycle. It would cover elected positions at the local, county and state level, including those for congressional seats. In addi-
tion to the General Assembly, in recent years we have seen appointments to fill incomplete terms of the State Treasurer and the State Attorney General. This was the result of people choosing to seek higher office while still holding another elected office. I realize this could be inconvenient for those who use one public office as a steppingstone to another. I know this will not prevent anyone from resigning a position to run for higher office; but I also realize it is long past due for the cost and the confusion related to unnecessary special elections and interim appointments to end. Also, at a time when government is being asked to do more with less, I think this is an easy call. Allegheny Co. and the City of Philadelphia already require officeholders to resign from a public office if the holder intends to seek a different elected public position. There is a risk associated with running for any elected office. First-time candidates often do not have a job that is as flexible as it could be for the purpose of seeking an elected office. Many times, challengers are forced to take leave that has no guarantee
Mark Your Calendar
May 17- Robert Palaima hosts Fundraiser for State Sen. Mike Stack at Spasso Italian Grill, 34 S. Front St., 5:30-7 p.m. Donation: Gold $1,000, Silver $500, Bronze $250. For info Kevin (717) 213-4300. May 17- Spring Social for Chapel of Four Chaplains, 1201 Constitution Ave., Bldg. 649 in Navy Yard, 5:30-7:30 p.m. At door, $25. For info (215) 2181943 or Events@Fourchaplains.org. May 17- Celebrity Bartender Night with former Sheriff Barbara Deeley, at La Casa Di Lucia, 14425 Bustleton Ave., 7-10 p.m. May 18- Republican Women’s Club meets at Vesper Club, 223 S. Sydenham St., 12 m. Guest speaker: Lt. Gov. Jim Cawley. For reservations Karen Brown (267) 246-6437. May 19- Delaware River Day at Olde Ft. Mifflin, Ft. Mifflin & Hog Island Rds., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Complimentary admission for active duty military and families with ID.
May 19- State Rep. Louise Williams Bishop hosts annual Spring Fling Kids Health Fair at Shepard Rec Ctr., 57th & Haverford Ave., 12-4 p.m. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. May 19- Delaware River Day at Penn’s Landing, Market St. & Columbus Blvd, 12-6 p.m. Ship inspections, boat shows, free rides. Complimentary admission for active-duty military and families with ID. May 19- City Council sponsors 2nd annual Senior Citizen Prom at Penna. Convention Ctr., starting 6 p.m. Tickets available through local adult centers. Hosting are Council President Darrell L. Clarke, Majority Whip William K. Greenlee and 1st Dist. Councilman Mark Squilla. For info Verna Tyner (215) 686-3446. May 19- Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz and State Sen. LeAnna Washington on agenda at Women’s Christian Alliance 2012 gala at National Constitution Ctr., 7-11 p.m. For info Evelyn Jones Busby (267) 471-2495. May 19- May Fair honoring fallen hero firefighter Joe Konrad at Ryan & Sackett, kicks off 7:30 p.m. Other activities around Cottman &
Frankford. Family fun. May 23- Korean War Veterans salute police, firemen, and service personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan at Korean War Memorial, Front & Spruce Sts., 2 p.m. Sgt. Richard Pinter speaks on meaning of Memorial Day. May 23- Jobs With Justice annual Solidarity Reception at District 1199C, 1319 Locust St., 5:30-7:30 p.m. To be honored are Henry Nicholas, Jody Dodd, Jim Savage, Amanda Geraci and Occupy Phila. May 23- Congressman Chaka Fattah hosts Veterans Conference for all veterans at Great Ha., Community College Winnet Student Life Bldg., 17th & Spring Garden Sts. No charge. Benefits assistance. To register (215) 871-4455. May 26- State Rep. Vanessa Lowery Brown hosts 3rd annual Hug-A-Vet rally at George T. Cornish American Legion Post 292, 4812 Fairmount Ave., 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Honoring vets from N. and W. Phila. For info (215) 879-6615. May 28- Memorial Day Services at Washington Sq., Korean and Vietnam Memorials, Bridesburg and Fishtown, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Jun.2- State Rep. Cherelle
www.phillyrecord.com • 215-755-2000
by State Rep. Tony DeLuca (D-Allegheny) The House of Representatives swore in six new members last week, all elected in special elections held in conjunction with the April primary elections. Four of the six will not serve beyond Nov. 30 of this year because they failed to win their party’s primary election. All six of the vacancies occurred because sitting members of the House ran for other offices last fall, in the middle of their two-year terms. Since then, two additional vacancies have occurred in the House. Every time special elections are called, they can cost Pennsylvania taxpayers in excess of $175,000 for each election. Additionally, when members of the General Assembly leave midterm, it often results in their constituents’ going unrepresented for months. For instance, the Speaker just announced a special election will not be held to fill the vacant seat in the 50th
The Public Record • May 17, 2012
Philadelphia public schools will be open this fall. Luckily, parents won’t have to home-school their kids ... not that many could. Gov. Tom Corbett, addressing the Chamber of Commerce, indicated his budget had an increase over what had been proposed ... but he wasn’t going to fatten it up to any measurable degree. So the State will come up with some additional money for our financially strapped school district. Then our Mayor will have done everything he can, including increasing hundreds of fees and upping nuisance taxes, while being challenged by City Council on the propriety of raising real-estate taxes. He will deliver many more millions of dollars. The only losers in this scenario are the efforts of individuals to set up small businesses in this city, finding they are being forced to pay several thousand dollars in fees and other costs just to set up small businesses such as grocery stores and restaurants. Also, you must worry many voters will not understand a ballot question which will find its way to the ballot in November wresting sole control to levy water rates from the Water Commissioner. Thanks to the City Charter, the Commish answers to no one when raising rates. The question needs to be approved by you, giving City Council a voice in how rates are levied. Failure to do so will see a rapid erosion of businesses in this city which have cement aprons, small and big. Right now, Comcast Building, our city’s tallest, will pay less in water rates than businesses which depend on trucking facilities to survive, such as supermarket malls and other shopping strips. Their water rates have climbed to the point where most of their profit will be going to the Water Dept.