PA State Senator Jane Orie Arrested: Who else might be guilty of illegal activity?

Written by Roberta Biros

It was announced by WTAE Channel 4 News today that Senator Jane Orie was arrested today on charges that she allowed state funded staff and office resources to be used for campaign activities. You can read the full story on the WTAE website HERE.

The charges were brought by Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala, and some are screaming "Foul". The accusation is that Zappala (a Democrat) is bringing the charges against the Senator because she is a Republican. Some say, therefore, that the charges are simply politically driven.

For goodness sake, people . . . can’t we all grow up.

The Bigger Picture

In light of the charges against Orie as well as the recent guilty verdict against former State Representative Mike Veon, I'd like for us all to step back and wonder if there is a bigger problem here.

Is it possible . . . is there some remote chance . . . it there some odd circumstance where politicians might just break the law because they think they can get away with it?

Robbins, Brooks, Longietti, and Stevenson Dodge Questions

I've been engaged in a battle with our state legislators in Mercer County recently regarding this very issue and I’m becoming deeply concerned. Back in March I began a letter/email writing campaign to our state legislators (Senator Bob Robbins, Representative Michele Brooks, Representative Mark Longietti, and Representative Dick Stevenson). The conversation began after it was found that a staff member of Congresswoman Dahlkemper had published a nasty comment on my blog from a taxpayer funded computer during business hours. Since that time I’ve been repeatedly asking our legislators where they stand on the use of taxpayer funded staff and resources for personal/campaign purposes. They’ve dodged my questions repeatedly. I’ve asked the same questions in 3 or 4 different ways, but the responses are always the same . . . silence.

You would think that ‘honest politicians’ (oxymoron alert!) would jump at the opportunity to set the record straight about their own personal records. Sensible people would think that hard-working public servants would have a desire to be totally transparent in order to prove that Veon and Orie are exceptions to the rule, right?

Apparently those sensible thoughts are ridiculous. Instead, elected officials are running to their caucus legal teams and finding out exactly how deep they can hide to escape prying eyes and questions. What is the result? Well, the general rule seems to be “if you don’t NEED to answer questions, don’t”. For those legislators that are lucky enough to have no political challengers this year, they can hide in silence and hope that the storm blows over. Unfortunately, that is currently the case for every single state lawmaker that represents Mercer County.

Lack of Challengers Makes for Lack of Tranparency

Twenty-year incumbent Senator Bob Robbins, ten-year incumbent Representative Dick Stevenson, and relative new-comers Representative Michele Brooks and Representative Mark Longietti (who both began their first terms in 2007) are all running for re-election this year without challengers from their opposing parties. With no pressure to answer hard questions, all four of these lawmakers have chosen the “path of least resistance” by simply shutting up and hiding. They are hopeful that I will eventually disappear (i.e. become uninterested, suffer head trauma and lose my memory, move, die, etc.), and they’d like for me to do it quickly.

A Fine Line Between Legal and Illegal

The issue of using legislative staff members for campaign purposes is a sensitive and tricky topic. Technically, lawmakers can use their staff as long as those individuals do so on their own time and voluntarily. Unfortunately, in many cases staff members were not hired because of their amazing qualifications. Nope. In many instances, legislative staffers were hired because they were long time friends (or friends of friends) of the elected officials for whom they work. For that reason lines become blurred. It becomes difficult to draw a clean line between legislative work and campaign work. It all gets jumbled together into a big melting pot and it is hard to know the difference between legitimate work and illegal campaign activity. I believe that this may be the case with more than one of the lawmakers that represent Mercer County.

I’ve seen lots of things over the past few years. I’ve experienced situations that were questionable and I can direct you to photos that document equally confusing behavior. Rather than relying on politicians to “do the right thing”, maybe we should make the rules more straight-forward. A possible answer is available from my Platform for Good Government (see more about this below).

Solution: Draw a Thicker Line

The solution is simple. The staff of elected officials should NOT be involved in partisan political activity of any kind. PERIOD. The Hatch Act of 1939 prohibits federal employees from engaging in partisan political activity. This same concept should be implemented at every level of government. Legislative staff (as well as County and Local) should not be permitted to be involved in any political activity (on taxpayer time or on their own time). For more information about his concept, please read the on-line article titled “Politically Uncorrected : IF MEN WERE ANGELS" which is available for on-line review HERE.

In this example, legislation would prevent legislators from mixing paid staff with campaign staff. HOWEVER, legislation needs to be authored by and passed by LEGISLATORS! Sort of like the fox watching the chicken coop, don’t you think? If legislators aren’t honest enough to draw the lines without a law, how could they possibly be interested in drawing a line officially WITH legislation?

And therein lies the problem. This is the vicious circle of government. How do we fix it? I’m glad you asked!

Platform for Good Government

Those of you that know me realize that I’m passionate about the concept of “good government”. It is my opinion that our county, state, and federal governments could use a good “scrubbing behind the ears”. Government needs to be reformed from the inside out, and it needs to begin with a changing of the guard. “Out with the Old and In with the New” is a perfect slogan for what needs to happen. We need to replace dusty old politicians with fresh new public servants that (above all else) have a desire for “good government”.

How do we find those people? There are plenty of good, honest people out there that would qualify. Unfortunately, those people don’t attempt to run for office because it is too darn hard. Politics is set up in such a way as to discourage good and honest people from getting involved, and incumbents keep it that way. Here in Mercer County we have the “Mercer County Incumbent Party” that controls politics. They are a team of very dedicated Republicans and Democrats who work closely together to protect the inner circle (and keep out any chance of “good government” or “public servants”). The parties are not the answer. Instead, the movement needs to be grassroots in nature. Much like the Tea Parties are rallying concerned citizens, those same citizens need to step up and challenge the status quo.

It isn’t easy, and I say that from experience. However, once you realize what to expect, it becomes less threatening. I did it once (in 2009), and I’m determined to do it again . . . maybe sooner than later.

To set ourselves apart from “politicians”, we need to establish our own platform that goes against the “bad government” that we are trying to reform. For that reason I’ve established my own Platform for Good Government. The Platform is based on a list of specifics that I’ve found to be very wrong with “business as usual” in Mercer, Harrisburg, and Washington DC. It is my wish list of problems that need to be fixed, and it will be my main topics of conversation with elected officials and candidates that are running for office. If elected officials or candidates disagree with items on the platform, then they are part of the problem (and they need to go).

I don’t suggest that my Platform for Good Government is THE only answer. I am only suggesting that we should all take the time to prioritize our issues of concern. Take a few minutes to draft a platform of your own and stick by it. Make a list of the issues that are important to you, prioritize the list, and use the list to determine who is the most qualified to represent you as a public servant.

As always, just my opinion.

~Mercer Conservatives

Uncontested Races Troubling

Guest Column By Denny Bonavita

So, the Tea Party folks are going to force the national government to change its ways, are they? Hot air. Ditto for screamers in Internet chat rooms, for strident espousers of Second Amendment gun rights, for the people who claim our government is spending us into bankruptcy.

We yak about that, but it's simply lip-flapping. Nobody will change the current system of government, despite all the jaw-jabber. Why do we say that?

Look at who is running for election this year: Mostly, it's incumbents, or former incumbents. In area races for the state House of Representatives, there is not one contested race in the May 18 primary election, according to the filings with the Department of State. Matt Gabler (R), Kathy Rapp (R), Sam Smith (R), Martin Causer (R), Donna Oberlander (R), Bud George (D) are all assured of renomination.

Rapp, Causer and Oberlander are all but assured of re-election. No Democrats filed against them, so there probably won't be any major contests in November, either.
On the federal level, first-term incumbent Glenn Thompson, a Republican, is unopposed in both the primary and in the general election. So is Altoona-area Rep. Bill Shuster.

Sure, incumbent U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter is opposed - but by a current member of the federal Congress in the primary, and by a former member of Congress in the general election. More incumbents.

To hear the critics of government tell it, the state and federal governments are poorly run. But the critics are lip-flappers, only. Otherwise, some would have joined in the campaigns.

It doesn't take a lot of money, either. Gabler won the Republican nomination two years ago on a write-in basis. In our system of government, it is impossible to vote "No," or "None of the above," except in judicial retention elections. We can't vote people out of office if there is no opponent to vote in. Don't blame the incumbents. It isn't their fault if they do not have opponents. That is our fault.

Even the best incumbents benefit from having opponents - for the same reason that we learn something best when we know we have to teach about it. When an incumbent knows that he or she will be called to account on an issue, the incumbent rethinks the issue. Sometimes, the incumbent even changes positions, because the circumstances surrounding the issue have changed.

But that won't happen this year. We just don't care enough about our system of government to help to lead it. So the incumbents can just keep on doing what they have been doing.

WE THE PEOPLE SHALL STAND UNITED

"Efforts and courage are not enough without purpose and direction. " John F. Kennedy

I chose this quote because it says it all. There are people everywhere trying to get Obama and or all the democrats out of office. This, I can deal with however; take the republicans with them.

My congressman, Bill Shuster, asked me to support him in opposing Obama's health care plan. I am all for stopping this health care plan but, I will not support Mr. Shuster in his effort or lack thereof. I asked his staff, what is he proposing to American's on this issue and all I got was directed to a statement he made on the internet, that didn't offer any answer to my question.

I can't accept a person just because he disagrees on the same topics as I. I want someone in office who has a solution, not an excuse to blame someone else. I have no interest in helping anyone stay in office because they have a family to feed and need a paycheck. If you have no solutions to offer then you need to step down and get out of office, so someone else can bring fresh ideas to the table and be productive at the position.

Now this is not a personal attack on Mr. Shuster. This should be the respect held for the particular seat/office by all our politicians. I hear way too many people complaining about the problems instead of actively searching for a solution. If you are not part of the solution, then you are part of the problem.

We've all heard this sad story before but, do oneself a favor and think about it for a second. I personally do not wish to be a part of the problem anymore. Yes, at some point we have all been or are part of the problem.

Everyone says Obama is the whole problem. Well I can assure you that no one man is the whole problem. History has proven that there is always more than one. Most of you are fully aware of this, so I will not go any further on this.

We spend all this time idolizing politicians and those in office. Why? Has one of them never let you down? Has one never disagreed with you on a single subject? or is it just because he was a democrat or republican like you? I ask that stop your idolizing. Idols fade away. Idols will only let you down.

They are but mere men or women. Please don't idolize because these people portray themselves in a way to mess with our minds. I become irritated from time to time, because I try to talk to people and help Americans realize that we need to unite. The irritation comes from the fact that almost everyone agrees with some of which I deem best for America. Yet, the "almost" is normally the same thing. They are quick to defend the political party of choice.

This is a major issue in our nation. I think it is a pretty simplistic statement and strong one too. " UNITED WE STAND & DIVIDED WE FALL" Political parties are nothing more then dividers amongst the American people. So, why is it that very few in comparison actually see this point?

America, we must stop allowing the corruption of our nation to blind us and even worse turn on each other. Once again I say it,"UNITED WE STAND & DIVIDED WE FALL". Please, I plead with you, rid the tyrants of this tool of leverage. We need a president that won't be lead by the corruption of the banks and corporate America.

We need a Congressman who isn't in his seat because all his buddies from high school didn't do their homework or do not care about issues and just want to help a friend out. The buddy system must come to an end, NOW! The buddy system is part of what allowed the corruption in our government in the first place.

WE THE PEOPLE, must stop voting for the lesser of the evils, and stop voting the evil in PERIOD! That's like me saying "heroine is worse, so I'll just smoke crack instead". That is the dumbest justification or excuse ever.

Time has come my fellow Americans. The time to take our nation back and rise up from the grasp of these nay sayers and false idols. It bares repeating: "WE THE PEOPLE", "UNITED WE STAND", "DIVIDED WE FALL" America, we the the people shall stand united.

Rats in the PA Capitol Cafeteria causing a media frenzy in Harrisburg

KWY Newsradio 1060 is reporting that the Capitol Cafeteria in Harrisburg operated by Philadelphia-based Aramark and overseen by the Rendell administration has failed another cleanliness inspection. The Capitol Cafeteria had to be shut down in December when an inspector found numerous violations and even rodent droppings all over the place. Click Here To Read More

All Of This Has The Patron's Of The Capitol Cafeteria Mainly The Harrisburg Media In An UpRoar!!! The following is an interview with Rep. Bill DeWeese:

Media: Representative DeWeese!!!! Representative DeWeese!!!!! Can you give us a statement on the rats that were found in the Capitol Cafeteria area?

Rep. DeWeese: "Rats are various medium-sized, long-tailed rodents of the superfamily Muroidea. "True rats" are members of the genus Rattus, the most important of which to humans are the black rat, Rattus rattus, and the brown rat, Rattus norvegicus."

Media: But what about the rats? What is the Democratic leadership in the House planning to do about all these rats running around the Capitol especially in the cafeteria.

Rep. DeWeese: Well guys I've heard of rats in the Capital before, but I don't know of any rats that particularly like to hang out in the Capitol Cafeteria.

Media: Is there an ongoing investigation of the rats in the Capital building and can you share any details?

Rep. DeWeese: Lets see. MMM! I always thought that former Speaker of the House John Perzel was a rat, but i do not know of any initiative that is moving forward emphasizing the extermination of the rats in the Capitol.

Media: What about the rumors going around that the leadership in each caucus planted the rats in the Capitol to deflect public attention away from the bonusgate trial?

Rep. DeWeese: "Any speculation that I knew about this unsanitary act is absolutely false and there is no evidence to support this opinion"

Let me tell you folks. It is Ratgate not bonusgate that is the real reason nothing is getting done done in Harrisburg. The rat infestation has severely impacted the legislative process. Everywhere you go lawmakers think they are seeing rats.

THEY ARE EVERYWHERE!!

PETA IS ACTUALLY LOBBYING FOR THE ETHICAL TREATMENT OF THE RATS!

Now everyone knows that the company overseeing the Capitol Cafeteria has connections to Governor Rendell. The company is from Philadelphia so it is not a far stretch to assume that the rats have somehow migrated from that area of the state!!!

But I have to Give Rendell credit. He has been calm throughout the crisis. I love that Rendell finds the humor in it all.

Here is Rendell's answer to a reporters question about ratgate:

(Romeo:) “Any witticisms about rats and mice in the capitol?”

(Rendell:) “(laughs) Just put it this way: assuming there were rats and mice there, they’re not the first rats and mice to be in the capitol.”

YOU ALSO HAVE TO LIKE HOW GOVERNOR RENDELL
DOESN'T MIND EATING WITH RATS

Just think of all the gambling lobby lunches and dinners Rendell must have participated in. I'm sure he is used to all the rat droppings by now!

Ah What's A Computer? State Senator Jane Orie Accused Of Using Her State Senate Office Resources To Campaign For Her Sister

The Tribune-Review is reporting that State Senator Jane Orie, the third ranking republican in the state senate, is under investigation for alleged misuse of state resources for campaign purposes. According to the article an intern complained to Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr. that Orie's office was being used to campaign for her sister, Joan Orie Melvin, who won election in November to the state Supreme Court.

Orie, a former county prosecutor, comes from a prominent North Hills family. Her sister, Joan Orie Melvin, won election in November to the state Supreme Court, returning control of the seven-member court to the Republicans.

McDevitt contends Zappala is pursuing the case because of Melvin's victory over Democrat Jack Panella. The investigation began right after the election, he said.

McDevitt suggested the investigation might be focused on whether there was political activity in Orie's office for her sister.

An intern for Orie complained to the District Attorney's office about alleged campaigning in the office for Melvin.

Orie's lawyer, McDevitt, is naturally spinning the charges as being political motivated, but this is laughable considering Orie's own intern reported the abuses.

I find all this very ironic considering Orie is one of the most outspoken supporters in Harrisburg for reform. Kind of sums up the leadership in Harrisburg these days. Hubris run a muck

Also: Grand jury investigating state Sen. Jane Orie (Post-Gazette)