PAGovWatch.com: Promoting Good Government in Pennsylvania

Written by Roberta Biros

PAGovWatch.com is now up and running!

My loyal readers know that I’ve been writing under Mercer County Conservatives for a while now. My focus has primarily been political and governmental issues specifically related to Mercer County PA. I’ve found that my interests and activities have begun to far outreach the borders of Mercer County, and I thought a new site might be appropriate. I will still continue to follow and publish information specific to Mercer County, and that information will continue to be posted under the Mercer Conservatives website. I will, however, also begin to expand my political activism across the Commonwealth. It is my intention to focus on lawmakers and legislation, and I will provide details and opinions about both.

In addition to my original content, I will also be posting updates and announcements from Pennsylvania Legislators as well as links to articles and other blogs that I find interesting and on-point. If you have a post (or a link to a post) that you would like published regarding Pennsylvania Government, Lawmakers, or Legislation, email me and I’ll post the information on your behalf. I am also currently accepting requests from other contributors who would like to post content of a similar nature on a regular or semi-regular basis. If you are interested in keeping the heat on our State Lawmakers and you’d like to be part of the PAGovWatch team, please email me.

Come and take a look at PAGovWatch.com . . . or even better . . . follow me on twitter or subscribe to an RSS feed (available from the upper right hand corner of the main screen) to view our latest updates automatically.

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Rep. Mark Longietti Opposed to I-80 Tolls

LEGISLATOR ANNOUNCEMENT

As you may have read in media reports, the issue of tolls on Interstate 80 has resurfaced recently. Let me assure you, I will continue to fight against any attempt to toll the highway.

A Pittsburgh Post-Gazette story quoted Gov. Edward Rendell stating that he told state Transportation Secretary Allen Biehler that resubmitting the application to toll I-80 to the Federal Highway Administration would be a “waste of time” and a “waste of his energy.” I agree.
[read Rep. Longietti’s full statement HERE]

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Let’s Just Skip the Election Process and Let Judges and the Governor Appoint Government Officials

Written by Roberta Biros

The 2009 Primary Elections in Mercer County, Pennsylvania were not particularly exciting. In Countywide races, ALL candidates ran unopposed on their own tickets, and most ran unopposed on BOTH tickets. The results of Primary voting in countywide races determined three candidates that will run completely unopposed in November (County Controller, Jury Commissioner-D, and Jury Commissioner-R). Only one race will carry over to the November General Election . . . that being the race for County Treasurer.

This year in Mercer County we also had the delight of selecting candidates for three Magisterial Districts in our fine County. In races for District Judge, candidates had the ability to run on both Primary tickets. In most cases, they did. When the final votes were counted, the winners from the Democratic ticket and the Republican ticket in each district were the SAME candidate in all three races. In essence (and at this point), the candidates will all be running against themselves in the November General Election (District 35-2-01 Judge: Dennis Songer (D) vs. Dennis Songer (R); District 35-3-02 Judge: Neil McEwin (D) vs. Neil McEwin (R); and District 35-3-03 Judge: Brian Arthur (D) vs. Brian Arthur (R)].

[you can read a complete summary of the 2009 Primary for Mercer County HERE]

It is true that the results of the election were unexciting, and it leaves the prospect of turnout for General Election to be drastically low. However, the election process “is what it is”. It is an established procedure that is clearly outlined and enforced to ensure “a fair election process”. There are specific rules in place for “running for office” [read the document provided by the State of Pennsylvania HERE], and there is an Election Calendar that is followed to the letter by the Elections Bureau [read the full calendar as published by the State of Pennsylvania HERE]. These standards were put in place to guarantee a fair and open election process.

It seems that those in power in Mercer County feel that the election process simply isn’t important any more. According to an article in The Herald this morning [READ HERE], Mercer County President Judge Francis Fornelli wants to just skip the legal election process in Mercer County and jump ahead by simply appointing the District Judges (since they have apparently “already won” their elections). The Herald states “Fornelli has been in touch with our county’s state representatives and the county chairmen of both the Republican and Democratic parties. Fornelli is hopeful they can help push Rendell to make the appointments and lighten the heavy load on our area.”

Well then . . . why don’t we just call the election now in ALL of the races? The District Judges have already APPARENTLY won their races . . . the Controller and Jury Commissioners are running unopposed . . . and the incumbent Treasurer figures that she has this one in the bag too. Why not just let Governor Rendell call ALL of the races now and skip the “unnecessary” semantics and “worthless” gyrations and effort of a General Election completely!

Why not? Allow me to explain . . . because it isn’t for the Governor to appoint “elected officials”. That is the job of the VOTERS. According to the established procedures for elections, the “game isn’t over until the fat lady sings” . . . and I’m NOT SINGIN’! If you look closely at the election rules and calendar, there is a process in place where candidates are determined for the Republican and Democratic tickets through the Primary Election, but the FINAL decision is made in November during the General Election. Between the time of the Primary and the General Elections, changes can be made, candidates can change (through withdrawals and party appointments), and INDEPENDENT candidates have the opportunity to enter the fray. It is not until August 3rd (of this election year) that Independent candidates file their nomination papers. It is not until August 10th that candidates that don’t wish to run in November are required to withdraw their names from the General Election Ballot. It is not until September 14th (of this election year) that political parties can name replacement nominees. It is not until September 17th (of this election year) that objections can be filed against nomination certificates. Most importantly . . . it is not until November 3rd that the VOTERS get to cast their final ballots to determine who the winners of each of the races will be.

At the point that a judge (in this case, Judge Francis Fornelli) feels that it is proper and legal to circumvent the elections process and simply allow the Governor to appoint “elected officials” without the final vote and approval of the citizenry, “We the People” are no longer in charge. The last I checked, “We the People” are the ones who make that decision . . . not a judge . . . and certainly not a Governor!

I find the suggestion of such an act to be a slap in the face of the VOTERS in this County. If you are similarly concerned, voice your opinion. Don’t allow leaders in Harrisburg to appoint our “elected officials”. Comments and complaints can be forwarded to any and all of the following:

Hon. Robert D. Robbins
337 Capitol Building
Senate Box 203050
Harrisburg, PA 17120-3050
(717) 787-1322Email: rrobbins@pasen.gov

Hon. Michele Brooks
153B East Wing
PO Box 202017
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2017
(717) 783-5008
Fax: (717) 705-1948Email: mbrooks@pahousegop.com

Hon. Mark Longietti
103 Irvis Office Building
PO Box 202007
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2007
(717) 772-4035
Fax: (717) 780-4785Email: MLongietti@pahouse.net

Hon. Richard R. Stevenson
155B East Wing
PO Box 202008
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2008
(717) 783-6438
Fax: (717) 705-1949
Email: rstevens@pahousegop.com

The Honorable Judge Francis J. Fornelli
President Judge
Mercer County Courthouse
North Diamond Street
Mercer, PA 16137
(724)-662-3800 ext. 2521
Fax (724)-662-7524

Governor Edward G. Rendell’s Office
225 Main Capitol Building
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17120
Phone: (717) 787-2500
Fax: (717) 772-8284

Mercer County Voter Registration and Election Bureau
Jeffrey W. Greenburg, Director
5 Mercer County Courthouse
Mercer, PA 16137
Telephone (724) 662-3800 or (724) 962-5711
FAX (724) 662-1530
jgreenburg@mcc.co.mercer.pa.us

If you have not read the comments regarding this post, please do so HERE . . . and be sure to join in on the conversation.

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