Before we even began to observe the legislative reaction in Harrisburg to the historic November election results, we were once again knee-deep in another scandal that threatened to paralyze our Legislature. The Post-Gazette, in its exposure of the bonuses awarded to staffers of the political caucuses and in calling for reform, has done a public service. The public certainly has a right to know the cost of running our government. While the Legislature's leaders may have been following long-established procedures, all of them should have questioned the secrecy of the bonus payments.

Kevin Joyce is the owner of The Carlton restaurant and chairman of the board of the Pennsylvania Restaurant Association (kjoycethecarlton@aol.com). He wrote this in a personal capacity and not as a representative of the association.

The sunlight probably will stop the future awarding of secret financial incentives, but it should be noted that the practice is not dramatically different from what goes on in private industry. Many of the highest bonuses were paid to key caucus and committee staffers who have law degrees and could be making far more money in private industry or as lobbyists for interest groups. Their service in government is a testament to their dedication to the process. They are the folks drafting the legislation, keeping committees moving and doing much of the nuts-and-bolts work of Harrisburg. These nonelected staffers work long hours and for the most part are the dedicated public servants that we have a right to expect.

The headlines from Harrisburg have provided interesting reading and water-cooler conversation -- and have produced some reforms -- but I wish we could just move on! The times demand an active legislative body this session, not one marred by two more years of scandal and recrimination.

The Legislature has been paralyzed since last May's primary. Many major decisions have been put off. Further, I think that the Post-Gazette's call in an editorial for Majority Leader Bill DeWeese, D-Waynesburg, to step out of leadership is shortsighted and contrary to the best interest of all of us in Western Pennsylvania! We need his legislative influence on this side of the state. Without him we would have to rely on leaders from midstate and the east for programs that are important here in the west.

I have driven to Harrisburg and stayed over on my dime many times over the years to educate Harrisburg legislators on a variety of issues for my important industry and for our great city. I fear a legislative body in Harrisburg without key leaders from Western Pennsylvania.

Despite the popular public impression about Bill DeWeese created by news accounts, I have always found him to have an open door without having a hand out. Whether I have been making the case for PNC Park, Heinz Field and the David L. Lawrence Convention Center or pushing for a statewide ban on smoking in the workplace, I always have found Mr. DeWeese and his staff to be available, intelligent, responsive and sensitive to the issues.

When traveling the legislative corridors in Harrisburg, it is sometime difficult finding leaders who understand the needs of Western Pennsylvania. Most of them do not understand the effect of the 45 percent parking tax in Pittsburgh or that our Downtown buildings have the highest vacancy rate in decades! The other side of the state has controlled much of the legislative agenda for years. The legislators from the east come together across party lines on key regional issues -- a tactic that unfortunately is not employed well in the west.

For the first time since 1994, Bill DeWeese's leadership position is one of true power and influence. If he were to vacate his post we could not expect to see a legislator from the west leading a major-party caucus for decades.

The Democrats now hold a slim majority and Bill DeWeese was willing, in the interest of bipartisan, effective government, to nominate and help elect a reform-minded Republican as speaker. Speaker Dennis O'Brien appears to be serious about change.

The newly elected Legislature and leadership teams in Harrisburg could provide a watershed of reform over the next two years. Let us give them some time to see if they respond to the urgent message sent by the voters in November.