HARRISBURG -- In the midst of the growing Bonusgate scandal, a state senator has announced a petition drive to force a special legislative session on ethics reform.

"Pennsylvania, we have a problem," said Sen. Jeffrey Piccola, R-Dauphin. "It is a problem of arrogance, greed and corruption, and a system that encourages, protects and rewards all three."

Last Thursday, state Attorney General Tom Corbett announced charges against a dozen Democrats, including former House Democratic Whip Mike Veon and current Rep. Sean Ramaley, D-Economy, who is running for state Senate.

Massive taxpayer-funded bonuses were paid to staffers for campaign work, Mr. Corbett said. He alleged that House Democrats improperly spent taxpayer money in dozens of other instances as well.

House Majority Leader Bill DeWeese, D-Waynesburg, yesterday said he would not step down from his leadership position. Mr. DeWeese was not named in any of the presentments from the grand jury last week, but some have called for his resignation because he initially told staffers who received bonuses to keep quiet about them.

"I feel this [grand jury] report vindicates me, and I really believe that our leadership team for the last 17 months has handled this terrible crisis in the best way conceivable," Mr. DeWeese told The Associated Press.

"For him personally and for the good of the institution and the good of the Democratic caucus, I hope he steps aside," said Rep. John Yudichak, D-Luzerne.

"The leader who says he wasn't aware of what was going on is not a leader and should step down and get out of the way," said Rep. Bill Keller, D-Philadelphia.

Mr. Yudichak said a leadership reorganization "could very well happen" in September -- the waning days of the session -- if Mr. DeWeese has not resigned as leader.

"I think that there are very long odds that he survives as a leader this fall, and virtually no opportunity going into the next legislative session," Mr. Yudichak said.

Gov. Ed Rendell, who has the authority to call a special session of the Legislature independently, said earlier in the week that he would not exercise that authority on the ethics matter because he wanted to see issues like health care and energy addressed first.

Mr. Piccola said he could force the governor's hand by gathering signatures from a majority of senators and House members. This would require Mr. Rendell to call a special session, which would probably take place from mid-September to late October, when the Legislature is normally in recess, Mr. Piccola said.

"I would welcome a petition from the Legislature for a special session to address ethics and reform," Mr. Rendell said in a statement. "The absence of strict internal financial controls and disclosure allowed this to occur for as long as it did. That can, and should, be changed immediately."

State reform activists supported the petition drive, but said it only amounted to a first step toward change.

Gene Stilp, a longtime Harrisburg activist, called the state government a "patient" that is "just about dead from cancer, and they're trying to see if they can save it."

Before the petition drive announcement, a group of about 17 Democratic candidates rallied for reform on the steps of the Capitol, promising to enact changes if elected.

"Our constituents demand and deserve honest, efficient and open government," said Ayanna Lee, who is running for state House against Rep. Mark Mustio, R-Moon.