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PrintMy dedication to southwestern Pa. continues
I would like to offer a short response to your Nov. 16 editorial "House Cleaning." My record of reform during the 2007-08 session began at the very start of the session, when I joined House Speaker Dennis O'Brien and Rep. Josh Shapiro in forming the Commission on Legislative Reform and fully supported more than 30 recommendations and improvements to House procedures offered by the bipartisan group of legislators.
I also undertook a complete review of House Democratic Caucus expenditures and saved taxpayer money by eliminating contracts and streamlining staff. We also are the only caucus to implement a code of conduct as well as an ethics and compliance program for all staff.
On the policy front, we enacted numerous laws that expand access to health care, promote energy conservation, eliminate puppy mills, reform our state prison system and improve the state's open records law. We also now have the best autism and mine safety laws in the nation!
I feel privileged that my colleagues gave me the opportunity to serve as majority whip for the 2009-10 session and I remain the only member of caucus leadership from west of the Capitol dome to the Ohio border. Through the years, I have fully supported the Regional Asset District, Pittsburgh Zoo, Pittsburgh Ballet, Pittsburgh Public Theater, Pittsburgh Symphony, Cancer Caring Center, Pittsburgh Opera, Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania, Minority and Women's Educational Labor Agency, Carnegie Museum, Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, area colleges and efforts to keep the Steelers, Pirates and Penguins in Pittsburgh.
My commitment to southwestern Pennsylvania and Allegheny County is unquestioned and that dedication will continue for the next two years. And by the way, I was born at Magee hospital!
STATE REP. BILL DeWEESE
Waynesburg
The writer represents the 50th Legislative District.
Constitution is clear
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has made laughingstocks of the people of Pennsylvania once again. While poor Sen. Joe Biden has to resign as senator before becoming vice president, state Senate President Pro Tempore Joseph Scarnati III will not have to resign his Senate seat before becoming lieutenant governor.
Though the Post-Gazette reported that "the law" allows this result ("Rite of Passage," Nov. 14 editorial), the Pennsylvania Constitution provides quite plainly otherwise in Article II, section 6, which states that "No ... person holding any office ... under ... this Commonwealth ... shall be a member of either House during his continuance in office."
The reason Mr. Scarnati will be allowed to sit in both the executive and legislative branches is that in 2002, without oral argument or written opinion, the Supreme Court wrote a two-sentence order affirming a Commonwealth Court opinion that allowed Robert Jubelirer to retain his Senate seat while becoming lieutenant governor. Needless to say, Mr. Jubelirer was a powerful politician with a lot of influence, which might have had something to do with deciding such an important matter without argument or opinion.
BRUCE LEDEWITZ
North Side
The writer is co-director of Duquesne Law School's Pennsylvania Constitution Web site, www.paconstitution.duq.edu.
Democracy spoke
This letter is in regard to the photo of the Proposition 8 protest in the Region section of last Sunday's paper. While I understand the disappointment felt by those who support homosexual/lesbian marriage, I am quite baffled by their continuing protest in the wake of the vote on Proposition 8 in California.
In a true democracy the electorate vote directly on the issues, and this is exactly what occurs when a referendum is placed on the ballot. The people of California have spoken and the actions of those who desired a no vote on the proposition amount to nothing more than whining.
What would they think if those opposing the election of Barack Obama were now in the streets loudly protesting the results, which coincidentally mirror the results of the Proposition 8 vote? Get over it. If you feel strongly on this topic then begin working toward a new referendum and how you can convince the populace to see your point of view. Still be prepared for them to disagree, and if they do, please do not whine.
FRED STOCK
McCandless
Confidence merited
I commend Joe Grata for his Nov. 16 "Getting Around" column ("Turnpike Commission Gives PennDOT, State Transit Systems $1.2 Billion"). Under Act 44, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission has already paid to PennDOT $1.175 billion under the I-80 lease agreement. A total payment of $850 million is scheduled for fiscal year 2009 and $900 million for fiscal year 2010, whether or not I-80 is tolled.
Despite facing incredible market turbulence, Moody's Investors Service and Standard & Poor's confirmed the turnpike's bond ratings are at a solid "Aa3" and "A+" respectively. Investors strongly supported the commission's financing strategy, attesting to the confidence they have in the agency.
Like every other enterprise, the commission has been negatively impacted by the recent economic crisis. Responsible cost-cutting measures, including a voluntary departure program, will be implemented.
However, the private sector is not immune to these harsh economic times. Abertis Infrastructuras offered the General Assembly $12.8 billion to lease the turnpike on May 20. If accepted, the taxpayers of Pennsylvania would have lost $3.3 billion over the past five months -- over a third of the net available proceeds from the turnpike lease.
Even if the market recovered tomorrow and could be depended on to pay 8 percent returns going forward under the proposed turnpike lease, the 75-year funding would disappear in 10 years. I can't say it any better than Mr. Grata when he writes "lawmakers would have looked like fools; transportation's long-range funding problem would be far from solved."
STATE REP. JOSEPH MARKOSEK
Monroeville
The writer, a Democrat representing the 25th Legislative District, is chairman of the House Transportation Committee.
Biking as transit
Thank you for reporting on options for Port Authority riders in light of the possible impending service stoppage in Ann Belser's Workzone column "Bicycling Commuters Must Plan Their Routes" (Oct. 19 Business). It's important for city workers to know that bicycle commuting is a viable option and there are fellow Pittsburghers who are and have been bike commuting who are willing to help and provide advice and resources at www.bikethestrike.org.
MANUEL B. ZUNIGA JR.
Oakland
Respect for Rooney
I read your article "Why Dan Rooney Fell for Obama" (Nov. 9) with great interest. As a member of the United Steelworkers, it was my privilege to watch Dan Rooney express his support for Barack Obama at the Steelworkers headquarters on Nov. 1.
Mr. Rooney has long been a shining example for other football owners and for every person in Pittsburgh. He has never failed to make sure that his players understand the importance of supporting and giving back to the Pittsburgh community. The fact that he as a Republican chose to step out and support Mr. Obama because he was best for the community and best for the country just underscores his deep commitment to the Pittsburgh community.
JANET HILL
Beaver
Class and dignity
I am writing to comment on the Nov. 9 article "Why Dan Rooney Fell for Obama." I applaud Mr. Rooney not only for exercising his rights as a citizen to support a political candidate, but also for his continued dedication and support of Pittsburgh and this region. It seems that the political season that has just concluded was subject to more muckraking than any other in my lifetime.
Mr. Rooney, the Rooney family and the Steelers organization have long demonstrated their support for our community and done so with the class and dignity that we all have come to expect from our Black and Gold first family. Regardless of whom we supported for president, our support of Mr. Rooney and the Steelers should not waver.
JAMES S. FREDERICK
Beaver Falls
Put country before football
Nov. 11 was Veterans Day. As I was driving around that day, I couldn't help but notice the number of flags that were hung on houses. One problem with that is that they were Steelers flags. One day out of the year to honor our vets and we can't even do that. We should all be ashamed of ourselves. We are all so spoiled that we take our freedom for granted.
We better get our priorities straight before our way of life is taken away from us. It makes me sick the way we praise our athletes every day, but we can't even honor our vets one day a year!
WILLIAM MAWHINNEY
Shaler
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