HARRISBURG -- These days, the word used most often by candidates running for political office is "reform," as in updating and improving the way state government operates.

It was state Auditor General Jack Wagner's turn to use the word Tuesday, as he outlined a multiple-point plan for changing the way business is done under the Capitol dome.

Mr. Wagner, of Beechview, is one of four Democrats seeking the party's nomination for governor in the May 18 primary, along with Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato of the North Side, Montgomery County Commissioner Joe Hoeffel and state Sen. Anthony Williams of Philadelphia.

Mr. Wagner, referring to controversies in recent years over legislative pay raises, political bonus payments, budget battles and other matters, said: "In many ways state government is broken. The train is off the track and needs to be put back on the track. Structural change in state government is needed."

So he outlined changes he'd like to see, some of which would require amendments to the state constitution and some of which could be accomplished through legislation:

• reducing the size of the 50-member Senate and the 203-member House by one-third.

• convening a constitutional convention, perhaps in 2011 or 2012, to recommend specific changes; it would the first convention since 1968.

• eliminating bonuses for state workers.

• taking steps to make sure state budgets are enacted on time, meaning by July 1, something that hasn't happened for the past seven years. One idea could be to deny salary to legislators for every day a budget is late.

• insisting on competition in the awarding of state contracts, rather than sole-source or emergency contracts to just one bidder; and canceling "pay to play" procedures, such as giving a state contract or some other consideration to a company that has contributed to a political leader's campaign.

• doing more to control state spending, such as making sure eligibility requirements for welfare recipients are strictly followed.

• giving homeowners greater property tax relief from slots revenue.

• putting caps on how much individuals and companies can contribute to political campaigns, though he didn't have specific limits.

• redistricting House and Senate district lines by a nonpartisan commission rather than by legislative leaders, who usually redraw lines to protect incumbents.

• allowing independent voters to vote in primary elections.

The four Democratic candidates for governor will meet in a televised debate at 7 p.m. today, where they all will discuss ideas for improving the operation of state government. The debate will be shown on Pennsylvania Cable Network (PCN).

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