Mazziotti's bill is modeled after the pay-to-play legislation adopted in Philadephia in 2005. It imposes campaign contribution limits and may impose restrictions on vendors seeking County business. When I have more details, I will share them.
The biggest argument I hear against campaign finance reform measures is that there is no way you can stop people from breaking the law. But if that argument has any validity, we should immediately repeal our murder and bank robbery laws.
Since Mazziotti is a Republican on a Board dominated by Republicans, and no one in trouble this year happens to be a Republican, I think its chances are very good.
The same might be true on the state level, despite what the experts seem to think. In 2009, when they were still mortals and had not yet been elevated to the judicial heavens, Craig Dally and Doug Reichley sponsored legislation aimed at curtailing pay-to-play. It went nowhere because they were Republicans in a legislature dominated by Democrats.
Last year, it was Democrat Brandon Neuman's turn. His proposal to curtail pay-to-play in state contracts went down 91-107, largely along party lines. But State Rep. George Dunbar had some success with a law that would prevent a state employee from evaluating any contract proposed with an organization at which he was employed in the private sector. .
Last year, most of those in trouble were Republicans. This year, the Dems are getting hammered. Legislation aimed at ending pay-to-play, proposed by a Republican, could pass this year if one was offered.
24 comments:
Bernie, you could donate $1m to the gutter snipe's campaign to rule West Easton. Opportunity knocks.
This is a great start. The commissioners also need to look into the connection between Fleck/Pawloswski and Muller. We now have independent confirmation of some shady goings on.
County social programs are suffering and huge sums of money were collected for improvement of government and instead it filters into obscene country club parties and who knows where else.
The last thing Lehigh County needs is the problems of Allentown.
This is an indication of the incestuous. relationships occurring.
Despite the strong oversight by the Lehigh commissioners, it's needed. As yesterday's MC article shows, Muller is in this just as much as Pawlowski.
I wish Allentown City Council was discussing things like this.
No rational person could have read yesterday's story and come away with that conclusion. Ed Pawlowski and his relationship with Mike Fleck generated a search warrant, 2o-something named people, raids, searches, seizures and wirtetaps. Anyone not named in that exhaustive, all-comprehensive document that was the result of a yore or more of investigation has got to be squeaky clean.
Yesterday's article shows what Fleck did to numerous other politicians and candidates for office...used them as a vehicle for his own personal fundraising and enrichment and never disclosed expenses honestly and had very little transparency to his clients.
Let's blame it all on Fleck and move on.
The additional revelations of sleeze, corruption,
retribution and cronyism mean absolutely nothing.
The Flecter made them do it.
Dirty Democrats, except for three time DUI Browne. That's why this purple state turned mostly blue in the last few years. Good for the Morganellis and Seth Williams of the state for calling out the crooks in their own ranks.
9:06 -
You must be delusional. It's exactly the same thing, only the FBI hasn't made it to the county...yet. They didn't name anyone in the Reading probe on Pawlowski's warrant either.
To try to blame this all on Fleck is laughable. Muller hired him, and was in charge of what he did.
According to the article, the contributions were at three levels - $2,500, $5,000 and $10,000. Yet he doesn't know who gave? If you believe that, I've got a bridge to sell you.
Muller campaigned on the premise that he was competent enough to run the entire county, yet he now wants us to believe that he isn't competent enough to run a checkbook for his inaugural party.
12:14 -
This isn't about party, as you note. It's about crony capitalism and using campaign contributions to choose who does business with the government.
It needs to be rooted out of all levels of government, no matter what party is wrong.
Now it's clear to see why Muller was sent out to pasture at Benny & Smith.
The guys a slim-ball.
Thanks for not nothing, Don.
You too, Barr.
Kudos to Vic Mazziotti. More than enough politicians hereabouts have proved they cannot be trusted; as a result they all must now be monitored. These restraints are necessary to restore public confidence in both Allentown and Lehigh County governments.
The Facebook page Let's Build the New Allentown is dedicated to achieving similar reforms in the City of Allentown.
Lets start a Fleck client list. So the world will know who had such bad judgement.
Mayor Pawlowski, Mayor Bob Donchez, Tom Muller, .......
Robert, Vic intends to take his ordinance to Allentown City Council and ANIZDA.
"Lets start a Fleck client list. So the world will know who had such bad judgement. Mayor Pawlowski, Mayor Bob Donchez, Tom Muller, ......."
This is nothing less than an attempt to vilify people who are presumed innocent, and whose chief crime appears to be that they are Democrats. I am perfectly willing to see anyone prosecuted who engaged in a conspiracy to deprive the public of their right to honest services. But the use of Mike Fleck, by itself, means nothing. mWhat I suspect you are doing is attempting to make political hay in what is really a matter of good government. One of the examples you mention is Bob Donchez. He brought in Fleck, at the end of his campaign, for the very limited purpose of getting out the vote. He had no other involvement and has not been used since. In the case of Tom Muller, Fleck actually ran a fairly good campaign and I do not fault Muller for using him. Now Fleck's subsequent involvement with Muller is cause for concern, but I'll wait to hear the tapes. My bet is that most elected officials are completely innocent. Those who are dirty will be dealt with in due course.
"Most elected officials (caught up in this Pawlowski mess) are completely innocent"
We'll sell about that, then, won't we?
Yes, we sure will.
You are quoting a comment no one made, don't ID yourself and talk about the honesty of others.
Seems like a hypocritical waste of time. Northampton County has a law that forbids cabinet members from working for a contractor for a year. However, Mazziotti buddy and fellow John Stoffa cabinet member Ross Marcus defied county law and went to work for county contractor CACLV immediately. The county did not enforce the ordinance.
So why bother writing and passing laws when you won't even enforce them. All for show Vic.
Then vote it down and let voters know who you are so they can reward you.
6:04 didn't quote himself, he quoted me.
Mr Jennings works exclusively for the good of the common man, like promoting the Allentown water deal,. Because of this, ordinary laws don't apply to him.
^ He plays poker with Mayor Fed Ed.
Everyone associated with the Pawlowski/Fleck
roadshow is now tainted, the good, the bad and the criminal.
It will be an enduring part of their legacies.
I am not a Mazziotti fan, But I do like the legislation. My problem is the same as always, a person running for reelection to office uses a situation in the news for political capital. Vince could have introduced this when he was first elected and didn't. Maybe because he benefited from the Ott/Woodman Our Lehigh Valley PAC to get his first term.
Chris Casey
Vic (not Vince) is likely introducing this now because of the recent events involving Muller, Fleck and Pawlowski.
As to the Ott/Woodman connection, I am not aware of Woodman seeking county contracts or trying to profit off of county government. So I don't see how that was holding Mazziotti back. If you have any evidence or knowledge to the contrary, please share it.
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