Capitolwire: Joe Brennan Given Caucus Job

Capitolwire, a paid subscription service, reports that State Rep. Joe Brennan has been given a job with the state Democratic caucus. I have no additional details.

State Rep. Joe Brennan Off the Ballot

State Rep. Joe Brennan has successfully petitioned Commonwealth Court to have his name removed from the ballot this November. Democrats have until next Wednesday, 4 PM, to decide on Joe's replacement.

Dave Molony is the Republican seeking Joe's seat.

State Rep. Joe Brennan Wants Off Ballot

State Rep. Joe Brennan, who was charged with assaulting his wife and drunk driving last week, has issued this statement:

"Those of us in recovery understand that there is no perfection. Recovery is a daily struggle and one cannot afford to let his or her guard down. I continue to work on my recovery day by day. It is the hardest thing I have had to do in my life. As I continue this process, it will be better for me and my family to not also have to deal with the challenges of a political campaign.

“I have been privileged to represent the 133rd District for the past six years, but today I am submitting a request to remove my name from the November ballot.

“I will remain in office until the conclusion of my term on Nov. 30 and my offices will remain open and staffed to help constituents deal with state government.

"I truly regret the entire situation. I understand the public’s interest in this because of the office I hold, but I hope that people will balance that with my family's need for privacy during a painful and difficult time."

This Can't Be Good

Details are very sketchy, but both local papers report that State Rep. Joe Brennan may have been arrested after a traffic stop this afternoon in Fountain Hill.

Joe is currently participating in the ARD program for first-time drunk drivers. If this arrest has anything to do with booze, and he is convicted of a crime, the charges from last year will come back to haunt him.  He will also likely lose his bid for re-election. Worst than that, there could be very serious personal consequences.

Obviously, I hope the charges, if there are any, are unrelated to alcohol.

Sources: Express Times. Morning Call. 

Updated 10:40: Joe has been charged with DUI and assaulting his wife. Tragic. For him. For his wife. For his two sons, who start school in a few days.

Chatter among Fountain Hill neighbors is that Joe beat his wife, in the presence of his two sons. Then he fled the scene when a neighbor called police.

Voter ID? No Big Deal, or Is It?

Steve Samuelson, Joe Brennan, Bob Freeman all vote No.

Signed into law by Governor Corbett late yesterday, Pennsylvania's controversial new voter ID law was adopted almost entirely along party lines. That's almost never a good idea, whether it's voter ID "reform" or the sweeping changes to health insurance that gave birth to the tea party.

Locally, two State Reps. have condemned this legislation. Joe Brennan (D-Lehigh/Northampton) calls it a "terrible bill intended to disenfranchise and suppress our Pennsylvania citizens from being a part of the democratic process." Bob Freeman (D - Northampton) adds that the legislation is "unnecessary," and worries that "the group of people most hurt by this legislation will be our senior citizens."

Freeman points to an 86-year-old World War II veteran from Aurora, Ohio, who was prevented from voting earlier this month because of Ohio's new photo voter ID law. He did not have a driver's license and his veteran's ID was not acceptable.

"That story will be replicated here in Pennsylvania over and over again," predicts Freeman. "Shame on those who support this legislation if it puts veterans in that position so they cannot cast a ballot -- they who defended this country, and that's what this legislation would do."

Brennan points out that the League of Women Voters, AARP and the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania all opposed this legislation, which will cost from $4.3 million to $11 million. Brennan added that there likely will be additional costs to defend the legislation in court. A judge in Wisconsin has struck down that state's voter identification after a legal challenge. The U.S. Justice Department blocked South Carolina's voter ID bill in December and has stepped in to block Texas’ voter ID law.

"This bill is nothing more than a waste of taxpayer dollars attempting to fix a problem that doesn't even exist," Brennan said. "Voter ID is a waste of time and taxpayer money when we should be focused on jobs and the economy."

During the House debate, Republicans downplayed the ID requirement, noting correctly that we must produce IDs for cigarettes, beer, or even to get into our gym.

What's the big deal?

Feisty Philly State Rep Babette Josephs answers the "What's the big deal?" argument in the video clip below. "Nobody dies to swim in a pool, no matter how good he or she was at swimming. Nobody died to buy a pack of smokes. Nobody died for the right to buy a drink. Nobody died for the right to open a credit account or a bank account. We have died - we are dying now - for the right to vote. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the big deal."

Well said, Babette. Well said.

A Day In the Life of LV State Legislator Joe Brennan

Before I knocked over his dad's urn

I cornered State Rep. Joe Brennan recently, and convinced him that Monday was "Take Your Blogger to Work Day." In a moment of weakness, he let me shadow him in Harrisburg. I don't think he'll be repeating that mistake anytime soon. Below is my chronicle.

7:45 AM: I arrive at the Brennan compound in Fountain Hill, as Joe stands on the corner with his two grade school sons, all three of them wearing ties and jackets. The boys are waiting for their ride to Holy Infancy, while Joe is going with me. I'm dressed in tattered jeans, old sneakers and driving what has been called the "death wagon." As the boys leave, one of them whispers, "Be careful, Dad."

7:50 AM: Joe takes me on a tour of his estate, as his dog checks me out. It is then that I realize my zipper is open.

7:55 AM: Joe and I hit the road, for the drive to the land of midnight payraises. Abut halfway there, somewhere around Shartlesville, Joe tells me, "They grow mushrooms around here, so it always smells like farts in this area." Actually, I had been farting a good ten minutes.

Once we hit Lebanon, my mushroom machine begins to work again. "Man, I don't remember mushrooms in this area," says Joe. "Must be from all the rain this year," I innocently reply.

Ten minutes after that, Joe's head was hanging out the window the rest of the way to Harrisburg.

9:45 AM: House members, State Senators and Supreme Court judges all park in the same garage. Some bastard had stolen Joe's spot, so I pulled into a spot marked "Supreme Court." I told Joe that if they're anything like the judges in Northampton County, we won't see them until Thursday.

10:00 AM: Joe has a meeting with Lieutenant Governor Jim Cawley about Marcellus Shale or something. Before he goes in, he asks me, "Do I call him Lieutenant or Governor?"

"Who the hell do you think I am, Miss Etiquette? I'm a bottom-feeding blogger, and we call Lieutenant Governors assholes."

10:05 AM: While I'm examining four goofy statues in the rotunda, the Lieutenant Governor's office door flies open and he storms out, going about 40 mph. "Good morning, your Excellence," I say, and give him a little bow.  While he keeps on going, Joe comes out, looking a little ashen. He doesn't want to talk about it.

Did I give him the wrong advice?

10:07 AM: Joe's legislative assistant, Maria, calls. Apparently, some Supreme Court Justice is blowin' oil because some idiot is parked in his special spot. The jurist is threatening contempt citations and the death penalty.

"Tell him to move the goddamn car himself. That's why I left the keys in it. Let him figure it out."

"You left the keys in the car?"  

"That way I won't lose them."

10:10 AM: Joe asks Maria to go down, see Hizzoner, and move the car without getting us jailed. Good call. She's prettier than us.

10:15 AM: Joe checks email and correspondence, while I use my iPad to insult my readers, just like when I'm home.

10:30 AM: I go with Joe to a Judiciary Committee hearing, where Megan's law reforms are discussed and adopted. I'll have a report about that later. Joe pretends he does not know me.

I just met a girl named Maria

11:00 AM: Joe has a meeting with House Democrats on some committee. I stay at his office, mostly because its members only. I talk to his legislative assistant, Maria.

"So, you come here often?"

"I work here."

"I'll bet you drive, don't you?"

"Yes. I drive."

"In a car, right?"

"Right."

She quickly leaves for lunch. I do have a way with the ladies.

While waiting there, some dudes come in to talk about solar energy, and I tell them I'm a lobbyist with Big Oil. Then I pop on Joe's phone and start prank calling Governor Corbett and The Morning Call's John Micek.

May he rest in peace.

12:30 PM: Joe comes back and I slam the phone down too hard, knocking over the urn in which he keeps his dad's ashes. I offer to break out the vacuum cleaner, while he keeps saying "Serenity now, serenity now."

12:45 PM: Joe and I are on the way to the House floor, when we bump into a bunch of union guys sporting yellow T-shirts. What is with union guys and T-shirts? I remember the good ol' days, when they carried tire irons. Joe, who opposes privatization of liquor stores, poses with them. They'll be here every day, handing out T-shirts. I got three of them from three different guys until they get wise to me. Then one of them breaks out a tire iron.

The three amigos

1:00 PM: The House Floor. Before the session starts, Joe gets Steve Samuelson and Bob Freeman, who agree to pose for a picture with Joe. Then they all go back onto the floor. I have to go up on the fourth floor, and go in via the peanut gallery.

1:05 PM: I make it to the 4th floor, where security guards search me with a smile. ... A very long time. I don't want to jump to any conclusions, but one of the name tags says Sandusky.

1:20 PM: After that very careful search, I make it onto the peanut gallery. No sooner do I sit down than the damn Speaker gavels the session adjourned until 5 PM, so Democrats and Republicans can caucus in their star chambers.

1:30 PM: Joe meets me. "So sorry you have to leave, Bern. Don't let the door hit you on the way out."

Well, that's my report on Bring Your Blogger to Work Day. I'll finish with a pic of the guys from 1776. I actually agree with them on this one. So there. Besides, I have three T-shirts.

Joe Brennan's DUI - Let He Who Is Without Sin ...

Updated 10:13 PM
Let me start my post about Joe Brennan's DUI by telling you about myself. I'm a drunk. I just can't handle booze, no matter how small the amount. I refused to recognize that until I destroyed my legal career, my marriage and let down many people who were counting on me. It nearly killed me.

I'm one of the lucky ones.

My uncle Artie, who like me was a title searcher, was another drunk. It killed him when he was still a young man, with three children to support.

One of those kids, my cousin Eddie, never recovered. Like his Dad, he began to drink, too.

Eddie was smart, with a gift for taking things apart and putting them back together again. He found work in the HVAC biz, but lost job after job because of booze or because his DUIs prevented him from driving vans. Who's going to take a chance on a 50 year-old guy with multiple DUIs? Those who did take him on took advantage of him.

It cost him meaningful relationships. He never married. To my knowledge, he never even dated much. He was a loner.

Booze finally killed him. After trying to quit, and succeeding for nearly a year, he was picked up for another DUI. He never told a soul. Not his mother. Nobody.

He just hung himself.

At his viewing last November, the two pictures his mom selected were of his cat.

It was a small crowd.

The cat never showed.

Alcoholism runs deep in our family. It afflicted my dad, grandfather, two uncles, and an even aunt who happened to be a nun. But they were not the only ones who suffered. Every person around them suffered, too.

Including me. I may have stopped drinking, but I'm still emotionally scarred, and am very slow to form deep relationships with most other people. I'm moody, too.

All of this gives me a quirky outlook and helps in the writing department, but it makes me a difficult person.

Ask my friends.

Both of them.

After going to daily AA meetings for a year, and watching what goes on at the courthouse, I know my family is by no means unusual. Alcoholism hits nearly every one of us, rich or poor, black or white, although those of us who are Irish tend to be more prevalent.

In fact, when I read that State Rep. Joe Brennan had a 0.16 BAC, my first reaction was, "Is that all? Irishmen are born with a 0.16 BAC."

Joe Brennan is a State Representative, but he's also a human being. He's subject to the same shortcomings that afflict us all. Fortunately, a police officer stopped him before he got involved in an accident. If he hurt anyone, I know he'd never forgive himself.

I've known Joe for many years. You'll be hard put to find a more pleasant or quick-witted person. He's in public office because he really cares about people, especially those with nothing. I know he adores his kids, too, and that dreary drive to and from Harrisburg on a near daily basis, has to be a grind.

But Joe has battled alcohol all his life. He's mostly been successful. Better than my dad, grandfather, aunt or cousin.

He has a problem. There's no bribery or public corruption. He fortunately did not hurt anyone. He is by no means the only person who has ever had a DUI or who is plagued by alcohol. He feels terrible about what has happened.

Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.

Here's his statement, in its entirety.

"When the House finished its business Wednesday afternoon, I returned to Bethlehem. I consumed alcohol and then drove in my personal vehicle to my district office after 8 p.m. intending to answer some constituent letters and e-mails. I was approached by Bethlehem police outside my office on suspicion of DUI and consented to both a breath test and blood test which confirmed a BAC over the legal limit.

"I take full responsibility for this serious mistake and offer my heartfelt apology to my family and my constituents. I clearly should not have been driving in that condition. It was a serious error in judgment. I am grateful that nobody was injured as a result of the dangerous decision I made.

"I’ve had a long and personal struggle with alcohol throughout my adult life. I am working toward recovery and will do my best to prevent another mistake like this.

"I deeply regret yesterday’s incident and will fully cooperate as the matter is handled through the normal procedures of the legal system.

"At my request, I am on leave from today’s House session but continue working on budget and education-related issues and to meet my responsibilities as an elected official to people across Pennsylvania."

Reichley Delivers Reality Check at State Budget Forum

OK, so he's not going to make the cover of GQ anytime soon. When he does speak, he's a tad on the dry side. But of the for four State Representatives who appeared at a CACLV-sponsored forum in Southside Bethlehem last week, it was Doug Reichley who impressed me most. Sure, he looks as though he'd rather be going through root canal. But he listened to what people had to say, from Safe Harbor resident Tiffany to environmental activist Don Miles. Through it all, he insisted he would oppose any attempt to increase taxes. But he listened.

You can read my story about that forum over at Easton Patch. Alan Jennings, a strident advocate for the voiceless, packed Fowler Community Center with LV residents under the budget axe.

State Representatives Joe Brennan, Bob Freeman and Steve Samuelson were the three Democrats on this panel. All three are sponsors of the Delaware Loophole bill, which could bring an additional $500 million into state coffers, while lowering the corporate net income tax from 9.99% to 7.4% over three years. All three Democrats also support a severance tax on Marcellus Shale, while Reichley prefers an "impact fee."

According to Reichley, Corbett's budget is just a "proposal." He prefers a more "balanced approach," and hinted that an "impact fee" might generate some additional revenue, but not enough.

But no tax hike. "I was at a candidates' night last week of school board candidates where four of them promised they will not raise property taxes to abounding applause from, primarily, seniors. So we're gonna' have the Armageddon of school district battles in East Penn of people who are opposed to tax increases against people who have kids in school. And that's as it should be. There's no more ducking this issue. We overspent the last few years."

Reichley added that Republicans are looking at a proposal, down the road, of eliminating all operating money that goes to state related colleges, including community colleges, and giving the money to PHEAA for grants to families and students "to put the bargaining power back in the hands of the families who are paying the tuition, and create competitive pressure on the institutions to provide you the best bargain."

You can read more about the proposed cuts to education, environment, human services and weed 'n seed at Easton Patch. Everyone present had sound suggestions. And Joe Brennan announced his legislative district, in which the forum was held, has been rated the best legislative district in the universe.

I personally would support the Delaware Loophole and either an impact fee or, preferably, a severance tax. Legislators need to enact legislation reducing the number of school districts. They did it once before in the '60s, reducing school districts from 2,000 to 500.

Dems Protest "Toxic Rhetoric" From Right Wing Maniacs

State Rep. Joe Brennan had a few visitors outside his 4th Street office this morning. Gloria McVeigh, former information officer in Lehigh County, organized what has been billed as a "non-violent, peace-promoting appearance in front of a Democratic elected official's office." There were a total of three protesters, covered by four members of the media and one bottom-feeding blogger.

"No more toxic rhetoric," said one of the signs. That sort of thing.

As a reaction to an Arizona assassin's rampage, is Gloria suggesting we all should try to be more civil?

"That's absurd," says organizer McVeigh. "The GOP won last fall's election by pandering to the right-wing maniacs, proven by their reading the US Constitution because they promised their voters they would. It takes a tragedy like Arizona to make the public understand how dangerous demagogues like FOX news, Glenn Beck and the others can be to our democracy."

"Sane people can't stay silent in times like this," she claims.

Brennan, who declined to participate in a protest outside of his own office, blames me.



All kidding aside, Joe defends everyone's First Amendment rights, but agrees we should be nicer to each other.

Bob Freeman, Joe Brennan, Advocate Bipartisan Approach

In his most recent column, The Morning Call's Bill White complains about increasing polarization in the political process. I'll add that our closed primaries do tend to guarantee that the most conservative Republican will square off against the most liberal Democrat, as in Toomey v. Sestak. "The day of the moderate Republican or Democrat, reaching across the aisle to craft compromises, largely seems to be over," Bill sighs. "It's politically suicidal."

But there is still hope. State Representatives Bob Freeman and Joe Brennan last week stated that their approach is actually bipartisan.


Bob Freeman: "I don't care if it's a Republican proposal or a Democratic proposal. If it's a good piece of legislation, I want us to get that passed. ... I think we have to cut through some of the partisanship."

Joe Brennan: "Our Governor is obviously a Democrat, Ed Rendell. Our Senate is predominately Republican, it's 30 Republicans and 20 Democrats. In the House, we have 104 Democrats and 99 Republicans. So I can personally say that I've probably sponsored as many Republican bills that are introduced as I have Democrats. I generally don't look at the party of the person introducing it; I look at the idea."

Should Pa. Veterans Have Off on Veterans' Day?

That's what State Rep. Joe Brennan thinks, and he's introduced legislation to make it happen. "It seems appropriate to me that veterans should have the right to observe the special day that is named after them in any manner they see fit," said Joe.

Under Brennan's legislation, veterans would be excused from work on Veterans' Day. Employers could either grant these employees a paid day off or simply approve the employee's request without pay.

Locally, state Rep. Bob Freeman has already signed on as a co-sponsor.

Meet State Rep Joe Brennan

I got to know Joe Brennan when he sat on Northampton County Council. Although we disagreed on a few things, Joe was always committed to transparency and accountability, and actually supported campaign finance reform long before it became popular.

Joe's legislative district meanders from South Bethlehem through Fountain Hill, parts of east Allentown and stretches all the way up through Hanover Tp, Catasauqua and Coplay. His son just started playing T-ball.

Q) Two state legislative leaders have been convicted of using their office for political or personal gain while others are under indictment. Will we ever change the way business gets done in Harrisburg?

A) We have taken steps and I think you'll see a drastic reduction, if not elimination, of the types of unfortunate behavior we've had in the past. Specifically, members and all staff attend mandatory ethics meetings about all that we may and may not do. We are told to err on the side of caution.

Q) According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, Pennsylvania has the largest full-time and second most expensive legislative branch in the nation. Is it time to cut back?

A) Yes, it is. And we have reduced, by attrition, the size of our capital and district offices. But you have to remember we make up only 1/2 of 1% of the state budget. We have also consolidated departments. It's not going to happen overnight, but we are headed in the right direction.

Q) Last year, you and other LV representatives had something to do with breaking the state budget impasse by demanding to keep the House in session as a Committee of the Whole, which gives every member a voice. How will you avoid a devastating budget impasse like the one we suffered last year?

A) Last year, Craig Dally, I and other Lehigh Valley members started a movement to for a Committee of the Whole, and the budget impasse broke. We might have nudged them. Th's year, we started the budget process much earlier. In the Hose, we sent a spending plan to the Senate in March. We have to see results and have taken a more urgent approach. We need to be able to deliver a good and sound budget by deadline. People are tired of it.

Q) Many state reps tell me too much power is invested in just a few powerful committee chairs and leaders. How can you change that?

A) The whole process is leadership driven. Our leadership team takes a different approach and does a better job of reaching out to members to find out what we think needs a vote. The structure is not necessarily bad, but leaders need to talk to rank and file members.

Q) The biggest concern people have is taxes, especially property taxes. Despite the promise that gambling revenue would reduce or eliminate property taxes, they go up nearly every year. Any relief in sight?

A) Yes, there is a movement to freeze school property taxes for senior citizens. It's something worth reviewing. There has been some property tax relief, but two or three of our biggest casinos are not even open. Property tax is often driven by the school district. I am not being critical, but every year, we increase our contribution to school districts.

Q) Is there anything else you'd like Bethlehem Press readers to know about what's going on at the state house?

A) I work hard every day to make re we get a balanced budget passed in time so that it does not unnecessarily overburden people.

Pa. State Reps Sound Off on NJ Residency Requirement Legislation

New Jersey is considering legislation that will require all current public employees to live within the Garden State. Six thousand out-of-state workers would have 2 1/2 years to pack up and move back to the land of high taxes and sweet corn. But state representatives in what is known as Pennsylvania's Northeast Delegation are asking Jersey legislators to grandfather public workers who already live here.

"We represent many people who are public employees in New Jersey that live in Pennsylvania, and this legislation would have a devastating effect on them and their families," said state Rep. Bob Freeman, D-Northampton. "Those New Jersey employees already living in Pennsylvania should be grandfathered, as this legislation would create an unfair burden."

"These bills would require people to be uprooted from their homes, children being pulled from schools and friends, and a whole host of other issues that would be detrimental to employees and their families when they are required to move," said state Rep. Rich Grucela, D-Northampton.

"This would affect a wide range of public employees like firefighters, police officers and teachers who live in Pennsylvania but work in New Jersey," said state Rep. Joe Brennan, D-Lehigh/Northampton.

In Pennsylvania, civil service employees must maintain in-state residency, but that requirement does not extend to as many employees at so many levels of government as the Jersey proposal.

Other members of the Northeast Delegation who signed the letter include state Reps. Phyllis Mundy, D-Luzerne; Tim Seip, D-Schuylkill/Berks; John Siptroth, D-Monroe/Pike; Ken Smith, D-Lackawanna; Ed Staback, D-Lackawanna/Wayne; Bob Belfanti, D- Northumberland/Montour/Columbia; Mike Carroll, D-Luzerne/Monroe; and delegation chairman state Rep. Neal Goodman, D-Schuylkill.

Brennan: Give Disabled Vets Minority Status

In a news release, State Rep. Joe Brennan, D-Lehigh/Northampton, last week announced plans to introduce legislation that would classify disabled veterans as minorities so they have the same status and benefits as racial and gender minorities in securing state contracts.

"The United States military defends us by combating actual and perceived threats," Brennan said. "Our brave soldiers are leaving the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan – many disabled – having protected us from the reality of terrorism. I believe this legislation will show appreciation to the courageous men and woman who risked their lives so that we can continue to live under the freedoms allowed by the United States Constitution."

Brennan said his bill would grant disabled veterans the benefits awarded to members of the Bureau of Women and Minority Business Opportunities when bidding for state contracts. Additionally, it allows for another minority status outside racial and gender disadvantaged groups. Best of all, he tells me it costs the taxpayers nothing.

Brennan to Gen'l Srvcs: Keep Pearson in the Loop

On Monday, I published East Allentown activist Dennis Pearson's remarks to DPW concerning the closure of Allentown State Hospital, which should occur by year's end. I doubt anyone at yesterday's hearing paid very much attention, but Dennis' remarks drew a lot of interest here.

State rep. Joe Brennan is paying attention, too. When Joe first ran for the state house, one of his primary opponents was Dennis. But a few weeks ago, in a letter to General Services Secretary James Creedon, Brennan specifically asked that Pearson be kept in the loop.

"I respectfully request that Dennis Pearson, President of the East Allentown Rittersville Neighborhood Association, be included in any and all correspondence pertaining to the use of this property."

Joe Brennan: Time to Regulate Rent-A-Centers

State Rep. Joe Brennan, D-Lehigh/Northampton, whose legislative district includes some of the poorest residents in the Lehigh Valley, has introduced legislation to regulate interest rates at rent-to-own centers.

Retailers suffer in this recession, but places like Rent-A-Center have seized on what they call "a window of opportunity," and are cleaning up with financially-distressed customers unable to get credit anywhere else.

Here's how it works, as recently explained in Toward Freedom: "A TV that sells for about $700 at a regular store is priced by Rent-A-Center at over $1500. By paying $39.99 a week for 77 weeks the TV is yours – at a final cost of almost $3100. That amounts to a 68 percent annual interest rate, or much higher if you compare it to financing the same TV you can buy for $700 at another retail store. (There may also be other fees involved at a rent-to-buy store, like a 'loss/damage waiver fee.')" Instead of paying interest, you're paying "rent."

"Since the rent-to-own industry began in the 1960s, their sales tactics and interest rates have come under scrutiny at both the state and local level," Brennan said. "Many centers charge interest rates that average 100 percent, and they often fail to disclose those rates."

Brennan's bill, H.B. 2247, would toughen rental disclosure guidelines to benefit consumers. Under the legislation, rent-to-own centers would be required to:

· Reveal all fees in the original rental/purchase agreement;
· Provide statements outlining a consumer's right to terminate an agreement without charging additional fees not previously outlined in the original rental contract as long as the property is returned in good condition;
· Provide account statements to a customer upon request without an extra charge; and
· Follow the interest rate cap in Pennsylvania's criminal usury statute that prohibits charging more than 25 percent interest.

Locally, state reps. Rich Grucela and Karen Beyer have signed on as co-sponsors.

"Most customers of rent-to-own centers are working Americans earning weekly paychecks who rent household items like televisions, major appliances and computers," Brennan said. "The rent-to-own industry often markets to the poorest 40 percent of the United States population, the segment of the population with the fewest purchasing options and who may have the greatest difficulty understanding the complicated terms of their rent-to-own agreement."

Brennan said his legislation will help protect consumers who utilize rent-to-own centers from unknowingly entering into contracts which they cannot meet.

Table Games Clear Major Hurdle in State House

Last Wednesday night, State Rep. Joe Brennan, D-Lehigh and Northampton, rolled home somewhere around 3 AM. No, he wasn't out bar hopping, but was instead involved in a lengthy debate over table games in the state house. Not only was the state House deadlocked, but Joe had to back in Harrisburg the very next morning.

Fast forward to today, and the state House finally passed legislation to permit tables games like poker, blackjack and roulette at Pennsylvania's 14 licensed slot-gaming facilities, including The Sands Casino-Resort in Bethlehem.

Joe voted for this measure because it presents "a real opportunity to create jobs in our area at a time when so many people are losing jobs or already are on unemployment. It spurs economic development to make possible thousands of new jobs across the state while simultaneously providing the necessary revenues for our budgetary needs."

The bill (S.B. 711), which also addresses a number of reforms to Pennsylvania’s gaming industry, is a component of the revenue package necessary to fund the 2009-10 budget state lawmakers completed in October. The measure is expected to raise about $320 million for empty state coffers over the next two years, Brennan claims.

As amended by the House, the legislation would allow Category 1 and Category 2 licensed slot facilities to operate up to 250 table games at any one time, while Category 3 licensees could operate up to 50. Category 1 licensees include racetracks with slot machines, while Category 2 licensees are stand-alone casinos.

Casinos would pay a one-time fee to be authorized for table games, $16.5 million for racetrack and stand-alone casinos and $7.5 million for resort casinos.

Table games licensees would be required to pay a total tax rate of 16 percent on all gross table game revenues, with 14 percent going to the state, 1 percent to the host county and 1 percent to the host municipality. The state share of table games revenue would go directly into the state’s General Fund for budget needs until the state’s Rainy Day Fund balance surpasses $750 million. After that, all table games revenue would be allocated for property tax relief, along with the revenue from slots.

"Throughout Pennsylvania, the addition of table games has the potential to create more than 10,000 direct and related jobs and provide $1 billion in economic output annually," Brennan said. "It also keeps Pennsylvania dollars at home by attracting customers who otherwise may travel out of state – and continues to provide hundreds of millions of dollars for property tax relief across the state."

Another local state house member, Rep. Doug Reichley, R-Lehigh, opposed this bill. He derided a provision that would benefit Scranton's Commonwealth Medical College, whose board includes Louis DeNaples. Perjury charges were dropped against DeNaples earlier this year. "This is another example of literal game-playing going on with this legislation," says Reichley.

Senate Bill 711 now goes back to the Senate for consideration.

Do You Want to Run Over Fred B. Rooney?

Back in the day, when men were men and Democrats were still Democrats, Fred B. Rooney was the Lehigh Valley's Congressman. He served from 1963 to 1979. A friend of my father, he'd often drop by, after which my father and he would simply vanish. My mother would collect them several hours later and, under the glare of our kitchen's noisy fluorescent lights, would pour coffee down their throats while my father smoked unfiltered Pall Malls and Rooney puffed on big cigars.

During those interrogation sessions under the bright lights of my mother's kitchen, I got my introductory lessons in politics. First, I learned there really was an Irish Mafia in those days, at least in the sense that Celts tended to look out for each other. Second, I learned all about the enemy, Republican blue bloods at Bethlehem Steel who begrudged paying a decent wage for honest work. Rooney called them WASPs.

"What's a WASP?" I asked.

"A White Anglo Saxon Prick," he'd sardonically reply.

Despite my mother's lectures, I enjoyed listening to the two of them whenever they got together to sober up. I felt like a Junior Molly Maguire, listening as they'd plot and solve all the world's problems in clouds of tobacco smoke and buckets of caffeine.

Rooney, incidentally, was a great practical joker. Need proof? He got me my first summer job as a college student, working for Dan Rostenkowski. Later, when I got married, Rooney stopped by and gave me a $100 bill, the most money I had ever seen.

In honor of this iconic man, who really did look out for the little guy, the state legislature recently passed H.B. 1468, which renames a portion of Route 378 from Route 22 to the Hill Bridge as The Fred B. Rooney Highway. It is largely through Rooney's efforts that this highway runs through Bethlehem.

State Rep. Joe Brennan, D-Lehigh/Northampton, another good Irishman with Rooney's sense of humor, will host the official unveiling of the Fred B. Rooney Highway at 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11. Now all the WASPs can run him over every day.

Acupuncturist Wants to Stick it to Joe Brennan

State rep. Joe Brennan, a former Northampton County Council member and strong advocate of government transparency, has a challenger to his state House seat. It's right-winger David Molony, a prominent acupuncturist, who wants to stick it to him. Molony and his wife, Ming Ming, are both licensed as Oriental Medicine Practitioners, and own Lehigh Valley Oriental Medicine Center in Catasauqua.

Molony made his candidacy official last night at the Fullerton American Legion. According to his announcement, "there will be food, soft drinks and juices. Lots of neato folks as Dave announces his candidacy to the world."

Gee, I just hope nobody challenged him to a game of darts.

There must be serious money in acupuncture. Since 2000, Molony's contributed $42,918.00 to federal dudes like George Bush, Rick Santorum and Pat Toomey. He's also been a generous donor of at least another $30,000 (I did not add it up exactly) to Republicans seeking state office. In a letter to friends, he pledges "to invest a lot of time and a bunch of money to win this."

If I were Joe, I'd quit the state house and enroll in some school of oriental medicine right now. Forget politics, there must be serious coin in those damn needles.

But fortunately for us, I believe Joe will fight for his seat. I say this, not just because Brennan has been an exceptionally dedicated state rep who has been willing to cross the aisle to work with Republicans like Craig Dally, but because Molony scares the hell out me. It's not his needles, but his Orwellian ideas.

Get a load of this, which comes straight from one of Molony's fundraising letters.

"Did you know that a very high percentage of cars are stolen between 2 and 6 AM? Police can't pull over anyone without a probable reason. Why can't the state provide a very low cost sticker for your car that allows police to pull ovr any car with this sticker between 2 and 6 AM with the fact that bought a sticker that says you probably won't be out at that time of night?"

OK, and why stop there? Why not put stickers on our houses allowing police to barge in whenever they feel like it, or have the state surgically implant a chip inside each one of us so they can scan our criminal history and bank accounts?

If this guy is giving money to people like Santorum and Toomey, why is he promoting ideas that are essentially Marxist?

Molony also slams Brennan as some lever puller who "should be doing more than voting for the party line." Brennan, you may recall, joined a Republican-led effort to break the state budget impasse, embarrassing House leaders in working out a deal. He even supported Republican Craig Dally's candidacy for judge. Funny, I don't see a single Democrat among the many political beneficiaries of Molony's largesse. So this claim, coming from a partisan, is just Molony baloney.

Dally Draws Some Democratic Support

To the Long Dems, it is a capital offense to so much as whisper a word of encouragement to one of them thar' dirty Republicans. John Stoffa, for example, was excommunicated because he dared appoint some Republicans to cabinet level positions. It makes no difference that Fiscal Affairs Director Vic Mazziotti has come up with ways to save Northampton County nearly $10 million annually. It matters not that Director of Administration John Conklin has implemented programs that save lives, like reverse 911 and pictometry (enables 911 dispatchers to tell people how to escape a burning building). They are evil Republicans, and Stoffa must be evil because he hired them. So Long Dems drum up someone to run against Stoffa and even give that person the local machine's endorsement.

It takes some moxie to go against the machine. But that's exactly what state rep. Joe Brennan and Bethlehem City Councilman Bob Donchez have done. These two Democrats are willing to support Craig Dally, a Republican, for judge. This certainly says something about Craig's unique qualifications for the bench. But it speaks volumes about Joe and Bob, both of whom are risking party wrath to do the right thing.

Update: My own state rep., Rich Grucela, has just informed me that he is yet another Democrat who endorses Republican Craig Dally for judge. He's participated in a mailer and has even taped robo calls for Craig. He also supports Judge Zito, a recent Republican convert, and Jim Narlesky.