Newspaper: Those 'incorrigible' PA lawmakers

Criminal charges against two dozen people connected with the Pennsylvania Legislature, including two men who served as Speaker of the House, appear to be acceptable to the majority of elected officials in Harrisburg, laments the state's biggest newspaper.

"Even after 25 indictments in the legislature, the folks in Harrisburg still don't get it," the newspaper writes in an editorial. "There is no revolt yet by fed-up legislators. No unified denunciation of corruption, no concerted push for reforms."

The editorial writers use the term "incorrigible" to describe Pennsylvania legislators, as in "bad beyond correction or reform: incorrigible behavior; an incorrigible liar; impervious to constraints or punishment"

Keep in mind that a majority of House Democrats elected since-indicted Rep. Bill DeWeese as Majority Whip in January of this year despite many questions raised about DeWeese's involvement in the "Bonusgate" corruption scandal that has hung over the Legislature for more than two years.

While calls for reform ring may hollow in the corridors of the state Capitol, the newspaper does see a small glimmer of hope for restoring integrity to Harrisburg:

House Democrats did spurn their leaders Thursday by electing Rep. Frank Dermody (D., Allegheny), a former prosecutor, to replace DeWeese as majority whip. It could be a small sign of progress. Yet there is no general clamor for the big changes that are needed, such as campaign-finance limits or reforming the reapportionment process that leads to so much partisan entrenchment. The forecast is for more of the same.

Read the full editorial at the newspaper's Web site.