Rep. Schroder welcomes reform measures

Unlike many of his colleagues who have decided to stick their head in the sand, Rep. Curt Schroder, a longtime proponent of reforming state government, issued this statement in support of the Bonusgate Grand Jury recommendations.

Grand Jury Speaks for Pennsylvania Citizens in its Recommendations to Clean Up Corruption

By Rep. Curt Schroder

It was satisfying to learn that the statewide grand jury assembled two years ago to investigate the Capitol corruption scandal known as Bonusgate had decided to issue a report on its findings. Contrary to reports, not everyone in the General Assembly has scoffed at or derided the recommendations. It was even more satisfying to learn that many of the grand jury's recommendations for reforming the Legislature and curbing public corruption are already contained in bills I have introduced.

It is rare that a grand jury opts to issue a report, and even rarer that it would delve so deeply into the muck as to make sweeping recommendations for change. I can only surmise that the average tax-paying citizens who comprise that body were so appalled at what they learned about their state Legislature and pervasive corruption, that they were moved to initiate a desperate cry for change.

It is apparent, in the words of the grand jury, that the state Legislature is "irretrievably broken" and in desperate need of systemic change. Its recommendations included reducing legislative salaries to force Pennsylvania into becoming a part-time Legislature; cutting legislative staff; streamlining services; and limiting special accounts controlled by House and Senate leaders.

My legislation includes those points and goes even further to eliminate discretionary grants known as WAMS, and move members of the Legislature to a defined contribution system to replace their defined benefit pension plan. In fact, last summer, during the protracted state budget stalemate, I proposed forming a true citizens' constitutional convention, which captured widespread support among major reform organizations throughout the Commonwealth.

A constitutional convention would allow all of the issues raised by the grand jury to be addressed. The grand jury asserted that a constitutional convention would likely be necessary to achieve some of the reforms it was recommending as jurors expressed doubt the Legislature was capable of reforming itself.

I am encouraged by the findings of the grand jury. While some recommendations are open to debate and discussion, I believe the grand jury has done a great service on behalf of Pennsylvanians. It is an independent body that has carefully studied the practices and procedures that enabled corruption to occur and take hold at the highest levels of previous House leadership. While many changes have been made by current House leaders, this report still serves as a major wake-up call. I am calling on the leadership of the House and Senate to take these recommendations seriously and to act immediately to fix our broken system.