Letter to the Editor - "Pa. needs a gift ban for lawmakers" (Pittsburgh Tribune Review)

by Claus D. Makowka, volunteer member of MarchOnHarrisburg’s Pittsburgh Chapter
Originally published in the Pittsburgh Tribune Review on May 26, 2021

Pennsylvania legislators have a strong sense of entitlement. The recent article “From frames to furniture to food, here’s how Pa. lawmakers spent millions of taxpayer dollars” (May 12, TribLIVE) shows how generously the state taxpayer supports the perquisites of legislators in running their offices.

If that isn’t bad enough, legislators also feel entitled to receive unlimited gifts. In 2018, legislators only reported 3% of the $1.5 million in gifts and hospitality reported by lobbyists, reflecting the lack of meaningful enforcement for failing to report gifts. Pennsylvania is one of only eight states with no specific law limiting gifts to public officials, and year after year the Legislature has refused to take up bills to change this.

Passing a gift ban is long past due. In the 2019-20 session, House Bill 1945, a gift ban bill, passed the House State Government Committee but was never called to a vote on the floor of the House. In the current session, the similar Senate Bill 401 Gift Ban has been introduced in the Senate.

I strongly urge Sen. David Argall to move this bill forward in the Senate State Government Committee and Sen. Jake Corman to support action on this bill before the full Senate. The time for action is now.

Claus D. Makowka, Shadyside