Now it’s official: The New York Times has taken note of how often the resources of non-profits end up in the pockets of local politicians. Maybe the Times reporters have been reading this blog.
Author Archives: Dr. O
PA Capitol Charged by SEC
We’ve been following Harrisburg, Pennsylvania’s flirtation with bankruptcy and state takeover thanks to a high-priced municipal incinerator that once promised a bonanza of fees from trash carted in from beyond the city limits. But few customers came and the incinerator’s exotic financing boomeranged in the fiscal crisis. The SEC now contends that things were dire earlier, but Harrisburg found ways not to let on.
Prince of the City
In New York City back in the day, calling someone a “Prince” meant the opposite, way opposite. So here is State Senator John Sampson, a “prince.”
Imagination in Sentencing!
Pennsylvania government more often makes headlines for innovative corruption than for innovative responses thereto. So let’s give justice, in the person of Judge Lester Nauhaus, its due. This blog has been following the saga of now-convicted Supreme Court Justice Joan Orie Melvin, whose sentence from Judge Nauhaus sends a message other judges can’t miss.
Cut Off Nose, Spite Your Face
With its report, Philadelphia’s business-sponsored Economy League tries to inject a dose of rationality into the Pennsylvania political landscape where the Republican governor, like many governors from his party, is against Medicaid expansion mainly because it’s tied to !!Obama!!Care!! that Republicans so long demonized that most remain blindly opposed–even to elements that, as the Economy League’s report suggests, would be really good medicine for Republican-led states.
“New Age” PA Turnpike?
Another Pennsylvania government entity, with more indictments. What’s striking here, as Karen Heller observes, is that the system for funneling various goodies to the politically connected even accounted for regime change, flipping the share of patronage chits depending on which party won the last election. With something this entrenched, the new Turnpike CEO’s promise to “clean up Dodge” may be a tall order.
Why Did LA’s “Shadow Sheriff” Resign?
Why Did LA’s “Shadow Sheriff” Resign?. Good question! A larger question may be whether there’s a relationship between long-lived leaders and organizations that start fraying at the seams, although Sheriff Baca, who started in the agency 50 years ago and has led it for 15, was just named Sheriff of the Year by the National Sheriff’s Association.
Who’s Your Cop?
A self-indulgent post. I am interested in how the law enforcement officer role is morphing in myriad ways. This article is about one transformation–security guards walking the beat.
Sisters: Act II
Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice–Convicted (along with her sister). Though the governor (or the court itself–it’s been done both ways in the past) gets to appoint someone short-term whenever Judge Melvin lets go or is let go (a conviction alone won’t do–a judicial finding of unsuitability for the bench or legislative impeachment must finalize things), the Pennsylvania Supreme Court will have to get itself another elected judge, who ought to take care not to use staffers as campaign workers. Maybe the new judge will be good at Philadelphia Traffic Court oversight.
Cities of Angels (and Cops)
An older story of how two towns dealt with biker gatherings. Since these gatherings continue each summer, often as a movable feast, aspiring police chiefs may have something to learn from this saga. Cities of Angels.