Two Democratic candidates for House seats soon to be vacated by retiring lawmakers on Thursday proposed sweeping legislative changes in their own political party as part of their reform agenda.
In a news conference yesterday outside the Westmoreland County Courthouse, attorney John Boyle and Unity Township Supervisor Mike O'Barto called on House Majority Leader Bill DeWeese to step down from his leadership post.
"It is readily apparent from so many perspectives that Bill DeWeese no longer has the credibility to lead the House Democratic Caucus in these difficult and challenging times," Boyle said.
Boyle is running this fall against Republican Tim Krieger for the 57th District seat, which is held by retiring Democrat Tom Tangretti. O'Barto this fall faces Republican Mike Reese to replace outgoing Republican Rep. Jess Stairs in the 59th District.
The Democrats' joint appearance yesterday was their first salvo in their campaign, which they said would be similar in tone but would not be a joint effort.
The unified message yesterday was that the legislative bonus scandal that resulted in criminal charges earlier this month against former Democratic lawmakers and staff should prompt major reform in Harrisburg.
"It happened on his watch. He needs to step down," O'Barto said of DeWeese.
Both called on lawmakers to return a $200 million surplus in the state's coffers. They want bans on legislative bonuses and the use of tax dollars to pay for political polling, and a prohibition on legislators appearing on televised public service announcements.
Boyle and O'Barto proposed standardizing staffing and office budgets for each lawmaker.
Neither said he would decline staff or money from Democratic campaign committees.
"I will do anything in my power to make sure anything I get is not sourced through taxpayers," Boyle said.
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