John Baer | About state politics: You never eat your words

IN THE category of know-your-Legislature/know-your-state, it's the

Daily News

1, Dwight Evans 0.

Here's why.

Back in September '05, amid statewide (except for Philly) outrage over legislative pay raises passed in the dead of night without debate, Evans called for a Constitutional Convention.

I basically said, "HA!"

Such a call might mean fundamental reforms, term limits, a smaller Legislature, merit selection of judges, redistricting changes and more.

I basically said, "Dude, dream on."

And since Evans, a veteran member of House leadership, past candidate for lieutenant governor, governor and mayor, voted for the raise, took it and kept it (even after it was later repealed), I called his effort part pandering, part wishful thinking.

Which is basically saying, what a pathetically patronizing or nonsensically naïve thing to do.

I also wrote - since the Legislature's a piggish, self-protecting entity, equal parts circus, zoo and barnyard - that the Evans thing goes nowhere and if it does I'll write an apology to run with a photo of me eating a copy of the column saying it goes nowhere.

Well, then the raise got repealed, some internal reforms got adopted and Evans kept pushing to study the notion of a Constitutional Convention.

Lately, as he steered his idea through a House committee, he asked more than once if I'd like my '05 column barbecued or fricasseed.

Turns out I don't need to choose.

Earlier this week, the House roundly rejected Evans, 118 to 83.

Yesterday, I tell Evans, "Hey, I'm feeling a little hungry."

He says, "Yeah, I know you got a kick out of that . . . something to add to your cynicism."

He rails a bit about how long it's been since the state had a Constitutional Convention (39 years) and how many studies it took before that (seven) and how it took 96 years (1872 to 1968) to get it, adding, "Guess we just need another 57 years."

Then he starts sounding like me.

"It's all about politics with these people," says Evans. "It's not about making this institution better . . . they don't want fundamental change. These people aren't serious . . . it's politics as usual."

Which is what I've said for decades.

I turn to hotshot, young-gun reformer Josh Shapiro, the Montgomery County Democrat serving as deputy House speaker and co-chairman of the Speaker's Commission on Legislative Reform.

Does the Evans vote tell us something about appetites for change?

"I don't think it tells us anything yet," says Shapiro, "Politics is like comedy - it's all about timing."

He argues that more time is needed to push reform in ethics, campaign finance, redistricting, cutting the Legislature's cost if not its size, etc.

(The Senate yesterday voted to end secret staff bonuses after lawmakers got caught by the media handing out $3.7 million like candy to state workers, a practice now the subject of a grand-jury probe.)

Shapiro voted with Evans but says it "may be too premature" to push a Constitutional Convention.

Uh-huh.

Maybe in 57 years?

Every Republican except Philly's George Kenney voted against Evans. That includes reform-minded Speaker Denny O'Brien, former Speaker John Perzel and Philly Rep. John Taylor.

(Typically, the National Rifle Association got involved, urging a "no" vote on grounds that a Constitutional Convention could, maybe, possibly lead to some abridgement of Second Amendment rights. Amazing.)

While 18 Democrats voted against Evans, only one Philly Democrat voted "no." That would be perk-loving, book-buying Mark Cohen, also the only "no" vote earlier this year when the reform commission voted 23-1 to put lawmakers' expenses online.

At least he's consistent.

As is, if you think about it, your Legislature.

Shapiro tells me that if reforms don't come, he'll push a Constitutional Convention "next session."

Hmm. Sounds like an opportunity for another round of know-your-Legislature/know-your-state. *

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