John Baer | Summer ends, but not politics
SINCE THE END of summer can be glum - though brightened by Karl Rove leaving the White House today - here's a few things to look forward to as the season starts to turn.
SINCE THE END of summer can be glum - though brightened by Karl Rove leaving the White House today - here's a few things to look forward to as the season starts to turn.
First, and probably immediately, we get to watch that "not gay" Idaho senator, Larry Craig, flush away his career.
Nothing like a conservative, family-values Republican (and NRA board member) arrested in a men's room for doing "nothing wrong."
Probably just a victim of a liberal plot.
Note to officeholders: Trying to pick up sex partners in public toilets the year before you face re-election is not good political planning.
Speaking of good political planning, we also get to enjoy legal fallout from Gov. Ed's decision to shut down gun sales for a few days so the state criminal-background-check system can get an upgrade.
In Pennsylvania, this is practically the political equivalent of trying to pick up sex partners in public toilets.
But ya think Rendell woulda stopped gun sales a year before facing his re-election?
Gunnies are suing since the shutdown coincides with the opening of dove season (oh, please save us from a surfeit of doves). So
we'll have court hearings, rulings, appeals and well-paid lawyers getting paid well.
Oh, yeah, we'll also have Rendell's promised push for new gun controls just perhaps tainted by the whole flap.
Speaking of tainted, current and former state legislative leaders of both parties who gave aides millions of your tax dollars in bonus pay during the 2005-06 election cycle are under investigation.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that state investigators raided House Democratic offices last week, removing boxes of campaign records.
The newspaper says 80 of the top 100 bonus-getters donated to or volunteered for reelection campaigns of former Democratic House Whip Mike Veon and current Democratic House Leader Bill DeWeese.
Some bonuses exceeded $20,000 per person.
They probably just went to hard-working staffers slavishly doing the people's business to improve the quality of life for all the residents of our great state.
That would be my bet.
Speaking of betting, a Dauphin County grand jury is investigating Scranton millionaire landfill owner Louis DeNaples, who the state Gaming Control Board saw fit to award one of Pennsylvania's prized, print-your-own-money casino licenses.
Let's see.
There are long-standing questions whether DeNaples has or had ties to organized crime, which he denies. Now there's an investigation into whether he lied to get his license.
He's a big-time giver to state politicians: the Scranton Times-Tribune says more than $1 million from 2000 to 2005.
He pleaded no contest in 1978 to charges he and three others defrauded the federal government of a half-million bucks in storm clean-up overcharges.
And for years he's been linked to reputed Bufalino crime family mob boss Billy D'Elia, now facing federal charges for alleged involvement in money laundering, kidnapping and murder.
Only in Pennsylvania would a new industry, suspect by its nature, get a government blessing that includes licensing a suspect player.
What better way to build public confidence?
I guess there were no other applicants to consider.
DeNaples' Mount Airy Resort & Casino is slated to open Oct. 15.
I love this state.
Speaking of love, there's still none lost between the Guv and Republicans running the state Senate.
Even during summer break they're sniping at each other over the deal they struck in mid-July to adopt another late state budget.
That should make for fun when the Guv again seeks support for initiatives including new funding for biomedical research, energy conservation, gun control and a statewide smoking ban.
Summer may be waning, but politics promises fireworks. *
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