Three local lawmakers received passing grades for their effort
to expand “liberty” across the state last year, while another
failed in that endeavor, according to a study done by the
Harrisburg special interest group The Commonwealth Foundation.
Based on a mid-term report card – Liberty Index 2006 – issued by
the non-profit public policy research and educational institute
Monday, state Reps. Kathy Rapp, R-Warren, and Martin Causer,
R-Turtlepoint, along with state Sen. Joe Scarnati, R-Brockway, all
helped promote and expand liberty, while state Rep. Dan Surra,
D-Kersey, contracted it.
The study, for the 2005-06 legislative session, was compiled by
using a complex formula that issues points for voting on and
passing laws that expand liberties for the state’s residents.
Using that system, Rapp received the best score among local
legislators, garnering an “A” for her efforts with a score of
89.31, tied for third best among the Legislature. Meanwhile, Causer
gained a “B-” and a score of 65.85; Scarnati, the deputy majority
whip, received a “C” and a score of 53.91; and Surra got an “F+”
and a score of 30.45. Those legislators above the threshold of
45.07 were believed to be expanding liberty.
A total of 254 lawmakers received scores in the General
Assembly. Following Rapp were Causer at number 18, Scarnati tied
for 35th and Surra at 148.
Meanwhile, the majority of the Legislature received a failing
grade – including those in high leadership positions in both
chambers and Gov. Ed Rendell, who is up for re-election this year.
The report comes in the glow of the bitter legislative pay raise
that enveloped the capitol last year.
“The senator doesn’t allow public interest groups or ratings to
dictate his policy,” Scarnati’s Chief of Staff Todd Nyquist said
Monday night. “Regardless of the ratings, he votes for the
constituents of rural Pennsylvania and what is best for them.”
The highest score in the General Assembly was obtained by Rep.
Daryl Metcalfe, R-Butler, with a score of 93.23, while the bottom
was claimed by Sen. Vincent Fumo, D-Philadelphia, who received a
score of 16.68.
Meanwhile, Rendell received an “F” with a grade of 20.64; Senate
President Pro Tempore Robert Jubelirer an “F+” at 30.53; Senate
Floor Leader David Brightbill an “F+” at 30.45; Senate Minority
Leader Robert Mellow a “F-” at 16.72; House Speaker John Perzel a
“F+” at 30.45; and House Minority Leader H. William DeWeese an “F-”
at 18.60.
Both Causer and Rapp, who are both running for re-election this
year along with Surra, noted numerous polls are done each year on
the performance of the Legislature.
“Everything is political,” Causer said. “This is a vote by one
particular interest group that has given me a grade based on their
criteria. I can assure the people in our district that I look at
each and every piece of legislation that comes before me and vote
on what is best for our area. If that goes against what a special
interest group believes, then so be it.
“I am not tied to any one interest group. To do a good job of
representing your district, you have to be able to look at the
issues from all sides.”
Rapp said she was pleased to be ranked so high on the scale,
noting she was surprised that some of the legislators were placed
lower than herself.
“I vote conservatively,” Rapp said. “My district’s constituents
enjoy their freedoms and fiscal restraints and that’s how I cast my
vote.”
Rapp said she didn’t believe the group’s decision to reveal its
marks was politically motivated in an election year.
That doesn’t seem to be the case with PA CleanSweep, a group
formed after the legislative pay raises were passed last July. The
anti-incumbancy group claims to support 81 new candidates for
office, thus far.
“From my understanding, their main idea is to throw out every
legislator in Harrisburg,” Causer said. “That’s not even a good
game plan and is ridiculous. While I don’t believe that will
happen, if they can encourage more people to run, that’s a good
thing and gets more people involved in the process.”
Rapp said she believes the pay raise “fiasco” has played a part
in the political vibes going through the capitol, but kicking out a
majority of the lawmakers “would be a huge mistake.”
“There are people that are truly here to serve their districts
and constituents. People that are trying to do the right thing and
cast the right votes.”
Rapp said she is particularly disturbed by a comment from PA
CleanSweep founder and chairman Russ Diamond, who was quoted as
saying voters should cast their ballot for the challengers even if
they are a “thief, a crook or a liar.”
“I have grave concerns when people are willing to endorse just
anybody,” Rapp said. “There are a group of us here looking at
reform and how we can clean up the capitol and ourselves.”
A call left for Surra at his Harrisburg office was not
immediately returned.
