A special interest group from Philadelphia pushing for
additional funding for mass transit issues has attacked Senate
President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati, R-Brockway, on radio spots
within his senatorial district, claiming the lawmaker uses a
vehicle paid for with taxpayer funds.

On Wednesday, Scarnati refuted the ads in a press release issued
to The Era, saying the group was pushing its agenda of higher
taxes, more regulations and additional funding for urban portions
of the state. The name of the group was not immediately
available.

Gov. Ed Rendell has called for new taxes to improve the state’s
roads and bridges and to help fund mass transportation. The issue
of reform is also sweeping through Harrisburg, as lawmakers look to
open up the capitol to more public scrutiny.

“When I became president pro tempore of the Senate I recognized,
and quite frankly expected, that slanderous attacks on me
personally would come from groups in urban areas,” Scarnati said,
adding while he typically doesn’t respond to such matters, “I feel
compelled to defend the citizens of rural Pennsylvania.”

Scarnati’s Director of Policy and Communications Tim Nyquist
said the spots have apparently been pulled down and were believed
to have run on a radio station located in St. Marys. Nyquist said
it was his understanding the ads began running on Monday, adding
it’s believed the ads appeared on just one station.

Residents in a portion of McKean County and in Elk and Jefferson
counties could receive the station’s signal.

“They were pushing mass transit issues in Philadelphia and
Pittsburgh,” Nyquist said. “Obviously, with being president pro tem
we put ourselves up for this scrutiny, but this ad was laced with
inaccuracies.”

On the issue of car leases, Scarnati said he hasn’t or will not
use public funds to purchase a vehicle. The lawmaker added he has
his own insurance for the vehicle he bought and drives.

“I have been the leader in reforming state government and public
records are open to any group looking to verify my claim. To
suggest otherwise is inaccurate and misinformed.

“… I have stated time and time again that the General Assembly
and the administration must be aggressive in finding means to
improve our transportation system,” Scarnati said. “However, that
does not mean sending the hard earned money of the taxpayers of
this district to Philadelphia or Pittsburgh. Rural residents
deserve and demand fair representation on this issue and
others.”

Scarnati also said any group, media outlet or individual
purporting inaccuracies “will meet upon heavy resistance.”

“I would encourage thorough and accurate review of all materials
that accuse this office of any inappropriate action.”

This is not the first time a local lawmaker has been the target
of outside special interests.

In the run up to the Legislature’s vote on property tax relief
in 2005, bogus automated phone calls into state Rep. Martin
Causer’s, R-Turtlepoint, legislative district indicated he
supported a bill calling for a $3 billion tax increase, which would
direct funding to Philadelphia.

Fellow Rep. Dan Surra, D-Kersey, also had similar automated
calls targeting his district. Those were run by an out-of-state
firm.