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Pennsylvania: Bill Deweese

Wed, 12/17/2008 - 17:03

Eachus suspends committee chairs writing checks from appropriations

By Alex Roarty, PolitickerPA.com Reporter

In another internal tweak meant to bring reform to the caucus, House Majority Leader Todd Eachus (D-Luzerne County) said Wednesday committee chairs will no longer be able to write checks directly from their appropriations.

Eachus said in a statement the move to a centralized system will provide more accountability and transparency.

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There have been 46 comments posted in response to this story.
Tue, 12/02/2008 - 23:46

HDC leadership foregoing raise, letting rank-and-file make own decision

By Alex Roarty, PolitickerPA.com Reporter

Leaders of the House Democratic Caucus said late Tuesday night they will personally forgo the legislature's recent pay increase but will not suspend the automatic cost-of-living adjustment for rank-and-file members.

On Monday, the legislature received a scheduled 2.8 percent pay increase. The raise infuriated reform activists, who compared it to 2005's infamous pay grab that led to 50 lawmakers either retiring or being voted out of office.

There have been 49 comments posted in response to this story.
Tue, 12/02/2008 - 21:46

Eachus hires attorney to review HDC, look for inefficiency and job titles

By Alex Roarty, PolitickerPA.com Reporter

Newly elected House Majority Leader Todd Eachus (D-Luzerne County) will announce Wednesday that he has hired outside counsel to conduct a "top-to-bottom review" of the House Democratic Caucus and recommend changes to make it more efficient.

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There have been 56 comments posted in response to this story.
Tue, 12/02/2008 - 11:47

Fumo secretly funded anti-Rendell ads, according to testimony by former aides

By Alex Roarty, PolitickerPA.com Reporter

The ongoing corruption trial of former state Sen. Vince Fumo has already shed light on the legendary lawmaker's at-time eccentric personal, professional and political behavior.

But recent testimony has spread the intrigue to Gov. Ed Rendell, Senate Minority Leader Bob Mellow (D-Lackawanna County) and former House Democratic Caucus leader Bill DeWeese (D-Greene County).

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There have been 52 comments posted in response to this story.
Tue, 11/18/2008 - 16:34

DeWeese stays in leadership, as whip

By Alex Roarty, PolitickerPA.com Reporter

Embattled state representative Bill DeWeese has once again survived and retained a high-profile leadership position in the House Democratic caucus -- majority whip.

It's a demotion for the majority leader, who was also once House Speaker, but he'll surely take it after being implicated in connection with "Bonusgate" and facing the calls from more than a dozen colleagues to step down earlier this year. 

 

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There have been 48 comments posted in response to this story.
Tue, 11/18/2008 - 10:03

Lentz: DeWeese should 'go into exile'

By Dan Hirschhorn, PolitickerPA.com Reporter

Newly emboldened by his double-digit re-election win, state Rep. Bryan Lentz (D-Swarthmore) has stepped up his criticism of embattled House Majority Leader Bill DeWeese (D-Greene County).

"I wish hewould follow the example of Cicero and go into exile," Lentz told The Inquirer. "I believe in redemption, but don't believe you reinvent yourself and continue doing the same things."

There have been 50 comments posted in response to this story.
Mon, 11/17/2008 - 11:39

DeWeese bowing out of majority leader race?

By Alex Roarty, PolitickerPA.com Reporter

State Rep. Bill DeWeese (D-Greene County) said in an interview with The Observer-Reporter last week that he will not run for re-election as majority leader.

He'll vie for majority whip instead, he told the paper, while supporting state Rep. Todd Eachus (D-Luzerne County) for his old position.

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There have been 52 comments posted in response to this story.
Wed, 11/12/2008 - 19:10

Allegheny County Democratic Caucus backs Dermody

By Alex Roarty, PolitickerPA.com Reporter

HARRISBURG -- The Allegheny County House Democratic Caucus made its play for leadership Wednesday night, selecting state Rep. Frank Dermody (D-Allegheny County) as its choice for majority leader.

Meanwhile, current but embattled Majority Leader Bill DeWeese (D-Greene County) has not received, at least not yet, the support of his own Southwest Caucus, which decided Tuesday night not to endorse anybody for a leadership position.

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There have been 45 comments posted in response to this story.
Wed, 11/12/2008 - 13:47

Gov. press conference roundup: Rendell says he's not leaving for Washington

By Alex Roarty, PolitickerPA.com Reporter

HARRISBURG -- It's the question Gov. Ed Rendell has been asked ad nauseum since Barack Obama's election: Are you leaving for Washington?

His answer Wednesday was the same one he's given every time.

"I'm not going," the governor said a press conference in the Capitol.

He hasn't been asked, he's unlikely to be asked, and he would have to reluctantly decline even if he were, Rendell said.

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There have been 47 comments posted in response to this story.
Wed, 11/12/2008 - 10:16

Markosek to seek majority leader position, Trib reports

By Alex Roarty, PolitickerPA.com Reporter

Add one more name to the list of House Democrats seeking to become majority leader.

State Rep. Joe Markosek (D-Allegheny County), chairman of the House Transportation Committee, told The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review he is now a candidate for the position.

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There have been 49 comments posted in response to this story.