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The President's Message
by Brian Barno
 Lions & Scarecrows & Tinmen
A state Supreme Court judge losing a retention vote? Legislative leaders apologizing to the public that they made a mistake and exercised poor judgment? Incumbents genuinely concerned about primary and general election challengers? Emboldened grass-roots good-government activists? Toto, I have a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore.
Many insiders in Harrisburg thought this pay raise issue would blow over. Auntie Em demonstrated the conventional wisdom that the problem would just be taken care of: “Now you go feed those hogs before they worry themselves into anemia!” I thought there’d be some grumbling but the raise would go through and we’d be back to business as usual.
I was wrong. What’s going on here? Conventional wisdom underestimated the heart; courage and brains of the pay raise opponents.
Heart: The anti-pay raise crowd included folks with big hearts. Barry Kauffman at Common Cause and the League of Women Voters has been passionate advocates for good and open government. While always in there fighting, they’re used to being left at the altar with their hearts broken. Like the Tin Woodsman with some squirts from the oilcan, the good government folks now have their hearts beating with newfound vigor. They got the ring this time and deserve to enjoy the reception.
Courage: While I can’t question the motives of those behind the golden talk show microphones in the state, their beating this issue into the ground wasn’t particularly courageous. They were doing their job – the pay raise vote was simple and easily understandable. It was perfect talk show fodder – it drove up ratings and pleased advertisers. Bob Durgin and his ilk framed the issue and fanned the fires. The radio talk show hosts and front-page headlines encouraged the political gadflies to get a seat on the anti-pay raise train.
The media attention did energize average people. We all have relatives who griped about greedy legislators at the family barbeque. But there were some engaged in this issue who had never written or contacted their legislator before. I spoke with a young family who had driven from Western PA for one of the repeal rallies. While PAGR members work the halls of the Capitol with ease, first-timers sometimes need a Lion’s courage to come and talk to their representatives.
Courage is often exhibited when you take a stance when there’s something on the line Legislators, particularly those in committee leadership positions, had something to lose by bucking their leaders. Their courage was balanced with the political reality that a pay raise vote would haunt them in the next campaign. Those that stood up on principle exhibited the new-found courage of our Lion in the Wizard of Oz.
Brains: Along with the rest of us, legislative leaders obviously underestimated the fallout from the pay raise vote. With the lack of substantive legislative activity, the state print and electronic media could focus on the pay raise story. Station managers and editors saw the response and played to the audience.
In the same way, some saw the pay raise as an organizing tool. Chicago community organizer Saul Alinsky once said that “issues are tissues” - Issues are only organizing tools to bring folks together for a common purpose. I watched this incredibly diverse collection of folks at a Capitol rally. All the groups represented were aching to use this issue to build their own organizations. It will take some brainpower to make it happen.
Dorothy asks the Scarecrow how he can talk if he doesn’t have brain. Scarecrow: “I don't know... But some people without brains do an awful lot of talking... don't they?” The pay raise repeal victory will have hundreds of fathers. There is plenty of website and blog authors that claim credit for the repeal. In reality, a small number did the heavy lifting. They were prepared, in the right place at the right time, and used their brains and backs to make it happen.
No Place Like Home: Has arrogance and self-righteousness in the General Assembly been crushed like the Wicked Witch? No. But, maybe this episode has been a tonic or a dose of strong medicine for our policymakers. It has sensitized them that citizens are watching – and care about what they do. If there’s a silver lining in this, it’s the renewed talk about the Institution and the ideals it was founded on. The debate in the last few months has been a reminder, for all of us involved with state government , that the Institution is here to do the people’s business.
2006 Meeting Dates
Board Meetings:
Thursday, January 5
Thursday, March 2
Thursday, May 4
Thursday, July 13
Thursday, September 7
Thursday, November 2
BOARD MEETINGS ARE HELD
9:00—10:00 AM
AT THE OFFICE OF PRESIDENT BRIAN BARNO, 127 STATE STREET, HARRISBURG
Membership Meetings:
Monday, February 6
Monday, April 4
Monday, June 5
Monday, October 2
Monday, December 4
Holiday Gathering — time and place TBD)
MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS ARE HELD
11:30AM—12:30PM
ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF THE FIREHOUSE RESTAURANT, 606 N. 2ND STREET, HARRISBURG.
PAGR Charitable Activities
PAGR has an incredible track record giving back to the community. The Starner-Spitalny Golf Tournament was a wonderful event that we supported for 12 years and raised more than $215,000. Unfortunately, with the difficulty of securing corporate sponsors, PAGR was unable to run the event this year. Charitable activities are an integral part of PAGR’s mission. We need your input on events and activities for PAGR charitable activities and charitable organizations PAGR can support. Please contact Christine at info@pagr.org.
Does PAGR Accept Credit Cards?
As of January 1, 2006 we will!
Finally, PAGR has moved into the 21st century. As of the first of the new year, PAGR will be able to accept visa and mastercard credit cards. Pay your dues, pay for lunches and events too, using your good old American plastic.
The membership has asked for it and PAGR has answered the call. Look for the spot on your 2006 annual dues invoice for you to include your credit card information or contact Christine with the information at the PAGR office.
FYI, 2006 dues invoice will be sent later this month.
Welcome New Members
Jeffrey Hunsicker
SEIU PA STATE COUNCIL
Laura Kuller
KLEET ROONEY LIEBER & SHORLING
Louis Kupperman
OBERMAYER REBMANN MAXWELL & HIPPEL
Angela Leopold
NOVAK STRATEGIC ADVISORS
Jeannie K. Liggett
PUBLIC AFFAIRS STRATEGIES
Patrick Norton
THE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL OF PHILADELPHIA
Mary Peters
PA CATHOLIC CONFERENCE
Kevin Tucker
TIBONI ASSOCIATES
Patty Welty
WOLF BLOCK GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
 PAGR Thanks Mark McManus
For his four years of contributions and commitment as a Member of PAGR’s Board of Directors 2002–2005
We will miss you...thanks for always being the first one there!
Lobbypalooza 2005
President Brian Barno introduces our distinguished media panel; (from left to right) Jim Lee, Susquehanna Polling, Dave Latorre, Latorre Communications, Tracy Pawelski, PPO&S, and Pete Shelly, Triad Strategies.
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Thanks to (l to r) Sen. Bob Robbins, Rep. Steve Stetler, and Sen. Connie Williams for spearheading our Leadership Roundtable discussion. |
(l to r) Jim Lee of Susquehanna Polling & Research and Terry Madonna of Terry Madonna Opinion Research spoke about the changing demographics in PA. |
(l to r) Gubernatorial Candidates Jim Panyard and Sen. Jeff Piccola ended the day with their future plans for our Commonwealth. |
Thank you to all who participated in this multi-faceted lobbying skills-building symposium on October 6, 2005 at Blue Ridge Country Club, Harrisburg.
Holiday Meeting and Social
Monday, December 5th
4:00—6:00 PM
McGrath’s Pub
202 Locust Street - Harrisburg
- We will be voting on 2006 Board of Directors
- We will be presenting our final Starner-Spitalny contributions
- We will be honoring one departing Board Member
- HOLIDAY CHEER (open bar and munchies)
Please RSVP
ALL MEMBERS WHO RSVP IN ADVANCE WILL BE CHARGED $5 AT THE DOOR. ALL MEMBERS WHO DO NOT RSVP WILL BE CHARGED $10 AT THE DOOR. ALL GUESTS WILL BE CHARGED $20. PLEASE RSVP BY DECEMBER 2nd TO
717-540-4391 OR INFO@PAGR.ORG.
THANK YOU.
2006 Slate of Candidates
Officers
President............................Brian Barno*
Vice President.....................Deb Kisela*
Secretary................................Jill Kusic*
Treasurer........................Peter Calcara*
Board of Directors
Association....................................TBA*
Corporate............................Kris Snader
Lawyer.................................Tony Crisci
Independent......................Amy Leader*
At Large......................Stephanie Larkin
At Large...........................Gregg Taylor*
Immediate Past President
Judy Eschberger
Executive Director
Christine Corrigan
* must be voted on by membership
THERE ARE ONLY TWO WAYS TO...
- KNOW THE DETAILS OF WHAT HAPPENED IN A COMMITTEE MEETING AT THE CAPITOL
- FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENED ON THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE OR THE SENATE WHEN IT OCCURS!
- BE ALERTED IMMEDIATELY WHEN A COMMITTEE MEETING IS CALLED OFF THE FLOOR OR SESSION RESUMES!
Be There Yourself or Have the PLS System!
- OVER 75,000 ALERTS HAVE BEEN SENT OUT THIS SESSION
- OVER 900 COMMITTEE MEETINGS, PRESS CONFERENCES AND PUBLIC HEARINGS HAVE BEEN COVERED AND REVIEWED
- OVER 3,800 BILLS AND 2,500 AMENDMENTS HAVE BEEN SUMMARIZED
- OVER 350 STORIES ARE POSTED DAILY TO OUR NEWS SERVICE, COMMONWEALTH CLIPS
PLS IS BETTER THAN BEING THERE!
614 N. THIRD ST. HARRISBURG, PA. 17101 – (717) 236-6984 – MYPLS@MYPLS.COM
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