Reformers say state needs tougher ethics laws
Senate President Joseph Scarnati (R-Jefferson) said Monday he will reimburse Consol Energy for his trip to last week’s Super Bowl in Dallas.
In the statement, posted on Mr. Scarnati’s Twitter account Monday afternoon, the highest-ranking Republican in the state Senate said he “was planning [to reimburse Consol] from the start.”
Super Bowl XLV was held in the Dallas Cowboy's new stadium.
Consol Energy is one of the largest natural gas companies operating in the state of Pennsylvania. The company provided Mr. Scarnati with airfare, hotel rooms and tickets to the big game last weekend, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported Sunday.
Paying for the senator’s trip is not illegal under Pennsylvania’s state ethics rules, but would have been illegal in many other states.
Many states forbid gifts of more than $100 or $250, though the specifics vary widely. Mr. Scarnati’s Super Bowl trip – with an estimated value of more than $7,000 – would be illegal in at least 30 states, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Some states, such as Wisconsin and Vermont, have outright bans on giving gifts to lawmakers.
Barry Kauffman, executive director of Common Cause Pennsylvania, a government reform group, said a complete ban serves the best interests of the public.
“There is no opportunity to question the influence that a gift might have had. You eliminate the opportunity for corruption,” said Mr. Kauffman. “In Wisconsin, even if you just go out to lunch with a senator, everyone takes out their own wallets.”
In Pennsylvania, there is no limit on gift-giving, though lobbyists must disclose all gifts if they spend more than $650 annually.
In a statement, Consul Energy said it had several guests at the Super Bowl and would list the expenses on the next lobbying disclosure report.
Sen. Joseph Scarnati (R-Jefferson)
According to state campaign finance reports, Consol Energy also contributed more than $15,000 to Mr. Scarnati’s election campaigns since 2006. Mr. Scarnati most recently ran for office in 2008; his term expires in 2012.
The state House of Representatives last week passed a bill to increase fines for lobbyists who violate the state’s laws on gift giving. Mr. Kauffman said higher fines would do little to change the “culture of Harrisburg” because big-money special interests will not be deterred by higher potential fines.
Drew Crompton, Mr. Scarnati’s chief of staff, told the Philadelphia Inquirer the gifts would not influence the senator’s positions on natural gas policy.
Mr. Kauffman did not agree.
“If the gift-giving did not have the desired effect, it would stop,” said Mr. Kauffman.
Consol Energy employs more than 8,000 across six states, including 2,200 in Pennsylvania. The company operates more than 3,900 wells.
