A few days ago, in the wake of a fine piece of investigative reporting by the Daily News' Bob Warner about the Philadelphia Parking Authority, I wrote that we should establish a New Rule:
If you work for "the city" either part time or full time, in any department or agency, for any elected official (commissioners, council members, mayor, controller, district attorney, etc.) or for any of the "quasi-governmental" agencies, then you can not be a committee person or ward leader for any party. Once you get the job, you have to give up your role as a functionary in any political party. Make a choice.
In today's Daily News we learn that the Governor Rendell is also frustrated with what the PPA has become:
"They've got to clean up their house fast, save money where they can and send money to the school district," Rendell told KYW Newsradio. "They should start reviewing those jobs, and those that aren't essential to productivity should be closed down."
But more importantly, longtime PPA scrutinizer St. Rep. Michael McGeehan agrees with our "New Rule."
[McGeehan] has unveiled a plan to oust the board members and prohibit political activity by authority employees - the same restrictions that apply to most employees covered by the city charter.
"The Philadelphia Parking Authority has become a bloated political-patronage machine where employees feel compelled to contribute time and money to candidates to keep their jobs," McGeehan said in a memo to other House members.
That's right... make a choice.