Letter to the editor: PSO trip is more evidence we need a gift ban

I was extremely disappointed to read about Sen. Rob Mercuri, R-Pine, and Rep. Jake Corman, R-Centre, taking a European vacation trip subsidized by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. I voted for Mercuri when he ran for public office two years ago. He was a fresh face with good ideas and seemed to be sincere about his desire to serve his constituents in the Pennsylvania Legislature. Unfortunately, this latest example of self-serving behavior is just one more glaring example of legislators benefiting from the “generosity” of their constituents, in this case the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.

The state Legislature has been attempting for years to pass a gift ban, with no success. Let’s face it, this type of behavior has been going on for as long as there have been governments. Every time a newly minted politician comes along who shows promise, and seemingly displays the “right stuff” to clean up government, in many cases it doesn’t take long to fall off the bandwagon and succumb to the greed that often goes along with politics.

To the Pennsylvania Legislature, do the right thing: Pass gift ban legislation and clean up political patronage once and for all, and bring integrity back into politics.

Joe Fischerkeller

McCandless