Editorial: Senate needs to give Pennsylvanians a gift ban

It’s November. The time to think about gift giving, to make lists and budgets and plans.

This year, what if we focused on drawing a line in the sand when it comes to gifts? Let’s stop the sleigh when it comes to Harrisburg’s elected officials.

This year, the idea of a gift ban was floated again. Proposed legislation that would finally delineate what is and isn’t acceptable when it comes to presents, meals, trips and other opportunities for legislators was seen as possible. It had support from high-level officials, including Senate Majority Leader Kim Ward, R-Hempfield.

The ban had a committee vote. It never came to the floor.

But is that really that big a deal? Do we really need a gift ban?

Yes.

Without clearly defined rules regarding acceptance and disclosure, gifts are not just expressions of appreciation or friendship. They can be seen as bribery — the kind of old-school graft frequently associated with government and which can allow those with a big enough checkbook to cut to the front of the line.

Let’s take Ward’s predecessor as senate majority leader. Senate President Pro Tempore Jake Corman, R-Centre, received a trip to nine cities in Europe this summer.

The holiday was funded by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, which has received almost $10 million in state funding over five years. Corman and his wife were accompanied by state Rep. Rob Mercuri, R-Pine, and his spouse. The cost was $15,000, including plane tickets, rooms, food and more.

It was not the only trip Corman took. He was one of several lawmakers taken to Wyoming for Cheyenne Frontier Days by Georgia-based skill game company Pace-O-Matic. Some of those officials — including Corman — told Spotlight PA they paid for the $1,700 trip. Others did not.

Corman ran for the Republican gubernatorial nomination this year, losing to his colleague, state Sen. Doug Mastriano. Regardless, he was not returning to the senate, announcing in December 2021 that he would not seek reelection.

That means any gift ban will not affect him. But it will impact all of the legislators on the ballot next week.

“If you keep the faith in the Senate of Pennsylvania, it will never let you down,” Corman said in a farewell speech Oct. 25, according to Pennlive.com.

This is an issue where the people have been let down for years. The best gift the Senate could give Pennsylvanians is passing a gift ban.