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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 3, 2008
CONTACT:
Lee Derr
(717) 787-6538
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Senate Passes Orie Legislation to Eliminate 'Pinstripe' Patronage

Yesterday, in a unanimous vote, the State Senate passed legislation introduced by Senator Jane Orie (R-Allegheny, Butler) to eliminate conflicts of interest when state government enters into contracts with outside consultants. 

"'Patronage' occurs when government employment or contracts are offered as a reward or favor, rather than on merit or qualifications. And, 'pinstripe patronage' is a term that has been coined to describe when this occurs in the awarding of contracts with consulting professionals, noted Orie.  "This legislation will ensure that government gets unbiased professional advice when needed, and will give the public the openness and accountability they deserve from their government."

The legislation, which now goes to the House of Representatives, will prohibit any state agency from contracting with outside individuals or firms to do consulting work, unless the contract is reviewed by the Attorney General for legality and conflict of interest, or is opened up to public competitive bidding. The bill applies to management consulting contracts designed to improve the effectiveness of management strategies, processes or operations, legal consulting services that provide legal opinions or assessments of agency conduct, other than those related to pending litigation, and the provision of legal services in connection with the sale or issuance of bonds.

Additionally, the bill requires all those seeking to do consulting work to report their campaign contributions, and prohibits any consultant from having a financial stake in the issue on which they are rendering an opinion.  Under the measure, all information as to contracts awarded and campaign contributions by consultants must be made available for public inspection on the Internet.

This is one of several reform measures introduced by Orie, including a bill to prohibit state agencies from hiring lobbyists that is currently on the Senate voting schedule; legislation to strengthen the Turnpike Commission’s Code of Ethics; a bill to require consent of the Senate for any appointee to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board; and a measure to require approval of the General Assembly before an Administration can expend revenues to research or pursue sales or long-term leases of state property or assets.

"If there was one clear mandate in the last election," Orie stated in discussing her reform legislation, it was that the citizens of Pennsylvania demand a more open and accountable government, and will not tolerate conflicts of interest designed to enrich public officials or political insiders."