by KYW's vice president and general manager David Yadgaroff
 
If a detailed Harrisburg grand Jury report is right, millions in public money has gone into the pockets of elected legislative leaders and their staffs. Hard earned tax dollars were used as bonuses, according to the grand jury, to boost political campaigns and even sweeten the love life of one staffer who handed his girlfriend a lucrative no-show job (see related news stories).

How could it happen?  Easy.

Pennsylvania’s legislature is so large, complex, and unwieldy that it offers far too many fiscal shadows for skulking taxjackers to hide in.

With 253 members, Pennsylvania’s general assembly is second only to California’s in sheer numbers, and has the third highest number of staffers in the country.

It’s time to dust off proposals for a state constitutional amendment to shrink this bloated legislature, make it more manageable, less costly, and easier to police.

The idea is to protect the public’s money before it’s hijacked, rather than handcuff suspected culprits after the cash has vanished.

To submit a comment or reply to this editorial, send an e-mail to yadgaroff@KYW.com.