Jeffrey Piccola

In victory, angry Piccola attacks Rendell

Was the pitched political battle for the 15th Senate District seat really state Sen. Jeff Piccola vs. Gov. Ed Rendell?

After the fight of his political life, Piccola, R-Susquehanna Twp., lashed out at Rendell — not Democratic challenger Judy Hirsh — with angry words and pledges of political payback.

Piccola pointed a finger at Rendell for “targeting” his Senate seat and financing Hirsh’s fight with hundreds of thousands of dollars of “Philadelphia money” — most of it spent on attack ads and mailings. He excoriated the Democratic governor for injecting what he termed “South Philly gutter-style politics” into the Senate race.  read more »


Senator, Rendell call for special session on reform

In the wake of the Bonusgate arrests, a senior state Senate Republican has called on Gov. Ed Rendell to convene a special legislative session on government reform. And Rendell says he’s up for it — if lawmakers are.

Last week, state Attorney General Tom Corbett announced charges against one current and one former lawmaker and 10 current and former legislative employees.

All 12 are or were affiliated with the House Democratic caucus and are accused of participating in a culture that used public money to further political and, in some cases, personal gains. Each faces charges that include at least one count of theft, conspiracy and conflict of interest.  read more »


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