Thumbs Up

To state Rep. Steve Santarsiero, D-31, who this week signed a petition calling for a state constitutional convention. In doing so, Santarsiero became only the second Bucks County lawmaker to formally back the proposal. He joins just five other lawmakers across the state, including Bucks County's John Galloway, D-140, to back their words with action.

The convention is being promoted by four non-partisan organizations - the Commonwealth Foundation, Common Cause, the League of Women Voters and Democracy Rising PA - in the interest of restoring integrity to our corrupt state government. The petition calls on lawmakers to put a referendum on the November ballot that would let voters decide if a convention should be held and what aspects of government it should address. Citizens then would have to vote on any changes a convention might recommend.

In our view, a lot of change is needed, from the size of our bloated Legislature and compensation for those who serve there to the rules under which it runs - and under which corruption has flourished.

The petition can be found on the Democracy Rising PA Web site, democracyrisingpa.com. We encourage you to sign. And while you're on the site, click on the link for a study explaining the process and giving the issue historical context.

For evidence of the need for change, Google "Bonusgate," "Walking Around Money," "midnight pay raise" ... We could go on.

To state Sen. John C. Rafferty Jr., R-Montgomery, who wants to update the state's antiquated restrictions on beer sales. To that end, Rafferty has composed a bill that would allow anything from six-packs to cases of beer to be sold not only by beer distributors but also by supermarkets, convenience stores and bars.

Currently, distributors can sell cases (four six-packs) and bars can sell a maximum of two six-packs. Other venues can sell six-packs only if they also serve food.

The effect of these annoying restrictions, of course, is to drive up prices. That was the goal of Pennsylvania's prohibition-era liquor laws: to reduce accessibility, inflate prices and thereby limit consumption.

Change is long overdue, including selling the state liquor store monopoly. Here's to Sen. Rafferty for trying to get the ball rolling. Bottoms up!

To the Lower Makefield supervisors for considering a change to the township's responsible contractor ordinance by removing the apprenticeship program requirement.

The net effect of the measure is to eliminate small non-union contractors from competing for township work. That means fewer contractors end up bidding on township work. And we all know what less competition means: higher prices.

Taxpayers should not have to pay more so the township can employ union contractors. The more, the cheaper.