PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A call for reform is coming from both Philadelphia and state politicians in response to the convictions of City Councilmember Bobby Henon and labor leader John Dougherty in a federal corruption trial.
However, there were also clear signs Monday that reforms will be slow in coming.
State Representative Jared Solomon (D-Philadelphia) called for public financing of elections and limits on outside employment to end the kind of conflicts at issue in the Henon-Dougherty trial.
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But rather than specific legislation, he produced a petition.
"You've got to first raise up the issue that having an honest government that embraces integrity is important," said Solomon.
Even with that modest goal, Solomon and Councilmember Maria Quiñones-Sánchez were the only elected officials to show up to sign the petition, though Solomon said all of Council and the state delegation were invited. Quiñones-Sánchez said Council has previously studied public financing of elections.
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"There was a political will on council. There was an issue, and this was a discussion we had pre-COVID, was about the amount of money," she said.
She added that she hopes they will see it as an investment now, and that she will get support for planned legislation to limit outside employment.
"I think folks know that it’s about time we make some bold decisions, and it definitely has to be part of consideration in 2023 as people get re-elected."