PhillyTablet Inquirer Daily News
Mobile
Home Delivery
philly.com
email
font size
comments
1
options
 
Thursday, November 5, 2009

Knox Comes Out Swinging: Limit Contributions & End WAMS

Tom Knox, the millionaire businessman from Philly running for governor in the May 2010 Democratic primary election, released an e-mail blast followed up by an online chat and conference call detailing a series of steps he would take to reform the way government works in Harrisburg.  Knox hammered away at one key theme across all those platforms -- repeatedly saying he was the only candidate in the race who isn't a "career politician."

Knox, who is reluctant to disclose how much of his own money he will use to fund his campaign, said he would call a special session of the General Assembly immediately if elected to push for reform. First up:  Campaign contribution limits of no more than $500 cumulative per election cycle for anyone who does "business with Harrisburg."  Knox also wants a limit on contributions from people who don't do business with the state government but could not say what amount it should be when reporters asked.

During the online chat, one poster accused Knox of trying to buy the election.  Knox responded:  "I would suggest that my funding my election is far better than Comcast or some other large company giving large donations and creating the impression that my administration is for sale to special interest groups."

With that $500 limit in place, Knox said he would target "pay-to-play" by seeking to ban anyone who contributes more than that from receiving a state contract.  Knox was not sure if he could do that through an executive order or if he would need legislation approved by the General Assembly.  "There’s just too much pay to play going on in Pennsylvania," Knox said during the conference call. "People are trying to buy influence."

Knox also said he would push for a requirement that public officials "resign from one job before running for another."  That can be read as a shot at the six other candidates who now hold one office while running for governor, including Republicans state Attorney General Tom Corbett and U.S. Rep. Jim Gerlach and Democrats state Auditor General Jack Wagner, Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato, Montgomery County Commissioner Joe Hoeffel, Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty. “People want you to do the job you were elected for," Knox said. "It’s about perception and public confidence. It’s not about individuals.”

Knox said he would also prohibit gifts and meals accepted by legislators, eliminate controversial WAMS -- walking around money -- legislative spending accounts, mandate annual ethics training for public officials and create a hotline for anonymous calls about ethics problems.  Of course, he would have to convince the General Assembly to vote for most of that as well.

Below, you can see the web commercial Knox released in support of today's reform blitz.  NOTE TO KNOX -- When you say you want to "strengthen our schools," make sure your ad team spells "strengthen" correctly.
Posted by Chris Brennan @ 1:05 PM  Permalink | 1 comment
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 1:25 PM, 11/05/2009
    Nobody at the Inky should be busting on *anybody* about spelling.
    — MaggieL


1 comments
About The Philly Clout Team
PhillyClout
Chris Brennan, a native Philadelphian and graduate of Temple University, joined the Daily News in 1999. He has written about SEPTA, the Philadelphia School District, the legalization of casino gambling, state government, the mayor, the governor, City Council and political campaigns.
 Follow Chris on Twitter

David Gambacorta spent a small eternity writing about cops, drug dealers and serial killers. Now he’s writing about power and politics ­– which sometimes reminds him of the old crime beat. He joined the Daily News in 2005. And yes, he knows you’re not quite sure how to pronounce his last name. E-mail tips to gambacd@phillynews.com
 Follow Dave on Twitter.

Catherine Lucey joined the Daily News in 2002 and has written about murderous drug gangs, political protesters and Harry Potter. After covering the 2007 mayoral election, she moved over to the City Hall bureau where she has been reporting on the Nutter administration.
 Follow Catherine on Twitter

Jan Ransom, a native New Yorker, joined the Daily News in 2010 after graduating from Howard University. She has since written about the difficulty of filing police complaints, tax deadbeats and life after violent home invasions. She joined the Daily News City Hall Bureau in 2011 and has plunged headfirst into reporting on administration budget battles and City Council shenanigans.
 Follow Jan on Twitter



Share your tips

Catherine Lucey
luceyc@phillynews.com

Chris Brennan
brennac@phillynews.com

Jan Ransom
Ransomj@phillynews.com
Advertise Here