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Lehigh County Executive Don Cunningham plans to seek reelection to his current job next fall, but the invitation to tonight’s fundraising reception at the Waterworks restaurant in Philadelphia does not mention that, nor does it need to say what every check-writing guest will know already: The 2010 race for governor is well underway, and Cunningham is among the Democrats pursuing the prize.

Gov. Rendell is listed at the head of the host committee – Cunningham was in his cabinet as Secretary of General Services - and several Rendell money people are signed up to sell tickets to the $250-per-person cocktail event, scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. Among them: Richard Schiffrin, Charles Breslin, Herb Vederman, Terry Grayboes. Rendell also loaned his name to a Cunningham fundraiser last May at Cuba Libre, though the governor is carefully staying neutral in the contest to succeed him.

Cunningham hopes to net at least $150,000 from the event. He and other potential candidates have been quietly traveling the state, meeting people, testing the waters. “For most of ’08 it was so submerged and under the radar,” Cunningham said. “Nobody pays attention, nor could you break through with the presidential campaign. You keep the ball moving forward…now you’re going to see a lot of activity.”

Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato is exploring a race for the nomination, and several Philadelphia-area Rendell backers have raised funds for him, too. Onorato rival Jack Wagner, just reelected as state auditor general, is said to be interested, as are former Revenue Secretary Tom Wolf, a York County businessman, and Tom Knox of Philadelphia, the millionaire insurance wizard who ran unsuccessfully for mayor last year. There also is talk that state Treasurer Robin Weissman, appointed to the post after incumbent Bob Casey Jr. was elected to the Senate in 2006, may throw her hat in the gubernatorial ring.

Cunningham, who helped lead a revitalization of Bethlehem when he was mayor there, said he is positioned as a “fiscally conservative, socially progressive Democrat” who might do better in populous eastern Pennsylvania than a “pro-gun, pro-life Democrat from western Pennsylvania.”

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The state's new Office of Open Records has set a fee cap for copies of government documents. Citizens will now pay between 10 cents and 25 cents per page for any requested documents from state agencies or municipalities.

State agencies and local governments are directed to charge only for the actual cost of reproduction. It was not uncommon in the past for government entities to charge as much as $1 a page for copying.

Here's what agencies can't do: 

Charge citizens for the time it takes to determine whether the record is a public record.

Charge for searching or retrieving the documents.

Charge staff time or salary for complying with a right-to-know request, nor can they charge fees to redact or black out information that is exempt under the law.

“The fee structure established by our office is a reasonable way to ensure citizens have meaningful access to the records of their government and that public bodies are able to recoup the actual cost of the copies,” said Terry Mutchler, executive director of the Office of Open Records.

Mutchler said that nationally duplication fees are one of the most abused areas of government access law and have been routinely used to deny the public access to documents. It was not uncommon in the past for government entities in Pennsylvania to charge as much as $1 a page for copying.

Mutchler encouraged courts and legislative agencies, which can set their own fees, to adopt the fee structure set by the Office of Open Records to promote uniformity throughout the Commonwealth.

The fee structure was set in advance of the implementation of the state's new Right to Know law which goes into effect Jan. 1. 

The complete fee structure and information related to the Office of Open Records and the new law can be found at http://openrecords.state.pa.us.

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Former House Speaker Robert O'Donnell says state lawmakers  - the subject of heightened scrutiny in recent years  - are working under "the constant threat of prosecution." O'Donnell, now a Philadelphia lawyer, said the seemingly endless investigations could damage the General Assembly as an institution.

"They used to say people are not safe as long as the legislature is in session," said O'Donnell speaking at a Pennsylvania Press Club luncheon in Harrisburg. "Now legislators are not safe as long as a grand jury's in session."

O'Donnell cited the open-ended Bonusgate probe by Attorney General Tom Corbett which has so far netted 12 Democrats for allegedly using public funds for campaign work and the federal corruption investigation involving Sen. Fumo.

O'Donnell asked rhetorically whether any use of public funds for political purposes should be illegal. If it is, he mused, shouldn't Karl Rove be subject to prosecution?

When asked if he had advice for incoming House Speaker Keith McCall of Carbon County, O'Donnell said he should stick to his primary job.

"He needs to do the speaker's job and not reach beyond that because beyond that is trouble," said O'Donnell. "He should gurantee a fair floor process, work with leadership to make sure the talent is available to present the issues in a reasonable way... and he should not take responsibility for the behavior of others."

In 1992, O'Donnell lost his speakership after one term in a now legendary power stuggle with House Rep. Bill DeWeese of Greene County. Earlier this month, DeWeese, with the cloud of Bonusgate around him, opted not to run for majority leader, clearing the way for Rep. Todd Eachus of Luzerne County to be voted in last week.

O'Donnell served 19 years in the House before resigning in 1993.

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Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton today remembered the late Lt. Gov. Catherine Baker Knoll as a "pioneer and pathbreaker" for women in politics.

Clinton, who knew Knoll for decades and counted her among her strongest political allies, drew applause when she considered what she might be doing now.

"Probably encouraging St. Peter to let women have more of a role," said Clinton, speaking at a memorial service in the Capitol.

In life, Clinton said, "She shattered glass ceilings and wanted to see others do that as well."

Knoll, 78, died Nov. 12 after a four-month battle with neoendocrine cancer.

Clinton, standing next to Knoll's flag-draped casket, said their relationship grew during the 2008 presidential campaign. She recalled Knoll was among the first to endorse her presidential bid and remained an "outspoken, passionate" supporter.

"Even when road became steep she was there for me," Clinton told the audience of 250 people, including elected officials, family and friends. "She campaigned even when some said campaign was over...Catherine had my back."

Gov. Rendell remembered Knoll, elected as Pennsylvania's first female lieutenant governor in 2002, as an effective advocate for things she believed in particularly children, as a caring and compassionate person and a great partner.

Rendell noted that she was twice elected treasurer and during that time founded Tuition Account Program to make higher education more accessible to working class families - a model used across the nation.

What people didn't know, Rendell said, is that she often made donations to the student accounts herself.

He said Knoll, a former teacher, always welcomed school groups but what people didn't know was that she often paid for the children's lunch.

He said she often visited injured veterans returning from Iraq war at Walter Reed Hospital and brought with her a trunk filled with books and DVDs for the servicemen and women.

U.S. Rep. John Murtha, who knew Knoll for 30 years, pulled out a letter written by Knoll from the hospital two days before she died. In it, Murtha said, she congratulated him for overcoming the odds in his congressional race.

"There's something soundly sweet about winning when others say you can't...I know something about that," she wrote.  

Rev. Kevin Rhoades, Bishop of Harrisburg, read a message of prayer from Pope Benedict XVI blessing Knoll and offering consolation to her family.

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With the tolling of bells and a military honor guard at the ready, the hearse carrying the body of Lt. Gov. Catherine Baker Knoll has arrived at the Capitol.

The memorial service for Pennsylvania's first woman lieutenant govenor is set to get underway shortly. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, a close personal friend an political ally leads a roster of dignitaries expected to attend, including Gov. Rendell, U.S. Reps. John Murtha and Allyson Schwartz, Sen. Bob Casey and Philadelphia mayor Michael Nutter.

American flags have been draped from the mezzanine of the ornate Capitol Rotunda above the spot where Knoll's body will lie in state until Saturday afternoon. A 150-member all-star children's choir with members from across the state is performing the musical prelude.

An honor guard including representatives of the Pennsylvania State Police, State Capitol Police and members of the Pennsylvania National Guard will serve as pallbearers.

Knoll, 78, died Nov. 12 after a four-month battle with neoendocrine cancer. Elected as  lieutenant governor in 2002 she achieved the highest ranking post for a woman in Pennsylvania history.

After a funeral mass in her native Pittsburgh on Tuesday, Knoll will be laid to rest in a private graveside ceremony.

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Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton leads the list of dignitaries gathering in the Capitol at noon today to remember the late Lieutenant Governor Catherine Baker Knoll.

About 250 people, including members of Congress, Gov. Rendell and Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, are expected to attend the memorial service for Knoll, who died Nov. 12 after a four-month battle with neoendocrine cancer.

Knoll knew the Clintons since former president Bill Clinton was Arkansas governor and was among the inner circle of friends and colleagues who attended the Clinton's annual Renaissance weekend. Knoll supported Bill Clinton in his presidential campaigns and, with Gov. Rendell, was the state's most energetic campaigners for Hillary Clinton's bid for the White House.

Today will be an occasion for Sen. Clinton to remember Knoll as a friend and political ally.  

A military honor guard will escort Knoll's body to the center of the Rotunda where she will lie in state until tomorrow afternoon. It is only the second time in the history of the Capitol that there has been a lying in state. Speaker Matthew J. Ryan who died in 2003 was the other. 

Gov. Rendell, U.S. Rep. John Murtha and Lt. Gov. Joseph Scarnati will be speaking at the service. Also expected to attend are U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, U.S. Rep. Allyson Schwartz, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, Attorney General Tom Corbett and members of the state legislature and state courts.

The hour-long service is closed to the public, but will be broadcast on closed circuit TV at the Forum building across the street from the Capitol.

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Pledging to "bring discipline to state government," Sen. Jake Corman of Centre County was elected today as the new head of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee. Corman defeated Sen. Pat Browne of Lehigh County in the leadership race.

The Appropriations Committee reviews all legislation for its fiscal impact and plays a crucial role in developing the state budget.

Corman said with the state facing a $1 to $2 billion deficit the legislature needs to look hard at expenditures.

"We must not look for short-term solutions that could have serious long-term ramifications on the Commonwealth and its citizens.” he said.

Corman, who was elected in 1998, takes over for retiring Sen. Gibson Armstrong of Lancaster County.

He also served as chairman of the Senate Communications and Technology Committee, the Public Health and Welfare Committee, and most recently as chairman of the Republican Policy Committee.

Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi of Delaware County and Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati of Jefferson County retained their leadership posts. Also re-elected were Sen. Jane Orie of Allegheny County as Majority Whip and Sen. Mike Waugh of York County as Caucus Chairman. Sen. Bob Robbins of Butler County was elected Caucus Secretary.

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