Lobbyist notes to Pa. governor mix charm, pressure

Monday, April 27, 2009

By MARK SCOLFORO, Associated Press Writer

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HARRISBURG, Pa. —

Newly disclosed correspondence between Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell and lobbyists from last year shows he received particular pressure regarding a property assessment bill he eventually vetoed and a stalled proposal to extend health coverage to more of the uninsured.

Rendell released 306 pages of correspondence from calendar year 2008 in response to a request from The Associated Press under the state's revised Right-to-Know Law that took effect in January.

The correspondence covers a vast range of public policy issues, from teacher qualifications and prison reform bills to the expiration of electricity rate caps and even cocoa import issues at Philadelphia's port.

Among the most contentious matters was a bill that would have limited the ability of municipalities and school districts to appeal for an increase in a property's assessed value if the sales price shows its market value is considerably higher. Rendell vetoed it on Oct. 17.

About two dozen letters dealt with health care issues, including a program that has helped doctors pay malpractice insurance premiums and Rendell's efforts to expand health coverage.

The Democratic governor also received invitations to dozens of events, several thank-you messages and some flattery.

An official with the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy wrote to thank him for a $1 million grant for the Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece Fallingwater, and the president of the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce told him "the record of your administration as a catalyst for local economic development cannot be matched."

Rendell spokesman Chuck Ardo said the decision to release the documents shows Rendell's commitment to governmental transparency.

"I think what these demonstrate are not only the demands on his time, but more clearly demands on his attention," Ardo said.

The request covered the governor, his Legislative Affairs Secretary Steve Crawford and his Policy Secretary Donna Cooper. Some documents, including communication with the state's D.C. lobbyist, were withheld under the law's "predecisional" exception. Although the request was for lobbyist correspondence, not all of the letters were from registered lobbyists. The copying fee was $77.

A similar request by the AP to the legislative leaders for their 2008 lobbyist correspondence was rejected in February on grounds that the law applies more narrowly to the General Assembly.