This week on Lincoln Radio Journal:

Lowman Henry has a Newsmaker interview with State Rep. Curt Schroder of Chester County on reforming the state's casino gaming system; Joe Geiger of the Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations has Bets McManus of Leadership Cumberland in the Nonprofit Spotlight; And, Scott Paterno has an Uncomfortable Truthcommentary on the role of money and consultants in political campaigns.

You can listen to the broadcast at www.lincolnradiojournal.com

A major reform to Pennsylvania's legal system has been approved by the state House by a 112-88 vote.

House Bill 1, also known as the "Fair Share Act," ensures that defendants in lawsuits pay their fair share of monetary damages instead of the entire award of damages. Pennsylvania is one of only nine states without a "Fair Share Act" on the books.

"This simple, reasonable and responsible lawsuit abuse reform will help put an end to deep pocket frivolous lawsuits and is a necessity if we want to improve Pennsylvania's economic and health care climate," said House Majority Leader Mike Turzai. "The current system is susceptible to abuse by plaintiff lawyers seeking co-defendants with deep pockets such as large employers, hospitals or state and local governments."

The Fair Share Act eliminates joint liability for defendants in civil cases found to be less than 60 percent liable and implements a system of comparative responsibility in which a defendant is responsible for paying only his fair share of the damages, according to Turzai.

"That means if a party is responsible for 10 percent of the fault, that party would be accountable for paying only 10 percent of the total award. Under current law, the doctrine of joint and several liability establishes that a defendant in a multi-defendant civil case may be required to pay damages associated with the actions of its co-defendants."

All but three of the 112 Republicans in the House voted yes on HB 1 and they were joined by three Democrats to pass it.

HB 1, sponsored by Rep. Curt Schroder of Chester County now goes to the Senate for approval. Gov. Tom Corbett promised while campaigning last year to sign a lawsuit abuse reform bill if the Legislature sends it to him.

PA State Rep. Curt Schroder - Schroder's Fair Share Act Wins House Approval

Rep. Curt Schroder (R-Chester County) says he voted against a pension "reform" bill that he believes only postpones the pension crisis and creates even larger budget problems in the near future for Pennsylvania taxpayers.

From a Schroder press release:

"House Bill 2497 is not the answer to Pennsylvania's pension crisis," said Schroder. "In January, we will have a new governor and a new House. This important issue should not have been decided by a lame duck governor and 21 legislators who are no longer accountable to the taxpayers. Instead of passing a deficient and short-sighted piece of legislation, I believe we should have taken the time to thoughtfully consider a defined contribution pension plan for new employees, similar to a 401(k). This is the direction most of the country is taking and I believe it is the best solution for the long-term health of Pennsylvania's pension plans."

Pennsylvania is facing a multi-billion dollar unfunded liability in its pension systems. Schroder said that while HB 2497 addresses some of the more immediate issues concerning the pension system, without further changes the plan will again require huge taxpayer contributions in a few years that will force the issue to be revisited. "Anyone who believes this issue is now solved will be in for a rude awakening by 2015," Schroder said.

"The state employee and school pension systems currently have a guaranteed rate of return, and they have been underfunded for many years. This underfunding continues with passage of this alleged pension fix. With the economic downturn, we can no longer afford a system that guarantees a return on investment when the returns are not there. HB 2497 assumes that Pennsylvania will experience gains of 8 percent over the next several years even though recent gains have been only about half of that. It also assumes employee contribution rates will rise and make up the difference. It is highly speculative that either would happen."

The bill passed Monday evening in the House by a vote of 165-31 and is awaiting Gov. Ed Rendell's signature.

Unlike many of his colleagues who have decided to stick their head in the sand, Rep. Curt Schroder, a longtime proponent of reforming state government, issued this statement in support of the Bonusgate Grand Jury recommendations.

Grand Jury Speaks for Pennsylvania Citizens in its Recommendations to Clean Up Corruption

By Rep. Curt Schroder

It was satisfying to learn that the statewide grand jury assembled two years ago to investigate the Capitol corruption scandal known as Bonusgate had decided to issue a report on its findings. Contrary to reports, not everyone in the General Assembly has scoffed at or derided the recommendations. It was even more satisfying to learn that many of the grand jury's recommendations for reforming the Legislature and curbing public corruption are already contained in bills I have introduced.

It is rare that a grand jury opts to issue a report, and even rarer that it would delve so deeply into the muck as to make sweeping recommendations for change. I can only surmise that the average tax-paying citizens who comprise that body were so appalled at what they learned about their state Legislature and pervasive corruption, that they were moved to initiate a desperate cry for change.

It is apparent, in the words of the grand jury, that the state Legislature is "irretrievably broken" and in desperate need of systemic change. Its recommendations included reducing legislative salaries to force Pennsylvania into becoming a part-time Legislature; cutting legislative staff; streamlining services; and limiting special accounts controlled by House and Senate leaders.

My legislation includes those points and goes even further to eliminate discretionary grants known as WAMS, and move members of the Legislature to a defined contribution system to replace their defined benefit pension plan. In fact, last summer, during the protracted state budget stalemate, I proposed forming a true citizens' constitutional convention, which captured widespread support among major reform organizations throughout the Commonwealth.

A constitutional convention would allow all of the issues raised by the grand jury to be addressed. The grand jury asserted that a constitutional convention would likely be necessary to achieve some of the reforms it was recommending as jurors expressed doubt the Legislature was capable of reforming itself.

I am encouraged by the findings of the grand jury. While some recommendations are open to debate and discussion, I believe the grand jury has done a great service on behalf of Pennsylvanians. It is an independent body that has carefully studied the practices and procedures that enabled corruption to occur and take hold at the highest levels of previous House leadership. While many changes have been made by current House leaders, this report still serves as a major wake-up call. I am calling on the leadership of the House and Senate to take these recommendations seriously and to act immediately to fix our broken system.

While everyone's attention is focused on Obamacare, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives on Monday voted 104-85, mostly along party lines, to increase Pennsylvania's debt ceiling by another $800 million.

The vote puts the debt potential for Redevelopment Assistance Capitol Projects (RCAP) at a record $4.25 billion.

Rep. Curt Schroder (R-Chester County) voted against raising the debt and issued the following statement:

"It is the fourth time since Governor Ed Rendell took office that the debt ceiling has been raised," said Schroder. "The amount that Pennsylvania can borrow has shot up by 180 percent. The Commonwealth simply cannot continue to thrust mountains of debt on future generations of Pennsylvanians, particularly when they will also be saddled with massive debt created at the federal level."

As with any loan, the amount needed to pay off the debt is far higher than the amount borrowed. The debt service on RCAP projects in 2002-03 was $65.5 million. With the new debt ceiling now at $4.25 billion, the amount needed annually to cover the new level of borrowing will be $326.7 million - a 400 percent increase.

"In these economic times, we should be looking for ways to cut spending and to do more with less, just as the citizens of this Commonwealth are doing every day," said Schroder. "It is grossly unfair for future generations of taxpayers to be forced to pay for today's wasteful projects favoring the politically well-connected."

The House measure goes to the Republican-controlled Senate.

Rep. Curt Schroder, R-155th Dist., was recently honored as Republican Legislator of the Year by the Greater Exton Chamber of Commerce.

Robert Hall, chairman of the Chamber's Government Affairs Council, said Schroder was honored for "his attention to the needs and concerns of small businesses in the community."

More from a Chamber press release:

"Small businesses are the heart of this community and communities all across our nation," said Schroder. "Small businesses employ more than half of the private sector workers and account for 44 percent of the total U.S. private payroll. They generated 64 percent - or about 14.5 million - of the net new jobs in this country over the past 15 years. As an elected official, I am mindful of the critical role small businesses play in creating and maintaining good, family sustaining jobs. It is incumbent on me and other elected leaders to support small businesses in any way we can.

"I am honored and humbled by my selection as the Republican Legislator of the Year by the Greater Exton Chamber of Commerce. I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the chamber for its recognition of my efforts on your behalf and for the great work all of your members do to promote small businesses in the greater Exton area," he said.

The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC)— the nation's largest nonpartisan individual membership association of state legislators — congratulates Pennsylvania State Reps. Matthew Baker and Curt Schroder for filing House Bills 2053 and 2179, which protect the right of individuals to make their own health care choices.

Pennsylvania joins 31 other states where legislators have introduced, or will introduce, legislation modeled after ALEC's Freedom of Choice in Health Care Act, according to a press release issued today by ALEC.

Under the legislation, any state attempt to require an individual to purchase health insurance — or forbid an individual from purchasing services outside of the required health care system — would be rendered unconstitutional. The measure may also cause a federalism clash if Congress passes a law with either of these provisions.

Baker and Schroder will hold a joint press conference Wednesday at 10 a.m. in the Capitol Rotunda in Harrisburg to discuss their efforts.

Read the rest of the ALEC press release at the link below:

Pennsylvania Legislators Stand for Health Care Freedom

State Rep. Curt Schroder will not seek the Republican nomination for Pennsylvania's 6th Congressional District now that incumbent U.S. Rep. Jim Gerlach has announced he will seek re-election to a fifth term.

No surprise here. Schroder entered the race after Gerlach announced he will run for governor instead of defending his Congressional seat. With Gerlach back in the picture, Schroder will not force a primary fight.

This is a critical year for both state and federal elections. Republicans must take back control of the state House in Harrisburg and the House of Representatives in Washington, D.C., to reverse the failed policies of Ed Rendell and Barack Obama. Party unity is crucial.

Republicans have to rally behind Gerlach and Schroder could be a strong voice for reform in Harrisburg if Republicans regain majority control of the state House.

From state Rep. Curt Schroder (R-155th Dist.), Republican chairman of the House Gaming Oversight Committee:

State Rep. Curt Schroder has gathered the necessary support to require a line-by-line reading of the pending table game legislation before a final vote is taken on the bill.

In a letter Monday to House Speaker Keith McCall (D-Carbon), Schroder expressed concern that lawmakers will not have sufficient time to read and consider Senate Bill 711, legislation that would authorize table games in the Commonwealth.

Schroder, having obtained the signatures of 51 House members, made a formal request to have SB 711 read aloud during session to allow lawmakers the opportunity to hear the contents of the hastily-drafted bill before a final vote can be taken to expand gambling in Pennsylvania.

"Substantial changes have been made to the table games legislation in recent weeks and House members have had almost no time to review it," said Schroder.

"Controversies such as those surrounding Foxwoods Casino in Philadelphia, the possibility of additional resort licenses and the expansion in the number of slot machines in existing casinos are also rumored to be part of the final bill. These changes deserve our thoughtful consideration. By forcing a line-by-line reading of the bill as provided under House Rule 21, Pennsylvania citizens can be assured that their representative knows what he or she is voting on."

Schroder said the original gaming legislation that authorized slots in Pennsylvania five years ago was riddled with problems that have yet to be rectified. By invoking Rule 21 and forcing a line-by-line reading of the bill on the House floor, he said lawmakers can make an informed decision.

A formal set of rules governs session conduct and procedures in the House. Rule 21 maintains that all amendments to a bill be printed and made available to House members prior to a final vote on a bill. It further states that upon written request to the presiding officer by at least 25 percent of the members elected to the House, any bill shall be read at length.

Chester County state Rep. Curt Schroder, a Republican candidate for Pennsylvania's 6th Congressional District, announced Tuesday he has raised more than $100,000, exceeding his fundraising goals over the past six weeks.

"I am humbled by the outpouring of local support that I have received," Schroder said in a press release. "Over 320 individuals helped us raise nearly $110,000, the overwhelming bulk of which came in during the last 30 days."

Schroder emphasized that the bulk of his contributions came from individuals within the 6th District and not from far flung national PAC's representing special interests or a personal check.

"Clearly the taxpayers in our region know me, my record and what I stand for. They know that as their Congressman I will go to Washington and place their interests first"

Taking a shot at one of his opponents, Steven Welch, who doesn't live in the 6th District, Schroder noted: "I have lived in the 6th District since its inception and the Downingtown area my entire life. I understand the values, needs and priorities of the people who live here. The out-pouring of grass roots support clearly demonstrates that the people who live here recognize that"

Schroder has represented Chester County's 155th District in the state Legislature since 1994.

The 6th District Republican nomination is up for grabs in 2010 after incumbent Republican Jim Gerlach announced he would not seek a fourth term. Instead, Gerlach is running for governor of Pennsylvania.

For more on the campaign, visit Schroder's Web site at http://vote4curt.com/

State Rep. Curt Schroder has added Kyle Whatley as campaign manager in his bid to win the Republican nomination in the 6th Congressional District.

Whatley has held leadership positions in or managed four congressional campaigns, a mayor's race and two city council offices. He led a statewide non-profit organization and has consulted Fortune 500 companies.

Originally from Texas, Mr. Whatley came to Pennsylvania specifically to work on
Curt Schroder's campaign.

"My wife and I would not have moved almost 2,000 miles if I was not absolutely certain Curt Schroder was going to win this race," Whatley said. "He is in an exceptional position to not only prevail in the primary but to win the election next
November. I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of this campaign and look forward to playing my role in Curt Schroder being the next Congressman representing the 6th District of Pennsylvania."

Schroder added, "I am pleased to announce the hiring of Mr. Whatley. This team is fast becoming one of the most skilled in the country."

Schroder previously announced that addition of two consulting firms, Strategy Group for Media and Hallowell & Branstetter as part of his campaign team.

"The Strategy Group for Media has consistently won awards for excellence, Hallowell & Branstetter has a combined 50 years in Pennsylvania politics and we have now added an experienced campaign manager," Schroder said. "I am extremely confident in the professional team we have assembled and am excited about the race to come."

Schroder was first elected to represent the 155th District of Pennsylvania in the State Assembly in 1994.

He and his wife reside in Downingtown with their two children.

The 6th District Congressional seat will be open in 2010 because incumbent U.S. Rep. Jim Gerlach is not seeking re-election to Congress, opting instead to run for Pennsylvania governor.

For more on Schroder, visit his campaign Web site, http://Vote4Curt.com

A state lawmaker from Chester County is interested in running for Congressman Jim Gerlach's 6th Congressional District seat if Gerlach ends up running for Pennsylvania governor in 2010, according to CQ Politics.

State Rep. Curt Schroder, R-155, has been a member of the Pennsylvania House since 1995. A staunch conservative and thorn in the Harrisburg establishment, Schroder has organized a campaign committee with the Federal Election Commission to allow him to raise money for a possible Congressional bid, says CQ Politics.

From the CQ Politics post:

Schroder, who couldn't be reached for comment Thursday, was first elected in 1994 from a legislative district in Chester County, which is one of four counties from which the 6th claims territory. The Democrats haven’t fielded a candidate against Schroder in any of his seven re-election campaigns.

But Schroder would be put to the test in the 6th District, where Barack Obama took 58 percent of the vote in the 2008 election. Pennsylvania's 6th is one of just six districts that voted for Obama and also for John Kerry in 2004 that is presently represented in the House by a Republican.

Gerlach bucked the Democratic trend in his district, but just barely: he took 51 percent of the vote in 2002, 2004 and 2006 and 52 percent of the vote in 2008.

Here's the scoop on Gerlach. Although he has set up an exploratory committee, he will not run for governor, but will seek reelection to his 6th District seat for three reasons: 1) Gerlach trails Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett in the polls and is unlikely to make up any ground; 2) Gerlach has never run a statewide race is a virtual unknown in most of Pennsylvania; 3) Gerlach is the only Republican who can hold the 6th District seat and will be under tremendous pressure from GOP leadership to seek another term.

As for Schroder, there's nothing wrong with being the first announced Republican to show interest in the seat on the very slim chance Gerlach decides not to seek reelection, but Schroder's future is in a House leadership position should Republicans regain control of the state House in 2010.

For more on Schroder, visit his web site, http://www.curtschroder.com/

For more on Gerlach, visit http://www.gerlachforpa.com/