I started this morning by reviewing a letter the Governor wrote to the top people at PHEAA. The letter stated that the total bonuses given in 2007 totaled $2.5 million, up significantly from the $570,000 figure originally released. It also went on to say that there are over 2,500 employees at PHEAA, an amazing revelation; and that the financial performance was worse this year than last. It also stated that the agency has spent over $400,000 in legal fees to fight full disclosure of their expenditures. Having learned of this new information, I did a press release that garnered a fair amount of state-wide attention. This outrageous activity can only happen in government, some would say, Pennsylvania’s government. To make matters worse, the 20 member board of PHEAA includes 16 legislators, where were they? Even after all of the excuses about things being built into contracts (which I understand is not true), how did they let this happen to a government agency? Unfortunately, this is typical of what I have seen in my short time in Harrisburg, gross negligence and a total disregard for the people that we are charged to serve. Senators John Rafferty and Jane Orie have been working on the problems with PHEAA long before this scandal broke; we need to follow their lead and totally restructure this government agency.
- John
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